Historic Putt & Dairy Queen

This was the first weekend of Spring Break.  We'd intended a 90th birthday party for Grandma Olson and a trip to Norfolk to see Pastor Caity and Tyler.  Unfortunately, all our plans changed on Thursday evening when my Dad moved into the next phase of transition.  He was removed from all medications and put on morphine and one other medicine to keep him comfortable.  

I emailed my supervisors to update them about my Dad.  Friday, I went to work but left early when I was done in the classroom.  Philomena and I went to visit Dad and say our goodbyes.  I'm really glad we had the opportunity to have closure on his life.  Maggie didn't want to see Grandpa like this and I told her that I would tell Grandpa that she loved him for her.  We canceled the birthday party so Mom could be with Dad on Saturday.  The girls and I cleaned the house and ran errands.  I was going back and forth on whether we should drive to Norfolk on Sunday, but then Caity texted to say that she and Tyler were sick.  I decided to stay in Lincoln rather than expose us to their illness.  We went to Historic Putt and then to Dairy Queen to have a fun day in Lincoln.  So far Dad has been asleep for over 24 hours with the morphine keeping him comfortable.

 

New Glasses (with prisms)

Philomena was still experiencing double vision.  We returned for a 6 month check up with the neurological ophthalmologist.  The OT vision training has done as much as it can and a prism was added to her right lens.  It was a drastic improvement by how many comments Philomena made when they arrived!

 

4-H PJ Pants Sewing Workshop

I took Maggie to a sewing workshop with 4H.  She cut and began sewing a pair of pajama pants.  She was able to use a serger machine on 2 of her seams.  I was so jealous of the kids getting to use one.  With my tax refund, I decided to buy us a used serger for her to finish her pants at home.  Maggie was so excited that I was buying one that she chose to ride with me to pick it up!

 

Small Ensemble Competition

Philomena was part of a percussion small group.  They performed for family and friends on Tuesday and attended the competition on Saturday.  Her group received a 2 at the contest.

 

Ash Wednesday

For the first time since 2020, we were able to celebrate Ash Wednesday at church.  Due to covid, we didn't attend church in 2021 and 2022.  The weather canceled services in 2023.

 

Valentine's Day

The tradition of heart shaped pizza for Valentine's Day was continued with a HyVee pizza and a heart shaped cookie cutter.

 

February Birthdays

Peyton turned 19 and Jake turned 14 this month.  We also celebrated Beth's birthday.  Peg made baked quesadillas for everyone.  I made Beth a strawberry pretzel salad for her birthday.  Maggie enjoyed gaming with Jake while Philomena and I enjoyed chatting with my mom and sisters.  It was a relaxing afternoon with family!

 

Honor Roll

Lincoln High held an award ceremony for those who made Honor Roll.

 

Maggie - Done with Braces

Maggie has finished with braces and is now wearing a retainer only.

 

The Girls Meet Coco

 

A Good Match

We looked online for another female guinea pig but the weather had been bad and I was unwilling to drive outside of Lincoln for a guinea pig.  Philomena was checking PetFinder hourly between classes in the hope of finding a guinea pig.  One came up at our Capital Humane Society, but when I went to meet her, she bit me.  She was very skittish and not a good fit for us so I didn't adopt her.  

The next day Coco came up on Capital Humane Society's website.  Philomena wanted me to go immediately but I had plans after work and waited until Saturday.  It was a mixed emotion day.  First, I drove to pick up Emilia's ashes and then second, drove to meet Coco.  She was so friendly and loving!  I brought her home with me.  

I needed to introduce the guinea pigs slowly to make sure they would get along, but Coco was so well socialized that I decided to try just putting her directly into the cage.  She and Desdemona were cautious of each other.  I sat in the living room so I could watch them.  As the evening went on, they started warbling to each other.  I hadn't realized how quiet Emilia had become and was pleasantly surprised with all the sounds coming from the cage.  I decided they would be fine and I didn't feel the need to separate them when I went to sleep.  They've been a great pair of guinea pigs.

 

Good-bye Emilia

A big snow storm hit Lincoln at the same time that Emilia took a turn for the worst.  Her breathing became more labored.  I made phone calls but didn't want to risk driving in the weather.  The vet had previously told us that the tumor was inoperable and would eventually take her life.  My previous experience led me to believe that she would stop eating when she reached end of life, but I realized that I needed to make a decision for her.  The tumor had grown so large that her stomach was as large as a pregnant guinea pig but hard to the touch rather than soft like a stomach should be.  I made phone calls asking about the cost of euthanization.  I decided on the Capital Humane Society due to the most reasonable cost.  By the time I got an appointment, the girls had gone to their dad's for their week with him.  He allowed me to stop by so Maggie could say goodbye and Philomena to go with me to drop Emilia off with the Capital Humane Society veterinarian.  Afterwards, Philomena and I got drinks at Starbucks.  Then Philomena and I visited my dad at Tabitha.  I enjoyed the company and extra time with Philomena.

 

New Year's Day!

New Year's Eve, the girls stayed up for the new year to begin at their dad's house.  I was too tired and went to bed before the ball even dropped in New York.  New Year's day they came home.  We went out to eat at Olive Garden with the gift cards we got from Mom/Grandma.  Then we went shopping with our other gift cards.  It was a fun way to start the new year!