On Wednesday, Joy and I took Pop back to Birmingham to see two more doctors about his eyes.  We have been in the process of going from one doctor to another trying to find the answer to his particular situation.  If you remember, these same group of doctors took care of all 3 of my boys…giving Alex and Adam miracles with their vision.  Alex’s surgery was quite straight forward and he didn’t have any trouble.  Adam, on the other hand, had several emergency situations, and had several operations to get his eyes  better.  He still needs 1 more procedure.

So, we knew we were going to the best…it is just a matter of getting the right doctor to diagnose and send you to another doctor and another to finally reach the one who can get the job done.  And, finally, we have done that.  Pop will be having surgery in early November and we have great hopes that he will be able to regain a portion of his vision.

I will not speak of specific doctors in this post.  But some…not all…of the doctors here have failed in several ways.  First in diagnosis, then it treatment, and in prescribing items to assist him.  Friends…ALWAYS get a second opinion!!!

We found through the efforts of Joy’s husband Tommy, that there are quite a number of aids available to help those with poor vision.  Pop was unable to read a newspaper or a book…unable to program his TV or even read a medicine bottle.  In the grocery store, items not directly in front of him could not be seen.  Can you imagine the frustration?  But, with the aids that are available, he is now able to see his medicine bottles to be sure he is correct in dosage, he can read a newspaper even if it is just a column at a time, he can see the pages of a book, and now with his ipad, he can browse the web,,se pictures of his grandchildren and greats, and he can have the Bible read to him, chapter by chapter as he chooses.  All this just with external aids that are available to everyone!

It disturbs me greatly that other people who have low vision are not informed of these aids to keep them involved with the written word.  At The Callahan Eye Foundation, (affiliated with UAB) there is a department called  UAB CENTER FOR LOW VISION EVALUATION.   Here a doctor will evaluate you and show you a room full of aids to help you maintain the life you want to live.  And, if, per chance, you happen to be a veteran, anything you need is provided free of charge!

These are things we never knew.  Even when Alex was struggling so, trying to complete his education, some of these aids would have been such a tremendous help.  But, we didn’t know.  And, no one we saw told us.

If you know anyone in need of vision help…feel free to contact me via email and I can send you phone numbers and other info.  It is so worth checking into.

We had such a lovely time while we were there.  The weather was just beautiful!  It could not have been any prettier.  We were able to have dinner with Ian while we were there…at PFChang…YUMMY!

After dinner, Pop and Ian headed to the Apple store and Joy and I to a dress shop.  Only time for one stop, and home and to bed.  But Joy and I talked till way after midnight.  Catching up and solving problems !

Coming out of the restaurant, there was a tree in front of our car.  The leaves on it seemed to be shimmering in the lights from the parking lot.  I had to take a picture of them.  the other 3 called me ‘crazy’.  But, I like it!

We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast the next morning.  Again, such good food!  Then Joy and I attempted to squeeze every bit of shopping we could in the 2 hours alloted.  We managed to do a little damage and make a dent in our Christmas list before our 2:00 appointment.

Lovely trees next to drive.  They were so bright against a blue sky.  They were glowing!

Then we headed to the doctor’s center and were there till about 5:00.  So, we got caught in that awful snail’s pace traffic trying to make it out of town…that took another hour or more.  But, we made it home and we all collapsed into sleep.  And, I have rested most of the day!

We love spending time with our Pop…even when it isn’t the most pleasant of circumstances.  We have learned to take advantage of every opportunity to have fun and laugh.  This time…we even got a lesson in antique household equipment.  Out in front of the store was this old-timey washing machine.  (Why this pic is sideways…I have no idea.  I tried to fix it…but, alas…no luck)  When he was a little boy, they had a washing machine like this and he was told to stay away from it.  He didn’t.  Instead, he managed to get his hand caught in the rollers, and did quite a bit of damage to his hand.

And, still today, he wears the scars on top of his hand.  He says he did not play with the washing machine again.  Oh, the hard lessons we learn in childhood.

So, now we will keep Pop healthy for a few weeks and  get him started on his eye drops before surgery.  And, plan a celebration when he is able to see better.

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the Fall Festival at our church.  You are very welcome to attend. starting at 3:00.  Come see me in the face painting area.  Stay for the ‘Trunk or Treat’ and Supper. A concert will follow. I heard that the cutest little monkey around is coming to visit.  I’ll show you a pic if I see him!

Love, love, LOVE these candles!  I have told you about them before, but it bears repeating, I think.  The pictured scent is my favorite.  I can light it in my kitchen and it scents the whole house.

 And, the scent lasts all the way through the candle.  I’ve learned recently about how some of the more famous candle makers scent their candles on the top only, so that by the time you get halfway down the candle, the scent is gone.  Not fair, I say!  And, that is why they smell so strongly when you open the lid to smell them.  Now, this little candle…WalMart…around $5.oo…is wonderful.  There are several scents to choose from, but in all honesty, this one lasts the longest.  I have, however, found another one in the collection that I really like, as well, for this time of year.  It is Mulled Cider.  Very nice, cozy, homey scent…perfect for fall.  This is the size I always buy, even though they do come in a larger size with a glass top.  Haven’t tried those…so don’t know how the scent holds up.  I use the Cranberry Mandarin all year long.  And one more good thing…that big sticker on the front…it peels right off  (with no gunk left over) so the candle looks presentable any where you may wish to place it.  (It’s the little things, isn’t it, friends?)

No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their candles.  Nor did they pay me to endorse them.  I just think if something is good…and makes you smile…we ought to share that info.  So, that’s what I did.

OK, you’ve got to hurry if you are going to take advantage of this next goody!   This is available for a limited time only…and that’s the truth.  I found this two years ago. And, I learned then that it is only sold during the Fall.  Last year, I never could find it and after some super sleuth work on my part…I learned it is only sold at Wal Mart.  This year, I went early…and there it was!  Pretty as you please…right in the frozen food section of Wal-Mart.

This is wonderful!  Now don’t go thinking that it tastes like frozen pumpkin pie.  It doesn’t.  It is very smooth and creamy…with just a touch of pumpkin flavor.  And, there is graham cracker crust mixed in.  It’s divine!  Really!  Just one thing…this is a pint,  just a little, bitty pint.

I ‘m sorry this is such a bad photo, but…I think you can read it well enough to see that someone who obviously doesn’t enjoy the delight that is scrumptious ice cream, decided that this itty, bitty,little pint holds 4 (FOUR) servings!  Four?  Are you kidding me?  I’ve heard of people who ate the whole pint at one sitting.  I don’t know them personally…but I think that it really could be possible.

No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their ice cream.  Nor did they pay me to endorse it.  I just think if something is good…and really, REALLY YUMMY…we ought to share that info.  I did.  And, you can eat as many servings at one time as you want to.  No one is looking.  Really.  Enjoy!

Recently I shared with you a sweet CD I had bought for Levi before we even knew there was going to be a Levi.  And, I’d like to tell you about another one that I found just the other day.  It is by Jewel.  Are you familiar with her?  Well, while I was shopping, I found this and decided to give it a try.  

It is titled Lullaby.  Jewel has a soft soprano voice, and this CD is beautiful.  There are a few classical children’s songs on it, but for the most part, the songs are all original.  I put it on when Levi goes down for his afternoon nap.  And, we both listen.I have found myself humming several of the melodies.  I hesitate to tell you where I got this.  But, I will…you know ‘truth in blogging and all that’.  It is put out by Fisher Price, and I bought it at Wal Mart.  I checked, though, and you can also get it at Barnes and Nobel or Amazon.

No, Wal Mart did not hire me to sell their CD’s.  Nor did they pay me to endorse this one.  I just think if something is good…and soothing and calming…we ought to share that info.  And, so I did.

Friends, I never go to Wal Mart anymore, really.  I have to cross the highway to go there and Target is on this side of the highway.  I went once a few weeks ago for something specific, and obviously my shopping radar was on full blast.  It’s just not a place I go regularly anymore.  Though it’s clear to me they have things that have quite an appeal to me!  Maybe I should just go ahead and cross that highway and visit there more often.  Perhaps when my supply of candles is gone…..or my supply of Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream !

PS

Joy and I are taking Pop back to Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday to see 2 more doctors about his eyes.  They definitely want to do surgery, but Pop is still not sure.  So, we are going to see the doctor that does the surgery to get some more information.  Then seeing a low vision specialist to see if they have some aids that may help him.  Please say a prayer for us as we travel.  And, as we begin to make decisions to help Pop’s vision.  Also, Alex has had an extremely bad few weeks dealing with his pain.  Even his strongest meds are not helping.  We thank you in advance for praying for our family.

Hope the weather where you are is as nice as it is here.  Enjoy your week!

Where, O where can my little bears be?

O where, O where can they be?

I’ve looked high and low

But they just won’t show,

O where, O where can they be?

O where, O where can my little bears be?

O where, O where can they be?

They all are so dear…

And I had them last year.

O where, O where can they be?

O where, O where can my little bears be?

O where, O where can they be?

I wish they’d come out…

If I found them I’d shout!

O where, O where can they be?

==========================

It’s true…they are nowhere to be found.  And, there are 3 more not pictured.  You would think they would be packed up with al the other fall decor that I get out and pack back up every year.  But, no—–obviously I thought I had a better place to store them than in the correct place.  Why do I continuously sabotage myself?  Oh, well, it’ll be a great surprise when they do turn up.  (Sorta like when I hide my own Easter Eggs)

So, if you happen to see any unaccompaned minor bears…please call 1=800=334=Fnd=Bers..

Friday is usually my errand day since Levi is not with me.  This past Friday, I had made plans for a haircut…BEFORE I knew that I needed to keep that sweet angel boy.  So, he and I set off on our first outing together.

Before Levi was born, we all got a car seat base to stay in our own cars.  Then the infant seat/carrier just fits right in.  It really is a very easy system that they picked out.  The carrier fits into a stroller base also.  Now the only drawback to the system is that the car seat is HEAVY!  And, with a chunk of a baby in it…WAY HEAVY!  No way I could pick it up.

So, I put the car seat in the car, then put Levi in…no problem.  And, off we went.  When I got to the salon, I got Levi out and we went in.  I got Amy to hold him while I got the seat out.  While I tried to get the seat out.  While I strained and pulled and pushed and hit buttons and did everything I could possibly think of to get it out.  But, there it stayed.

Well, I figured I would just hold him while I got my hair cut, and that is exactly what I did!

He wore his own cape and I wore mine and Amy got busy with the scissors.   Another lady held him for me a few minutes.  And, Levi never made a sound.  He was so good…a real trooper.

We finished up and I got him settled back in his car seat, and we headed home.  Don happened to be at the house when I got home and I asked him to get the car seat out, so Suzanne would not have to get it and it would be ready for her when she came to pick him up.  I told him that I couldn’t get it out before.  He looked at me and said, “You really need to be sure you know how to work things like that before you use them.”  I told him that I thought I had done it before and knew how, but obviously not.  So, he went to get it.  In a few minutes, he came back in–empty handed.  “Where’s the seat?” I asked.  Trying not to smile, he said, “I couldn’t get it out either.  We’ll have to wait till Suzanne or Adam get here.”  “Hmmmm,” I said, “You really should know how thing work before you use them.”  Looks like we BOTH needed to learn how!

The funny thing is, when Suzanne got here and showed me how, it was just the easiest thing…the one little lever I didn’t see and pull!    Bet I don’t forget that again!

She and I then drove to several stores to get Levi some warmer clothes, and some new church clothes, too.  I found him some little hats to cover his ears when it’s cold outside.  I’m a big believer in keeping those ears covered.    (I got him a stroller last week and now that it is cooler, I hope we can spend some time outside.)He was so good, and shopped without a sound.  We found some pretty good sales and got him some cute things.  But, Suzannes’s feet were hurting from working all day and I was tired from my work day with Levi.  And, Levi?  Well, he began to whimper as he always does when he gets tired and hungry.  So, I got in the back seat and gave him a bottle while Suzanne drove me home.  Those little angel eyes were closing before we got there.

Today…just a regular day,  Nothing big or spectacular…just doing the ordinary things.  But, a sweet day, nonetheless.  Being with the ones I love…happy and healthy.  I thank God for days like this!

PS…sorry about the blurry pics…they came to me via Amy’s cell phone.

Here I sit, at my computer tying desperately to learn all the new stuff and and remember it.   I am also afraid that if I do something wrong I will kill this piece of technology and that would be very bad.  And, if I could do something that bad…who knows…maybe I could put a kink into the whole blogiverse!

 And, oh, my friends, if you could help me…if you could even send me scurrying in the right direction, I would be so, so eternally grateful.

So, here’s the problem.  When I was on Blogger, I had all the blogs I correspond with regularly in a reader or something…I don’t know.  But, when you posted a new post, it would let me know.

Now, I am on WordPress.(Someone I love dearly changed me over and said it was ‘for my own good’ and I believed him.  And, he’s probably right.  But, it’s looking like I may be at least 75 years old before I can agree with him.)

So, he helped me get the blogs into a reader.  And, I can access them there.  The problem is…I have nowhere to comment.  I have looked and looked and looked on the page, and there is no comment box any where.  Which sorta negates the idea of having them in a blog reader if I still have to go to the site to comment.

 This is the state I find myself in at the moment.  And, I am very frustrated.   If any of you have any knowledge on the subject and would share with me…I would forever be in your debt.  Plus I will sing your praises from the top of my blog, in living color, even. Because really, this just isn’t the best look for me…

 And, I thank you ever so kindly for your consideration.