Friday, June 27

All the contracted work done has been completed.  yea!! I now have a sprinkler system but it has been raining nearly every day.  Grandson #4 is working on the yard as I write this.  He is really proud of his work.  He has moved rocks around, trimmed shrubs, established a flower bed and put down new ground cloth in some areas.  It is hot dirty work and he has been a trouper.

This place is beginning to feel like a home with pictures on the wall, dirty towels in the laundry and the music coming from the backyard as my grandson toils away.

Went to see Cowboy on Tuesday and again today.  He is doing fine.  We walked around and looked at the flower beds.  One has the mums we put in last year and two morning glory vines that are running amok over everything.  Another one is full of trash and needs work.  The new aide put watermelon seed in the third one.  Will be interesting to see if they come up.

Today the guys played with the bowling game.  Cowboy was really enjoying himself and there was another fellow that just grinned from ear to ear every time he pushed that ball.  There were three guys in wheelchairs that would just roll themselves up to the game and give it a go.  Fun to watch.

Every now and then I ask Cowboy questions to judge where his head is.  Today I asked him when we got married.  He got the date right but he thought we had been married 17 years. It has been 37.  I asked where we got married and he said Texas.  That is where we live now but we got married in Oklahoma.  I asked him how old he was and he said 104.  I told him he was 84 and he said " I thought I was older than that."

Tomorrow my daughter is having a party for her grandaughters 11th birthday.  It is a pool party.  She is really giving it a workout.  I suspect that will slow down after the new wears off.  I spent a long time yesterday at WalMart getting all the food, etc.  Other grandmother is bringing the cake and the decorations.  Should be fun.

 

Saturday; June 21

First day of summer.  How did this happen?  It is really warm.

I went to see Cowboy on Tuesday and stayed for the support meeting.  It starts at 5 and ends around 7.  By the time I get home it is past dark.  I just don't think there is enough to be gained from it to deal with the nighttime traffic in the Dallas area.

Cowboy was having problems with foot pain.  They took his boots off and discovered red areas and the beginnings of blisters.  They asked me to take them home.  Guess he will have to be happy with his diabetic shoes or his moccasins.  Very important to look after his feet since he is diabetic.   He took it better than I would have expected.

I now have 6 pair of custom made cowboy boots designed for size 13 AA.  and did I mention his feet are very flat?  I suspect there are very few folks out there with that shoe size.

I have spent all week on the house.  All of the boxes are unpacked and most of the things have found a home.  Still have a ton of pics and videos and the stuff on the walls from the old house that need to figure out what to do with but am feeling like we are almost there.

The sprinkler system was supposed to be finished yesterday but they still have a little bit to do.  Guess it will be Monday.  That is the end of the work that is contracted.  yea !!

Grandson number 4 has been here for the last three days helping me.   We have started on the yard.  Lots to do but I am into it.

I plan to go see Cowboy tomorrow.  I talked to him in the phone yesterday and he is fine but is impatient that I haven't been to see him.  It has been a complicated week with all the work being done.  I am so glad it is almost all done.

Sunday, June 15

More boxes are now unpacked and there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I am beginning to feel really good about the house.  Just six more boxes to go.

Then I will have to turn my attention to the yard.  Lots of things to think about there.

I went to see Cowboy yesterday and took him his boot jack.  He still has some trouble getting his boots off but am thinking it will be OK.  He was complaining about the way his toenails are cut and asked me to help him with them.  I tried but think it is mostly in his head.

The landscape is changing with the seasons.  Instead of wildflowers the landscape is dominated by fields of corn and sunflowers.  I love the sunflowers.  I never knew it was a crop in these parts.  Lots are grown in west Texas but didn't know about here.  Maybe it is a new thing.

Today I spent a lot of time with the Dallas Sunday paper and several hours watching TV and then two more in the pool having a drink and visiting with my daughter.  Nice relaxing and restful day (and much needed).

My daughter leaves tomorrow for Phoenix and I will have the house to myself this next week.  Will just keep working.

I have to go pick up my dress for the wedding this week and see what alterations might be needed.  Also will start practicing the music this week for the wedding.

I plan to go to see Cowboy on Tuesday afternoon and stay over for the support meeting.  Haven't been for several months now.

Wednesday, June 11e

The plumber came and all I needed was to replace a small section of pipe and it totaled $200.  I am still a bit miffed but may not be worth pursuing.    The next thing is to have the new tile put in the two bathrooms and then put in the new toilet and new cabinet.  Then I just need to clean the wood work and see if any painting needs to be done there.  I am thinking I can handle that.

I spent yesterday putting away things and unpacking boxes.  It is slow but steady.  I am working really hard and I hurt all over but progress is being made.

My daughter is home this week and we went and bought some pool toys yesterday.  It included a lounger for me and a combination volley ball, basketball and some other game in one.  Then we went out to eat and I ordered ribs.  Naughty me but it was really good.

My daughter is excited about having the birthday party for her oldest granddaughter here the end of the month with games, food, etc.   We are busy working out the details.  She even has a friend who is going to be a DJay.

I went to see Cowboy today.  He had on his cowboy boots and was a happy camper.   I hope we don't have any problems with it.  He didn't say a word for about 18 months about his boots and now they seem to be the only thing on his mind.  I will have to find his boot jack and take it to him.  Traffic was good today, no slow downs or crazy drivers in sight.

They had pasta primavera today and it was only barely passable.  The other wives said it is the third day for pasta in a row.  There is something weird about this sudden change in the usually wonderful meals that are served at the home.  I am going to stay over next week and go to the support group meeting and see what they say.  There are some rather upset wives.

I came home today feeling really tired.  I think I overdid it yesterday trying to unpack, etc. My hand and arm really hurt.   I can sleep in tomorrow and maybe do a bit less work.  I am just so anxious to get all the boxes unpacked and things put away.

There are several items on the table right now waiting to be repaired.  I think we had more damage with this move than any I have ever experienced.  Despite that most things made it OK.  I still have items from the 1970's that are intact.  But I need to glue back horns on a wood carving and some legs on another wood carving   I bought some artificial flowers and greenery for my daughter and put them in a nice little vase for her bathroom.  Things are beginning to look nice.

Friday, June 6

I was concerned wouldn't get to pick up Cowboy's glasses so called and asked that they mail them to him, care of the social worker.  I called her and told her to let him have one pair when they came.

The painters finished on Wednesday and it looks beautiful.  They helped me move some of the furniture into place but didn't seem any too happy about it.  They were more tired than I.  Just beginning to feel like things are getting done and soon will have a "normal" home.  Then in the evening I noticed water on the floor in my bedroom. First thought it was from a paint bucket or something and the painters had done it.  Upon further investigation I discovered water was coming into the bedroom from the other end of the room and there was water the whole length of the room on one side.  horrors !! now what.

Let us return to that time when we had the inspector out before we bought the house.  He had identified a faucet leak on the east side of the house.  It was supposedly fixed.  I had checked it after I moved in and couldn't turn it on with my arthritic hands and had just let it go.  Well, guess what folks, there is a break in the pipe in the slab and they had just plugged up around the faucet and not actually fixed the problem.  The painters turned on the faucet to clean brushes and such and that caused the water to come in the house.  As long as the faucet is not turned on it is OK so mopped up and am waiting on the plumber on Tuesday.

I have some homework to do but I think it will be appropriate to go back to the sellers and raise some heck.  I have a home warranty that will cover the repair of the leak but what about the floor and the woodwork and all that?  Insurance has a $2000 deductible.  The fun just goes on and on.  I just thought I had my bedroom just right.

I have a lot of product left over and had been thinking about putting the new tile the two smaller bathrooms and was in the process of looking into that.  Will still have some to turn in for credit, or maybe not.

I went to see Cowboy yesterday.  His glasses had arrived but the social worker had given them to the dept head and they were still on her desk.  They wanted them labeled with his name.  I took a bit of tape and put his name on it and wrapped it around the side piece.

He wants me to bring him some of his cowboy boots.  I talked to the physical therapist and we made a deal.  I am going to take them to the therapist and he is going to see if Cowboy can walk OK with them.  He talked to Cowboy and asked him if he got his boots would he use his walker.  Cowboy said "I don't know".  He is convinced he doesn't need it anymore and it is a challenge to get him to use it.

We had a nice lunch and he seems in pretty good spirits.  Traffic was terrible coming and going.  ugh

Saturday, May 31

As mentioned the counter tops were supposed to go  on Wednesday.  The plumber showed up first thing just as the folks called and said had a sick employee and couldn't make it today.  Ends up the first date we could agree on was next Monday.  Of course I have stuff stacked everywhere to empty the cabinets and removed all the drawers and they are stacked exactly where the painters were going to start.

Sent the plumber away and started trying the figure out how to handle both painters and counter top people the same day.  Some good news, the floor was finished on Thursday and it looks beautiful.  I had them leave the furniture apart and out from the walls for the painters so I am stepping over things.

Thursday my phone died.  Not a good time with all this activity.  Went to AT&T and they reset it and said that was the problem.  Only thing is it still won't charge.  Went where I bought it second hand and the warranty had expired (30 days).  Went to a cell phone repair.  The guy said I needed a new charger.  The place was messy and he was messy and I chose not to go buy a charger but to look for a different repair place.  The next place said the receptacle for the cord was corroded.  Left it for him to repair.  Here I am, no phone with all these contractors in various stages of planning, a hubby in a nursing home, my children unaware of my problem.  Interesting how dependent we have become on our "toys".

When I went back he said it was not the receptacle but the battery and to go to another one of their stores to get a battery.  Went and bought the battery, took it home and plugged it in and still would not charge.  Now I go to Best Buy and buy a charger and take it home and it works and charges and everything.  Boy, it is a jungle out there.

Friday I went to the store and started preparing taco fixins for 25 people.  It is not easy when your pots and skillets are put up over the cabinets, your knives are in a drawer "somewhere" and where are the tea towels, etc.  Got it done despite the gods conspiring against me.

This morning daughter #2 and I drove to see Cowboy.  That was after I arose early, cut up the lettuce and tomatoes, cut my finger in the process, got everything all in the car and stopped for breakfast for my starving daughter.

We provided enchiladas, tacos, chips, pop, etc for the staff at the home today.  It was a great time, the food was good and they were very appreciative.  My tacos were complimented by all.

Cowboy was in a good humor and we walked around a bit.  He was really having trouble getting his right leg to work.  He was going very slow and seemed frustrated as his brain told his leg to move and it just stood there.  Mostly we sat outside

When they tested his blood sugar this morning it was only 66 so we skipped the insulin.  That has been happening some lately and concerns me.  Need to put it on my list to discuss with the Dr.

Cowboy's glasses came in this week so I will need to go to Ft Hood and get them and take them to him some time this week.  Also had to argue with the dentist this week about a bill they sent that I had already paid.

Tuesday, May 27

Daughter number 1 arrived this past Wednesday.  Her son picked her up and they came to the house and we mostly visited and spent some time in the pool and had cocktails.  The son had lots of work and left early afternoon.  He was able to help me identify some cable under the carpet upstairs that I couldn't figure out.  It went to a sensor for smoke on the first floor.  Problem solved.

On Thursday my daughter made a trip to see her biological father who lives near Lake Texoma.  He will not travel to see anyone so they had not seen each other in several years.  They had a nice visit and I am glad that is so.

On Friday my daughter and I went looking for fabric.  She was interested in some different things than what she can find at home at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's.  I had researched this on the internet and had discovered a bunch of fabric warehouses.  I suspect it is because Dallas is a fashion center and a lot of clothing is created here.  It turned into quite an adventure.

First you have to be OK to travel to a rather seedy part of the city.  The warehouses line the streets for a couple of blocks.  There is fabric, ready made stuff, ribbons, quilting stuff, upholstery fabric and odds and ends.  You have to be willing to spend some time and effort but wow, the bargains !!

My daughter found several very beautiful pieces of fabric and some notions and we considered the whole day a success .

On Saturday we drove down to see Cowboy.  He was in a good humor and it was a nice day.  We had a good visit.

On Sunday my other daughter, who had come home from being out of town, went with us and we shopped at this very large mall.  It was a bit of a disappointment.  So many of the stores cater to the young girls and the fashions are skimpy, poorly made, way too revealing and I am so glad that I am not raising daughters in this climate.

On Monday we went to a Garden Ridge and looked at a lot of junk but did find a couple of cool things.  We also went to Tuesday Morning, which I like and came away with a couple of items.  We then went to Razzoo's for lunch and headed to a small town near here which has lots of cool shops. Last night my grandson #1, son of daugher #1 and his very permanent girlfriend came over for dinner.  My daughter fixed spaghetti and we made a pineapple cake.  Nice evening.  They did some catching up.

I ended feeling totally worn out but it was fun to see how excited my daughter about some of things we saw.  She lives in the country in upstate NY in a totally different world from here.

We spent today getting everything out of the kitchen in preparation for the installation of the countertop.  I am so looking forward to that.  I took my daughter to the airport after lunch and have been trying to catch up on correspondence and bills since then.

I have a plateful of things to do in the next few weeks but things are rolling along, Cowboy is doing well and all the kids are doing well.  Can't ask for more.