SO LONG 2008 - You won't be missed much

In the year 2008 I did these things...

1. Drove to Wisconsin for my brothers 60th birthday party in February. Visited Bev and RJ in Madison.
2. Said goodbye to my best friend as she drove away to Washington State in April.
3. Said goodbye to: Bev, Phil, and Michael for the last time.
4. Visited my best friend in Washington State and had a fabulous time in November!
5. December 25th, said goodbye to my other best friend, Lucky Dog.
6. Found out my niece is having twins!

And a whole bunch of other stuff in between which seems insignificant compared to the above list. Looking ahead to 2009.

Happy New Year

LUCKY DOG 2/7/96 - 12/25/08

12 years was not enough Lucky. I needed more but it was time for you to go. I love you my girl. You were special to all of us.



Here's to you girl!

















I love you my girl!

Meniscus Tears they say...

Meniscus tears on both sides of the knee. Operate on it in January to fix them. That's torn cartilage in there. Outpatient orthoscopic procedure. Hope it is as simple as they make it sound! Getting around somewhat better but still a little sore.

AS WE AGE OUR BODY PARTS FAIL US!

My knee has hurt me for over a month. I did not get in to see the Dr. till last Monday. We chose the pill route for the first attempt at treatment. Wrong choice! Should have had the shot, maybe I would be walking today... maybe not! Was coming up my stairs Monday morning (yesterday) and it gave out on me. I went down with it. Could not get up. It would not support me and I had excruciating pain all through my knee. I crawled up the stairs and found dad's walker in the LR. Don't laugh.... it was a Godsend! I used it all day long. Went to the Dr. he gave me a cortisone shot and we thought all would be great again! Not! He sent me to the Orthopaedic surgeon. They did x-rays. Then scheduled me for an MRI at 2:00 p.m. I have to go back Wednesday at 2:45 for the results. I am on crutches now. Much better than a walker, cause walkers don't do stairs. I don't have to crawl up and down the stairs now. I have spent the past two days mostly in bed. I hope that changes soon. I have Christmas shopping to do still! I am ready to be mobile again. But that might be awhile. More later.... after I find out what my options are.

Back Home Again!

Got home last night around 8. Had a great trip and loads of fun with Karen and her family. We did our Christmas stuff together while I was there. It was a very nice break and great to see Karen again. We took lots of pics on her camera. I will post a few when I get them from her. We visited a few wineries and went to a movie and watched a couple at home too. Watched The Bucket List together, as that was one movie we had wanted to see together and did not get to but we fit it in on my trip! It is a good movie. Drove up to Grand Coulee Dam in a snowstorm on Saturday the 29th, then went to downtown Spokane and rode the Gondola over the spillway. It was cold but fun! Buddy the pup has grown considerably and is a wild one! Really cute and good at getting his own way... lol. Full of energy! Flights were pretty good. All on time and no glitches. Will post more later when I get the pictures.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane.....

Headed out Saturday a.m. early! Plane takes off at 7, if all goes well will be in Spokane WA at 10 a.m. or so. Been packing all day. Nervous and anxious about it all but what happens will happen. I will get there one way or another! Looking forward to two glorious weeks in the state of Washington with Karen and her family! Have a sitter for Lucky and my brother has dad! Can't get any better than that! Headed to Washington wine country.... woohoo! Keep the emails to a minimum please for next 2 weeks!

VETERAN'S DAY NOV 11Th- THANK A SOLDIER!

Celebrate Veteran's Day. Thank a soldier today!

Join this Army!

Army of Women. Help fight breast cancer now! Then say a prayer for my friend's mom and all the other women fighting this disease. This is a worthwhile cause. It could be YOU someday!
Click on link on the right.

Been Awhile

Been awhile since I posted anything. Haven't much to say lately I guess... Here is a great easy salad I found in a recipe book I bought at the Ks Oil Museum here in town. I already tried it and it is really good!

Sliced tomatoes (Homegrown are best)
sprinkle with fresh or dried basil
drizzle with your favorite Italian dressing
top with shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced black olives salt and pepper.

They have some great cookbooks in the gift shop. Also many other cool things. Check it out online!

www.kansasoilmuseum.org

I am going to be doing some volunteer work for them on the Gusher Gift Shoppe website so am looking forward to doing that! Glad to see some cooler weather. August was a bust for pool time mostly except the early part so time to shut it down for the season! Lucky is having some problems with her advanced old age of 12 1/2. We have put her on thyroid pills to try to even out her levels. They were very low and possibly the cause of many of her recent problems. Also has some arthritis in her legs and is having trouble getting around alot. Poor old girl. She has skin problems we are dealing with with antibiotics, anti-itch spray and anti-histimines. I shove pills down her twice a day with frozen cool whip! Makes them go down a little easier anyway! Guess that is all for today.

A Visit From my Brother

Had a visit from John and Carolyn this week! They got in Tuesday evening. We had a pretty good week. Did a little shopping, ate at TX Roadhouse on friday night. Sherry and I went to a baby shower for Matt's wife Sarah on Saturday. It was a cookout baby shower! Sarah asked for diapers and got tons of them! She will be set on those for awhile. Baby should be here within the next 30 days. Chris had a 21 gun salute event at the KS Veteran's Reunion here on Saturday also. We all got in some swimming and lots of good food! Here are some pics we took this week.

4TH OF JULY!

It's Almost the 4TH!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!

IT'S SUM SUM SUMMER TIME!

Memorial Day weekend swim time pics. Sunday was a great pool day! Storms every night and lots of rain and a trip to the basement sunday night due to tornado warning. But it was a good weekend.

LOST A SPECIAL FRIEND TODAY...

Bev and I worked together alot of years. She was a very good friend. Lost her battle to cancer today. She was a fighter, I have to say that for her. God Bless you Bev, we will all miss you very much, but you are in a better place now and no longer in pain. So happy I got to visit you in February. There was a reason I was there. Love you Bev.

A SAD DAY...

Today is a sad day for me... Karen's last day here. She is moving to Washington state to a new job and to be closer to her folks. It is a great opportunity for her and I am happy for her, but sad that she is leaving. Am driving up today to see her off and spend a few last hours together until I can go visit. Good Luck to you Karen... You are the best! I am truly blessed to have you in my life. I will miss you :(

KU ROCKED!

For a non-basketball lover I thought it was an outstanding game! I was

totally impressed by this team.

Puppy Pics!

Photos of Karen's new Pup!

Party Pics! 60th Birthday Party

Just some pics from the party! That is what 60 candles looks like all at once!

Trip to Madison

New snow last night here. We got about 3 inches, but much more south of here. I went to Madison Sunday to see Bev and RJ and got to see Lauri too. Had lunch at Cracker Barrel. Here are some pics of my trip to Madison! Also.... Max the dog!

Going to Kenosha my Mom's hometown today

Going in to Kenosha today to look around and maybe do some light shopping. John had an interview today in downtown Chicago, then is coming home to spend rest of the day with us. Had dinner at Drifter's Bar and Grill in Paddock Lake last night. Great burgers and fries and O-Rings. I could not even finish mine. Also had a new beer by Jimmy Buffet called Landshark! It was pretty good!

Photos from Wisconsin

Photos from my brother's new home in Salem, WI.