Old Friends Visit

This week we had visitors all week; Paul and Barbara Kelly who live in Humboldt County in northern California and on the ocean.  They are roughly our age and really didn't want to do much of anything except be with us for a while.  The last time they were here Paul wasn't doing well at all; he was in the process of having a silent heart attack.  They used to live in Boulder and also have visited us enough times so they feel they know what the attractions are.  The only thing they wanted to do was visit the Boulder Book Store and they did.

While they were here we had a number of previous commitments so we were in and out.

On Tuesday Robert had his regular check up with Dr. Braun.  It was a good visit with good news.  No chemo at this time.  He wants Robert in town when he's on chemo.  He also scolded Robert for not using the e-mail system.  That system is super-secure and that annoys Robert.  He had also screwed up the first time he logged on and the system has no way to recover from that.  He finally called the HELP desk and they were able to get him going.  That is great so that we can contact Dr. Braun, if we need to, while on our trip.

The Kellys insisted on taking us to dinner; Robert demurred, but I said, "that would be lovely."  We went to a restaurant in Louisville.  It was an Italian restaurant,  the Blue Parrot.  The place was almost empty!

The same day, or evening, I had a sleep test to determine whether or not I have sleep apnea.  The report is due in 7-10 days.  I did not wake in the morning with a mask on my face nor did I use oxygen.

On Wednesday I went to a Cafe Alverez at noon to have lunch with some of my NCAR buddies; Buck Frye, Vince Wayland, Bob Chervin, and Bob Biro.  It was fun.  I enjoyed seeing them.  Vince had been in a terrible auto accident just two weeks earlier which included broken ribs and a broken sternum.  He looked frail, but is doing very well all things considered!

On Thursday I went to my regular cardiac rehab session.  I'm up to 2.2 mph for 40 minutes at 1.5% incline.  I hope to continue to up the speed.  I was happy to note that I have 20 more sessions that my insurance will pay for.

In the evening we went into Louisville and had dinner at an Italian restaurant, not the Blue Parrot.  The food was great, but the place was very noisy. 

Friday, the Kellys left heading to Spokane to visit other friends and then home.  I was so busy rushing to make breakfast and help them get off that I completely forgot a hair appointment I had.  My hair dresser, Nancy called, worried that I might be ill.  I said no, just absent minded.  She is very forgiving.  I went later in the morning.

In the afternoon Frank and Tommie Diaz stopped by.  We had met Frank on one of our evening walks.  They had a flyer for us; a "save the date."  The community is having a Pot Luck Block Party on September 22nd.  They came in and we chatted for a while.  I don't know whether we'll be back by then...but we'll see.  It was very nice for them to stop.  They gave us their e-mail and phone numbers and also the e-mail of the community coordinator.  Gradually we are getting to know our neighbors.  I'm delighted!

Good bye, Dr. Guber

Alyssum and Aspen left, with Connie on Tuesday, about noon.  It
was really hard to let them go, especially since they were not
really leaving until Wednesday morning.  It was clear that Connie
wanted some time with them, too.  Alyssum was also curious to see
Connie's house.

I went to the CardioRehab Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I'm
trying to make up for missed days.  I wish I could go on Friday,
but they aren't open on Fridays.  In any case, I continue to get
stronger.  I did 20 minutes at 2.5 miles/hour and 1.5% incline.
That doesn't seem like much, but it was work, for me.

The gas smell in the furnace room seemed to be getting worse and
both Martha and Alyssum urged me to call the gas company.  I
called Xcel and they came out promptly and found a gas leak
which they "red labeled."  I then called Todd, the plumber.  He
arrived the next morning and now there is no more smell coming
from the furnace room!!!

Wednesday evening my book club had a virtual meeting on-line.
Melissa set up a private group for the book club such that only
the club members were invited to join in the discussion.  At the
given time (7:30 PM) we all chimed in.  It was fun.  We all typed
our comments about the book and comments about other comments
and so forth.  I liked it because we actually discussed the book,
"Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter.  We all liked the book and it
was a great one for a discussion group.

On Thursday morning we went to an appointment with Dr. Guber (the
Thoracic surgeon who did my heart surgery).  We arrived early at
the last appointment and the receptionist said, "we like early."
This time we arrived there 1/2 hour early and again didn't have
to wait to get in.  We left before our appointment time.  I am
through with Dr. Guber, or he is through with me.  He said I
looked great and I said I felt great.  He asked me a few
questions and then said I was "good to go" so we went.

This past week has been very hot, but finally cooled off a bit
down into the 80s instead of in the 90s.

I've been getting ready for house guests.  Friday I ran errands
and am ready, I think.  They were supposed to arrive today, but
probably won't arrive until tomorrow.