I made it back to the US last week and have been enjoying time with family. But let’s back up a few weeks. Before we headed to Vegas, we had Heidi’s Birthday party. 🙂 I hadn’t had time to post before we left so here they are!! She rented a room at a restaurant/bar overlooking Darling Harbour. We had a fun night with Heidi’s family and friends, most have become our friends thanks to knowing her. 🙂 As it got dark, Vivid started up on the water and it was a great view. We headed out as it was winding down to get some sleep before our flight the next day.
We got back from Vegas early Tuesday morning. It didn’t take any time at all to adjust back to Sydney time. Our staying up late in Vegas paid off! Friday was our anniversary, so we went out to dinner at the Tramsheds. Our Las Vegas trip was our anniversary present to each other. I worked Saturday and we just relaxed at night. Sunday we went to church and then I went to a restaurant called The Winery with some girls from the Sydney Ladies Social group. They had a lunch and bottomless Bellinis deal. It was delicious and awesome and great company. I went to bed early that evening.
Tuesday night I had book club with the book and place I had chosen for the month since it was my turn. It went well. The place had a nice area to chat and the book was good. I packed a bit each night until I was ready to go Saturday morning. Brandon came with me to see me off and help me with my suitcases. We had had a chilly week with off and on drizzle. I was happy to be going back to summer. My flights went well and I had an empty seat next to me on the long flight. I didn’t get a lot of sleep on that one, so I watched movies instead. My parents picked me up Saturday night from the airport. We went to church the next morning. The plan was to go to the cottage, but there were storms moving through and rain expected. My mom had some of her family over instead to see me and also my dad before his surgery. We started off outside, but the storm did come as we were finishing eating lunch. It was nice to see everyone again. Monday, my sister and her family came over for lunch, rodeo golf, and pool. Austin and Dad dominated rodeo golf and Dad pool. After supper each night, my parents pray the rosary so I have been joining in. Tuesday Dad and I went over to my Grandma’s and stained her deck. I got us salads from Culver’s for lunch. I met up with Ciara and Brad for supper at Carmella’s, then Ciara and I got pedicures. We went back to their house for drinks and games.
Wednesday, was the 4th of July so we went to the cottage to see the Ebbens. We had a pot luck lunch and my uncle grilled pork steaks. It was delicious. Seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins was great. A thunderstorm moved in mid afternoon and chased us home. Mostly the weather has been, hot, humid and sunny. When the storm passed, Mom and I went to the mall for a bit of shopping. Thursday, I met Lindsay for breakfast before she went to work at the Oshkosh Panera. I drove through our old neighborhood, past our apartment and church before meeting Brandon’s Grandma at the Paine. We went through the Tiffany glass exhibition there and the gardens. I then went out to lunch with her and Grandpa in Winneconne. I stopped home to see the parents, then went over to visit with Brandon’s parents. Friday, we got up early to head to Milwaukee for Dad’s surgery. Mom and I waited for him and Stephani and her family came to hang out with us. They kept us updated as things finished. There were three surgeons in on his surgeries and their teams. He had a total of five procedures. The doctors were very happy how things went and are confident they put enough layers in that the problem won’t reform. He recovered well that night and even got up a few times. He can’t sit at all and is on only clears because of his illiosomy. I am staying nearby and Mom is staying at the hospital with him. Saturday was good that he got up and walked, but ended poorly as he was sore and nauseous. Overnight went better as did Sunday. Mom and I take turns walking with him and staying with him while the other gets food from the cafeteria. We are at the other end of the hospital so it is a hike to get to the cafeteria. Dad and I watched mass on TV and Mom went to the hospital mass. The priest came by later with communion for us. We have been reading while Dad naps or watches the Brewers. Tomorrow the ostomy team will assess Dad and see if he has made enough progress to be discharged. Hopefully he has and he can keep recovering on his couch at home.
Brandon and the cats have been doing well on their own. He has been staying busy with work. He tried to connect with some of our friends in Sydney to stay busy and be social, but most everyone was on their own vacations. One of my coworkers was able to hang out with him, thankfully. He has been busy building the cats a laser pointer toy and keeping track of all their herbs, different food, and supplements.
It has taken me all day to write this as the hospital is distracting. People keep stopping in and out and we have had the TV on some. The pictures also gave me some grief this time. Enjoy!!
