August 14th - Month is Flying By!

Monday: I am back to driving AA to and from school. Ford went to his Parkinson exercises with neighbor Nancy Coats. After school, AA had her annual physical with Dr. Christopher Emanual (included a meningitis booster shot and her blood iron was good). The doctor is so nice and thorough, asking many questions about AA's knee surgery (which he was well informed about, and brought up Ian's death which we all teared up over. Afterwards, we went to Witt's Frozen Custard Shop on San Jose, sweet treat - our favorite flavor, Mint Chocolate Chip was the flavor of the day!

We were full so did not cook the planned bruschetta dinner (save for Tuesday's dinner), we heated up leftover taco soup and enjoyed the mango salsa I made over the past weekend.

Ford's brother Bill called with news from speaking to Donna Keller (Joy's daughter). Donna will have Kaci plan a service near end of September (a graveside ceremony, but inside the funeral home); not sure how that decision was reached since Joy's wishes were for "no fuss". We will be happy to attend and see the family - this was a tough loss to both Joy's families. We have a family party planned for Sept. 23rd and Leaa and her family will be in North Carolina the last weekend in September so something will have to change.

At 7:00 p.m. AA had her conversational Spanish lesson with Laureen; it is going very well.

Tuesday: I worked (as usual); Ford went to lunch and movie Oppenheimer with Hugh. I made a batch of Cliffreda's bran muffins for our breakfasts.

AA did not go to the FIHS golf team practice, cancelled due to thunderstorm/lightning. Bruschetta for dinner.

Wednesday: Ford and I went to the Hallmark store and Publix after I worked and did a load of laundry in the morning. I took AA to her new Surgeon's appointment, Dr. Snyder at Baptist South. He was 50 minutes late, came into the room with a booming voice, large presence and asked questions like he was testing AA or didn't know her medical case. Granted this JOI office was "dumped" with most all of Dr. Sacksteders' patients, but he was gruff and in a rush. He didn't know they did not order an x-ray, so we waited while they took AA for that. Doctor/He came back in asked her to do a squat (which she could not do with the brace on), he immediately said, "take it off, you don't need it, I'm not conservative like the others, start doing activities". So, we did have a good discussion about her golfing, carrying her backpack. He basically said do whatever she wants slowly, as long as she is comfortable, then do more a little at a time, such as with golfing. Start putting, then chipping, every two weeks add a little more swing, then a nine iron, etc. Looks like by his recommendation, she could be using her driver in October which was the original schedule. All good, he just came across as a gun slinger, wild, wild west! We both were slightly traumatized, he's crazy! There was more conversation at the end, getting the release note for school and him talking about his buddy the Ladies Golf Coach at Mizzu needing golfers!

Thursday: Ford went to his Parkinson exercises. Nancy didn't go with him due to prior appointment; we did chat on the driveway for quite awhile, about cars, lawn care and her trying to give away some of David's belongings (non-sentimental). Ford and I got the Subaru washed/cleaned (probably last time we go to Charles Car Wash, they don't clean the inside very well; will get it "detailed" before giving the car to AA on her 17th birthday), went to Publix then leftover pizza casserole for our lunch. We also made a batch of spaghetti sauce in the crock pot.

AA went to school without her brace! And she drove home from school!! First time since April.

Dinner was early, made panzanella:

FIHS Open House (see separate post).

Friday: I continue to work in the mornings (weekly Friday meeting was cancelled today). Ford and I made meatballs, froze for future meals (makes 60 - 0.9 oz each).

I pulled weeds and vines around the yard, way too hot out! 

AA went to her PT appointment, then spaghetti for dinner along with finally joining Masterpiece PBS Pay Channel so we can watch the last three seasons of Grantchester.  

AA did not go to the first FIHS football game (preseason), this is a photo of the "construction" theme:

Candy posted this about her Mother Joy:

And Jason posted this about his Dad; cousin Mike:

Saturday: Ford and I were both up by 5:00 a.m.; AA got up and almost always tells us how Ginger is a bed hog, snores, kicks her or curls up to her with Ginger's butt in her face; this morning, she said the way Ginger was on her back, looked like a baked potato! Always a funny story, Ginger does hog half her bed! I worked for two hours, showers, swiftering the floors, walk Ginger and then we began AA's driving journey to Gainesville. AA drove the 1.5 hours, we enjoyed lunch at Satchel's - our favorite salad and pizza! Didn't do much else and drove home. Quiet afternoon.

Sunday: I made some spaghetti for later in the week and for Larry Bradley; cooked/prepped for the pasta salad for Monday's cold dinner. AA worked on a history essay - five pages on two issues going well in America and two issues trending to the negative in American - very long assignment, takes a while just to decide on the four subjects! We did have "champagne Sunday", enjoyed a little, Ford drank most of it (hoping to help his back!). AA continues to drive us to any local place, logging her hours.

In the evening, after dinner of Mojo's BBQ, we watched the 2013 movie "Death Comes to Pemberley".