Lake Conroe . . . (Y2D354-365+)
- Susan Scott Smith
- Jun 27, 2015
- 6 min read
It was great to be able to get back to the South Church this week. It takes just over an hour to get there so it is not a bad drive. There was a torrential rain storm through downtown on the way home but that cleared off after I got out of the city.
Tony made it down to the Saturday breakfast they put on at the community center . . . bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, gravy, biscuits, fruit, cereal, milk and juice. I will have to join him another Saturday.
It rained off and on for the evening and night but Sunday was absolutely beautiful. We slept in but I think the sun charged our batteries . . . Tony decided to do some work on my car, purchasing an elbow to replace a repair he was not pleased with. Then he decided to change the alternator out. It has been a LONG time since he has done anything like that.
While searching for tools he needed he gathered all the tool boxes he had stuck in a dozen different places and after making a run to some auto parts place spent the entire day working on my car and reorganizing his tools. He has been talking about doing the tools for a long time.
While he made his run to the auto parts, he stopped by Kroger and picked up a few things. One item was for dinner . . . salmon steaks.
I had gotten up, started the laundry, did my BRP, and decided to go get my bike and some string lights in the storage trailer. Tony ran me over to the trailer in the golf cart and opened it for me.
When I got back (on my bike) I began stringing more lights and set up our chairs under the awning. Jack loved being outside for long periods of time today. Tony filled the ice chests with ice so we could store some drinks outside.
I managed to clean the back window in my car but will have to clean all of them thoroughly before going any where. They are filthy.
Tony put the salmon on the smoker about 7:00 pm and then decided to go to the hot tub. I jumped at the opportunity to get some laps in the pool. It was so pleasant and not very crowded.
When we got home, I showered, warmed up the fresh green beans, Tony showered and brought the salmon in and we enjoyed! Tony got a big glass of milk and put some of the fresh corn bread in it. I ate mine for dessert . . . with butter and strawberry jam.
For Mother's Day Mom, Dad, and Tony bought me a keyboard. I am practicing almost every day. Hopefully by the time that Nadia goes off to college I will be back in 'practice.' Why did it let that talent go?
Mom's surgery for rotator cuff was scheduled for the 4th of June and all went well . . . her shoulder socket could be seen through the tear in her rotator cuff. Another tear was not nearly as big and a bone spur had to be removed.
Methodist St. John's was wonderful in taking care of Mom. The food was awesome! I departed on Monday and went home for two nights. This is an example of the awesome food they served. I can't say my lunches look that good always.
While we were taking care of Mom Tony decided to try fishing on the Lake. He caught about 4 catfish a day and supplied our neighbors with his catch.
When I got back to Lake Conroe Tony did some more fishing, catching cat fish . . . I don't eat them but had fun watching him catch them. Jack loved barking at the flopping fish on the grass. We went to the pool for a while after fishing. I did a few laps and we enjoyed the beautiful, clear night.
Mom was moved to ManorCare on Wednesday so I headed back to help get her settled in. Dad stayed with her the first night and I stayed at their apartment.
On Thursday after having a very bad night, Tony decided that Babe was suffering and needed relief. He said goodbye to her while I was taking care of Mom. VERY SAD day!
Mom had a Doctor's visit (flowers in the front were beautiful) on the 8th after which I returned home. It took about two days to recoup.
Her therapy began immediately for stability, balance, and mobility. Dad, Dean, Cecilia and I are taking turns covering the days. The pain medications she was taking did not sit well with her, making her hallucinate. Not good . . . so the stopped one and added a patch. Little did we know the patch had similar meds as the previous and the hallucinations began again. So we are back to here standard pain medication. Regulating it is the key.
On the 12th I got a hair cut . . . really a trim . . . Que always does a great job at Modern Cuts!
I visited after church on the Sabbath (13th) until about 7:30 pm.
We moved to Omega Farms on the 19th for 7 days. If you stay in the same park after your 21 day stint you have to be out of that park (can be another TT park) for 7 days. We wanted to stay close and this one was 2 miles down the road.
On Wednesday we brought the cars down to have AC work done on them and I visited Mom. Tony had a doctor's visit also. It also gave me a chance to give Dad his Father's Day card and gift since I was not able to be there Sunday.
I visited Mom again on the 20th.
Before we left Omega Farms I noticed the water lillies were blooming . . . they are absolutely beautiful.
Tony caught a couple of crappie and a small bass before we left. I hope they are still around when I get back.
Today is the 26th and we moved back to Thousand Trails, Lake Conroe and found out that we were able to extend our reservation through the 12th. That is the day that we leave for Dallas for the FI Class. The 4th of July was booked when I made my last reservations so we got on a waiting list for cancellations.
Tony managed to get a prime spot near the lake, near the pool, with a tree nearby and great TV reception with our antennae. Jack was so excited to ride in the golf cart all the way from Omega Farms to Thousand Trails, passing a turtle on the way.
I got a call from Dad that Mom was not doing well, having pain in her stomach, not being able to eat, and nauseated. So I hurriedly got the RV set up and cleaned as thoroughly and quickly as possible, made sure my bags had everything I needed, packed the car and headed out. I intended to come after church and stay for a few days but decided to move it up since Mom was not feeling well.
Dad needed a break and since I am rested, it is my turn.
It was so hot on the way down I had to watch my temperature gauge in the Corvette. When it got near 220 degrees I switched the AC to vent. I was also watching the gas gauge because I had just about half a tank. I should have had more than enough to get to Webster except for the stop and go traffic on the south side of Houston.
There is a Sam's at El Dorado and I intended to stop for gas there. There was a wreck on the inbound side of I-45 just above El Dorado and the traffic on ourside was STOPPED for miles. It was pathetic. When we passed the wreck, the speed went back to 'normal.' However, I had to wait through 2 lights to turn right off the feeder and when I made the right hand turn to get into the left lane to enter Sam's parking lot and the gas station the car sputtered and died as I gave one last press on the pedal.
Thankfully there were no cars in the lanes either way and I coasted across El Dorado up the incline into Sam's parking lot and made a right toward the gas station, just running out of momentum as I pulled up to the pump. Whew! 18.78 gallons later I was filled and on my way again . . . only now I saw a Whataburger right across El Dorado and decided to get a bit before I got back on the road.
I always get the #7 . . . a Jr. with cheese, fries, and a drink but I wanted to try the new Root Beer Shake. It was worth it . . . no calories right?
I made it to Mom's, finding Dad and Cecilia there. Dad and I decided I would pull the night shift tonight and let him get some rest. Cecilia stayed til 6 and then headed home. Dean arrived a short time later and we had a nice visit.
It is the saddest thing in the world to see your parent waining in their later years, unable to do the things that they always did before. It is also a reminder that I am headed in that direction also and need to be careful to take care of my body and make sure I do things that will make those years a little easier. Of course, you cannot plan for every event.