How things are going...

I returned to Leitchfield on Saturday, February 13. I had gone home on Monday night because they were predicting snow that night and I had a doctor's appointment I needed to keep on Wednesday.

I was sick the entire time I was home! I have tried and tried to figure out what it was and now think I may have had food poisoning. I ate a chicken salad sandwich from the Five Star in Bardstown on the way home Monday night. It tasted okay but the symptoms began the next day around noon.

On Tuesday I went to visit Elizabeth and Case. We ordered cheese sticks from Pizza Hut. They were delicious but after lunch my stomach started cramping. I went home because if it turned out to be something contagious I didn't want Elizabeth or Case to get it. By the time I got home I was so tired. I had problems all afternoon.

The nest day, Wednesday, I went to my doctor's appointment. My temperature was normal but I was beginning to feel lightheaded. The mole I was so worried about turned out to be nothing to worry about! Dr. Eldridge and I talked about my taking care of Mama and the household. He reminded me that if I broke down from doing too much, it would not help anyone. He told me to take some time each day to rest. He said he was talking to me like a father. I told him he sounded more like my husband, John. Then he replied, "Well then, John is right." He told me there was no big red S on my shirt and that I wasn't superwoman. I could easily over work myself and become sick. I told him that I'd already come to that conclusion and had cut back on what I was doing each day. He told me I could quit taking the Aromasin. The trials that looked so hopeful were not panning out and there was no proven benefit to taking the medicine longer than five years.

He said, "I'll see you in three months." That surprised me since I've been on six months appointment for almost two years. I asked for a last week of the month appointment.

My lunch with Jeanie Dunn was canceled right before I left for the doctor. She couldn't get out of her driveway. That turned out to be a good thing since I spent the rest of the day in bed.

That evening we had dinner at Amy and Tim's. Amy had made tacos, double thick iced brownies, and numerous things to drink. I was almost afraid to eat but was able to eat a soft taco and drink some tea. There was no way I could risk the brownie. I spent that evening in bed.

Thursday I was supposed to go to Elizabeth's but couldn't. I spent that day in bed. (I was in bed but also in the bathroom.) I also missed the boys basketball game! :(

Friday I was able to be up a little. John took me, Elizabeth and Case to the mall to return the slide saver. I ate part of a Great Steak sandwich and drank the drink. Then we watched Case play in the indoor playground. I spent that afternoon in bed. We went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I ordered mashed potatoes, a piece of toast with honey, and a glass of low fat milk. The waitress was concerned. She has waited on us before and is very sweet and kind. She was even more concerned when I couldn't eat even half of the mashed potatoes. Went home and to bed. Later that night I packed my basket and put my hanging clothes together in the closet.

Saturday morning I felt a little better and went to see the boy's basketball game. It was a blowout! Griffin made two beautiful baskets and Cy was scoring repeatedly. I almost felt sorry for the other team.

John and I went to Wendy's for lunch and then home where he packed my car. Of course, MS had called to ask where the other two checkbooks were. She said Mama wanted to write her a check. By the time I called back Mama had found the checkbooks and written the check.

I left home upset and almost angry about all the money MS had spent in four days. I listened to part of a book on tape but realized it wasn't helping so I switched to praying about it and then turned on the country music. As I was breezing past Bardstown I called MS to tell her where I was so she could get ready to leave. While I was on the phone with her I realized that God had answered my prayer and changed my attitude.

I drove the rest of the way home listing to the CD Elizabeth made for me. As I drove down Holly Hill Lane, I saw a big white truck and MS's car by the mailbox. MS had gotten stuck in the mud and Caleb had come to pull her out. I got in okay and another blessing, Caleb took my basket and clothes upstairs for me! It was good to see Mama looking busy. She had on Daddy's boots and was working in the kitchen. It was also good to see Sam. I love that dog! I can't believe it but I really do love him. I've never felt this way before. If he does something he shouldn't, I correct him (and don't feel bad about it either) but I'll also take up for him when needed.

Later that afternoon I went to get dog food and milk. Guess where I ended up? In MS's ruts. Jeremiah came and pulled me out! When he got ready to leave he said, with a big grin, "Aunt Linda, you'll need to go to the car wash." I did! I actually went through twice and there were still spots of mud on the car. I wiped them off with an old rag. I probably could go through again later this week if we can get out of here.

Mama looks well but still sleeps most of the day. Dr. Lee's office called to say her parathyroid numbers were way too high. He put her on Vitamin D3 and will recheck her in a month!

I slept well on Saturday night, my feet finally got warm, and I woke Sunday feeling like myself again.

Monday, today, woke to another inch of snow. It look so pretty but it also pretty much will keep us in today and they are predicting another 3 to 4 inches today and tonight.

I'm going to the barn today to get a bunch of tobacco sticks. I'd thought of getting some construction stakes but Mama said there were plenty of tobacco stick in the barn and that I should use them. I'll cut them in half on the table saw and then go out and stake one side of the driveway so we will not get caught in the muddy bog again.