My cataract surgery went well! They gave me something in my IV to make me very "comfortable," but said I would not be asleep as I would need to be able to follow the surgeon's commands. What?? I remember being wheeled into the surgery room and I remember being wheeled out, but I remember nothing of the procedure. Did I obey any commands in there?? Haha!!
This is a picture I took yesterday afternoon. I'm not allowed to wear eye makeup for two weeks, and then I'll be having my right eye done so no eye makeup for two weeks after that. So a whole month!! No one told me about that part!
I've taken some close-ups of my bloodshot, very dilated eyeball, but I don't want to scare anyone, hahaha!! The good news is, I really do believe I have 20/20 vision in that eye for the first time since second grade! I can't believe it!! I have an appointment this afternoon to get things checked. I think I'll ask them to pop the left lens out of my glasses so I can still wear them here at home. I had to put my right contact lens in first thing this morning so I could see right to make Dick's omelet.
So it's good Elizer is with Alex this week. I'm not supposed to lift anything over ten pounds. Destiny is being given overtime at work this week, so that's a good thing. She said she's been Facetiming with Elizer each day. This evening she's coming here after work and we're going to watch Titanic. We got the VHS version of it for $1.00 on Saturday when we were antiquing. And yes, we do still have a VHS player, can you believe it??
Meanwhile in Florida...... The path of the hurricane has certainly been shifting. Last evening Lisa, George, Sophie, and the dogs drove over to Orlando and checked into a hotel. This morning she told me they could not sleep, and as the path has changed even more, putting Orlando into its way even more than Clearwater, they decided to pack up and drive back home early this morning. They are home now. So we wait and see what this storm does. My heart aches for all who will experience the devastation of flooding and wind. Lord, have mercy!!
Dear blog friends, I need your prayers. First of all, I'm having my first cataract surgery this morning (left eye). I know this is not a big deal, and everyone I know has had no problems afterward. But I think my biggest qualms are about how this will work for the next two weeks with one eye done and the other eye not done. Will the vision in my left eye be 20/20 as expected? He said I would wear my contact lens in my right eye and my left eye will not need anything. But 20/20 is not guaranteed, so if it's not, then what? And I guess I won't be able to put my glasses on when I take my right contact out at night, because the left eye won't need that strong lens. Maybe I need to use an eye patch? Ugh. So many questions.
I also need prayer for our dear daughter Lisa and family in Oldsmar, Florida (near Clearwater). Today they will be securing things the best they can and then heading to the Orlando area to get a hotel. At least that's the plan as of last night. Hurricane Ian could change paths and thus change everything. My heart aches at the thought of their lovely home being flooded or damaged.
I also need prayer for Destiny, Elizer, and Alex. The other week I shared that Alex was hospitalized for some mental health issues, so I was suddenly babysitting full time. A week ago he was released and is living with his dad in Lancaster. Of course he was more than eager to see Elizer. So on Sunday we met him to give him Elizer for the week. They were happy to see each other. Destiny does not want to be that mom that doesn't let the dad be with his child. It works out for me that he is with Alex this week since I have this surgery. But Destiny is REALLY struggling. We all miss Elizer like crazy, but she more than anyone. Please, please pray for her.
I will not be linking this post to Facebook. I trust you friends who read my blog when I update. Thank you for caring about me and my loved ones.
I almost forgot one important request! Pray for safe travels for our daughter Miki and her friend Kicki who will be flying from Sweden to Newark, NJ tomorrow! Miki will finally get to see her first grandchild!! They’ll be here in Pennsylvania for a whole month! Here’s a recent picture of Charlie!
I'm finding a few moments to write here. First some flower pictures.
My begonias and coleus behind the side porch are a nice surprise when I take a walk around the house. Half the time I forget they are there! I'm still puzzled as to why my coleus have not gotten taller this year.
Speaking of coleus!! The top left picture is a planter at Lori and Anthony's. She has several big ones like that. The top right picture was taken down our street. The lower pictures are some of my roses.
And some sky pictures taken here in our community.
Sunset and sunrise pictures.
Some Elizer pictures from last Friday.
On Friday evening we did our annual tradition of taking Destiny to a Chinese buffet for her birthday. The food was SO scrumptious!! Elizer did really well and we had a good time.
He even tried a lemon, haha!
On Saturday morning I took him for a walk, and when we came back he wanted to eat ice cream in the camper. Of course he pretended to take a nap too.
Later on Saturday I went over to Anthony and Lori's. Dick was mowing there, so I got a picture of him. Austin was working on making origami boxes with lids. I found out that he did not have any instructions to follow when making the one on the bottom. He saw a single picture of it on the internet and figured it out from that!!!
Also on Saturday - Sophie was having her first official college visit at the University of Miami. She loves it there! She can have four more official visits before November 11 and then she will look at offers and make a decision.
Hunter came here overnight on Saturday and went to church with us Sunday morning. Of course he wanted a bubble bath Saturday evening! On Sunday we had fun making our own marble roller creation, putting the United States floor puzzle together, and he built an impressive tower with the Duplos.
In children's church they made tie-dyed shirts. Very explicit instructions were sent home with the shirts. On Tuesday I opened up the saran wrap that Hunter's shirt was in and followed the instructions for rinsing. I LOVE it!! He will look
so good in that!
Tuesday was Anthony's 46th birthday. Here's a collage I made, starting with the picture taken soon after his birth. This was my tribute to him on FB:
"Happy Birthday to our son Anthony Stauffer! He is the most intelligent person I know, and the best Blues guitar player, teacher, businessman, reader, thinker, and writer. And this year I can add Grill Master! We're proud to be your parents, Anthony, and pray you'll see even more of your plans and dreams become reality this year!"
More cute pictures of Elizer! He LOVES going for walks. If we hear a mower we always need to walk in that direction so we can watch! It's ok if it's a guy pushing a mower, but it's GREAT if it's a tractor mower.
Gotta start this post with my favorite picture of the week. I was driving home from Walmart last Thursday evening and saw the most amazing sunset against the heavy clouds. I REALLY wanted a picture of it, and as I approached a stop sign there was a car behind me, so I decided to turn left and pull off the road to get the picture. Turns out I was right at a meadow with cows grazing in the foreground. PERFECT!!
It seems like a long time since I've seen a beautiful morning sky. I usually get up at 6:15, so for months the sun had already risen by the time I got to the kitchen. That is no longer the case, but we have had SO MUCH cloudy, rainy weather the past two weeks. So as soon as I spied a beautiful morning sky on Tuesday morning, you'd better believe I was out there on my front porch to get a picture of it!
Last week my hanging plants on the front porch hit a lovely peek. I love opening the front door and seeing them!
I was in front of our house on Tuesday, late afternoon, and took a picture of our lovely view.
Then I took a couple of pictures of flowers. First my knockout rose bush, which has really gotten bigger this year. We planted it two years ago after our previous one died.
I'm always thrilled to see some late lilies still blooming.
I took this picture of Destiny's impatiens this morning at her front door. They are getting so huge and beautiful! I wish we had planted more, but I remember having qualms about how much we spent on annuals back in early June.
On Saturday morning we hit the road for Lancaster. J'von plays football for Thaddeus Stevens School of Technology. Little man thought he needed sunglasses, so I gave him a pair of mine. Of course they stayed on for just a minute or two!
It turned out to be a hotter afternoon than we were expecting. The only bleachers were on one side of the field, and the rest rooms and concession stand were on the other. We made that walk in the hot sun several times.
Frank was there too with Jada, Alaya, and V'anni. After the game we went to La CoCinca, an authentic Spanish restaurant in downtown Lancaster, to eat together. That was fun, and the food was scrumptious!!
My life has become interesting, to say the least, this week. Alex is currently hospitalized to get help with some mental health troubles. I'm almost afraid to even put that in writing because of the stigma attached to such things. Also, I will not be linking this post to Facebook in order to avoid sensational comments there. Your prayers are very appreciated!
Due to his absence, I am now Elizer's babysitter when Destiny is at work until there is an opening at a daycare. We are managing so far. I have had to become creative with appointments this week. My hair appointment on Tuesday was at 10:00, Destiny starts work at 11:00. So we met at her parking garage to transfer Elizer from her car to mine. Today I had a pre-surgery (cataract) physical at 12 noon. I picked up Dick at work on my way there, and he took Elizer for some McDonalds while I was at my appointment. That worked out great! Elizer is absolutely crazy about Pawpaw, and Dick was able to take his lunch hour in a much more fun way than usual!
So lots of Elizer pictures this week!
And of course, some really great videos!
"If You're Happy and You Know it...."
Stinky feet are SO funny!
So is the word "elbow"!!
Yesterday was Destiny's 22nd birthday. I was there at her birth! Here's a picture of Frank holding her soon after her birth.
In this picture her mother is holding Destiny, flanked by us two grandmas.
We had a special day planned yesterday. Destiny got off work at 12:30 so we could go to her favorite hairdresser in Lancaster. She hadn't had her hair cut and colored for a whole year!
When we got in the car to pick Destiny up, I recorded this "Happy Birthday" for her. Elizer mostly giggled. He hasn't found his singing voice yet, much to my surprise.
We had a good trip, about two-and-a-half hours. When we arrived, I realized her hairdresser was in the Golden Meadows business complex. WAY back in the day the Lancaster Aquatic Club was housed in this building. Jeremy swam with that team for a year or two when he was probably in 6th and 7th grades. We spent a good bit of time in this building. Of course I had to send a picture of it to Jeremy. I think it is now a realty office.
There is a huge building behind it now. Destiny's hairdresser is one of many businesses there. I took this picture from Google Maps.
After I dropped Destiny off I took Elizer to my sister Mary Ellen's house, just a few miles away. But oh my, so much traffic. I really am not used to that anymore. Mary Ellen is such a good sport! She was out there in the hot sun throwing ball and frisbee with Elizer! We spent some time in the house too, but it was not relaxing with Elizer exploring every new thing.
From there I went to a Weis Markets to buy a small birthday cake for Destiny. Then I went back to the hairdresser. Destiny's mom had come to sit with her and catch up, and she of course wanted to see Elizer before she had to leave for work. I regret I did not get any pictures of them together.
It was a long procedure since Destiny's hair had not been done in such a long time, so Elizer and I did a whole lot of walking all around the big building several times. At one point we went inside the salon, and he found a circle that he could run and run and run. I gave him rides on the little chairs on wheels that were in the pedicure station. Destiny and her hairdresser were the only ones there, so it really didn't matter.
Finished at last and happy! As you can see, she has gone a bit red! She felt so good getting the weight of her long hair off. Her hair is naturally curly, but she had it straightened. That will last till she washes it, lol!
Just as she was finishing up, Alex's dad, brother Ozias, sister Odalys, and her little son Jiryah came to the salon to see Destiny and Elizer!! Somehow I missed getting a picture of Odalys. She is such a beautiful, lovely person.
Alex's dad had so much fun playing with the boys. Lots of running and shouting - perfect timing because most of the businesses were already closed and there was almost no car traffic or people.
Look at these little cousins chasing each other around the tree!
It's good to be a young, strong grandpa when you have two active grandsons! Alex's brother Ozias is 12, I think, and he loves playing with his nephews too.
We finally said our goodbyes to them. We stopped at a Sheetz gas station to get food to eat on the trip home. I got some coffee too, since it was getting rather late. We made good time. It was 8:00 when we left Sheetz and 10:30 when I got home. And that was with taking Destiny and Elizer home first.
We never did have a chance for the birthday cake, so hopefully we can have it this evening when she gets here after work to pick up Elizer.
A few cute pictures from today and I'll finish up here.
I was taking him for a walk late this afternoon when a familiar truck came along! Since we were on our own street, we let him sit in the truck with Pawpaw the rest of the drive to our house. He loved it of course!
And that's all till the next time I get a chance to do this!
We had a really fun Labor Day weekend, just around here. I confess, I struggled with that - the staying around here part. I love to take road trips, at least to Lancaster County. But we'll have some of those coming up in October.
Dick had been given some free tickets to a baseball game. Our local semi-pro team is the Spikes, and we have a really nice stadium. This was their last weekend of the season. We went on Friday evening. The weather was PERFECT!!
Destiny and Elizer went with us. Oh my. He was so darn cute that evening!! Everyone around us was smitten!
Before the game even started he was dancing with the music and people around us got such a kick out of him.
To add to the fun, it was "bark in the park" night, so there were lots of dogs there.
When Elizer got antsy we took turns walking him around. When Dick was walking him, a stadium attendant gave Elizer a ball. Oh my goodness!! He was delighted. BUT he desperately wanted to throw it!! We ended up needing to take it away from him till they were at home!
The other special thing that night was that kids and dogs were allowed to run the bases after the game was over. Dick took Elizer!
On their way!
How cute are they???
We were barely out of the parking lot before Elizer was sleeping!!
On Friday I had had a six-month appointment with the cardiologist. I showed her my knee and the bruising that was all the way down to my feet. She was sure I must have bumped my knee at some point and the bruising down my leg happened because my veins don't properly bring the blood back up my leg??? Something like that.
While I was there I got a call from my primary physician's office. They said that she would be having hours at a Saturday clinic and she could see me about my leg. So I went to see her on Saturday afternoon. Again, no answer about my knee, except that I must have bumped it. She did order bloodwork, which has come back with no problems. Ugh. The bruising is going away, but the lump on my knee is still big and painful to the touch. I simply cannot imagine that I would have bumped my knee hard enough to do this without remembering it. Good grief!! So now I'll just wait for the orthopedic appointment at the end of September. Maybe it will go away by then.
On Saturday evening we went over to Destiny and Alex's place. I got this picture of the impatiens by her front door.
I took Elizer for a walk, and we enjoyed watching our shadow!
Dick grilled hot dogs, shrimp burgers (that Destiny had gotten at Trader Joe's), and bacon cheeseburgers. Elizer wanted his little swing set up, but I think he has pretty much outgrown it. His feet were practically dragging on the ground.
We were also having fun with his baseball. He has a little tee ball stand. He would put the ball on the stand for me to hit. Then he would go get on a lawn chair and start cheering for me, hahaha!! He got bit by the baseball bug the evening before!! He loves to cheer!
We brought the folding table into the living room and ate while watching a movie. Then we played UNO. I had not played it in years! I forgot how fun and unpredictable it is!
Elizer wanted to play too, but we tried to content him with just one card. Not very successfully! He kept going out to the kitchen, pushing his little car up to the kitchen sink, standing on it and playing in the dishwater. Thankfully there's an opening between the living room and kitchen and we could see when he did that. Poor Alex didn't get to sit down much during the game!
On Sunday after church Dick and I went on campus. Destiny was working at the Starbucks in the HUB (student union building) that afternoon, and we got our lunch there.
I really don't think I had been there since Anthony graduated in 1999. I think there was construction going on at that time. What a beautiful place!!!
We ate on the patio with Destiny during her lunch break.
As we ate I was looking across the lawn at another building and started to think it looked like Lori's building. So after I was finished eating I walked over there, and indeed it was the Biobehavioral Health Building where Lori's department is.
I remembered taking a picture under that sign one time! 2013 - Lisa, Sophie, and Lori!
After we left campus Dick took me past some flowers that he has been enjoying this summer. He passes by when he test drives vehicles for work. He said he saw when the zinnias were first planted or sown in the spring and were coming up in neat rows. Now look at them!! I want to put a zinnia bed by our shed next summer.
When we got home I walked around taking pictures of my own flowers - still a few lilies, sunflowers, and brown-eyed susans. And how about that geranium??
We knew that the Spikes' last game was that evening and that they would be putting off fireworks afterward. We thought it would be fun to go out to the hill where we had watched the July 4th fireworks. We estimated about what time that would be, according to how long the game had lasted on Friday evening. When Dick and I walked out of the house at 8:15 we realized we were hearing fireworks. WHAT??? But we hoped maybe it was fireworks somewhere else, so we went and picked up Destiny and Elizer. Alex didn't feel like going if the fireworks were over, but Destiny and I were hoping they weren't!
Dick decided to go right to the ball stadium to see if the game really was over or not. It was beginning to rain a little bit as we drove there. We got to the stadium and indeed, people were walking out. Darn!! We were so disappointed. Had they cut the game short? We slowly drove by and suddenly there was an absolute cloud burst of rain. It was just dumping out of the sky!! It was crazy!! I guess they had seen the storm coming on the radar and cut the game short so they could get the fireworks in before it hit! I felt so sorry for people walking to their cars in that rain!!
We decided to go to McDonald's drive-through to get ice cream cones before taking Destiny and Elizer back home. So we had fun anyway.
As we were driving to their place Elizer thought we were going to our house and he was not happy that we weren't. So I decided since Monday was a holiday he could sleep at our house. He was excited about that!
He was NOT sleepy as soon as I was that night. What a character! I was in the guestroom bed with him. He thought it was so funny to quietly get off the bed and tip toe past me to the door. He has no fear of walking around in the dark. One time he walked right into the box of marbles in the living room. That made a great-sounding crash!! Later he got weepy and wanted mommy and daddy. So that took a while to get over. Eventually he went to sleep. But I don't sleep well in that bed, so I was awake way too soon, and Elizer sat up and noticed daylight above the drape at the window, and he was all ready to wake up. Whew!! I felt like a zombie that morning!! Thankfully Dick was here!
He took an early afternoon nap for two hours, and when he woke up he sat on Dick's lap and slept about another hour. I managed to get a bit of a nap too.
We took him home after he woke up. Then we came home and I cleaned up my house that looked like a tornado had swept through, hahahaha!! I was really ready for bed earlier than usual last evening!
Look who finally had his first day of first grade today!! Our grandson Brennan in Portland!! What a handsome, preppy-looking little guy he is!! I'm sure he was counting down the days!
Remember how sad I was earlier this summer that there were no yellow tea rose bushes anywhere? But I had gotten a new red one. (Both my red and yellow ones had gotten hit with too much ice on their roots last winter and did not survive.) Well, finally my red one is seriously blooming!! And they smell really good too. I am so delighted!!
I have also been enjoying the cockscombs in that flower bed. They are such a nice pop of color! I never had them before.
On a much sadder note, there was a tragedy in my family on Friday morning. My cousin Jeff Myers, age 65, was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Absolutely shocking news! To add to the extreme sadness, his 42-year-old stepson Shane had died less than two weeks prior. Shane had been severely injured in a motorcycle accident seventeen years ago and has been severely disabled since then. His mother Barb, Jeff's wife, was his primary caregiver. So Barb lost her son, hasn't even had his memorial service yet, and now she has lost her husband. Some things are just too hard to comprehend. My heart aches for her so bad.
My sister took this picture at our Myers reunion in April. (Dick and I were unable to go, and now I'm even more sad about that.) Jeff is on the far left. His wife Barb is next to him. Others at the table are Jeff's sisters and their husbands and Jeff's brother, standing. They are such a wonderful family. Their dad Paul was my mom's brother.
I don't want to end on such a sad note, so here's a cute collage I made today - September pictures of Elizer!
