Moving on.........

Things are moving on at 76th Street.

This week the landscapers who had placed sod
on dead/dying grass and the ares dug up by the
septic installers, dug up a garden by the front
porch that had died, due to lack of water.  They
added new topsoil, planted new plants and then
cover with mulch.  It looks lovely.  I'm hand
watering it until Robert and I feel well enough
to figure out why the irrigation system isn't
watering that area.

It is clear the economy is still struggling.
When I called the landscaper he was here within
the day and has been working most days since
then getting us in ship shape.  He'll be
back Wednesday to mow the law.

I called the arborist and he sent a representative
the same day to determine what we wanted and to
give an estimate and they were here the following
day to do the work.

Likewise, when we had a plumbing problem the
plumber was here the next day and worked all
day to solve the immediate problem and back
at the start of the week to fix the less
immediate problems.  And so it goes.

At least, in the flats, it is easy to get help.

Robert has been really miserable this week and
we are both scared.  We were going to the VA
on Monday, just to do lab work, but now we
are going to see the oncologist, too.  We'll
be at the VA for the lab and see the doctor
sometime after 9:30 AM.  I think we'll get
up at 5:30, leave at 6, arrive at 7 and get
the lab work done as soon as possible; then
go get breakfast.  Fortunately, although I'm
still in pain, I feel well enough to drive
us to the VA and back!  Actually, I feel
very well.  I'm just damn sick of hurting.
My forehead and skull are still bright red.

I did get my hair cut this week.  What a
relief that was.

I'm distressed at the on-going nasty
campaign!  I can't imagine a President
Ryan!  What a disaster that would be,
but maybe not as bad as a President
Palin?

I'm looking forward to visits from Robyn,
Alyssum and family and Keating and
family sometime between now and October
first!  Lovely!

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.