The colors of Idaho and Happy Thanksgiving

Last week Hubby and I returned from our trip to Idaho.  We spent 2 1/2 wonderful weeks there, enjoying an unusually warm November.  Hubby did a little yard work, we enjoyed time around the house, besides doing some home repairs and having things serviced.  We spent time with family, especially my Mom.  I was able to go with Mom and Sister to two of Mom's Dr. appointments, and find out she does have wonderful Doctors there.  She was in good spirits, especially when we all were playing the card games she loves.

 Still had roses in November

 

 

Sun rises every morning, view from our family room and kitchen

 

Turning colors and falling leaves, and some orange flowers still blooming

 

On November 17th, Hubby and I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary.  With what we've been through lately, it gives more critical meaning to "in sickness and in health."

We have planned a very low key Thanksgiving, as neither of are very cheerful, for a variety of reasons. We'll watch a lot of football, read and watch movies, and avoid news stories at all costs.  Make of that what you will.

Oh, Hello

Sorry I haven't written. The months have marched on...Not much artwork to show, and even less to say.  The struggle with health issues continues, but now hubby has joined the club. He spent a week in the hospital after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease.  Then he had a gallbladder attack....had surgery, is recovering from both issues.  We spend most of our time going to Dr. appointments or doing research on natural things we can do to stay away from the doctors.    These are boring things to talk or write about, things no one wants to hear or read.  I suspect this anyhow.  And when there is nothing written, there is nothing to read.

 

The garden is gorgeous, from all the rain we've had in Texas,  Here's a sweet little pom from my miniature ornamental pomegranate tree.  Also a  portion of our back yard, with the sun shining through the palm tree.

 

The middle of September, we went to Indiana for a long week-end on business, then took a couple of extra days off to meet up with a friend from Columbus, Ohio.  While in Kendallville, we visited the Mid-America Windmill Museum.   It was dark and stormy most of the day, but it was still interesting. One of the business functions was held there.



 We went to the United States Grand Prix this past week end.  The weather was perfect, high 80's during the day.  Record crowds reported of 200,000. There were 80,000 for the Taylor Swift concert after the race. We did not stay for the concert.  The stage was in an open field area, with no seating except the grass or standing.  We decided we are a little too old for those conditions.  So...we missed our (probably) one and only chance to see Taylor Swift. 

Making slow progress in the rut that I'm in

 

I'm busy but never seem to have anything to show for it.  This is what's been in my view most weeks, one or two days a week.  Since most of my Drs. are located in the same big conglomerate, I've finally started asking to make several appointments on the same day if possible.  Then I can just hang out there all day, going from one office to the next.  Yikes.  I have two appointments tomorrow, one right after the other. One is the yearly Mammogram and the other is the bone scan to see if there has been any improvement from the meds I've been taking for a year.  The same meds that the hospital said NOT to take because they raised my blood pressure, and helped contribute to the heart issues.  But now that I am taking meds to lower my blood pressure, I can go back to taking the ones for osteoporosis. So the one cancels out the side effects of the other, that seems to be the way this works. When I told the internist I was distressed about all the meds I am now taking, she suggested I might be depressed, and offered up yet another prescription, which I declined. I'm pretty disillusioned with the medical community right now, and would like to run screaming from the entire bunch.

On the upside, I make sure I am getting to my exercise class 3 and sometimes 4 times a week. I think that is more responsible for me feeling better than is the medication. I do admit that some of it is necessary, but I sure don't like taking so much. My ultimate goal is to get off some of it.  Hubby and I have gotten back to our juicing routine on a regular basis and both feel better for it. 

I haven't posted much because there's just not much to talk about except my health.  I haven't done any artwork, just tidied and moved my supplies around.  In that process I have discovered a lot of unfinished projects, which has given me some inspiration. Nothing finished to show, but maybe one of these days.  I'm mostly playing with washi tape...that can be very meditative, don't you know?

Since I'm taking photos with just my cell phone, I'm not always happy with the outcome.  But I still haven't taken the time to go and shop for a new camera. The Texas sunsets have been spectacular, but it is still hard to capture them with a photo.  Both of these were taken from my front porch, first one off to the right, and the second straight on.