Sunday, June 10/2018 - Saturday, June 16/2018

Sunday started the week that I wish I could forget.
John had a really good gall bladder attack just before he was to cook supper for us and I had this fleeting thought that perhaps this was just an excuse not to have to cook!!  LOL  He took his medication and went to lie down.  He soon came back into the mancave and said it wasn't really easing.   By the time he went to bed, the pain had eased a bit and he could hopefully sleep.
I was scheduled to work four days this week so it was going to be busy.  Monday found me at work and John was still not feeling well.  The horrible colic pain had left but there was a different pain and soreness left to replace it.   Hmmmm.   He still wasn't too perky Monday night when I got home but thought that maybe a good night's sleep might help.  I mentioned that if he wasn't any better, then we should probably think about heading into Saskatoon on Wednesday morning to have things checked out.
As it turned out, he didn't sleep well (if at all) Monday night and when I headed to work Tuesday morning he had just taken more medication in the hopes that things would improve.   Apparently they got worse so he called me at the home and said he couldn't stand the pain anymore.  I told by boss that I was going scoot home to see what was going on.
When I got here I could see that John was in distress so went back to work to see if a replacement could be found for me as I couldn't just leave.   As it turned out, John decided he couldn't wait any longer and drove himself into Saskatoon with his pain.   He said the ride was brutal but he made it!!  He called me when he was already on the road to let me know he was gone!!  Jesus, Mary and Joseph.....I am sooooo going to yell at him again!!   The staff at the hospital must have seen that he was in distress because they took him right into the emergency department and that was probably a very good thing.   He spent the night there.
I was able to hitch a ride into Saskatoon with Gary as he had to drive Arlene to the airport so that at least worked out well.
When I arrived at the hospital,John had just been transferred out of the emergency department and onto the surgical ward to await surgery.  He looked better - not good- but better.  I stayed for a quick visit then had to leave again as I was scheduled to work two more night shifts!!  Holy Buckets!!
I did some quick shopping at Walmart and got back to Leoville at 5:30.  Plenty of time to eat and head to work.   I think I was running on reserve power by this time!!
John text me later and said he was headed down to the operating room.   After a few hours, I called to see if he was back on the ward and was told no, he hadn't arrived yet.  I called again a few hours later and the girls had just heard that he was on his way back.    Holy Buckets....since when does it take 41/2 hours to do a laparoscopic cholecystectomy????
Apparently it was quite a mess in and around the gallbladder and the surgeon had a bit of trouble.  John ended up with a drain and then it sounds like they had trouble waking him up out of the anesthetic!!  Holy Shit.....that is not good.  Eventually though, he was back on the ward and on the way to recovery.  He was discharged from hospital on Friday and Casey brought him home so that saved me another trip into the city.
Casey headed off to the lake as the kids were having a get together up there.  It is the Father's Day Rally here in town and the kids always attend.
Jace and Kim stopped by on their way to the lake as well.
No one stayed for long and that was a good thing.  John was in no condition to entertain or even hold a conversation for that matter.   He wanted to sleep and understandably so.
Our very busy, stressful week ended quietly and that was a VERY GOOD THING!!
Depite the trials and tribulations of life.......Life is Good!!

Sunday, June 3/2018 - Saturday, June 9/2018

I was scheduled to work three shifts this week but only managed one as I did a "flying zambini" into the mancave on Tuesday and was physically unable to do my two scheduled night shifts.
I tripped over a board and went falling into the man cave, landing on the concrete.  My right knee and left arm took the brunt of the fall so that was a bit nasty.  Of course I fell like a brick shit house and once the shock of the fall was over, I lay on the concrete crying and feeling very sorry for myself and thinking....how in the hell am I going to get off this filthy concrete.
The incident happened early in the morning and John was not yet out of bed and wouldn't be for a few hours so my dilemma was to stay on the floor and wait or figure out a way to use my battered and smashed body to get up.    Staying on that filthy floor was not an option so I did eventually get up and get over to the recliner where I sat for a while feeling even more sorry for myself.  I had to muster the strength to get up, get to the camper and yell at John for leaving the board where it was so that I could trip over it!!  It is funny how anger can fuel your body!!
This week Arlene came to visit Gary and we were able to spend some time with her.  It is always nice to have a chat and we managed to watch a football game and eat Burritos.  Arlene had never had a burrito before so this was a new adventure for her.  Thankfully she enjoyed them so she went home with a full belly!!
John and I managed to take a cruise to Buck Lake.  The weather has been so lousy this week that we decided that this may be the only day we get some sunshine so off we went.  We sat there for an hour or so then headed back to Leoville.  We met Dave and Shirley on our way out as they too were headed to Buck for a Beer.  We carried on and stopped at the gravel pit where Dave and Shirley caught up to us so we enjoyed a chat with them.
Booko finally got to meet Jake, their new little puppy.  Well, he certainly isn't "little"!  He is a Great Pyrenees and will be huge once he has grown into his feet!!  What a lovely guy he is.  Gentle and soft.  Reminds me of a polar bear!!
I got the bedding plants into the garden along with he peas and now the garden is completely done. All it needs to do is grow!!
We finished off the week taking the sami to get a load of wood.  We were not sure what the condition of "8 mile" was going to be with all the rain we have been getting so, thought the sami  would be the best choice.  At least we could have the winch if we ended up getting stuck.  We didn't need it but the trail was nasty and "old blue" probably would not have made it through.
We had an awesome fire and of course steak for supper.   Mmmmm.....Life is Good!!

Sunday, May 27/2018 - Saturday, June 2/2018

Casey came for a visit this week so that was a nice surprise.  He has been off work for a few weeks now trying to get over his finger injury so decided to spend a few days with us.  Actually, I think he just needed his Mom to take a look at this finger wound and do her magic.....which I did because it sure looked a lot better by the time he left!!   Man, I love bleach and a little bleach in some warm water does miracles in cleaning up wounds!!  I might even suggest that he no longer needs to see the plastic surgeon as Mom took care of it!!  LOL   It is healing fairly well - slowly but well.   It looks totally weird but I guess that is what happens when you try slicing your finger off with a sharp sheet of metal.
We enjoyed our visit and Casey even took a trip to Meadow Lake with us to drop off the broken axle.  We stopped at the grocery store and then headed home.  It rained most of the way home but we stopped at Spiritwood Greenhouse and I was able to pick up some bedding plants.   It was time to finish planting the garden.
I worked off and on for the rest of the week and before we knew it, June was upon us.  Man, once again, time is flying by.
We have a new nurse starting at the home for a few weeks this summer and I have been lucky enough to be picked for her orientation.  That should prove interesting so I had better be on my best behavior.
The week ended with me still working and that is always a good thing.
Life is good.

Sunday, May 20/2018 - Saturday, May 26/2018

A little wheel trouble

We decided to hit the trails on Sunday and have a bit of an adventure down "in the block".  Dave and Shirley decided to join Gary and us for the day so we were all looking forward to just getting away from life and getting into the forest.
We started out just fine and traveled along the road heading east.  We had almost made it to the cattle gate when I heard a strange noise and of course said "what's that noise".   John stopped and of course couldn't hear anything so we carried on to the gate where finally....he heard "the noise"!!  We wheeled into the abandoned trailer at the bottom of the hill and John had a look.  By this time, the rest of the folks had stopped and it wasn't too long before it was discovered that the rear axle had popped out.   This certainly ended our day in the side by side.
As we sat there having an adult beverage, the situation was contemplated and it was decided that Dave would drive John back to town for the necessary tools for repairs and Shirley, Gary and I would stay with the quad and have another beer!!  Good plan!!
It wasn't long before we heard their return.  Instead of tools though, John brought the Sami back.  The broken side by side could sit in the forest by itself for the day and we would continue on our adventure.   Another good plan.   Off we went down the trail ......

Dave, Shirley and Gary

We were only out for a short ride today.  It was planned that we would simply do a short loop which included the main trail past Deer Lake across Lilac Trail and left to the snowmobile shelter then back along the main trail and home.  It was a good plan.

A little winching

Of course the main trail was not muddy but the sami managed to get stuck in the one and only mud hole.  We needed the winch to get out and let me tell you, I am not much help anymore with this stupid arthritic hip of mine.   I am better off inside, out of the way!!   At least my shoes stay clean!!
We managed to get pretty much out by the time our trail buddies came back to see what was taking us so long!!

more winching

We carried on, accessed Lilac trail and then, the fun began.   Before we got to the end of the trail the Sami was stuck three times and needed to be winched all three times.   Holy Buckets!!  At one point our winch decided to stop working but luckily the issue was in the switch and not in the winch itself so it was an easy repair.

At the shelter

Eventually, we arrived at the shelter and were able to take a break with some snacks and more adult beverages.  It was also time for everyone to knock the mud off their shoes.   Hopefully, it would be an easy ride down the main trail and back to our disabled side by side.

 

More winching

The ride back was uneventful and that was a good thing.  It was starting to get late and none of us really wanted to be out too late.   It was supposed to be a "short" ride today!!   Is there even such a thing as a "short" ride??
Once back in town, John got the truck out and headed back to the block to pick up the side by side.  He was back pretty quick and said he had to make it quick as the mosquitoes were vicious so loaded the side by side as quick as he could and got the hell out of there!!
I had made chili before we left so it was ready and waiting when we came off the trail and that was a good thing.  We were all hungry and although Dave and Shirley didn't join us for supper, Gary, John and I put a good dent in the pot!!  All in all, it was a good day - except for the axle!!  Everyone agreed that it would be an expensive repair.

Kim and Jace came to visit

Monday was a quiet day.  Apparently, us old folks need a day of rest following a day of adventure!!   I was totally ok with that.  Jace and Kimmy decided to stay another day at the lake so we didn't see them until Tuesday when they had to finally pack up and head back to Saskatoon and their "real" lives!!
Booko and Neena enjoyed a good old romp around the yard and I'm afraid that Booko will be on three legs again after all the jacking around he is doing with Neena.   That seems to be his norm now so I guess we will just have to get used to seeing him limp around on three legs.  At least he does not appear to be in any pain.  That would put a whole different spin on things.

Booko and Neena playing

Smokey sunset

Dogs played out

Our lilac bush in full bloom

The lilac trees are finally in bloom and they look and smell wonderful.   Gosh, how I love lilacs.  I took the sheers out and hacked at some of the chokecherry branches that were in the dark lilac bush as it was getting to big.   One of these days I really am going to have to clean out in there as I am afraid that the dark lilac is being choked out and I will not allow that to happen.  It too is just too beautiful and fragrant to let a damn chokecherry tree move it!!
On Thursday, I decided that it was time to plant the garden.  It was finally dry enough to get in there so started off early, took my time and got it done.  The only thing I didn't plant was the bedding plants and the peas.   Mainly because I had yet to get the bedding plants and I was too damn tired to care about the peas.   I will get to them tomorrow......

Another awesome fire to end the week

I worked a night shift on Friday and so we spent a very quiet day on Saturday.  Of course it was steak night so we had to have a campfire as well.  What a nice way to end the week.
We have to take the top of the fireplace into Spiritwood to the local welding shop as it has finally blown through the mash on the sides.  It is in dire need of repairs so that is on the agenda because the pit just doesn't look the same with out its top on.
All in all.....it has been another good week.   Life is good!!