As I was sitting here on my daybed wondering what on earth picture I would post today, I looked up and saw my sweet Greta looking at me.

Photo Challenge Day 8

After breakfast I went looking for the dogs so I could pet them for a few minutes before I got ready for work.  I couldn't find Balto anywhere.  I was perplexed!  Then, I remembered that yesterday, I found Blossom lying on the bed in my office.  Blossom and Balto have lived in this house for 5 or 6 years and they've never laid on that bed before.  I looked again....

Photo Challenge Day 7

First of all, can you believe I have made it 7 days in this photo challenge?  I never do anything 7 days in a row that doesn't involve eating chocolate.  

Today's photo is a picture of my dad at his cardiologist's office.  He is holding a "heart".  

Dad got a pretty goodish report from the doctor today.  He is doing well except that his heart rate was 44.  Dr. Cedarholm doesn't want it to go below 50.  He taught me how to take his pulse correctly to  check his heart rate and also to see if he is in Afib or not.  

Because his pulse is so slow, Dad is having two of his pill dosages cut in half.  He is to have a nuclear stress test on Friday, June 8th, and then a follow up EKG and see the Dr back in 3 months.  

For your added bonus:  Below is a picture of Blossom waiting outside of the bathroom for Scott last night.  Her obsessive love for Scott is not natural...

Photo Challenge Day 6

Memorial Day 

One of Mom's 7 brothers who served in the military.  The only one who didn't come home.  I think of Uncle Harold every now and then and wonder what he was like.  Harold had finished his tour of duty but volunteered to stay on with his guitar and lead services with the Chaplain. Mom was 13 when Harold died.  She misses him to this day.  

Photo Challenge Day 5

Walking home tonight I noticed Dad's old tractor and thought I'd snap this photo for today's post.  After reading about the new family crest of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, I'd had to say that my family crest would probably have a tractor.  Also...some cows, chickens, pigs, goats and definitely cotton;  both of my parents grew up picking cotton.   

Hmmm...so a tractor, farm animals and cotton.  Oh, and Jesus.  We can't forget Jesus.  

What would your family crest have on it???  

Photo Challenge Day 4

Today Mom and I went out to eat and visited her sister Ruby.  Aunt Ruby is 93 and has recently moved to an assisted living center.  I don't think Aunt Ruby stopped talking the whole time we were there.  It was wonderful to spend some time with these two.  Mom was the 14th child in her family and unfortunately, only 2 of her sisters are living.   

Balto had a big day as well.  The Aussie Pet Mobile came to the house and gave him a bath and a groom.   It costs more to use a mobile groomer but, it is so much easier on the dogs.  What used to mean a 9 hour stay at Razzle Dazzle has turned into 45 minutes in a grooming van in the driveway.

Photo Challenge Day 3

I took this picture of Blossom tonight after visiting with Mom and Daniel.  Dad was sound asleep across his bed (normal) and Daniel was watching Nickelodeon with Mom.

I forgot to tell you a funny story from my visit last night.  Mom and Dad were in line at the microwave.  Dad was heating up an apple pie dessert and Mom was waiting on him so she could reheat her supper.  You know how mom's are; she had been so busy taking care of the rest of us that her food got cold before she ate it.  Anyway, Dad teasingly told Mom that he was just there because he wanted to hear the microwave play music.  They have had that microwave for at least 8-10 years but Dad had no idea that it plays a little song when the timer goes off.  Dad has needed hearing aids for sooooooo long and now that he has them, it has opened up a whole new world for him.  He told me that yesterday afternoon he was lying in bed and he actually heard it raining outside.  He was so amazed!  

Photo Challenge Day 2

Daniel needs to work on his photo face.  Every time I take a picture of him like this, I can't help but think of Chandler Bing from Friends.   Monica was having trouble getting an engagement photo because every time Chandler smiles for cameras, he makes this face....

I made supper for Mom & Dad tonight.  Turn out, my sister-in-law did too!  So, we had a very nice meal tonight.   Laura kept saying, "Cheese. Cheese."  At one point she said, "I LIKE CHEESE!"  We were all so tickled to hear her say a full sentence.  I quickly went and got her some cheese out of Mom's fridge.  

Kevin is doing well today following his double hernia surgery yesterday.  However, the big news of the day is that a cleaning lady came and cleaned Mom and Dad's house!  I have been working hard to get them to hire someone to come in and do their cleaning and today was Day One.  I can't tell you how happy and relieved I am that Mom will not have to do such hard work.  Bobbi is going to come every other week.  Their house looked great and I'm sure it will only get cleaner as the weeks go by.  I know this may sound like such a small thing but, I am on the verge of crying happy tears as I type this.  

Challenge Accepted

I saw a challenge that said, "Document each day with one photograph and one paragraph".  Hmmm....I think I'm going to try this.  

Today my brother had hernia surgery.  He had not one, but two hernias taken care of.  So off I went back to the hospital and back to the waiting area where I have spent so much time over the past year.  Today was a good day. I enjoyed talking to my sister-in-law while we waited for Kevin to get out of surgery.  The surgery went "beautifully" (Doctor's words) and Kevin is at home tonight feeling relieved.  And sore.  I really would like to post a picture of Kevin however, I just couldn't bring myself to take a photo of him in that condition. He was incredibly sleepy and nauseous.  So here is my photo of the day....

Blossom held out for as long as she could.  She hadn't eaten a toilet paper tube in about 2 months, ...until today.

What's In My Purse?

I'm so thankful to say that it has been a normal week.   In honor of my normal week, I am excited to write a completely pointless blog post for you.

Random Information

Dad is doing much better.  Last Thursday, we went out to eat...

That Night

I almost didn't walk over that night.  I almost just stayed home.  Something told me to just walk over, say "hi" to my parents and then come back shortly.  When I got to the house, I realized no one was in the den.  I walked back to my parents' bedroom and noticed the heat was on.  It was 80+ degrees that day so I just assumed the heat was broken.  But then I saw my mom putting a warm blanket over my dad as he was curled up in bed.  He was shivering uncontrollably.  He said, "I'm fine.  I'll be fine in a minute".  I decided to use the oximeter to take his oxygen level.  It was all I knew to do.  His oxygen was 81 - very bad news.  I could also hear some crackling noises coming from his throat.   I said, "I'm calling 911".

Happy Birthday Daniel - Photo Heavy

Friday, April 27th was Daniel's birthday.  He told me that he wanted a party with all of his friends.  Instead, he got a party with family again.  :-)  We ate supper at Red Robin.