January... Well not real exciting so far.......new doctors, colder weather, .... and politics

Not a whole lot of exciting things going on this month.  Started out with Doctor appointment, just the usual yearly checkup stuff............ Rich had an ultrasound on the carotid artery, and they now want him to have a CT scan done to determine if he needs to see a vascular surgeon.  And I am now scheduled to see a new eye doctor to determine if the pain,floaters, black spots in my left eye, may be an issue with my Retina.   Can't be terribly serious - they scheduled my appointment in mid February!

And the power-washing is finally completed.  There is always so much to do with the driveway, all the walk ways, the window awnings,  and the gutters etc.  But he's done the dock, and finally made it all the way around the house............... and then the two of us cleaned the glass on the sliders.

I usually have a ton of pictures of all the food we been making or baking.............but the camera has been pretty idle.  Haven't been out to dinner, and most of the meals have been leftovers. Not even any baking..................been finishing up the holiday cookies and candy.  BUT we did have pancakes (cooked in the waffle maker) with cherries and whip cream, with a side of sausage for dinner one night.  A bit of a change for us for dinner..............but it was delicious!  And last night we did pizza.  Rich had his regular with ground beef and cheese.............but he made me a small one with sausage, red and green peppers, onions and cheese.  It was awesome!

Mother nature is giving us a pretty good change in temperatures.  Past couple of days have been pretty darn cold. ( Having said that....... I absolutely LOVE and WELCOME these few winter days here in Florida.)  But, of course, Rich is pretty much in hibernation mode!😄

I think  I've mentioned previously that we have at least three iguanas that spend a good amount of time in our yard, down by the canal/boathouse.  Well it seems they do NOT like the cold weather, and the weatherman has said  "Watch for Falling Iguanas"   Well it's been pretty cold.  The last couple of days we've seen the temperatures down in the  20's during the night with mornings about 34 degrees with wind chill factors of 23 to 24 degrees!  We sure hope that was enough for those Iguanas to FALL!

Since we're on the topic of cold weather.........I'm going to share a few photos that my brother Dave took in NY.  He lives just outside Binghamton, NY and spends many many of his days, with his dog Jake hiking.  These were taken at Buttermilk Falls, and Chenango Valley State Park. The picture in the top/middle is the view of his backyard from the kitchen window.   Absolutely Beautiful

Of course, if you turn on most any TV station these days, it's all about the Senate Impeachment Trial.  So very sad the state of affairs in our country today.  We have the greatest President that this country has ever seen, and he is respected and admired across the world.  It is such a disgrace to watch the Democratic Party try to impeach him, when he's done absolutely nothing wrong. ( High crimes or misdemeanors), because they can not accept that they lost the election 3 years ago.  There is no doubt that he will be acquitted by the Senate.  And I am so glad to see the Republican standing together strong. 

Just a note.............and a request for your prayers.  This is a message we received, and that I shared here, back in 2018 regarding the health of our good friend Dianne Douglas.

 NEWS ABOUT DIANNE
IN 2013 DIANNE WAS TOLD SHE HAD ORTHO STATIC MYCLONIS. THAT IS A SLOW ATROPHY OF THE BRAIN. 
WE WENT TO THE MAYO CLINIC THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FOR MORE TESTS. THOSE TESTS SHOWED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE WHAT THEY THOUGHT. SHE HAS MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY. THAT MEANS THAT NOT ONLY HER BRAIN BUT HER ENTIRE BODY IS IN ATROPHY. THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR SOMEONE WITH THIS DISEASE IS 10 YEARS FROM WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED. SHE HAS ALREADY LOST HER ABILTY TO WALK, TO SPEAK CLEARLY, TO SING AND TO PLAY HER GUITAR. WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS.

Buddy and Dianne were planning on visiting us on Monday the 28th for a cookout.  It is flu season, so with her condition, she tries not to be in places, like restaurants, where she could easily catch the germs.  I spoke with Buddy the other day, and he tells us that Dianne is not doing well at all..   Part of his recent message: Please pray for both of them.

As this disease progresses things will get bad. She will need oxygen. The time will come when she cannot swallow and will need a feeding tube. Then she will not be able to control her bodily functions. Eventually she will be in a nursing home. I will keep her here as long as I can.

A Pretty quiet two weeks

Time sure does fly by....  Can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I've posted an update.  Nothing even to watch on TV until this week, as a lot of the programs off for the holidays have started up again. 

But we've been keeping busy. Had our 6 month blood work done,followed by a follow-up with the doctor and everything looked good.  Had to order some additional links for my new watch, dropped off at the jewelers.  Next is getting the wedding rings cleaned.  And as usual, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking and baking...............

New years Day was quiet, and we made Chicken Quesadillas for our dinner along with an adult beverage!  Rich finished the Eggnog/Cinnamon Whiskey, and I opted for the Gin and Tonic again.  I went out for groceries a few days ago, and came home to find Rich in the middle of his first bake of the New Year.  He was in the middle of making homemade yeast risen bread. ( I got to clean up the mess!)  Bread is delicious! Nothing special as far as cooking.... Mac N Cheese, Shepherds Pie, Potato Soup, Ravioli/Sausge.... Meatball Subs.

Quiet yes..........but we both have been busy.  Starting to plan our trip in May to Iowa for Dalton's college graduation... and then on to Black Lake, NY.  ( Probably followed by an Elmira visit w'family and Pennsylvania visit with friends.    The route is in place and the hotel rooms are book for the journey north.. With Dennis coming to visit in February, I've been trying to plan our schedule while he's here, checking places in Dania/Ft Lauderdale, Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers/Port Charlotte.  Buddy and Dianne are scheduled for a cookout here later this month.

Rich  has been getting a lot of the power washing done.  A little bit at a time, and it's starting to look pretty good. We also did some tree trimming and cutting bushes.

Lots of visitors in the back yard.  Been keeping the feeder full.... and the humming birds are loving it.  The Blue Heron are building their nest, and the Whistling Ducks are back!  We counted close to 50 of them relaxing in the back yard, or on the boathouse roof just the other day.  And every now and then we get people out enjoying a ride in the canal.

Tomorrow is doctor appts for both of us.  Rich for an ultrasound, me for a followup with the Eye Doctor..............