Happy New Year!

The family gathered together for the New Year and grudgingly the group photo

We quickly put together a group shot ...

Then things got a little crazy

Rumbly in the Tumbly

Lois will later seek medical advice about her pukiness and general GI discomfort. She claims that she wants to address it after New Year, after the family leaves. Yeah, I'm sure that hospital forgot her appearance and desperately needs more medicare money, at the start of the year. Ho Ho Ho ... Merry Taxmas!

The good news is that other family is coming up from Indy area today and tomorrow. It will wham-bam Happy New Year Ma'am and then they stay or go ... I don't know. It will be nice however to just be with family.

Thinner & meaner

Lois' blood is thinner ... so much so that they doctor's are having her take less medicine -- Coumadin. We'll have to find out what, if anything all of that means. On the lighter side ... she's up longer and later.

Lois also has thunder gut. Her intestines sound like a bear or other wild beast. She has been uncomfortable and in some discomfort. She also been "urpy" and nausiated and pukey at times.

Thomas finished his at-office, PT today. He also visited a friend who is in a nursing facility after his hip injury.

Thomas and Lois are waiting for family from the Indy area, but their date of arrival is yet a mystery.

Christmas 2006

What a feast for the eyes -- Christmas in all of it's magic and wonder!

The day started like any other -- messy. Joe wanted to come over, but didn't have his car (long story that won't be covered here). He therefore wanted a ride, but wanted to stay only 30 minutes then leave. Well -- that wasn't going to happen. So, we were all off the hook for that responsibility. A family friend, Betty, joined us again and she had a wheeled walker with seat.

When we got her situated in the car, we weren't. We had packed a chair in the car, for the Freygangs (who hosted Christmas) have no really comfortable furniture for Lois. After several minutes of playing Tetris with bags, stuff, chair, and walker -- surrender! We put the wheeled walker in front with other stuff and Thomas, Lois, and Betty were in back. Marcus had the most comfortable seat -- driving.

Since the kids have been young, they have waited for "Grandma and Grandpa" to arrive before opening their gifts -- this year was no exception. We ate a lot, burst our guts, chatted and slowly rolled into the other room to open gifts. Diane and Father filmed the event -- as it was, and the unwrapping unfolded in shifts.

Angel was first, sniffing out her gift in seconds and chewing open her gift. She was cut off after a while, for fear of her getting sick from overindulgence, like the humans would know. The girls opened their many gifts and were happy, but he "big items" were the most dramatic. Jennifer got a guitar and Jessica got a store-bought computer, HP. Considering all the gifts, everyone did very well.

The bags of wrapping paper removed, the room was still full. We went into another room and played some games, taking a break with more eating -- sweets, pie, ice cream, cookies and more. Boy, oh boy ... stomache's delight and misery. Betty grew tired and we withdrew around seven. Thomas, Lois, and Marcus got back around eight and time slowed and we were weary. Thomas and Lois packed it in early and Marcus could not.

God willing, we will have our other 2nd and 3rd Christmas this year, just as nice as this one. The Orozco family and Loves are coming this weekend for Christmas / New Year.

Footsmarts

Lois has had some difficulty with her feet. Boy! This year isn't a happy story for some health! She complains of pain. Thankfully, it isn't too bad. It is, just one more thing. Lois' coumadin levels are getting low, so her dosages are changing. Isn't that just super fun?! [unhappy feet]

Thomas is still growing stronger with home PT and office Physical Therapy. His tests recently came back okay ... in normal range.

Thomas and Lois went to Indy area to see family and had a good time there, I understand. They spent part of a day with Beth and Tom. Beth and Tom have two dogs who love to play and tease each other. According to Lois, they teased each other with a log two feet or longer. One would have it, then it would be "stolen" from him by the other.
Supposedly, Samson grew tired and took the log to the porch, lying in front of Lois and Beth. Argos passed by several times, trying to continue the game, but no dice. He resigned with style by sitting on the porch, placing a paw comically on Samson's head, "please, let me have the toy!" [useful feet]

The next Thomas took Tony, Jon, Michael, Dave, and Megan around a couple of places. They wound up seeing, Happy Feet. They also saw Tony's folks' new house, nearly complete, which is in the area of Debbie and Tony's house. I understand that it quite nice.

Lois went with the girls, Debbie, Beth, Ana to see a quilt show in Indy. They had artisans who crafted quilts with environmental material -- canvas bags, scrap denim, etc. While lacking batting and other more typical quilt facets, they excelled in dynamic uniqueness. After hours of walking, Lois had some tired feet.

What Lois got to see was Secret (Orozco cat) crawl through the Christmas tree to bat off ornaments. After that, she'd bite and scratch at them like prey. [scratchy feet] Toby, disappointingly, barked to be included -- asking, "where's mine?" Lois laughed quite a bit about the silly animals on this trip.

Marcus missed that, in favor of seeing a birthday party on Saturday. After months of turning in resume' s, he has received now more responses that the companies got them, but declined to hire him. [defeat]

He turned in a 20 page application for a job -- he'll find out sometime next week what, if anything results from that.

Health horizons

Thomas had a carotid artery test a bit ago. The office had not called, or so he thought. After checking the phone service, he found that the test came out clear -- no mess, no surgery. Lois isn't going to need eye surgery and Thomas is getting stronger with his exercises.

Eerie sight on the wall -- what Lois called Angel, was a shadow of bells.

This is a superimposed picture of the tree lit and the tree with a flash. It has a ghostly appearance. I will have to re-shoot the picture.

Christmas in stages

Lois and Thomas put together a few of their holiday decorations in celebration of Christmas. There are window lights, a tree with decades of ornaments -- memories with each of them. There were carols on the stereo ... dust on the lawn of a snow two days ago. The sun melted some, leaving typical Decemeber white grass.

The feeling of love and of Christmas is waming the house. Thomas is starting to work on the hide-a-gift puzzles, which he has done for 30 some years. Yes, Christmas is here. I know that there isn't a picture here, but the next one will have pictures.

God bless you all -- thanks for Jesus!

Bliss?

Okay, while there weren't the sounds of elves hammering away or sewing machines feverishly working to make dolls, December is here and minds and hearts are on Christmas.

Lois is reading what she thought was a card, but alas ... it was not. Earlier she got ill then rested. It was a blissful day in one respect -- no doctor's appointment for Lois or Thomas.

Lois later was feeling a little better.



The question for this photo is: What do you think is happening? What a Santa's elf caught putting together a toy? Was this a naughty soldier?

No. Thomas is putting in weight (via marbles) in the soldier who stands sentry during the Christmas holiday. There are two holes in him, one at the feet and one at the neck (for the lightbulb).

Thomas and Marcus put up the tree today, but did not decorate it just yet. It is expected that Lois, Thomas, and Marcus will slowly piece together the tree on Saturday, perhaps.

Applied silence

Marcus had an interview these folks. It took around 6 hours start to finish, but still Marcus doesn't know if they want him.

As Marcus has had a "desk job" for such a long while, they seemed hesitant to hire anyone of the kind who wasn't a working man's man.

For the bulk of the time, Marcus spent waiting and waiting, talking a bit to the other applicants, but mostly just jotting down notes for his blog and reading an old, though roughly written book.

Marcus had never read Dracula by Bram Stoker and after a few chapters -- it was not for him. It was okay for an early 20th century novel, but has significant glitches in the 21st century.

After months of working to get a job it symbolizes the tracks of my tears.

Counted, recounted -- heck, just buy!

Thomas has a group with whom he meets montly, "KLUB". It's mostly comprised of engineers, Magnavox/Ratheon (other companies) who meet, eat, discuss. They also play poker, but Thomas bowed out of that a few years ago.
Thomas arranged a choral group to sing. As it is Christmas time, the tradition is to have poinsettias available -- one per table and they are given away or raffled away.

I advised Thomas to take a camera, but alas -- he did not. Lois went with him and hopefully enjoyed herself.

Yesterday, I know -- not chronological deal with it, Lois traveled with Diane and Jennifer to Purdue. When they got there, Jennifer's roomate was there and the four of them ate at Subway, West Lafayette. Her roommate has a car, however odd for a freshman, but is relegated to park it in Timbuk III (one and a half times as far as Timbuk Tu). I think the girls were happy to be out of the cold. Lois remarked how small the room was, but it is, after all a dorm.

So far as I can tell, Purdue is colder than here, but some degrees. Since freshmen don't have cars, I guess that they likely have the strongest legs. Jenny herself said that the first week in school, the elevators didn't work, so 8 flights up and down she made her first grueling week.

She doesn't seem to like a few of her teachers, but that's kind of like school. Anyway, Jenny lucked out and has a suitable roommate and she is excited about getting the blank out of there for Christmas and Winter break.

Thomas is due to have another scan of his back sometime soon. Lois' eye is weaker, but there's no emergency on it. Thankfully, despite the dark of winter, she and Diane made it home safely.

Happy 19th, Jennifer

Jenny celebrated her 19th birthday a day early on Saturday. Lacking a "9", she put together nine candles with a large "1".

She squealed with delight with her sister's generous gift, the gift from Grandma & Grandpa, and Diane's media gifts.

"Wicked" soundtrack and The Sound of Music on DVD. Jenny agreed that she had it memorized but loved the DVD. She couldn't help but pop in "Wicked" for her and Grandma's enjoyment.

She also got a Dave Matthews' CD, which is a band she grew to like by someone.

Despite the joy and love, there were and are challenges. One: the house, while warmer, might have been warmer with a fire. Jim and Marcus' attempt to make a fire sent smoke into the house. The damper (trap) did not fully open, sending smoke throughout the nearest three rooms. In cold, bitter winter, the windows and doors were opened. Thankfully for them, batteries were absent from their smoke alarm. I also glad that it wasn't a real fire.

Warm feelings, cold weather -- happy nineteenth, Jenny!

eye and strain

One of many exercises, Thomas works on his shoulder. Although Thomas originally led me to believe that he had only a few, perhaps three therapy sessions. The doctors and therapits suggested that he might need more. That isn't bad, just not as predicted. He seems to be doing okay with them. He has also developed knee pain. When it rains, it pours.

Lois had an appointment on Friday with the optomatrist who wanted to see her after taken photos of her eye. According to the doctor, she has problems, but he didn't feel that surgery was the right course of action right now. That was a relief. Thomas and Lois got there and had the "joy" of waiting around 90 mintues to see the doctor.

With the statements given, I thought -- why did they have to see him, especially if they had to wait, but ... I guess a phone call would have raised too many questions. So, while Lois' eye is not a surgical need, nor is Thomas' knee and shoulder.

All the while, Diane had some work to complete and Jennifer wanted to come home from Purdue. Marcus lent a hand or wheel and drove to pick up Jennifer. The trip there was fine, but getting out was less clear and they lost 30 minutes getting out.

Blessed they are in spirit

Thomas and Lois are adatpting to yet new challenges. Thomas has started physical therapy for his shoulder. According to the docotors and therapists, he had really let his arm become weak. His right shoulder was the point of injury and that is he favored arm (right-handed). In the months -- nearly a year, he has avoided using his should when he could. This was somewhat helpful to limiting pain, but the reprocussion was a great strength loss. Instead of being 10 percent stronger on his favored arm, he has 50 percent of the strength of his left arm. That's bad.

They remarked that it seems likely that he would never regain a balance of strength between the arms and shoulders, but Thomas might get 80 percent of his strength. He was only minorly disappointed. I would have been more peeved. Anyway, after a few more sessions, they will have taught him all they can for his home-therapy. He is tenatively content with what has been stated.

Continuing with his role in the Engineers Club (KLUB), he has found speakers and entertainers for them. This year, he got a school group to sing. Some year previous he got a group in to perform, which was quite enjoyed by the engineers.

Lois has, interestingly had days absent of doctors' appointments. On other days, she's done marathon appointments. By the end of the day, Thomas and Lois return, wiped out completely ... drive, wait, prod, poke, blood draw, then repeat. The continual observation of Lois' coumadin levels reveals that she's doing okay with that. Her injection pens are her sour point. One pen is glitchy and the other is maybe okay. The "dial a level" insulin pen is quite a novel idea. She has two different insulins, each used at different times. After some experience with them as they were new, she cleverly opted to use the nighttime insulin earlier, as it sometimes keeps her awake.

Yesterday marked a great day, in that Thomas and Lois returned to the YMCA after a near 12 month absence. Thomas worked on his shoulder and Lois worked on walking machines. Her knees were aching and criping, but she is better today. I hope, by February, that they return to normal life sans hospital. They cannot escape checks, therapies and appointments, but skipping out on hospital is better.

Thomas golfed this morning, then ate with friends. He was happy to leave and swing. "Hit away father, hit away."

amendment to Thanksgiving

Thomas and Lois took Angel out for a walk. The three liked it. When they got back, I saw a neat, "nifty" sight ... Angel wandering around and Thomas and Lois sitting in the sun, basking ... enjoying being out, in the sun, together.+ Though there were plenty of desserts, I doubt that much will be left on Monday, since Jenny goes back on Sunday as does Jim. Each, I think, having three more weeks of school. Jim loves snacking on desserts and generally makes meals of them. According to Diane -- he's a grazer, eating all day on little here and there.

The folks had a great deal of food and Diane sent home pounds of food. After two days of cold turkey sandwiches, there isn't a dent in the bag sent home with the folks.

I am thankful for these two other, unmentioned things: though the year is waning, the folks' love is not. I am thankful that I still have more time ... not quite sunset, not quite twilight, not the night yet. Miles and years separate family and people, but love -- love binds us.

God, thanks for us; Jesus, thanks for the after.

+ literally separated by commas

Festival

There were rows and rows and rows of trees. It's an anuual event in Fort Wayne and this year, there were fewer entries. Last year we missed this festival of trees. There were many contendors, but I voted for not a single one. Had I voted, the "Peace" tree would have been my favorite.

Thomas, Lois, Diane, Jennifer, and Jessica went downtown on a glorious and warm day. Marcus, photographer, was with them. They viewed the 40 some trees in the historic Embassy Theater with wonderful architecture. After the long walk -- good for Lois, we visited a coffee shop. Aspen Coffee is slightly cheaper than Starbucks. Lois had a difficult time of it as the machines were very loud making drinks. There was a group of eight after us, we lucked out with timing.

Our next adventure -- downtown Santa on sleigh light display. Also, there is a man who has the largest display in the county. It is a wonder to see. Snow adds to the magic of the display, so, we should wait.

Lois and Thomas are doing okay, tired and needing rest more than usual, but with the holiday coming, that is natural. To everyone -- Happy belated Thanksgiving and an early Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

So, here's the family about and around, after eating lots of food for Thanksgiving.

We played Imagine If... and later Tripoly. Since the folks had not seen Cars, they watched that. I had seen it and saw bits here and there.

I chatted a bit with Jim while he was drawing deer on his drawing pad. He had drawn a scene before, but was adapting this one to have the father watching the fawn.

In all, we had a good time, ate lots and the girls, Jessica & Jennifer loved that Lois brought over a gallon of homemade orange sauce -- consumed nearly like soup.

Lost in translation

Lois got a call from the nurse practitioner today about her potassium levels. The plan days ago was that she skip only one day, then resume half pill doses thereafter. Lois didn't quite do this and with the puking, keeping the potassium down would have been unlikely. They are doing another blood draw tomorrow. Thomas is creeping up on better health and got word that his shoulder would probably heal up with physical therapy.

For Thomas, there was good news. Now, if we could get Lois healthy, that would be something!

parental health teeter-totter

When one is healthy, the other is not. The health fairy gets a lump of coal this year, for sure!

Thomas had an appointment today and found that his glucose was on average in a three-month study, so that's good. He was low on sodium because of a medication increase, so the doc put him on non-diuretic diovan to hopefully address this issue.

Lois spent 16 hours in bed -- ill, pukey, nausiated, groggy -- all around yucky. She perked up a bit in the evening, but not wholly. Thanksgiving next week might be interesting or disappointing. We are to pick up Betty who has spent Thanksgiving with the family for a few years now. She's an older woman -- friend of family, who has done bible study with Lois. The more I know of her -- the more she bugs me, so I try not to know too much.

Anyway, the family (Beth and family, Debbie and family, Diane and family) are plugging along with situations here and there and troubles not always of their making.

Sometime, Marcus will rampage the town out of frustration with job hunting. He has had two invites to spend money to get jobs. He hasn't comitted to anything.

phone found

I was starting up the vehicle to get it warm, looking also for a belt extender. I found, to my surprise, a cell phone. My niece has lost or misplaced her repeatedly, so I guessed it was hers. I then thought, that it might have been one of her friend's. I called -- busy, called again, busy. I got the house finally and she warmly greeted me, almost tearing because the phone wasn't stolen, as she thought might have happened.

After dinner, I drove over to drop off the phone and she hugged me several times to thank me. She was reuinted with her phone. She was then again directed to continue with her chores. Cinderella went back to chores, but was happy to have the phone.

brief stop

This falcon stopped by here looking for birds to eat. Strangely, they all left.