Coughing – Again!!!

Well, it has been a while.  I though about updating this but just didn’t feel like it. I have been off work this past week with a horrible cough.  I went into the doctor on Monday.  I was coughing so bad my ribs hurt.   He though at first it was pneumonia but took a chest xray and it didn’t show up anything.  I think it was pretty close as bad as I felt.  I called over to school on Tuesday and talked with Mike and told him I would be off at least thru Wednesday.  On Wednesday, I called but wasn’t able to talk with him.  I left him a voice mail and told him I just wasn’t getting over it very well and I was taking the rest of  the week off.  I am still coughing some but not near as much.  Now I am just tired.  Laying in bed for most of the last few days and then trying to do something just wears you out.  Going to try to go to church in the morning.  Guess I will see how much that tires me out.  I am planning on going back to work on Monday.  I am sure I will be exhausted that evening.  Guess I will probaly be heading to bed early.   

 Tom will be going down to Amanda’s sometime this week.  We found a used transmission for her Sebring (her old car) and is going to take it down to her.  She is going to try to use that some and save the miles on her G6.   She will be leaving NC on Saturday to come here for Thanksgiving and Tom will be coming back with her. 

Well, that’s about it from here.  Not much going on since I haven’t done anything in over a week.

We’re Home

Got back around 8:15.  Would have been home sooner but going thru Marion a train was stopped on the track and we had to turn around and go a different way to go to one of the roads leading under it.  We are both tired.  Seems like the sinus drainage started up again when we got back around the Ohio-Indiana border.  Hope the cough doesn’t start back up.  I think I will go to bed early tonight and try to get some extra sleep.  Have to get adjusted to the time change.  I talked with Amanda tonight when we got home and she said Cameron was pretty fussy this evening.  She put him to bed early.  She said he will probably wake up during the night.  She will just have to get him adjusted to the time difference a little at a time.   That’s about it for now.

Back to Indiana

 

Wow, has these couple of days gone fast.   Tomorrow we head back home.  We have enjoyed our time here even though it seems like we just got here.    I got a little painting done for Amanda and also mowed her lawn today.  She has been trying to get it mowed in between the rain but just hasn’t been able to get it done.     It rained during the night so wasn’t sure I would be able to do it.   The sun came out about 1:00 and dried move of it off pretty good.   Some parts I had to mow twice as it was really long and a little damp yet.  I am just glad I was able to get it done for her. 

Cameron looked so cute in his Halloween costume.  We didn’t take him anywhere.  We just put his costume on him and sat outside and passed out candy.  It was pretty warm out and since it is made of fleece he was plenty warm.   Amanda had lots of trick or treaters.  

Well, that’s about all for now.  Will let you know when we get back to Indiana.

We’re at Amanda’s

Left Wabash yesteray about 4:00.   Stopped to get something to eat around Dayton.  I took over driving and drove till we crossed into West Virginia.  I was getting tired so Tom took over.  He said he didn’t think we would go much further but there was so little traffic that he just kept driving.   We finally stopped around midnight about 30 miles from the W. Virginia/Virginia border.  Woke up around 6:50 this morning and decided I would go ahead and take my shower so we could get an early start.  While Tom was showering, I took Alvin outside.  By the time I got back in Tom was  ready so we went and checked out.  When we started to walk to the car we noticed that we had a flat tire on the rear driver’s side.  Tom thought maybe we could drive to the station as it was only a short distance but after going a few feet, he decided that wasn’t going to work.  Of course, the trunk was loaded down with some stuff we were bring to Amanda so he had to unload everything, put the donut on, put everything back in the trunk.  Then he noticed that the donut was low so we had to go to the station and put air in it.  The lady at the gas station said the place across the road might be able to check the tire so we headed over there.  The open sign was on but the door was padlocked.  Sign on the door said $60.00 an hour/minimum 1 hour.  Don’t think I’m about to pay that to have someone fix a tire so just as well he wasn’t open.  We headed on down the road a ways and stopped at a truck stop.  Tom put air in the tire and had them check it.  Didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it so he again unloaded everything from the trunk, put the tire back on, put the donut back in and reloaded the trunk.  About 2 hours down the road, the check tire pressure light came on.  So we stopped, and added some more air.  Tom said it really didn’t look that low but was down some.  Guess we will have to see about getting it replaced while we are down here.  We probably need to replace all 4 of them.  They were on the car when we bought it and we don’t know how long they were on before that.  We arrived at Amanda’s around 1:15.  We were glad we had gone as far last night as we did.  Otherwise it would have been really late by the time we got here. 

Cameron has grown quite a bit in the month since we last saw him.  He was pretty tired so he is down for a nap now.  I had to put the hood to his costume on him right away.  He is sure going to be a cute little mouse.  I didn’t put velcro at the neck as I wasn’t sure where to put it.  I’m sure glad I didn’t because it fits him a lot better than I thought and I would have probably made it too tight.  I forgot to bring the velcro with me so we will have to go to the fabric store to get some.  Will probably check on tires while we are out.

Well, that’s about all for now.  Will post some pictures soon.

Leaving tomorrow

We will be leaving tomorrow right after school to go to North Carolina.  Don’t know how far we will get tomorrow night since I don’t like to drive a lot at night (although on interstate it isn’t as bad) and the lights bother Tom’s eyes.  Would like to get as far as possible so we can get to Amanda’s in good time.  We will be coming home on Sunday.  I got Cameron’s costume done last night.  Shirley, I really don’t think he will get treats.  I think it was just the idea of his first Halloween and wanting to dress him up.  She may take him to a few of their friends.  Don’t know what she really has planned, but I sure had fun sewing his first Halloween costume.  He is going to make the cutest little mouse.  Will try to post a picture of it on him.   Will be taking the laptop with me.  Gotta finish getting things around to go to work so that is about all for now.  Till later.

Cough, Cough, Cough

Started getting a cough on Wednesday.  Got quite a bit worse by Friday but instead of calling the doctor on Friday or yesterday morning, I told Tom if it wasn’t better by Monday I would call.    It was a lot worse this morning.  Didn’t even get up to go to church.  When I did get up and take my shower, I decided not to wait till Monday and headed over to Redi-Med in Huntington.  Have bronchitis.  Got two different medicines which I started taking right away.  Haven’t coughed a whole lot this evening but then it always seems to get worse when I lay down.    Wednesday evening we took the kids from church to the Pumpkin Patch here in Wabash.  It wasn’t real cold but there was a breeze and I probably should have had something heavier on.  Had on a sweatshirt but probably should have had a coat on.  I didn’t enj0y it as much as other years but I just wasn’t feeling up to par. 

Didn’t do a whole lot this week.  I did work on the costume I am making for Cameron for Halloween.  Almost have it done.  Will take it with us when we got out this week.  We will be leaving on Wednesday and coming back on Sunday.  Amanda said the weather on Thursday is supposed to be 79.  I am looking forward to that.  Cooler by the weekend (69) and maybe rain on Saturday.  Sure hope not.  That is also Tom’s birthday.  This is the first year in 10 years that Amanda has been with all of us on our birthdays (Jenn, mine and now Toms).

Well, that is about all for now.  Am heading to bed to try to get some extra rest.  Want to get over this stuff before we head to NC.  Till later.

Just another week

Really didn’t do much this week.  We were going to go down to the Chili Cook-off here in Wabash yesterday but I woke up with a horrible sinus headache.  I took a decongestant and Tylenol and of course, it made me sleepy.  I thought maybe I would lay down and take a little nap and maybe the headache would go away at the same time.  3 hours later – oops – missed the Chili Cook-off.  I read in the paper the other day that it is one of the largest east of the Mississippi.  They were expecting over 100 booths and over 5,000 people to attend.  Our school had a booth and I guess they ran out of chili with a little over an hour and a half left.  Tom would have hated the crowd.  Today we played 18 holes of golf.  I have been having a lot of trouble with my feet hurting so we got a cart for me to ride – Tom walked.  He says that is about the only way he seems to get any exercise.  He is planning on going out again tomorrow and on Tuesday they have a senior scramble that he has been playing in.  The golf course will only be open about another week or so.  I know he is going to hate it when it closes.  It was pretty cool when we started out but then the sun came out and it wasn’t too bad.  Golf wasn’t all that great but we still enjoyed it.   Not much else new here.  Till later.

Catching up – Again!!

Boy, I just don’t seem to be doing a very good job of keeping this updated.  Not much really going on here. 

Amanda, Cameron and the dogs made it home safely.  It actually didn’t take her too much longer to get there than it normally does.  I think she said she only had to make 3 stops.  That’s not too bad for a baby and 2 dogs.  Yes, she had both dogs with her.  She had left them at Jenn’s when she was here in August for the motorcycle class.  That way she didn’t have to travel up here with them.  It was longer between the two times than she thought since they kept moving Greg’s date of deployment.  He is doing pretty well although it is really hard for him to be separated from Amanda and Cameron.  They have been getting on Yahoo messenger often and they both have webcams so they can see each other and Greg can see Cameron.  They have been using one of those internet things to call.  Much cheaper that way.  Cameron was 6 months last Friday (the 9th – Greg’s birthday)   He was trying to crawl while they were here but never really figured out getting the hands and feet moving together.  He is now crawling quite a bit. She called on Saturday evening to tell me that he had pulled himself up in his crib and was standing.  She is going to have to lower the mattress.  

Tom has been spending a lot of time out on the golf course (when it isn’t raining)  He has been playing quite a bit with a couple guys from our church.  We have a membership at Etna Acres golf course on 124.  I know he is hating it that the weather is turning colder and  golf season is about over.  I really haven’t gotten out very much.  After we got the membership, I had my carpal tunnel surgery and then it was all the vacations, then school started.    We did go out yesterday for 9 holes.  Was pretty cold when we started but then the sun came out.  Still a little cool but not too bad. 

We are planning on heading out to NC over fall break the last weekend of this month.  Amanda will actually get to spend Tom’s birthday with him for the first time in 11 years.  Hope the weather is nice.  Well, that is really about all.

Catching up

Couldn’t believe how long it has been since I posted anything here.  Don’t know if I can remember everything.  Tom is still having some trouble with his eyes.  The near vision is pretty good and the distance is pretty good but there is a space in between where he has trouble.  It is bothersome for him when he is trying to use the computer.  He went and got one of those cheap pairs of reading glasses.  I think they help some.   They told him that with some people (especially ones with vision as bad as his) at about three months out they have to do laser and clean them up a little.  Hope that helps as he is rather discouraged about it.   It is really strange to see him without glasses.  I think it seems strange to him to not put them on. 

Greg left on the 9th and made it to Iraq safely.  They convoyed to where he is stationed although there is a possibility they may be going back to where they started.  Not sure why.  He has been calling Amanda about every night.  There is some kind of plan they can get that is fairly cheap to call from there.  It has been nice for them.  Amanda and Cameron left NC on the 9th.  She stopped somewhere in Ohio that night and came the rest of the way the next day.  They will be leaving tomorrow morning to go home.  It has been nice having them here but I know she is anxious to get back home and back to a routine.  Cameron will probably sleep a lot better when he gets back to his own bed.  It has been very busy while they have been here.  Ashley is going to try softball this year.  They are not playing regular games as this is not really softball season (Spring)  They are just trying to get more girls interested.  One of Ashley’s good friends (and neighbor) plays and she talked Ashley into trying it.  Ashley is also doing cross country again this year so there have been practices and meets for that too.  We have been trying to go to as many games and meets as possible. 

We went up last weekend to the Johnny Appleseed festival.  Then this Tuesday, I took off work and we went up to Shipshewana.  Quite a few of the spots were empty but there were still a lot there.  Wasn’t very crowded which was nice.  We were there for about 4 hours and Cameron was as good as gold.  He just sat in the stroller and looked around at all the people.  He even fell asleep for a little while.  We were really surprised.  That is a long time for a little one to sit like that.  Yesterday was the Wabash Invitational Cross Country Meet and then we went to the Home Tour here in Wabash. We took Cameron with us to the first house but was so difficult to carry him around so we called Charlie and asked him if he could watch him.  Much easier. My principal’s home was one of them on the tour and also our vet’s.     I wish I could have taken pictures of our vets home.  It is constructed from a grain bin.  Amanda said she will never look at a grain bin the same again.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Three floor with a winding staircase.   Jenn and the girls were also impressed.  I can’t even begin to imagine how much it must have cost to convert that to a home.  The master bedroom was a conventional room built on the side of the grain bin.  The garage was also attached on the other side of the bin. 

Today we went down to the Earth Festival in Atlanta.  I think that festival gets bigger every year.  Didn’t buy much but sure is fun to look at all the crafts.  The weather was ideal.  The sun was out but there was a nice breeze which made it very pleasant.  We had a good time. 

Sure going to miss Amanda and Cameron.  They will be back up here in November for Thanksgiving.  Going to be a long trip for her with a baby and two dogs.  Don’t envy her that.  Going to close for now.  Will try not to wait so long to update again.  Then I won’t have to backtrack and try to remember things.

Tom and Greg

Just talked with Amanda a little bit ago.  Greg is scheduled to leave around 1:00 tomorrow.  He will be stationed about an hour away from Baghdad.  She couldn’t remember the name of the place.  I also talked with Greg.  They are both having a hard time with this.  This is Greg’s 4th deployment but he has never had to deal with leaving a spouse and child and Amanda has never had to deal with a spouse deploying.  I told Greg that he will have a lot of people praying for him.  Please also pray for Amanda as she not only deals with Greg leaving but also taking care of Cameron on her own.  He has been really fussy lately – don’t know but think he might be teething.   She will be leaving there tomorrow sometime after they have the family goodbyes.   If it late before she gets started, she will stop partway and her and Cameron will stay in a motel and come the rest of the way on Thursday.  She will probably stay about 2 weeks or so.  She doesn’t want to stay too long as she wants to keep Cameron’s spot in daycare. 

Tom is getting along okay with his eyes.  He still has some blurriness.  He was to the eye doctor today and said the doctor didn’t seem to be concerned.  Everyone heals at a different rate.  He had the multi-focal lens implant which takes care of not only distance but also near vision.  His near vision doesn’t seem to be as good as he had hoped but I’m sure that takes time for the eye to heal also.  And he is also dealing with the drastic difference between the two eyes.  He will get the other eye done on Thursday.  Jenn took him last Thursday and actually got to watch it on a monitor.  I am not sure I would like that but she said it was pretty neat.  I was proctor for the assessment testing we did last week so was not able to take the time off to take him.  I will be able to take him this Thursday. 

The weather this weekend was a little fall like.  Saturday was a nice day but the rest of the three day weekend was cool and cloudy with a few sprinkles.  We did go to the Blueberry Festival in Plymouth on Sunday.  It really looked like rain but only got a few sprinkles when we first got there.   We took Ashley and McKenzie and they really enjoyed all the junk food.  The Johnny Appleseed Festival is coming up soon and also the Huntington and Atlanta festivals.  I always look forward to going to those and I think Amanda will be here then.  Hope the weather is nice .  

 That’s about it for now.   Will try to keep you updated on Tom and Greg.  Till later.