Tuesday, December 11, 2018 to Monday, December 17, 2018 - I'm Ready to get Back to Daily Posts!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

I haven't been setting my alarm since we were in Chicago - and after forgetting to reset it when we got back I've enjoyed it not going off, but I still wake up about the same time and I'm ready to get up and start the day.  

I felt great this morning - no pain in my neck whatsoever!  I'm so thankful!  

For most of today it was pretty routine - laundry, dishes, made a grocery list, you know - stuff; and I finally finished preparing Christmas presents by adding paper tissue to the bags I had already filled with presents.  I also worked on the blog to make sure all of the pictures were included.  

Later in the day, Dean and I drove to Pittsburg to pick up our mail.  While there we mailed  Christmas packages to Matt and Heath's family and returned some shoes I ordered from Amazon that did not fit me.  (My least favorite thing to buy is shoes!)

Afterwards, we stopped at Walmart to pick up several things we needed, before heading back home, where we enjoyed watching Country Music's Christmas Special.

Tomorrow we need to be up early to pack everything up in Bentley so we can move it to Chetopa RV to have some work done.  

It's hard to believe that in two weeks we will be on our way to south Texas - as long as the weather cooperates!

Thanks so much to all of you that follow our blog.  I've tried to read most of the blog posts I receive but haven't had time to respond to many - in fact very few with all that's been going on this week.  I hope to get caught up soon, although things are going to get busy again between now and the time we are scheduled to leave.  We still have some routine doctor appointments on the calendar, our "Blackledge" Christmas this Sunday, and spending a day with Jaxson next week.

May God bless each one of you!


Wednesday, December 12, 2018 

As I mentioned yesterday we need to have Bentley to Chetopa by 10am this morning.  The bad thing about being in one place for weeks or even a month or more at a time, you tend to leave more "stuff" out and of course I had to pick all of that up this morning and get it secured.  Since Christmas is right around the corner, I also have several Christmas presents taking up half of the couch plus there are several on the floor.  I had to find a place to store them for the move too.  It took a little thought, but we got it done and pulled out of the RV Park about 9:40.  It only takes about 10 minutes to get to Chetopa.  Dean backed the RV into a bay shortly after we arrived.  We spent a little time trying to determine where the board that operates the level up system and other operations (slides, outside light, front landing gear, awning, etc.) was.  We stayed in case we needed to move something out of the bay(s) or somewhere within the unit.  They found it fairly quick in the back of the cabinet where I store my coffee "stuff" above the coffee maker.  I had never noticed the back panel was secured with screws!

Once that was found, Dean and I headed to Joplin.  We are going to pick up Verna, my step-dad's wife, and take her to lunch at Golden Corral.  We chose it because it's near their house and it's easy to get to.  We had a wonderful visit with her.  After lunch, we dropped Verna at home.  We needed to stop at Lowe's so Dean could get some angle iron to make a stand for the new satellite dish.  The one he made for our Tailgator is too small.  He wants to get a new one built before we leave for Texas.  Fortunately we found exactly what he needed at Lowe's, and were soon our way.  Our next stop was at Mercy Hospital to see my nephew Wade.  Other than looking tired, he looked really good compared to the last time we saw him, while he was still in a coma.  He was sitting on the couch and it was just wonderful to see that.  We visited for about 10-15 minutes before someone from the lab came in to start poking on him.  We decided that was a sign to head out, so we said our goodbyes.  Fortunately he may get to come home on Friday, so we are praying that will happen.  I'm sure he'll get more rest at home.

Our next stop was to see my step-dad Larry.  He is at a rehab center right now to help improve his walking and steadiness after being down for several days.    He looked really good and we had a great visit with him and Verna for an hour or more.

We stopped in Chetopa to pick up Bentley.  Unfortunately, they sent the wrong board so they had to order a new one.  There were two parts.  One worked fine and it is done - which is the actual panel Dean uses to lower the front landing gear and then level the RV, but the panel/board that goes inside in my "coffee cabinet" is the one that had to be reordered.  Fortunately our dealer lives here in Oswego and will stop by on his way home to install it rather than have us move again.   I am extremely thankful for that.  Moving isn't that bad - but to pack up for a 10 minute drive, for maybe a 30 minute fix and then back home - ugh!!!  Especially since we have been so busy.



Thursday, December 13, 2018
 Today was a fun day for me, and Dean has a dentist appointment to get a filling.

I went on an outing today with two very dear friends, Peggy & Linda.  We try to get together two or three times a year for a day of lunch, catching up and sometimes a little shopping.  We had talked about going to Grove, but we decided that would be a long day and with the holidays something closer by might work better.  We drove to Parsons (25 miles) and had lunch at the Remnant Cafe.  It's been quite awhile since I've stopped in there.  Their special for the day was Tomato Bisque Basil Soup - my favorite!  We each had a sandwich and a small bowl of soup - perfect for a rainy day.  Yes, it decided to rain on our parade a bit today but it didn't stop us from having a great day catching up with each other.

We enjoyed visiting during and after lunch well over an hour.  George's Hallmark is across the street and I wanted to pop in there to see about a "First Christmas Ornament" for our newest grandson Sam.  Even though I am not putting a tree up this year, I will want an ornament for him and any other grandchildren we might have, so all grandkids will be accounted for when I do have a tree again someday.

When we stopped at Linda's to let her out, she asked Peggy to wait a minute while she went in to get us each a tin of chocolate bonbons she made for us.  Oh my goodness!  They were delicious!  I am going to try and stretch them out but they are so tempting, I'm not sure how long I can hold out.

When I returned home, I immediately noticed Dean put this together for me.  My sister-in-law RuthAnn told me about this stool.  I can't quite reach the floor with my feet when sitting in my chair.  While I use the reclining part quite a bit sometimes I enjoy just sitting.  With this stool it is so much more comfortable and I love it!  

It has several angles.

Today was my daughter's last final for her fall semester classes.  She has enrolled in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program through Labette Community College in Parsons.  I texted her to see if she had found out how her finals went.  We were not surprised that she passed them all.  It's a huge decision to give up a job you've had for many years in order to go to school full-time.   I am extremely proud of her for making the decision to do this.  It's not been easy but she's worked really hard and it paid off.  Now, just one semester to go!  

This evening we traveled to Columbus, Kansas (15 miles east of Oswego) to enjoy the Christmas Program at Columbus High School.  Our grandchildren Dacy (JR) and Tucker (SO) are both in the CHS Band.  Columbus has an amazing band and we always enjoy attending their concerts and tonight was no different.  Dacy plays the clarinet and Tucker plays the tuba, and baritone too, I think.  He's played the drums as well.  It was a great way to top off a wonderful day!

Columbus High School Band

Tucker, Papa, Nana and Dacy

Tucker, Brett (Dad) and Dacy

Tucker, Renae (Mom) and Dacy

Friday, December 14, 2018

I had an appointment to get my hair cut this morning.  One more thing off the list of things to do before we leave in twelve days.  

My nephew Wade was released from the hospital today.  We are so thankful that he is doing so well.  At this point we are not sure how long before he'll be able to return to work.  I'm sure being at home with his family will be good medicine for him though!  Thank you to everyone who kept him in your prayers.

Our "Blackledge Family Christmas" is Sunday, which includes my three sisters and their families.  We also invite our Aunt Betty and her daughter Barbara, as well as our stepdad Larry and his wife to attend.  Unfortunately Larry & Verna, and Wade, Devon & Peyton won't be able to attend this year.  I had gone to the store to get a few things I needed for my contribution to Sunday's dinner but realized I forgot to get a loaf of french bread to make bread pudding.  While talking to my sister Cindy, she told me they plan to go to Parsons later.  She said she'd pick a loaf up for me.  Yea! for sisters!!

I realized this afternoon that I was in charge of bringing the rolls so I had to make a grocery run for those - and once we returned home it hit me - what I am going to do with them?  I don't have the room in my freezer.  Fortunately, my daughter Misti had room in hers!!  Thank you Misti!!

Our dealer stopped by about 5:00.  The panel was installed in no time but it needed to be programmed.  The instructions were not very clear.  Dean looked on YouTube and was able to find information on part of it, but not all.  He'll get back with us next week - which is fine.  We aren't going anywhere for over a week yet.  With all we've had going on this is a minor thing for the moment.



Saturday, December 16, 2018

It was a busy day getting ready for tomorrow.  I had laundry to do, and it is finally staying warm enough we can leave the water hose out overnight.  The weather from now until we leave looks great and we shouldn't have to worry about leaving it out all night until we pick it up as we leave Oswego.  This is the December weather I prefer.  50+ weather is forecast during the day for the remainder of our time here.  If the wind is not blowing it is perfect sweatshirt weather.  Dean is looking forward to getting some golfing in since he is now finished with doctor appointments.  Wish I could say the same - I still have two more to go!

I made pecan pie bread pudding (thanks to Pam's sister for the recipe) and oatmeal cake (a long time favorite of mine and my sisters).  My mom used to make it all the time.  I mentioned making it recently to my Aunt Lil and she said her mom, my Grandma Stapleton used to make it - so it's now in at least it's fourth generation of making our family happy---maybe more!

As I started cutting up the bread for the bread pudding this is what I found about 1/4 of the way into the loaf.  I'm sure glad Cindy picked up a good sized loaf.  I had just enough bread!

I let it cook, while I made the oatmeal cake.  Last time I made an oatmeal cake, it fell on one end, so today I took a few extra measures.  I made sure I tapped the entire pan on the counter several times to get the air bubbles out, then I turned it half way through the baking process.  There was not one indention in that cake at all - perfect!  Then the brown sugar icing with nuts and coconut went on top and back in the over for 5 more minutes!  I can't wait to have a piece tomorrow!

I realized late in the afternoon I had not purchased gifts for our exchange at the dinner tomorrow, so off to Dollar General to get those and a couple of gift bags to put them in.

Between the cooking, the laundry, the kitchen clean-up, going to the store and just general everyday house duties the day flew by!

It felt good to set down and rest.



Sunday, December 17, 2018

After getting ready this morning, I still needed to make macaroni and cheese.  I prefer making it the day of.  I needed to have everything ready to take to the Oswego Community Center by 9:30 this morning as we need to drive to Parsons and pick up grandkids, Kamron and Jaxson.  Marc is rushing to get Christmas gifts completed for customers who have ordered gifts from him.  We took time to visit with Marc for a few minutes before heading back home.  

Back at Bentley we loaded up the food, presents and a few utensils.  Crystal was already there and had the door open for us.  Dean helped carry everything in and then he went back home.  He will bring the rolls back at 12.  Crystal, Jody, Kamron and I set up the tables and chairs.  Jody's husband Mark came out and he helped us finish up, including putting table paper on each of the tables.   There was tea and lemonade to make for drinks, and in no time it was 12:30 and everyone else started showing up.  We had a feast fit for Kings and Queens - well, almost!  So much food!  It was all delicious though!

Before everyone could get away we took pictures:

Lonie, Dempsey, Rye and Crystal Addis

Tim, Kennedy, Melissa and Hannah Lewis (Cindy's youngest daughter, Melissa)

Kass, Dani, Nikki and Ty Lewis (Cindy's oldest daughter, Nikki)

My mom's oldest sister, Aunt Betty and her daughter Barbara Ann Hampton

My gorgeous daughter, Misti Dawn

Me, Kamron, Jaxson and Dean (Papa)

Mark & Jody Nading

Cindy and Elmer Sparlin

Cindy and Crystal put together gift bags for the little boys - my grandson Jaxson (6), and Crystal's grandson Dempsey (4).  

Aunt Crystal/Nana with Jaxson (red shirt) and Dempsey.

Cheesing it up!

Having fun checking out the loot in their bags they received for Christmas.

The bags included several things to play with and some snacks to keep them busy while the rest of us participated in a gift exchange game that Cindy's granddaughter Kennedy put together for us.  She made this sign showing us what we should do with our presents after each person rolled the dice.  It was fun and we had a good time.

After the presents were opened.

After opening our gifts ($3-5) so everyone could see, Cindy announced she had two group games for us.  The first one was the boys against the girls.  She purchased pink and blue balloons.  The 12-14 year old kids blew up the balloons for us to use.  We had to put the balloon between our legs and walk/run/jump to the other end, and then back.  Which ever team finished first was the winner.  This was a great time and the room was filled with laughter and encouragement from team members!  

If you can jump like Kennedy - it works well!

So much fun!!

Crystal looks a little like Frankenstein going after someone except she's much better looking!

Daughter Misti and Kass racing toward the turnaround point!

The next game she had for us was equally fun!  She gave 21 red solo cups to two players.  They had to race each other to see who won by stacking them up in a triangle without toppling them.  The winner got to pick a prize.  My granddaughter Kamron beat her cousin (Cindy's grandson) Kass (they are a month apart in age) in the first round.  Kamron then went on to beat two or three others before finally losing.  It was alot of fun and we enjoyed our time together.

Jaxson played his own game!

Ty vs. Kamron

Aunt Cindy vs. Kamron

Aunt Misti vs. Kamron

Misti vs Dani

Misti vs Kass

Of course the next part was the cleanup - which goes fast with many hands to help.  The guys are always good to put up the tables and chairs and sweep the floors for us.

Jaxson wanted to go home with his Aunt Misti.  We dropped both of them and Kamron off at Misti's before heading home to unload the leftovers (way too many).  I changed clothes and then realized I did not get the pans I borrowed from Misti that I used for the rolls.  I called Crystal.  She had the keys to the community center, so she picked me up and took me to get them.  I had her drop me off at Misti's.  When I walked in Misti was playing a version of Jinga with Kamron and Jaxson.  There was quite a bit of laughing and squealing going on each time they managed to pull one more block out without it tumbling down.  I washed the pans and then joined them.  

Afterwards, Jaxson gave Misti a lesson on tsunamis, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, hurricanes, lunar eclipses, trajectories and every planet (including listing them in order with facts about each.)  He is like an encyclopedia.  If he hears it he retains it.  What a gift! Unfortunately I had to break up their fun so we could take them home.  We were just leaving Oswego, when their dad sent me a text, "Are you bringing the kids home?"  I guess he thought we might just keep them!  

It was a great day and I enjoyed having the time to spend with each of my sisters, their spouses, our kids, our nieces and nephews, and my aunt and cousin.

While I thought the evening would pretty much end there once we returned home I realized I did not have my jacket.  I checked with Crystal to see if I left it in her car, checked with Misti to see if I left it there, and then I realized I might have worn it when we picked up Kamron and Jaxson, so I asked Kamron if she could find it - no luck at all.  I knew it had to be somewhere - but where?  Maybe tomorrow when I have some rest I'll remember what I did with it.

I have to go to Joplin tomorrow and since Misti's free for the next several weeks until school starts again, I asked her if she'd like to ride along with me.  She will let me know in the morning.



Monday, December 17, 2018

I have an eye appointment with my ophthalmologist at 10:30 this morning in Joplin.  Misti sent me a text early this morning that she would go with me.  I told her I'd pick her up a little before 9:30.  I wanted to visit with my friend Carol (who was my "right hand" when I was working, and now does my former job) this morning before I left.  I told Crystal I would take the Community Center keys back to the City Office this morning so I could visit with Carol.  Unfortunately, she wasn't there today, so I'll catch up with her later.

This left me with some time to kill.  I drove by my Aunt Lil's thinking I might visit with her for 20 or so minutes before I picked up Misti, but she wasn't home.  In order to kill a little more time, I drove through the park.  Our park is so beautiful.  I never get tired of driving or walking through it.  I still had almost 25 minutes before I was to pick Misti up but I stopped at her house anyway.  I could use her facilities before we left and I didn't mind waiting.  She was ready not long after I arrived so we headed to Joplin 15 minutes early.  I'm sure glad we did.  I had to fill out all new paperwork today which took me most of my waiting time to complete.

When I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis about 18 months ago, my doctor told me I needed to see an ophthalmologist (Dr. Jordan) as granulomas can present themselves in the eyes.  Fortunately, that has not occurred with me.   Dr. Jordan will continue to check them while I am being treated for the sarcoidosis.  He did tell me I now have the start of cataracts in both eyes, however, they are not bad enough to do anything with them right now and it will probably be a few years before I will need to.

By now it was 11:30, so Misti and I had lunch at El Vallarta.  I ordered a cheese enchilada dinner, and Misti had the Emely Special - which looked delicious.  It was rice, chicken and sauted vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, yellow squash, carrots and zuchinni) covered with cheese sauce.  A new place for Dean and I to try out as I think we would both love it and it is plenty big enough to share!

I had several stops to make before we headed back to Oswego.  We made several stops before we headed home.  I dropped Misti off then headed home for a short while. Dean and I visited for a bit about the day, then we left to pick Misti and Haleigh up.  We are headed to Parsons to watch Kamron's basketball game which starts at 5.  On the way there I was going to look something up on my phone and I could not find it.  I decided I must have left it at home.  I was irritated with myself as I was unable to take any pictures at the game.  Kamron played another good game tonight, and we really enjoyed watching her again!  This is the last game we'll see of this season as Christmas break starts Wednesday afternoon. 

Afterwards we went to dinner at Chinese Chef where we visited over our meal.  Misti and I both needed a couple of things from the store so we made a quick stop at Walmart's.  Shortly after we got back in the truck someone's phone started dinging like crazy.  Everyone said what's that?  I said it sounds like my phone!  I have it set to provide updates from various apps every 10-15 minutes.  Sure enough it was my phone - it had dropped down between my seat and the console!  Frustrating - because I didn't get any pictures of Kamron tonight!

We made it home with no other issues.  I have to say I was glad to finally just sit in my chair and relax while we watched the end of a Christmas movie.  Dean turned on something else after that.  The next thing I know he's asking me if I'm ready to go to bed.  I'm not sure how long I was asleep in my chair.