West Baden

Finally something to write about other then hospital stays and procedures....my step dad has been home from the hospital now for about 2 weeks and doing very well.  So glad to put that chapter of my life behind me!  Now on to the FUN.....Mom and I took a much needed mini vaca....just one night!  It was her treat....as we celebrated my B-day a bit early.  Thanks Mom!  We had an awesome time and will go back when we can spend more then just a night.  We went to the West Baden Springs Hotel.  Located near French Lick Indiana.  It was fabulous.....and yes I have a few photos to share......

 

This is the driveway onto the hotel property

ONE of the Grand entrances

Rocking chairs overlooking the beautiful gardens.

I wish we would have had more time to spend....I certainly would have taken advantage of those chairs!  We did wonder around the gardens...just lovely!  There are carriage rides and horseback riding, elegant dining, and a casino nearby too!  Oh...and I must not forget to mention the Spa....wondrous things happen there!  So much history is here and you can just feel the buzz of past years and past patrons.  

This is the atrium....it takes your breath away!

Grand fireplace

and finally me (on the left) and my beautiful Mom!

"This is the House that Jack Built"

So, as I said.....this is the House that Jack (my Dad) built......

This is where it all began with the five of us kids. 

This is how much we have "grown".....and we are missing a few from this photo.  My son, Samuel, and my niece, Clorissa and her son Noah.  Both theses photos were taken on our family cruise.  I think we are a pretty good look-in bunch of folks...but of course I am a little prejudice.  I know we had one heck of a good time on that cruise....thanks again Dad, and thanks for building such an awesome "house" full of love and laughter!                   You and Mom did good!

More Medical News.....

I had my root canal done early Tuesday morning.  The procedure itself was fairly painless, but not so after!  The dentist warned me that the tooth would continue to be painful for a while yet due to the infection and the trauma of the root canal.  Let me tell ya....THAT was an UNDERSTATEMENT!  Thank goodness for drugs and ice packs and another course of antibiotics!  This am seems to be a bit less painful.....and I'm thankful for that and hoping it last!  I go back in two weeks for round 2 of the procedure.....this time he packed my tooth with meds and put in a temporary filling.  Good news is that so far my "crown" on that tooth is holding up to the process and will only need a "patch" job after the completion of the root canal.  Saving some big bucks there!
My Step Father is still in the hospital.  He is stable, but so very weak and still on the ventilator.  However, the ventilator is now attached directly to his trachea.  This decision was made to help in his recovery process and to make him more comfortable.  Looks like he will be needing a long stay in rehab....there they can slowly wean him off the ventilator and start building strength back into his body.  The doctors are hoping to move him there by the end of the week.  That would be a very good thing as we will have him transported by ambulance to a rehab facility here in Lafayette.  Will make life so much easier for my Mom, as she will finally be able to be home instead of staying in a hotels.  So appreciate all those prayers and support from all of you.....thank you!
Now to the lighter side of life.....my little furball boy, by the name of Cosmo, has discovered the horses in the nearby pasture.  Cosmo and Bill were down by the fence line and about 4 or 5 of the horses came by for a visit.  Bill reported that our little boy was a wagging his tail every which way and as the horses put their heads down to investigate, he gave each one of them a big ole KISS on the nose!  Now, every time he goes out he heads down to the fence to see his new friends!

The GoodeLife has its ups and downs.....

I am exhausted!  This past month has been full of highs and some very low....lows.  Let's start with the lows.  My Step Father had surgery....I'm not going into the details, but things have not gone well.  I have spent the past week practically living at the hospital with my Mom.  In the middle of all that...one of my crowns decided to have a meltdown.  The pain was intense.  I managed to contact a dentist who prescribed some pain meds and antibiotic to see me through until he could see me on Sept 3rd.  Mom is still at the hospital...(my Step Father is stable but has a long ways to go it seems to recovery) a couple of Mom's friends are staying with her so I could come home get my medication, rest, and do some laundry before returning to the hospital on Thursday.  His surgery took place in Indianapolis....Mom lives in Lafayette....so it has been a real challenge driving back and forth and staying in hotels, well you get the drift.....exhausting for all of us!
Now for the really great news......I had an AWESOME time on the family cruise with my Dad and brothers, sister, and their families (THANKS AGAIN DAD!).  Probably one of THE best times of my life....lots of wonderful memories made....and I know somewhere on UTUBE I'm shaken my booty with a bunch of Philippians.  I danced til the band stopped playing every night....my body hurt in places I didn't even know it could hurt...but I didn't care I was having the time of my life!!  I'm telling ya....I danced, literally danced circles around all those 20 and 30 something kids on the ship....HA! HA!  Had my own little following of "groupies" too!  OK...so let's just say I left a lasting impression with several folks on that ship!  Did not get to swim with the dolphins though.....I did sign up, but for some unknown reason the event was cancelled.  Disappointing....but I partied on!
Next bit of news....we have relocated and are free of the AOK for the remainder of our stay here in Lafayette.  Some very dear friends invited us to stay at their place once they headed south.  It is truly wonderful....a bit out in the country, concrete pad, full hookups...well have a look for yourselves....

 This is the view out the front door....

Beautifully landscaped.....complete with patio furniture and a gas grill!

 

That is the adjoining pole barn....with a big shower and full size washer and dryer available for our use!

It is just fabulous and we can't thank them enough for allowing use to stay here for our last couple of months before we head south too.  Needed this so badly....a place to really relax and recharge.  When we came home from dinner last night, a mama deer and her two babies where their to greet us.  It is just heaven here.  We have both decided that we want something similar to this set up out in Arizona or New Mexico in a couple of years.  Someplace we can "hang our hat" during the winter months and continue to travel in the fall and summer!

All in all its been a wild and wicked month.....but its all just part of our "Goodelife"!

BRRRR.....

Just a wee bit on the chilly side this am....had to break out the sweats!  The temp is around 57 degrees, feels a bit like fall.  Fall is my favorite time of the year, but I'm not quite ready to give up the summer heat.  The weather man says the heat is coming back...so I"m just going to enjoy this little "fall preview" while it last.
The countdown has began....getting ready to fly down to Florida on the 7th of August to catch a family cruise to the Bahamas a few days later.  I can't "freakin" wait!!  So excited to be with my brothers and sister and their kids and grand kids, Dad and my Step Mom...it is gonna be such great fun!  I do need a little advice....I have an opportunity while on this cruise to be in the water with dolphins.  Now I adore dolphins, but they are BIG and I'm not so sure about being in the water with them....in fact, I'm a bit terrified to do it.  YET...a very big part of me says, "dam the torpedoes...full speed a head"  you only get to ride this ride once so "GO FOR IT"!  BUT...I have yet to "sign" on the dotted line....He, He!  So, what are your opinions and experiences? 
The next few days are gonna be spent getting ready for travel....and making sure my hubby has what he needs...Billy is staying home.  He has only been on one cruise...didn't like it...and says he will never go on another one.  So he will be staying here at the fiver taking care of our furry babies! Not me......
Can you say, "Bahama Mamas".....ooooooh I sure can!!  Set me up bartender!  I can smell the coconut rum from here!!!

What this???? A new blog post!!!

Ha! Ha!  Yeah, I have been really lazy in posting this summer....but I make no apologies...just haven't been terribly motivated to write...til now.  I have something very special to share with all of you.....something I have been kinda keeping on the "QT"!  Drum rollllll pleassssseeee........"Today I have officially lost 50lbs!"  YES!  That's what I said, baby!  50 pounds!!!  It has been quite the transformative journey.  I started last January, when we were in Yuma.  Now, I know your next question......"JUST HOW DID I DO IT!".....well, I wish I could tell you there is a new magic pill or diet plan.  BUT, I did it the old fashion way.  I count calories and exercise...and guess what...there's in app for that!  It is called "lose it" and I use the "free" version to track what I eat and my exercise.  It is simple and easy to use.  I eat so much healthier now and counting calories has really helped me learn portion control too.  More importantly....I gave up nothing!  I still eat and love my chocolate.....my sugar highs.....and my butter.  I just eat less of them on a daily basis, but I do allow myself the occasional splurge!  Surprisingly enough...over time....I have found that those cravings are less frequent and it takes less to satisfy them.  The dreaded exercise.....I started out very simply.  I walked....slowly increasing my distance and speed.  Sometimes on the treadmill, other times around the neighborhood.  Now, I have switched to my bike....LOVE my bike!  I usually ride at lease 7 miles everyday...yes, even in this heat!  I have found I can tolerate the heat pretty well these days and there is always a breeze when you are riding!  My energy level has increased and I just feel better...all over!  More importantly....my health is improving....there is a good chance my doc will take me off my blood pressure medicine this October!  I"m not done.....I'm still losing and I plan to keep on losing till .....well, I don't have an exact number in mind...I think I'll just know when I get there!  LIFE IS GOODE!

Settling in.....

We are finally "settled" in here at the AOK in Lafayette.  We were able to move to a larger site on the front row last week....much better....I feel as though I now have some breathing room.  Not much else to report....the weather has improved a bit, not quite so much rain.  I sure did need to feel the sun on my face again and I have the last few days!
Our son is building this "monster" shed in the backyard of our house.....I think it is 10 feet by 16 feet...but it is the 10 feet tall that really gets your attention!  Ah well, I'm sure when we sell the thing it will be an asset to the next owner....one just never seems to have enough "space" for their "junk"...oops...I mean "treasures"!  I'll post some photos once it is done.  He needed it for his biz, "CrawlSpace Remediation" he is really doing well and is busy, busy, busy!
Guess that is about it.....hope everyone is having a great summer!