Another week goes by....

I find that pooh bear very annoying. lol!  Posting it anyway.  Trying to be positive today.  Trying to remember God is here and in control.  No one can hurt me.  I love the Lord.

It's been a long week. A very long week.  Let's start out where I left off. I am feeling  better than I was last week.  It just seems things and people keep knocking me down and on my butt again.  I really can't let that happen.  Last weekend  was busy for grandkids...Riley pitched in Federal Way, Lauren was in two parades, Andrew photographed another wedding, Joshua and Jared played in double headers, and Parker and Patrick competed at WSU for State FFA.  All were busy. Not me.

Viking Fest came and went.  Lauren was in the parade and did well. They won 1st place in the Bremerton parade.  Haven't heard yet how they did in the Viking Fest one.  She was so tired after it was over she fell asleep on the way home. Sunday she went and enjoyed the Viking Fest carnival with her friends after church and had the best time ever!  She needed to have fun!

Monday was a good day!  Papa went to see his cousin and I was just sitting here when Andrew called. We decided to go to lunch. Let's say he talked me into it and I made myself leave the house. I called Dylan on the way and he met Andrew and I down at Central Market. We had biscuits and gravy and a great time visiting. Took some pictures too! I love my handsome grandsons! They cheered me up!

One more picture!

After we visited I went up to Dylans' and visited Karla and Madi for awhile. It was so good to be there and visit.  I felt bad when I found out how limited my strength is and how bad my back is.  I played some croquet with Madi and Dylan. Only lasted half way through the game and my back was killing me.  I had to sit....could barely get back out of the chair. I swung the badminton racket a couple times.  Then came home and rested.  some pics of Dylan and Madi playing.

When I got home I took a picture of Papa's Viking Fest tree.  We had one at our house in Poulsbo and Papa had always wanted one. And it bloomed for Viking Fest weekend. 

I like my plant better.  It is in full bloom and simply beautiful!!!! I love it!

The doctor called on Tuesday.  She said to hang in there and give it a few more weeks.  She thinks I will feel better soon.  And I think I am starting to and it is now Friday.    I have Spinal Stenosis and arthritis in my back which explains the pain.

  Spinal Stenosis: 

In lumbar stenosis, the spinal nerve roots in the lower back are compressed, or choked,

The vertebral column in the spine are like a stack of blocks that serve to support the structures of the body.

Leg pain with walking can be caused from spinal stenosis. With spinal stenosis the patient usually has to sit down for a few minutes to ease the leg and often low back pain.

Although occasionally the leg pain and stenosis symptoms will come on acutely, they generally develop over the course of several years. The longer a patient with spinal stenosis stands or walks, the worse the leg pain will get.

Flexing forward or sitting will open up the spinal canal and relieve the leg pain and other symptoms, but they recur if the patient gets back into an upright posture. 

I need to get a blood pressure monitor, my eyes tested, and a walker. I know a walker sounds weird and aged but it is to get out and walk around the neighborhood.  I need something I can lean on and sit when I need to.

Wednesday we went to Lauren's basketball game.  It was a great game.... we won by 1 point. Lauren made two baskets. We sat with Christina and Ryan.  Ryan introduced Christina to Amanda after the game. Awkward.  Lauren has one more game next week.  It was also Karla and Joel's 15th anniversary.

I got a call from Ryan on Thursday which went bad.  Don't know how long it will take me to get over it. When you've reached the end...you've reached the end.   It was a very difficult day.  I need to protect my emotions right now.

Heather and her family were suppose to be here tonight but they are leaving tomorrow morning instead.  Jared had a bit of a fever last night so they are making sure he is ok to come over.  I haven't seen the grandkids since Christmas.  I miss them so much!!!!  So they are suppose to be here around noon tomorrow. They will be here until Monday morning.  It will be good to have them.

Well, that is all that has been going on around here.  Please continue to pray for me.  Normally I don't like to ask for prayer for myself....but I am tired of this all. I am not the same person so I need God's healing touch. Thanks!

rest of the week and Viking Fest past

I am glad it is Friday.  Getting closer to Tuesday.  That is when my medication will be 2 weeks in my system and the doctor will be calling.  Then we figure out the next steps.  When payday happens then I am getting a new blood pressure monitor.  Probably should be checking it too.

Not much happened today.  Papa had to run and drop something off with Lauren at school.  Then he went to Jordy's last game in Bremerton.  I got phone calls from Heather, Dylan and Andrew. I called Lauren, my sister Lois and brother David today. My shoulder is a little better today. Better than it was.
Yesterday we did nothing much.  Papa got his shot and went to Walmart. Andrew was talking to me and all of the sudden he was behind papa!  He followed him to the store and talked. I haven't gone any where in a week. I was in soooo much pain with my right shoulder and arm. I even had to get off my computer early.
Wednesday I got my new pillow!  I had ordered it and papa went and picked it up. I slept so great but woke up with a really sore shoulder and arm.  It really hurt bad.  I can't even explain the pain.
I know I complain a lot and I have a right to. lol!
I can't write too much still.  I want to post past Viking Fest pictures.  Viking Fest is this weekend and Lauren and Alyssa will be marching with the band in the parade.

Here are pictures of kids on the rides at Viking Fest:

Kevon in 1980

Madi and Dylan

Madi and Lauren

Karla and her Uncle David

Here they are at the rides walking around and stuff:

My kids in the parade:

Ryan 32, Kevon 28 and cousin Danny

Karla the baton twirler

An older Karla in a beer jeep on the left

Tara is second girl drill team

An older Tara on Brad's shoulders

An even older Tara watching the parade with Andrew

Ronnie, Tara, Brad's head, Karla holding Alexis, Vicky, Marie, her brother David and Jay

That's  it.  Well, Lanny is coming home from the game and my arm hurts so time to sign off!

Debbie Downer reporting in today.

TODAY:  This is actually a very wet Wednesday.  Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle. here all day long.  This week the weather is suppose to be:

Alyssa has her last home game today.  I am doubting if it will be with the ground being so wet. But we'll see.  And then Lauren has a basketball game right after.

Which brings the reason Debbie Downer is writing this blog today.  Yuk!!!!  Keep reading if you're interested... say goodbye if you're sick of hearing it about my health.

The last couple months have been very difficult for me.  You don't even know.  I try to keep a happy and laughing face around the family....especially my grandkids.  No worries, right?  But the symptoms I have been dealing with have been miserable.  Besides my lumbar arthritis in my back getting worse as time goes on....the dizziness is worse, as is my right ear (pain, plugged, can't hear, popping, swoshing, neverending).  Now I have deep depression.  I felt it coming for a while but now my doctor is messing with my medication to help me.  Now, if you don't understand what depression is....it isn't just about feeling down and snapping out of it.  I used to think that with my mom when she had it.  I would get frustrated with her wondering why she just doesn't "choose" to be happy!!!!!  After suffering with it myself for several years I understand it is much more than you think.  Being depressed is a symptom of depression...a brain screwup.  The "mental" symptoms have been: sadness, lack of worth, emptiness, agitated beyond normal, anxious, grouchiness, and no interest in anything.  "Physically" I am so tired... exhausted all the time, space out a lot and can't focus, headaches and vision problems (blurry), diarrhea, sick stomach, body aches, tired out doing the smallest things, sleep problems (waking up 10 times a night and wanting to sleep ALL the time....which if you  know me at all, you know that is not me!)
The doc put me on a new medication last Tuesday. This Tuesday I had to double it.  Now we are waiting to see if it helps.  Praying something does. She will be calling me next Tuesday.

I just wish I had more compassion for my mom years ago...when she went through menopause and was getting older (which sucks by the way).  I don't have the energy to even be 59!  Seeing your health fail and your friends and loved ones die off is depressing in itself. But you wonder "Is that all there is?"  "Am I suppose to be doing something else?"  Will the Lord enable me to do what he wants me to do?  My kids are SO busy raising their kids and they are doing amazing jobs!!!!  My grandkids are busy growing up and don't have as much time for me.  I get it.  I regret not making the time for my mom now.

Well, that was my Debbie Downer post.  It will be good to look back on this when I am healthy. I will get there.  Some parts of me are healthy. lol!

Pictures from years ago cheer me up....and make me sad. Fickle...

My baby boy Kevon at 4 months old....taken 5-13-78!

Kevon, Madi and Dylan 5-13-2004

All 10 of the 5-13-2006

The 5 oldest being monkeys in my tree!

Well, I already wrote down what is going on this week and last week.  Nothing much has changed. Oh....but the coolest thing happened to Andrew.....1. He started his new job at a coffee shop and loves it! Learning to be a barista!  2.  He was at a church Sunday night (which I won't name) and Russell Wilson was there.  Andrew isn't a big football fan but was kind of in awe of him when they passed in the foyer later. They are the same height but Andrew said he is muscular and super good looking. He said they were SO close their bubbles touched.  lol!  Good for him.  Maybe he will become a Seahawk fan now????

Ok....my drama is over for the day.  Now I just don't answer my phone, stay off my computer and go take a nap.  I hope you have a great day (whoever is reading this!)

Oh, I almost forgot! Good news:

"Chai and Bamboo arrived safely around 3 a.m. Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. The animals will undergo multiple checkups and will be quarantined for 30 days before joining the other five elephants at the zoo.

"Both Bamboo and Chai looked great this morning," said Dr. Jennifer D'Agostino, the zoo's director of veterinary services. The female elephants ate snacks including watermelon, cantaloupe, raisins and hay; enjoyed sand baths; and explored their surroundings, she said."

My Rhodies!