A CHANGE OF PLANS - AGAIN!

Yesterday, we had what we thought was our last Dr. appointment, but alas the checkup on our cataract surgery revealed that both of us must have a tune up.  

Our first appointments are July 7th.  Who would have thought that in May, when we made our emergency return to Indianapolis for John's pacemaker that we would still be here until mid July! 

So here we are in the heat and humidity of an Indiana summer that we were thrilled to escape just three years ago. BUT that means even more time with the kids and grands. There are blessings everywhere we look.

I THINK OUR JELLO JUST MELTED -A LITTLE!  

Today, we interviewed the owner of the body shop where the Miata is going to be repaired.  We looked at his work in progress and completed and are satisfied.  

My baby will be repaired by the time we are ready to leave for the northwest.   

Many thanks to those who ordered through the Amazon link near the top right side of the blog.  

I hope that you all are keeping cool and not being pestered by the nasty mosquitoes.

Until next time, God bless!

CANNOT RAIN ON MY PARADE! NO, SIR!

Although the last few days have been wet and miserable, yesterday brought three rays of sunshine to my life.  In a word, family.  Family is the main reason for our return to Indianapolis for a few weeks, especially the grands and great grands!  But, to add icing to the cake, I was able to visit with my, big, "older," sister.  

Medical check ups and procedures are another reason to return to our "native land" but family takes the cake.  Family remains the center of my attention, regardless of our location.  I even save my grand kids voice mails in order to listed to them when I become homesick.  

Yesterday, the day started with a visit with Barb, my sister. What a good time we had trying to catch up on a year's lost time.  She has wanted to follow my blog, but has not understood the process.  I set her up so that she could follow me easily.  Now, I will see if she comments.    

Later in the afternoon John and I headed out, driving through pre rush hour traffic and the rain to the Dana Minnix Gymnastics Center to watch Lucy and Ross in their classes.                                                                      I could not get a good photo of five year old Ross learning to perform a hand stand during his hour long class, but he was sweet enough to give his Nana a huge, wide-eyed smile.  If you cannot tell, this young man is quite a ham.  

With her team, Lucy competes at gymnastic matches, therefore she was in action from 4:30 to 7:30.  This eight year old eats, sleeps and dreams everything gymnastics. Focused is the word to describe Lucy. 

Most of last night was strength training.  Oh my,  what that girl can do!  She must have strong core muscles to perform her magic at competitions.  In addition to lying on a bench with her torso hanging over and then raising and lower herself parallel to the bench over and over and over.  Heck, I don't think I could raise myself even one time!  

Then she climbs a twenty-five to thirty feet high net, not for fun (even though it is), but to build arm and leg strength.  This girls has muscle definition already!  I won't tell  you about mine.                                                                                              Just maybe I could climb say, ten to fifteen feet?  I did have to pull myself up a few mountains last winter, didn't I? Here is one story about my skills as a climber.

 Lucy loves pink!  When she had the opportunity to choose the accent color in her leotard for competition, she chose pink.  

I would love to make her pink leg warmers on my antique circular sock machine, but am not sure if I can get them that small for those cute little bird legs.  She is the most petite competitor on her team.  

After gymnastics, we made our rainy forty-five minute minute drive back to the motorhome.  

Another positive comment about yesterday is that night driving, since my cataract surgery is a breeze!  Woooo hooo! 

That's it for yesterday.  A medical appointment for John today and who knows what afterward.  Tomorrow, I will tell.  

God Bless you as we approach the season of thankfulness.  It is not to early to count your blessings and give thanks.  

WE CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Cataract surgery and the daily checkups are finished.  Our eyes are adjusting and the next checkup is a week from today. 

Each day, a driver from the Eye Center of Indiana would come to the motorhome to drive us to and from our procedures.  That was a good thing.  We did not need to fight the rush-hour traffic in and out of Indianapolis. 

We are both pleased with the brighter, clearer, sharper colors.  At the end of the day,I keep thinking I need to remove my contact lens.  Of course, no need for that. 

When I had my colonoscopy, the nurses told me, after the test, I should not make no decisions or sign any important papers.  A few hours later, I needed to sign the surgery consent form prior to my cataract surgery.  No problem, I replied.

Prior to going to surgery, and having had the same anesthetic administered, they asked which eye I used for reading.  Being a bit foggy and dyslexic, I reversed the job of each eye. Now, I am trying to adjust to the change.  This is not easy.    

While waiting for a part here at Camping World, we noticed a diesel pusher with smoke covering the rear of the rig.  It sat there for about two weeks until a salvage truck came for it.  It took a while for them to prepare the motorhome for travel. Air conditioners had to be removed prior to slow, deliberate loading.   

A highlight of the week was a visit to see our great-granddaughter, Harper.  She is such a ham a two and a half.  To get a serious photo is impossible.  Note the barbecue sauce on her face.  She had just finished eating buffalo wings.                                                                             Harper, her mom and dad are expecting our third great.  Emerson will arrive around January 3rd.   

Well, we continue to wait for the refrigerator part.  I guess the waiting is not all that bad.  It means free camping in the Camping World lot here in Greenwood, Indiana.  

Until next time.  God bless.... 

A VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE FOLLOWED BY A BIG DAY TOMORROW

Being in Indianapolis for a short time for John's and my doctor appointments are keeping us on the move. 










Wednesday, our Tiffin Allegro Bus had oil and filters changed.  The Bus is not tilted, I was.  
 
We were very pleased with the service at Speedco.  Everything was professionally completed and they were "neat and tidy. 









Thursday, we both had fasting blood draws at the vampire's office. 

As soon as we each gave them a gallon of our blood, we were off to another office where John had an appointment with his CPAP doctor. 



Friday found us at the eye doctor's office only to find that we both need cataract surgery.



The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 12:15 after my colonoscopy for Wednesday (tomorrow again) at 8:30 a.m. What a day tomorrow is going to be.   

Today, I am doing the purge and cleanse.  You need to read Donna's blog.  What I want to know, is how did she guess that tomorrow is my big day?    

How can four tiny pills create so much havoc?  

In the meantime, John is making a few repairs.  One is to our antenna.  You know that little warning sign that the driver puts on his sun visor to warn that the antenna is up? Someone forgot to read it while we were in Michigan.

Also, that troublesome water pump that acted up while we were in California finally gave up the ghost.  He is installing a new Shurflo pump today.  

On a delish note,  I made some fantastic, no sugar, vegan oatmeal cookies.  The recipe follows:

No Sugar Oat Drops

1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats (use whatever type of oats you like)
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 cup of almond meal (or nut meal of your choice)
( If you want to make it nut free you could use a flour, just adjust the wet ingredients to get the right consistency)
1/2 cup mixed nuts, finely chopped
1 cup dried fruit (of your choice or chocolate chips or berries)

3 ripe bananas, mashed ( or substitute applesauce, or 2 eggs)
1/4 cup canola oil (or oil of your choice)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 175C. (350*) Line baking sheet with parchment 

paper.

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and 

coconut flakes. Stir in allspice and cinnamon. Add dried fruit and stir

until well and evenly mixed. Make sure the dried fruit do not stick

together in big batches.  In another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed 

banana and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and 

stir until well combined. 

Take a large cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the batter into it. 

Remove cookie cutter.  Or simply form balls with your hands and 

flatten slightly. Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are golden 

brown.

*These are not gluten free, due to the use of oats. Please adapt to 

your personal preference.

Yep, we have been onb the move!  Till next time.......

God bless