On The Road Again

Things are back to somewhat "normal" with 

my eyes, so we took off for an quick 

camping trip.

We jumped into our Van and headed out to one of 

my favorite camp sites.

We weren't sure what was open or 

what we could or couldn't do.

The web site said, 

no fires, no showers and no garbage pick ups.

But we prepared for just about anything. 

Good morning!

Hot coffee served with a smile.

Banjo had a great spot, as a look out.

And he was thrilled to meet anything or anyone.

These two played for the longest time.

While we talked to his owner.

And so did these two!

Dogs and kids are Banjo's favorite things!

As it turned out, we could have a fire.

(plus showers and garbage pickups)

Bring on the Polish Dogs!

Because I didn't think we could have a fire,

I bought a treat for Tom.

What's camping without S'mores?

Did you know you could buy 

S'mores already made?

Not as good as the real deal.

But I think I should of told Tom ahead of time

to take the wrapper off.

OH, well, he enjoyed his way.

The smoke and sunshine created 

a interesting picture.

You can actually SEE the sun rays.

God is good!

Time went quickly and we headed home with a promise

to be back soon.

** Word of Warning to all **

Dog Lovers!

While Banjo was out for his supervised (on a leash),

  walks in the woods,

he came in contact with a harmful and potentially, deadly weed.

(But we didn't know this)

After every walk, we'd inspect him and pick off all the pine needles

and anything else that stuck to his fur.

He started limping and whining.

We couldn't see what was bothering him.

One week later, he was still limping and licking the bottom of his foot.

We'd looked and looked, but nothing!

Finally, we saw that his foot pad was pink'ish.

I ran for a flashlight, a magnifying glass and tweezers. 

Tom saw it and pulled it out!

 The remnants of an awns from

 Hare Barley.  

Research told me that it is very harmful, even deadly, to dogs.

Praising God for helping us track it down and 

removing it from Banjo's paw.

This is the remnant of an awns,

  next to a fountain pen.

It's was very small.

No wonder we couldn't see it.

And look how sharp it is!

OUCH!

Banjo is doing fine now.

~~~~****~~~~

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Eye Surgery

For several years now I haven't been able to see very well.

I'd get a yearly eye examine from the optometrist, get new glasses and still didn't see well.

Last year my vision was really bad. 

Driving was hard.  

I'd read a speed sign and only saw the  __5. 

I didn't know if the sign read, 35, 65, 55 ????

When I came to a stop sign, all I could read was OP.

But I knew it was a stop sign.

I was finally, referred to an Ophthalmologist.

She found a hole in my macula, 

which prevented me from seeing completely, in my left eye.

 Then I was referred to a surgeon.

 to repair the hole.

 But before I could have the hole repaired,

 I needed to have my cataracts removed!

So both were removed. 

One surgery after the other.

Whew!

 Lots of eye drops.

Lots of eye examines.

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

Finally, the day came for the , what I called

 THE Big Surgery.

( info about this surgery)

Our grand daughter, Ila May,

 sent me off to surgery with a handwritten letter of LOVE.

It was in my pocket even during surgery.

I was told the surgery would take a couple of hours.

This is me in recovery, after only 30 minutes!

I was "awake" for the part of the operation.

The Surgeon even told me,

"NO TALKING!"

Ooops!

Recovery for this surgery is 

really different. I had to have my

  face down.

For 15 to 20 minutes every hour...

 24 hours a day...

for 7 days...

I had my face down.

Tom moved our comfortable chair 

to the kitchen table.

This was my favorite spot.

Someone else liked it too!

Though, I found several other places.

Sometimes I had company.

Recovery had other difficulties.

For 6 days I didn't wash my hair, and no makeup. 

~smile~

Could the glasses get any bigger?

My eye was dilated for the whole time!

These huge sunglasses (prescribed by the Dr.), 

I wore inside and outside.

It was so bright!!!

Tom was in charge of my eye drops.

I took 4 different drops, 4 times a day.

Plus, an eye patch at night.

As you can see, I had a chart...

which came in handy!

I finally said good-by to my "station".

I did a lot of praying here!!!

(15 minutes every hour!)

When recovery was finished,

 I finally washed my hair 

and put of some fun sun glasses.

My eyes were kept dilated during the 7 days of recovery.

To celebrate the end of recovery, 

we had a party.

An Eyeball Party!

Rib Eye Steaks!

Deviled Eggs!

Gifts!

Ping Pong Eye Balls

Levi hand drew this beautiful 

Peacock tray for me.

And a homemade card from Ila May!

A pop-up card that says,

"No more glasses on Grammie-goo!"

And that's right!

I don't need glasses.

Only for reading.

~~~~****~~~~

"Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2

Several Stories

( all of these stories have been in the "cooker" for a while. 

Today it's time to unleash them.)

 

Story #1

The whole family, all 7 of them , got sick at the same time, 

except one, Little Isaac.

So he came to spent the day and night with Papa and Grammie-goo..

  Isaac and Banjo became 

great pals!

Isaac is showing Banjo a trick. (??)

Daily walks are important for everyone.

⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

Story #2

I won a contest from a radio station.

The contest was to call in with an unusual name

 of your child or grandchild.

Ila May's

name WON!

l

The prize...

 two free yogurt treats!

 And you could add as many toppings as you wanted.

On the way home we had the top down.

That always makes any outing special.

🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

Story #3

Swimming!

Kimmy and Mark's neighbors encouraged them to use their pool!

For several years, 

Tuesday and Thursdays were open to them, only.

All kids learned to swim in this pool.

Sadly, their neighbors are moving

 so this was the last 

hurrah!

Thank you !

 It's been so much fun.

⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖⏖

Story #4

Kimmy and Mark celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary, 

by enjoying some time away.

 

Tom and I had fun, with the kids.

A new kids park opened up and we explored the 

whole park!

Every ride and slide were kid tested!

Who says you are too old to ride the pony ride?

⍣⍣⍣⍣⍣⍣⍣⍣

Story #5

Going to McCall is always fun with a kid or two!

Levi and Lulu were our passengers this time.

The weather was overcast, but that didn't stop the fun!

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Story #6

Tom was in charge of cleaning the window in his office

I couldn't resist taking pictures of

his method!

I'm sure our neighbors were confused

But then again, they all know Tom.

⇝⇝⇝⇝⇝⇝⇝

Story #7

I am having eye surgery in a few days.

To prepare, I had both cataracts removed.

I can see without glasses!

My next surgery is to repair the hole in my macula.

This surgery is easy but the recovery is really different.

I need to be 

FACE DOWN 

for a week!

So I'll be gone for awhile.

~~~~~*****~~~~~

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Proverbs 19:21