Raining Christmas

 May 23, 2021

What a shock.  Momma went to the cupboard to get out a dish and had to dodge an attack.  Somehow.....it seemed that the Christmas plate decided to make an appearance.  Not just one plate......3 of them tried to make an escape.  Not only TRIED to escape....they succeeded!! 

The plates had been resting in the same place for over 4 months now without issue.  It's not even time for Christmas in July.  So why now?  These plates aren't even situated in the front of the cupboard so they were able to get a running start, flying off the stack onto the countertop.  They had gained enough momentum that they continuted on to the floor where they encountered the death of ceramic tile, shattering with a loud clatter and shooting shards across the kitchen floor into the laundry room. At that point, Dad got all excited and kept calling my name.  I was just on my way to investigate the situation but he forbid me from entering the kitchen.  I didn't have any paw protection he said.

 Upon investigation, the only logical explanation is the saucer with a smaller diameter that was in the stack under these plates must have shifted causing a change in the center of gravity???  I'm sure it couldn't have been a creature hiding the cupboard who gave the dishes a shove.  Maybe an elf or possibly the old grinch?  I would have known if we had such visitors lerking about.  After all, with all this great patio weather, I have loads of practice keeping the lizards in line.  I can have those lizards scrambling up the screen with just a look in their direction.  Momma says they are good to have around as they enjoy any bugs they can find and that's a good thing.  I tell Momma, I'm just making sure they keep in shape as they scramble to the highest part of the screen.  I may not be doing their hearts any favors though as I do tend to get their hearts racing as they take off as fast as they can scamper.

Now, my neighbor Tim can get MY heart racing.  In March, he took down the BIG tree in his yard

.  

He has been doing some landscaping, including growing some new grass that needs plenty of water to grow.  As soon as I hear the chit, chit of the sprinkler, my heart gets racing as do my feet.  I run right up to the property line just willing that rotating spray of water to sling over my way...but it never does.  What a tease!!

And that folks, is the extent of excitement here in Summerfield this week.

I'm Chloe

Wet weekend

 May 15-16, 2021

This has turned out to be a wet weekend.  No, no, it hasn't rained a drop.  No, I haven't even dipped a paw in my pond.  If you would just hold your thoughts for a minute, I'll explain it all in detail.

Dad had a project in mind for the weekend.  He doesn't let his 'side-kick infusion pump' that is attached to him 24/7 slow him down any when it comes to a project.  He wanted to make sure that all the sprinkler heads were functioning properly in our lawn sprinkler system as we don't plan on being around this summer to keep an eye on things.  Prevention/trouble shooting is the name of the game.  

Now being the great helper that I am, I was right there lending my assistance.  

First, I had to check out the long distance angle of the spray.  After all, every blade of grass deserves a good soaking.  I got a tad damp from the spray but hey, if you're going to do a job, you have to be willing to get damp.  After all, Dad certainly couldn't get his infusion pump wet.  Okay Dad, looking good!

Then I had to check out the volume of water.  Now this takes true dedication to the job as you can't help but getting soaking wet.  But what can I say?  I'm dedicated for sure.

It was a wet job, but I had it handled.  And it wasn't only this sprinkler head that needed replacement and adjustment.  Dad dug deep into the bottom of his drawer full of replacement parts and the next thing I knew, he was making a list to take to the store.  He didn't have quite enough parts on hand to complete the project.  That gave me a chance to dry off and rest up before we tackled the front zone.  

Yes-sir-ree, it was a wet weekend but my coat doesn't shrink.  I guess I should have grabbed some soap along the way to save Momma the trouble of soaping me down.  But I so enjoy a good massage when I get my tubby.  

Isn't life grand?

I'm Choe

Monday's after a super weekend are good

 May 10, 2021

Summerfield

What a super weekend.  We camped with our Golden Triangle camping friends....all the occupants of 16 rigs plus a few drive-in friends who came for the Saturday meeting.  Some friends we hadn't seen in over a year!!  Momma was so tickled to be with them.  She kept going on and on about how great it was to see all of them.

I have to admit, it wasn't a very long ride at all to get to the campground.  I think I spent more time in the back seat of the Ram while they hitched up to the 5er than it took to drive the 4 miles to campground.  I was a good girl and waited patiently to get on the road. As we pulled out, I settled in for a good nap.  Well, that didn't happen.  We arrived before I even closed my eyes.    

Now this happens to be lovebug season here in Florida.  Those fragile bugs don't serve any real purpose but they sure make vehicles messy when they splat on the front as you zip down the road.  If you don't remove them right away, their body acid will destroy the paint job.  Dad was feeling pretty good when we arrived.  We didn't even get hit by one lovebug on our short trip.  YEA!! No messy cleanup needed.

Of course I was on guard duty while the 2-legged socialized, played games and ate together.  Not only was Friday night's dinner delicious, it was entertaining as the chef prepared the meal right in front of them at the Japanese Restaurant.

Now you may not realize just how tiring a job all that weekend guarding can be.  I guess Dad found the weekend tiring as well.   I looked over at him yesterday afternoon after we arrived home

And then I followed his lead and shut my eyes for a well deserved nap as well.

Today, Monday, Momma and Dad were out the door early.  Dad had another appointment with the Dr.   Over a week ago, Dad had been to the surgeon who had performed his shoulder replacement surgery as well as the April follow up surgery to remove the lump that had developed and  'clean up' that area. Doc removed the stitches and dismissed him as a patient.  Dad was all smiles!!  The next stop was a visit to the Infectious Disease Dr who had the results of the culture from the gunk the surgeon cleaned out.  It cultured out to be staph capitus .......yuck!!  Dad was frowning as the fun was just about to begin for Dad...and Momma.  

Dad went to the hospital as an outpatient to have a PICC line installed.  The line begins just above his elbow on his right arm and travels all the way to a spot behind his heart into a large artery.  It's a good thing they have the equipment to see exactly where the line was going inside his body.....all 72 cm.  

The next day, the nurse arrived at the house to train Momma, after two BIG boxes had been delivered .  Boxes with  bags of antibiotics to refrigerate and all the 'stuff' needed to empty the bag of drugs into the PICC line.   Dad has a 5 pound pump that hooks to the tubing that connects with a bag of meds and the PICC line.  Every 6 hours the pump delivers drugs followed just a trickle until it's six hours later and time for another big infusion of meds.  At the end of a 24 hour period, Momma gets to change the empty bag and replace the tubing, back flow valve, batteries in the pump, etc.  That means Dad is tethered to that pump and med bag 24/7.  And would you believe they forgot to send the pouch to hold the pump and meds?  No problem, Momma dove into the closet and .....

located a purse for Dad to use.  Now isn't he stylish?  Patriotic with stars!!  Not so sure about the tassle though......

Well, he was stylish until the actual pouch arrived.

One week down and 5 more to go. 

As I mentioned, Dad and Momma had a visit at the Infectious Disease Dr who is monitoring the infusion process.  When they returned home I thought that they must have a super doctor.  Little did I know it wasn't the doctor who sent home my gift.  It was a side trip to Tractor Supply.  I guess Dad thought I did a great job guarding at home and so he brought me....

the cutest, softest, long-legged lamb with a marvelous squeaker.  I think I'm in love

I've romped from one end of the house to the other tossing and squeaking all the way.  

It's a great Monday for sure!!

I'm Chloe