Where's January?

I can't believe January is almost over...

I was just getting started!

I want to thank those who have reached out, asking if I was okay.

The truth is, 

I think so.

Changes, that's the theme around here.

Effective January 1, Mr. K (almost) retired at age 78.5,

after working more than 20 years in his current position

after more than 50 years in the water meter industry.

He did retire in stages:

When he worked full time, he worked 90 hours a week.

When his late wife got sick, he went part time,

that was 40 hours a week.

That's what he was doing when I met him.

Now he's a consultant.

To be honest, the only difference is that he gets a smaller paycheck 

and he comes out of his office at odd times for strange reasons.

He's often in the way, but occasionally I find him useful.

The other day, Teagan wanted to watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

I wanted to watch Ellen.

Mr. K offered to take her into his office to watch the TV in there.

It worked out...Kinda….

Isn't it adorable?

Speaking of adorableness...

We had art day at Grandma Jan's/

Teagan made scribbles...

Locklan made lollipops!

He put him in a jar and took them home and gave him to his mom!

Oh...

Speaking of Locklan, he slipped in the tub on Tuesday and clipped his chin.

Andy called about 8:30 and asked if I could take care of Teagan while they

took Locklan for stitches.

They told them he could either get 3 stitches or they could use glue.

He got the glue.

He's my Brave Tiger!

I could get used to this...

Room service breakfast here...

Riding  around Halifax, NS, in a pink, double decker antique tour bus...

I'm lusting after this (larger than) life statue.

thinking I need one for camp!

And hoping that I am not eaten by this towel monster...

Did I mention the food?

Oh the food. 

No photos, but I will be ordering sweat pants for my future...

Headed  south, will be in Portland, ME tomorrow!

I will admit that I'm a teensy weensy homesick...

Miss those grands...

But I will admit I am already planning our next cruise!

Where in the world are....

Jan and Mr. K?

Last Sunday morning, we boarded a plane in Pittsburgh...

Flew into Boston

Where we were whisked away onto a shuttle bus

Driven to what felt like a warehouse

and spewed with what seemed like a million others...

Into this!

The Serenade of the Seas!

We've been on the move ever since.

We are on a seven day New England and Canada trip.

North in the fall, one of my favorite times and places.

Two days ago, we landed in St. John, NB, which has an incredible story.

I call it story, it's too rich to be called history.

Yesterday, a day at sea, we saw dolphins and whales!

This morning, we arrived in Halifax, NS.  

I can't wait to check it out!

Our suite is spacious and homey...

The food is amazing.

I love room service breakfasts...

Maid service...

Turn down service...

Entertainment!

I'm still trying to jiggle and joggle photos from one place (phone) to the other...

It takes forever but I do have one.

Want to see it?  

The escargot that was my appetizer at dinner last night!

I'll catch up with you soon!

~Do you think I could convince Mr. K (and my entire family) to live on a ship full time

Still Here/And I can see

A little over a month ago, I made a commitment to post three good things here each week for the next three months.

About a week ago, One of the best things that happened in quite a while happened...

I had a persistent, nagging, irritating, life-limiting cateract removed from my left eye..

According to my eye doctor, when I asked her about Lasix surgery last September,

I was developing a cataract in my left eye and that when it was ripe, they would not only remove it, they would correct my vision to perfect in that eye.

Since that seemed to be in the far, far future, I just ordered a six month supply of contacts and went home.

Now, a little background...For about 35 years, I have used monovision, one contact to see close and one to see far.  It has always worked, but in the fall, my far distance seemed to be worsening.

Fall got busy...Mindy was in and out of the hospital, Henry was born 5 weeks early and was in the NICU for a few weeks, Thanksgiving, Christmas preparation and celebration...I just made the best of it by not driving at night and wearing my glasses all the time.

Finally, the fog that surrounded the left side of my life was driving me crazy.  I went to see my eye doctor who examined and re-examined my eyes.  Finally she pronounced my cataract was ripe!  She explained that to be considered 'ripe' your vision could not be corrected better than 20/70 and I was beyond that.

She made an appointment with the surgeon, who re-scheduled for a week later (which turned out to be a good thing).  My appointment was on June 26.  I immediately liked the doctor who conducted several tests.  He was amazed that I am right handed and left eye dominant.  (I am sure, that in someone's definition, it means I am some kind of crazy...)

He said that it must have been annoying to have my vision that limited.  He asked when I wanted to have it done.

I said last week.  He said that he couldn't do it that far back, what would be my second choice.

Tomorrow?  He said that he was booked for tomorrow, but how about next Thursday?

We walked into the office where his secretary said that she had just gotten off the phone, that one of his surgeries for the next day had cancelled.  

And so...without further ado, I filled out paperwork, was given instructions, antiseptic eye drops and an appointment and WHAM!  By 11:30 the next day, I had perfect vision in my left eye!!!!

With a close up contact in my right eye, I am so close to being normal, it scares me.  Wearing my glasses, however, it a problem...4 more weeks until they will write a new prescription.  Can't wait!

Now that I can see...I'll let you know what I saw!

Let's Celebrate!

Wednesday, Mr. K and I celebrated our fifth anniversary!

 

(this photo was taken last year on our anniversary and Tony & Mindy's honeymoon)

 

Well, technically, we didn't really celebrate...

 

We acknowledged our anniversary and made plans to celebrate the next day

(Which was yesterday)

 

Since we do what we like when we want,

we decided that since there were cruises we wanted to take...

concerts we wanted to see...

food we wanted to eat...

We'd just do something simple.

 

We decided to go to dinner at one of our local restaurants that we really enjoy

and then hit the cinema to see Bohemian Rhapsody

 

 (I have always been a huge Queen fan)

 

Dinner was so nice, we had a corner table, the server was personable...

The timing was right, the show started at 7:05 (which is dangerously close to my 8:00 crash and burn time).

 

We got to the theater at 6:55...

Mr. K hit up the rest room while I inhaled the scent of popping popcorn...

 

We went to purchase the tickets...

I looked at Mr. K to see him frisking himself...

Giving himself a real pat down...

No wallet!

 

We headed back to the restaurant where they had his wallet waiting for him...

 

By this time, it was too late to see the movie!

 

~sigh~

 

Maybe tonight!

 

It's a Hottie, to be sure!

I woke up this morning in a sweat...

 

It was 11° out there (according to the remote thermometer on my desk).  It was -5° out there yesterday, so it's a true heat wave!

 

Good thing...the dogs have spent the last few days wrapped up in cuddly blankets...

 

 

 

According to Mr K, it's a great day for grocery shopping.

 

I'm not sure why...

 

Just because if I don't, we'll be eating peanut butter and black bean sandwiches on hot dog buns for dinner?

 

Talk about picky. 

 

Yesterday, Locklan came to spend the day with me.

 

He's such a hoot.

 

I have a teddy bear that can repeat what you say.

 

Locklan gets in arguments with it. 

 

Locklan says the bear is his friend.

 

The bear says, "He's my friend."

 

Locklan gets all bent out of shape and says, even louder, "No! He's my friend!"

 

The bear repeats it.

 

It goes on and on until Mr K or I interrupt them!

 

Yesterday, I walked into the living room to see Locklan practicing diapering...

 

 

 

 

Isn't that adorable?

 

Guess they are friends now...

 

 

Okay, I have spent enough time playing here...

I'm off to the grocery store!

 

Catch up with you (and more wedding photos) as soon as I thaw!