More Tests, More Answers

I started the morning early at the rheumatologist.  He was friendly and nice as usual and provided me with quite a bit of information.  He read the left knee x-ray to me which revealed that I had cartilage missing on the interior side.  With therapy, medication and injections the pain should improve, but it would always be an issue.  He strongly recommended using an elliptical or a bike once I was able to exercise again.  My wrist x-ray was normal so I won't need anymore follow up on that.  He felt that there wasn't a fracture in the ankle and that the main concern was the tendonitis, fluid and ligament damage.  He strongly recommended therapy for that along with the knee.  He was fearful that the orthopedic doctor would push surgery and he did not want me to have that.  We agreed to stay on the medication he prescribed and meet again in six weeks.  He was very hopeful that I would start physical therapy by then and see some positive results by then.

My next stop of the day was Dr. Szynal.  Joan had to perform nerve testing on my leg to check to see if the tarsal nerve was trapped in the ankle tendon tunnel.  I was so glad that she was doing the test.  We've know Joan since we moved here nineteen years ago and we had a lot to talk about.  That kept my mind off how painful the test was.  In the end she was able to inform me that the nerve was not trapped and instead we talked about therapy.  She agreed with Dr. Mohr that the ankle was severely damaged, but surgery would not be the best option.  I was relieved.

My last doctor's appointment of the day was with the dentist.  For this one I got to pick up Cameron at Bethany and take him with me.  We both needed a cleaning and once again good news was heard - no cavities.  Cam made it back to school in time for Bible and soccer practice - two of his favorites.  Meg had a game at South Bend Riley tonight.  With all of the driving I did today - South Bend to Goshen to Syracuse to Goshen to Syracuse again - I opted out of going to the game.  The weather deterred me as well.  It rained most of the day and only made it to the upper 50's.  Doug texted me several times from the game to give me updates.  Meg played wing for over half of the game had an assist.  The girls won 3-0 which puts them at 6-1.  Meg was pretty happy when she arrived home which was nice to see.

Hurricane Season

Last week Texas was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey.  Although the storm was terrible in its own right, the flooding that occurred afterward was absolutely devastating.  The storm did not affect us personally, but it did touch close to home.  Mr. Woodard was to return to Houston for chemotherapy on the day the hospital flooded.  As he had been diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer we were all concerned that this delay would drastically change his prognosis.  Fortunately, he was able to get in today and started treatments immediately.  We were glad to hear that the delay did not change his health status and will continue to send good thoughts his way.

This week another hurricane has made the news.  This one followed the alphabet to I and was named Irma.  It should leave Houston along this time, but threatens to make landfall on several Caribbean Islands, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  Mass evacuations of Miami have already started and Meg said that one of her camp counselors has already made it from Southern Florida to Orlando to ride out the storm.  Bethany participated in a Hurricane Harvey drive this week.  Cam took in our diapers, cleaners, blanket and canned goods today.  I wouldn't be surprised if there was another drive next week for Irma.  The news reported that this could be the most horrific hurricane in United States history.  Hopefully, this will not be the case.  Thankful that they have had so much warning and with Hurricane Harvey fresh on everyone's mind I know that most in the path of the storm should take it seriously.

Feels Like Fall

It started storming yesterday afternoon which added to the somber mood of the end of a great weekend.  The rain also brought cool weather that lasted through today.  Sitting at Meg's soccer game tonight I even had to use a blanket to keep warm.  I didn't mind the lower temperatures as the heat and humidity bother my ankle and make the boot I have to wear feel even warmer.  It was strange, however, to be wrapped in a blanket on September 5th.

The wind has also kept the bees away.  I was worried about them in late August as we had more of them swarming our back deck this year than in the past.  We haven't seen any this week, but that may also be because the deck is no longer covered in sap from the cherry trees.  I had never seen that before either.  I scrubbed it clean many times in the month of August as well as the table and chairs that we use for dining outside. As sticky as it was I am sure that the bees were enjoying it.  Thus, I will be thankful for the cool, windy weather for a few days.

Labor Day Blues

Doug wanted to be on the road by 10 a.m. and we were up and out the door by then.  He had to mow the yard and get some work done in the afternoon.  Brett and Cal had plans to work on homework, so they were alright with us leaving early.  Meg got a lot of homework done on Saturday and Sunday, but still had quite a bit to do once we got home.  Cam was able to take it easy and play some golf with Grandpa Cutes.  He had played with Doug yesterday at Cascades as well and was glad for the chance to go out again.  It had been a fantastic weekend together as a family and it was hard coming home knowing that all that was left of the holiday was laundry.  Happy for the time together, however, no matter how sad the thought of it being over was.

Ninth Year and Counting

On the way to Bloomington we spent a lot of time contemplating how many years we had visited it for Labor Day weekend.  Fortunately, Facebook had several memories for me to look back on these past few days and we were finally able to figure out that we had been there nine years in a row.  Some of our activities had changed over the years (no more creek sliding), but each time we have come down we have had a wonderful time together as a family.  

Today's activity revolved around Garlic Fest.  We listened to reggae music and did some shopping at the art booths while Doug and Parce tried several different types of beers.  There were food booths, but we had had lunch at the winery again, so no one was too hungry.  Cam and I did check out the reptiles on display including a beaded dragon and several different types of snakes and turtles.  All told we spent about two hours there and were proud to claim that we had attended each and every one of the six Garlic Fests that Bloomington had put on.  

Hannah-Marie had never been to the Kroger by the mall and we wanted her to experience the cadillac of grocery stores.  Thus, we went there next.  Brett and Cal needed some groceries as well, so it worked out well.  She was impressed with the chocolate waterfall and the sushi bar.  Afterward she and Cal took Doug and Cam on in tennis.  Meg stayed at Brett's to work on homework while I rested and he organized his bookshelf.  It was Harry Potter weekend on Freeform, so I didn't mind taking a break at all.

After tennis we tried one of Cal's favorite restaurants in Bloomington - Aver's.  They had a pizza and salad buffet and Parce even agreed to meet us there.  Once dinner was over Brett got ready for mass and Doug, Cam and Meg decided to go to the IU soccer game.  The Hoosiers were ranked in the top ten in the nation and the game was packed.  I dropped them off and then took Brett to church.  He was once again the 9 p.m. mass coordinator.  I stopped at Parce's to visit with him for awhile since everyone was busy.  It was nice listening to his thoughts on class reunions and to get the itinerary for his upcoming cruise to Cuba.

After the game and mass we tried to get ice cream at Hartzell's.  The line was out the door.  Instead we stopped at McDonald's for sundaes and McFlurries.  It wasn't quite as good, but we saved a lot of time.  Cal and HM stopped by a friend of his before heading to Brett's.  The rest of us split up once again for the evening with Cam and Doug sleeping at Parce's.  It was another wonderful day and tthe weather even cooperated with temperatures in the 80's with sunshine.  We couldn't ask for anything more.  

Bloomington

We left last night for Bloomington.  Both Hannah-Marie and Meg had practice. so we didn't get on the road until after six.  That wasn't a problem as traffic was light and we were in B-Town easily by 9:40.  Cal wanted to eat dinner at Scotty's Brewhouse so that was our plans for the evening.  He picked up Brett and they met us there.  It was awesome seeing everyone together and listening to their conversation.  Brett and Cal have started off well this semester and we excited to have a three day weekend to relax.

After dinner we went to Brett's apartment.  Cal, HM, Meg and I all slept there.  Once we got the blow up mattresses set up, Doug and Cam headed over to Parce's.  He was in bed by the time they got there, but was up in the morning to talk with them before he headed to Gavin's game.  We didn't see him until the end of the day as he got back late from that and a trip to Columbus.  We spent the morning at the Farmer's Market.  We were impressed with how low the prices were and how many vegetables were available for purchase.  Doug picked up some peppers for home and got a cantaloupe for Parce.  The rest of us headed to the bakery booths for breakfast.  I got a big cookie for Meg as she decided to sleep in.

After the farmer's market we headed back to the Honda dealer.  The Civic's airbags were recalled and we wanted to get them fixed before the boys drove home again.  Our next stop was Cal's house.  He and HM decided that they wanted to do lunch on their own.  I had never been in his house, so we got a tour before leaving them.  It was a lot larger than I would have guessed, complete with four bedrooms and two living areas.  There was even a back patio area.  Cal's only complaint was that raccoons had gotten into their garbage one night.

The five of us decided that we wanted to have lunch at the winery.  We stopped at Noodles & Company for to go orders to take with us.  Doug also picked up some cheese and salami to go with it.  The bees wouldn't leave Meg alone, but other than that it was a perfect picnic.  Brett tried some apple pie wine that was delicious.  After lunch we met back up with Cal and HM for the 4th street art festival.  I bought a ceramic vase that I am going to enjoy arranging flowers in.  From the art fair we walked up Kirkwood checking out the IU stores and Urban Outfitters before driving to the mall.  Target had everything that we needed to get for Brett's apartment - extra towels, a long cable and a swifter jet.  Yankee Candle, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy were also on our agenda.

Cal and HM wanted to try dinner at Forest Quad before heading to his fantasy football draft, so we split up after shopping.   Doug and Cam played tennis near Brett's while I helped him set up his cable and Meg did homework.  Dinner was at Mother Bear's.  Doug tried a new pizza that was very good.  We stopped by Parce's after we ate.  He was watching football.  After catching up on his day Doug got breadsticks for the rest of us.  Cal and HM were back at Brett's by the time Doug dropped us off.  It was a wonderful day, but exhausting.  Everyone was ready for bed well before midnight especially since the Alabama game was a blowout.

She Shoots, She Scores!

Cameron had a soccer game at Lakeland yesterday and Meg had one at Whitko.  Cam was in charge of drinks for his game and Meg was scheduled for food.  It was a commitment to get the food and drinks all packed up and in coolers before the bus left, so I was glad that I had taken a half day off to go to the doctor yesterday.  It allowed me time to also get the food and drinks ready and drop them off at Bethany before my appointment time.

Doug and my parents wanted to go to Meg's game, so I told Cam I would be at his game as soon as my doctor's visit was over.  I was worried about being late to Lakeland, but made it just as the game started.  Cam's team defended  well at fullback and got to play almost the entire second half.  His team easily won 5-0.  My favorite part was listening to the Lakers coach yell at their own goalie "What were you doing?" when Allen put in a phenomenal shot early in the second half.  I knew what he was doing - watching one heck of a play.  Cam said his favorite moment was when five guys were guarding Allen and their coach yelled, "There are five of you defending him.  Someone take the ball!"  That made both of us laugh.  I asked Cam if there were enough drinks for everyone.  I put in extras as I wasn't exactly sure how many he would need.  Our grocery store had had a sale on the large size Powerades and he said the boys enjoyed them.  Some of them enjoyed them too quickly and at halftime needed to run behind the hill by the field.  That could only happen in a middle school boys sporting event.

I called Doug several times during Cam's game.  Whitko proved to be an easy opponent for Bethany and the girls jumped out to an early lead.  Doug said that Meg played very well and was in for over half of the game.  She had several shots on goal and finally put in a beauty with her left foot.  I was so happy for her.  I knew that if I didn't make it to her game that she would score.  That's happened so many times in the past.  Glad that she kept the tradition alive.  Maybe I should sit out the rest of her season.