Visiting the Grandparents

Paul and I spent a long weekend visiting my grandparents in TX. Both of my grandfathers have been under the weather. My paternal grandfather has been undergoing chemo for the bladder cancer for the past two months. He is doing well--better than I'd expected to see him (and Paul was pleased to see he still had his hair). In good spirits and while a little tired, he was still helping my uncle with a variety of Saturday chores around the house. He has one more round of chemo this week. He saw his varied assortment of oncology doctors last week and all were very positive about his prognosis. His GP did suggest that he start using a cane or preferably a walker because Granddad has been having some unexplained dizzy spells. These started before the cancer diagnosis so they aren't related but the chemo with it's added strain probably don't help matters. Over the two and a half days we were at my uncle's house, I saw my granddad carry his cane around a couple of times and actually use it once. I'm not sure he's buying the need for a cane or walker. :)

My maternal grandfather tore something coughing before Christmas (I'm not sure I ever actually heard or understood what he exactly it was he'd injured). He has emphysema so coughs and colds really get him and it was one of these coughing spells that did the damage. He underwent laproscopic surgery on Wednesday to correct the problems. He had a bit of related problems but was doing better when I saw him on Friday. I got to "Granddad-sit" for a while so my gran could run some errands. Paul and I visited them again on Saturday and this morning before we left. I think he'll be good as new before long.

And of course, we saw my sister, brother-in-law, and the babies. Amy and I spent Friday night at a scrapbooking crop, where I spent about 4 hours sorting through and organzing six years of photographs (mostly accomplishing Goal #12 for the year). And this adventure only proved that we take way too many pictures of the cat. Second runner-up would be the Balloon Fiesta. Of course this weekend, we had to snap a few pictures of the wee ones as well.

This is Benjamin in the Bumpo. I could not stop laughing about the Bumpo. Even when I see it in a catalog, I have to laugh. Benjamin loves it (although he'd stop smiling as soon as I'd take a picture).

Abigail playing with her Uncle Paul, aka the Human Jungle Gym. Notice we have a lot of these pictures as well? It's a shame they don't like each other more. :)

This is why Paul loves me

Just makes my heart mushy

I know that goal #9 was to take more pictures of things other than the cat but how could I resist this shot? Look at how cute the Jubinator is here. Napping on the couch. Using a pillow like he's people.

In the time Before Paul, when it was just the cat and me, Jubjub would sleep on what is now Paul's side of the bed. There were many mornings when I would look over on that side of the bed to see Jub under the covers with his head on the pillow. Since we've been married, the cat has been relegated to the end of the bed. But when Paul is out of town, or just late getting to bed, I can still look over and see my furry little guy snuggled up with his head on the pillow. It's just one of those little things that reminds me that no matter what else is happening in the world, in my little nook of it, everything is OK.

He made me do this

Lucky for both of us, he heals quickly.

Paul's toe after a recent run-in with his computer bag (the hard plastic wheel part not the soft bag part). We had to look at frequently (like every hour over a looooooong MLK weekend) to check the healing process. It's fine now. I'm sure you were terribly concerned.

Update: Paul said he'll be more than happy the post an "after" picture of his toe if anyone is interested. But if you aren't, I *totally* understand (and would really like to keep from posting any more pictures of my husband's feet on my blog).

If only it was that easy...

Seen on a plaque in a catalog I was recently perusing...

"When life gives you lemons, smile politely and throw them away when life isn't looking."