Thursday......

 Yesterday our sweet boy Murphy had a birthday..#2. Lisa and I serenaded sang happy birthday and  he ignored us! Sunday he will visit the groomer...right now he looks like a teddy bear...love the scruffy look. Lisa and I took him to McDonald's for an ham and egg breakfast sandwich. He loves to go for a ride. All he has to see is Lisa and I grab our handbags or hear the word car or ready and he is at the back door!

Alan is very happy to be back home and returned to his own job yesterday. Yesterday was my first Physical therapy day. Matthew was very nice and realistic. I have a few exercises to do at home and will return for 2x a week until September 1st. I see the doctor just before so we will see what he thinks. I woke this morning with such aches and pains! As soon as the foot is better.... soon I hope, I will see the hand surgeon. I think one of my  right hand fingers is beginning Dupuytren's contracture. Very difficult at times to use my hand.

Tomorrow Lisa and I will go to have another Henna design. There are so many beautiful designs to  choose from.  Simple to intricate. This time we will not be walking around the mall.... henna and out. There is one shop we will check out looking for something special for a gift.....can say no more! Our weather has been hot and some humidity. We have had some rain which is good. With the rain, there are flash floods in some area...not where we are and loss of property and life. This year the Monsoon has arrived.

A special request my friends. there are 2 young boys that need your prayers.💗🙏 I ask that you keep them in your thoughts please. Glad you stopped by today. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

And off he goes

 

Look familiar? If you guess that The Brother Alan is off to Alaska again, you are correct.Leaves this morning and will return home on Saturday.This trip is shorter. Let's hope there's not another earthquake. Alan will arrive in Anchorage this evening. There are many "to do" things in Anchorage, but this short trip does not have any time off. One thing I do anytime he flies is track the flight going and returning. Lift off is at 2:45 pm from Phoenix.

Yesterday was my follow-up with the doctor to get MRI results. I have so much inflammation and fluid as well as a bone spur. The plan is to continue wearing the boot all day and try to stay off my foot... key word is try. I am not one to sit all day. Murphy continues to be great...he ignores the boot but still gets under foot at times. Today I began taking an anti-inflammatory prescription medication and I will begin physical therapy soon and return in 4 weeks. The next option is surgery. So this next phase starts. What I know is, that this is painful and limits me. Hopefully I can avoid surgery.

Today will be swishing and fluffing in the laundry area and no much else. Lisa will be off work today and tomorrow.... Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and caring thoughts. Thank you for your friendship.

So many days ago

Well now...finally a real Monsoon day

This is outside my bedroom window...flooding. The driveway is a river and the rain gutters cannot handle the downpour

 

the one nice thing besides the sounds of rain are the temperature is so nice at 73. With ground being hard and compacted in most of Arizona we have areas prone to flooding

We have 4 cell phones and this alert has buzzed several times this morning. Our area in Sun City usually only has superficial flooding; the main roads might have water reaching the curbing and the canals will have running water and here in our garden we do have a little flooding. 

But we remain safe compared to others. Murphy went out just before the downpour and ran in quickly. So far he is not really afraid of the storm. Alan and Lisa were watching from the garage around 1am as the storm was right overhead. this is expected to last most of the day.

Last week Lisa made this pretty morning glory pillowcase for their bed. I discovered that I cannot use my left foot to use the foot pedal on the sewing machine. The boot definitely does not let me even feel the pedal. Following doctor's orders to wear the boot. I have a follow-up appointment tomorrow to get the MRI results and what will be next. For most of the time, the boot is helping but then there are those painful moments. Sorry to sound like I am complaining vent, tough getting older...er.

Sounds like the rain is slowing. Time for chores...still waiting for the housekeeping fairy to arrive. Time also to put "The Boot" on. I will try not to stay away to long...again. Need some motivation! Glad you had time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

New shoe and ....

What a week. Moving on, Lisa and I decided to get a Henna tattoo...

I chose this design and opted for the standard brown. I took this before it was fully set so it is a little darker now.

Lisa chose this and in navy blue. It was fun and we are already thinking of the next time! I did not look at others once I found this one. We had much laughter after we got them.. trying to not bend our wrists, not to touch them or let anything touch them.... Finally after 3 hours we washed off the hardened ink and voilà...we were happy.

Finally saw the podiatrist on Monday...

this is how I walked out. Alan of course just laughed as did Lisa when she saw it. Surprisingly, Murphy just sniffed and licked it once and now ignores it. I am not sure how long it will be on. Monday I will have an MRI to see where the damage is then we can decide if surgery and which surgery. I never do it easy. In the meantime I am to stay off my feet as much as possible and keep it up. the good news is that it comes off at bedtime. Then Voltaren gel. Tonight I may try a Lidocane patch. At least I am not boring to have around!!!! I need to find something to wear on the left foot to balance when walking. Maybe my Sketchers will work. Sewing...ahhh, I will try to use my left foot on the presser foot... will be interesting. 

The Monsoon struck south east of us...quite a mess and damage. Still, it would be good to get some rain. The garden is not looking too happy even with the irrigation on. The days and sun are very hot. Alan has been doing his best to keep it looking nice. 

I have spent time reading...a real book. I still enjoy holding a book and flipping pages. The book is Trejo by Danny Trejo. I like him as an actor so when I saw an interview about the book I ordered it right away. It is hard to put down. It may not be for everyone, but it is how his life has been. 

Time for the foot to go up and back to reading...almost finished with the book! Glad you stopped by today. When my foot is really hurting, the blog takes a backseat. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Stars and Stripes

 Fourth of July 2021. 

Just look at this adorable angel. I call her Precious but her name is Waylyn Joan and she is 7 months old. She is the daughter of "a niece" Kayla and husband William.....extended family. Everyday Kayla posts a picture, one cuter than the last. I have watched her mom Kayla grow from a baby into a married lady and now a mom. I look forward to watching Waylyn grow day by day.

We finally had some much needed rain late yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately is was not more than a quickie. The winds blew everything around giving Murphy something to yell at as he looked out the slider. At he moment the humidity is at 82% so it is uncomfortable out there. Happily I will be indoors.

🚴 I have been waking in time to watch the TDF...Tour de France which currently is at day 9 and another day of rain for the riders. This year there seems to be many crashes and injuries. Today is 145KM and in the mountains..up hill! Tomorrow is a day of rest for them and from the looks on their faces they need it. the scenery is beautiful.... so many chateaus. I admire their stamina to ride for 2 to 3 hours at a stretch.

Tomorrow I have a follow-up with the Podiatrist to see what the next plan is for my Achilles tendon. So far the nighttime brace is not working and Lidocane during the day is just a temporary fix.

Whatever your plans are for today stay safe. So nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

NOTE: I have Kayla's permission to post Waylyn. So watch for updates.. sure to put a smile on your face.

Alan's new friend

 Another beautiful day. the sliders are open until the heat arrives later. Yesterday was the podiatrist visit. the decision at this time is to treat an Achilles tendon issue. Steroids for the week, 4% Lidocaine patch during the day and a brace to stretch the tendons at night. Not sure how I will be able to sleep with the contraption on. Also...no walking barefoot! what will I do? I need to wear backless with a bit of lift heel shoe so not to be flat to the ground. Sis Lynowl said she is going to order a bubble to put me in!!!  it will be interesting to see what Murphy will have to say about the brace.

Alan waited outside while I was in the doctor office. That is where he met this fellow. A young coyote who remained about 10 feet away while they chatted. The time of morning was 11:15...they are out at anytime at anyplace. 

Today will be a lazy day except for swishing and fluffing in the laundry area this morning. I may make a new travel pillow size pillowcase for my pillow on my rocking chair. Those pillows fit so nice for the lower back. the faeries still have not arrived to do the chores so off I must go. So nice to chat with you today. thank your for your kind words and for your friendship.

More art and a rose

 Goodness..... I just went out to the garden to take these pictures and what a windy mess. the clouds have rolled in too. Alan hung the other sculptures we bought....

Alan chose the cactus with its bright colors and I fell in love with the lizard also bright and they add cheer to the side of the house. 

While nearby Mr Lincoln has opened its first rose of the season. I never pick the first one but I am anxiously waiting for the next one. I mentioned before that this was Dennis' favorite rose. The bush is full of buds!

 Alan and I just had to  have this once we spotted it. ... and we knew just where she would go. Is it not just.... wonderful. She and her 4 birds are rust treated metal. 

the cut out areas bring dimension to a flat piece. Sprinkles are starting to fall. The wind is starting to whip things around. Leaves and tree droppings from everywhere. Music from the chimes sounds wonderful.

Alan and I have a quick errand then it will be back home with my foot elevated. Yes, the pain in my right heel/ankle is going to be checked tomorrow morning.  I was glad to find a podiatrist close by and get an appointment so quickly. 

There might be some activity around the craft/sewing table later. So nice to have a visit with you. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.