Whale Watching

Our Whale watching tour found a pod of Killer Whales. They aren't whales at all, I was told my the naturalist who accompanied us. They are the largest of the dolphin family. Jack, Amy, Phillip and I all went on the trip. We also saw seals, birds, a small whale, and porpoises. Day was cool and fog for the first part of the trip. When the sun came out, it was still cool, but
not nearly as cool as earlier. Phillip was excited about the whales! He can't talk yet, but he can sign and he was signing "fish" and pointing. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

Get well gifts and my Amarillas

Four flowers on the spike and it is blooming in the summer!

From Jack, Amy, and Phillip

These two are from FEMA friends. FEMA friends are the best. They come from all over the country, but pull together when you need them. Even retired, FEMA friends are there for you. I am also lucky to have some non-FEMA friends and a wonderful family. When I was recovering from surgery, I had friends and family offer to come stay with me, offer to do errands and get groceries and take me to doctor appointments.

My yard

Some of you have asked about my yard. There are roses, irsis, lilly of the valley, and gladiola next to the house ( no picture). My garden is peace and relaxes and rejuvinates me. It was a Godsend when I was recovering from surgery. I sat outside, put my feet up, and read and sometimes just sat and looked at the flowers and the green.

Trip to WA

I left the Chicago area on Friday and drove straight through to Oak Harbor, WA with stops in Rapid City, SD and Missoula, MT. I went to see my Daughter-in-law, Amy and Grandson, Phillip, and be there when my son Jack came home from deployment. In Montana, I stopped for huckleberry pancakes in a small town. The scenery was spectacular. At every turn there was something more wonderful than the last. I drove until dark and got a good night's sleep for the next day.

Tues, Jack came home. Amy, Phillip, and I all went to meet him. He looked thin, but wonderful and he and Phillip have had a ball together in the last couple days.

It is hot here and the kids do not have air conditioning, so we went to a mall today with a play area for Phillip to stay cool. Now Phillip, Daddy, and Mommy are outside. Phillip is playing in his little pool.

Hot, but happy in Washington. Will write again soon...

Visit to QC

I made a visit to the Quad Cities Saturday. I visited 4 of my grandchildren and their parents. It was the first trip after my surgery and I was healthy enough to go for a walk with them, pick them up, carry the littlest ones, and have all four wiggle worms in my lap (one at a time) without it hurting. I sure do love them!

allergies

Monday I managed to rip off the scab of the largest incision. Ouch! I called the doc and the nurse told me to put antibiotic cream on it and cover with bandage. I covered with gauze holding it in place with paper tape. I have allergies to latex and adhesive and paper tape is all I can tolerate. Tuesday, I ripped of the scab of the next largest incision ( I have 5). Repeat. I changed the bandages twice a day. Wednesday evening when I took the bandages off to change them, the tape ripped off a layer of skin and it was bleeding! So much for being able to tolerate paper tape. I had developed a rash under the tape and when I took off the tape, it took sensitive skin with it. I put antibiotic cream on the incisions, A&D ointment on the now itchy, bleeding, and sensitive areas where the tape had been and left it all uncovered except for my nightgown and went to bed.

I had a queasy stomach Wednesday all day and Thursday when I woke, it was worse, so I stayed home from work. Friday was my compressed day off.

Today, the incisions look good, the skin around the incisions are looking much better, and I will go back to work on Monday. Queasiness has subsided and I think it had something to do with dealing with the incisions and the allergic reaction.

Back to work

I went back to work Friday and am looking forward to next week. Doc and I discussed it and decided Friday would be best because it is only an 8 hour day and I would have the weekend to recover if I needed it. I was tired, but it felt good to be back. I am so lucky!