Well it's been another two weeks since we've last written -
boy is time going by fast now! One big accomplishment of the past week is the
solving of the "big toe" issue. By last Sunday and then Monday, the
toe looked as though it was ready to explode (and felt like it too). We decided
on Monday night that toe was a priority for Tuesday. We were headed to the ER
at the hospital in Ellensberg but stopped to get gas (and Diet Coke) in Cle
Elum. I had previously tried to call the local pharmacist in town to ask for
advise on a specific doctor to see but had not gotten thru. So, since we got
off in town already we stopped at the drug store and I went in to ask the
pharmacist for his advice and/or the name of a doctor. Everyone had had advice
- but we honestly didn't know whether to find an infectious disease doctor, a
vascular specialist, a dermatologist or a podiatrist or just easier, but more
expensive to go to an ER. As soon as Dave, the pharmacist saw me he came right
out to talk to me. He immediately told me that he had this one handled. He told
me to expect a call from a Dr. Johnson, a podiatrist in Yakima. In the
meantime, Dad and I felt we needed to continue towards doing something - so we
continued our drive into Ellensberg - still heading for the hospital. We were
just arriving at the hospital when Dr. Johnson called. He said he would be
happy to see us early that afternoon. So, literally within 5 minutes of paying
for an ER visit we headed on down the road to Yakima. Dr. Johnson was very
personable and after a couple of pokes and prods said "this is simple. At
some time in the past year you did something to severely damage your "toe
nail" and it needs to come off." I left the room because I really
don't do blood and guts and stuff and within 10 minutes Dad came out to the
waiting room and said he was ready to go dancing! Well, that lasted for about a
half hour on the drive home before the "pain" set in. He was no
longer interested in going dancing; in fact he didn't know how he would get
from the car and up the four steps into the RV!
Well, each day the toe has gotten better and better. I don't really think he will "offer to
go dancing" again in his lifetime but he now can contemplate future golf
games. This we are very grateful for
this past week. That we live in a time
when these things can be taken care of and for the kindness of people who cared
about us. (And we think the Dr. isn't
going to charge us anything.)
The other thing we did this week so we could cross it off
our 'while in Washington' list was to go to 'the mountain'. That would be Mt. Rainier. On Wednesday night I suggested he look at the
weather predictions for the next day and since he was feeling so much better we
should go. The magical maps of the
mountain showed it to be a clear, cloud free day, and so we went.
It was spectacular and such a beautiful day of seeing the
majesty of the mountain as well as the surrounding area (that would be before
the encounter of the infamous Tacoma/Seattle traffic.)
I truly have appreciated the beauty of nature as we have
transitioned from a green world to one of gold.
The deer and elk are back and the nights are crisp. We have been asked to fast and pray for 'snow'
for the area.
My big deal this week was to plan, prepare and serve a nice
dinner for 50 people on Wednesday night.
It was the annual council meeting for the 'owners' of the ranch which is
the Stake Presidents and Stake Young Women Presidents from the 10 stakes that
literally 'own' the property. It turned
out lovely.
We decorated in dark blue with silver tinsel and sparkly
white snowflakes and ice-cycles. Then
had lots of York Peppermint Patties spread out on the tables. The theme was "Wising for
Winter." (surprise, surprise--I
didn't think of taking any pictures for you.)
We had a magnificent salad bar, baked potatoes with my world famous (now
even more famous) baked potato topper, pulled pork on an Asiago cheese roll and
caramel apple cake for dessert. It was
all a big hit!
All is well here--as we begin a count down. Two more couples leave the end of the month
and then it will be us. Dad has started
'packing up' unneeded items, which apparently included my winter clothes and
coats. He thinks I can do without
them. Honestly he must have been on pain
meds that day because now he has to go 'unpack' that section OR we could go
shopping at the outlet mall. I think he
has decided to 'unpack'.
Love to all,
Mom
