Starting week 8...

It's been 7 weeks since I came down with the shingles.
Today, for the first time I feel almost human.  I still
have pain, especially, my left eye, but I think there is
hope that eventually I'll overcome this dreadful disease.

Fortunately, Robert got the anti-viral right away when
he came down with it!  He is doing well with it, although
he does have a few really nasty pustules.

My grandson, Ryan and his significant other, Elizabeth
are visiting from SF.  They are both working on their
PhD degrees; he at UCSF and she at Stanford.  A lively,
intelligent pair, great fun to have around.  Also, very
thoughtful.  They have done all the cooking and clean
up since they have been here.  That has been great. I
have so little stamina that having company is a challenge.
They made if a pleasure!

I have hired caregivers to help.  They come twice a
week.  I think we'll not need them very long, but
at this time we have to go to Denver twice a month
and dealing with the VA AND the driving is more than
either of us can do at this time.  Martha took us
once and that was wonderful.  Our kids have been
great in helping us.  However, we made the choice
to come here instead of a retirement home where
we would have care when/if we needed it.  I feel
we are fortunate that we can afford to hire help.
All the kids have really been great, but they have
their own lives and are busy; we'll call on them
when/if we need to, but hope we won't have to do
that too often.

The required, by the county, new septic system
was installed and in the process most of the
"back 40" is now dirt instead of grass and the
lawn in the smaller part of the back yard was
torn up, too.  We've hired Tony who has sodded
the back yard and part of the front yard where
the lawn sprinklers didn't work.  The grass
had died and weeds had taken over.  He is seeding
the "back 40" with prairie grass.  He has also
planted six lilac bushes along the northern
fence.  We hope that will screen our view
of the neighbor's barn in the not too distant
future.  He'll be back Tuesday to do some
more work, but will also come weekly to keep
the place looking good.