Mike's Last Visit

Isabel & I made our annual October trip to Gatlinburg this week.  Got here on Wednesday, blew down the driveway and raked the rest to the street.  This is pretty important.  It had rained and the leaves are slippery and the nuts are a trip hazard.  Did a few other odds and ends then got the traditional Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner.  Thursday, Isabel took Mom to the Wild Plum and I went to Gatlinburg Golf Course.  Mom had a blast getting out of the house on a social visit, Dad enjoyed the peace and quiet and I shot a 94 which was better than the score indicated (I parred both Par 5s on the front and the first three holes on the back, but really blew four holes). Traffic was bad in Gatlinburg, so Isabel and I went to Joe's Crab Sahack in Pigeon Forge, mom and Dad enjoyed KFC again, and we called it a day.  On Friday I played the Sevierville Golf Course River Course (formerly Eagle's Landing) and shot a 92 which I felt was worse than the 94 at Gatlinburg.  The course is wide open, and I couldn't hit a fairway.  Good thing, I increased the number of balls in dad's bag- Golf balls and golf bags for those of you who are picturing something else GROSS!  Isabel went strolling through Gatlinburg and even she suggested we stay out of town, so we ate at the Alamo.  We finished watching Remington Steele with M&D.  Today Isabel is out to Five Oaks, I have at least three chore to do, then I will try taking a shower (for those who remember the time we had a reunion here and Dad didn't want me to dirty the shower, so I took a rag from the garage and wiped myself down with it) and do laundry.  We're leaving Sunday after Church.

While here, I transferred slides to JPEG files.  I started when I came out here the first time and have gotten through 1967.  I got to say, Mack you didn't like shirts did you!  Now I have pictures to hold over every one of my brother's and sister's head!!!

I would like to suggest that we all try coming out here in an organized fashion about every 6-8 weeks for a couple of days.  Not because M&D are dying, but because they need stuff done around the house and Mom needs to get out.  She is doing much better than the last visit, but still prefers the walker aound the house.  Dad doesn't want to leave the house and Mom is getting stir crazy in it.  Isabel described Mom as a "puppy sticking her head out of the car window on her ride around town".  Also, Mom doesn't feel good enough to cook for visitors and they didn't mind when we had plans to eat out.  She was bugged that I bought the KFC.

When I get done with the slides (probably in three more visits), I will leave a CD at M&Ds.  That way if you want the pictures, you'll have to come down and visit them!  Until next visit......

Mom Revisited

I have a business trip next week in Huntsville, AL and was in Charlottesville VA Friday, so the government told me to spend the weekend in Huntsville, so I came to Gatlinburg (4 hours away) for Sat and Sun.  I did a few things:
     - Fixed Mom's extension cord
     - Replaced the mail box (the old one was plastic and the hinge broke)
     - Fixed Mom's leaf Blower
     - Moved the refridgerator and cleaned behind it
     - Moved the basment couch and vacuumed behind it
     - Moved the sewing machine so mom could oil it
     - Bought M&D KFC for Dad's birthday, cake and all

I haven't seen much improvement in Mom.  She is still using the walker and is slumped over when she is on the sticks.  I think she left PT too early.  She is complaining about some hip discomfort (and won't have her hip worked on).  I think more PT with some weight training to strengthen her legs and back is needed.  Her back is still weak.  Not a Doc, just a Jock though.

Tomorrow is Church (Gotta get there before some asshole form Florida takes the handicap spot!- Guess who said that?)  then I am trying to get them out for breakfast before I head back to Huntsville.

Later.

Bald Mountain Hike

I am sitting on top of Bald Mountain in the Uinta Mountains and thought I would take a picture to share. Elevation 11,900.  I cannot see what I am typing so forgive any spelling errors. 

Mom continues to do good

Just talked to mom. She went to the doc and they x-rayed her and everything looks good. Mom looked at a vertebrate three or four or higher and was concerned.  Doc said that it doesn't affect anything which is true. He liked the sticks and was messing around with them. A man she didn't know approached mom and said you're a hiker  (then she went on about the surgery). The manager at food city approached her and said her son could really use those poles because he had surgery on his calf (mom told her to go to the hiking store to pick them up.) Mom is starting a trend. I explained that I have another set and to keep those. I think that she finally realizes that those poles are better than the walking stick that she had.

She mentioned that she uses the walker in the house still but that is okay until she is completely comfortable on the poles. I was giving her ideas on how to use the poles, laundry, and using the black cart etc..... She is listening.

Just wanted let you know that the doc doesn't want to see her for six months. Surgery was considered successful. He told her no more pt.

Take care

Rondah

First day of school

Who say its not scary for teachers:
New school new student,new classroom and new parents! They are the scariest:).

Back to school tonight. We see first hand who the parents that care the most.

I am resting then i go back to my commute, across the street. I'm loving that

Talk with you later, by the way teachers are using the blogger with there kids:)

Rondah

Limo to Gatlinburg

Marciah - how was that limo ride to the airport?  Was it worth it?  Cost?  Time to get there?  Would you do it again?  Mom called to tell me it appeared to be a good ride, but she hasn't heard the end of the story!

Hickory Nuts & Matthew

Like the idea of Hickory Nuts - we all experienced it!  And since you suggested we all pitch in about our lives - guess what I saw this weekend (speaking of nuts)?  I'm a big fan of Matthey McConaughey, so I went to see MAGIC MIKE!  OMG - Isabel, what did you think of it?!?!?  Terrible ending (pardon the pun), and a quite unexpected beginning!  But oh, do those boys DANCE!  Channing Tatum - oh my!

Who saw this yet?  Guys - not allowed to comment!