Renee's Ultrasound (It's A Girl)

ROZLYNN MARIE ON HER WAY

Today at 3:30 PM Renee had an Ultrasound at her doctor's office in Las Vegas. I wasn't able to be there as my chauffeur is down with his back. Sherry was there and I am sure it was an exciting moment to see the baby and find out it was a girl. Renee called me at 4:00 PM to tell me the news. Her name will be Rozlynn Marie Overbeck. Cute name. Renee said that little Rozlynn was really moving about and she said that she had an ice tea with sugar for lunch, so the baby was a little caffeniated and sugared. Just wait Renee, as she gets bigger she will be kicking harder and harder. The baby is due the last part of November. I can't wait to hold her. I had a feeling that it would be a girl. My first one was a girl, and Renee is Sherry's first and only daughter. Frank thought it would be a boy. I guess we had the bases covered.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

DESERT PAIN SPECIALIST OFFICE FRANK CHECKING IN

FRANK WAITING FOR HIS TURN

Poor Frank is in so much pain with his back. I was surprised today, when he came home from golfing with the Old Farts down at our local park, and he told me that he wouldn't be going any more as he was in too much pain. It seems to be getting worse every day. When he says that he won't be golfing any more, I know he is in agony. I feel so bad for him and wish I could take the pain away for him. He put two new sprinkler timers in at Sherry's rental and that didn't do him any good. He has finally decided that he can't do much of anything until his back is fixed if that is possible.

We went to a pain management doctor in St. George, Utah, and Frank is set up for a test on the lst of July. The doctor will put a needle into his spine and to try and find out where the pain is coming from. After the doctor sends his report to the spine specialist, an appointment will be made for Frank to have a consultation as to what his options are. His back is such a mess the doctor in no way could fix all of the problems, but will work on the one that is causing him the pain down his back clear down to his toes. All we can do is hope and pray that there will be a solution of some kind to get rid of the horrible pain. We are in for a long hot summer going back and forth to doctors, and maybe a hospital stay for surgery. Thank Heavens for air conditioners!

Doctor's Visit & a Day in Las Vegas

ALL DONE WITH MY TREATMENT AND FEELING MUCH BETTER.

DR. BRET STALEY AND DR. TODD GETTING THE JOB DONE


We spent a couple of days, the 23rd and 24th, in Las Vegas with my daughter, Sherry. I had to have a thyroid scan and a follow up visit to my doctor, and the doctor's office is just a five minute drive from Sherry's condo. That day was a very busy day as after the doctor we had to go to the pharmacy to pick up perscriptions. We ate lunch while we were waiting, and I got something different than my usual at Del Taco and was disappointed and threw half of it away. Every now and then I want to try something new and I usually get burned and don't like it.

Then we went back to the condo and Sherry made us an appointment to get a pedicure and that was so nice. We sit side by side and get pampered for an hour or less. Love the massage part. I then had a three hour appointment with a lady that balances your energy with a machine and it would be too hard to explain so I won't even try. It has something to do with the electrical part of our bodies. Very interesting.

Thursday we drove home and had breakfast at our local restaurant and it was so good. I usually don't have breakfast, as being Diabetic I have to watch those carbs, but once in a while I indulge. Then I made an appointment with my son Bret, the Chiropractor, to get my poor back put back in after laying on a very uncomfortable couch during the test I had. Wow! as usual I felt so much better after the treatment. I don't know what I would do without my son and his chiropractor treatments. Thanks Doctor Bret.

MyFamily.com - Share-a-Photo

MyFamily.com - Share-a-Photo (Click on this link)

This is a link to a picture of my Mother that was my favorite. My Aunt Mary had this picture displayed in her home for years. When my Mother passed away, I had copies made up for each of my brothers and my sister and of course one for me. I have a family site on myfamily.com and have my genealogy with lots of pictures there.

I always wanted to look like my Mom instead of my red haired, freckled face Dad. Oh well, isn't that how life goes, we always want to look like someone else. Maybe not everyone, but I sure did. I hated my freckles and cried more than once as a child when I was teased about them. They did fade as I got older and I was grateful for that. Now they have turned into old age spots on my arms. LOL (have to laugh or I would cry) Old age is no fun! I didn't mind my Auburn hair that went with the freckles, but would have loved to have had my Mom's black hair.

Summer Travel Plans Canceled

Well this is where our 5th wheel travel trailer will sit this year as poor Frank is suffering with his back and instead of traveling to Coos Bay Oregon, we will be traveling back and forth to the doctor to see what our options are for back surgery? We went to a new doctor in St. George, Dr. Snook, (wow what a name) and he read Frank's MRI and showed us the multiple problems in Frank's spine. He made the comment that he couldn't give him a new spine and could not fix all of the problems. It is going to take some time before we will know our options, as he has to go through another test.

As you can see from the above pictures, Frank spends a good deal of his time in his recliner as that is the only place that he can sit and be relieved of the pain. He does go down to the park and golfs with the Old Farts every morning for exercises. He takes a pain pill before he goes. He has to keep the knee going, doctors orders, 30 minutes every day. At least he can go and socialize with the Old Farts and play a little golf with them.

We are really disappointed as we had made some travel plans to go into British Columbia. We even have our Passports for the trip. We were going to go back to our favorite place in Oregon to a State Park called Bastendorff right on the ocean. We were going to make that our home for two months and travel from there leaving our 5th wheel. Oh well, maybe next year. At least we have had a mild summer so far, but the heat is just around the corner.

So our next appointment is with another specialist a pain management doctor who will run a test to see if they can pin point the problem area that is causing the sever pain that Frank is having. He can't take the pain of walking, and standing, and sitting in certain chairs.

Summer Flowers in our Yard

Even thought the temperature is starting to rise, we have some flowers that love the heat. The Purple Sage just busted out in blooms yesterday. All you can see is the purple flowers it is so full of them. The other is our Red Bird of Paradise and it is just starting to bloom as it loves the heat and will be full of flowers the hotter it gets. We have people stop to ask what the Bird of Paradise is and some people have even taken pictures of it.

Scrap Booking

For the past year I have been trying to get Sherry a memory book made, and I have finally started. It took me forever to get one page both sides done today, but I think I have figured out what I want to do. The picture was taken after I gathered all the stuff together and got my room set up to do the scrap booking. I actually just started today and I will have Frank take a picture of the one page I did and post it later.

The Finished Project Cami's Resting Place

After a day of running over to Mesquite to get a CD of Frank's MRI, going to lunch at the Casa Blanca, and then to Walmart, we had a nice nap. Then this evening Frank went out and put the headstone on the grave and put the white rock as the finishing touch. Now his back is really hurting after lifting the heavy stone, but the ending results turned out just the way we wanted it.

Cami was our companion parrot for 10 years and it was like losing a child to us. Some people will think it is silly to grieve over a pet like this, but only those who have had a very special pet will understand.

Cami's Grave

When Cami died, we found a special spot in our back yard under one of our mature trees. It was a sad day when we buried her. We loved that silly bird. She gave us many hours of entertainment, love, and sometimes she was a pain in the hind end. Soon Frank will put the headstone he made on the grave. This has been an ongoing project.

Cami's Headstone

What Frank didn't realize was that when he poured the epoxy on the headstone it would harden like cement and it stuck to his cabinet top. He had to chisel it off and it took some hard work to get it off. This has been long time planning and it paid off as the headstone turned out really nice. If you want to know more about Cami our Baby Girl there is a story about her in an earlier blog.

Frank Working on Cami's Headstone

Frank worked through the back pain and went out in his shop to work on Cami's (our cockatoo that died) headstone. We buried her in a special spot in our backyard. We sure do miss our Baby Girl and there is not a day go by that something reminds us of her.

Merritt Staley Graduation Night

Last night was graduation night at Moapa Valley High School. Bret, Laura, Sierra, & Marissa came over to my house to have pictures taken and for the surprise gift from Dad & Mom & the family parked out in my back yard. Yep! Merritt you will have to get your drivers license now. In the mean time the car will be painted and new tires put on it so it will look a whole lot better.

The graduation ceremony was really nice and I really enjoyed the students talks. I got to see Riley Staley from a distance and was glad to be there to see him graduate. Congratulations to both Riley and Merritt and good luck going out into the real world. Hope to hear good things about you both in your future achievements. Love you both.

Makenzey Staley graduates from Middle School

The Class of 2013 Advances To Pirate Country (Moapa Valley High School) was the headline in our local paper. I can't believe that Makenzey (my granddaughter) will be in high school next year. She has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. Wish I could have been there. Congratulations Makenzey. Also congratulations to another beautiful granddaughter Anna Kaboli who also was in this class of students. (Anna's picture is in the post below with her sister Addison.) A whole new chapter of your lives start next school year, and a lot of fun and new experiences are in store for you.

Addison wins photo contest at Lins

My granddaughter Kristen called me on Saturday the 30th to tell me that Addison had won a photo contest at Lin's our local family store. Addison had told her Mother to be sure and call Grandma & Grandpa Merritt to come and see the event. We were tickled to think that Addie would think of us and want us to be there. The top photo is of Addie with her sister Anna and Mom Kristen to the side. Bottom Addie with Mom being presented with her poster and a $100 gift certificate. I don't know what Addie will buy at a grocery store, but I hope she finds something fun, and not too many goodies. LOL

Frank is still having a lot of pain with his back but he went with me and ended up having to sit inside on a chair and didn't get to see the presentation. The picture Addie took will hang on Lin's wall. I was amazed at how beautiful the picture was and was told Addie had taken it from their yard. It was of the mesa and she took it at just the right time as the colors were beautiful and it was amazing a child so young could take such a beautiful photo. All the other contestants that won were adults. So congratulations to our future photographer. Keep up the good work. We are proud of you Addie.