Little visitors

Our grand daughters spent a few nights with us last week (which may account for how tired I appear in the picture). Our dog Belle loves to look out the window and does it several times each day. Natalie also likes to look out the window and Dave caught them both in this picture.

Eat to Live or Live to Eat

It is that time where many of us make resolutions to improve ourselves during the coming year. I guess most people make the same ones every year--mine are usually the same ones anyway: Get fit, lose weight, etc., etc. I was talking to my 8-year-old grandson Sam about resolutions and we decided that "Be nice" would be a good one. So, I am going to try that one on for size this year. Less sarcasm, nagging, criticism toward others, as well as towards myself.
As far as the perennial lose weight/get fit resolutions go I have settled on these two:
Do some yoga every day
Eat to live (not live to eat)

Time to write

It is time to write! I have neglected my blog for a few months, not for lack of material, but for lack of interest in writing.
Dave and I had another good vacation in Mexico, but it has an unhappy aspect as well. My cousin, Bird (Roberta) has small cell lung cancer, a fact she discovered while we were visiting. We stayed for two weeks, and during that time Bird's health steadily declined. She is now at home, has received chemo and has another dose scheduled. She has told her family that she won't recover, but her doctors think she can have a few more months.

E-Reading

I purchased a Nook Color earlier this year and I really have enjoyed using it. I do not buy many books, but I do borrow a lot of books through the Nebraska Library Commission. Sometimes there is a wait, just as there would be if you borrowed it from your local library. Something I just found about (or paid attention to) is that on Fridays there is always a free book to download.
If you have a wireless connection you can check your email, listen to Pandora, read the latest news--all for free. There are also lots of applications, free and for purchase, including the game Angry Birds. My grandsons like to play that a lot! Recently Austin was using the Nook Color to play Angry Birds and somehow ended up at the applications menu. He clicked on 'browse for more' and ended up buying a couple of games and books! I have since activated the password feature--hopefully he won't figure it out.

Getting Ready

   Eleanor's Neeley relatives are coming Monday for a visit. All told the number stands at 10, so we have been busy with planning for a luncheon. They should all arrive about noon, and we will head for my house for lunch and visiting. I will take the great- nieces and nephews out side or to the basement, so everyone can visit. Eleanor's hearing aids work best with one or two people talking, so a big crowd will only confuse her.
   She had a good visit at Dr. Donovan's office and her next appointment is in January, so the shots have been having the desired effect on her back and hip. Next week will be a busy one as she has visitors on Monday, a perm on Tuesday, and plans to go to the movie matinee of "The Help" on Wednesday.

Fish Camp

Earlier this year Dave bought a camper at Calamus Lodge, a camp ground near Calamus Reservoir. We have been there a few times, he more than me. I call it Fish Camp. Dave thinks we should call it our Lake Home. Last weekend we were in charge of our grandsons, Sam and Austin, since their parents went to Cancun for a long weekend. We took them to Fish Camp/Lake Home for two nights and had a wonderful time. Fishing was not good, but we gave it a try. We will try again another time. We toured Fort Hartsuff and had a great time there. I cannot say enough good things about this State Park. YOU SHOULD GO THERE. We spent time at 3 different beaches at Calamus Reservoir and all three were great. Actually the whole place is a beach since it is a reservoir in the sand hills. Also toured Happy Jack Chalk Mine, which the boys really enjoyed. All in all it was a great weekend.

The Doctor will see you now

Several weeks ago Eleanor's leg/hip pain got to the point where she admitted she needed something more than Aleve or Excedrin. Dave scheduled an appointment with Dr. Donovan at the specialty clinic in Seward. He thought he was lucky that he didn't have to go to Lincoln. Eleanor has been there several times for shots, which are not pleasant and have very serious side effects for her. She was lucky enough to get an appointment in Seward, but it was at 8:10 a.m., a difficult time for her. Dave called her at 6:30 a.m. and was over at her apartment by 7:15 to help her get dressed. (Have you ever thought about helping your mother put on her underpants and brassiere?)

They made it to the clinic in time for the appointment and when they made it to the exam room the nurse said "You are here for a shot? Well, I don't know why they scheduled the appointment because Dr. Donovan is out of town and you can't have a shot."

An appointment was made for this week in Lincoln. The pain clinic called yesterday to remind us that Eleanor has an appointment in Lincoln on Thursday. Please be there a few minutes early and bring your insurance cards because we verify them at each visit. They called again today to remind us that Eleanor has an appointment on Thursday. I really really want to call them tomorrow and say, "Eleanor has an appointment with Dr. D on today at 2:00 p.m. Please make sure she will be available to see Eleanor."