We went to see JET's cardiologist at the VA yesterday who was very thorough and scheduled him for a cardiac cath on the 27th of this month. They will go up his veins and check for blockages and if they can stent them there and then they will. If not he may end up having by pass surgery but we are hopeful they can fix it with more stents. (He already has four).
We are hoping this will stop the night time shaking episodes which his neurologist is convinced is lack of oxygen to the brain causing syncope. If his arteries are unblocked then the blood flow to his brain should be better.
If it doesn't help then it means the shaking episodes are the progression of his auto immune disease which isn't so good.
We are grateful that they are going to do the cardiac cath in less than two weeks.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
A helicopter ride for my husband!
Well my husband had his first helicopter ride early Monday morning. Not what he really needed though as it was a life Flight from our local hospital to Columbia.
This will be a long post as I need to record it all.
Sunday evening he had many of his shaking episodes one after the other then he started sweating and didn't feel good at all. I decided to call an ambulance. They showed up and the decision was made to take him to the hospital in Clinton 35 miles away. They took him in the ambulance then I let the dogs out to potty then went to the hospital in the van.
They did an CT scan there and blood tests etc. It was decided to put him on a stroke protocol as something showed up on the CT scan and he had weakness in his right side and couldn't form words properly. They called the VA hospital in Columbia to arrange to get him admitted but the VA hospital was on 'diversion' as they were full. Someone, not sure if it was VA or not, said to take him to MU University hospital which is opposite the VA hospital and he is a patient there too. I was happy to drive him there but the local hospital said they would not allow that and they would Life Flight him there. Oh my! The helicopter medics came in rolled him onto a very thin stretcher and carried him out to the waiting helicopter.
This was about 6.30am Monday morning. I drove home in a bit of a daze. I called his son and also his VA neurologist who had given us his cell number in case of emergencies. It is fortunate that he works at both hospitals so was able to have input into his care and testing.
It was decided to monitor him on a 24 hour EEG to catch the shaking spells and ascertain if they were seizures or not. This was then extended to 48 hours. They captured 4 of them but they were not seizures they said. (That is a good thing).
The stroke protocol was removed. Cardiology got involved and they said he had had a mini stroke. This was disputed by the neurologists. So then it was not a stroke and then it was maybe a stroke. Cardiology added a new medication and neurology decided it was all down to his Myasthenia Gravis and he had had a Myasthenia crisis. He was released about 4.15pm Wednesday afternoon. They had sent his prescription to the VA electronically they told us so we could pick it up there. We went to the VA who were really short handed in the pharmacy and they told us they don't accept electronic scripts and to call MU hospital next day and ask them to fax the script in then they would mail it. This meant he wouldn't get it for at least a week. I called the MU hospital there and then and spoke to the nurse who had been totally awesome while my husband was in there. He told me it would be faxed within 10 minutes......and it was. He is an amazingly good Nurse.
So after 6pm we got the new medication and set off home.
We got home totally exhausted and crashed. It was good to get back into our own bed. His episodes continued through the night. The neurologists had put this all down to a Myasthenia crisis, which in itself is not good. The last one of those landed him in hospital for a week and he had 5 plasmatheresis treatments.
(I expect I will be adding to this as I think of things.)
We are in a fight with the VA to cover the costs of this as they couldn't take him in. They have not agreed to this yet. He does have Medicare but not the supplementary insurance as he had pre existing conditions. We didn't have Life Flight insurance either so not sure if Medicare or the VA will cover that. It was not our request that he be Life Flighted, it was at their insistence.
So lots of things to deal with now but at least, for now, he is home although he is not feeling very good at all.
Appointment with his VA cardiologist on the 15th and his VA neurologist on the 20 something of February.
I did sign up for Life Flight Insurance for us both after that so we will be covered on that score for the next year if anything else happens.
So a very stressful week for us both.
This will be a long post as I need to record it all.
Sunday evening he had many of his shaking episodes one after the other then he started sweating and didn't feel good at all. I decided to call an ambulance. They showed up and the decision was made to take him to the hospital in Clinton 35 miles away. They took him in the ambulance then I let the dogs out to potty then went to the hospital in the van.
They did an CT scan there and blood tests etc. It was decided to put him on a stroke protocol as something showed up on the CT scan and he had weakness in his right side and couldn't form words properly. They called the VA hospital in Columbia to arrange to get him admitted but the VA hospital was on 'diversion' as they were full. Someone, not sure if it was VA or not, said to take him to MU University hospital which is opposite the VA hospital and he is a patient there too. I was happy to drive him there but the local hospital said they would not allow that and they would Life Flight him there. Oh my! The helicopter medics came in rolled him onto a very thin stretcher and carried him out to the waiting helicopter.
This was about 6.30am Monday morning. I drove home in a bit of a daze. I called his son and also his VA neurologist who had given us his cell number in case of emergencies. It is fortunate that he works at both hospitals so was able to have input into his care and testing.
It was decided to monitor him on a 24 hour EEG to catch the shaking spells and ascertain if they were seizures or not. This was then extended to 48 hours. They captured 4 of them but they were not seizures they said. (That is a good thing).
The stroke protocol was removed. Cardiology got involved and they said he had had a mini stroke. This was disputed by the neurologists. So then it was not a stroke and then it was maybe a stroke. Cardiology added a new medication and neurology decided it was all down to his Myasthenia Gravis and he had had a Myasthenia crisis. He was released about 4.15pm Wednesday afternoon. They had sent his prescription to the VA electronically they told us so we could pick it up there. We went to the VA who were really short handed in the pharmacy and they told us they don't accept electronic scripts and to call MU hospital next day and ask them to fax the script in then they would mail it. This meant he wouldn't get it for at least a week. I called the MU hospital there and then and spoke to the nurse who had been totally awesome while my husband was in there. He told me it would be faxed within 10 minutes......and it was. He is an amazingly good Nurse.
So after 6pm we got the new medication and set off home.
We got home totally exhausted and crashed. It was good to get back into our own bed. His episodes continued through the night. The neurologists had put this all down to a Myasthenia crisis, which in itself is not good. The last one of those landed him in hospital for a week and he had 5 plasmatheresis treatments.
(I expect I will be adding to this as I think of things.)
We are in a fight with the VA to cover the costs of this as they couldn't take him in. They have not agreed to this yet. He does have Medicare but not the supplementary insurance as he had pre existing conditions. We didn't have Life Flight insurance either so not sure if Medicare or the VA will cover that. It was not our request that he be Life Flighted, it was at their insistence.
So lots of things to deal with now but at least, for now, he is home although he is not feeling very good at all.
Appointment with his VA cardiologist on the 15th and his VA neurologist on the 20 something of February.
I did sign up for Life Flight Insurance for us both after that so we will be covered on that score for the next year if anything else happens.
So a very stressful week for us both.
Friday, January 27, 2017
My husband had the stress test yesterday and........
We went to Columbia Wednesday afternoon and stayed overnight so we could be at the hospital at 8am with no problems. The drive from here to there is 3 hours so it would have meant setting off at 4am which is way too early for us and I don't like driving in the dark. I tried to book our usual hotel but it has gone out of business so we tried a La Quinta. It was OK and reasonably priced but not a good as our other hotel albeit the room was a lot bigger.
The test lasts about three and a half hours with breaks in between and was quite uncomfortable for my husband. When he came out we just headed straight home so I could pick up the dogs from the vets boarding kennels. Just as well as they have upped their price from $12 per dog per night to $15.
We had no sooner got in and the phone rang and it was his primary care physician notifying us there was a problem. The test indicated reduced blood flow to the heart which indicated more blockages. This is what we suspected so it was not a surprise. This time though the symptoms are much worse and he is having frightening episodes at night which his neurologist thinks is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain which correlates with this.
We now have to wait till February 15th when he sees his cardiologist to see what is next. I suspect they will do a cardiac cath next to see where the blockages are so that means more waiting as the cardiologist will have to schedule it.
I am worried, this seems to be dragging on too long.
The test lasts about three and a half hours with breaks in between and was quite uncomfortable for my husband. When he came out we just headed straight home so I could pick up the dogs from the vets boarding kennels. Just as well as they have upped their price from $12 per dog per night to $15.
We had no sooner got in and the phone rang and it was his primary care physician notifying us there was a problem. The test indicated reduced blood flow to the heart which indicated more blockages. This is what we suspected so it was not a surprise. This time though the symptoms are much worse and he is having frightening episodes at night which his neurologist thinks is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain which correlates with this.
We now have to wait till February 15th when he sees his cardiologist to see what is next. I suspect they will do a cardiac cath next to see where the blockages are so that means more waiting as the cardiologist will have to schedule it.
I am worried, this seems to be dragging on too long.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Not the greatest start to a year!
My husband is quite poorly. We have lived with his neurological problems for a long while but he isn't doing too well at all right now. His neurologist is worried that his heart is not functioning right and we are waiting to hear from his cardiologist about what happens next. He already has four stents fitted and it looks like he has other blockages now so either more stents or a by pass and possibly a pacemaker as his heart rate is really slow. He isn't doing much at all, he is either at his computer, watching TV or in bed. He has been having 'episodes' when sleeping which his neurologist believes are syncope (feinting) convulsions. They are quite frightening for us both.
I had a bad stomach flu, as did half of the nation, at the beginning of the year which took it out of me a lot. I am recovered fully from that thank goodness. My husband didn't catch it even though his immune system is compromised from the chemo and immuno suppressants he takes. We thought this was good until his neurologist told us that people with compromised immune systems do not usually show symptoms, they just drop dead. He is very blunt sometimes.
My husband had such a good summer and was able to work on the camper conversion to a hunting blind but then he deteriorated quite quickly and hardly got any hunting in. Such a shame after all his (and my) hard work.
January is usually a bit of a blah month for us because of the weather but for now it doesn't look like there is going to be a lot going on in the future either. Really hoping they can sort out these heart problems for him.
I had a bad stomach flu, as did half of the nation, at the beginning of the year which took it out of me a lot. I am recovered fully from that thank goodness. My husband didn't catch it even though his immune system is compromised from the chemo and immuno suppressants he takes. We thought this was good until his neurologist told us that people with compromised immune systems do not usually show symptoms, they just drop dead. He is very blunt sometimes.
My husband had such a good summer and was able to work on the camper conversion to a hunting blind but then he deteriorated quite quickly and hardly got any hunting in. Such a shame after all his (and my) hard work.
January is usually a bit of a blah month for us because of the weather but for now it doesn't look like there is going to be a lot going on in the future either. Really hoping they can sort out these heart problems for him.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Yeah! the camper is now a hunting blind and in situ but.........
We finally finished converting the old camper into a hunting blind for my husband. We had arranged for our neighbour to come and tow it with his truck to the spot where we wanted it set up. Just over a week ago on Sunday at 2pm. The problem was we were working on it right up to the time he came to move it. We didn't get the time to sit in it and admire our nearly 4 months of hard work. We worked on it almost every day for all that time and then it was poof!....Gone! I wanted to wallow in an bit of glory for at least an hour or so lol.
Here are some before and during the transformation pictures. For some obscure reason I didn't take any inside pictures, probably because it was really yuk!
We totally gutted the thing to the outer shell. Everything came out of it. The fixtures and fittings, the carpet, the walls, the ceiling and part of the floor which had been where the bathroom was as it had rotted. We replaced that part of the floor then we added a subfloor for more stability and less noise when walking on it..
The exterior was in bad shape and we had to do some reconstruction and repair on it. Then we took out all the existing windows and mad new push out solid windows. We made every darned one of them and they were hard work. We also had to replace a lot of the timbers and add new ones to strengthen it and make sturdier framework for the windows to slide into.
We insulated it, as you can see from the pictures there was not one piece that was the same as any other so every piece had to be measured and cut to shape. We did the walls and ceiling and the wheel arches. Then we had to put up the boards to cover the ceilings and walls and wheel arches.
My husband built a shelf and a rest in front of each window so he could put things on it and rest his rifle and crossbow on the rest. His illness has taken a lot of his strength so he is not able to hold the rifle or bow without support any more.
Finally the carpet went in.
So here are the 'after' pictures
We still have some work to do on the interior. trim to put in and the walls have to be camoflauged but we will pull it back in the Spring and do that, for now it is functional.
All the time we were doing the conversion my husband was camouflaging it. It took a lot of time and a lot of paint but it ended up being amazing.
During this whole process I got to use some tools I have never tried before, the Rockwell Blade Runner and the oscillating tool. I never touched the table saw though, that thing scares me!
Our neighbour had sited the camper for us but it had to be leveled and we set about doing that but it was too much for my poor husband and he has hurt his back.
He has been able to hunt a few times but right now his back is too sore and he can hardly move.
Yesterday he managed to get up there so I could take photos. I really hope his back gets better quickly.
As you can see we do have deer on the property. My husband would love to get a buck and our supply of deer meat is about gone so we need the meat.
Here are some before and during the transformation pictures. For some obscure reason I didn't take any inside pictures, probably because it was really yuk!
We totally gutted the thing to the outer shell. Everything came out of it. The fixtures and fittings, the carpet, the walls, the ceiling and part of the floor which had been where the bathroom was as it had rotted. We replaced that part of the floor then we added a subfloor for more stability and less noise when walking on it..
The exterior was in bad shape and we had to do some reconstruction and repair on it. Then we took out all the existing windows and mad new push out solid windows. We made every darned one of them and they were hard work. We also had to replace a lot of the timbers and add new ones to strengthen it and make sturdier framework for the windows to slide into.
My husband built a shelf and a rest in front of each window so he could put things on it and rest his rifle and crossbow on the rest. His illness has taken a lot of his strength so he is not able to hold the rifle or bow without support any more.
Finally the carpet went in.
So here are the 'after' pictures
We still have some work to do on the interior. trim to put in and the walls have to be camoflauged but we will pull it back in the Spring and do that, for now it is functional.
During this whole process I got to use some tools I have never tried before, the Rockwell Blade Runner and the oscillating tool. I never touched the table saw though, that thing scares me!
Our neighbour had sited the camper for us but it had to be leveled and we set about doing that but it was too much for my poor husband and he has hurt his back.
He has been able to hunt a few times but right now his back is too sore and he can hardly move.
Yesterday he managed to get up there so I could take photos. I really hope his back gets better quickly.
As you can see we do have deer on the property. My husband would love to get a buck and our supply of deer meat is about gone so we need the meat.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
The camper saga
My husband decided that we should totally gut this camper so we set about doing that. It has been a long and painful process for us. My husband can not work for very long due to his illness and I am quite arthritic so what we used to be able to do in a couple of hours takes several days now. Not to forget the heat right now too.
We eventually got everything out of it and down to the shell. Unfortunately, this only showed us that a lot of the timbers were rotted so we have been trying to replace those, again, a difficult process. JET is very determined though so we are persevering. Taking a day off today though as we were both pretty tired and beat up.
I did catch up with some much needed housework this morning, all that had been getting done was cooking, clearing up afterwards and the washing. (We are getting through several sets of clothing a day as we are sweating so much in the heat). Feeling a bit better for having done some vacuuming and dusting and having a nice cup of tea and some English fig roll biscuits (cookies) while I am catching up with my blogs.
We eventually got everything out of it and down to the shell. Unfortunately, this only showed us that a lot of the timbers were rotted so we have been trying to replace those, again, a difficult process. JET is very determined though so we are persevering. Taking a day off today though as we were both pretty tired and beat up.
I did catch up with some much needed housework this morning, all that had been getting done was cooking, clearing up afterwards and the washing. (We are getting through several sets of clothing a day as we are sweating so much in the heat). Feeling a bit better for having done some vacuuming and dusting and having a nice cup of tea and some English fig roll biscuits (cookies) while I am catching up with my blogs.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
A better few weeks
We have been a little more productive the past few weeks but first a few things on JET's health.
The lump in his buttocks appears not to be anything cancerous as it increases and decreases in size, it might, however, need surgery at some point if it becomes very troublesome.
Secondly, his neurologist is going to try a different regimen which has proved to help in other patients with similar problems to his. For nearly three years he has been having Rituximab infusions which is a chemo drug used for treating blood cancers. The doctor wants JET to try 'targeted therapy' as opposed to chemo therapy. It is still a drug used to treat blood cancers as it targets the B cells that produce the antibodies that are attacking him. Will know more about that on 9th August.
Now a little on what we have been up to.
Firstly we aquired a junker camper for him to use as a hunting blind. We have some work to do both inside and outside to make it functional but it will only ever be a blind so doesn't have to be top notch. It will stay here if we ever move and hopefully be a selling feature. We just got that this week, the people getting rid of it were grateful for us to take it and even towed it to our place so a win win all round.
Secondly we made a table for my drill press. My husband got a new router bit set for Father's day so he used some of the bits on shaping the legs and cross bars on it. We stained it and sealed it. It is really way too fancy for the shop but that's what we made it for so that's what we are going to use it for.
We have been working on the deer feeder too. Last year we had to take it down as the racoons were getting on it and in it to get the feed. We cured them getting in it by screwing down the lid last year but then they hung of it and got the feed from the motor underneath that disperses the feed. Little boogers!!!!!
We looked at cages but they are either not very functional or very expensive so we decided to make one. We had an old stand up metal fan which the motor had stopped working on so we used the metal casing that goes around the fan for a top and a bottom and got some wire fencing we had and cut it to go around the outside. Still working on it but it will be just the thing we need when finished.
Also, the design and assembly of the dust collection system is about done. Now JET is spray painting the sections and will glue it all together. It has been quite the project but it is working efficiently now.
It's still really hot here, it's been like this for 9 weeks now. I am pretty useless in this heat even after nearly 12 years of being here. JET has to keep out of it too because extremes of heat and cold are very detrimental to his health so we have spent a lot of time indoors. We do shop stuff first thing in the morning for a couple of hours then quit.
I think I have picked up a bug or something as I have been feeling pretty crappy the past couple of days. Hope it goes away quickly.
We spent last weekend visiting with family. JET's eldest son and grandson came to KC form NJ to watch a baseball game so we spent last Saturday and Sunday with them. We didn't go to the game though as it was way too hot and the stairs in the stadium are difficult for us both so we came home and watched it on TV. We saw the two of them too in a couple of spectator shots so that was exciting. More exciting than the game actually as the Royals got beat!
The lump in his buttocks appears not to be anything cancerous as it increases and decreases in size, it might, however, need surgery at some point if it becomes very troublesome.
Secondly, his neurologist is going to try a different regimen which has proved to help in other patients with similar problems to his. For nearly three years he has been having Rituximab infusions which is a chemo drug used for treating blood cancers. The doctor wants JET to try 'targeted therapy' as opposed to chemo therapy. It is still a drug used to treat blood cancers as it targets the B cells that produce the antibodies that are attacking him. Will know more about that on 9th August.
Now a little on what we have been up to.
Firstly we aquired a junker camper for him to use as a hunting blind. We have some work to do both inside and outside to make it functional but it will only ever be a blind so doesn't have to be top notch. It will stay here if we ever move and hopefully be a selling feature. We just got that this week, the people getting rid of it were grateful for us to take it and even towed it to our place so a win win all round.
Secondly we made a table for my drill press. My husband got a new router bit set for Father's day so he used some of the bits on shaping the legs and cross bars on it. We stained it and sealed it. It is really way too fancy for the shop but that's what we made it for so that's what we are going to use it for.
 |
| The legs were routed with an ogee bit and the crossbars with a roundover bit |
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| The table top is so pretty |
We looked at cages but they are either not very functional or very expensive so we decided to make one. We had an old stand up metal fan which the motor had stopped working on so we used the metal casing that goes around the fan for a top and a bottom and got some wire fencing we had and cut it to go around the outside. Still working on it but it will be just the thing we need when finished.
 |
| The old fan casing was just the right size. Still have to attach the top one but it has to be wire brushed first |
It's still really hot here, it's been like this for 9 weeks now. I am pretty useless in this heat even after nearly 12 years of being here. JET has to keep out of it too because extremes of heat and cold are very detrimental to his health so we have spent a lot of time indoors. We do shop stuff first thing in the morning for a couple of hours then quit.
I think I have picked up a bug or something as I have been feeling pretty crappy the past couple of days. Hope it goes away quickly.
We spent last weekend visiting with family. JET's eldest son and grandson came to KC form NJ to watch a baseball game so we spent last Saturday and Sunday with them. We didn't go to the game though as it was way too hot and the stairs in the stadium are difficult for us both so we came home and watched it on TV. We saw the two of them too in a couple of spectator shots so that was exciting. More exciting than the game actually as the Royals got beat!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
A blah week here at the homestead!
It has been a very uneventful week here this past week. I did get out to mow one day and got all the areas close to the house done, that was a bonus. We have had a fair bit of rain but it is still very hot and with the rain the humidity is way up.
I did a little leatherwork which I detailed in my other blog.
a little leatherwork
JET has been working on and cussing his computer a lot, he is trying to eliminate Microsoft and get Linux set up but it is quite a challenge.
We did a bit of work in the workshop on the dust collector but only early in the mornings as it gets too hot.
JET has discovered quite a large lump in his buttocks. It has been there a while but has increased in size. We originally thought it was a boil under the skin but it has not got a head and it is not red. We will get it checked out on Tuesday when we are in Columbia to see the neurologist.
So, all in all, a blah week!
I did a little leatherwork which I detailed in my other blog.
a little leatherwork
JET has been working on and cussing his computer a lot, he is trying to eliminate Microsoft and get Linux set up but it is quite a challenge.
We did a bit of work in the workshop on the dust collector but only early in the mornings as it gets too hot.
JET has discovered quite a large lump in his buttocks. It has been there a while but has increased in size. We originally thought it was a boil under the skin but it has not got a head and it is not red. We will get it checked out on Tuesday when we are in Columbia to see the neurologist.
So, all in all, a blah week!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
I really need to get out and mow!
We have had a lot of rain over the holiday weekend and the grass has grown so much! The problem is in the morning it is too wet to mow and then it gets too hot.
This morning we worked in the shop a bit before it warmed right up, the dust collection system is nearing completion. JET managed to get it set up so it has equal suction to all the tools. It has been a very drawn out project because he just kept going at it until he got it to work how he wanted it to. I would not have had the patience, I only like to do things once.
I am going to check out if it is suitable to mow later in the evening around 7.30pm when the sun has gone mostly down.
The trip away to spend time with family was very enjoyable. We got a lot of chatting done, went out for some great meals, also ate some good food in the house. The kids had a basement full of things like air hockey and a ping pong table to keep them occupied and the baby is adorable.
Been catching up with blogging and reading blogs and TV shows we recorded whilst away.
The 4th was a bit of a non event for us as we go to bed early and don't do fireworks. The family had moved on to their next leg of their trip so it was just us and the dogs.
This morning we worked in the shop a bit before it warmed right up, the dust collection system is nearing completion. JET managed to get it set up so it has equal suction to all the tools. It has been a very drawn out project because he just kept going at it until he got it to work how he wanted it to. I would not have had the patience, I only like to do things once.
I am going to check out if it is suitable to mow later in the evening around 7.30pm when the sun has gone mostly down.
The trip away to spend time with family was very enjoyable. We got a lot of chatting done, went out for some great meals, also ate some good food in the house. The kids had a basement full of things like air hockey and a ping pong table to keep them occupied and the baby is adorable.
Been catching up with blogging and reading blogs and TV shows we recorded whilst away.
The 4th was a bit of a non event for us as we go to bed early and don't do fireworks. The family had moved on to their next leg of their trip so it was just us and the dogs.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
A full week of working went into this belt.
Tomorrow we are meeting up with family for a 5 day visit. Not here at the homestead but at a rented house in KC. Too many scorpions, snakes and other dangers for little ones here and not much to do for them. The nearest small town is 15 miles away and the next biggest which at least does have a cinema and swimming pool is 35 miles away.
Well, a couple of years ago, (or more) we promised to make the daughter in law a leather belt. She is a California girl and not into country stuff so our usual style wouldn't be anything she would like. So we asked for idea and she sent us a photo of their dog's collar which someone had tooled for it and she quite liked the look of it. She also wanted it to be as wide as possible and just able to get into belt loops.
It would involve using various colours and painting and wasn't anything I wanted to attempt.
So we conveniently, sorta, kinda accidentally on purpose forgot about it. Conscious got the better of my husband though and he said we really have to make the belt. So on Monday past we started on it.
He cut the leather belt from a leather belly we had bought. Then I tooled on a pattern, bigger patterns than on the sample.
We knew that we couldn't do the painting on top of the staining as the work is way too fine for us to do so my husband came up with a different idea. Fine point sharpie pens instead of painting but the colouring would have to be done before the staining doing it this way. Thank goodness for Amazon overnight shipping!
So we set about colouring the stampings, he started and gave me some ideas then I did the rest. It took me a whole day. Then he said that he didn't think he could stain round all the patterns without 'splodging' it. Leather stain is very runny and lethal. It can not be removed so no room for mistakes. So he came up with the idea of putting an 'aura' around each pattern which had a smoother edge so it would be easier to stain up to it. I did that part too.
Then it was over to my husband to do the most difficult part, to stain the belt. I could never have done it, it would have been a disaster, I get the dye everywhere. He did an absolutely magnificent job.
Next was the conditioning of the leather, he started on it and made it nice and soft and then I did the gumtraging of the edges and back.
After that more conditioning then shining and polishing.
We are really impressed with ourselves. No intention of ever making another like it but really feeling quite accomplished that we did it........finally!
We did not have a buckle that size so we can go with her to Tandy in KC and she can chose a buckle. Then we can put the holes where she wants them to be. She wears her jeans on her hips so better to wait and see where she wants them. I have the tools packed to take with us to finish it.
I will get a photo of the finished belt and post it after our visit with them.
Well, a couple of years ago, (or more) we promised to make the daughter in law a leather belt. She is a California girl and not into country stuff so our usual style wouldn't be anything she would like. So we asked for idea and she sent us a photo of their dog's collar which someone had tooled for it and she quite liked the look of it. She also wanted it to be as wide as possible and just able to get into belt loops.
It would involve using various colours and painting and wasn't anything I wanted to attempt.
So we conveniently, sorta, kinda accidentally on purpose forgot about it. Conscious got the better of my husband though and he said we really have to make the belt. So on Monday past we started on it.
He cut the leather belt from a leather belly we had bought. Then I tooled on a pattern, bigger patterns than on the sample.
We knew that we couldn't do the painting on top of the staining as the work is way too fine for us to do so my husband came up with a different idea. Fine point sharpie pens instead of painting but the colouring would have to be done before the staining doing it this way. Thank goodness for Amazon overnight shipping!
So we set about colouring the stampings, he started and gave me some ideas then I did the rest. It took me a whole day. Then he said that he didn't think he could stain round all the patterns without 'splodging' it. Leather stain is very runny and lethal. It can not be removed so no room for mistakes. So he came up with the idea of putting an 'aura' around each pattern which had a smoother edge so it would be easier to stain up to it. I did that part too.
Next was the conditioning of the leather, he started on it and made it nice and soft and then I did the gumtraging of the edges and back.
After that more conditioning then shining and polishing.
We are really impressed with ourselves. No intention of ever making another like it but really feeling quite accomplished that we did it........finally!
We did not have a buckle that size so we can go with her to Tandy in KC and she can chose a buckle. Then we can put the holes where she wants them to be. She wears her jeans on her hips so better to wait and see where she wants them. I have the tools packed to take with us to finish it.
I will get a photo of the finished belt and post it after our visit with them.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Not much going on at the old homestead this past week!
It is very hot here right now, it got to 100F this past week. I am not good in this heat, I just want to vegetate in the house. We have stopped mowing as much for me as the grass. It will scorch in this heat and I just can't be outside in it for long.
We did get out to buy a counter top to make the tables for our new tools and we did get the tools assembled.
The drill price was only $55 and the belt table sander was $60. Not the best quality in the world but more than suitable for us in our golden years. We did give them a trial run and they both seem to perform very well.
The dogs aren't much enjoying this heat and the bugs outside either. They are like us and prefer to be indoors.
Here is Maggie in one of her favourite spots wrapped around my chair by the computer. She does this while I am sitting in it so she must feel pretty confident that I am not going to roll around.
JET has been trying to set up his computer with an alternate operating system to Windows and it has been thwart with problems. He has found one which seems to be working OK now but he still has to move all his programs and files onto it. At least it is not infringing on his shop time as it is too hot to be working in there for too long and it's too big to be able to afford to keep it air conditioned.
Getting ready this coming week for the meet up with the family. Really looking forward to it.
We did get out to buy a counter top to make the tables for our new tools and we did get the tools assembled.
The drill price was only $55 and the belt table sander was $60. Not the best quality in the world but more than suitable for us in our golden years. We did give them a trial run and they both seem to perform very well.
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| Counter top cut ready to make tables for the tools |
Here is Maggie in one of her favourite spots wrapped around my chair by the computer. She does this while I am sitting in it so she must feel pretty confident that I am not going to roll around.
JET has been trying to set up his computer with an alternate operating system to Windows and it has been thwart with problems. He has found one which seems to be working OK now but he still has to move all his programs and files onto it. At least it is not infringing on his shop time as it is too hot to be working in there for too long and it's too big to be able to afford to keep it air conditioned.
Getting ready this coming week for the meet up with the family. Really looking forward to it.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Another funny couple of weeks!
It's been a funny couple of weeks. I know I say that a lot but it is true. We have been to Columbia twice for hospital appointments, got some results back which showed a little more deterioration in the nerve damage to JET. Not surprising, but it would have been a lot worse if he hadn't been receiving the chemo treatment.
It has turned out really hot here so mowing has ceased for a while. The mower threw it's belt off but JET was able to fix it. The first day he tried he had to stop as the cramps and pains in his legs was too much but the next day he got it done. He is such a trooper.
We treated ourselves to two new things from harbor Freight. They were a really good price with the 20% discount. We always purchase the replacement warranty though just in case as Harbor Freight do not have really high end tools.
I got a drill press for a project I have in mind and JET got a bench sander. He can not use the hand held ones very well any more as the neuropathy has worsened in his hands and arms.
Now JET has to build tables for them, we checked and we have wood supplies enough to do them.
In just over two weeks we will get to spend some time with some of the family. JET's youngest son and his wife and family. I have been making a couple of sun dresses for the newest grand baby. She is 13 months old now and walking and talking and always seems to be happy and smiling on the videos and photos we see. I can't wait to see them again.
The dust collection system is still underway. JET keeps changing it to make it more efficient. He was getting a lot of pains and cramps with trying to work everyday in the shop though. His computer needed some work doing to it so he has spent a few days tinkering with it and getting a much needed rest.
Back to the grindstone tomorrow I suspect. We did get a bit of a storm this afternoon and some much needed rain but that means is will be very humid tomorrow. It means the grass will start growing again too!
It has turned out really hot here so mowing has ceased for a while. The mower threw it's belt off but JET was able to fix it. The first day he tried he had to stop as the cramps and pains in his legs was too much but the next day he got it done. He is such a trooper.
We treated ourselves to two new things from harbor Freight. They were a really good price with the 20% discount. We always purchase the replacement warranty though just in case as Harbor Freight do not have really high end tools.
I got a drill press for a project I have in mind and JET got a bench sander. He can not use the hand held ones very well any more as the neuropathy has worsened in his hands and arms.
Now JET has to build tables for them, we checked and we have wood supplies enough to do them.
In just over two weeks we will get to spend some time with some of the family. JET's youngest son and his wife and family. I have been making a couple of sun dresses for the newest grand baby. She is 13 months old now and walking and talking and always seems to be happy and smiling on the videos and photos we see. I can't wait to see them again.
The dust collection system is still underway. JET keeps changing it to make it more efficient. He was getting a lot of pains and cramps with trying to work everyday in the shop though. His computer needed some work doing to it so he has spent a few days tinkering with it and getting a much needed rest.
Back to the grindstone tomorrow I suspect. We did get a bit of a storm this afternoon and some much needed rain but that means is will be very humid tomorrow. It means the grass will start growing again too!
Saturday, May 28, 2016
and a few more tidbits!
We are still doing the gluten free diet. It is working great for JET, he has lost some weight and it shows. Me, I can't see any difference but I am sticking to it, amazingly. Not at all like me but something is telling me to keep going, so I am. Besides, it wouldn't be nice to eat a big old slice of fresh hot bread and butter in front of him, now would it?
Here is my gluten free brunch. JET's portion was a lot bigger and he had 6 pieces of bacon and he is still losing weight. Huh!
Yesterday I was helping JET in the workshop, he needed to put some of that squirty foam stuff in a can around something to stop air leaks and I, in my infinite wisdom, thought I could do it better than him. Well, I paid for my delusions of grandeur big time. I did not heed the warnings on the can to wear gloves and I got it all over my fingers. It's nasty horrible stuff and no solvent known to man seems to get it off. You have to pick it off, a teeny bit at a time. I am still picking today.
If you have been watching Game of Thrones you will have seen the people whose skin looks like it is turning to rock, that's what mine looked like yesterday, now it just looks like my skin is flaking off. Rest assured I will not be rushing to use that stuff again!
Here is my gluten free brunch. JET's portion was a lot bigger and he had 6 pieces of bacon and he is still losing weight. Huh!
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| A little bit blurry but as I ate it I can't go back and retake it! |
If you have been watching Game of Thrones you will have seen the people whose skin looks like it is turning to rock, that's what mine looked like yesterday, now it just looks like my skin is flaking off. Rest assured I will not be rushing to use that stuff again!
A busy old time!
This week we have hardly stopped running. Not literally, of course, as neither of us can run, but it has been a tad hectic to say the least.
A week past Friday I took our van in to get the tyres checked as we had a vibration. Good old Walmart had replaced one a couple of weeks earlier and we had developed a wobble. They checked them all for balance etc. and said they were all fine then gave me the bad news that it looked like the tie rod ends had gone as when it was up on the ramps the front wheels could be moved side to side. Not good! even I knew that.
They recommended a place that fixed them and did realignment. So I made an appointment for the following Monday which was last Monday. So we were kind of grounded for the weekend as we only have one vehicle and they advised us not to go out of town in it. (A bit difficult as we live 35 miles out of town). Didn't want to push our luck having made it home so we stayed put until I took it in on Monday. That took up most of Monday. Also got the rear brake pads replaced as they were needing doing.
Tuesday we went to Kansas City for a cousins reunion as one was flying in for a visit and wanted everyone to meet up. That was a lovely day but a long one.
Wednesday I had to go to town and pick up Maggie from the vet's kennels as it was too long to leave her unattended the previous day so we dropped her off there on our way out. I also picked up some groceries.
Thursday was the day to go to the cemeteries and take flowers, another good half a day of being out.
Yesterday we got to stay home, all day, yeah!
In fact we have another three days at home before we start running again.
Tuesday back to the cemeteries to pick up the potted flowers as they will not survive the dry heat and replace them with nice silk ones. We will enjoy the potted plants at home and will be reminded of our loved ones so it's a win win situation.
Wednesday, drop off the dogs at the kennels then on to Columbia for an EMG on my husband to see if the nerve damage has changed one way or another. An overnight stay in Columbia as he has another appointment with the neurologist on Thursday then back home to pick up the dogs from the vet's kennels.
Meanwhile, if it dries out I have to get on with some mowing, the grass is so tall with all the rain but the ground is too wet for the riding mower right now. Hoping the wind dries it all out today and I can mow tomorrow and Monday.
Trying to do a bit of crafting in between everything else and JET has been working on the dust collection system in the workshop.
We try and grab a bit of time everyday just to sit outside and relax and let the dogs run around and we have been able to do that too.
So, a busy but productive and enjoyable time, we are not quite over the hill yet!
A week past Friday I took our van in to get the tyres checked as we had a vibration. Good old Walmart had replaced one a couple of weeks earlier and we had developed a wobble. They checked them all for balance etc. and said they were all fine then gave me the bad news that it looked like the tie rod ends had gone as when it was up on the ramps the front wheels could be moved side to side. Not good! even I knew that.
They recommended a place that fixed them and did realignment. So I made an appointment for the following Monday which was last Monday. So we were kind of grounded for the weekend as we only have one vehicle and they advised us not to go out of town in it. (A bit difficult as we live 35 miles out of town). Didn't want to push our luck having made it home so we stayed put until I took it in on Monday. That took up most of Monday. Also got the rear brake pads replaced as they were needing doing.
Tuesday we went to Kansas City for a cousins reunion as one was flying in for a visit and wanted everyone to meet up. That was a lovely day but a long one.
Wednesday I had to go to town and pick up Maggie from the vet's kennels as it was too long to leave her unattended the previous day so we dropped her off there on our way out. I also picked up some groceries.
Thursday was the day to go to the cemeteries and take flowers, another good half a day of being out.
Yesterday we got to stay home, all day, yeah!
In fact we have another three days at home before we start running again.
Tuesday back to the cemeteries to pick up the potted flowers as they will not survive the dry heat and replace them with nice silk ones. We will enjoy the potted plants at home and will be reminded of our loved ones so it's a win win situation.
Wednesday, drop off the dogs at the kennels then on to Columbia for an EMG on my husband to see if the nerve damage has changed one way or another. An overnight stay in Columbia as he has another appointment with the neurologist on Thursday then back home to pick up the dogs from the vet's kennels.
Meanwhile, if it dries out I have to get on with some mowing, the grass is so tall with all the rain but the ground is too wet for the riding mower right now. Hoping the wind dries it all out today and I can mow tomorrow and Monday.
Trying to do a bit of crafting in between everything else and JET has been working on the dust collection system in the workshop.
We try and grab a bit of time everyday just to sit outside and relax and let the dogs run around and we have been able to do that too.
So, a busy but productive and enjoyable time, we are not quite over the hill yet!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
We are plodding on here
Weatherwise it has been wonderful for May so far. We just had three good days of rain and the temperatures have been in the 60's during the day and 40's at night. The quilt came back out!
Healthwise, JET had the chemo, no significant improvement yet. He also saw his other neurologist at the University hospital. He ran more blood tests on him and has scheduled another EMG. Some of the bloodwork came back with elevated muscle enzyme levels, still waiting on the other results.
We have been trying to cut out gluten and carbs from our diet as his VA neurologist said it helps reduce inflammation. We have done this now for 2 weeks. Again, no significant improvement in either he or I. I was hoping it would help with the arthritis but so far it hasn't. We will continue to try it though. JET has lost a little weight doing it and I think I may have too but my scales at home are not very accurate so not sure on that.
We have been working on the dust collection system. I have helped with running wires. We had to do it twice as the pipe we bought the first time to run the cables through was too narrow and we snagged the wire a lot. A costly error but we bought bigger pipe and new wire and now it is done correctly.
JET is now wiring in all the outlets and he doesn't need my help for that.
No mowing for a few days because of the rain, maybe back to it tomorrow. Last time out I felt quite ill afterwards, I think the pollen and heat got to me, I left it too late in the day to start.
Hoping to get out early tomorrow am if it has dried out some.
We attended the Celebration of Life of our friend and neighbour on Saturday. It was a good celebration but also very sad.
Done a little crafting but will blog on that in my other blog.
Healthwise, JET had the chemo, no significant improvement yet. He also saw his other neurologist at the University hospital. He ran more blood tests on him and has scheduled another EMG. Some of the bloodwork came back with elevated muscle enzyme levels, still waiting on the other results.
We have been trying to cut out gluten and carbs from our diet as his VA neurologist said it helps reduce inflammation. We have done this now for 2 weeks. Again, no significant improvement in either he or I. I was hoping it would help with the arthritis but so far it hasn't. We will continue to try it though. JET has lost a little weight doing it and I think I may have too but my scales at home are not very accurate so not sure on that.
We have been working on the dust collection system. I have helped with running wires. We had to do it twice as the pipe we bought the first time to run the cables through was too narrow and we snagged the wire a lot. A costly error but we bought bigger pipe and new wire and now it is done correctly.
JET is now wiring in all the outlets and he doesn't need my help for that.
No mowing for a few days because of the rain, maybe back to it tomorrow. Last time out I felt quite ill afterwards, I think the pollen and heat got to me, I left it too late in the day to start.
Hoping to get out early tomorrow am if it has dried out some.
We attended the Celebration of Life of our friend and neighbour on Saturday. It was a good celebration but also very sad.
Done a little crafting but will blog on that in my other blog.
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