Pumpkin Time

Katherine came by and we carved the HUGE pumpkins she bought a few weeks ago. We haven't had a big Jack-o-lantern in years so it is kind of nice.

Katherine's pumpkin was hilarious!

We had to have Mike cut the tops off of the pumpkins because they were so heavy!

Bird

We bought a  humane catch-and-release trap due to a rat problem in the area. So far, we've managed to snag 3 of them. Mike takes them to woods about 2 miles away and lets them go.

We have also caught a squirrel, chipmunk and several birds. This one was the latest. It flew out and straight into our back door (glass), so it was dazed enough for me to pick up and put on this 'bird feeder' platform. I was going to put it in a box to keep it from the raccoons, but it did finally fly away.

Mike gave it a pile of food, too.

Michael is 35

I can't believe my oldest kid was born 35 years ago. Michael's birthday was October 11th. We went out to dinner tonight at Catfish Annie's, with me, Mike, Michael, Megan and Katherine. Michael had soft shell crabs. We came home to have a cannoli cake (Mike bought it) and sang Happy Birthday.  An enjoyable day!

Michael needs a haircut and shave, lol.

Mom and other things

Mom fell and broke her hip a few days ago. Sue is back from her trip and kept us posted. They took Mom into surgery pretty quickly and it was a success. 94 is no age to be messing with broken bones.
Not sure how long they will keep her in the hospital.

There is a rat problem in our area and Mike and I have seen one or two by our house. I moved one bird feeder away from the house and have to find someplace else for the other two. We are trying to catch them humanely and actually succeeded the other night. We took the rat (cute little thing), trap and all, to some woods far from our house and let it loose. There is a second one I hope we can also get without killing it. I feel bad, but I can't have rodents deciding life inside our walls is ideal.

I went back to the periodontist with more teeth issues. Pain kept me up all night the other night, at least when the Tylenol wore off. I was happy they took me in Saturday morning. I was supposed to have permanent fillings put in, but no one ever told me that. The temps let germs inside, which is how I got infected again. Luckily, they don't seem to be charging me for this. That's only fair, since it was their mistake! The work the dentist did helped a lot and I don't hurt now. Going back Tuesday for what I hope is the finish-up.

This week has been too interesting, IMO.

Updates

No news is good news regarding my mother. Bill keeps us posted while Sue is away and I haven't heard anything. I think Sue will be coming home soon.

I made a turkey breast for dinner yesterday with smashed potatoes and gravy. Katherine came by to have dinner with us. She got a kick out of Julie's 'costume':

It says "Sweet as Candy." It just fits her. A large would be too big, though. But she does look cute.

Michael is here today. Katherine came with Bill and they are all watching the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

I got that damned infection in my jaw again. Turns out I only had temporary fillings so germs got in. I was on antibiotics all week and it no longer hurts to touch, but I still feel 'something.' The royal pain in the dupa is that I used up all my dental insurance for the year. So I am hoping to do just enough to get me to January.

Nick is having his implant done tomorrow, I think. It's high time since he broke his front tooth when he was pretty young.

Jamie got a new board for the bottom of his treadmill and spent yesterday morning installing it. He's pretty good at building things.

My life is fairly mundane, which is fine with me.

Mom

I was able to get through to my mother a few days ago. She isn't so great about answering her phone, but one of the nurses picked it up. Mom was having her blood pressure taken and was going to have a breathing treatment after.

It was nice to hear her voice but she sounded weak and I had to repeat myself a few times.

Today, my brother Bill sent out an e-mail. He got a call from the home that said Mom tried to walk out the front door. They put a monitor on  her now. They say she is more confused. I wish I lived nearer and could be more help. My sister Sue usually takes care of business but is on a much-deserved trip out to see relatives in California. Bill has power of attorney along with Sue so he can handle things. He can be in Ohio within a few hours.

I wish my Mom would last a long time, but not if her mind goes. Her heart condition is enough to deal with let alone her brain. At least she still knows who I am.