Wednesday

I've had a bad day!  I got up this morning thinking that I couldn't even begin to get my antibiotic down because my throat was so swollen.  By the time I ate my English muffin and drank a cup of decaf, my throat was open enough to swallow my pills.  After "The View" I went back to bed.  When I got up around 5:00 I felt a bit better.  I'm sorry to say though, that I didn't get to go to dinner with Bryan's family tonight - I didn't want to expose anyone to this crud!

Now I'm watching the 2nd night of debates.  Wow!  I wish they would all get together in their thoughts and plans and get strong - instead of tearing each other down. 

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Tuesday

I don't have strep...but I do have the crud!  I got a zpack so strep won't get started and my sinus involvement and low grade fever should go away soon.  I also got cough syrup with codeine so hope to have a better night of sleeping tonight!

We didn't walk - Dr P said it wouldn't be bad to take it easy a couple of days. 

I just finished watching the debate.  That was a good one.  I liked the format of that one as opposed to last month's.  I thought Elizabeth Warren held her own, so I'd call her tonight's winner.

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Monday

I have a feeling I'm getting strep throat or bronchitis, one or the other.  My throat is "stiff" and I'm coughing a lot.  Plus, I'm really tired.  I've been around the kids - they're the only people with colds I've been around.  Kaitlyn's nose was blowing bubbles last night and she has a cough, too.  Aidan's pretty good right now.  Yuck - I don't want this, so I hope it just goes away.

I had a meeting this morning.  It was supposed to last no more than 90 min.  Ha!  It went 2 1/2 hours!  Don't know why we can't get these meetings done in at least 1 1/2 hours. 

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Sunday

Great sermon today!  I'm afraid Pastor Amy is going to get some criticism from some of the right wing conservative parishioners.  She talked about climate and about division in our government and touched on so much that I feel is wrong with our leaders.  I have the feeling that her politics is the same as mine!

After church we walked at the mall and then went to Walmart for a couple of things.  Tonight we went to Erin's parents' new condo for supper.  Got to play with Kaitlyn...Aidan was too busy playing with Erin's brother, but he did want me to sit by him at dinner!  I felt pretty special about that!

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Saturday

Beautiful morning here in Waterloo.  We left about 9:00 AM for the Amana Colonies.  We should have known, though.  The sunshine went away about 10 miles out of Amana, the temperature dropped to 71, and it rained until 2:00.  We left around 1:00 because the lightning was so close and BIG that there was no way we were going to be out in a garden with it that close.  We went to the General Store to waste some time, hoping the lightning would quit...then we went to Ox Yoke Inn for to-die-for raspberry pie/German Chocolate cake...then we went to the Smoke Shop...then we went to the Furniture Shop.  Needless to say, it was still lightning, so we gave up and came home!  No pictures of flowers - wet or dry!  Got to Fairfax, just about 10 miles away...I took over driving and the rain stopped.  When we got back to Waterloo, the sun was shining brightly and it was 85 here.

Our condo president was in the garage when we got home.  He told us our neighbor right next door passed away last night.  She had a stroke Thursday at a restaurant and was taken to Iowa City.  She didn't make it.  Her family was all here for a weekend family reunion.  God bless her and them.  We will miss her.  She was so nice!

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Friday

Dave finally got done with all of the electrical outlets/switches today.  There were only 41 that he replaced!  He got pretty good at wiring by the time he was done!  Actually there's one outlet he didn't replace - it's behind the hutch and we're not moving the hutch!!  The white covers/switches/outlets look so nice and clean!

We went to the mall and to Walmart and Sam's today so we got in more than our 2 miles!  I'm just a few steps from 3 miles. 

It was another beautiful day here.  Tomorrow we're going to the Amana Colonies for their "Colonies in Bloom".  Bryan and his family are in Chicago with Jami and her family and their mom and stepdad, so Dave won't get a play date in tomorrow.  That's how I talked him into this!

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Thursday

Dave went to  Bryan's  to mow this morning, so after The View I went to get a pedicure.  After that I went to Best Buy just to look around and walk, then I went to the mall to finish.  I walked through a store called "At Home" - just walking through the aisles looking at stuff!  I didn't get through all the aisles and finished out my one lap on the bottom floor of the mall.  According to my phone (which was in my pocket) I got in about 5,000 steps.  Not bad for just shopping - not buying!

When I got home Dave was already here working on replacing some more electrical covers.  I'm thinking he's almost done!

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Wednesday

Beautiful day here again!

This morning, I watched the Mueller Investigation.  I determined that the whole thing was a waste of time and money.  The Republicans were so rude!  I wish he had struck back, but then they were "always short on time!"  I can't believe anyone votes for some of these people!  The Democrats on the other hand, tried very hard to get Mueller to recommend impeachment, but he wouldn't even say the word!!  I think we should clean house and set term limits for all of those people! 

We did our walk outside again today.  I have to tell you that I thought these walks would get easier, but they don't seem to be.  I thought maybe 2 miles would get easier so then I could increase to 2 1/2.  That's not going to happen for a while yet!

When we got home from walking, we ate lunch.  Then this afternoon we both got an adjustment from the chiropractor and watched the Cubs!

Pretty boring, huh?!

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Tuesday

Dave ran some errands while I watched The View.  Then when he got home, we went for a walk in the cemetery.  There was one funeral just finishing when we got there and honor guard people waiting for another one to start.  So while we were walking, there was a 21 gun salute.  We stopped and waited for all of the shots before we started walking again.  They were just finishing and leaving when we got done walking.

This afternoon and yesterday, Dave has been changing icky looking electrical outlet plates for pretty white ones.  I am the gofer - I go turn off and on the breakers on command!  I also fetch tools that have been left behind!  It's good, I get more steps in that way!!

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Monday

I actually slept kind of late today - that felt good!  After the view, I helped Dave find what breaker took care of what.  Then while he was replacing outlets, I went for my walk in the cemetery.  There was an older man there walking, too.  He told me he would be 88 on the 8th of August and he walked every day.  I would never believe he is almost 88.  He walks very fast and upright!!  I got my 2 miles in. 

I fixed ham balls, sweet corn, and new potatoes for supper tonight.  I didn't have many points for lunch, so I'm hoping I didn't go over my points tonight.  I didn't use any butter on my corn or my potatoes - Iowa sweet corn doesn't need butter to be good! 

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Sunday

Yay!  Pastor Amy was back this morning.  She has been on maternity leave for the last two months.  Good to see her again.  Good sermon!

After church we went to Walmart to get some food supplies.  We were headed to Bryan's tonight for supper.  We took homemade ice cream for dessert and a spinach salad with raspberries, blueberries, and walnuts with raspberry vinaigrette. 

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Saturday

Dave sprayed the trees around here for Japanese beetles.  They just decimate a tree in no time.  He also sets out traps for them too, so hopefully they will be controlled for the rest of the summer.  After he did all of that, we got our showers taken and went to the mall to walk.  We also went to Menards for a few items so we ended up getting well over 2 miles in today.  It was a scorcher day here!  Now, however, the front has gone thru and it's very pleasant outside.  We're having drizzle, but the temperature is nice!

I watched the Cubs this afternoon while Dave went to Bryan's.  It was a fun game to watch!  6-5 Cubs win!

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Friday

Yesterday afternoon, after walking, we took off for Ames/Gilbert for the evening.  I was invited to the summer social of my Beta Sigma Phi chapter.  It was held at Prairie Moon Winery, which is owned by one of my "sisters" and her hubby.  Beautiful place to have an event.  We've been there before, but it was for a wedding reception. 

We had a fun evening.  Stayed at the Best Western Plus out by the stadium.  Then we came home this morning! 

Dave went to Bryan's to mow (it's mostly shady there) while I swept and mopped a couple of rooms here.  I also got to watch a lot of the Cubs game.  When he got home, we went out to the mall for our walk and then went to Carlos O'Kelly's for dinner. 

Now I'm headed to bed shortly.

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Wednesday

Dave painted around the patio door today - he painted the first coat yesterday.  It looks really good, but now it's not opening right.  It did this last year too, but then it started working again.  We've got a door with an attitude!

I watched The View and then I went to Verizon and to walk at the mall.  While I was going there, in my rear view mirror was this shelf cloud that looked really scary, like maybe wind and hail.  So I turned around and came home.  Didn't want the Rogue to get hailed upon!  Dave got home from Bryan's shortly after me.  Since it rained most of the afternoon, I walked in the basement garage...talk about a boring walk!!

Watched the Cubs this afternoon!!

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Tuesday

Another day in the 90's!  I got up early so I could go to a 9:00 WW workshop.  I actually lost 2 pounds!!  I'm not really trying to lose, just maintain, but I'll take a 2# loss!

After my meeting, I picked up Dave and we went out to Morg's for breakfast.  It is a delicious place to eat!!  While we were there, this young woman with a 18 month old little girl was there.  She was toting a big suitcase and another bag.  The little girl was just precious, with a bunch of little braids!  She and I played "knock knock" on the door before she moved so I could get in.  We bought her breakfast - unbeknownst to her, of course! 

With our leftovers in our hand, we went to the mall to walk our 2 miles.  I was stuffed so I didn't enjoy our walk, but I'm glad we did it.  Then we had stops at Harbor Freight, Walmart, and the Habitat Restore.  I came home, laid down to read for a while, then watched Dave paint and caulk the outside of our patio doors!

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Monday

Dave had his appointment with the specialist this afternoon.  He ended up having another scan and a dye scan test of some kind.  He is about 15% better than he was, but the doctor suggested he have cortisone shots in both eyes, which should last for about 3 months.  Hopefully the inflammation won't come back, but it might.  If it does, he'll have more shots before we go back to Florida.  The shots - the shots have particulates in them (not all liquid) and of course, the needles plugged up.  I think he said he ended up having 3 pokes in one eye and 2 in the other.  Not my kind of fun!!  The doctor did tell Dave that he does NOT have macular degeneration 100%!  That relieved his mind immensely!

This morning we walked outside.  It was a bit too hot, but we made 1 1/2 miles.  I can make more than 1/2 a mile just walking around the condo easily!!

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Sunday

We had an interesting day today.  We went to church and then to run errands!  When we were done with that we went to Bryan's to go with them to a property that they are looking at.  I'm afraid there'll be a bidding war for it.  We were able to watch the kids while Bryan and Erin explored!  We ended up taking them to the car because it was really hot here today!! 

Later I finished a book and we did some laundry.  Now I'm sitting here watching ABC's game shows!  I'm also looking out my patio door at the beautiful moon!  I hope you can see it wherever you are!

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Saturday

We had a little drizzle this morning, but other than that it was a pretty day.  The sky is clear tonight - there's a big moon out my door!!

We went to Cedar Falls to the farmers market this morning.  Got some tomatoes, some sweet corn, some sugar free jam, and a watermelon.  Oh, we also had a dish of homemade ice cream.  Dave said, and I agreed, that it wasn't nearly as good as mine!  I guess I'll have to make some!!

Since we didn't get enough steps in at the farmers market, we went to the mall and did our 2 miles.  We also needed to stop at Menards and what Dave wanted was in the far corner, so we got even more steps!!

This afternoon, Dave went to Bryan's while I watched the Cubs!

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Friday

We had another beautiful day today.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel like going out to walk.  Dave left to go to Bryan's to mow.  I stayed in and baked cookies.  Plus, I started dusting and then got sidetracked...lol.  I also finished the laundry.  So it wasn't a complete bust of a day...just about 5,000 fewer steps than I normally take!

When Dave got home this afternoon, he worked on our deadbolt lock and then we sat outside for a while.  Came in in time to watch the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings of the Cubs game! 

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Thursday

Dave hasn't been seeing too well for the last few weeks, so today we had an eye appointment with our doctor here.  We both assumed it was because he got cheap glasses at one of those discount places.  Well, it turns out he has macular edema or swelling/inflammation from his surgeries.  We go to a specialist on Monday.  Hopefully the injections that he will get will take care of this and his eyesight will improve again.  Please keep him in your prayers!

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Wednesday

Dave and I did our 2 miles at the mall this morning.  When we got out of the mall, it was so much nicer outside so we could have walked outside. 

This afternoon, we washed all the windows and screens in our condo.  That was a challenge!  We no sooner got them done, than this dark cloud came over.  I looked out the clean doors and told that cloud, "Please don't rain on our clean windows!"  It rained!  But after the rain, we had the most beautiful rainbow I've ever seen!!

It was so bright!!

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Tuesday

It was sure humid here today, but tomorrow is supposed to be much better.  We went to the Mall to walk.  I think I would have melted in the humidity if we had walked outside.  When we got home after walking and running errands on the east side of town, I vacuumed the living room and Dave vacuumed the craft room/den. 

So sorry  to hear that my friend's husband passed away today.  He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's just a few months ago.  She worked at Indian Hills and he farmed.  They always went to Ft Lauderdale for 3 months in the winter.  Hated seeing that today.

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Monday

We had to get up early this morning.  We had a plumber coming at 7:30 this morning.  We got up at 6:30 and it's a good thing, because he was here around 7:20.  He thinks the leak is down on first  floor instead of in our bathroom.  They went into the unit below us and found a 2" copper pipe that had water coming out of it, leaking into the basement/garage.  Now the association has to get permission from the people below us (who are deceased and the children are in charge) to tear out a bit of wall and repair the pipes in their unit before the leak in the basement gets fixed. 

I left shortly after the plumber left to take my walk.  I walked in the cemetery today.  It was a perfect day here!  85 and no humidity!!

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Sunday

What a beautiful day!  This was just about a perfect day!!  We went to church at a different church today.  Our friends were singing at Westminister Presbyterian this morning. 

They've been singing together since they were 17!  They've done this particular set for 27 years!  It's a patriotic medley.

After church we went home, put on a tenderloin roast and took off to walk then run errands.  This evening we took the roast to Bryan's for supper with them and Erin's family. 

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Saturday

Dave and I went for a walk after breakfast.  It was pretty humid here today and looked like rain up until about 20 minutes ago, so we walked in the mall.  When we got done there, we went to both Sam's Club and Walmart because we needed groceries after 5 nights of camping. 

This afternoon, after a short nap, we finished all the laundry.  Took all the camper laundry out to the camper and took the camper out to it's parking spot.  Felt good to get all that done. 

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Friday

We got back home to Waterloo this afternoon.  Got the camper unloaded and everything put away.  The laundry is started!!  It was a good trip...except for the rain!!  Other than this morning early, we haven't seen rain today - hooray!!  It's going to take a while for our rug to dry out! 

Here's sweet Kaitlyn before breakfast.  She's such a smiley little one!  I took her for a walk in her stroller to put her to sleep this morning, while Aidan was watching cartoons in our camper.  Allowed Bryan to get his camper ready to go.  After Kaitlyn fell asleep I parked her over by Bryan & Erin while I went into our camper and got it ready to go!  Feels good to be home!!

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Independence Day

Today was a day for going our own way.  Bryan and Erin and the kids went to Ames for a free pancake breakfast and the parade.  We went to Ames, but not until later.  I really, really wanted a crispy meat burrito from Taco Time...Taco Time is no more...grrr!  Those were so good!  We ended up eating at the Boulder Tap and Grill.  I didn't want much so I ended up having an order of avocado fries...yum!  Never heard of them, but they were definitely good!

After lunch we went to Cindy & Joel's for a visit with them and their family - 2 of the 3 kids were there with their children.  That was so much fun seeing them all again!

Tonight after cooking burgers on the fire, Dave, Bryan and Aidan went into Boone to watch the night of destruction at the Boone Raceway.  They got to see a bit before it started pouring again!  It's been raining for an hour at least.  I'm sick of rain!!

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Wednesday

This was a fun day...except for the torrential downpours!!  After lunch, we went into Boone to ride the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. 

We've watched Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3...too much rain!!  

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Tuesday

We had a very  rainy day today...surprise!!  We got to eat our breakfast outside this morning, but by noon it was raining pretty hard.  We put a movie on (Toy Story 2) and watched half of that before the sun came out.  Once the sun came  out everyone went to the water except for me.  I have no desire to be in water that also has fish or any critters in it!  They were gone for over an hour.  Came home with 2 really tired kids.  Miss Kaitlyn did take a short nap on her daddy's lap while we were watching Toy Story! 

Later this afternoon, we ran into town to go to Walmart.  It's only about 3 miles away.  After we got done shopping and on the ride home, Aidan fell asleep in the car.  He was able to take a bit of a nap, but the kids are exhausted. 

Still raining tonight.  I hope the Des Moines River doesn't flood because we might be stranded!! 

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Monday

After a wonderful breakfast of eggs and bacon outside, we got cleaned up and went to Ames to the Reiman Gardens.  It was beautiful today even though it was hotter than Hades.  We spent about 3 hours there.  What a gorgeous place!!  Took a bunch of pictures, but the computer is not working properly tonight.  Sorry!

After walking in the heat, we went to Hickory Park for a late lunch.  Of course, after  lunch we had to have ice cream! 

This evening we sat around outside.  I held Kaitlyn for a long time and even gave her a bottle.  This picture is when Grandpa took over!!

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