Life at our house

Well, your Papa/Pa is falling apart. We went to a hand specialist on Monday. He has arthritis very bad in both thumbs. He seems to get problems in pairs. The Dr. said that arthritis is rated on a scale of 1-4. His is a high 3 in the left thumb and a mid 3 on the right. So he gave a shot in the left thumb....it hurt really bad.. And had the therapist make some braces for both of them that he is to wear for two weeks. Then we go back and they will decide what they are to do. Most likely they will fuze the joint on both thumbs. That will take away some of the mobility, but will take away the pain. He hurts so bad that he has trouble holding on to things. It's the pits getting old.

About Flat Stanley

I said I would tell you about Flat Stanley....but first, I must yell...Whoopee!! We went and got our new washer and dryer today. Of course it isn't in yet, but it's on the back of the truck and will be in tomorrow after church. Poor Papa/Dad is having such a hard time with the arthritis in his thumbs that he can't work very long without having incredible pain. So Monday he is seeing a hand specialist...Hope he can help.
Now, about Flat Stanley... He was a good little boy that liked to travel, but his parents could't really afford it. One day he was flattened when a book case fell on him...So, his parents thought it would be a good idea to just mail him around the country so now he gets to travel. That's the story of him and the kids in first and second grade get copies of him and color him and send him to people around the world or the U.S. We got him from Adam and went around here and took pictures of Stanley at different places like in the fifth wheel with Lumpy. Then we went to Santa Claus, and Lincoln's childhood home and took pictures. Then we sent him and the pictures back to Adam where he shared them with his class. Tayler sent his to an author that I've never heard of. I haven't heard if he came back yet. It is very disappointing if Stanley doesn't come back. So if any of your kids get to do Flat Stanley when they get bigger, it would be fun to do it again.
We are just about out of the deep freeze. It was actually 33 degrees today and it was the first day I was out of the house for three days. Love you all....

Home again

We didn't get to stay long down in IL because of the ice storm. We came home last night after supper because of the storm coming in. I'm so glad we did because we are totally iced in today. We have about 1/2 inch out there. Haven't even tried to get out of the house because both of our doors are frozen. I'm glad I still have the WY habit of storing lots of food. We can get along several days without going out. So, I was able to get our clothes put away and get some stuff done on the house. We go permission to go pick out our washer and dryer, but that will have to wait till Sat now. All of the cabinets are finally in, and I ordered the new curtains.
We were able to help 11 families down in IL in the day and 1/2 that we were there. We may go back the first week in March if they still need help. Or we may be doing work around here if this storm does damage. Hopefully it will be a better day tomorrow. Love you all...

Back home again

Well, we moved back in the "big" house yesterday. Still no blinds, curtains and it needs trim, but we moved anyway. We got called out for Disaster Relief to go to southern IL on Tuesday, so it is best for Lumpy that he is in the house. We are hoping that by the time we come back on Friday that they will have the trim done, the washer and dryer back in place and the cabinet in the laundry room. That's asking a lot, but maybe, just maybe. Anyway we get a change of scene to go do some chain saw work for those who are in worse shape than we are. It puts it in a little better perspective, I think. You all have a great week and I'll get you up to date when we get back....This picture is Lumpy and his friend Flat Stanley. I'll tell you the story of Stanley later