Unwelcome interruption

I omitted some crazy happenings in my previous post, so I'll tell you about them now.  I will not be linking this post to Facebook as I usually do, because I'm not interested in making a big sensation.

Last Wednesday evening, as I was packing up the cookies we had baked, my heart suddenly began to pound and race.  It absolutely would not settle down.  I reluctantly checked my blood pressure, and it was higher than normal.  I checked it a few more times, and each time it was higher than before. My heart continued to pound hard and fast.  We had gotten ready for bed and prayed together when I took my blood pressure one more time.  It was even higher.  I felt afraid to lie down or go to sleep, remembering that my sister Janet had died in her sleep.  At that point we decided to head to the ER.  It was probably 11:30 pm when we left home.  

At the ER they pretty quickly called me back for an EKG.  I learned later that I was experiencing atrial fibrillation, a first for me.  It was another hour or more till my heart finally settled down.  My blood pressure had continued to rise.  Throughout the wee hours of the morning I was given fluids and was constantly monitored.  I was given a new blood pressure med and a blood thinner, as well as some huge potassium pills.  They sent me home with a couple of extra pills and orders to pick up the new prescriptions at my pharmacy. It was 5:30 am when we left.  I think we had both dozed a good bit during the night.  I felt sorry for Dick sitting on an uncomfortable chair all night.  

Of course it was Thanksgiving day.  We went home and slept for about two hours, then got up and got busy.  My Thanksgiving day story is in my previous post. 

On Friday, after Destiny and family left for Lancaster for the weekend (see previous post), I got a call from the pharmacy telling me that they had two prescriptions ready for me.  The one (Elilquis) would cost me $500 to pick up.  What?????  I told them I'm not going to pick it up.  I sent a message to my family doctor.  Later I went to pick up the Metoprolol (blood pressure med).  They said they had two prescriptions ready for me to pick up, the Metoprolol and also Xarelto, a different blood thinner that my doctor had just called in, hoping it would be less expensive.  It was not.  It too would cost me $500 to pick up!  I realized that it was a deductible, and would be less thereafter.  However, this is the end of November.  In January we would need to pay that deductible again!  I just didn't feel willing to spend $1000 at this time of year!  

I tried to call my doctor's office while I was still at the pharmacy.  I talked with someone, probably an answering service.  She said she would send an urgent message to my doctor.  But it was late Friday afternoon by then, and I never did hear back until Monday morning.  

I spent a good bit of time on the phone on Monday with a pharmacist from Geisinger, our health system here.  She ended up finding me a coupon for a 30-day free trial of Eliquis, which she sent me.  I picked up the medication last evening.  Thirty days will take me almost to the end of this calendar year.  Then we'll figure out what's next.  Anyone on Coumadin and happy with it?

This morning I had an appointment with my primary doctor.  I have been referred to a cardiologist.  

My biggest concern is that because of being on the blood thinner I may no longer take the pain medication I've been taking ever since 2002 for arthritis.  Neither may I take ibuprofen.  So Tylenol it is.  I was given a tube of topical diclofenac at the hospital.  They said I can apply that everywhere it hurts.  Ugh.  I also ordered Tumeric Curcumin from Amazon that my sister Mary Ellen's rheumatologist recommended to her.  She thinks it makes a difference.  

All this at a time when we are in the middle of trying to switch to a less expensive Medicare prescription plan as well as a less expensive Medicare supplement.  I am wondering now if we'll even be accepted.  And time is running out.  

And all at the same time I have this knot in my shoulder blade that is better some days and worse other days.  It started a week ago, even before the a fib.  I apply heat, vibration, cold.  We even have this almighty massager that almost looks like a gun.  Dick has used that on me several times and I think it helps.  I just want it to go away so I can turn my head without pain.  

Well, how's that for a dismal update?  Good grief!   We actually had a good weekend anyway.  I'll post about that some other day and link it to Facebook.   

Our Thanksgiving week

It's Thanksgiving Saturday and a very unusual one for me.  I'm home alone!  

Dick is deer hunting, and Destiny is working at Auntie Anne's in Lancaster at Park City mall this weekend.  Alex and Elizer went along since a hotel room was provided for them.  Our store here was closed this week since all the student workers went home for Thanksgiving.  

Winter has arrived!  We had snow flurries most of the time yesterday, and strong, cold winds!  Of all days I needed to fill up my van, and the pump at Sam's Club was having issues.  I looked at the temperature on my phone and it said 30, feels like 19.  BRRRR!!

It's beautiful and sunny now, but still cold.

And now going back, here are some pictures and videos from last Saturday.  It was a lazy start to the day, and Elizer thought it was so funny to smell my poo stinky toes!

When I was sitting here at my computer he was playing piano and discovered the church organ setting.  He loved it!  

That day in the mail I got this tee shirt from the company that my sister Barb's daughter-in-laws own in Idaho - Sister B's Tees.  I LOVE it - so soft and comfy!  I took this picture when I was trying it on at bedtime, thus my tired face.  

On Sunday after church Dick and Alex got some things done outside.  Alex cut down the tall grasses in the front flower bed.  They also cleaned up the dead flowers from the flower beds in front of the porch.  Then they got busy hanging greens and Christmas lights on the front porch, but when it started raining - a cold, raw rain, they had to stop.  

Elizer and I watched from the door.

Later, as we were relaxing, Elizer and Dick were "gaming."  Not really!  They each held a controller and there was a football game on TV.   I am sure Elizer thought he was controlling those football players, hahahaha!!  

In the evening Dick and I went to church again, this time for a community Thanksgiving service.  Part of the service was the hanging of a "Thanksgiving Tree."  We each received a colorful leaf on which we wrote things we were thankful for.  Then we hung them on the bare branches of the tree, symbolizing the life that is brought into situations when we have thankful hearts. 

On Monday I was so excited to get TWO envelopes from Sweden in the mail!!  I knew the contents would be very special and they WERE!

Please watch this video to see the amazing work and detail our daughter Miki put into making these cards.  My birthday card was late, but that's ok.  She MADE the card on my birthday and was thinking of me all day as she made it.  How special is that??

On Tuesday Destiny and I did our Thanksgiving grocery shopping.  But first of all we went to their storage unit so she could get some of their winter clothes.  I waited in the van with Elizer and cracked up when I looked at him in my rear view mirror!  His shoes and socks had come off and he was snacking on his toes!  This boy!  Sometimes he takes all his clothes off, including his diaper, before we even realize it.  Gonna have to wrap him in duct tape, hahaha!

He WAS the cutest boy in Sam's Club!

After we got home Destiny made our dinner - rice and beans, chicken, and fried plantains.  Yum, yum, yum!!

On Wednesday I took turkey off the bones - I had roasted it slowly overnight.  I also made pumpkin pies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  

In the evening Dick and Alex finished up the Christmas lights.

Later Dick was showing some videos to Elizer and to our surprise, he fell asleep!!  That is very unusual!  But we realized that he hadn't napped very long that day.  I guess Great Grandpa's videos were just too boring!

On Thanksgiving morning the kitchen was busy as Destiny helped me to make food.  We made all our usual things - baked corn, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, cranberry applesauce.  Lori has a three-pot warmer that is just the ticket for making lots of dishes at once.  I put stuffing in one of the crocks, green bean casserole in another, and sweet potato casserole in the another.  I was able to bake all three, plus the roasting pan of baked corn, at the same time!  After they're finished, the crocks go right into the warmer.  I had put the deboned turkey into my big slow cooker, and I made gravy in my electric kettle.  

This is a picture from the internet.

We went over to Anthony and Lori's barn for our Thanksgiving meal.  It was around 50 degrees when we got there at 3:00.  We set up the food on the lower deck.  Anthony had a kerosene heater on the deck and a roaring bonfire nearby. 

Inside the lower level of the barn was a very cozy pellet stove.  

Ray and his friend Leiana had arrived at our place earlier, then they and Dick went to Anthony and Lori's to do some target shooting. 

I was busy doing food set-up and eating and playing Scrabble on my phone with Austin and Hunter, so I did a TERRIBLE job of taking pictures!!  I can't believe I didn't get any picture of Destiny!!!  She took a long time to do her hair and make-up and I didn't even get a picture of her.  And no group photo, no picture of Elizer devouring the stuffing, or of those who ate on the deck and hung out by the bonfire.  UGH!!!

Our group was very small this year, but I was in touch with most everyone.  Video calls with Lisa, Jeremy, Sammy.  Messages from Sam, Bjorn, and Frank.

Back home again that evening and washing up all those Thanksgiving pots and pans was the absolutely worst part of the day as always!  Thankfully no picture of that, haha!

On Friday morning Destiny, Alex, and Elizer left around 9 am for Lancaster.  We were having some pretty big snow flurries before they left, but nothing was sticking to the road surfaces.  

What a quiet house I have had these two days!  I relaxed a lot yesterday, and am trying to catch up around here today.  

Till next time!

  

Our week in pictures

Another week gone by!  This evening we are definitely feeling like winter with the cold wind out there.  It's going down to 28 degrees tonight - a new low for this fall.  

There hasn't been much to differentiate one day from another since I posted last week, so I'll just share pictures.

One thing Elizer gets so excited about is watching the birds that come to the feeder.  

I noticed one beautiful sunrise this week.

I took this picture as I was leaving Anthony and Lori's place before 5 pm, and the sun was beginning to set.  This evening I got home from their place at 5:40 and it was absolutely dark.  I really struggle with dark evenings.  I wish it didn't affect me so much.  

I took this pretty picture of our church on Saturday evening around 5 pm. 

Last week I ordered a leash for Elizer!  It's so hard to hold tightly to his hand when walking.  Last Thursday Destiny got off work at 2 and we decided to try it out.  We all loved it, even Elizer!

He especially loved the piles of leaves we walked by.  Of course we had to let him play in them a bit.

The other day I took Elizer for a walk and didn't realize Alex was taking a video to send to Destiny.

He's always dancing.  He just can't stand still when he's listening to music!

Occasionally he just chills.  Not very often though!

One evening I put blankets over the coffee table to make a tent.  Oh the giggles!!!  He especially loved when he was inside and I lifted the side to peek in.  Later when Destiny got home from work she got into the "tent" with him.  He loved it!

He's really working on using a spoon and fork.  His favorite meal is when Destiny makes her Puerto Rican rice and beans. 

Any time he finds a piece of clothes he wraps it around his shoulders.  This time it was Grandpa's flannel shirt.

So many things going on here - the headset, the game controllers, and the way he's sitting on the back of the couch with one foot on the cedar chest behind it.   Have I said he's a climber?  He has very little fear.

Teach 'em when they're young, haha!

I'm so glad he really likes books.  He has definite favorites. 

Yesterday morning I went to my Abide Bible study for the first time in many, many weeks.  It was actually the last session of this semester.  It was really, really good to be with the other women even if I don't know them very well.  

For some reason I have been having a lot of trouble commenting on blogs.  So many times I write a comment and it doesn't post.  I know some of you have your comments set to be reviewed before publishing, but I often don't get that message either.  I'm not sure what the problem is.  Just know I do check in on you!  If any of you has trouble commenting on mine, please shoot me an email.

Have a good weekend!

Diary of my week

Lots of things to share from this past week!  I've got a great computer now on which to blog, but it's harder to hide myself from a certain little someone when I'm sitting here!  I have no idea why the middle portion of this post seems to be in a text box, nor do I know how to get rid of it.  Also - if this seem like diary entries, that's pretty much what this blog is - for the past 16 years!   We refer back many, many times whenever we have questions about events and times.  I do it for me, and for anyone who is interested!

Wednesday, November 3

I updated here last Wednesday morning.  Later in the day I cooked a meal for Anthony and Lori's family, and Destiny and Elizer went with me to take it over to them.  First of all I'm sharing this amazing picture I took at their place!  I wished I could sit there for a long time to soak in the beauty and serenity of it. 

 

When we were getting ready to go to their place Elizer was so excited to get his shoes and hat on - a sure sign of going outside!  We stayed for a little while as Hunter was showing Elizer some of his toys, and Lori and Destiny were catching up.

Thursday, November 4

Thursday morning was cold with a hard frost.  Destiny's car windows had a thick coat of frost, and we had not yet gotten our scrapers from the shed.  Neither was her defroster working correctly because of a setting that needed to be adjusted.  So I pulled out the emergency scraper and we got 'er done!  

After she left for work Elizer was my breakfast buddy.

Later in the day I took him for a walk.  Our neighbor has a  yellow maple tree that had shed its leaves.  He had fun playing in them.  With his camo jacket he was fitting right in, haha!

I took these pictures that evening.  Destiny was putting together a little spinner as he watched and "helped."

Friday, November 5

This is all that was left of my beautiful roses by Friday, but I was determined to enjoy and breathe in their fragrance as long as possible.  

We  had fun watching J'von's playoff game on our TV that evening.  It was broadcast on YouTube Live. His team lost by ten points, making this J'von's last high school game, sadly.  But he will be remembered!!  He made FIVE touchdowns!!  And he set a new state record for receiving yards - 357!!  (I have no idea what that means, but I know it's amazing!)

 

Saturday, November 6

Destiny had a long day at work on Saturday, but I caught this cute sight in the morning!  Elizer is a smart, busy, strong-willed handful, but he is very, very loved.  

Dick worked in the morning and then went hunting over in Anthony's woods in the afternoon.  Alex, Elizer, and I went to Auntie Anne's in the afternoon!  Destiny was able to take a half hour off so we could walk to a nearby shop for some food.  Why did I not take any pictures??  

Sunday, November 7

I took pictures at church for the first time in a while.  We had an almost full house!  We do still wear masks as suggested by our bishop, but also out of regard for our mostly older population and Pastor Lynn's ongoing cancer treatments.  I will be so thankful if and when COVID is no longer an issue and we can sing unmasked!  

We had a special time of honoring our veterans and presented little gifts to each one.  In the second photo you can see the veterans standing.  

I was feeling "antsy" that afternoon.  I wanted to go somewhere!  So we went over to Anthony and Lori's.  Dick wanted to check his trail cams in the woods.  I had fun swinging the boys, and going for a "walk" with Hunter and Elizer around the barn.  Up the stone steps on one side, across the upper deck, down the wooden steps on the other side, across the lower deck, up the stone steps, across the upper deck, down the wooden steps, across the lower deck - again and again and again!  Of course Hunter was much faster than Elizer and I were, and you can be sure he kept track of the amount of times for each of us, haha!!  Again, no pictures of that activity!  I did get some exercise!  Meanwhile Anthony was starting a fire and we sat there for a while.  It was amazingly warm and the fire felt hot!

Elizer fell asleep after we left, so we decided to go for a drive.  First of all we went to Dairy Queen for cones, then we went over the mountain behind our place to see leaves.  Actually, the prettiest tree was at Dairy Queen - the photo on the top right.  Most were a very blah color, but we like to drive, so it was fun.

On our way home we stopped at Troy's near Bellefonte to get hoagies to bring home.  They were so delicious, and we all enjoyed them tremendously.  Alex shared his with Elizer, and he said he "tore it up" haha!

Monday, November 8

Monday was my 70th birthday!!  It started out as a regular cooking day, but there were lots of fun things  throughout the day.  For one thing, how about Facebook birthdays??  What a way to feel special!  So many greetings from people from all eras of my life!

I decided to make a quick collage of each decade of my life!  

It was a beautifully warm day!  That last picture was taken as I ate my lunch on the porch!!

In the mail I received my annual card from sister-in-law Faye Stauffer - her own beautiful artwork and handwritten note!  I always look forward to that!   I also got a hilarious, hand-made card from our daughter Miki in Sweden.  I don't think she intended it to be a birthday card, but that's the day it arrived, haha!  I got a good laugh!  And I got flowers!  My doorbell rang and there was a delivery of flowers and a balloon from Jenn and the kids!!  Wow, that felt really special! 

When I took the dinner I had cooked over to Anthony and Lori they all stood on the porch to sing "Happy Birthday" to me.  They all started out singing melody, but as usual, halfway through both Anthony and Lori branched off into harmony parts, and by that time the boys weren't exactly on the melody either as they got eager for the funny ending.  I jumped in at the very end to add some melody, haha!!  I should have just sung along the entire time since they both do such great harmony.

From their place I met Dick at the parking lot of Calvary Harvest Fields.  We left his truck there and headed down 322 to meet Sam and the kids for dinner.  His birthday is the day after mine and we have had a long-time tradition of eating out together.  This time we met halfway at a little deli at the Thompsontown exit.  Dick has fond memories of eating there with his dad and brothers after their days together at the hunting cabin.  

We had a really fun time, and the food was great!  Such a tiny place, it was hard to not be noticed by the others eating there.  I'm afraid we were a bit loud, haha!  I love them so much and we always have such a great time together no matter where.  

Tuesday, November 9

Tuesday was a day off for Destiny, and they were enjoying a chance to just chill on the couch together that morning.  Elizer climbed up and sat between them.  So cute!!  I tried to sneak a picture without them knowing, but guess who spied me, haha! 

Later that morning I got a phone call from my neighbor lady asking if "that young man over there" could come over and open her peanut butter jar.  It just wouldn't budge!  Alex was right on it and opened it with no problem and we got a good laugh!  It made her day and Alex's too!   Meanwhile Destiny took a video through the window, but I just took screen shots from it, because all you could hear was my big loud talking and laughing from our porch.  

Later that afternoon Destiny and I went grocery shopping, and after we got home I tried a new lasagna recipe.  We all LOVED it -  and ate too much!!  Especially me, since I am lactose intolerant and forgot to take any Lactaid.  My insides were unhappy with me all the next day!  

Isn't this gorgeous?  I caught the sun shining on my birthday bouquet. 

Wednesday, November 10

Another cooking and laundry day.  Jamaican Rice and Peas and Curried Chicken this time.   I took dinner over to Anthony and Lori's and the sun was already setting as I returned home just after 5:00!  Boohoo!!   But it was beautiful.  I drove up to airport park nearby so I could get good pictures.  

Last evening I was sitting here at the computer to start this blog post.  We have a car seat and stroller set that we need to sell, but meanwhile it is sitting here in my den while Dick figures out how to repair one of the parts.  Sometimes Elizer thinks it's fun to crawl into the car seat and chill a while, this time with an old cell phone, hahaha!!  

And now I'm finally caught up!  Thanksgiving is two weeks from today!  Can you believe it??  I'm NOT organized this year at all!!