Thanksgiving Dinner and Tree and Rowan

 We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with Kelly contributing two kinds of rolls, one with orange flavoring and frosting and one plain all in crescent shape.  They rose so well and were so good.  

Craig contributed two pies he made, one pecan and the other pumpkin with a streusel pecan top.  Linda made the traditional apple and Gary had made a wonderful pumpkin cheesecake the day before.  All were amazing delicious.

Linda and Gary cooked the turkey in a new flat way with the backbone removed.  Linda made a traditional stuffing and cranberry sauce with the berries and it was all so good.

Someone made the mashed potatoes and gravy, no sure who but so perfect and traditional fresh cooked green beans.

James and Kelsi came over, Craig from LA and Collin was back from the hospital he has been working at.

Rowan was a little feverish so Kelly and Collin took turns rocking him and eating.

Of course, I forgot to take any pictures!!!  But we did decorate the tree on Thanksgiving Eve.

First of all a picture of some of the chefs, where is Linda?

And Rowan is such a doll and smiles for me.

Doing his work, trying to reach and turn over, something!

 

Thanksgiving Today.

Yesterday I rode with James to take Camber her burrito, etc that she had requested.  James was in with her for awhile so I practiced the songs I sing to Rowan to try and remember all the words I have forgotten!!!!  I will have to request the words to some on my phone.

UCSD has refused to take Camber though a doctor there said he would treat her.  They are low on beds and need the ones they have for their Emergency Room patients.  They also don't like lateral patients (move from one hospital to another).  She is also not eating except for the burrito, etc James brings her each day she requests it.  They have to use a IV and she will not go to the bathroom or open her eyes except occasionally say something.  She has been in the hospital almost 50 days or so.  She tries to fight off the meds but is very weak.  She will not cooperate in any means to get herself well.

James told me yesterday that 2 and 1/2 years ago when they were lunching at their favorite french restaurant in the mall that she began to keep her eyes closed and not comb her hair or anything.  She had had the trauma of remembering her next door neighbor and the abuse he gave her when she was around 11 or 12 when they were in court and a pedophile was before the judge.  With all the other stresses of what is going on in their life she just went into a deep depression and got worse and worse.  She refused to leave her room or care for herself or eat or open her eyes.  Just stayed in bed all day with the TV on part of the time.

One night she became hysterical and Jacob took her to the hospital because he did not know what else to do and she has been there ever since.  It is so sad.  Linda sent me a picture or laying there but asked me not to share.  Sooo so sad and James feels so guilty for all the stress she has do to his current problems.  He also had a heart attack about 2 and a half years ago and is being treated for diabetes.

He stays sane only because he is currently working with Kent on a marketing project they have been hired for and it takes lots of planning and work but may just be the way to get income into the home again.     

Christmas Decorating at Hardy Home, 2022

James invited me to come help him decorate the Christmas tree that Mimi (Mary, Camber's Mom) bought for last Christmas.  James hung up the sox.  Kelsi is to finish hanging bulbs etc on the top of the tree.

James or someone had put up some Christmas from the storage and the house looks very nice.

New Doctor, Scripps in Carlsbad, Daily Current Meds

 Dr Michael Pham, DO at the Scripps Health Clinic at 2176 Salk Ave in Carlsbad is my new Primary Doctor and Internist.  I thought I wanted to switch back to United Health Care instead of Scan which I am in now because there seemed to be more benefits but after our appointment I do not want to switch.

He is very knowledgeable and caring and I want to stay with him.  He says no more surgeries for me but he wants to help me stay healthy and doing well.  He is sending me to a Physical Therapist to help me lose this pain in my thighs.  It does stem from the back and they did an xray of the lower back and it shows a lot of deterioration.

I had calcium scraped from certain discs in 2011 and it took the pain away but I do not want anymore surgery and neither does he, so see how this goes at Coastal Pain, especially for this type of thing.

I told Linda it takes me a long time in the morning because of all I have to do to my body to have a good day breathing well and not itching.  Since 2015 I have been treated for the skin itching, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea etc and have a fairly itch free life if I do it all.  So for Linda and anyone else caring for me when my mind goes, here is my morning routine.

1. Shower only with products free from certain chemicals and such.  I use Aveeno Body Wash.  (Also wash my clothes in the free and gentle detergent.

2. Use the scrub brush on arms and legs to keep dry flakiness away.  Wash the face with this prescription dandruff shampoo.

3.  If washing hair, use Aveeno or another chemical free shampoo.*  Kenra Mousse and then blow dry.

4. *15 minutes later put Metronidazole (prescription) on the face and 5 min after that you can use Aveeno moisturizer and collagen and makeup on the face (Este Lauder does not make my face itch).  The Neosporin is used on my belly button which sometimes gets red and itchy from heat from all the Ceasarean flab left around it.  And the Tri....Acetonide cream (prescription) is used on a growth on my right ab and the back of my right leg when they grow and get irritable. Can also be used on flair ups of eczema on the neck.  And Aquaphor or Cerave for the itch and healing.

5. The red jar or Cerave which is anti itch cream is used on my arms and legs to prevent itching during the day.  Use deodorant under arms.  Any non cancerous spots can be healed by aquaphor or the Tri...ace.

6. AM meds and supplements

spirits and mood

statin drug

1 each day

for allergies

fiber for regularity

 

for overactive bladder

spray in nostrils and blow nose completely so do not get stuffed nose during day.

7. V8 peach mango energy drink early

9. Later make a protein smoothie with pineapple to keep throat clear from phlegm, triple berries, SO Coconut milk yogurt, scoop of protein, large spoonful peanut butter, spinach or 1/2 banana, chia seeds, not flax, cranberry juice (no sugar) with same amount of water (dilutes juice).  I try to stay dairy free because of the eczema, etc.

10. At night, use 1 oxybutynin again, a multi vitamin, biotin, and benadryl and lastly spray nostrils with flonase or generic flonase.  Use makeup off sheet on face and then night time cream and collagen.

20 mg for blood pressure

11.  Make sure a pad is worn day and night with a bikini panty under garments and change if soiled during day etc.  A larger one can be used at night.

12. I find this eye therapy is the best for me.  My eyes do not get as dry in California  as they did in Utah so I seldom need it.

13.  Be aware that since the surgery in 2018 of the tumor on my tail and part of my sphincter was cut away so that wastes can escape and nestle in my upper bum...how gross but those are the facts.  Old age is not for sissies!!!!! 

Large plastic bin with green lid has extra meds in it and shoe box has current meds using and flonase stands by med box.  Here is to a long happy old age or a short happy one, whatever.

Thanksgiving!

Craig is here for Thanksgiving and everyone is busy cooking but me.  James and Kelsi have been invited and Collin and Kelly and Rowan are here.

I sent out this greeting last night on Instagram and Facebook that I had colored on Happy Color.

James was wondering about putting up the Christmas tree and I encouraged him to do it and said I would help.  So this morning we, James, Kelsi, her friend and I are going to try and do the tree etc!

Christmas is Coming! 2022

Poinsettias from Costco are the first sign of prep for Christmas.  So very beautiful and so many blooms!

James took the pictures of Kelsi and I at Church which is actually called Poinsettia Ward,  Kelsi had crimped her hair and was second guessing her choice but it looked lovely though she tells me that I am always telling her that her hair needs brushing...it does.  She is a surfer and out in the sun and surfs a lot.  Beautiful girl with strong legs and strong and beautiful body.

I think I look ok in my bathroom but in the light of day my wrinkles and eye bags and double chin are very obvious.  I have on the sterling earrings someone gave me at one time.  Love them.

89 this Christmas! And those eyes look tired.

Kelsi has 3 dimples!  She is a junior and is tired a lot from all her activities and probably not getting enough sleep and protein?

Hate to show this picture but Kelsi is soo cute!!!

 

Too Much Chocolate and Sugar

When watching TV or listening to a book I find I snack less if I chew gum and/or work of my Happy Coloring on my Samsung Tablet.

But I discovered the left over Halloween candy and begin eating the small bars that were old favorites.  One night I had waaaay too many and the next day I spent a lot of time in the bathroom and after I had ridded my body of all that bad stuff in my tummy I looked like this.  Very drained and tired.  I cannot eat much sugar or chocolate anymore!!!!!!

 

My Lovely Living Space in Carlsbad

I sent these pictures to Steve to show Marilyn and Jeanne where I was living now.  This is my daughter Linda and husband Gary's home in Carlsbad, CA.

My living quarters are the lower windows by the front door.

This is the street toward the direction of where the ocean and beach are.

This is looking in on my comfy bedroom den.

I have lots of drawers and shelves for all the clothes not in the large closet.  And my big TV!

Sadie has her own bed which she likes alot except at night she likes to sleep on the bed with me.  My protector.   Notice the curtain separating me from the passers in the hall.

Sidetables for all my 'stuff'' and nice light and heater in case of a cool night or day.

My chair that swivels to look out the window at the park or rocks me and my grandchildren or reclines to watch tv and rest.  And lots of rooms for all my techy stuff.

Lots of cupboard and drawer space for all my makeup and other needs!  And my own bathroom with great light and good water pressure, I love it.

There is a big fan if I ever get too hot.

My desk area is in the room next to my bedroom and bath and plenty of light and room for everything.  And as a bonus my grandson Jimmy and his friends found a wonderful desk chair that just fits me and has wonderful back support so it has replaced this chair.

I love it, very comfy, in a beautiful home with beautiful people.

 

Carlsbad Campground

Linda and Gary and Kelly plus Rowan walked down to see the Christmas lights at the campground.  I can't walk that far and am very slow so did not go.  I have not gotten into the Christmas spirit yet and it is already near Thanksgiving!!!!

 

The Masseys and Night Tidepooling

The Masseys and friends enjoy the beach at night and must see a lot of interesting things with flashlights.  They later had smores.  What fun!
 

The Versatile Kham!

He likes the tractor!

He plays the drums!

He likes paperwork!

Kham lives on the beach up in Washington State where is Dad Mitch is a carekeeper of a State Park and his Mom Bahia is a Nanny.