Belinda and I went to Tuttle Eye Clinic for our medical eye exams today. It’s routine for me because of the diabetes (and everything looked great, hooray!) but this was Belinda’s first (medical eye exam – she’s had regular vision exams). Her pediatrician wanted her to have it done for the Ehlers-Danlos. Everything also went well for Belinda and she tolerated the pressure test and had her eyes dilated, something she hasn’t been able to handle before. Baby girl is growing up.

I’m happy we got that done and the cardiologist appointment done that her pediatrician told us to get done back in APRIL. But at least it’s finished now!! One more thing checked off.

She still has not had to regurgitate anything since DC. Thanksgiving is in eight days. I don’t know how long it has been since she’s had a Thanksgiving where she was actually able to eat somewhat normally. She doesn’t like turkey or ham but I think she’ll enjoy the day anyway.

So I forgot to do this yesterday, and I’m backdating it. It was a busy day, with church, and then we went to see Jerry and Dianna and have lunch there. Jerry has been on hospice and now they say his passing is imminent. He is on some heavy medications and snoozed for most of our visit. Mom held his hand most of the time, and he did look at her and he knew she was there. I know we need to visit more. I just feel like I am at my limit for what I am able to do and still retain my sanity. I feel guilty right now that we didn’t visit him enough, and I am sure I will feel even more guilty when he passes.

So, I am going to just do the sound I am grateful for quickly. It is the sounds of a little song and video that is a nice thing to see and hear when you are feeling down. It has been on the Internet for a long time, but I only found it a few years ago.

Day 5 – A Place That Makes You Happy

Well, I don’t need to write much about this one tonight. I am in the place that makes me the happiest in the world…HOME.

I am so thankful that Belinda and I made it safe to Washington DC and back home. I am thankful that the surgery went well and that she can eat easier again. And I am so, so grateful to be back home.

I know a lot of places make me happy. But this one makes me the happiest of all.

Just got a call from Jill at the hospital…they had a cancellation and Belinda needs to be the hospital at 10 am! That’s one hour and seventeen minutes from now. I need to get an uber ordered and she just got up and started getting ready. She can’t have anything to drink this morning now, but she will be done earlier so she won’t have to have clear liquid all day today! Jill said once she shows she can drink okay after the procedure, she can go back to a regular diet. I’m not sure what time the procedure will be, guessing noon here since we get there at 10. That’s 11 back in the OKC. Here we go!

Your favorite season.

I’m glad this was the prompt for today. I’m pretty worn out already from the update about today, even though I just realized I forgot to put the pictures with it. I’ll have to go back and add those in a minute.

Of course my favorite season is autumn. I’m learning Norwegian, and the word for autumn is høst. That’s not really the point, but I learned that recently so I’m pleased to know it.

Fall always takes me back to the days of being new at Northwestern, meeting Ben, and starting our lives together. There’s so many wonderful feelings that go with the fall, like hayrides and bonfires and pumpkins and leaves falling. I was very happy when we were descending into DC to see the fall colors in the trees.

I’m not going to write much more tonight because I am awfully tired and I want to read a little. But I sure do like the fall.

Good news, approval of the tour Belinda wanted to take at the White House arrived today! It will be the day after her surgery. Since it is at 10 am, we should have plenty of time to do the tour, have lunch, and make it to our flight at 4 pm.

Our hotel is only six blocks from the White House, so depending on the weather and how Belinda feels, we might be able to just walk over.

I appreciate Senator Markwayne Mullin and his office staff for helping us get the tour set up. Last time Belinda visited with his staff and we were given a tour of the Capitol (although we cut it short because Belinda was hurting from surgery.) I originally chose to request our tours through Sen. Mullin because he and my grandma share their small-town ties to Stilwell, Oklahoma!