Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Mon, July 27 - Good friends catch you ...

... when you fall. In George's case, it's been neighborhood friends and they have actually helped him up AFTER he fell! George felt "out-of-sorts" last week and it showed in everything he did, especially walking. It started over the weekend when he fell trying to sit down and he missed the chair all together. It was in our bedroom, so he fell on the carpet and Greg was here at the house, so it wasn't so bad. But then on Monday, it happened again. This time, we were coming in the house from the backyard patio, and his foot just couldn't get over the door threshold, and when I tried to help it over, George lost his balance and started weaving, and I did everything I could to keep him on his feet, but my arm couldn't hold him so he had a "controlled fall" to the wooden patio floor. I knew I wouldn't be able to get him up myself, so I left him on the ground and ran outside to see who was around. The only one I found home was our neighbor, Abby, and I wasn't sure we two girls could get George on his feet, but we did it on the first try! George said we both must have had our Wheaties for breakfast; he never thought that we would do it. On Wednesday morning, it happened again in the bedroom. This time, George was trying to dress himself and I had just stepped away for a minute and I heard a kerplunk. He had somehow tipped the chair and he was laying flat on his belly in the middle of the carpeted floor. He did manage to roll over and sit up himself, but once again, I knew I wouldn't be able to get him to his feet. So, out the front door I went again, and this time Mike McKenzie's car was in the driveway. I called over to his house and he came over right away and helped me get George off the floor. I just thank God that George didn't break any bones or get any cuts since he is still on that blood thinner, and I thank the good Lord that we have such great neighbors that are always willing to lend a hand ... and their muscles!!

Last week ended on a much more positive note than it started. George's brother, Johnny, who lives in Alice, TX came to visit for a couple of days. George loved having him here, reminiscing about old times, talking sports, watching "guy things" on tv. And I think Johnny enjoyed being here as well ... and he was such a great dinner guest! Johnny's a truck driver, and a bachelor, so he eats lots of fast food meals and mostly by himself. Therefore, he LOVED everything I cooked ... blackened fish tacos, pork loin, and even my chili-cheese dogs that I made for lunch one day! And, I must have earned extra "brownie" points by baking brownies Friday night, because on Saturday morning, he made a trip to Home Depot and replaced the breaker for me that has been giving us trouble. It was definitely a "win-win" situation, so hurry back John ... we sure enjoyed your visit! And, we had yet another good evening on Sunday. Kathy & Gary Nelson, old friends and former neighbors, came and took George & I for ice cream. Ritter's Frozen Custard is always a great treat, but nothing beats catching up with old friends ... thanks, guys, we had fun and will have to do it again soon since I forgot to take a picture for the blog!