Spring is HERE!

We are all happy Spring is here. That means OUTSIDE time! When Shane was mowing for the first time, Wade was directing him...like an airplane. yes, those are corn cobs.




Wade had an Easter egg hunt at school. He was the only one who would go up to the bunny for a picture. It was quick, but a good one!


Finally, last Wedneday (4/20/11) we had one heck of a storm. We sat by the back sliding glass door and watched it rain and hail. No basement to sit in...and the hail wasn't that big. I love a good storm, and I want Wade to too! I don't want him to be afraid!

Easter Get-Away

Shane and I are pretty much homebodies. We like our own bed, or own house, our own little world. For Easter this year, we decided to make a journey to the Quad Cities for a couple of days to see my dad. When we first talked about this, I went in to research mode. I found a couple of adventures we could go on. The mighty Mississippi crested yesterday or today, so we got to see the flood waters on the rise.

We took off on Friday morning to take the mutt to my mom's. Visited with her a bit. Then to my mother in law's to visit her and have lunch. She had a knee replaced about 10 days ago, so we needed to check in on her anyway. Then the 3 hour drive to East Moline commenced. Wade was a trooper. We stayed in a hotel (smoke and cats are my nemesis). Wade got to swim with both Shane and I. He LOVES the water.

Saturday morning we took off for the zoo. The Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois was a little treasure. Lions, tigers, elephants and the most beautiful giraffes! I'd never been so close to a giraffe! They are elegant and beautiful!



My dad went with us and explored with us. He and Wade got a close up look at a bald eagle. They are so regal.



We also went to the John Deere Pavilion in Moline. Wade got to climb on some tractors. We are red tractor folks, but it was an adventure. Also went to the World's Largest Truck Stop on I-80 in Wolcott, Iowa. That was fun too.

On the not so exciting side...I went to see my Uncle in hospice. He has congestive heart failure. He is emaciated. He was a bear of a man at well over 6 foot tall. Now he is shrunken and withering away. He was in advertising for John Deere in his hey day. Industrial Advertising...and I'm sure he was amazing. It's sad to see him fading away. He was very with it when I was there, which made me happy. That will not be my fondest memory of him, but it will be a good one to know he knew who I was and was happy to see me.

I also got to see my 97 year old grandmother. She isn't as spry as she used to be either. It was good to see her and chat a bit too.

We are all happy to be home in our environment!

Choices

Why does it matter so much to me what choices other people make? Their choices, their life.

One person in particular has made me wonder. He chose to have an affair while married. His wife chose to not trust him and that pretty much killed their marriage (yet I fully blame him for the infidelity to begin with). He chose to move out. He chose to file for a divorce. He lost his job which caused more drama. He moved 3 hours away. The judge ordered them to spend their children's college money on their second mortgage and lawyer fees. WTH?

Now he has sold his only transportation to get out from under car payments. Now he is pretty much "borrowing" a vehicle from a friend...and she will never get a dime for it or see any gratitude. He's a louse!

Ok. vent over. Next post will be full of joy!

Foot splint

When I was in high school, I did some damage to my ankle. Probably a combination of prior years of tumbling and many years of playing soccer. I had surgery on my peroneal tendon (girls--think the one you shave on the outside of your ankle.)

We went to one quack of a doctor in Jacksonville who said it was all in my head. My ankle would swell to the size of a softball. He casted my foot and said it would get better. My dad forced him to take it off when my toes swelled and turned blue/purple.

Then off to the amazing Dr. Daniel Adair. He did the surgery that relieved me of the pain for that time.

Skip to 15 years late. Now I have super flat feet to begin with. Add to that the nerve damage from the surgery and tarsal tunnel AND plantar fasciitis. With all that I have to wear a night splint like the one seen below.



I've had my current splint for about 4 years. I wear it EVERY night, or I get up and walk like I'm 80. So it is a bit worn out. I was dreading making a podiatrist appointment JUST to get a brace. $40 copay, plus the cost of the brace. A day off work because you take an appointment when you can get it.

I decided to google it. LOW AND BEHOLD...AMAZON sold the same on I have. For $24.95 plus shipping. Even with shipping it is cheaper than going to the dr.

I'm anticipating my new brace coming soon. My foot is ready for it!