Ethan’s Journey

 Cousins weekend is over. The Diiulio’s (not us) have left the state. Paul and I caught up on yard work today. I was able to try out my mini chainsaw and cut up branches for kindling. I collected 4 bags worth so far.  We had a tree fall in our back yard a while back. Paul cut up the big pieces and I told him I would pick away at the smaller branches. We can use it for our campfires in our back yard or for more kindling this year. Ethan worked a bit in the garage. He took several rests. Yesterday morning he had to go to the lab. He signed in and had to wait for the 7 people ahead of him. He typically has several blood tests. They check his two rejection medication doses, CBC, chemistry panel to look at his organ function, some kidney related tests, electrolyte levels, tryglycerides, thyroid level, ferritin/ iron level to help assess kidney function. And more. He has an elevation in his potassium again. He has been so careful with avoiding potato’s, bananas, and potassium rich f...

 We had breakfast and headed over to the in-laws. Avery, Julie and I took a lengthy walk and it was quite humid and warm out. We spent the afternoon poolside at cousin Chadd’s house. It is right across the street. The tunes were on, we were listening to music and chatting away. Avery, Julie and I did our Target run. We picked up some hair essentials and sun screen.  We ordered a bunch of pizza and wings. We gathered for a picnic and ate together. Yum! We had some cake for dessert to celebrate Marcus’s birthday. We watched in real time, the 6 year old go from pre cake, no sugar state to a wound up Tasmanian Devil from the sugar. He started oversharing, telling us he pooped his pants on a roller coaster. I told him that Paul does the same thing…..you know, so he wouldn’t feel embarrassed by sharing that information. He looked at Paul and you could tell his 6 year old wheels were turning with many questions to answer. He chose wisely and didn’t ask any further questions. Ethan ar...

 I am pretty sure I got into the poison ivy. But t is that time of year. I don’t have the rash yet but am itchy all over. Even the inside of my ear is itchy.  I spent several days in the garden. It is my own fault.  I googled what the purpose of it is on this earth. It seems everything has a purpose.  Poison ivy apparently provides food to wildlife and birds in the winter (and summer). It also prevents erosion because it pretty much grows every which way. Really? There isn’t a plant that does those things that is less itchy? I headed over to spend time with my in-laws. Avery arrived late afternoon. We all worked together to make dinner. We tried to keep it as easy as possible. After dinner, the cousins were across the street. We all filtered outside. There were 6 teens plus Avery and the 6 year old….who was in his glory. Little Luca. He saw the big kids playing corn hole, badminton, bocce and throwing the football around. Luca said that it looks like a family carniva...

 Do you stand in the shower facing the shower or back to the shower? I assumed everyone had their back to the shower. I read an article today saying that there is a fair split for face towards the shower head vs. facing anway from the shower head and spinners….that just rotate between the two. There is no right or wrong answer. I did admit I kinda of laughed when I thought about “spinners”. I pictured a spinner as a little ballerina on a music box slowly twirling the entire time. I never really thought about it before. I keep my back to the shower (except when washing my face). Then I put my face into the hot water to rinse off the soap! I was able to work outside today. I had the dogs out with me. We all enjoy it. Heather and Jason came to visit. They bought our 4 wheeler and Paul is so happy it found a good home. It was nice to visit with them. We see them again next weekend. Looking forward to cousins weekend this weekend. So glad tomorrow is Friday!

 Man, today I kept thinking it was Thursday…..June 11 th. Nope, June 3 rd…AND a Wednesday! The dogs get their teeth cleaned next Thursday. Thankfully I realized it before i took them anywhere. My lunch group cancelled and rescheduled for next week. In keeping with the element of surprise today, I called Avery spontaneously and asked if she wanted to meet me at Goodwill for some thrifting. We spent some time there and then went to dinner….and sat outside for ice cream! It was a great unplanned evening. I came home to find Ethan and Paul working on his mower!

​Today I had to bring Moe in for his bloodwork. Drugs really help this go smoothly. I was able to ask him to sit and lay down. I restrained him while a coworker drew his blood. I was shoving tiny snacks in his lips so he would focus on his crunchy mouth surprises and it worked. Each time gets a little better. Moe needed bloodwork for his dental cleanings on Thursday. Penny is getting her teeth cleaned as well. We will be a commercial for dental hygiene….well…maybe after I get my crown next week. I am in the process of navigating things in my new role which keeps life interesting. I did more gardening tonight while Paul was mowing. Little bits at a time keeps my back happy. Ethan and Paul had a nice conversation this evening. Ethan was sharing his ideas with Paul about what he needs to do to his new mower and how he thinks he should approach it. Paul chimes in with things he may or may not have thought about. This is huge progress since 2022 and 2023.  HUGE PROGRESS! Kendall is set ...

 I went to the pharmacy today to pick up my medication. Turns out I might also need a prescription for something that makes me less of a jerk! Do they make pills for that? The lady next to me was a stage 5 yapper. The worst kind of yapper! She was yapping about her health problems, yapping about her Covid vaccine from 2020 (6 years ago lady….find a new topic) yapping about her cardiologist, yapping about A-Fib…….blood pressure medication, the weather, her summer plans….yap yap yap! The person behind the counter was so polite and answered the questions she asked. I really thing she is just fond of her own voice! Why did her yapping annoy me? I felt like a jerk because I was inwardly annoyed. She was just being a conversationalist….I just found her to be nails on a chalk board. Shut! Up! Lady! Later this evening I told Paul about the pharmacy lady! I told him “this is why I am better off working from home! It is not safe for the public for me to be out of the house!”  Other than...