Friday I was discharged from the hospital. I've done a couple loads of laundry with Wil's help. Standing at the dryer and folding and hanging is difficult.  Managed to get one litter pan renewed as Wil took it out to hose out then I dried it out sitting in the garage. Harder to get around those pans with the walker in front of me.

I have ordered a tray for the walker to help me get around with 'stuff'. I have a tool to pick up items dropped, my problem I knock it off my walker.  I have a tool to help me get my sock on the bad leg, managed both days since getting home. Wil helped at first but since I'm up before him I need to get dressed right off.  It was wearing slippers that caused me to trip off a grass runner and land on the ground and I did not have my pendent on to call for help. I'm wearing it now only put it in the charger when I go to bed.

I fix meals and Wil delivers mine to where I'm sitting. Then he brings his plate. That card table serves a purpose in our living room though my friends took it down as to them it was in the way. When I first went in the hospital Keith from church stayed all night with Wil. Of course he couldn't keep it up and the VA was of NO help. So Alice took over that spot, great lady. I don't know if her husband took a turn when he got back.

The Committee at Rehab didn't want me to come home until Tues. but I decided it would be Friday. No matter how much OT and PT you get it will not solve all things you face at home.

I had a commode thing to help me up, ended up having Wil put it in the garage. More trouble than it was helpful. Wil never remembered to put the seat down and that was hard on my backside. Then after Millie left Yesterday I found a puddle of water in front of it. No idea how that happened. So out to the garage with it.

Amazon has a transition chair which I will need to get in the tub. Of course it won't arrive until Oct or first of Nov. so now bath for me.   I used one of those in the hospital, Medicare won't pay for one.  They paid for the commode thing that I'm not using.

Last night I slept in my bed on my back, pillows under my legs. Tomorrow I have to call the surgeon and make an appointment to get the staples out. Of course I will have to find a ride.

I need to get the kitchen floor mopped today when I see Wil straighten up as his back was bothering him before his shower.

I am supposed to have in home therapy but at this point I wonder why. They said they can give Wil some too as falling asleep and muddling through his desk is not all he should be doing.

No cards for my birthday this year, not even a birthday cake. At 82 what did I expect?  Our anniversary is coming as well. Wil's niece may send a card for that but I'm not counting on it and does it really matter?

Next week I am scheduled to get my drivers license renewed. When it comes time for Wil's renewal I will have to take him for an ID card as he doesn't drive any more. Since he doesn't vote any more I wonder if there is a purpose for him to have an ID card.

Yesterday I spent time trying to get the release lever on the new Eureka stick broom. Customer service was no help at all, in fact when I asked to speak to some one else she hung up on me. The plastic holder for it didn't work on the wall either. Joe put it up and it moved a bit and I knew with the weight of the vacuum and battery it would pull out. Such short anchors and screws that came with it. So it just sits upright.

I have a stick vacuum but plugging and unplugging every room made it hard on my back bending to plugs. So I figured buy a cordless. I hope that battery pack lasts a long time as I doubt they are cheap. Since I fired the floor lady I haven't found another, so that leaves it to me. My friend lost her cleaning lady and she can't find one either.  Pandemic has not helped. Thought I had someone but she wasn't vaccinated.  With the new Delta variant and the breaks in people like us that are vaccinated it leaves me to be careful.

I've had some improvement in my back since the ablation, walking better. I still need a pain pill once in awhile but that is understandable with the arthritis etc. in the spine. So it may take me longer to sweep and mop floors but I'll get it done. Granted learning how to maneuver a bigger floor brush will take time. Meantime equipment with cords sits in closets.

On another topic, Miss Kitty comes to eat every day. She stands far enough away as I put food out so she feels safe.  If I stopped feeding that would leave song birds to be preyed upon. I just wish the city required cats be like dogs are supposed to be, on your property or in your house.

She is about 1 yr. old and has had kittens.  No idea where they are and can't go look. If I found them what would I do with them?  She won't be having any more. She will come back here, it is the area she knows and I can keep food and water for her. Or as someone suggested she could keep rats out of my yard and Lisa has never seen the mess next door.

I will tell the neighbors to keep an eye out for kittens, but why?  It took two weeks to get kitty on the schedule to be sterilized.

I asked Karen for help getting the stray cat I had been feeding sterilized and maybe a new home. Big mistake. That sweet lady picked up the trapped kitty today only to find out it will be two weeks before her vet can do it.  So kitty is in her bathroom!

I researched our Humane Society, that would be an appt. and drive clear across our town. The Animal Defense League is no longer doing it, trapped cats you would have to take a course from the TNR people and be accepted, the city is no longer doing it.  Where did all that money go to the facility in the city for the program?

I think our city needs to research the ordinance that allows cats to run at large, un sterilized. No sense me suggesting that to my Council person.

So I must never feed a stray cat! Can't bring myself to go out and chase it.

I have cried today over that kitty, that is strange for me. Perhaps all the bottled up tears over losing daughter inched in.  I miss her terribly and Sunday is fast approaching when I won't see her.

Got up late this morning, 6 a.m. grey cat laying outside the door, carefully step over him as telling him to move wouldn't work. I kept a hand on the wall in this endeavor as I drag to the bathroom with him right behind. He jumps up to the sink so I can turn the water on for him to lap the drain. No matter he has a bowl of water.   I then stumble to the kitchen their bowls in hand with him right under foot.  I must of been crazy adopting him. lol

I look out the window after I feed them and there is the white and black cat waiting. So I head out to feed him/her and the little saucer is missing. Look around can't see it, pour the dry food on the patio and go in. Oh wait some time while looking for the saucer pull some weeds. So the back I thought would by pass pain medicine turned out to need it.

It's 7 p.m. I'm writing here and hear the chime on the front door indicating Wil went outside. Had to scurry out to see what he was doing. Has his sunglasses and a hat on standing on the sidewalk so I ask him to get the flag. He said that was why he went out. So I told him he could put water in the birdbath. That's what he is doing now, so I'll watch to see if he remembers the flag and comes in.  I wouldn't be to surprised if he goes around back to fill birdbaths as that is what he used to do. Well yes I will be surprised if he remembers that. He's got little short term memory as near as I can figure.

This morning I spent time watching the Insurrection hearing at the Capital as the four officers described the torment they were subjected to.  I do hope the committee can get to the bottom of all those who instigated, supported those who tried to over turn my vote along with many others and turn our democracy upside down. Every time I see those videos and remember Jan 6th I get sick inside.

On to better things.  One of my friends is coming by tomorrow with some peach pie she baked from a recipe in an Amish book I gave her. Wil is going to love it after he picks out the pecans. lol Betty is a woman that worked diligently at Carissa's house to clear a path. She did get carried away and now I have a better understanding of obsessives compulsive behavior. But she has a heart of gold.  I will not ask her to come help us get things out of the garage and shed Saturday for pick up by a mission group.

Our probate attorney is now working on the legal papers Wil and I will need to have everything in order. He talked to Wil yesterday to get his consent and it was relief to hear Wil tell him it was OK to follow my instructions. I had talked to Wil earlier about what I had instructed Joel, not that he could grasp everything he knows we have no one know to leave our little estate to.

I was surprised to learn for the medical power of attorney we do not need witness or notary. Just the Will.  So one can't go by forms they may find on the internet, they need an attorney.

Just looked at that sentence, I had buy instead of by. You should of seen how many times windows caught spelling errors.

Time to go do supper dishes, Wil just came in and told me he was going out back to do the birdbaths!  He just went out the front door instead of the back. I told him Sparkle would probably be by the back garage door so I guess he figured he'd go the long way. It is amazing how his brain works and doesn't work.

Had a lovely breeze this morning as I headed out to pick up the eye ointment ordered Monday. Haven't  been able to get away with tree trimming one day and someone scheduled to do floors. That means clear rugs, cat toys I can find. Plus strip bed. Turns out I misunderstood she doesn't do that as she works for realtors cleaning houses that are empty, like Carissa's. She just wanted to help me. So now it is search for someone as I won't have the previous person back.  She owes me for Carissa's electronics she took and wanted to buy, I won't see it, I don't care.  Well sort of don't care. I dislike people that use other people.

Next week is the second 'block' on my back to see if I can have an ablation on the area above my fusion. Apparently the ones that failed were just in the wrong place if we figured it out. I am absolutely miserable when I get up in the morning. Trouble straightening up. Of course that could be the arthritis in the spine.

Up at midnight this morning arguing with Mr.Grey it was not time to eat.  Cats can't seem to tell time, just you are up, "I eat".  I sit in the recliner with an ice pack on my back, TV on and fall asleep. Next thing I know he jumps on the recliner waking me up. He weighs around 11 lbs unless he gained since January.  He is not a lap cat, he crawls between my thigh and the arm of the recliner. He proceeds to roll waiting for me to pet him.  Every morning he does this regardless what time I sit down, regardless if I'm eating my cereal or drinking my tea.

Around 5:45 a.m. I will get up and prepare their wet food. I set his down and call Sparkle into the coloring room and shut the door so she can eat. I will color some then. When she walks away I open the door for Mr. Grey to come finish. Back to the recliner for me as I don't eat until 7 a.m. or later.  I take a pain pill at 6 a.m. or I wouldn't be able to do anything.

During the day it is one or the other that wants lap or chair time but Sparkle will come back here as she seems to know the recliner is Mr.Grey.

Thunder, a run out to get flag, wind blowing hard. Wil came and grabbed the flag until I could get it un hooked.  Both cats here with me, sign off.

Mr.Grey sticking close to me today with all the thunder. Didn't help matters I was up a 4:45 a.m. with back pain. Only one pain pill left since Dr. Carl forgot to order them Friday. I have never run out but I've had some horrible back days. (Wanted to show a picture, PSP froze).

 I'm coloring before breakfast. He couldn't lay in the chair since the pole for Carissa's grave is laying there.  Can't remember the verse, I'll show it when I get it down there which isn't going to be soon.

Liz called me this morning, the HOA did not goof, the buyer didn't get the money in when it was due.  She is still hopeful that sometime this week we can do it.

I tried to schedule my drivers license renewal for next week but the online computer stuck it with this Friday.  So this morning I went in and cancelled since my eyes are acting up and part of that is read an eye chart.  The vials doctor said to try just flooded my eyes which makes me think dry eyes may not be the problem. This morning I called and made an appointment and now I have to find a driver.  Sent an email to Verlena as she is familiar with the place.  Hope to hear from her soon so if I need to make other plans I can work on it.  It's a shame the ride share program apparently ran out of money.

By the way, the blue notebook has colorings done that I liked, the plastic bin has books to do and the small thing in between also has more to color.  I kind of wonder what to do with them now if I ever finish any. No one to leave those too either. Perhaps donate them to a Nursing home for residents to look through?  Who knows.

Mind just came to a halt.

They've known how long but chose to be "processing" when tomorrow WAS closing on the house. Yeah it ticks me off. Plus I didn't realize today would be considered a holiday at doctor's offices so I have one lousy pain pill since the Dr. forgot to order them Thursday!   Wonder how many aspirin I could take without tearing up my stomach?

Did some research on VA facilities. I am going to have to explain to Alice again... there is no choosing in case I die before Wil. They will have to send a team to assess him and TX has 2 facilities, one in Kerrville, one here. They have places under contract but I doubt I can get a list and it will be their decision if I'm gone.  It is hard to explain to a 'civilian' who can pick and choose.

I've also got some choosing on beneficiaries when it comes to the IRA. Plus a list to go with or in the Will what friends will get things like Scott's scrapbook and motorcycle jacket witch will go to Tommy and my journals to Sandy. Of course I could hand them off now and that would make it easier.

Need to check with library to see since the pandemic if they will take books like they used to.

My cousin said a week ago my brother wanted my phone number for the probate attorney. That seems strange as I would think he needed my address. Can't believe Sis left me anything, not that I need one thing more in this house. Brother and Sister had blocked any calls from here so I can't call him and give it to him.

Wil just ran the toilet over. I got the plunger, obvious he didn't know what to do with it. I called Juan next door and laid old towels on the floor. Found where Sparkle hides in the garage while getting them. lol  Juan also checked the dead bolt in the garage that I couldn't get the key out of.  I need to lock that door at night and take the key out as one morning at 2 a.m. Wil had opened it, no idea what he was going to do, he had shut it when I found him.  Need to find out from ADT how I can lock and unlock their system from inside. Haven't even set the alarm when we go out any more. Probably the same way as locking it inside. Carissa had bought the little alarm for the bottom. Found out couldn't use it on the garage door as that is metal.

Brain dead, eye watering, groceries due in shortly. Eye doctor office let me know what to buy to see if the watering stops. Didn't know your eyes can be dry if they are watering.

  8:30 a.m. Tony and I headed out to Car Max. I had already done an online thing and had a quote and that turned out exactly what they offered.  Book value, $4,600 more than the fancy dealer had offered.

It did take an hour and a half to do the paperwork and cut the check. When she handed me the license plates and turned away Tony said 'let's go' and dummy here did. I hadn't been handed my paperwork and check but the lady ran me down before I got far.  Talk about feeling silly.

I only started to cry when I pulled Carissa's license out of my purse rather than mine. I hope Carissa is looking down and saying "job well done mom".  Monday the check goes into the account that will hold all estate monies.

I'm sitting here with Sparkle in my lap and I started to cry. A bad move as my sinus are really messed up and this isn't helping. For days my right eye has watered and I finally remembered what to do with it but now the nose is stuffed up.  Sparkle just made me laugh looking back while I blew my nose.  I don't ever remember any of my cats that could bend their head backwards like she does.

Wil was fine that hour, I had his breakfast ready and coffee and had put cookies in that jar. I called him while waiting, he then saw his cereal. When I got home talking about my morning it was obvious he really didn't understand. He did though that car was gone and asked who got the money so some comprehension was there.

When I put her license plates on the shelf I pulled Wil's truck plates down. Past time to bend those. He doesn't remember his truck.  I'll do hers eventually of course. Well Sparkle had enough and just got off my lap.

Think I'll go dust stuff now. That ought to help my sinus. (when done)

I got a bill on Carissa's insurance for house and car. The house has sold but doesn't close until the 6th, payment due by the 9th. So I start my way working through USAA menu, get a guy I could not understand and asked him to slow down explaining I don't hear well at 81. Next thing I know the line went into one of those sounds you get if you hit a fax line.  Dial again, this time a nice lady came on the line and hung in with me.  I had forgotten to mail them the Letters of Testamentary so had to do that as I hate their web page. Turned out my password isn't working there now. ??

I explained about the house and said I would send a check on the auto insurance as I was waiting for the title.  I wasn't the only person that didn't realize it had to come from Austin, not the Credit Union. Credit Union could save a lot of grief by telling folks that, but I do feel dumb not to realize that.

Got everything out to the mailbox, checked my email and wouldn't you know the title was coming today. LOL

Tony came over for the keys to the car as he was going to wash it for me. Had to give him money to put gas in it as well.  Sort of my good bye to it, I knew dirt was going to have little to do with what they would give me.  While he was gone I plugged info into Car Max and had to wait for him to return, I forgot the license number. I was quoted a higher price than the fancy pants dealer Alice uses.  We will see Saturday if we get to Car Max as planned.  I'm told the insurance company will refund, we will see.

I thought for a minute I would have to run my PT to the shop as I couldn't lower the windows. Went in put on shoes, grabbed purse and told Wil where I was going. Tried again, they worked, back in house to ice pack.

I'm struggling right now with a right eye that wants to water so I best do the hot compress, baby shampoo and ointment at bed time routine now.  Add that to the back that went south and requires medicine every morning when I get up and can barely walk and forcing myself to stand tall.  Don't see pain management until July 2nd.

Next on the to do list is go to the VA clinic and try to get information on available places for Wil should I die first. Then get Wills redone. Alice has agreed to be a beneficiary and wants me to have the information for her in case. Understood.

The good news for me, Carissa's 401 is now in an Inheritance IRA for me and I made the first disposition of money to two of our church's missions. They are installing a privacy fence on a mission play ground in New Orleans with one of them at the moment.  The other goes to Abundant Life Center in Malawi that she supported as do I.

God has been working overtime for us.  The cats are getting along by Sparkle's hiss at times. She's 13 yrs. old and not interested in playing. She has adjusted pretty well, last night she jumped up in the rocker and probably stayed there until 5 a.m. when she came to get me up for breakfast. I do my best to make them wait until 6 a.m.  For a person who never regained a sense of smell I can sure smell the fish I dish up for them!