Back To School

 Yesterday I helped my daughters get their classrooms ready for back to school.  Every year I'm shocked at how much they do with their own money and on their own time.  Currently they are off contract, but school parking lots are full of cars as teachers (donate) their time to prepare for back to school.  Once school starts, they will be required to attend some unnecessary meetings and will not be provided time to work on their rooms.  Hmmmmm it's almost as if they "expect" them to do it on their own time.  I haven't even mentioned the amount of their own money they spend just for the privilege to teach.  I spent at least $1000. this summer trying to help them with needed supplies.  Honestly, it's disgusting.  Plus, they act as, furniture movers and wear too many other hats to mention.  I really wish the girls could leave teaching, but they are too invested toward their retirement.  The climate in Oklahoma is really bad toward education.  Our legislature is doing everything they can to run teachers off and finally get the school voucher bill passed to overt federal money to private schools.  This may be the year they succeed.  

Could it be any hotter?

 I'm beginning to think Ron and I are the only people in Oklahoma who haven't had Covid.  Today twin #2 tested positive.  Twin #1 had it more than 6 months ago, but she's been exposed again.  Fortunately, Ron and I haven't been around the girls for a couple of weeks so we will dodge the bullet once more.  This variant seems to be spreading rapidly.

My brother is doing remarkably well.  His new psychiatrist has reduced 2 of his meds due to his development of tardive dyskinesia.  Both drugs have huge side effects and lowering the dosage has resulted in much clearer thinking.  That all translates to less work on our part.  

He did have one little incident with his adjustable bed.  It is a split king and he had raised the head on his side of the bed to a full upright position.  He told me he did that so he could lean on it and just lower himself into bed.  Unfortunately, the bed stuck in that position and wouldn't go back down.  So of course, he called us in a dire state of emergency.  Ron drove over and attempted to get the remote to lower the bed but had no luck.  Now, mind you he had a perfectly functioning bed on the other side but REFUSED to sleep in it!  So, he slept sitting straight up that night.  Ron went back the next day and finally (with force) got the bed to lower but he told Mike it no longer goes up and down.  A little white lie but the bed has been an ongoing problem, so we took advantage of the situation and told him it no longer works.  I'll probably go to hell for lying to him!

Like the rest of the country, we are baking here in Oklahoma.  Last week we reached 110 but had a few low 90's this week.  No end in sight.  I can't imagine what August will look like.  I may already BE in hell!!

Snap, Crackle, Pop

 Well, I followed through and have my first orthopedic appoint is October 7th.  I hope I am still able to walk by then.  But I've at least taken the first step.

Last week we had a mishap.  Ron accidently left the freezer door open, and it wasn't discovered for 2 days.  We lost everything including all the meals I had prepared for Mike in anticipation of having knee surgery.  All in all, I'd say we lost about $2,000 of frozen meat and I don't know how much in frozen vegetables and time.  It made us both sick!  I've been concerned about Ron's memory for a while, but I still believe his seizure meds have a lot to do with it.  Last night I found the bag of salad on top of the refrigerator in the breadbasket.  I don't tell him about it because it just upsets him.  I feel like I have to follow behind him all the time.

Aging can certainly be a challenge!

 Happy Independence Day!

We will be going to my daughter's house for a cookout later this afternoon.   Nothing too elaborate but just some good ole burgers and hotdogs.  I'm struggling to feel there is much to celebrate this 4th of July as our country continues to struggle.  There is so much division you would hope we could come together for one day to recognize the sacrifices made by so many for us to have our freedom. 

I'm looking down the barrel at two knee replacements.  I've done the cortisone and gel shots and I'm at the end of the line on those.  I said that when I could no longer shop for my own groceries I'd say "Uncle" so here I am ........."Uncle"!  I'm going to start by talking to a few orthopedic surgeons before I decide on who will do it.  My lungs are finally under control so I don't think that will create a roadblock. Ideally, I'd like to have the first surgery in early November but of course it will depend on the doctor.

We had a little mishap today.  Seems Ron didn't shut the freezer all the way yesterday and today we found everything inside had completed thawed.  There was probably $2,000 worth of food lost.  I will have to replace all the meals I had prepared and froze for Mike.  I was trying to get a lot of stuff ready for when I'm down from the knee surgery.  But accidents happen and you just have to shake it off and start again.

Keep on keeping on!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th full of celebration and fireworks!

Fireplace DONE

 Our fireplace turned out just as I imagined.

Flooring has been installed and all that is left is painting the new baseboards.  They are coming to work on that tomorrow and Monday.  Then I can start putting my house back together.  Ron and I will be so glad to get this finished.

We had snow today, but it is supposed to be in the 50's so should melt off pretty quickly.  The roads have already cleared off but there will be slick spots tomorrow morning.  One of the perks of retirement...we don't have to go anywhere!

dream come true!

 

This is what I'm having built on a wall in my living room only it will be covered in shiplap.  They are supposed to start building today.  I have ordered the fireplace and the mantle and they will be here next week.

I have wanted a fireplace for the entire 52 years I've lived in this house.  Now, with the electric fireplace option, I can finally have one!  And since I have to wait for the floors to be installed I might as well spend more money...........

Things are never as they seem!

 Well, I did get the wall repaired and the living room and hall painted but no floor.  It was supposed to been installed today but found out last week that it has to be ordered.  This was quite irritating since we picked it out December 28th and chose this particular floor because they "had in in stock".  I specifically did not want to have to order a floor because I knew it could be forever before it was received.  The dealer tried to get me to come up and pick another floor, he said he'd have to order it as well.  That made no sense to me so I said I'd wait as long as it took but I wouldn't pay the increase in cost.  He had said the cost would increase after January 1.  Another reason I placed the order in December.  Our contractor assured me that we will not be billed any increase in cost.   So now I wait.................

After the living room was repainted, I was trying to decide what I would be putting back on the walls.  I have a schoolhouse clock I purchased about 45 years ago.  It was the first thing I bought on my own after the divorce.  At the time it was a major purchase.  Anyway, this clock has hung in my living room all this time.  The clock has always kept good time, but the pendulum stopped working years ago and it started chiming (3) times on the hour.  The girls and I would count them down and explain the quirkiness of the clock when we had visitors.  Eventually we just learned to tune it out.  Since it was taken down to paint, I started considering purchasing a new clock.  I searched for one and found several options.  However, the longer I thought about it I realized I just can't part with this old quirky clock.  So. guess it will go back on the wall to chime away every hour on the hour.  Since Ron and I don't hear as well as we used to. we don't notice the chiming anymore.