Four Day Review!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days...we didn't have a lot to report. I stayed pretty busy over the weekend, and when I wasn't busy I think I was sleeping! :o)

Neal has been walking more and more. Today we went by the church for a tour of our new building (sanctuary, fellowship hall, and children's area). We had our dedication service yesterday and, unfortunately, Neal wasn't able to attend. We thought it would be a good idea for him to go and tour the new facilities while they were pretty empty, and then when he goes back to church he can spend time talking to everyone. Our new building is gorgeous, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our tour today!

Neal also had his staples removed this morning! He was so happy!!! They were beginning to itch, and the tape from the bandages were irritating his skin. Thankfully the only stitches he had were in the pacemaker incision...all the other incisions were glued. While we were at the office he had his Pro-Time check (to see how thick/thin his blood is). It had gone up from 1.6 last week, to 2.0, but our goal is 2.5 to 3.0. He's getting there. We also met with the pacemaker lady. She gave us a box that he will use for his pacemaker battery checks. He just has to place our telephone into the box in a certain place, and then put two bracelets on...one on each wrist (they have wires that connect to the box). Then she will call us at our appointment time, and he can actually get an EKG over the telephone. She'll do a 20 second EKG, and then he has a special magnet he places over his pacemaker site, and then she does 20 seconds more. That's it! The magnet will engage the pacemaker to its fullest potential. For instance today his pacemaker was working for his lower chamber of his heart, but wasn't needed for the top. When he put the magnet over his pacemaker it made the top chamber pace. That way they can make sure it works if needed. It just amazes me what we are capable of doing...even over a telephone!

Over the weekend we had a cookout (with our OMAHAAAAA burgers and frankfurters). Neal's mom, dad, and sister came over. It was nice visiting with them, and we enjoyed the food sent from the CT Beasleys! Oh, on Friday our friends the Sullivan's brought us dinner, as well. Kathleen made some yummy baked chicken, a cold bean salad, and diced cucumbers. It was all very good, but we especially loved the bean salad. I'd never had one like it before. It had kidney beans, chili beans, and a few other kinds of beans -- maybe Navy. Then it had celery, onions, and some herbs. I don't know what all was in it, but we all want the recipe! Thanks, Kathleen!

We watched a few more John Wayne movies over the weekend. The last one we watched Sunday evening was The Shootist. John Wayne's last movie. First of all, if you don't have TV Guardian (or something similar) it is not a family friendly movie, and there is gun shooting in it (which would apply to probably 75% of J. Wayne's movies :o), but it was a bitter sweet movie. The character John Wayne plays is dying from cancer. He is a renowned gun-slinger (shootist), but is facing his biggest challenge yet -- death. The sad thing is that during this time, John Wayne was also battling cancer and died only two years after he made this movie. Knowing that made it seem so much sadder! I think we all agreed though, that this is our favorite of his movies so far.

Neal's grandpa came over Sunday afternoon for a visit and he watched John Wayne's movie "McClintock" with us. We had a nice visit with him!

The kids and I started back to school today. Everything went well, and I think it will be good to have a routine again.

The Bethune family brought us supper tonight....a yummy rotisserie chicken, salad, and a corn/vegetable salad. They also brought grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries, and cookies. Thanks so much! I'll have to start cooking next week...whatever will I do?!! LOL These meals have truly been a blessing to us though, and we are so thankful for all who have brought them to us!

Neal's pretty wiped out this evening, but he had a good day! He goes to the doctor again on Wednesday afternoon. That will be a visit with his surgeon...probably the final visit with him.

That's all for now. Thank you all for your continued prayers!