Whew! It seemed like all day I was waiting to exhale. By the end of the day I could almost rival the big bad wolf.

.........and I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll .......................!

My Monday was exceptionally long. Up shortly after midnight, at the hospital at twenty to six, back to the house by ten-fifteen, to the doctor's office by ten forty-five, back to the house by noon, left again by three to run errands, finally home for the day shortly after six. My bed beckoned, but I held out until after nine-thirty.

Pepa's procedure was short and sweet. Batteries only, hold the new pacemaker! Doc Blackwood came and gave us the report, and told us Pepa could go home after noon. The nurses had told us that after the procedure Pepa would go to recovery for an hour and then to a bed on the floor so they could monitor his pacemaker, and then home. Once we had something to report we began calling people who wanted reports. I took great joy in telling other siblings they were the only one that didn't show up! Of course Pat and I were the only ones there, but what they don't know will only make them feel guilty! Heh, heh!

I may go look for some extra-large pink footie pajamas, some pink rabbit ears and a drum for Pepa. If he got new batteries he could be the "energizer bunny"!

Memama, Pat and I had sat and visited (when they weren't moving us from room to room. I think we waited in three different areas). By the way, Pat was an hour and ten minutes LATE! There is just something wrong with a woman that is soo smart having problems setting a clock. Spring forward. Fall back. (I may check into a tattoo for her reminding her of this. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD!) Actually there was no reason for her to have to be there that early. When she made it, it was in sufficient time.

I really enjoyed visiting with Pat and Memama. It seems there are lots of things that need to be talked about. Pat and Hag were going to come over to our house and then Krl broke her leg. Now they are scared to stop by, they might get to clean, do dishes, laundry or something. Ha! Now a month has gone by and it seems like the list just keeps growing! So yesterday we just high-lited a lot of things that are up for discussion.

About ten to ten, I left the heart center to go home and get Krl. Her doctor's appointment was at ten forty-five. I had given her a call about nine-thirty to be sure she got up. When I walked in the door she almost ready! I grabbed a few things and got her wheelchair and we were out the door! I haven't quite figured it out but I can drive back from the hospital in twelve minutes but to the same area is at least twenty minutes, and I drive HARD! I guess I am serious warped, but when I got Krl to the door of the doctor's office I cleaned and dried the wheelchair wheels before we go on the entry rug. (I had grabbed a couple of cup towels before leaving the house.) Once I had her in the elevator I ran back to park the pickup. By the time I made it upstairs, she had registered and parked. I sat down and looked at the time. EXACTLY ten forty-five. Yes! When you're good you're good and when you are lucky you're lucky. Sometimes I am lucky, but I'm never good! Heh!

We didn't wait long and they took us back and put us through the regular routine. Examine room, wait. X-ray room, wait. Back to examine room, wait. Examination, pay money! The doctor was in the middle of his exam when my cell phone toned. It was Pat. She had just put Pepa in the car and Memama and him were on their way home. It was eleven twenty-six. I don't know if Pepa was that quick a healer or if he was just so cranky they graduated him early! Hah!

The doctor is becoming more personable. At least he didn't seem rushed yesterday. He compared ALL the x-rays, and to his trained eye he says he can see the bones mending This may be the glass half full or the half empty deal because I could still see the break. The doctor went through the regular spiel, can you move your toes, the color is good. Your toes are still cold, come back in two weeks, give money as you exit!

I have been seeing the insurance benefits "paid" papers as they come to the house. Yesterday I was watching the girl at the desk doing her paperwork. The doctor is a contract provider for our insurance company. We pay the co-pay (Wow do those add up!) and insurance discounts his charges 41%. So the doctor ends up with about three-quarters of his initial charges. Of course I am sure he get FULL compensation for his x-rays, casts, and other accessories. I figure the big plus is he gets his reduced rate quickly without a hassle.

I gave my patient opportunity to stop in for a bite to eat, but she said she wanted to go home and eat left over roast. I got her home, got the food in the oven, tended to the hounds, and waited. After about an hour, we feasted. Then I waited again.

I'm not a good waiter. I would rather get it over with and done! But, I do wait better at home than sitting in an office or pharmacy waiting area. Krl had meds for me to pickup and lately it seems like they are either really busy or really slow. Could be both. Could be I'm really fast. Yep! Could be I'm really good and they're really bad. Probably!

Finally I slipped my shoes on and gathered necessary items. I developed a plan. I was going to pay a utility, then back to the hospital to check on Ed, my friend, the contractor from the seasonal work, then back by the pharmacy.

I asked the utility why we get two bills from them. They asked if I wanted one bill? Hello. Yes. I wonder what portion of their service they would terminate if I had only paid one of the bills? Crazy thing is, they come at different time and have different due dates. So I am current, I have made my request for one bill and now we will see.

When I got back to the hospital, I had no problem finding where I was going. (I didn't have Pat punching the elevator buttons or leading me around!) When I entered Ed's room he was getting a new needle in his arm so they could relocate his IV. His other one had "blown" out. I was probably a good diversion. I think the nurse doing the needle might have aspirations to be a tattoo technician, she sure stuck him enough. Ed was doing good. I enjoyed seeing him, Pearl and their son Greg. Actually I stayed longer than I intended. They are already looking down the road a day or two to sending him to a rehab facility. So that is good.

On my way home I went by the pharmacy and waited, but only briefly. Then I made the final leg of my journey so I could get my apron on and begin supper.

I am running out of meal ideas. But that may just mean I can start over again. Who would've thought the peanut butter recall would affect my menu like this!

I am supposed to go and help K.O. install a water heater in his travel trailer today. He and D.O. are going to the lake later this week. I told him to be prepared. Replacement water heaters for an RV are two to three time more expensive than one for the house. Last one I bought was over six hundred dollars.

I'm tempted to tell K..O. that it is still too early to go to the lake, the water hasn't warmed up yet so they can get colds from swimming in the lake or from taking cold showers but I don't think they can get a double cold. In America they don't believe in double jeopardy.

The "General" was observing from her post, that the house needs some attention. Dang! I'm going to have to take out more light bulbs. I knew it was coming and I am prepared. I have a new mop, the swifter is charged and the dust mop head has been washed. Now I've got to work this into my schedule. I also need to gather laundry.

I have a confession to make. Since I have become the primary "cleaner" in our house I have become "cleaner". Before I act, I assess how much mess something is going to make. I find myself minimizing pots and pans and counting how many dog feet I have toweled off. But I haven't gone so far as to use Chris' seven side laundry rule. (Right side out, wrong side out, inside, outside, front side, back side, and I never can remember his last one).

I may need some counseling.

Well, if I haven't scared you back under the covers, have a day!

FATHER, I need a lot of work, but with YOUR help I'll make it!