Last Week of September 2024

Monday 23rd: Ford has been feeling fairly normal, better than the past month! We went to his Parkinson exercises and lunch at Sweet Sensations. After arriving home, Ford was standing behind his den chair and fell backwards. A small cut on his arm but otherwise okay. Two bar stools flipped over, one broke.
Ford went to the Dentist for his teeth cleaning, I didn't realize he had not been in two years. He has a cavity near his front bridge, just like five years ago, on the other side, needs an implant (cost estimate is close to $9,000). We picked up a few groceries, money to pay Donna. AA studied for her calculus test with a session with Laurie.

Dinner was Leaa's macaroni and cheese with Publix fried chicken and green beans.

I decorated the front door corner metal unit - almost ready for Halloween.

A new season of The Voice began tonight. And the Jaguars played on Monday night football at the Buffalo Bills - a complete embarrassment!

Tuesday 24th: Donna came, so happy every time she shows up! We pick up clutter, dry mop floors, change bed sheets, make sure dishes are done, bathroom floors wiped, etc. Knowing she is coming makes me get my house in order - I need this every two weeks!
We went to Ford's PCP appointment, hopefully nothing wrong, just wanted to check up on all his medicines, his dizzy spells, his two falls and how bad his hallucinations are (and last time we saw him, Ford had a rash and swollen legs/edema). Dr. Dolven said to contact Dr. Legacy and increase the new drug; also to cut Ford's blood pressure medicine in half (mostly due his weight loss); also wants Ford to gain a little weight back; he ordered a new blood panel and urine test for UTI. Ford had forgotten to take his morning pills so drove home, then had a delicious lunch at Metro Diner. Ford got the special, country fired steak.

Once home, Donna finished cleaning, did laundry, walked Ginger, shredded papers, prepared for dinner and made the appetizer of cantaloupe, mozzarella and prosciutto. I followed a message asking for food for a family, so I volunteered to buy dinner for the family and drop off at Paviella Price, DeBarry Rd/near Wells Rd. We shopped at Winn Dixie, bought chicken, salads, cupcakes, OJ, bread, peanut butter, etc. ($79). Then off to our usual River House Happy Hour, which included Mia. We had easy conversation, Ford did have a problem saying there was a hair ball (hallucination) in his wine, so I dumped it out and got him a beer. Back home, dinner was pork tacos and AA finished her ice cream cake. Being very tired, it was time to get some rest!

Wednesday 25th: AA off to school - it's like a Friday for her! We slept decent, several hours in a row with Ford having three or four hallucinations but he wrestled in the bed, not too bad, plus a few ups to the bathroom. We have been waking up earlier than needed, 5:00 - 5:30 a.m. I shredded papers, we went to Walmart for a prescription, stopped at Publix for our dinner ingredients (chicken, peppers, pineapple, onion fajitas). I walked Ginger, pulled a few weeds and watered plants even though they will probably get watered during our Helene storm tomorrow.

Ford went to his imaging appointment to check the blood flow in his legs (from the edema). My training class for Clay County volunteers was cancelled. Expecting storm Helene is heading just NW of us. School has been cancelled for Thursday and Friday. I wrote a personal message on the Vote postcards I volunteered to send:

Dinner was leftover meatloaf, baked potatoes and wedge salad (blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, bacon crumbles).

Thursday 26th: Usual morning, took Ford to his Parkinson exercises. Storm Helene is expected to hit the west gulf coast this late afternoon. We moved plants to our screen porch, not too much to do.

Ford's Quest blood and urine panel ordered by Dr. Dolven was cancelled, so rescheduled. Since AA was home, we went to Hawkers for lunch as a treat, love their Asian street food!

Sad news as Dame Maggie Smith died today. She was in some many shows, of course our recent favorites were the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey.

Dinner was a new recipe, Chicken Fajitas with pineapple, peppers and onions. We gave it a good rating, maybe add a little more heat.

Friday 27th: Read separate post.

Saturday 28th: Leaa's birthday! Pictures I posted on Facebook:

AA submitted her first college applications - See separate post with photos. I raked our small yard and ended up with a very sore lower back! First time for that!

We texted with Jim and Cliffreida; they were hit hard by Hurricane Helene. First floor was flooded with mud, their shed with three feet of water (lost their extra freezer and refrigerator); their Four Runner floated/pushed into the street, lost their generator, etc. Many roads completely gone, the town of Damasca devastated.

Sunday: I went to church, served communion, then to Publix for lunch - sub sandwiches. We watched the Jaguars play the Texans. AA continued working on her college applications (has to manually enter her high school transcript).

Alyzabeth's First College Applications Submitted!

AA finished her essay (needs a second one for out of State colleges) and still needs three recommendations - her Spanish teacher, Ms. Penny and one more teacher.

She submitted UF, UCF, USF and FSU.

Friday, 09/27/24 No School

Friday: No school again due to Hurricane Helene, when it made landfall on west coast (near Panama City) it was a category 4 storm.

This morning started out early as Ford woke me up at 4:30. I convinced him to lay down and sleep maybe for another hour which we did. We texted with Mia and she came over for coffee so I got Marsha‘s muffins out, cut up some fresh pineapple, grapes and yogurt. Once Mia arrived, we had a good time talking about her job offer at the JaxNAS base and what her counteroffer language will be in the email. We discussed menopause and our periods and a variety of things with Alyzabeth. Just good family conversation. Mia told us about her candle in her ear burning that creates a draft or suction and pulls out earwax or impurities in your ear canal. It’s called candlewicking. We did that for each of her ears, lighting the wick, she seemed happy with the results. Mia stayed for our easy "hurricane" lunch - I planned on grilled hotdogs and Publix potato salad - even though we had power, I stuck to the meal plan.

Our Honda truck was at Suburban getting an oil change and when it was ready, Mia dropped me off at Suburban on her way home. Alyzabeth had her surgeon's appointment from her left knee surgery. We met with Andrew (PA) and he said her knee looked good, added some Steri-Strips and Band-Aids to wear for another week. Our follow up appointment with Dr. Jones is in four weeks to discuss her cartilage transfer replacement surgery.

The storm, Helene passed by us very quickly during the night. We did have some gusty winds, but no damage only branches and leaves down in our neighborhood. I replaced my Halloween decor at the front door and blew off the front door and the back deck. Visited on our driveway, chatted with neighbor, Nancy and her son, Jeff about Parkinson and she reminded me of some of her experience with her husband, David. She also offered a walker that has a seat and brakes for Ford if the time comes that he needs one.

AA decided she did not want to go to the play (she thought I would take her Dad, but I didn't think a dark theater would go well for him right now), so I invited Mia. Mia drove back to go with me to the FL Flow Arts play (Florida School of the Arts is a public, fully accredited two-year arts school providing the Associate in Science and Associate in Arts degrees to talented students in the visual and performing arts) at Thrasher Horne center. 

We met with Leaa, Liv, Dylan and Mila, watched Emma in Eurydice. 

Robin Wadsworth Lightsey was at the play with her grandson; she is a former wife of Marty Lee; small world!

From Facebook: Experience this fresh take on a timeless love story, exploring the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Expect contemporary characters, unexpected plot twists, and stunning visual effects. FloArts student Emma Begley (Eurydice) who is lost in Lethe - a river in the underworld that erases the memories of the dead. The play explores themes of love, loss, memory, and the afterlife through a modern retelling of the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

All went well, the play was hard to follow, especially how they portrayed the river. Mia dropped me off at home, and Ford was tired and ready for bed!

Monday 09/16/24 and Sing Out Loud

Monday: Forever Family - Gottcha Day! It has been 16 years! AA is so grown up (ate at PF Chang yesterday).

AA went to school, she had a very sore knee once home, more icing and airing out of her leg. Ford and I went to his Parkinson exercise class, then to Publix for groceries. Leaa was waiting for us at the house, had good conversation, Ford nodded off a few times and told her about hallucinations, overall a good visit (she stayed while I picked up AA from school). Dinner: I cooked the "Alabama sausage" with peppers and onions, simple but filling dinner. We always watch Jeopardy, then get ready for bed. Ford tried to change while in the den, had to redirect him to our bedroom, unusual (documenting some of the things he does, in case a doctor asks). During the night, he was in bed longer but fidgeted much more while seemingly "asleep"; I didn't get much sleep due to all the movement (pulling at his shirt dozens of times each time he changed positions), he did sleep in his chair in the early morning, so I did get a few hours of sleep. He did use the bathroom once, was disoriented, so I helped him, but unfortunately made a urine mess all around the toilet, first time, will remind him at night each time so it hopefully doesn't happen again.

Tuesday: Ford had PT in the morning, I walked about 30 minutes, chatted with my Mom. We then drove to get my hair colored with Steve, then back home for lunch of leftover Public sandwiches (from yesterday). I picked up AA after her NHS tutoring session (volunteer work),

We planned to go to our usual River House Happy Hour, but the message came that the RH was closed, no reason given. Ford and I had a glass of wine at home, the crostini, fig jam, pistachio nuts and blue cheese appetizer, then dinner of leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Wednesday: No appointments! Yeah! I am still driving AA to and from school. Ford had a decent night, only two fights with imaginary men and a few bathroom trips; otherwise we slept the most in weeks. We went to Walmart (prescription) then to lunch at Maple Street Biscuit. Added an inexpensive (Walmart) fall garland to our front door wreath - Jesse's homemade peace sign.

I began the process of closing one more of LB's accounts (stocks), made a dentist appointment, gathered two birthday cards for Nicole and Leaa (and $$$) and confirmed AA"s surgeon's follow up appointment for next Friday. After picking up AA, Ford and I went to the River House (Ford fell backwards when trying to step up into the house; all okay, it was a short, slow fall, he is fine). We picked up a Mellow Mushroom pizza for dinner (half pie of Great White and half of House Special). Watched another episode of Downton Abbey.

Thursday: Ford and I went to his Parkinson exercise class. Went to Spring Park Coffee Shop, Ford had his classic lemonade. 

Then a quick trip to Publix for helium balloons, yellow roses and a rotisserie chicken for dinner. Spoke to Leaa, told her about Joan's diagnosis; Joan is choosing not to have treatment right now.

I got in for my teeth cleaning at 2:50 p.m.; all good, have a small cavity that will get filled in October. AA had her session with Laureen. Sprayed weeds in our walkways. Made an appointment to have truck oil changed.

Friday: Celebrating AA's Birthday! See separate post for the 20th and 21st. Ford went to PT, then we had lunch at Time Out Deli. Shopped for dinner items, balloons, ice cream cake. I finished one more item on my executor/LB's estate task list - got the "medallion" guaranteed signature (fancy notarized for securities/stock exchange) and mailed the forms. Have one more account to close.

Saturday: AA's birthday family dinner at Mikado's. See Separate post.

Sunday 22nd: I actually slept most of the night, so happy to have sleep of several hours in a row! Ford slept late, so we are much better. I went to church. AA drove to SA to attend the Sing Out Loud concert with Leaa and Dylan - Leaa was gifted three tickets but Jesse can't go (he is playing at the Colonial Oaks Park Sunday evening).

Ford and I went to the River House, with Kathy, enjoyed a nice breeze, was 90 degrees but did not feel it at the river. Watched some football (Jaguars are on Monday night this week). Ford and I ate leftover pork taco and facetimed Jim Read - good catching up with him!

And she arrived home at 11:45 p.m. Safe! She had fun!