Colorado Family Visit

Our daughter, Tana and her family Barry, Carter, Kyra, Collin and Cooper pulled in from their overnight drive from Denver at 4:30am.

They were all tired when they got here, so they all found a place to sleep in our RV.

After some short naps, we all went over to see my parents, Tana's grand-parents and her kids great-grand parents.  We had a really nice visit.

Barry, Tana, Carter, Kyra, Collin and Cooper with Dad and Mom

The Family ready for the water show at the Bellagio.

Fall in the Bellagio Atrium

Kyra wanted to go to the M&M factory and we stopped to get some floats. 

There's a 4 story M&M Store

To end the day... In&Out Burgers

Eye Yigh Yigh

Today was a full day.  We were at mom's by 8 am and two of dad's Hospice nurses were there to try to catheterize dad since he has been having trouble emptying his bladder completely.  One nurse tried last week and couldn't get it to work and the two of them ran into troubles today.  They had to meet with the doctor to see how to proceed from here.

We took him to his afternoon one day after cataract surgery appointment at 2:30.  Yesterday he completely wore out after the second eye surgery and we could barely get him back into the house from the car.  He made it in today, but was not in the best of moods by the time we got back home.

We picked up a pair of clear classes for him to wear at home to protect his eye.  He really doesn't do the plastic patch very well that he is supposed to wear.  He wasn't at all happy, but he managed a smile.  I'm sure he feels like a human pin cushion.

We had to wrap is hand with gauze to help soak up the clear fluid that has been coming out of the hole that was made by the IV they put in yesterday.  His skin is thin and he bruises very easily and so his arm looks pretty bruised, too.

The hospice nurse called back late in the day to say that his doctor wants him to go to a urologist to have them try to catheterize him.  So, he had a pretty rough day and he doesn't want to go through anything else, but if he doesn't, he will end up in emergency once he can't go at all.  He doesn't want anyone to know any of this, but we really need prayer and wisdom with how to proceed.  It's so hard to watch him suffer through all of this.

He started with prostate cancer in 2000 and had surgery, but it's just been one thing after another through the past 13 years.  Mom is worn out from being his caregiver and Craig and I are just trying to do what we can to help.

I decided to just post it like it is so family and friends have a better idea of what is going on with his health.  You don't have to mention to him how much you know or how you know, please.

The two cataract surgeries have been a success.  We'll have to wait until the second eye clears up, but he was only seeing "orange" out of his right eye and today he had 20/70 vision.  The eye doctor says it's still swollen and will hopefully improve as time goes by.  The swelling in the eye could be from the pain patches he is wearing or from the steroids he takes, but hopefully, he can see TV again.  Knowing him, he will be wanting to drive.  Yikes.

Tomorrow is another day and we are just taking them one at a time.

Backyard BBQ

We mowed the backyard and built a BBQ pit and cooked out tonight........... well, sort of.  No grass to mow, it's a portable BBQ grill and table from the back of our Honda CRV made for tail-gating.

It was a wonderful meal on a perfect weather night and then a full moon to top it off.

What About You?

Enjoying God

I am a friend of Christ

"Right at the beginning of human history, when man first related to God, their relationship was so simple.  There were not a lot of religious rituals and paraphernalia.  Enoch just WALKED WITH GOD (see Genesis 5:22,24).  As we go on further in the Bible, we meet the great father of the faith, Abraham, with his most honorable title, which was 'friend of God' (James 2:23). He and God simply enjoyed one another's company.

I sometimes long to get away from all the theology and all the religious formalities and just have a relationship of being God's friend -- walking with Him and enjoying His company.  I really believe God loves to be enjoyed by His people.

Sometimes, we get so preoccupied with methodology and theology and doctrine that we lose sight of God in the midst of it all.  We get into the middle of the forest, where all we can see are trees.  We no longer can see the whole picture.  Then, we have to back out of the forest, take a fresh look around, and consider adjusting our priorities.

Thank You, Jesus, that You have redeemed me.  I proclaim my desire to walk with God and enjoy His company, for I am a friend of Christ.  Amen."

by Derek Prince taken from his book, "Declare God's Word".

Bass Pro Shop Day

 We actually slept in a bit this morning.  Then, we took in a breakfast buffet.  What a delight to eat things you know you shouldn't be, but really enjoying it all.  We didn't eat again until evening.  Tomorrow, we probably wouldn't need to eat at all.

We went to Bass Pro Shop and enjoyed looking at all of the exhibits and fun outdoor equipment.  It gave us both the fishing urge.  We may go back tomorrow to see the RV show they had going.

Indoor Waterfall

Lions and Tiger and Bears.. oh my

Mouse Warriors... I guess????

We drove past McCarron Airport and from there the Las Vegas Strip is right out in the open.

Elvis has left Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip.  You can make out New York New York in the middle of the picture.

The Luxor is the Pyramid building.

The Madalay Bay

We had supper with my folks and mom had baked some pumpkin bread that was wonderful.  It's been cool at night and in the 70's during the day.

I also had a long and wonderful chat with a good family friend today.  Thanks Donna for the ear and we will continue to pray for you all and for your mom!!

We have been in Duck Creek RV Park now for four weeks.  It almost feels like home.

Blessings!

Snow and Show

If you have never been to Las Vegas, you might be surprised to know that it is surrounded by mountains.  As we went to bed last night, we could hear the pitter patter of rain on our RV roof.  We woke up with the same sound several times during the night. The largest mountain around the valley here is Mt. Charleston and last night, they had snow, yep, in Nevada in Oct.

We took a couple of pictures of the mountains as we look west and they were pretty awesome this morning.

The pictures don't really show how distinct these low clouds were.  I'm not sure how much snow they got up there, I think they have about 7" and there is a ski resort there.  It seems very strange as we drive around the desert city of Las Vegas to think that they rarely get rain in the desert, let alone snow in the mountains.

Thursday is a free Show at the South Point that my parents have attended for about 13 years.  It was at Samstown at one time.  They have always enjoyed the show and they have seen many entertainers and we have been able to go with them several times. 

Dad didn't want to go today because they have just doubled the pain dose on his Fentanyl patch (pain meds) and he wanted to take a nap.  He is able to be home for short times on his own now that he is wearing a Life Line button around his neck.  We didn't want to leave him, but he insisted that we get mom out of the house for awhile.

They have had many friends that attend the same Show and today was this sweet couple, Marquerite and Dr. Dan with Mom to the right.  Dan has many health issues and has just recovered from a broken ankle.  It was nice to spend a little time with them today. They have been so good to check in on dad and mom and even drove them to this show once a week for quite some time.

We got to see a new comedian, who was very funny and also The Letterman sang a couple of songs.  I was a bit disappointed when they chose to sing, "Someone Left the Cake Out In the Rain".  I always thought that's what they needed to do with the song.  

This show and attending the casinos for meals and entertainment (gambling, eating or bingo) are as important to the Seniors here has golf and boating are to Seniors in other retirement communities.

It really is the "softer side" of the valley to spend time with the "older crowd", but don't mess with their place in line or try to sit at the table they have "marked" out as their own.  It's like being a visitor in a church knowing that if you get there too early and take a seat, you could be sitting in the pew that someone has sat in for 40 or 50 years.  It's a tricky thing to figure out how to be a Senior in this city.  Every casino has Perks for Seniors on certain days and you could spend most of the day just trying to remember which one is having what.

Craig and I did go to see, "Gravity" yesterday with Sandra Bolluck and George Clooney.  We didn't see it on IMAX or in 3D and it was a pretty good flick.  We just had to make sure to see it at the Casino that had Senior rates!!!

Hope you enjoyed whatever SHOW you had in your life today!

Going Through the CHANGE

Mom has had some issues with her phone and internet service.  We all know how hard it is to figure out what the best deal is and if we can figure it out once we get it.  WELL, yesterday they made the change from Cox only on TV to a Bundle.... doesn't your mind just go to all of those goofy TV Commercials?  We had to spend some time chatting online and then on the phone before we decided on a plan.... but they are now all set up.

At 87 and 88 they are learning a new cable TV DVR and remote.  They will get it.  It helped today to find a nice music channel that dad likes.  He can even keep his old tuner and use the speakers hooked to that.  Hopefully, it will all help and not cause more arguments!!!

Mom also now has unlimited long distance which should help her pass the hours she spends alone while dad is sleeping.  She was using a calling card before and a limited cell plan.  She is very happy with that.  I reprogrammed her phone to direct dial.  Here's the issue..... dad gets irritated when mom talks on the phone too much.  So, maybe now she can call more often, but make shorter calls.

The weather has been beautiful here (just a little more wind than I care for).  I do miss that I'm not able to see fall leaves changing colors, but even in Colorado the snow and freeze they got will probably ruin the change, a bit.

It is fun to see the flowers in full bloom in Oct.

Here are two Lantanas just outside mom's door.

We are still in Duck Creek RV Park and doing well there.  We have made a few friends and are enjoying the pool and hot tub. We are figuring out the "Senior Day" benefits in the Casinos and have had a couple of nice meals at a very reasonable rate.  We aren't big gamblers but we will play a bit to be able to enter some of the drawings.  It would be nice to win some of the give-a-ways in our spare time.

I also want to give Thanks to the Lord today for bringing a good friend, Sandy Norsworthy Summers through a neck fusion surgery yesterday that ended with a blood clot, emergency additional surgery and a ventilator.  She is doing so much better today that they may consider letting her go home soon.  What a Mighty God we serve!!!

Enjoy life's Changes!

Food Comma at age 63

Today is my 63rd Birthday.

I started out the day with many well wishes from friends and family on Facebook and then Craig took me out for a breakfast buffet.

I could have taken a picture, but you'll just have to believe that I had at least one of some of my most favorite breakfast foods.  I'll list the things that may have crossed my plate.

Scrambled Eggs

Melon Fruit

Bacon

Sausage links

Raisin French Toast

Waffle

Hash Browns

Cinnamon Roll

Is overeating a sin on your Birthday?

Don't answer that until tomorrow.

I received this beautiful bouquet from our oldest son, Todd and his fiance, Marie.  Thanks!!!!  They are really beautiful.

I received several phone calls, emails and even got to Skype with some family today to receive more Birthday wishes.

I didn't eat anything more until this evening when dad and mom bought a pizza for us and I just topped off the day with a piece of the angel food cake that mom baked.

So, I am filled to the brim with Birthday Blessings.  Thanks to all of you for loving me and showing it in so many ways.

In other news:

Dad has been put on a higher dose of his pain patch (Fentynal) and it seems to be helping his pain today.  Mom didn't like the new digital hearing aids that she was testing, so we are waiting for another set to come in that are more like the ones she has been wearing.  Tomorrow, we need to be at their house by 7:30am to move some furniture and be ready for a Cox Bundle to be installed.  There will be a new learning curve on the phone, TV and Internet, but certain that after 2 or 3 years (just kidding) everything will be working properly once again.

May you all know the blessings of being loved!!  Because you are.

Prayer requests:

Sandy Summers is having neck fusion tomorrow.

Mig just went through major surgery

Kyra is recovering from pneumonia.

Pudge Collins has a broken finger.