Oregon Living 2023 – Blog #12 – Selling and Delivering the 5th Wheel, Hot Tub Time!, & Getting my Procedure Done!

 

Sunday, March 19^th., 2023…… The rain came back today. We had the girls out and walked and fed and Cathye had already left for church before it started to rain. I have lights laying out on the deck and we moved them and some pillows in that were getting a little wet. We’ll have to keep on that because the winds tend to blow in the rain even under the deck’s roof! Nothing else going on today. Landscaper is booked. No rv showings today. So, we rested and I caught up on races and Cat watched some of her taped programs.  

Monday, March 20^th., 2023…… Rain showers are still in the forecast and the clouds are still hanging around. But we were able to get out with the girls and they had a good walk. They get us up in the morning. Once from me and once from Cat. It seems they have our numbers! But we love them anyway! We have two rv showings today. I have been very careful so as to not have someone drive a long distance if someone else is coming to look. Today a lady was heading to us from Lincoln City, which is a 95 mile drive. She said she had two appointments today in Corvallis (we’re guessing doctor’s appointments because of the facilities there) and that she would come by afterwards. Meanwhile, I had another request to come see it, this one from someone 3.3 miles away. So, I told her to come and if she was interested, she would have to wait until the other person got here and looked. Cathye was heading off for a day with her girlfriends so I was one my own.  She (Breee – yes with three e’s!) showed up and checked out everything. She really liked the rv! She made a $1700.00 cash offer (we were asking $2000.00), which I told her I would gladly take but as we had already told her, we would need to wait until the other lady checked it out. She left and we waited but as it got later in the day, we realized we got stood up! So, we contacted Breee and asked for a deposit which she said she would bring by tomorrow. We feel pretty good about this offer going through. Only hangup is that Breee needs to find someone who can move it for her. We will both be working on that. While all of this has been going on, I have been communicating with my cardiologist’s office in Corvallis. The instructions from my doctor said he wanted me on Eliquis for 3 weeks, then I would have the cardioversion (to shock the heart to hopefully get it back into normal rhythm).  Well, Friday will be 3 weeks and I haven’t heard from the scheduler. So, I was on the MyChart message board this morning which must have gotten through to them because I received a call within minutes setting up the procedure for this Thursday. She said they would need another ekg and were sending orders to the Lebanon hospital for me to come in anytime this week for. No time like the present – and since we were going to go out this morning to run some errands - we headed over there after seeing Jamie and dropping off a mattress pad Cat had ordered for him. After the ten minute visit and test at the hospital, we stopped by Walmart before heading for lunch and then home. We only needed to let the one guy, who was also local, know that we had an offer. He was also anxious to come see it. I went as far as texting him but he never responded so that never happened.           

Tuesday, March 21^st., 2023…… Nice weather today!  Temps today are supposed to get up into the 60s, which is normal for this time of year but surprised us because we have had  several extra weeks of rain and cold. We spent the morning working on cleaning up the deck. We moved the glider from the front porch to the deck but it needed some pressure washing, which we did. Breee showed up about mid-day and gave us a sizeable deposit – so it’s officially hers now! Boy, that feels good. We offered to post a request on The Buzz, a local Facebook page here, looking for someone who might have a truck capable and who might want to earn a few bucks for an hour’s work. We will wait and hopefully get someone soon. Also this morning, even with things going on, I got a call from Patty at L&R Windows that our part for the sliding door was in and could they could now to put it in?  Heck yeah! The guy showed up alone, so I had to help lift out the heavy door so we could install the replacement part.  It took about 30 minutes (and cost us a mere $95.) but it is 100% better and works just like new now!   Later in the afternoon, Cathye got a tuna casserole going and we had a nice dinner. Then it was tv time for a while, then it was time to hit the hot tub!  Boy, we have been waiting for this forever!  We spent over an hour out there, just relaxing and drinking Fireball and enjoying the evening and each other’s company before coming in and heading off to bed. The dogs didn’t know what to do while we were in the spa. It was funny because Jama was content to just hang around in the house on the bed where she could see us, but Rylee was out there watching our every move. I don’t think she has figured out that we are in a giant pool of the water she so craves! She would want in for sure. But that is a no-no so she’ll just have to learn that. It was a Good Day!   

Wednesday, March 22^nd., 2023…… Today was moving day!  For the 5^th wheel! When Cat posted that we were in search of someone with a truck capable of moving it, she got numerous responses. We sent them to Breee with the instruction that she could have it moved whenever she made the final payoff to us. She said she had a couple who could come today after she finished work. We suggested paying them around $50. to move it and they agreed. So, around 2:30 or so, a big newer Dodge truck pulls in and turns around and gets in position. We went out and I met them – Jack and Valerie – and he and I came up with a plan. Bree showed up a few minutes later and she and Cathye got the payment and receipts and paperwork all squared away. The major problem with Jack’s truck was that it was set up to tow their 40 ft. 5^th wheel and the receiver was way up high in the bed. So, we had to jack up our 5^th wheel a bunch just to line it up. But we made it.  Second problem was that the battery in the 5^th wheel was down and wouldn’t turn the jacks. So again, we had to figure that out. We used 2 auxiliary bottle jacks to lift up the old levelers and release them so we could tow. But that went smoothly, and in 45 minutes or so, we had everything hooked up and we were off. You can see how high the 5^th wheel rides on their truck as they were pulling out….

 

I had loaded up the wooden steps that we got when we bought the 5^th wheel plus added some tools and blocks in my truck and we all caravanned the 3.3 miles to Breee’s place. She only had about 26ft. to park this so some of it overhangs the sidewalk. But that’s not on us!  Jack knows how to tow and back an rv and did an excellent job!  Once we unloaded and leveled it we were out of there!  We stopped by Jack and Valerie’s house on the way home because we found out they sell eggs and we wanted to buy some and also see their place and their 5^th wheel. All very nice. We came home and ate dinner and went out to the hot tub for a bit before coming back in and watching The Masked Singer.  I drank water before bed. It was the last thing I can do before my procedure tomorrow.    

Thursday, March 23^rd., 2023…… Rain again this morning. But very light and not an issue. We left the house around 8:30am to go pick up Penny. She would be sitting with Cathye while I was in for my cardioversion. We drove to the cardiac procedure building/facility next to the hospital in Corvallis. I checked in and we waited for 20 minutes or so before they called me back. Cat and Penny came in with me. The nurses got me prepped and an iv line going, then the assistant to the doctor, and then the anesthesiologist came in to meet and greet, and then finally the surgeon, Dr. Lindberg, came in and talked to me. The prep time was twice as long as the procedure! I would get two pads - one on my chest and one on my back and they would sedate me with Propofol (same as you get for a colonoscopy) then give me a shock through the pads to get the heart back in sinus rhythm. Everything went as planned and after only one attempt, I was back in rhythm with no issues! They wheeled me back to the room where I woke up feeling fine. I was able to go home 30 minutes or so after that. We stopped by Arby’s for lunch and headed back to drop Penny off at her house. She would be coming right over to sit with me so Cathye could make her 2:30pm massage appointment.  When she got back home, Penny left, we had a light dinner, then watched Survivor which we had on tape. By then I was tired and we went off to bed. Thanks to everyone for the calls, texts and emails and Facebook posts before and after.

Friday, March 24^th., 2023…… HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANIE!!   I woke up this morning with some discomfort. I liken it to someone hitting me in the chest!  They said this is normal and it’s not hurting, just slightly uncomfortable. And, after getting up and moving around, I don’t feel it anymore. I honestly don’t feel too different. While we were out walking the dogs, I felt about the same. Maybe a little less winded but nothing significant. But that’s fine because I was ok before. And they said it would be some time before I might notice a difference. After we fed the girls, we called Janie to wish her a happy birthday and then headed off to Kristi’s for breakfast and had a nice meal. We got home and rested for a bit.  Today was cleaning day and Cathye got started on her tasks. She is amazing! I was told to take it easy for the next couple of days but I felt that pushing the small electric Shark vacuum around the house wouldn’t be too much work.  I ran the battery down and didn’t quite finish so I took a break. A little later, atter the battery was charged, it only took a few minutes and I was done for the day. I sat around the house and watched tv while Cathye went off to pick up a few things from Walmart.  I wanted to get up on the ladder on the deck and hang the patio lights but she said, “No!”  So, I was housebound. I did sneak out and clean up around the area where the 5^th wheel was parked. Don’t miss that thing at all!  I also went online and booked a room at the Marriott Bonvoy Hotel in San Francisco (wharf area). We are going down there next month for 5 nights to celebrate our anniversary. While I booked us in there, she was working on getting a room in Napa Valley for the night before, where we will enjoy a mud bath and massage. It will be a fun trip for sure!   Cathye made chicken breasts stuffed with cream cheese and spinach and baby potatoes.  Yummy!   Later, we hit the spa. We are happy to be in there and thankful the walk from the bedroom slider to the spa and back is short because it is still pretty chilly outside!  After we dried off, we relaxed in the house and watched tv until bedtime.

Saturday, March 25^th., 2023…… Weather is iffy today. But when we walked the girls this morning, the sun was out and we had to put our sunglasses on! We fed them and then loaded up her garden wagon in the back of the truck. We were heading off to Salem to hit the annual Home and Garden Show at the state fairgrounds. But we first had to stop to get our fix of the apple pancake at The Original Pancake House. They have a few of these in SoCal so some may recognize the name. We split the meal and enjoyed every bite! 

Then we drove to the fairgrounds, parked and went in. Cathye didn’t see anyone else with wagons so she left ours in the truck for now. The show was ok. There were a lot of exhibitors trying to pull you in to “sign up for our free giveaway!” but I know how to just keep walking and say no. Cathye learned quickly as well. But we did find some great exhibits and sellers that we were looking for! She got some starter plants and amendments and such and we found several landscapers who had wonderful presentations for patios that we really liked! 

We will be thinking about a fire pit in place of the planting beds in the photos above. It’s amazing that they can come in with raw material and set up exhibits like these inside on concrete! These were full scale with waterfalls and real brick, stone, mulch, rock, etc.!  We also found a vendor with beautiful charcuterie trays and tables hand made and reasonable. So, I bought this one for her, complete with indents on one side for serving flights of drinks!

She has been talking about finding one somewhere and we will be using it a lot I’m sure!  When we got back in the truck and were heading home, I got a call from my brother-in-law, Stan. I hadn’t heard from him in some time and was just thinking about calling him so it was nice to catch up. He’s doing ok, getting ready to fly up to Seattle in June to see his youngest son. He says he will be planning a trip up here after that. We got back home and unloaded and rested from our morning. The rains hit us on the way home but so far it’s still pretty dry here. I’m sure we will get hit again today. They are saying they we could get snow down to 500’ (we are at 340’), so we’ll see. But there is clear weather coming next week so that’s always good to hear!  While I was working on my blog, I got a call from Sandie, asking about my heart health. She was concerned. We had a nice talk. Sure would like them to come up and visit when they can get away. We had leftovers for dinner and relaxed and watched our individual taped programs for a bit, then joined up and watched a few more until it was time to call it a night. Oh, yeah, the rains did hit and came in pretty hard. Can’t see that far right now, but I’m sure there will be snow in the hills later this evening!          

 

Oregon Living 2023 – Blog #11 – RV Showings, a Dr Visit, and Landscapers Abound!

 

Sunday, March 12^th., 2023……  Daylight Savings Time!  Yaay! We have heard more talks again about keeping it full time. Yeah right!  I would love to see that though!  Weather turned from a nice day yesterday to a little overcast today. Temps are supposed to stay up because we are going to get a Pineapple Express coming through. Cathye headed off to church and I stayed home and watched my taped races on tv. I have had to revert to going to Peacock to watch Motocross now but I can get that in Cat’s office, so no worries. When she got back we settled in for the day since the rains were coming anyway. She had made a run to the store and got some stuff for the week plus she also got some more chemicals for the spa. That’s going well. She goes to her doctor on Tuesday and I’m sure will be pleading to him to let her get in the water!

Monday, March 13^th., 2023……  The inspector is due today but we thought we would have time to go to breakfast beforehand. We wanted to drive up to Salem for apple pancakes and then hit Costco. First problem was when we got there, we saw the sign on the door for new hours – closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. So, we cruised around a bit and found The Acme Café. I had been once before and had lunch but never for breakfast. Well, we soon found out they have a full bar and could serve mimosas!  I was driving so I passed. Cathye had two. The meal was really good and we will definitely go back. The plan was to stop at Costco on the way back but Cat had one too many mimosas and was feeling too much out of it to be shopping! So, we headed straight home. The inspector called and was 10 minutes out. This was the same guy that gave Russ so much trouble so I was a little nervous but he has already bought off the build part and was only here for the final on the electrical. He passed that with no problems. So, the inspection s are all done and all permits have passed. So, that’s a relief!  We have just a couple of things left on our list – re-paint and re-install the tub cover lift kit, install light bulbs in the new ceiling fan, re-aim the security lights to illuminate farther across the back part of the yard, spray clear coating on the exposed wood ceiling and posts, bring up and install the fire pit, bring up and hook up the bbq, bring up the patio furniture, position and anchor the two gazebos down to the deck. We will wait until Russ gets everything clearcoated before we bring in any of the items on the deck. But still – we are happy to be this close to finishing up!

Still getting inquiries about the 5^th wheel – but no actual showings or offers yet.

Tuesday, March 14^th., 2023……  Today was Cathye’s follow-up meeting with the doctor who did her gall bladder surgery. We had to wait until the afternoon so we ran a few errands. She went over to Jamie’s to drop off his typewriter. We had to order one for him on eBay. He wants to write some letters and we have his current computer in storage (too costly to add internet to his room at his care center) and he is really old school. Anyway, we found an old Smith Corona electric and a new ribbon cartridge and she took them over and dropped them off. We left later and headed over to see Dr. Buglino. They got us in quickly and we were there only a short time. He said everything was looking good. But despite her pleas that she was ready, he gave her a big no no when she asked if she could get into our spa!  He wants at least another week for everything to heal. Next stop was Costco. We made the drive over to Albany and got that done. We came back home and I went to her Facebook marketplace account and answered inquiries about the 5^th wheel. I am coordinating all communications and scheduling days and times for people to come see it. We have one couple coming later today.

Ok, it’s later…The two ladies showed up and were very interested but after thinking it over later, they said they needed to pass because they were worried that their mom couldn’t navigate the stairs. Most of the other inquiries are folks asking questions. I think we have 7 already.    

Wednesday, March 15^th., 2023…… Weather is looking up! No rains today or tomorrow!  They say temps will be up into the high 50s and maybe even into the low 60s tomorrow. So, Russ has said he’s ready for tomorrow to come spray. Yaay!  We were up early and had some tasks today. Cathye has another inquiry on Facebook looking for a landscaper. So, she’s been getting a lot of responses on that. Plus the 5^th wheel which I am working.  

Thursday, March 16^th., 2023…… No rain but it started out cloudy this morning. Temperature was in the 40s when Jeff showed up. He was by himself and left to go get some tape and paper to go around the deck and the electrical outlets. By the time he got back, the sun was out! He got started and got the first coat on in about an hour. It is looking good. When dry, it just darkened the wood slightly, which is what we were looking for! Later, he added a second coat and was finished as Russ showed up from their other job. They cleaned up everything and were DONE! Project over. All that’s left now is for us to bring up the goodies for the deck. I also have to finish painting the metal bar for the tub cover lift and get it re-installed.

Another two ladies wanted to see the 5^th wheel and came over. But it turned out to be too big for the space they wanted to fit it in. Hey, at least we are getting interest! All of the above was done while Cathye was interviewing landscapers and job walking the property. She is definitely getting her steps in these days!

Friday, March 17^th., 2023……  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Today we got all of the stuff on the deck.  While Penny was here visiting, we asked her to help with the firepit because it was cumbersome. We used the dolly and together we balanced it and made it up a ramp and we set it in place. I needed to run to the store to get a couple of fittings for the gas line hookup but that was no problem. Penny also helped us push the bbq up on the deck and I got that hooked up as well. Later, we got the glass beads in

 

and I fired it up. It looks good and works well. 

Cathye is beat after a day and is resting after all of the landscapers she interviewed today!  I think she has one more tomorrow but has found one that she likes.  Later, we set up a meeting to view the 5^th wheel. They were coming from Dallas (about 45 miles) and wanted to come look even though it would be after work. Needless to say, they didn’t get here until it was super dark!  But, we used flashlights and they were able to check things out. No offer so we wait….

Saturday, March 18^th., 2023…… No rains today. I finally got all of the parts painted for the spa cover and I bolted that in. We moved in some chairs and brought in some rugs and laid them down. It’s coming together. We are still waiting to enjoy the spa and that will happen next week! Two scheduled rv viewings today. The first couple picked it apart and lowballed me. No way! The second party was coming from Seaside and said they would be here and even messaged us that they were on the way!  But they never showed up. We have a few folks waiting for Monday so we’ll see where that goes….

Oregon Living 2023 – Blog #10 – Recovery Time, Finishing the Deck & Listing the 5th Wheel

Sunday, March 5^th., 2023…… We had no snow this morning but it was still wet and slushy. Cathye decided not to go to church today. She is still feeling effects from surgery and just isn’t quite ready to go out for any extended time. So, I went out and got us breakfast and we relaxed and took it easy for most of the morning. I had several races to keep me busy for the day while Cathye has been watching several series from The Smithsonian Channel. She also likes Hallmark movies as well as Dateline. So, we kept busy today. Later, I went out and worked some more on the 2^nd gazebo. Slowly it’s getting done!     

Monday, March 6^th., 2023……  We were up and out with the girls around 8:00am. We fed them and then headed out for breakfast. We went to Kristi’s but found them to be closed this morning, so we stopped at Appletree instead. Not my favorite but it was open and the food was good. I contacted Brittany to ask her if she still has the ownership documents for the 5^th wheel. I have copies and I think she has the original that she took with her to the dmv (when she went to register the Jeep) to ask about next steps. We have taken pics of the 5^th wheel and will be listing it on Facebook Marketplace soon. She doesn’t want/need it now so we will be getting rid of it. We also spent some time talking about our anniversary coming up next month. We’ve talked about flying back to St. Louis and touring there and visiting her son and daughter in law in Dixon and touring Hannibal. But with all of the medical events we are dealing with right now, we have put that on hold. Maybe a shorter trip…  

Tuesday, March 7^th., 2023…… I was out after our walk this morning, working on the gazebo. All I have left are the ceiling panels but they are the hardest. The rains started so I stopped. Maybe tomorrow…  I got a call later in the day that the electricians will be coming on Thursday. They should be able to wrap up their work then. Russ still can’t clear coat yet so the conduit will be up and in place and he’ll have to work around the fans and the security lights, etc.  We both had massages scheduled today.  I suggested that Cathye check in to see if she should cancel due to her recent surgery and tender areas.  Emily thought that would be smart and would have ended up not doing too much work on her anyway.  But I went.    

Wednesday, March 8^th., 2023…… No rains today – so far!  We walked and fed the dogs and ate breakfast. Since the sun was out we went out and I worked around the yard today while Cathye went out and checked her pots and plants in the greenhouse. I got the last of the panels and the end caps on the gazebo and screwed down so I was done! 

I cleaned up the remaining deckboards and stored them away. I hope to use parts for the planters and garden boxes. We sat down and decided on where to go for our anniversary trip. It was between San Francisco (drive) or Las Vegas (fly). Neither of us had a preference so we flipped a coin and SF won!  Next up is for me to pick us out a hotel. Since we are driving and will save airfare and car rental, I will find us a nicer hotel closer in the city. I am thinking I will book us close in and around the wharf area. We’ll see.      

Thursday, March 9^th., 2023…… We were up super early this morning!  The electricians have a tendency to show up at 7:00am!   This morning Scott showed up at about 7:15am. He was by himself today but still hoped to finish up. To the extent that he had already called for the final this afternoon! Problem was he had to leave to go to an emergency call and was gone for an hour and that is when the inspector showed up! No worries, the guy was cool and said to just have them reschedule. Scott got back and got everything wrapped up and connected and working. The only thing missing was a 50amp breaker for the electrical panel. That one is for the spa but wasn’t in the parts delivery he got here today!  So, tomorrow everything will be done! Still have the clear coat to get done but we are 99% there!  

Tonight, I was on my own for dinner. Cathye went to meet up with Judy, Lyn, and Kristi at Seeds. Those girls discovered the bar area and go there for drinks and hors d’oeuvres and Cathye got an invite for tonight. I fixed myself a quick and easy dinner and settled in with the dogs and watched tv for a few hours.  It was just starting to rain when she got back home so that was good. Tv until bedtime.   

Friday, March 10^th., 2023…… Up early again this morning!  Today it was for my wellness check at my doctor’s office. I had asked for an early appointment and it was for 7:00am! No worries, I like getting these things done early in the day. I was in and out of there in 15 minutes and stopped by McDonald’s and got breakfast to take home for us.

Today was also cleaning day!  As mentioned before, we had decided to fire the housekeepers and do it ourselves. I do the floors and she does the rest. We had the housekeeper come only once a month and now we are doing it every other Friday. The good thing doing it every other week is that it’s a lot easier and lighter work that way! I used my shark portable vacuum and did the hardwood and found it had enough battery left to do the carpets in the bedrooms. So the whole project for me only took a short time. I spent some more time washing out the unit after I dumped it. The filters needed to be washed and rinsed so I did that too. Cathye was working on the mirror in our bathroom so I was able to take that over while she went on to dusting. We finished up, cleaned up, and were done for the day.  

Today (and last night) was spent answering marketplace responses to our ad selling the 5^th wheel. 

Yes, we listed it yesterday and the inquiries were coming in. We got 7 or 8 last night and two more this morning. A lot of interest but nobody has actually made it here. Of course it’s snowing in and around the valley today so the roads aren’t exactly best for driving. Most everyone says they will come on Saturday. First decent offer who can haul it away first gets it!  We’ll see…

Like I said, we had some snow today. Big flakes and it actually stuck! I think it was maybe ½ inch and it was gone in 30 minutes! Scott got back here this afternoon and installed the breaker. I received another call from his office that they have called again for the inspector who will come on Monday. Yaay!  So, we now have power and the spa available. Cathye owned this for a few years and knows how to operate and maintain it. She says we need to make a run to the store to get some new chemicals so we can run it and clean it and sanitize it and get it going! She still is banned from getting in for another 3 weeks but she can still stick her legs in!     

Saturday, March 11^th., 2023…… No rain this last few days. But it’s been cloudy and cool. Temps in the mid-40s. Tomorrow we are supposed to have sun for most of the day. We have one person coming today. She said she would be here around 1:00pm so we left around 9:00am and went to Central Bark and picked up some sawdust for the blueberries and we were out in the yard working when she got here

so we stopped to show her the rig.

. 

She liked the 5^th wheel but worries because even though it will be parked on their property it will be for her mom to live in.  She said she’s a heavier woman and has issues with steps. We told her we would include the wooden steps that we got with it. She wants to talk it over with her sister so we’ll see. We’re up to over 15 inquiries so far. Once she left we came back in. Turns out Cathye overdid it today! She was tired and sore and said even her incisions hurt!  We settled in for the evening and had dinner and watched tv until bedtime. We lose an hour to daylight saving time but I won’t set anything until tomorrow. Some of our clocks (like the oven!) automatically change so I will wait and do what’s left!     

Oregon Living 2023 – Blog #9 – It’s a Medical Week!

 

Sunday, February 26^th., 2023…… No snow today. So far! They say we could get a little later today. I brought out the cupola and got it staged. Corey will be coming over later in the afternoon to help me install it. Cathye went off to church and I settled in and watched my motocross race and then the last Nascar race from the old Fontana track. After Cat got back home, she said our new landscaper (Oliver) was coming over to go over his estimate and scope of work. She will use him in stages and they wanted to go over the schedule which is starting this week with some general maintenance. They have plans for new beds around the new deck as well as cleanup in the blueberry cage, and then new plantings all around with new mulch (aka bark dust). She is looking forward to getting going again once the weather warms up and the ground dries out. While he was here, it started to hail! After he left, I was watching tv and Cathye hollered “Hey look, it’s snowing outside!”  I texted Corey to tell him not to worry about driving out here in the bad weather just to help with the gazebo. We will wait on that so I spent the rest of the day in the house. 

Monday, February 27^th., 2023……  Today was busy for me. I have an early morning acupuncture appointment so I was up and showered and dressed and left for that. When I got back, Cathye had walked and fed the dogs. Nothing going until this afternoon when we head off to Corvallis. This time it’s my cardiologist appointment. It is my first time seeing a doctor for any heart issue. Actually, given my parent’s health history, I wanted to at least have a doctor examine me and come up with a plan.

Ok, it’s later now…  We are back from seeing Dr. Ashine. He has given us a plan for my afib… Lose some weight in the next year, stop baby aspirin, start a blood thinner (Eliquis), and schedule a cardioversion in 4 weeks or so. The cardioversion is actually a shock to the heart. It is done in an attempt to bring the chambers back to being in sync with each other (theoretically taking them out of afib). If that doesn’t work, the next step would be a catheter ablation. That would be down the road a bit.  Meanwhile, Dr. Ashine will send a prescription to both Optum RX (90-day mail order) and a short term one to Walgreens for today or tomorrow.  Anyway, we spent the afternoon picking up her prescription and finding that mine was not called in. Problem turned out to be insurance who only accepted the first one turned in to them and that was the one from Optum, which I will receive on Friday. So, I will start then.   

Tuesday, February 28^th., 2023…… We have more cold and rain expected this week. Maybe even some more snow. Well, when we woke up we saw that it had snowed last night!  Just a dusting for us here in town but schools were closed all around the state so they got more in the surrounding areas that we did. It was still on the ground but had already melted on the roads so the drive to town for our 10:00am haircuts was not a problem.  We left there and stopped by to pay Jamie’s rent at his assisted living residence and give him his allowance. The we had the day to ourselves. I had texted Russ that I had the money transfer complete and could pay him the next payment today so he came by at lunch to get it. While he was here, I had him help me hoist the cupola up and get it in place, so that’s done! In the long run, it was a better idea to do it this way because I was able to make the minute adjustments and get the panels exactly lined up while it was still on the ground. Way easier!

 

After that, I came back in to warm up.  With the weather so chilling, I don’t want to spend too much time out there. I will wait for a sunny day and warmer temps!  Electricians have work to complete and Russ says they are not scheduling much either due to the weather. That’s ok, no hurry. I did find out that our fire pit (shipping from Carlsbad CA) is almost to the transportation hub in Eugene. So that means it could be here later this week. Still no hurry. Later in the day, we got the call from her surgeon’s office. Her procedure would be mid- morning. We need to check in the hospital at 10:30am tomorrow. Cat confessed later that she has some anxiety about the surgery. We talked and I think she felt better and drifted off to sleep with little issues.   

Wednesday, March 1^st., 2023…… Today, Cathye is better but I can see she’s still a little nervous. I walked Rylee. Jama would not leave Cathye’s side in bed!  I even had to feed her there this morning. I made myself some breakfast (Cathye can’t have food or liquid this morning) and we rested until we had to leave. She checked in to the same-day-surgery area and was called back.

 

I was allowed to stay in her room before, during and when she got back. The dr. said everything went well but they did have to pull and tug a bit to release the gall bladder from around her liver. But she was doing well and could go home when the anesthesia wore off and she felt steady on her feet.  She was really woozy and out of it for longer than I expected!  But we finally got the ok to go home and she walked (with assistance) into the house and went right to bed. I got her juice and soup and then some went out to pick up her pain meds. I had to go get what they called in for her and she got that going later in the day. The surgery was laparoscopic so she has 4 entry points which are now super-glued back together! They look good now but she says they hurt like hell and are her major issue right now! The pain meds helped but she is still loopy and kept talking to me and coming up with weird statements that had no bearing on anything. Go figure!    

Thursday, March 2^nd., 2023…… After a long night, with all the talking and talking going on, I got up early and showered and she slept in while I walked the dogs and made us some coffee. She only wanted yogurt for breakfast so I got that and the coffee in to her then left to make a breakfast run to Jack in the Box for me. I got the tv in the bedroom set up and I think it helped after 17 hours of sleep. Only this afternoon did she get back to her old self and was more with it than last night! Soup for lunch and my squiggly noodle casserole for dinner. I can whip that up without too much effort and it’s pretty tasty. Time will tell if certain foods will bother her or not. But this casserole is pretty bland and she should do ok.  Problem is she is not hungry and didn’t want too much. But any food in her stomach right now is good for her.     

Friday, March 3^rd., 2023……  Another day of cold rainy weather. They say there is another cold front coming in and will be here for the next week or so. They also say it might snow again! I took the girls out for their walk and then fed them. Cat is up and down and says she wants to get better. But she is impatient and will try too much too fast!  So, I have to reel her in a bit (which isn’t easy!). Mostly her major complaint right now is being queasy. Her sutures – which are actually glued up – are bothering her. No pain in her stomach/gall bladder area and no more of the associated shoulder pain, but she has some pain in the surgery area, probably from the evasive laparoscopic instruments moving around tissue and muscle. Plus the upset stomach. So, we are going slowly. We decided to try some solid food. I asked what she wanted and she asked for fish. So, we headed up to the drive-thru fish hut here in town. They have clam chowder on Friday so we wanted some of that. She enjoyed the meal but only ate a little portion, saving the rest for another day. Tv until bedtime.      

Saturday, March 4^th., 2023…… We were up late today but I had been up earlier to use the bathroom and let Rylee out and saw it was beginning to snow! By the time we got up and going an hour later, the ground was covered. We would get about one inch this time. The streets don’t retain any of the snow so we could walk the girls. Cat said she was up to it so out we went into the snow.

Once they did their business, I turned them around so Cathye wouldn’t do too much. She was exhausted and rested with her coffee. I fed the dogs and we had breakfast and coffee and rested for the morning. Later, I went out and made a Walmart run. We needed a few things and the roads were ok. Later, I worked on the gazebo and got most of the framework in and bolted in place. I only stay out there for about an hour before coming back in to warm up and rest. So, it might be another few days before I get it completed. I did go out and uncrate the fire pit. Man, they packed it good!  But it was worth it!  I had Cathye come out to walk a bit and get some fresh air and check it out with me. We found only one area where there was a blemish and that was minimal. 

 

Only problem we found was that they didn’t include the cover in this shipment. I will need to send a text to my guy to ask him about it. For now we will leave it where it is and wait until the guys can clear coat the ceiling and woodwork before we set it up on the deck. She ate the leftover fish for dinner and I had my leftover squiggly noodles so we were both happy. We have been watching our taped shows and needed to get caught up before the new ones started. We finished watching Tough as Nails and are almost done with Special Forces – World’s Toughest Test.  We like that one!  Celebrities out in the desert for 10 days of grueling boot camp survival. Neither of us would make it one day! Speaking of survival, Survivor started this week! We always watch it same day – except this week – so we caught up. Gonna be a good series.