Two Surgeries

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We made it through another year! Now we all have a fresh start on a new one. I don't do resolutions, I just do the same things I have always done. Watch what I eat and exercise. I have finally come to the conclusion that I will not be fat, just pleasantly plump. It is in my genes and as long as I can keep my weight under control, I will be happy. The weather here will be getting warmer so I am looking forward to my desert walks. Maybe find some good yard art!!

The day is sunny and started out warm. It is a good day to do laundry. Because the lady that brings us water is out of town, I have had to conserve so no laundry until we can get more water. I just found out that her dad died in July, and that was who we would call when she was out of town. He was young. Don't know what happened. We won't run out of water as we never empty our tank, but we have a marked line on the site tube that tells us when we need to refill and we are below that. Since my laundry is building up, we asked Tito if he would get us some water. He has a small tank, but if we can just get enough to do a load of laundry that will work.

Tito did bring us some water so today the 2^nd, I washed clothes. Dave had put in a pipe for draining the water from the wash machine and that seems to work really well. He had put a piece of screen over the end to keep critters out so we were pretty well set. Today however, was a different story. When the washing machine went into the spin to drain, I as normal, go out and make sure the water is draining as it should. Something was not right as it was taking longer for the water to come out so I went back into the art room where the washing machine is and water was spewing out of the pipe into the room. I shut the washing machine off and grab all the towels I had left to wash and put them on the floor to sop up the water. What a mess. I went back outside to look at the end of the pipe were the screen was over it and it was filled with lint. So the water couldn't drain out and therefore backed up into the art room. Well that was a fine howdy do!!! I took the screen off the pipe and turned the washing machine back on and stood there just in case. But all was ok now. The water drained out and now the clothes are washed and hung on the line and I am drying the cement floor in the art room. It started out as a really nice and warm morning but now just before noon, the north wind has come up and I have to change out of my shorts and into my leggings!! I will need to get the clothes off the line too as they are really blowing. If they aren't dry yet, they will dry inside. They had enough sun this morning to at least start the drying process. So already my new year is starting out with some excitement!!!!! HA!!! Not exactly what I want as excitement!

The lady that usually delivers our water is out of town. They go to the mainland side where her husbands family is and usually are back by now because it is after New Years. Tito has checked in town and still says she is gone. So we are running down below our line and would like to get refilled before we have to go north. Tito suggested a friend who has a big tank like Eva does to come out. So we told him to arrange it. This way if it works good, I can do all my laundry before I go and still have water in the tank for when we get back.

Tito was with his friend when he delivered water today. We are full now so in a couple days I will be doing laundry.

Went into town today to play train. This is my last game until I get back from Washington. We had four today and one of the ladies hadn't play before so we were teaching her. Then we had lunch and packed up and went home. When I got home Dave said he had talked to Ernie this morning and told me that Ernie got laid off. He didn't sound too upset Dave said, as Ernie was suspecting it to come sooner or later. The big problem was they wanted him to travel more and he told them that was not in the job description. I think in a way he is relieved as he was getting tired of traveling and I know it was a hardship on not only him but the family as well. So he is looking for the same kind of job in the propane business still and he has lots of leads. He is reaching out to the company that wanted to hire him before he took this current one. I have a feeling it will all work out just fine in the end. He was going to have to take some time off work anyway for his shoulder surgery and healing, so I guess no time but the present for it to happen. Brooke is getting a little anxious about her surgery and time off work, but that too will work out good. Both Ernie and Brooke seem to be in good spirits.

So a week from today, the 14^th, we should be heading north. That is if our friend gets back with Dave's medication by then. If not we will just wait a day or two. We don't have to be at Ern's until the 20^th. That will be a good day to be there as it is a school holiday so the kids will be home. So in the meantime I am getting things ready here and trying to use up our food as we will be shutting the refrigerator off which means the propane gets turned off.

Once in Washington we will stay a couple days with our good friends, Ron and Noreen so we can get the truck fixed from the recall of the seat belts, and get my hair cut and see my best friend Judy before going to Ern's. This is not a vacation trip for us. By the time Brooke and Ernie are on the mend and can fend for themselves, we all will be glad to get our space back!!! Ha!!

The drain pipe is working like it should and no more mishaps. Yay!! I did laundry today but unfortunately the weather is a little cloudy. But the temperature isn't bad so they should dry mostly and then I will bring the clothes in and anything that is still damp I will hang to dry inside.

Dave made a new box cover for our water faucet to the water tank. The other one had been attacked by termites. So that project is done and we don't have to worry about it for quite a while. It looks nice.

I finished 2 crocheted dish cloths. I will give them to our gate guard's wife for her birthday which is right after we leave. I have also made a couple crocheted scarves to sell. Next I want to make a scarf for me before I head to the cold country. Calling for snow this week in Bremerton. Oh yay!! I made 3 tooth fairy pillow for the grandboys. Since they are sport fans of the Sounder Soccer Team and the Seahawk Football Team, I made them out of that type of fabric. 

 

So Conor, Jon Jr, and Cameron all get a tooth fairy pillow when we go up. Jonathan Jr just turned 7 on the 6^th. He had lost one tooth already and about to loose another one. I am hoping we will get to see Jon and the boys while we are up there.

We heard that the Mexicali border was closed so that changed our plans to go that way. But later found out it wasn't closed just security was really tight as they were looking out for certain people. We decided to leave on Sunday and drive to San Quintin, Mx. We didn't have to leave early since San Quintin is only 3 hours away. So we loaded up the truck and headed out around 9:30am. When we got to the hotel we checked in and had time to just chill. We had an early dinner as the restaurant was going to be closing early due to it being Sunday. Next morning we left early as we needed to get across the border before it got too jammed up. We had to stop along the way in Ensenada to exchange pesos for dollars and get gas. Then off to the border. We were really surprised to see hardly anyone in line. So crossing was a breeze at Tecate. We now have to stop at a friends house to pick up medication for Dave since Kaiser didn't send it with the others I had ordered. It was a very frustrating day as we had to go through traffic and then our friend had to leave his house for a while so we made sure he put them between the screen door and front door for us to pick up. Because it was late afternoon and rush hour, we decided to stay in San Diego for the night. We really had hoped we got further today but it is what it is. We had a relaxing night.

Was on the road as soon as it was light. Today's travel was better. We went highway 5 through the grapevine. We wanted to get far enough to avoid the snow that was predicted in a day or two. We stopped in Santa Nella for the night.

On the road again. Weather was nice and sunny until we got further north. Snow was predicted for the day so we decided to head to the coast. It would be raining there and no snow. We decided on stopping at Crescent City where it just poured with high winds up to 64 miles an hour. We got soaked going from the hotel to the truck!!! It was raining buckets. Glad we were able to have a warm clean place to stay.

We had breakfast and then took off. Not sure where we are going to stop for the night, but we will figure it out. After that nasty night, we were pleased that the weather had cleared and it was sunny and warm. WE finally decided to stop in Newport, Oregon for the night. Stayed in the Best Western Plus which is one of our favorite places. It was too cold for a walk on the beach, but I got to walk on the tread mill. I know that isn't exciting for you, but it felt good to walk. Haven't been able to do much of that and my back is disgruntled. We had a nice dinner and restful night.

Getting closer to our destination in Washington. I am glad we chose to drive on the coast. It has been snowing from Weed north. When we left Newport we headed toward I-5 as there wasn't snow that far up. We did have to be careful on the back road to I-5 as there was icy patches. We made it safe and sound and continued north on I-5. Our next stop is Ron and Noreen's house in Bremerton.

We arrived at Ron and Noreen's in the afternoon. It felt good not to be riding in the truck for a while. We are going to Ernie and Brooke's on Monday. We arrived at Ron and Noreen's on Friday the 17^th. Brooke is home recuperating and they are expecting friends from Spokane for the weekend. They leave on the 19^th.

Ron and Noreen have most of their kitchen remodeled. Just need the dishwasher, sink and counter tops to put in. Looks cheery and light.

Monday the 20^th we took the truck in for a couple of recall items and also our regular mileage check. Then we headed to Ernie's and Brooke. The boys were home from school as today is Martin Luther King day. Once we got there Brooke was sitting in her chair, She was hurting but all considered doing well. Now we are here for the duration of both Brooke and Ernie's recovery. Ernie gets his surgery on the 30^th.

Dave has been driving Brody to and from school and I have been taking Conor to and from day care. We have been able to watch Brody's basketball games and watch Conor at practice for basketball. They love their sports. It may keep everyone busy but no time to get into trouble or be bored.

Brooke is healing nicely and doing more things but still can't lift, or push and pull stuff. No no bed making, taking out garbage cleaning. Soon but not now. Brody has his regular chores of vacuuming, cleaning his room, taking care of his clothes and room, cleaning his and Conor's bathroom and picking up the dog poop and feeding them. I have been helping with cleaning and that kind of stuff. What is really awesome is I don't have to cook. Brooke and Ernie's friends have taken care of that until about the second week into February. Families signed up to make a complete dinner with desert and deliver it. There was just one night we had to cook, but no big deal. They have so much food they have frozen a lot of it. So when Brooke and Ernie get home from work, all they have to do is warm up whatever they choose. It is really cool. They probably don't have to cook for the month of February. Brooke goes back to work on the 10^th of February. Unfortunately Ernie got laid off just before we came up so he is bummed about that. He is currently looking for another job in the Propane business. Looks like there is a company here in Arlington, Wa, that wants him. Ernie isn't going to be able to work for a couple months but at least that gives him hope. Money is really tight for them right now and Brooke's car is in the shop for transmission checkout. Not good.

Ernie went to his pre-op visit today. He drove so as to show me how to get there and home again. I went back with him, and Conor was with us so he came too. He was so good and quiet. The doctor told Ernie what to expect after surgery and Ernie got his questions answered. Then we came home.

Conor has basketball practice every Wednesday and he always gets excited when to go.  He is good and he and another boy are more advanced than the others.  It is fun to watch them.  Conor is so serious when he plays.  Ernie is coaching and Conor is in the black shirt.

 

Today is the day of Ernie's surgery. He is in a lot of pain and can hardly do anything with his right arm. Brody went to school and Conor to day care and Ernie drove our truck to the Bone and Joint clinic in Everette. Brooke and Dave will follow. Ernie got checked in and called in to be prepped. They took his vitals and hooked up the IV. Then Brooke and Dave showed up and we waited and waited and waited. Surgery was supposed to be at 10:00am but the surgery before him took longer. So finally about 12:45pm they were done and ready for him. Ernie was starving as he hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. Poor guy. We said good bye and I went to the waiting room as I was his designated driver home, and Brooke and Dave left. The doctor said it would take about 2 to 3 hours, but the surgery took longer as there was a lot of scar tissue buildup. So instead of being in a sling for 3 weeks he will have to wear it for 6. I brought my crocheting, book and ipad so I would have a variety to do. There was no TV but they had soothing music going and a aquarium scene on the TV. I brought some trail mix to eat since I couldn't leave the facility. I was the only one there for him. Brooke couldn't sit that long as she is still hurting and recouping. I was starting to get a little antsy as I haven't driven in the dark or on the freeway for a long time. Plus I don't know my way around Everette. Hours pass and finally around 3:30 or so, they come and get me and bring me back to recovery. Ernie seemed in a daze, eating his ice, but he was very coherent and with it. I thought he would be out of it. Well there I go thinking. I had put the drive app up on my phone to direct me home, but Ernie said there was a better way to go. So after the paper work was all filled out and questions and instructions finished, Ernie got dressed and I got the truck. He got in and away we went. There was a bunch of traffic, and it was dark but we made it home safe and sound. He is in a lot of pain and needing someone to take charge of his medication. Between the 3 of us, Brooke, Dave and I, we had it covered. We moved a twin mattress downstairs from Brody's room as they don't use it anymore. That is what I will sleep on tonight so I can make sure he gets his meds on time. This is his second shoulder surgery and for the first one he thought he could handle the pain and let his meds slip. Bad, bad, juju!!! So he knows now he has to keep on his pain regimen. He is to take Morphine for 3 days then off of it completely. He has some other pain medication that isn't so strong and he takes that with Tylenol. So I slept downstairs and we both didn't get much sleep. He was uncomfortable and I had my alarm on my phone set for every 3 hours. It worked like a charm and even though he was in pain, it wasn't like it was for him last time.

Brooke is healing nicely and can do a lot of stuff now. She can drive and help with making the bed and other things. Next week she goes back to work. She is going to ease back into work as she gets tired easily.

Ernie slept downstairs in his recliner for 2 nights and last night he slept in his bed. That went well. I only slept downstairs for the one night. Ernie said he would set his alarm on his phone and manage taking his meds. So far things are going well. He is can't just sit, so he is up moving around and doing some chores with his left hand. He is managing pretty good. He is much better off the morphine as far as mood. He got pretty snippy with me and Brooke. Especially Brooke, but isn't that the way it goes. You always lash out at the ones you love.

Conor was pretty worried about his dad and afraid to hug him or sit with him but he was really careful and I took this picture. It is precious!!!

Brody, on Saturdays, plays 2 games of basketball. I stayed for the first one on the 25^th as it was at 2:30pm and then left as the next one was at 5:30pm. My back was hurting and those bleachers are so hard. He won the first first game and I have a couple pictures. He is number 21!! So proud of him.