Betty’s Week
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Betty’s Week
By Betty Shearer
Great-niece Caroline left us for a few days late last week. She decided she needed to spend a few days with her parents before going to her first summer camp. Camp Lake Stevens has a mini camp, which spans registration late Thursday afternoon, all day Friday, and then good-byes Saturday morning at 10:30. Odds were on having to pick her up at bedtime Thursday night.
However she gave us all a surprise, as she was not heard from the entire camping session and did not want camp to end. I stayed home while she was being picked up and was so excited to hear her glowing report of the camping experience. One night the excitement came from a fellow camper falling from her top bunk. Thankfully she was not injured.
Second night was bug night. After all campers were safely tucked in for the night, their counselor was about to take her shower. After getting undressed she heard a piercing scream from the campers. Coming to the bathroom door, wrapped in her towel, she urged them to be quiet and get to sleep. Still screaming, they pointed to the area above her head. She looked up and joined the screaming. There above her head was a huge Wolfe Spider. One of the male counselors was summoned and he took care of the spider.
Then later that night a cricket decided to serenade them. Caroline says that even with both interruptions, they still were able to get a good eight hours sleep. Other activities were mostly comparable to things that have been happening at camps for years. It was good to have Caroline home, as she really livens up things around the house with her slime making, games, and our shared food likes.
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On the farm we’ve had a lot of rain, which makes grass grow in the hay fields. Unfortunately, hay can not be cut and baled with all the moisture. Hopefully there will be dryer days soon, well at least before the grass gets to tuff. Calves are almost as large as their moms and are being weaned. The bull has had a lame foot this week, but is now better. That’s about it for the farm report.
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This is the final week of my last round of the first three weeks of this scheduled nine weeks of chemo. This is a good week, with body almost feeling normal and strength also up to par. I put away the walker except when I have to walk in areas that might cause a fall or when I was left alone.
On Thursday, Jimmie and I went over to help with some cleaning and straightening at my house. I had shoes in three closets-way too many shoes. Jimmie says she kept a hundred pair, sent a hundred to Salvation Army, and threw away a hundred pair. She did exaggerate a bit-maybe not much. Also, out went a lot of clothes, and other odds and ends. While we were rearranging closets, Celeste and Jim were cleaning the worse room in the house—the unused third bedroom and bath–and the attic, which was as hot as an oven. I do appreciate all the help. House is in much better condition.
Sometime after the lunch hour I decided I needed a snack and some water. Found a bag of one of Caroline and my favorites, Animal Crackers. Ate the prescribed snack amount of 17 and was fine. Rest of the crew finally decided it was time to eat and called in an order to Hometown Pizza for pizza for them and a hamburger for me. One of the pizzas was the new hamburger pizza, complete with dill pickles and hamburger meat. I was already too full to try it but they all say it’s delicious.
Came on back to the Cole house (my assisted living home) and found that I was completely out of steam. Certainly did not need any additional exercise that day. Friday and Saturday were rest days. Even my physical therapist, Beth Carver, let me slide. That program has ended, unless I need it again. Guess Beth’s taught me all she can.
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Sunday again was a family dinner, with Bo (Carolyn was not well), Celeste and Jim, Caroline, the Coles and me around the table. We has a good visit with more stories from Bo, hearing Celeste and Jim’s plans for the rest of the summer and next school year. Missed Rance, as he was sitting with Jinny, who is not yet well enough to join us. However, am glad to report that she is doing very well and hopefully will be back with us soon.
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Next doctor’s visit for me will be Thursday, when round two of chemo begins in this nine weeks program. Again thanks, for all the prayers, visits, and calls.
