Cataract Surgery in Process and more of the same old same old....

Well,  round one of Cataract Surgery went well.  The left eye was done last Wednesday, but the actual prep began on the Sunday before. Anti-Inflammatory eye drops 3 times a day for three days and then 3 times a day for one more week after the surgery.  The Steroid Eye Drops began the day of surgery, 1 drop every 2 hours until bedtime, and then 6 times a day for a week, 4 times a day the next week, 3, then 2, then 1 drop one time a day for the 5th week!!!  And the Antibiotic drops began the day of surgery, followed by 1 drop 3 times a day for a week after surgery.   Round 2, for the right eye will be this coming Wednesday, Oct. 2nd.......... and I started using the Anti-Inflammatory drops today.  Thankfully they give you a paper where you can keep track to make sure you get them done.  One sheet for each eye.

The doctors at Newsome Eye are great.  Dr. Sravistiva, MD is my regular eye doctor, and the one who does the surgery.  And surgery was a piece of cake!  At the same time she does the cataract, she also does the Lazar surgery to take care of the glaucoma.  So once this is done, I will no longer need the medication for glaucoma!    Post OP has been Dr. Ockx, OD....who is also excellent!

A bit of a break working in the kitchen.  Easy stuff like, hot dogs, Chinese take-out, and ravioli and sausage.  And we did try a new Stromboli recipe that was absolutely excellent! Take a look...

We've done a lot of traveling, and we always try to stay at a Choice Hotel to collect points.  Between the hotel points, and those that we get on our credit card, we turned them in for 2 $50 Gift Cards for Lowe's, 1 $50 Card for Outback Steakhouse, and 2 $50 Cards for Red Lobster.   Now we just need to take the right card with us when we head out. Last week headed out to Lowe's with plans to stop for breakfast first.  About half way there we realized that we didn't bring the Gift Card..... so we just stopped at I-HOP for breakfast.

Saturday we tried again.  Got to Lowe's and got everything we needed. Rich had only brought ONE of gift cards....so we still ended up paying the remaining balance out of pocket!  From Lowe's we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. And when Rich went to pay the tab...... he had brought with him the Red Lobster card!  Well the good thing is we still have and Outback and a Lowe's card left for the next trip to Sebring!  Dinner was excellent.  Bloomin Onion to start.... Rich had the Steakhouse Quesadilla's, and I had the Steakhouse Philly!  Delicious!

Been looking on-line, and checked some things out at Lowe's and Home Depot, as we are planning on the remodel of our guest bathroom.  Checking out colors, the cost etc...... and our next call/stop will be at the Decor Store here in Lake Placid, who did a lot of the work in the kitchen........ Hoping to get it done before Dennis and Krystal's visit in December.

And the Tampa Bay Rays  Clinch Wild Card berth!!!  They will playoff with Oakland on Wednesday!!!  Go Rays!!!

Not a lot going on......cooking, baking, cleaning.......

Update on the pulled/torn calf muscle:  It was about three full weeks before I was able to begin walking near normal again. As of today it's been four weeks.... a little bit of an ache once in a while, but pretty much back to normal.....However the back of the leg, just above the ankle is still very very black and blue!

It was about a week ago, back around the 6th of Sept, when I finally got back in the kitchen...or I should say WE got back in the kitchen! Chili is usually a meal that we tend to have when the weather is much cooler, but it just sounded good.  So Rich got out his Mom's recipe and made big dish of Johnny Cake, while I threw together the Chili!  Excellent!!!

Lately we have had these strange flying bugs (?) insects (?).  There a lots of them flying around in the back yard, and will frequently perch on the aloe plant.  Not sure what they are. Thy have four wings...and the wings are clear, with like spider lines in them...

And of course we can never forget 9.11.2001. 

A day embedded in each and every American.....and a day when every person can remember exactly where they were or what they we doing when they heard the news.

Today we pray for the families and remember all of the victims of 9-11




But we also celebrate....my baby brother's birthday on September 11th.  This year brother Dave and his best canine buddy, Jake celebrated the birthday for a few days in the Adirondeck Mountains, where they took in the beauty of Mother Nature......

And then it back to cookin' and grillin'......A few of our favorites this past week...
 Chicken K-Bobs w/ potato salad..........Country Fried Steak and mashed potatoes.. and some homemade Banana Nut Muffins!

We had a few days when the humidity was not too bad, especially over the weekend..so we got some outside cleaning and yard work done.  Rich trimmed some more of the elephant leaves out back.  We got the hose out and sprayed down and cleaned the front porch and the back lanai, and the front entry area.  We trimmed the topiary in the front yard, and got that long long row of bushes along the west side of the house trimmed and bagged!  ( And those sidewalks will be first on the list to power wash - once this rainy season comes to an end... ugh

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Today was errands and doctor visit day for me.  I left the house at 10:30 this morning and finally made it back home just after 3:00 this afternoon.  Headed for Sebring..... Stopped at Wells Insurance to pay the Homeowner Insurance.  Filled the gas tank.  Went to Encore to get fitted for a new CPAP mask.  Changing from the full face mask to a smaller one that just covers the nose.  Last stop was a Newsome Eye Clinic for my Pre-op visit.  Lots of paperwork, measuring, and picture taking for better picture of any astigmatisms..etc.  They've sent prescriptions for three different eye drops... that I will need to take several times a day prior to op and for about 5 weeks after the op.  I'm scheduled for next Wednesday for Cataract Surgery on the left eye .... and two weeks later will have the right eye done. 

Plans change with Dorian looking on....

Better than a week ago, everyone's eye was on the path of Hurricane Dorian, at least those of us who live here in Florida.   We watched closely as more and more it appeared that Florida was the primary target. 

Last Friday the path looked pretty certain that we would be hit - if not full force at least some pretty heavy winds, which, here in this little town, spells NO POWER.  And because of our location, we are the last to have power turned back on!  So we just decided to hit the road. We knew it was early, no evacuations yet, even along the coast........so we knew there should be no traffic jams, or inability to find gasoline.  So we were surprised that this early there were a LOT of gas stations with NO GAS!   We ran into a lot of rain, poor visibility, and a pretty good traffic jam on I 75N when a tractor/trailer went off the road.

So we followed the path, and moved accordingly.  First stop was in Chiefland, Fl, just south of Tallahassee.   The storm still indicated that we should move a bit further north.........so we booked a couple of nights in Bainbridge, GA.  We headed back south as the storm moved to the NE.....But our county was still calling for Tropical Storm winds.......so we booked a room over in Bradenton, FL

We had put some of our food in a cooler, so we had lunch food for most every day..... But we did have some pretty good meals eating out. Pizza at ABC Pizza is excellent.   First night in GA we fixed Turkey pot pie in microwave,  and for me a Chicken Hot Pocket.  And then it was Chinese Buffett, Cracker Barrell, and some awesome Stromboli's from D'Americos in Bradenton!   I had made a couple dozen chocolate chip cookies that we took out of the freezer.... and that was our dessert each night!

Our prayers were answered....no damage, no power outage.... and we are back home.....  Watching all the new hurricanes trying to make there way west!  Our thoughts and prayers to those in North and South Carolina.  Family in NC have prepared well..... and we hope they stay safe. 

Down at the boathouse...... and then dinner with friends

Well I've been taking it easy most every day since the pulled calf muscle.  It's been six days now, and I'm still icing it, and I still have to be careful..... turning it the wrong way really really hurts!  I did get out today though, ( wearing sneakers for a little more support) and made a stop at Walgreens and the to Publix for groceries.

Funny.... as I was walking through Publix I passed this elderly gentlemen in almost every isle.  We chatted a little bit and laughed that we kept running into each other......the last time in the dairy isle where he informed me that he didn't need any cheese.  As I was taking my groceries from the cart at check out,    I looked up and..... yes the gentleman was in front of me, and proceeded to tell  the cashier that " this young lady has been stalking me today......"  Of course everyone laughed.... and the gentleman left.  The bagger helped me to the car today, and yes...... who was parked right next to me?  We all got quite a laugh once again when he said " I can't believe this, don't tell me you live in Grassy Lakes too  !"   And that should end our close encounters... as I do not!!!

On Thursday, Rich headed out to the boathouse to do some repair and replace some shingles on the boathouse roof.  I always get pretty nervous with him, and heights, and a bad back.......... and with my leg still wrapped there was no way I would make it down the hill and back.  So I watched from the back deck!  I was a nervous wreck.......and so glad when the whole ordeal was over!!!

Whew ! He's 70 years old.....and in this intense heat!

And on Saturday the crew was back to our favorite meeting place for dinner.  Nathan, Krystal, Buddy and Dianne.... at the Hibachi Grill.  As always the food was excellent, the company terrific, and the laughter almost non-stop!

Tomorrow - probably a little baking, and rest the leg.  Wednesday is appointment with the Ophthalmologist, for visual field,  pre-work and scheduling my cataract surgery.

The past two weeks

Time sure does fly ...... and sometimes it's NOT all fun! 

So after being gone so long to NY -  returning home means a whole lot of work to catch up on. .  Most of it is outdoor/yard work, and this time of year you have to try to guess when the humidity is going to be bearable, or the rain and thunderstorms will hold off long enough for you to get a little bit done!

Yard waste is picked up every other Tuesday.... so we got quite a bit done over the past two weeks.... hedges and bushes in both the front and back yard done, Palm branches cut in the back yard , and a ton of weeds pull in the corner near the water from the firecracker bushes. Spraying done for weeds ( after we pulled a lot of the longer/taller ones. We tied two bundles of palm branches, a garbage pail of palm buds/beads and pods, and 4 bags of weeds a trimmings from bushes/hedges.   We still have the bushes along both sides of the house to finish, and once the rainy season is mostly over, power washing to be done.

While the dock/ boathouse is looking pretty good.. we still have that nest to remove.  We did a run into Sebring to Lowes and picked up a pack of roofing tiles.  Rich has them all cut down to size, ready to replace those that blew off during the storm. 

But it hasn't all been work!  We fixed some pretty good meals this past couple of weeks....  Ham & Scalloped Potatoes,  Macaroni N Cheese, Potato Soup, Meatball Subs, Chicken w/Honey Mustard and Beer Sauce, Pizza, Manicotto & Meatballs, Burgers on the Grill, Homestyle BBQ Ribs w/ Beans & Sweet Potatoes, and Rich made is absolutely delicious Potato Candy.  Yes - I enjoy my time in the kitchen!

And this past Monday we met up with friends, Buddy and Dianne at the Golden Corral here in Lake Placid.   So sad to see that Dianne's poor health issues are progressing, and that she can no longer walk.........We pray for her every day.  It was great seeing them again.......and we enjoyed both their company and the good food!  The four of us will be joining Nathan & Krystal in a few days at our hangout - Hibachi Grill!

And then............last evening around 7:00 PM......walking back to the family room to watch the ballgame.........Rich was planted in the doorway, ( I thought he was still out on the back lanai!) as a rounded the corner. He scared me!!  I screamed and moved Too Quickly.......pulling or tearing my calf muscle!  OMG.... it hurt like (you know what!).    But he took good care of me, getting the ice, and the ACE Bandage, and making me a temporary cane to help me walk.   It really, really hurt!.........But today it's feeling better.  Not walking  too good, and it will probably be a week or so before I do...........but feeling better just the same!

So.... been home for a week!!

This week has gone by sooooooo  fast.  It was a week ago today that we were pulling into the driveway.......turning the water and water heater back on, turning the air conditioner down to cool things off........checking everything out..... unloading the car, and unpacking boxes and suitcases! 

We had stopped at the grocery store, just to make sure we had something for dinner when we got home....so we didn't need to go back out.  It was Turkey Pot Pies for Rich,  2 Chicken, Cheese and Broccoli Hot Pockets for me. A loaf of bread  and some bagles for breakfast the next day or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch the next day....

Friday was full blown grocery shopping - stocking up the refrigerator and cupboards... and spent $276!!!  But we had some good dinners!  And I made a couple dozen chocolate chunk cookies so Rich would have some dessert. And Saturday and Sunday was doing all the dirty laundry and bedding we brought home............and starting to get yard work done...

Neighbors, Jim and Patty, said that in late July we had a wicked storm....."with strong winds.  It appeared almost to look like a hurricane.  There were huge whitecaps on the canal."  
And Phil ( who can see our boathouse from across the canal) let us know that we had lost some shingles off the boathouse roof. 

But we also learned that the Iguana like our back yard and dock.  ( and a pretty green grasshopper, and our black snake.!  We've seen two of the three almost every day......one is really quite large.  And we're pretty sure that it was them that got into our last three pineapples!  Not good..... understand that it is OK to kill them......as they can do a lot of damage to your yard, seawall and docks.  But obviously we can use a gun in the back yard!  So will probably call the county to see if they can set up a trap in the yard.

Been in touch with our friends Nathan and Krystal, and with Buddy and Dianne....and we've set up a couple of get togethers.... one at Hibachi for the 6 of us, and one here at the Golden Corral, with Buddy and Dianne next week.  It's been a while.......will be good to see them again.

Happy Anniversary, Dennis and Crystal

August 4, 2019, Dennis and Crystal celebrated their 29th Wedding Anniversayr!    

Some pictures shared ...........And I just loved the message from Crystal to Dennis.  So I'm sharing it here so I don't lose it!!



Happy 29th anniversary to an amazingly wonderful best friend, light of my life, beat of my heart, and not to mention incredibly gorgeous man!! There's no one I'd rather have sharing my life journey than YOU!! I look forward to many more years together by your side. I truly love you immensely!! 

Dennis has Right Hip Replacement

For some time now, our son Dennis has had problems with both his back and his right hip.  Visits to the VA..... determined that surgery was necessary, and after several visits with different doctors, the decision was made... that the hip needed to be taken care of before the back.

On August 1st he headed to the Iowa City VA Hospital. On the road just after 5:00AM.  Crystal took the day off from work, and his step Dad, Jack flew in to stay with him for a few days after the surgery.  And he had so many family and friends thinking of him, praying for him, and sending well wishes!    We kept in touch by phone with Crystal throughout the day for updates, and Rich got to talk with him that evening.   He was out of surgery just after noon and Doctors reported that all went very well.   Here's what he had to say.............

Alive. Thanks everyone, nap.time! 💓

Ok not doing too bad. Surgery took over 3 hrs & then anesthesia recovery was quick & in room little after noon. Eating good, plenty of meds, company & great staff! I was able to walk with Walker to hallway & back & standing ok. I've heard I did & doing really great & may be released to home about noon tomorrow. 
I keep dosing on & off.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE FOR EVERYTHING, Y'ALL THE BESTEST! 🤗

I'm home! Passed all my tests to be released. With walker, walked hallway, climb some stairs, stood solo each leg, got dress, etc. 
Had a few minor issues but no biggie or setbacks. Time for recovery & all staff say I'm ahead of normal. 
AGAIN, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING MY SUPPORT!

Recovery report as of Wednesday:
 Recovery Report: surgery day plus 1, 2 & 3 were slow with walker. Day 4 was half & half. Day 5 (yesterday) was full day without walker & here today Day 6 still working it. Still stiff & slight limp but NO pain. Nothing fancy & still motivated with exercising & rehab & ways to go to get all parts to work together. Ah not bad 

Click this link below and watch how good he is walking..... SO much better than before the surgery!  Already!

https://www.facebook.com/DoubleD225/videos/10220601128767648/

Continuing South to, South Carolina, Jacksonville, and HOME

And so Tuesday morning we were in the car and on the road to South Carolina, again, by 8:00 AM.  Nothing unusual on the trip and just the usual stop for breakfast  ( this time Waffle House)  and gas.   We stayed at the Quality Inn, in Fort Mill, SC.  Again, nothing real fancy...but clean and comfortable, easy off/on I-77S and a Cracker Barrel within walking distance!  I'm not a big fan of Cracker Barrel, but I have to admit that the Chicken Fried Chicken, potatoes, coleslaw and fried apples were absolutely delicious!  We took goodies back to the room!!!

Wake-up call set for morning, filled the coffee cups and thermos, checked out, and on the road at 8:05 AM,  We would be making our way south to Jacksonville, FL.  This was a day full of traffic backups... starting on I-26E about 24 miles from the I-95 exit that went on for about 25 minutes!  We stopped at Flying J in St. George, SC for gas and breakfast at Denny's.  Nicest waitress, Talina......so friendly and great service. Excellent!  Another traffic jam on I-95S, at 11:55 AM, and started moving and 12:29 PM! Finally made it to the FL/GA line at 2:16 PM

We stayed the night at the Quality Inn Airport in Jacksonville.  This is definitely a older hotel, that's had some renovation.  Again clean and comfortable.... but it was a long long walk to the front building in the morning for coffee.

Once again there were a whole lot of places for dinner that were not far away.

But we decided to get deliver from Sun Sun Garden.  We ordered a large Wonton Soup... Rich, the Chicken Lo Mein, and me the Sesame Chicken w/fried rice.   OMG!  This had to be the best Chinese Takeout we have ever had!   Big fans of Hibachi Grill's Buffett - but this was even better!

Thursday  was the final leg of the trip...... we were headed for home.  Just can get away from heavy traffic....   We went AROUND Jacksonville, instead of through the middle of the city..... but we still hit very heavy traffic on I-295.  It was however morning rush to get to work.   But I am always awed by the Dames Point Bridge, that crosses the St. John's River along I 295E,   And of course who ever travels through Orlando, almost 100% of the time will hit construction and heavy traffic.   This day was no different. 

Stopped at Mickey D's for a quick breakfast, for money at the bank in Sebring, the car wash......and finally at Publix to pick up enough food for dinner when we got home, and breakfast/lunch tomorrow, since the refrigerator was bare!

Finally home early afternoon.

Monday - South to Virginia, Crystal's 50th BDay

And so on Monday morning, we were up early, enjoyed a cup of coffee with Dieter and Helen, said our goodbyes, packed up and headed south to Harrisonburg, VA for the night.  We stayed at the Sleep in and Suites. Nothing fancy - but clean and comfortable.  Restaurants close by, so we walked to IHOP, where Rich enjoyed a Vanilla milkshake, and Blueberry Pancakes, while I enjoyed my first cup of coffee of the day, and an order of French Toast and sausage.

Wake-up call for 7:00 am... Dress, fill the coffee cups and the thermos, check out and head for South Carolina.

BUT - Today was our daughter-in-law's 50TH BIRTHDAY- so we had to send off our birthday greetings before we got on the road. Such a sweet, beautiful, lady.  We love her so much!