Thanksgiving Day at Nicole's - 2024

We had perfect weather, warm, sunny, perfect for a large gathering. We started the morning slow, watched the movie The Truman Show - pretty creepy and weird; we are not fans of Jim Carrey but this was one of his better movies. After dressing, we drove to Nicole's a little early as Justin/Kilee will be leaving early so Kilee can get to Keystone heights - Mom's home, and Leaa/Jesse will leave early to be with Smith family (Carl and Marsha did not fly to Katie's so staying in town with Cara and Travis' family). 

I baked an apple pie and pecan pie; taking some beverages, a cranberry canned sauce tray gift for Nicole; and Mila's birthday gift (she wants to shop so included $40).

The Family, missing the Carl Cruce family.

Alyzabeth, Alivia, Avery, Kilee, Dylan and Mila:

Family dogs: Floyd, Remy and not pictured Dolly.

Mila and Ford deciding who should blow out HER candles!

Jordan opened a magnum bottle of champagne (originally intended for a client) so that was flowing freely! The weather was perfect for outdoor sitting, playing lawn games and a firepit for s'mores later. The turkeys were delicious (Jordan's on his green egg, his Mom's, Nancy's turkey was roasted with breast side down). Lots of mashed potatoes, hash browns in crock pot, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, gravy, stuffing and more. Thankful for Nicole hosting!

Surgery Week 11/18/24

Monday 11/18/24: Another usual morning with Alyzabeth getting up taking Ginger out for her morning potty and Ford getting Alyzabeth’s breakfast ready. I finished getting the Thanksgiving day cards ready and into the mail today. We drove to Ford‘s Parkinson’s exercises and I walked the parking lot while he was in doing his exercises. I chatted with Mom for a while and discussed our plans for the next week or so. Ford and I went to Fresh Market to get groceries. We are having bruschetta for dinner tonight and bought a rotisserie chicken and salad for dinner tomorrow night. Once home I walked Ginger. We decided to have lunch at Sonny’s BBQ. We always bring home half our sandwiches, and Alyzabeth usually likes them for after school snack. Back home I made an Irish soda bread. I had two recipes, one of Maureen O’Connell’s as she used to make it almost every day for many years. The recipe I used included 4 tablespoons of butter, which her's did not. I made my first loaf with raisins and caraway seeds and thought it came out quite nice. I baked it in a cast-iron skillet. While it was warm and right out of the oven, Ford and I drove to Hugh and Maureen‘s condo and I dropped off half the loaf.

Maureen was having a rough day. She was imagining that her kids were still young and were home and kind of running her ragged.  Hugh spoke to me privately saying he was having a tough time figuring out Maureen‘s imaginary people all day. Hugh gave us some more tools. He’s been trying to downsize and clean out his storage closet. We assume they will move to Tampa in the next year or so.  Back home we made bruschetta for dinner and I took a shower and then made a batch of mini loaf loaves of pumpkin bread while watching the Voice. 

Alyzabeth had Lauri tonight tutoring her on her calculus assignment for the week. AA also found out what her Senior year quote and song are:

Tuesday 11/19/24: Tuesday morning was a little different. I woke up with the alarm and got up and made Alyzabeth‘s breakfast while Ford got to sleep in a little longer. Alyzabeth took Ginger out to do her business and then jumped in the shower. Ford got up shortly there after and we saw Alyzabeth off to school. We enjoyed leftover Irish soda bread for breakfast. Raspberries pineapple And juice. I went back to bed which is very unusual to rest. I did not sleep, but did enjoy an hour of rest and then after Ford shower, I got ready and we drove to his PT. While at his PT, I walked for about 20 minutes talking to Terri about the Redmond genealogy book. She is finishing up and it’s Christopher‘s birthday today.  For Erin‘s today we went to Joannes fabrics to pick up a Labradoodle Christmas ornament. I ordered for Alyzabeth and we purchased some bows and other Christa Christmas items on sale and some silk flowers to put at Larry and Charlotte‘s grave. We then drove to the cemetery and put the white poinsettia bunches at Larry and Charles grave. 

We went to urban Bean for lunch and Ford had the cheeseburger and I had the urban bean ultimate salad, which was very good with chicken breast, grapes, strawberries, apple, and poppyseed dressing.

We then drove to the Bailey’s and dropped off some toys from Alyzabeth An, Miss Penny.  Then to Walmart to pick up one of Ford’s prescriptions and some light grocery shopping which included the fresh pet dog food, some juice, boxes, buttermilk eggs, etc. etc. we got home and Donna had already finished and was gone. She did a great job somehow the house just looked a lot cleaner today and nicer.  

For dinner we are having rotisserie chicken and a salad with feta cheese and blueberries. 

We went to the River House and enjoyed our usual wine. It was a day that reached 80° which it’s going to be very different the next few days as a morning lows will be in the 40s and the high in the 60s.

Wednesday: I drove Ginger to the Vet for a scheduled appointment to x-ray her left leg and hips. With Leaa coming over to add to the three countdown boxes, I mailed two lemons to Terri (hopefully arrive before Thanksgiving), deposited AA’s social security check and picked up Sweet Sensations sandwiches and outlaw chicken salad (1 lb.). Leaa arrived at 11:25 am and with Dylan having an unknown virus, we kept our space. Leaa brought ibuprofen, mints, gum, sweet tart ropes, and three notes from Nicole and three from Cara. We had half a sandwich each for lunch and gave her all of Hugh’s tools for Jesse, two mini pumpkin loaves and a ponderosa lemon.

AA arrived home from school, we chatted, rested. AA and I picked up Ginger at 4 pm. She was still loopy!

We decided to try Green Papaya restaurant (OP, Blanding, near Argyle). Being Thai food, I decided on wide noodles, spicy heat ranked “2”, Ford ate Udom noodles spicy #4 and AA had Thai basil stir-fry, spicy #3. All was good including the fried egg rolls (2) and the pan-fried pork dumplings. I would not go back as the flavor of the food is not to my liking.

I recorded the CMA award show (Post Malone sand with Chris Stapleton; Patrick was there of course). AA did some Spanish homework and stayed up while Ginger was still trying to shake off the anesthesia.

Ford put this in the countdown boxes for the three girls: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" -Oscar Wilde

Note I put in each card:

Your family loves you and wants you to stay positive and do your best throughout your finals. This is a countdown "punch box". 

Count 12 days before your last final and punch one number (beginning with #1) each day leading up to your last final (#12). 

Enjoy the little thoughts from your family each day! 

Good luck and we will see you soon!

Thursday: Surgery Day! We all slept in until 7:30. We originally were to be ready to arrive at the hospital at 11:30, with surgery scheduled for 1:30 pm. They called, said Dr. Jones asked if we could arrive an hour early. AA showered and she drove us, arriving at 10:00 am. Registration was completed by 10:25. By 11:15, Dr. Jones had spoken with us and initialed her left knee. 

The anesthesiologist was getting ready to administer a “medium” block in her leg when I was asked to leave. 

At 12:30 she was taken to the OR. Dr. Jones spoke to me at 2:15 that all went well, showed me a picture of her new cartilage in place.

At 3:30 I was back in recovery with AA. She said she was in pain, so was given a pill. She was able to eat a few saltine crackers. She did not babble, was pretty quiet.

I texted with family during the procedure, and that we arrived home a bit later due to the Buckman Bridge accident.

At home she used the bathroom (important!), then dozed on couch. She ate some crackers and drank apple juice. She did her breathing exercise once. She did vomit twice (once was at bedtime - glad she requested the wastebasket by her bed).

Poor Ginger was still recovering and having some diarrhea, so I had to wash her butt!

Leaa called, Dylan was still a bit puny. We were to all see movie Wicked but most tickets sold out (next day she did buy some for Tinseltown!).

While discussing AA’s pain level she came up with alternative swear words for her pain levels. Fluffy is the worst (9-10); Donkey and Poopy; a bit of fun while enduring the pain. Penny called, so we called her back. Family texted including friends, Laureen.

Friday 11/22/24: AA got up, went to the bathroom by herself, and then on the couch until noon! She dozed off, ate Cheerios and drank a juice box. She's still in pain, took her meds, so today will be rest and icing the knee. We spoke with Justin, Terri, Mom - texted with Mia. The house is 66 degrees, so put three blankets on AA - with the icing the knee, she's cold! Probably will have to turn on the heat!

We did get some bad news about Ginger, from her x-ray, the Vet believes she may have osteosarcoma which is an aggressive cancer (same one Ian had in his leg), possibility of a lesion/tumor already on Ginger's left femur. It can cause bone weakening and possibly death in 2- 3 months. Treatment can includes removing the leg plus chemotherapy. We have scheduled Ginger for another x-ray to see if it has spread. Then we will meet with a Pet Oncologist, usually a biopsy first. There is a small possibility that it could be benign.

I went out to buy take out for dinner, Tijuana Flats. I was tired so rounded up the family and all were in our bedrooms by 8:30! We did turn on the heat to 68 degrees!

Saturday: Saturday morning again began slow because we don’t have to get up for school. We don’t have to get up for any particular time so everybody is sleeping in until 6:30 even 7:30 AM. Ginger wakes us up; we take her out for her potty break, she is limping worse her leg is definitely. Getting worse. 

I prepared a grocery list and went to Publix at 11 AM and ran into Kathy and her son Tom. I ended up spending an hour going up and down every aisle so many buy one get one free. I spent a lot of time there. I came home and we ate leftover Tijuana Flats bowls from last night. Alyzabeth continued doing homework on the couch walking every once in a while and watching the Star Wars marathon of movies on TV in the background. I made four piecrusts and put them in the freezer and prepared the appetizers for the River House happy hour, which tonight were pimento cheese and crackers and outlaw, chicken salad sliders.  Once home we ate leftovers, rotisserie chicken, potato salad and chicken wings from Publix. Mom sent AA a tray of chocolate covered fruit from Edible - all yummy!

Sunday: Ford slept in as he had a bad night. I took Ginger out (she is hobbling on one leg), she pooped and peed. Then her pills and AA's breakfast and pills (cereal and bacon).

Church was fine; second week we had a guest as Pastor Faith is visiting her parents (Dad had surgery). AA rested on couch and worked on her Government notes (has a make-up test to take on 12/02/24). AA had a Tropical Smoothie for lunch. Mom texted us, AA told her that she was bored, and her leg hurt (in Spanish - my Mom reminded us that she took Spanish in HS).

After a quiet afternoon, I got takeout at Mojo's (AA had the Sloppy MoJo, FM had a burger, and I had the MoJo-Q Salad with turkey). We continue to "ice" AA's knee, try to baby Ginger and get our rest! 

Home from Missouri Visit and Ginger's Leg

Monday 11/11/2024 - Veteran's Day. We drove home, arrived at about 3:30 p.m. We were happy to hug AA and know she was fine while we were gone. Ginger is not putting any weight on her left rear leg, can't find anything wrong with it. Random picture of AA with NHS volunteering:

Tuesday 12th Began pretty well as I slept, but I don’t think Ford slept much last night, spent most on chair in den. I started more laundry, went to Michael’s to pick up supplies for the College girls countdown boxes which I hope to do this week. I then drove to the Fresh Market to pick up the ingredients for Ford‘s birthday dinner for a meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sushi for our lunch. 

I somehow goofed and bought two packages of their chicken that was on sale right in the same cooler with the hamburger so I had to go back and get a package of hamburger later that afternoon.

Justin and Leaa both called Ford to wish him a happy birthday. Justin told Ford about his back and how he hurt it yesterday while he was moving a unit and raising it 8 inches per code.
After dinner, we had cake AA bought (red velvet cheesecake - delicious!) and ice cream and made him blow out three candles. He will open his presents tomorrow night. He already had a very good celebration in Cape Girardeau with Bill so this is adding to his celebration.

At 12:15 I took Ginger to her vet appointment; it is sad to see her limping and not putting weight on her rear left leg. The vet was not able to distinguish what is wrong with her left knee. It’s not her hip and not her paw, her foot but there is some inflammation in her knee, which could be arthritis, or a torn or strain muscle, or it could be bone on bone. She prescribed seven days of a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen and gabapentin for the pain. Ginger was so funny during the whole appointment; she did not hold that leg up and limp at all in front of the vet and the assistant. Ginger was very hyper, and they said a lot of times dogs with the adrenaline of coming to the doctor forget what’s wrong with them and are just nervous.  Alyzabeth stayed after school for Spanish tutoring. Ford and I ate sushi from Fresh Market for lunch. I mailed cards to Liv, Kilee and Chris Stone (birthday). To celebrate Ford‘s birthday we opened a bottle of champagne to drink while I was fixing the dinner.

Wednesday 13th: Aldi's, meal planning, called eye doctor, cancelled Amtrak.

Wednesday morning started out fine a bit slow in the morning but did I usual chores. We decided to go to Aldi‘s to check it out since we should have a new one here on Fleming Island at the Winn-Dixie soon. we went up and down every aisle checked out the fresh, produce the meats and a lot of unique items. We did pick up a frozen butterball turkey for a great price and olives and peanuts and bell peppers. The bell peppers were a three pack and we’re about half the price then at Publix and they looked really good.  I think the new Aldi‘s we are going to get on Fleming Island is going to be much larger than the one we went to on Blanding. We are going to try and go there frequently to get our essentials that they carry and then go to the more expensive fresh market to get any other items we need for our meal planning.  With Publix and BJ’s on the list of heavy Trump donors, we are trying to avoid businesses that donated heavily to his candidacy. We also went to Walmart to pick up Ford‘s prescriptions and I bought the Snow pea pods and cabbage and carrots for our chicken stir-fry dinner.  We had lunch in at home, ate leftover pork sandwiches from our stop in Valdosta at the Smokin Pig on Monday. I also ate an apple with some peanut butter. I prepared the vegetables for dinner, chopping ginger, garlic, scallions, red bell pepper, Bok Choi and broccoli. 

I called the Suburban to see when we could get Alyzabeth Subaru in to check about a clicking noise.  They told us to drop in after 2 PM so we did and they did not find the cause of the noise but said they did all the safety checks and tightened up things and everything looked fine. Once home for Ginger and I rested for an hour or so. 

I cooked the chicken stir fry and rice, we continue to watch the BBC Pride and Prejudice show, following along where AA is reading in the book (English class). 

Ford opened his birthday gifts, which included two L. L. Bean T-shirts from mom and socks and peanuts from Alyzabeth and I gave him new shoes from L.L. Bean, some bungee cords, two bottles of barbecue sauce, and the latest, Rick Steves DVDs on Scotland and England.

Thursday: We had our usual morning with Alyzabeth getting off to school on time. After Ford napped and showered, we went to his Parkinson exercises. I walked outside very nice day. Mom was not available to talk as she was waiting for a doctor to call her back. I spoke to Terri and she talked about her house cleaning efforts this week. While walking I picked up aluminum can tabs. There were many on the ground around the Boy Scout trailer. I still collect them for the Ronald McDonald house fundraiser.

After his exercises, we stopped at fresh market for a few items, then dropped them off at home and went to our recall. Our Greek deli the time out deli for lunch. 

Back home we picked two Ponderosa lemons to mail to cousin Beth. I boxed them up and mailed them and also went to pats nursery for six bags of brown mulch. I spread the brown mulch and, of course, realized I need probably 20 more bags.

I got pretty sweaty, so jumped in the shower, while Alyzabeth was home from Spanish tutoring and she started in on her homework.

Since Alyzabeth has Laureen tonight for Spanish tutoring, I started dinner a little early. We are having roasted carrots and onions, along with our leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes from two nights ago. Ginger is still limping two prescriptions don’t seem to be doing much good but it’s only been 48 hours. Hopefully in a few more days, she will feel better.

Friday: Full Moon:

 Typical morning with Alyzabeth’s breakfast, Alyzabeth, taking a shower, and Alyzabeth takes Ginger out first thing in the morning. With Ginger‘s limp we are taking her out the front door, where there are no steps for her to do her business now. We had pumpkin bread for breakfast and then cleaned up showers to go to Ford’s PT Session. It is chilly this morning in the high 50s and I decided to plant the two geraniums I bought at Pat's nurseries yesterday. I planted them in a pot and put them by the front garage door. I will plant poinsettias in the large pot near the front door in a week or two.

We decided to have leftovers for dinner tonight and Ford would make a homemade pizza for dinner tomorrow night Saturday night. I am waiting for Marsha to text so we can get together and start the countdown boxes for Liv, Kilee, and Madison. After PT, we went to Aldi‘s thinking they had pizza dough but they did not. We did buy their three dollar bottle of Cabernet (terrible wine!) and some lemonade. We went to Metro diner for lunch and I had the chicken pot pie and Ford had the fried chicken dinner lunch special.  We saw Mark Wright and Joan there and chatted for a few minutes. 
Alyzabeth stayed after school for Spanish and Ginger and I laid down for a rest.

AND AA was accepted to UCF!! First college acceptance.

Saturday:

Don't remember what we did (I am writing this 8 days later - my bad memory) - We did go to the River House. Ford made a pizza for dinner.

Dylan was at a dance session and competition in Daytona.

Sunday: We slept in, I woke up at 5 am but stayed in bed until 6:30. I went to church, served communion (substitute pastor - member of Asbury UMC), and brought in the apples, caramel sauce and sprinkles - I signed up to purchase for the Bannerman teacher's monthly treat. At home we ate leftover homemade pizza, and then watched the Jaguars lose to the Detroit Lions. AA did homework and met with Laurie to work on tomorrow's calculus assignment. I chatted with Melissa, she was driving around, getting gas, running errands. She is thinking of getting a truck for her next vehicle.

We had frozen dumplings and leftover veggies in a stir-fry for dinner.