Sunday, May 5 - Saturday, May 11, 2019; Sunday, May 12 - Saturday, May 18; Sunday, May 19 - Saturday, May 25 - Highlights of previous three weeks.

Sunday, May 5 - Saturday, May 11, 2019
This is the first Sunday I've been able to "host" our sisters weekly Sisterfest this year.  Cindy was good enough to allow me to use her house for our normal 1-3pm get together.  I made a Cherry Crisp and brought vanilla ice cream.  We had a nice visit and discussed our upcoming family reunion, on Sunday, June 2.

Monday we stopped at our tax preparer's to pick up our income tax forms for 2018.
Once we left his office, we headed back to Grove to meet up with some of our good friends we met through our local Escapees group: Dennis and Pam, Phil & Janelle and Bill and Janice. We first met all three couples when Dennis was President of our Escapee RV Club - held in Grove.  We met them at the Cherokee Casino Restaurant in Grove.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal, and continued visiting for quite awhile afterwards.  Always fun to spend time with friends.

Tuesday I was back at my task to finish cleaning all the storage areas in Bentley.  I'm building a pile of things that will need to go to the storage unit soon.  I'm making good progress.  We walked this morning and I snapped this picture of the Neosho River - you cannot see the dam, due to the high water.  

Tonight we headed to Service Valley Charter Academy (part of the Oswego School District), where our grandson Jaxson attends Kindergarten, to watch the school spring program.  I was really looking forward to it.  

Giving mom or dad a thumbs up!

Jaxson is "Dinosaur Awesome"

I was so proud of this young man.  He sang out, did the hand motions and was just beaming from ear to ear with that beautiful smile of his.  He's really done well and looks forward to going to school.  All of the students did a wonderful job.  What a great job by the staff at SVCA!

Wednesday I visited beautician, Marla.  I definitely needed to see her and I think my hair looked much better when I left with a nicely trimmed do!  Back home I finished the last of the cabinets, drawers, etc. to finish up in the bedroom.
This evening I met with former classmate Jamie to discuss our upcoming class reunion in October.  We are gathering information that will be sent out to everyone soon.

Thursday Dean and I both had dentist appointments.  Fortunately the visit went well and no follow-ups are required for either of us.  Look who pulled in next to us this afternoon!!!!

Friday Dean and I went to Parsons to watch Misti graduate from Labette Community College physical therapy assistant program.  I am so proud of her.  She has worked so hard.  While she still has two months of clinicals this summer and her state exam to get through, I know she'll do great.  

Misti Dawn Blair with Mom and Dean

Afterwards we ate dinner at El Pueblito in Parsons.  They were slammed with graduates and their families.  It was well after 10:30pm before we left - they typically close at 10:00pm. 

Saturday we drove to Joplin.  Dean wanted to stop at Harbor Freight and Home Depot.  We were going to have dinner at Texas Roadhouse but once we saw the line of people "outside"  that were waiting we decided we'd go somewhere else.  Since we were close to Steak and Shake we decided to stop there instead.  We both like their burgers and Dean loves their fries.  We noticed the gas gauge was getting pretty low on the car, so we made a quick stop at Sam's before heading back home.  As we drove back by Texas Roadhouse almost an hour later, some of the same people were still waiting outside to be seated.  So glad we passed it up tonight.


Sunday, May 12 - Saturday, May 18, 2019
Mother's Day Sunday.  Misti stopped by at 7:30 this morning to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.  She was working at the golf course today.  It meant a lot that she came by to visit so early before going to work.  
Jody is having dinner at her house, so we didn't have our normal Sisterfest.  However, Cindy, Crystal and I decided to run to Joplin.  We bought a few things at Harbor Freight last night and Dean changed his mind, so I returned those.  We also visited a few other stores.  We had a nice day together, but we missed our baby sister Jody.
Later in the day Marc called and we visited for awhile, and I heard from most of Dean's boys.  Dean grilled Filet Mignon and I prepared a vegetable stir fry.  It was a perfect meal.  
Monday after breakfast, we packed Bentley up to head south to Sequoyah State Park near Wagoner, OK for our monthly Escapee casual campout.  We were looking forward to spending the next four days with our good friends.  We really love this park.  It sets right on Lake Gibson, where a large number of deer frequent the campsites.  It's also a great place to walk.  I called for our reservation early this year so we could get a good spot close to everyone else.  This year it seems a few procrastinated and we were spread out from each other.  Lol!  All in all it worked out great and as usual we managed to have a great time every day.  

These deer aren't too afraid of the campers in this park.  We love watching them.

We made our annual trip to Lopez Grill, a favorite Mexican Restaurant of our hosts Phil & Janelle.  Dean and I really like it and look forward to going every year.  
Tuesday evening we had our pot-luck.  Phil smoked pork butts (as always, they were delicious) besides the many other side dishes and desserts that were provided.  Yum!  We never go hungry at these get togethers.

Enjoying the campfire!

Are you looking at me?

Wednesday we had leftovers from the night before and just enjoyed spending time with each other.  
Thursday Dean and I had to drive to Tahlequah for my 6 month CT-scan and pulmonary function test (PFT).  I have an appointment with my lung doctor on the 20th.  Fortunately, I was able to get all of the test results to take to the appointment with me on Monday.  We ate at a great new restaurant afterwards in Tahlequah called Newk's.  We had never heard of it before, but we will definitely return here when we are back in the area.

Enjoying the evening

Friday morning came all to soon and it was time to pack up and head back to Oswego.  Couldn't resist this picture at Big Cabin when we stopped long enough to use the restroom (in Bentley, of course).  Big Boy in Big Cabin!

Once home, we quickly got Bentley set up, then changed into old clothes and headed to the garage.  We had a 3 cubic yard dumpster delivered to the house this past Wednesday while we were gone.  Dean wanted to get all of the stuff he had gathered up in bags put in the dumpster before it rained.  The rain started yesterday and continued on through the night and into today, so I took advantage of the time to do a little cleaning and laundry.  
On Satruday, Brett called to see if we'd like to come to his house around 2-3 this afternoon.  He was having a cookout for some friends and co-workers.  I made a dessert, we call Angel Food Delight.  Angel Food Cake torn into bite size pieces, with 1 box of strawberry jello mixed with 1 boiling hot water, stir to dissolve, add a 10 oz container of strawberries (partly thaw an hour or so before adding).  Once strawberries have partly or totally thawed, add 1 carton of Cool Whip - mix well and pour over Angel Food Cake.  Refrigerate until ready to eat.  DELICIOUS!
We had a good time and got to meet several of the people that works for him as well as a few other friends.  I snapped this picture on the way home.

Sunday, May 19 - Saturday, May 25, 2019  
Sunday, after church, our sister Crystal picked us up and we headed to Joplin to see our step-dad and Verna.  Crystal made a dessert and Verna made a couple of treats too.  I only had small helpings, but still, I ate too many desserts.  No more sweets for me for a while.  We had a great visit with them before heading back home.
Monday, Dean and I both had appointments with our primary care physician.  She was happy with both of us on our weight loss and with my blood test results.  I asked her about my left ankle that was swollen.  It has been bothering me off and on for a week or two. She thought it was probably some irritated tendons and suggested taking ibuprofen for a week or two and gave me some exercises to do as well.  Other than that all was good.
When we first arrived in Joplin this morning, we ran my test results by Dr. Slocum's office so he would have a chance to review them before my appointment with him right after lunch.  We had a quick lunch at Golden Corral before heading to his office.  What a great day it turned out to be!  When he walked in to the room, we said our hellos and then he informed me that I stop taking my prednisone immediately.  He told me I needed to have one last follow up testing (ct-scan only - no PFT) in one year and if all is well at that time, I will no longer need to see him.  WOW!  I was so happy.  My first appointment with Dr. Slocum was May 31, 2017 and less than 2 years later I am off the medication.  I could not have been happier.
As Dean and I left his office, we made it to the car just in time.  The sky opened and it poured on us as we drove home.  
Tuesday I was up early to take my cousin Barbara to Parsons for a follow-up after her cataract surgery yesterday.  It rained on us on the way up and the way back.  Her visit with the doctor went well.  On the drive to the doctor's office the roads were clear but when we left 30 minutes (or less) later, we went through water twice, that was within a foot or two from the center line on East Main in Parsons.  I'm glad the heavy rain occurred while we were inside (so I didn't have to drive in it.)
Once back at Bentley, I changed clothes as I am having lunch with my friends Peggy & Linda.  We had originally planned to go to Joplin for lunch, followed by visits to some flower shops.  With the change in the weather we decided to just have lunch.  Our first selection was to try out the Erie, KS Golf Course Cafe.  However, once we arrived we found a note on the door saying it was closed, as their employees were flooded in.  So, back to Parsons we went.  We decided on Ernesto's Mexican Restaurant.  I can't remember the last time I was here, and I wondered why.  It was really good.  We enjoyed our visit together and decided we would try to get together again in June.
Wednesday I contacted LouAnn with RV Insurance Benefits to discuss health insurance options.  After our visit I decided Dean and I should talk it over before making a final decision.  With all of the rain and crazy weather we decided to drive over to the storage shed to make sure no water made it into the unit with the wind we've had recently.  We could not find any signs of it.  On the way back Haleigh called and said the wind was blowing like crazy in Oswego and her mom was in Pittsburg.  We were on our way to pick her up when Misti called to tell me she was heading back to Oswego with some friends.  It started hailing, and a piece of ice hit and chipped the corner of one of the back windows, within seconds larger hail knocked the entire window out.  It was raining and hailing so they stopped at the Kansas Crossing Casino to get out of the weather.  There were employees at the door telling them to hurry and get inside.  A tornado hit just across the road and north of the casino and damaged a number of homes.  I'm so thankful for God's hand on Misti and her friends during this time.  
Thursday was Dean's sister Marie's birthday, and my neice Amy's as well.  Happy birthday to two special ladies.  Even though it is warm outside I had some ham left over from the  smoked ham Marc & Jen gave us at Christmas and I've been craving ham and beans.  We had them for dinner and they were delicious!  One of my favorite meals!  
We walked this morning (a break in the rain) and here are a few pictures of the Neosho River.

The river is out of its banks and in the adjoining field.  Compare to the picture on May 7 earlier in this post.

A close up where the river is so high it is flowing across the county road into the adjacent field

This is the "Danny Elliott Memorial Park" - almost entirely under water now.

Fog on the river!

This was taken from the Neosho River Bridge east of Oswego - that is the train crossing bridge you see.  The water has risen even more in the past few days.

Neosho River - Chetopa, KS

Chetopa, KS River Bridge on the Neosho River

Chetopa City Park east of the River - normally not under water.

We drove north to look at the Neosho River that flows under the bridge east of Parsons.  It was out and into some of these buildings east of the bridge.

Managed to get this beautiful sunset.

Friday was our grandson Logan's birthday.  I can't believe he is 20 years old today.  Time goes by so quickly.  I can still clearly remember the day he was born and now he's off serving our country in the Navy!  I'm so proud of him.
About mid-morning Cindy and I headed to Pittsburg.  I needed to pick up our mail and I needed a few things from Walmart.  Most of the stops Cindy suggested, and I had no problem agreeing with her - Penney's, Gordman's and Maurice's (where I bought a pair of jeans) at the Mall, Big Lots and after Walmart we stopped for a burger at Sonic.  Oh, how I miss our Sonic in Oswego!
Cindy and I have been talking about trying out the new to us restaurants in our area, and decided we should try one for dinner tonight, so we'll discuss it with the hubs when we return and see what happens.
After checking with the guys back home, they were both willing to try a new place.  We picked Elmer & Cindy up and where did we go - but back to Pittsburg.  We had heard about Farmhouse Cafe, especially about how good the fried walleye dinners were.  We decided to check it out.  Now first looks of the outside might make you wonder about it, but the food was really good and the walleye was delicious.  Elmer, Cindy & I all had the walleye (fried) and Dean had chicken fried steak.  We were all very happy with our choices and wouldn't hesitate to return.
We've had rain almost every day this week.  It's getting old and the flooding and tornadoes occurring around us is concerning to everyone.
Saturday, May 25 - They were calling for bad storms in our area this evening.  Cindy invited Dean and I out to play cards with her and Elmer.  Misti and I touched base about the storm and what we would do if we needed to go to a shelter, so we would know where each other was.  Fortunately for us we did not experience any significant weather but a number of neighboring communities had heavy rain and some tornadoes occurred near Carl Junction and Oronogo, MO not too far from us, where some family and friends lived.  There was significant damage in a number of towns, besides the two mentioned.  In addition to the storm damage heavy rains only added to already swollen lakes, creeks and rivers. 
Fortunately for folks living in Oswego, we are located on a bluff above the Neosho River (which often goes out of its banks during these heavy rains).  While it's not a threat to the citizens in the city limits, there are a number of friends and family members who can, and have been impacted by rising flood waters so it is a big concern to all of us when these rains continue on for days on end.