April 30

Another crazy windy day and storms (possible tornado) are predicted for tonight?   Norma picked me up this morning and we had breakfast at CJ's and then off to therapy.    Anna worked on the shoulder and said I have definitely improved my range of motion from 1 week ago when I was first evaulated!    YEAH!   Still feels like a long ways to go, but....ONE day at a time!

I went with Donna Rae and friends to PEO salad luncheon - sooo much good food + desserts.   Fun to see these gals again...

Mark got a haircut, ran some errands and worked in the garage!   Sure glad to have him HOME!

 Wishing you all a great weekend!    Good-bye April!

April 29

The boaters and their chauffeur (Darrel) arrived home around 4:30 today.    Judy came to pick up Gary and we had a good visit - great to have our guys home and sounds like they really enjoyed themselves!

VERY windy here today and our yard is a mess with several large branches down, sticks, leaves, etc.   I went to lunch at Central Station with Kathy and Claire celebrating Claire's birthday (Saturday)...good food and conversation, topped off with white chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and fried cake!!  YUM!  

We were out of power for about an hour tonight cause of the strong winds!   For some reason, this blog/computer is not letting me upload pictures tonight????    ARRGGHHH!!!    Nite nite!

April 28

Mark, Gary and Darrel are all in Grand Rivers, KY tonight at Green Turtle Bay Marina.    Unfortunately, something is not right with the port (left) engine and after checking everything, changing batteries, using the booster pack, etc., they were finally underway (on one engine) at 11:00   They cruised (slowly at 9 mph) for 43.5 miles arriving at 3:30.  They've used used 60 gallons of fuel the past 2 days.    Mark will talk to the mechanic tomorrow to check the engine and may have Catrina lifted.    Anyway, they are safe and sound and Darrel was there to meet them!   Total mileage from Panama City was 850 miles.   Tonight they are dining at Patti's, a favorite of ours and will be joined by Gary's brother-in-law & sister-in-law (Judy's sister and husband) who live somewhere in Kentucky?    Tomorrow, the guys come HOME!!!

My day strarted with 8:30 therapy which Sigrunn drove me to.   Diane was today's therapist and together we chatted away the 1/2 hour as she moved the arm/shoulder up, down and all around!    Icing for 15 minutes and we were off to Starbucks for coffee and treats - thanks again Sig.

Sigrunn

I was home just a bit and Kathy picked me up for Dr. Pegg's visit to see about the concussion/vertigo.   He was very thorough, explained about the crystals/tiny rocks we all have in our ear canal where balance is controlled, etc.  He showed me the diagram of the inner ear and how this all came about!  Well, during the fall one or more of my crystals/rocks or particles came loose and that is causing the spinning around.   Oddly enough....the fractured shoulder and all other discomfort has been on the left side, but this is right side of head that's got stuff where it shouldn't be.    These crystals/rocks have a sticky substance to them and they need to be put back in place.    So, I will be going to the OSF Balance and Dizziness Clinic and they have a method of somehow putting those little suckers where they belong.   One treatment should do the trick!   Should hear in a few days when that is scheduled.  I am so amazed at all the new medical stuff I've learned or first heard about since 8 weeks ago tonight when this all began...

Beautiful spring day - I walked home from the doctor's office and then took another walk in the neighborhood.    One other interesting tidbit from yesterday.....I have been doing "wall climber"  exercises since Florida where I wore a quilted oven mitt  to slide the hand as high as possible pushing under elbow with my right hand.    Jim, yesterday's therapist said to use a paint roller and try "painting" as high as possible!    I've only just begun!!!!!!

April 27

Mark and Gary checked in today from Paris Landing State Park Marina, Paris Landing, Tennessee.  They cruised 140 miles and went thru the Pickwick Lock which came down 55'.   They did have about 15 miles of "rough" waters (not usual for the river) but they were going with the current (downstream) and winds were against the current making for strong waves and unpleasant conditions!  

Interesting house along the way...

Catrina cruising with Tennessee on the left; Mississippi on the right; and Alabama straight ahead

  Paris Landing is at the very southern end of  the Land Between the Lakes (Grand Rivers is at the northern end).   Their gloomy day gave way to sunshine and tomorrow, only 45 miles to their destination of Grand Rivers, KY where they'll leave Catrina.   Mark and friend, Mark return on May 10th to resume the rest of the trip.

Last night at Pickwick Landing, they asked the lady at the marina about a good place for dinner.    She named the restaurant and said this is "Crazy Chicken" night - a buffet full of chicken prepared every which way imaginable.    So, they enjoyed their dinner and all the chicken dishes.    Tonight they are in Paris Landing and the marina lady said "Oh, tonight we have "Crazy Chicken" night"..........ooooooook!   What's with all this "crazy chicken" in Tennessee?   HA!!!

Catrina docked at Paris Landing, Tennessee

I officially started therapy (since I'm home w/the pros) today - Jim was my buddy and what a nice guy - very gentle but we chatted all the while he's moving the arm/shoulder ever so gently up, up higher, higher and straight out and here, there and wherever he could take it without me wincing, making faces, etc.   Actually, it did hurt, but nothing unbearable and overall....felt good to have some movement and he was happy with the range I have at this point.    Definitely still freezing going on, but hoping to correct that with time and therapy.   I was iced down for 20 minutes and then on my way.   

 Judy (Gary's wife) had taken me to the clinic and then we had lunch at Jim's Steakhouse - yummy, delicious, scrumptuous Petite Maurice salads wtih Brittany dressing (local favorite for many years)!

Judy and Pat

Darrel, long-time friend offered his driving services (or whatever) after our accident.....so, he stopped by tonight to pick up our truck and will drive to Green Turtle Bay on Kentucky Lake tomorrow to pick up the boaters.  We are blessed with some truly great friends!!!

  Home on Thursday!

Darrel

Tomorrow, more therapy and then visit with the neurologist! 

April 26

Congratulations and Happy 7th Anniversary to Anne and Patrick!!!

7 years later on St. George Island, Florida

The boaters had a very good day doing some serious cruising as they covered 101 miles and went thru 6 locks with no delays!  The last lock had an 84' rise!!!  Tonight they are at the Pickwick Landing State Park bordering Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama and now on the Tennessee River.   I enjoyed following their journey via the AIS (automated identification system) showing the route they are on, speed they are going and the actual marker for "Catrina" on the internet - unbelievable what this technology can do!!!

And here's Catrina (pink spot and her route right into slip at marina.)

I had breakfast with the neighbors and always fun catching up (guys at their table; girls at ours).    Went for a walk, did some e-mails, read and now enjoying a nice clean house thanks to Jen and Courtney who came to freshen things up a bit after almost 4 months of neglect!!!   Mama is happy tonight!
Had a nice evening with my Monday Night Friends at Brenda's along with strawberry cobbler and ice cream!   Did my therapy and about ready for Dreamland (hopefully)?