Today we picked up Teresa’s new medicine from Kaiser. There were four large bottles. On the price it said $5760.30. Our price was $3.00. Our insurance saved us $5757.30. This is very impressive! We eagerly tear open the bottle to see what they look like. We are surprised to see they are about twice the size of a extra strength tums. Then we read that she is not to chew them or swallow them whole. We must dissolve 4 tablets in apple juice or water, or orange juice (which she doesn’t like). It must be taken at least ½ hour before eating. It takes quite a few minutes to dissolve and turns a murky tan color when dissolved in apple juice. Teresa is already convinced it will taste horrible…. and the doc said she would be doing this for the rest of her life……. Oh no! Mom suggested a straw because grandma Ruth says it makes things not taste so bad so Teresa is off to find a straw. She takes a sip and laughs. It is not so bad after all. Where have I tasted this flavor before? ……..Probably some medicine from my childhood she thinks. At least we aren’t paying $5760.30 for this tasty experience. lol

Well things went well with the meeting at work and we were okayed some extra hours to catch us up and other suggestions were received well. There is hope for improvement. Communication is a good thing. I really have found people at work very willing to listen and work toward solutions to problems.

Chris is back at Sunnyside now so doesn't have the extra drive so that is good. Not much new here. Just work and more work.

We had another great weekend with Jonathan and Tonia visiting. Jonathan helped take some things to the dump and do errands around the house. The girls had a quilting time at Linda’s with two friends of Linda’s from Vancouver. Susie was gone this time spending time at the beach with her mom so we missed her. The festival of Tonia’s birthday was begun with Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Larry since next week will be spent more with the Fergusons. We got to play some games.

We have been keeping the road busy between here and Portland for the last two days. Monday I went to a doctor’s appointment with Chris (because I am the one who has all the questions). Today Teresa and I went to OHSU to initiate getting Teresa started on an oral chelation medication to reduce her iron levels. This is a brand new medicine and a big improvement on the old IV method. It will take a couple of days to get the medicine to the pharmacy and then she’ll start taking 4 pills once a day. The good news is Kaiser is paying for all but the copay. It sure was difficult driving in the pouring rain. Chris had to go to the Interstate branch of Kaiser today and for several days for computer training. The drive is much longer and more stressful with the very slow traffic at the bridge over the Columbia.

I must try to get to bed earlier as I have to work tomorrow. We have a department meeting which I am now in charge of leading since Kaylene is gone. Things are pretty behind at work so it could be a stressful meeting. Hopefully we can find solutions to make things better.

My new quilt project

  

Today is my day off and finished a new quilt I started last week. I decided I needed to make a yellow baby quilt for Kaylene since her nursery is going to be in greens. I had some pretty flannel I had originally planned to use but got sidetracked by the sailboat design. I will try to get a picture of it but I have to recharge the camera.

I had a great time at the ladies retreat this past weekend. I am glad Linda was able to come. Susie, Linda, Terri Brewer and I shared a room. It was lovely weather and we got in two nice walks. Unfortunately I took a nap during the crafts but I think my body needed that more than the fellowship and bustle of the craft projects. I get enough crafts at home lately :) The teachings were on discovering and embracing the role of Princess (child of the king, royalty), our authority in Christ and running the race. I also enjoyed playing telephone pictionary and sequence. We took a wrong turn on the way home so were a little late to church but it was not a problem.

After church I enjoyed going out to eat with the family including Laura. It was nice to see her even if for a short time.

We are rejoicing in the news of Jonathan’s new job at World Vision. He found out yesterday. He will start on 6/5/06. Thank you God.

Our Oldsmobile was in the shop over the weekend. It needed a new water pump, hoses and connectors. It still needs a new motor clamp but we are going to wait until another paycheck for that repair. Car repairs are never fun but we’re glad it can be fixed and we have alternate transportation in the meantime.

Chris’s final is tomorrow. He will be glad to have the classes over but will still have to stay studying until his certification test on 6/12/06.

It looks like everyone is too busy to blog so I will try to write something. I have finished painting the bathroom and have new towels and bathmat. With the new shower curtain it looks very nice. I still haven’t got to the caulking but will eventually. I also still have to finish the curtain I am embroidering to look like the shower curtain. My problem is that now that it is up (for when JonTon came home) I have lost motivation to finish it. I will have to take it down to get motivated again but it won’t be this week.

Last week I sewed 5 aprons for a lady at work. She liked the ones I had made for LSG. I also did some various quilting/ sewing projects. At one point I did have the table cleared off but have since covered it again.

Teresa’s birthday festival started with dinner at Izzy’s on Sunday. It was nice to get everyone together. Monday she was hit by the pink flamingo at school. It came in a lovely basket surrounded by flowers. It made a big stir at school. I made noodles for dinner and a cake to celebrate with. Friday she had a sleepover with her friends.

This weekend was very relaxing. We did go garage saling and Chris did lots of studying but we also got naps in and I finished my book. Since it was raining we didn’t get the lawn mowed but that meant less work :)

Next week we have Deak Week which is various churches volunteering to do projects around town. Teresa is spreading bark dust with school on Thursday. I am making slip covers on Tuesday and maybe Friday morning. And Chris is putting stickers on manhole covers on Saturday. Over 450 people have signed up to work during the week.

On Friday I leave for a ladies retreat and will return on Sunday morning. I will get to see a little of Laura but not as much as I would like since she will be here and I will be gone. But that will give her more time with her friends I guess. I am happy that we convinced Linda to go on the retreat. Susie is also going and leading us in a craft I think.