Well, it's lunch time.  I had homemade white chili.  It's pretty good - very low fat but very high protein.  Mike, Randy and I worked on the restaurant equipment a little to get it in place for the gas, electric and plumbing contractors to finish their work.  I'm tired!  I was the designated box lady (carry them to the dumpster) and general clean up person so the men could work.

Walter is good.  He walks behind the wheelchair now.  It's hard for him to turn the wheels with his hands because his left hand is bandaged from the hairline fracture.  He has a nice roommate now and a gentleman at his table in the dining room that is pretty feisty!  He lives alone too and is the first to say he is pretty independent - doesn't want his kids telling him what to do.  You can tell he has always been a jovial soul.

I think Roger is supposed to be back from California today.  Donna will be happy about that.  Stan "has a cold" and didn't get out yesterday.  He didn't want to get out today either so I'm going by the rehab center after work.  Makes for a long day and is so reminiscent of the years of going to see Mother after work.  As hard as that was, I am so glad I was able to do it.  There were some really exceptional moments that only I got to share with her.  They make up for all the bad times and the constant battle to ensure she was cared for properly.  There should be a special place in hell for some of her caretakers, especially the social workers at two facilities.

Well, back to work for now.  Happy Tuesday.

Walter is in rehab and doing well.  They wouldn't let him come home for the weekend.  Stan and I have been alternating days with him.  I am so tired from everythng going on at work that driving there after work today reminded me of all the days I rushed from south Grand Prairie to Keller to have dinner with Mother. 

I've got the greatest husband anyone could ever find.  We had his mom and step-dad here, then just his mom.  He helped me and supported me when Dad was dying and I had to go sit with him at the hospital from before breakfast until afer dinner each day.  He took over at home so I could spend evenings at the nursing home with Mother and went in my place on those few days each month when it was all too much for me.  Now, he's there beside all three of us watching out for Walter.

 Stan has told me that I'm the bravest and strongest person he's ever know.  I couldn't be any of that without him.  He's always got my back.  I am so blessed.

Work is challenging right now.  I keep telling people that Mike and I are ready to open our own business as general contractors.  Who knew one little project could be so much work and involve so many trades.  No matter how carefully you plan, there will always be something that needs to be changed and it will impact ten other things.  One piece of equipment not being available can throw the whole design off.  There are still three or four more pieces of equipment outstanding.  One carpenter project, a little electrical, a little cat-6, a fire supression system, a floor contract, some tweeking of the gas service and plumbing, an inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy.  Oh, did I mention changes to the security system?  The need for that change came up around 4:00 this afernoon.  I guess that's why I love my job.  Every time the phone rings, it could be a new challenge and the opportunity to create a Raving Fan.

Hubbs is running  a little bit of a fever tonight so he's in bed with the TV lulling him to sleep.  Penny is missing Walter so much after a week with us that she won't leave my side.  I'm trying to stay up a little later so he can rest.  

The last infusions of Rituxan have lost their efficacy and it's time to do them again.  Unfortunately, I am having to negotiate the labyrinth of the healthcare system to get them to agree to cover a treatment I've been receiving for the past four years.  Steroids are so dangerous for me but are the only real option I have until the infusions are approved.  Please, UHC, get this approved so I can get on with my life! 

Walter is doing well after giving us quite a scare.  They drilled two holes in his skull to allow the bleeding to clear.  He is walking and talking and appears to be just fine.  We are all so glad there will be no long-term damage or complications. 

Despite the storms, it was a great week.  We have been really busy at work - no stress just interesting stuff.  I love my job.  I love my life.  I have a great, supportive hubbs and wonderful family.  And Brac is probably the cutest baby ever.  What a joy.  Add him to Kelsey and Caleb and we've got a good next generation coming up.  Not a brat in the bunch, just really great kids.  All three have good parents who have the kind of values that surpass those of most others in their generation.  

I am finally feeling a little better this morning.  And, it's Friday Eve!  Looking forward to a nice weekend with the hubbs.  He has really taken care of me this week while I've been under the weather - literally - it's alergies.  He made me tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner last night - real comfort food.

After almost 32 years of marriage, I still keep discovering things about our relationship that make me even more appreciative.  We will always be there for each other - for as long as we both......Hope it's a long time!

We had a great time at Watauga Fest yesterday.  I got a Watauga Senior Center Cook Book and Stan bought a bracelet for me that is made out of salvaged buttons.

Forever Plaid was absolutely wonderful.  It was done in a cafe setting rather than in the theater.  The performers were perfect for their parts and had really great singing voices.

I am a little under the weather today.  When's the first frost?  It may take that long for my head to clear. 

 We really enjoyed our day out.  Spring is always wonderful!

Ah, Friday.  Watauga Fest is tomorrow and Forever Plaid is showing at the Uptown.  I would really like to go see it in the smaller venue.  I wish the Farmers' Market was going to be open but that isn't until next weekend.

The square-foot garden is sprouting.  I think everything is pretty much up now.  We just need some warmer weather to get things really growing.  My tomatoes are blooming almost as much as the spirea.  Hope we get a good crop. 

I got corn for wild feed last week and the birds really like it.  We may need to get more this weekend.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

I got home tonight and Stan had my new bicycle waiting in the garage.  It is a pretty blue with a bicycle helmet to match.  I tried it out and found it needed some minor adjustments to the gears and tires but it is pretty comfortable to ride. 

I didn't discover Downton Abbey until season two.  I ordered season one from Amazon and they gave me the digital version as a gift with the DVD.  I watched four episodes tonight and will watch the other three tomorrow night.  I'm so glad there will be a third season.  It almost makes up for not having Masterpiece Mystery on regularly, although I tend to like the older programs on Mystery better - like Morris, Lewis, Poirot, Marple, Prime Suspect, etc.  I'm not too fond of the new Sherlock but it is an evolved character that today's audience will probably relate well to. 

It was still a little to wet outside for me to get to the garden this afternoon but I can see a few sprouts from the window.  I'll go out and look a little more closely tomorrow.  I will be doing the herb pots this weekend.  Spring is just so fun!

It was a great weekend despite some “trials.”  Kathy, Donna, Walter, Stan and I had lunch at Oscars.  Marty had to work but was going to meet us at the auction.  (Did I mention the rain??)

 

After we left Oscars, we headed to the location Marty had given us.  (Someone, please, get Marty a GPS J.)  After the confusion as to where we were going, Donna locked her keys in her car at the auction site.  We didn’t renew our AAA this year and it expired last month.  Donna doesn’t have electric locks on the red rider so OnStar couldn’t open her car.  Kathy and I both have keys to Donna’s condo, so all five of us piled in my car and went to Kathy’s for keys to Donna’s then to Donna’s for keys to the red rider.  (Did I mention the rain??)

 

The good news was that we had looked around at the items for auction and Stan saw a box of brass things that had two medium size (12”) brass flamingos.  He called Marty during our travels looking for red rider keys and had her bid on it.  It was a 500 number so it was near the last of the auction and Marty, an auction maven, was able to get it for $5.

 

I used a new recipe for applesauce chicken in the slow cooker and it was pretty good.  I got the cheeseburger soup made along with sausage and waffles for the freezer.  I made kale chips with both seasoned salt and ranch dressing seasoning.  Both were excellent but I found out that they get soggy if you put them in a sandwich bag.  I wanted to take some to work for lunch but that didn’t really happen.

 

Donna is going to take Walter to the Senior Center for lunch this week.  I think she said something about peach cobbler.  I hope they have fun.  I couldn’t talk Stan into going.  He picked out a bicycle yesterday and I think he is going to go get it for me today.  I’m letting him decide because I couldn’t make up my mind.  I really wanted a 3-wheeler with a cart but need speeds because of the RA.  Almost everywhere I go is within two or three miles of home.  We checked out the closest strip center and there aren’t any bicycle racks. 

 

Our little city isn’t particularly bicycle friendly.  I’m guessing it’s because of the large packs of riders who don’t obey traffic laws that come from Bedford and North Richland Hills.  They pull up at traffic lights to the right of cars waiting to make a right turn, don’t stop for lights or stop signs and block traffic by riding across both lanes if there are two lanes.  Then, they complain if they almost get hit.  Cars would share the road if the cyclists had a clue.  Mostly, the big groups are just rude.  Just once, I’d like to see a single one of them actually stop for a stop sign or red light!

 

So much for one of my pet peeves. 

Garden is Planted

Stan had planted tomatoes, onions and peppers during the week.  This weekend we did the square-foot garden box with a number of different seeds.  We picked out small pots for the herbs and I will probably start them in the sun room this week since it is supposed to both rain and turn colder Thursday.  The rain is usually too hard for the seed pots and I want them to feel all warm and cozy and ready to grow.  I love being in the garden this time of year.  I'll try to post some pictures soon.  The garden is already home to two large flamingos and one small one. 

We made sausage this afternoon and was I surprised.  Ground pork is readily available now and the rest is just spices.  I may try ground turkey next time.  The best part was no preservatives and stuff you can't pronounce in the ingredients.  That's got to be better for you.  It was as good as anything I've ever purchased.

What a wonderful weekend!