Busy, busy, busy

It is Saturday evening and I am finally getting around to my Friday/Saturday post.  Boy, what a busy weekend we have had.  As you know, school at Mt. Vernon was out on Friday.  Steven woke up Friday and wanted to go to breakfast and then walk around the Square at Apple Butter Makin Days.  We went to Red Barn and then off to the Square we went.  We got an excellent parking spot down by the new Justice Center, which is north of the courthouse.  We walked through the booths on the west side and then we took a short break at the stage and visited with Randee and Mona.  Steve was very excited to see both of them.  They are such good friends.  We had a soda and visited for a while and then he thought we needed to walk some more.  We went up to the side road and then to the east side of the square.  We rested again on the courthouse lawn.  Steve stayed there and watched the kiddie tractor pull while I went back to pick up a new bird feeder that I didn't want to carry around all day.  It is made of recycled tires and looks like a giant sunflower.  I'll share a picture when it is up and full.  Hopefully, by tomorrow.  After his rest, we walked back to the car and headed home.  It was a great day and a wonderful outing for us.  He slept all afternoon when we got home.

Kyle is number 56 on the closest side. 

Number 56-Kyle Doss

We went to Grandma's for dinner last night.  It was Tim's 40th reunion and he and Deb were down for the weekend.  Grandma feed us and then off to the football game we went.  Tim and Deb drove separately because they had big plans after the game.  Grandma and I went together.  Grandpa and Steve stayed at home and listened on the radio.  My guess is they slept, but they will never tell.  We got to the game and sat next to the class of 1970.  Grandma enjoyed seeing the people as much as Tim did.  I sat next to Mike.  We have a good time at the games.  I am sad to report, that the Cubs lost to Mt. Vernon.  It was a tough game for Monett.  Kyle made a couple of good tackles and blocks.  As a whole, I'm not sure the Cubs played their best.  They are really going to have to work on several things this week in practice.  They play Cassville next week at Cassville.  Man, that is going to be tough because Cassville is a power house this year.

Kyle on the line on the far side.

Today was another busy day for us.  We went to breakfast.  We saw a friend, Dennis Rayon.  We ate with him and had a nice catch-up visit. We went to the parade.  We had to park about 6 blocks from where we sat.  He walked, but it was worth it.  We scored tons of candy.  All my students: past and present, throw us candy.  We even got two ice cream bars from the Schwan's float.   Call us lucky, lucky, lucky.  After the parade, we came home.  Steven took a 4 hour nap.  After his nap, we drove over to Dennis' house to see the miniature buildings that he makes for his railroad garden.  I must brag on Dennis.  He sure has talent.  These replica buildings are so life like.  He has such an eye for detail.  I wish I had my camera so you could see the buildings and appreciate them too.

We are home now.  I am watching the LSU and Florida game.  Steve is passed out in bed.  He is one tired little boy.  I am very proud of his outings so far this weekend.  The weather was nice so I think that helped him stay out longer.  He is getting really tired of staying at home and in bed.  I think, even though, he is totally exhausted, the outings did his spirit a world of good.  He loved seeing our friends and the nice fall air.

He is talking about tomorrow walking back down to the festivities.  It should not be as crowed as it would have been today.  He is looking for a new belt, and I think he thinks he will find it there.  I must admit, he does need a new belt.  Since he has lost so much weight, his belt has been punched and punched to make it fit.  I would not mind going and checking out some of the unique jewelry they have.

Aubree Time

I took some pictures of Aubree at the Missouri Veterans Home.  They have a nice fall display with pumpkins, mums, gourds, hay bales and more.


Before I begin telling about Steve, I must share a funny story about Aubree.  I am babysitting tonight while Amelia is at a "family night" thing at her job.  After dinner, Aubree decided she wanted to take a bath.  She striped down and jumped into the bubbly water.  She looked at me and said," Oma, go in there with Opa.  This is my private Aubree time."  I had to really chuckle because that is exactly what I say to her when I am taking a bath and she and Samurai decide to come for a visit.  " It is Oma's private time."  It is amazing the things they pick up.  :)

Steve is doing much better today.  When I came home for lunch he was still resting in bed, but he had snacked on 1 1/2 "ultimate cheese rolls", an iced glass of V8 and a glass of orange juice with his medicine mixed in.   I was very proud of this.  I guess he learned to eat with his medicine.  He did not say he had stomach problems.  He did complain that when he gets up and moves around he gets dizzy.  I think that is because he has been sleeping and down flat for so long, it takes a while for his body to get used to being vertical.  For supper, we surprised him with McDonalds.  He had two, yes two, fish sandwiches.  He loves those things.  Aubree got him a root beer, too.  They both really like relaxing and having a nice cold one.    
He is resting now.  We were there playing Ipad and posting but he started to get restless so we came to the front room to practice our letters and post.  We are watching Nebraska and Kansas State.  I am trying to raise Aubree right.  She can MIZ-ZOU and she can recognize Tigers, Missouri,  and MU on our t-shirts.  A future tiger?

I must brag on Steve.  Last night he rolled over and actually had his knee in my back.  I am thrilled to death about this.  He has only been sleeping on his back since Feb. 12.  Sometimes, he accidentally rolls on his side, but immediately rolls back and complains about the pain.  Last night, he slept that way for a long time.  I asked him this morning if his side hurt any worse than normal, and he said no.  WEEEEOOOOO!!! This is great.  Hopefully, the healing process is advancing and he  will start to feel a little better.  He has several issues with pain:  his inside around his lungs, his incision, his side, and the general yucky chemo pain (just not feeling well).

Quesy

Yesterday I did not get a chance to post.  I am sorry.  By the time I settled down Tues. night, I was to lazy to get up and go get the laptop.  To be truthful, not a lot has been happening.  Steve is feeling poor to fair.  He has been really fatigued this time.  He has slept quite.  When he is sleeping, he is really out of it.  It has taken a little shake and a loud voice to wake him up most times.  Yesterday, he got up at lunch and fixed me soup, but I think that was a mistake.  When I got home, he was standing at the stove wobbling and swaying.  He was dizzy and really had no business making soup. He did eat dinner at the table last night, but went straight back to bed afterwards.  He was asleep when I ventured back there later and to the best of my knowledge, slept through the night except to go to the restroom.

Today, he called me and told me that he could not fix lunch.  He felt sick.  In fact, he confessed that he had been sick earlier in the morning.  He had Ramen for lunch and luckily kept it down.  He slept most of the afternoon.  When I got home from after school book club and the store, he was still resting.  I think he and not been resting very long because I think Aubree visited him when she got home.  She is at gymnastics now and is very happy about it.  She is wearing her new outfit so she will be able to go a great job on all the stations.  When Opa is better, we are going to go and watch her.  I fixed roast beef, mashed pots and gravy for dinner.  He ate a bunch and so far (fingers crossed) has kept it down.  His face is still really flushed.  I think he has been neglecting to take his nausea medicine and it just got the best of him.   Sometimes, when I am gone, he does not take his pills on time and gets behind.  For example, today he took is 11:00 pills at 3:00 and will have to either skip his 3:00 pills or combine them with his 7:00 set.  The only problem with that is he skips a dose of a couple of important pills.  I have been putting his pills by his bed so he doesn't even have to get up, but sometimes he just forgets...even after I remind him.  Hopefully, this queasiness will not last long.  I think it is very important that he keeps his calorie count up and doesn't loose what he gains with eating by throwing it up.

Tomorrow is our last day of school this week. We get out on Friday because of Apple Butter Makin' Days.  I'm afraid that if we had school, there would be so many gone, that the district would loose money.  I have not decided if I am going.  I would like to take Steve if he feels up to it.

Soup Nazi

I am watching Seinfield as I post.  It is the episode of the Soup Nazi.  I sure wish I could run my classroom like he runs his soup shop.  "No more chances for you. NEXT!!!!"  They could call me the Grammar Nazi  :)  I love him.  This episode really cracks me up.  I'll bet I have seen every episode of Seinfield at least a million times.  I could watch them all day long.

Today, Steve stayed at his mom and dad's house.  He had an OK day according to his mother.  He had a good lunch and dinner.  Grandma made potato soup for us for dinner.  It sure hit the spot.  We had warm brownies with ice cream for dessert.  We are home now and he is really tired.  He went straight to bed.  I think he fell asleep in about 3 minutes.  He did wake up and yell for me once when he couldn't find the TV remote.  I ran into the room thinking something was wrong and he was just smiling saying, "I found it."  Sometimes he kills me.  I will wake him in time for his 7:00 pills.  I hope he sleeps through the night. I don't think he is going to go to his mother's tomorrow.  He will fly solo.  I will be able to check on him at my lunchtime and off hour.  He will not have to wake up early so he can sleep in and nap all day if he wants.

I was changing his back bandage today and realized that I could realistically cover it with one 4 X 4 if I needed to.  This is wonderful news.  I use two because I don't like to put the tape close to the part that just healed.  His actual opening is a little less than the length of my first thumb knuckle to the tip of my thumb.  It is healing so nicely.  I wish he would let me take a picture to show you how much it has healed.

First day of a short week

It's Sunday evening and we are resting the bedroom with the sliding door open.  We are letting in some of that beautiful cool air.  It sure feels nice.  I was looking at the weather on the computer and we are supposed to get frost tonight.  Everything was wet this morning but not frozen.

We didn't really do anything exciting today.  We just rested up for the week ahead.  Steve will probably stay with his folks tomorrow.  He still does not feel really well, so it is better that he is with people instead of being home alone.  His stomach has been a little queasy today.  NO, it is not because of my cooking.  He had some more pea goulash and Raman.  I think he will turn into a glob of ham, peas, potatoes, and noodles if he is not careful.  He is about as skinny as a Raman noodle.  Although he did gain a few pounds at his last treatment.  I think he looses what he gains in the first two weeks after treatment when he does not feel like eating much.  I cleaned house today...not my favorite activity but a necessary one.  It amazes me how dusting things can get in the course of a week.  I have several meetings after school this week so some days might be a little long for me.  We have a short week since it is Apple Butter Makin' Days this weekend.  We have no school on Friday.  All of Mt. Vernon's kids will be hanging out on the Square.  I might go down and check out a few booths.  We will have to see.

Julia ran her second 5K yesterday.  According to Kimberly's blog, Julia cut off 2 minutes from her previous time.  That is amazing!!  We are sure proud of you, Julia.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth leaves for her month vacation in  Europe.   She will be gone until the 24th.  She is visiting several countries:  France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Portugal.  She is planning on visiting several of her friends who are stationed over in those places.  She has a satellite phone, but she is unsure of exactly what the number is.  She gave us two options so we could try and get a hold of her if we needed.  She is meeting Cathy over there somewhere, but I don't know all those details.

Lazy Boy, Lazy Girl

You can sum up most of our day with two words:  nap and football.  We have been resting most of the day and watching football since 11.  I went to coffee and visited a friend of mine at the MO Veterans Home.  I was home by 10:45.  I fixed eggs, toast, and bacon for our breakfast.  Aubree ate with us since Amelia was mowing the side yard.  It was a great breakfast.  About halfway through the meal, Aubree was bragging on herself because she was not sassing me.  As you can guess, this has been a little problem. Luckily, she has wised up and doesn't sass Oma anymore.  We worked together after breakfast.   She was working on her coloring in the lines while I was working on grading my papers.  I let her use my markers if she promised not to mark on my things and her hands.  Once again, this has been an issue in the past.  When Amelia came in, they went down for naps and I went to watch football and rest with Steve in the bedroom.  When Steve got up for breakfast, he was dizzy.  He did not get out of bed much today. He did eat some leftover pizza for lunch/snack.  He had pea goulash for supper.  He was on cloud nine.  He loves that stuff fresh or leftover.  There is still a large bowl left so he will probably have it again tomorrow.  He has been in and out most of the day.  He will stay up for 15-20 minutes and then he will sleep for a long while.  His face is flushed again.  He does this every time.  I get unnerved by this and must feel his forehead with my wrist to make sure he does not have a fever.  Sometimes I check it with a kiss.  So far, no fever.  Did I tell you about his rash.  Well, he has a rash on his legs.  It runs from his feet to his upper thigh.  We showed it to the doctor and she was not worried about it.  Today it actually looks a little better.  We are happy about that.  It is really strange because it does not itch, we would not know it was there if we didn't see the little spots.

I doubt we will go to church tomorrow.  He is in no shape to car ride and sit through the service. It is supposed to be like 59 degrees in the morning.  I'm not sure I am ready for it to be cold in the mornings like that.  I guess this is just one more thing that I can't control, so I should just let it go.  

I am sad to report that the Cubs did not win the game last night.  Grandma said that Kyle's shoulder was really sore.  I don't know anymore details, but will do some research and keep you posted.  

As I end this post, Alabama is really kicking Florida's butt. 

October 1...no way; Cubbie football

My goodness, it is really October 1.  Where did the time go?  It seems in the big picture that time flies, but in a day to day look, it drags.

Steve stayed at his mom and dad's today.  I dropped him off around 7:00 am.  His parents spoil him.  I called at 10 and they were watching The Price is Right.  I told Steve to win the big showcase.  I am really surprised that Steve likes that show.  He is not a big Drew Carey fan.  I'm not sure how Steve did today; he didn't say.  He passed up Raman noodles today for lunch.  His mom made his favorite:  pea goulash.  Imagine that!  They said he ate a good lunch.  I don't believe his stomach is feeling right.  He did not eat breakfast and only had Raman for supper.  He rested most of the day and was sleeping when I picked him up at 4.  We came home and he rested until supper time.

He is now resting while we listen to the Cubs and Aurora game. Aurora scored their first possession.  Cubs did recover a fumble and are now on Aurora's 21 yard line.  I am sure hoping they can get a new set of downs.  We have not heard Kyle's name yet, but we know we will hear it soon.  A Cub is down on the field and they have taken a timeout to attend to him.  I'll keep you posted on the game.

Cubs just gained 12 yards, 4th and 1 to go.  They are going for it.  They are on the 4 yard line.  Quarterback sneak....1st and goal for the Cubs.  Another quarterback sneak.  2nd and goal from inside the 1.  Flag on the play...pushing the player into the end zone which is a 5 yard penalty.  This negates the touchdown and now are on the 6 yard line.  3 wide receivers...completed pass.  Now on the one.......Touchdown with a pitch back.  PAT is good.  Tied ball game  7-7.    Maybe there is a second career for me in reporting on the game.  HA!  I sure hope that Cubs beat Aurora.  I'll let you know how they do tomorrow.  Update:  Cubs just recovered another fumble.  Holy cow, inside the 35.  Tried a pass play and lost 7 yards.  I won't update the whole game just this possession.  Now on the 41, running play, third and long.  3rd and 16.  Wow, can they convert?  Pass play-caught but short of the first down.  Don't go for it and kick it away.  6:43 left in the half.  I'll report the final score tomorrow.  Go Cubbies!!!!