Another two months have past.  Time just marches on!!  This one begins on Friday January 2nd.  Still not feeling well at all.  We worked on the blog, watched some football and did a little bit of knitting. Saturday was a beautiful day.  Started out at 41, but once the sun came out it got up to 66.  We were both getting cabin fever so we headed outside.  Worked on cleaning leaves off the patio.  Lee hung out cool bird feeder we received for Christmas.  Allie was even enjoying the warm weather!!!  Sunday the 4th was a quiet relaxing day for us.  Not up to par to attend church.  Really miss that.  I finished a scarf I knitted to go with my new coat.  Started on a toboggan to match.

Got up on Monday the 5th to 24 degrees.  And - we've got to get out in it.  I have an appointment with an ENT specialist.  Needless to say - the first diagnosis was incorrect.  Was put on 2 new medications for 2 weeks.  If not considerably better he will start aggressive testing.  Tuesday the 6th was a beautiful day.  Started out rather cool, but warmed up to 67.  Decided to take a trip to Bealls to checked out their sale items.  We both did good.  Made a quick stop at Home Depot to check out ceiling lights.  We want to replace the one in the hall.  As of Thursday the 8th it appeared the new round of medication was working some.....I felt like I had a little bit of energy.  I did some domestic chores while Lee installed the new hall light.  On Wednesday the 7th we rode to Gruene.  Looking for something to hang a beautiful cutting board on that Lee got for Christmas.  Found some old spurs that should work great.

Saturday the 10th was not a nice day at all!!!  COLD COLD COLD AND ICE!!!  On Tuesday we went to the Comal County Tax Dept to apply for our Homestead Exemption.  This "freezes" home owner taxes for folks over 65.  Definitely took advantage of that since our taxes came in a lot lower than expected.  Stopped at a bbq place called Coopers for a late lunch.  GREAT FOOD!!.  Once we got home Lee started working on the spurs for mounting the cutting board

                             Lee's New Cutting Board.                        

Michael and Austin came down on Friday the 16th for the weekend.  After chowing down on breakfast tacos we headed out to Luckenbach and Fredricksburg.  Had a grand time.  GOSH - I LOVE having them here!!!!  Instead of eating out for dinner -- we stopped at the store at Michael's request.  He fixed an absolutely fantastic dinner for us.   Reached a milestone on Sunday the 18th.  It was one year ago that I was in the trauma unit at the hospital with a broken lower right leg...both bones.

Monday the 19th we headed back to the doctor.  More blood work requested.  It got up to 80 on Tuesday the 20th so we headed outside.  We moved 2 plants, then Lee worked on sealing an area around the front porch to keep critters out.  I didn't feel too bad, so I gathered my paint supplied and headed to the iron fence.  Energy level is awful, but I was able to complete one more section.  Lee's project required the use of a handheld Grinder.  Ummmmm...a slip of the grinder - cut finger - off to Quick Care - required 2 stitches. Our 33rd wedding anniversary was Thursday January 22nd. Weather was horrible so we decided to stay in for the day.  Lee fixed some ribs.  Not worth going out anyway, because I'm only able to eat very soft food.

Lee's 70th birthday was Saturday the 24th.  We went up to Debi's to celebrate with the family.  We all went to Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse.  We were also celebrating Chad's birthday which is on the 25th. Back home for ice cream cake. Back to the doctor on Monday the 26th.  Very little improvement so he's going to do a couple biopsies inside my mouth (that wasn't fun).  Got a call on Tuesday the 27th -- I have an Auto-Immune Disease.  Anxiety over all these doctor appointments, etc. etc. I headed outside to work on that iron fence.  Got the front section next to the road completed. WOW - what a difference.  Looks great.  Believe it or not -- these type projects are good therapy for me.  Lee worked on painting some stars that will go up in the kitchen.  Our Red Tips in the front yard have finally turned Red and the Peach Trees are Blooming. When we got home from a run to the store there was a Roadrunner in the front yard.  I think that he was cold also.  By the way we live on Roadrunner Lane.  Who would have thunk it.  

Stars

Peach Trees in Bloom

                                                   
                                                             Red Tips

                                           The Front Fence is Finished

                                        Roadrunner
Saturday the February 2nd was a very busy day.  We had lace drapes in the kitchen (prior owner put them up). They just didn't go with a western themed house.  So - Lee installed vertical blinds.  Not only do they look better - they make the kitchen look bigger.  He also installed some drapes over the master bathroom window.  He had his little with him, she follows him wherever he goes.  On Sunday the 8th Lee cut and installed some shelves we needed in a hall closet. I had another doctor appointment on the 10th.  Put me on more aggressive meds and wanted more extensive blood work done and took another biopsy on the other side of my mouth.  On Wednesday they took another "quart" of blood all of which are very sensitive - special testing required.  I'm "done" for the day!!!  Once I got settled in - Lee headed to the firing range to let off a little stress and to fire his new pistol that he saved and bought with his Christmas and Birthday money.  He had enough that he also ordered a beautiful Hand Carved Holster set.  I took some medication and headed for the couch.  Decided to get back on a knitting project. That seems to  help keep my mind of this junk --- and I don't swallow much at all -- which is so painful.  Even though I have other issues - this is the worse!!!!!  Lee ran errands for me on Thursday. I decided to make some potato salad.....hoping it would be soft enough for me to eat.

                                                          Birthday Present

                                    Allie is Helping
Off to the radiology center on Friday the 13th for a CT scan.  All tests, etc. are back and we have a confirmed illness.....Pemphigoid Muscus Membrane Disease.  Medications have been changed which took care of the sore throat.   I will required 4 infusion treatments.  We are in a "holding" pattern right now.  My doctor has to get approval from Medicare/Insurance to start these treatments.  As I ranted earlier on Facebook -- this is totally unacceptable.  I have a very serious disease --  I'm starting my 4th month of this junk!!!  There was a "funny" for the day.  It's mating season for skunks.  Well -- 19 of them did a happy dance on the road - now they're road kill.  This was just between our house and the imaging office (about 30 miles).  Sure will clear up your sinuses.

On Saturday the 14th I had a "tad" more energy for a couple hours.  I cherish as much as I can get!!!!  Finally felt like finishing up my toboggan.  Really bad weather arrived on Monday....cold and windy.  Guess we shouldn't complain.  We're better off than a lot of folks.  We are having Directv installed today.  Lee helped the guy out while I defrosted the freezer.  I would say the afternoon will be checking out some movies and taking a nap.  On Thursday we had to go get Lee a new phone.  Of course, he got the fancy one.  Too advanced for me.  IPhone 6 Plus.  We also had to get another TV for the Hobby Room and decided to get a Smart TV for the living room and change them around so that we can watch Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Oh yeah he had to get a larger one (TV) that is.  I must say that it does make a difference.

Friday the 20th we went to one of our favorite furniture store and picked out some living room furniture.  Recliner and love seat was delivered Saturday.  Couch should be here in a week or so. Debi came down on Saturday the 21st for the weekend.  Her and I went to Greue Market Days.  Then she surprised me.  This disease is making me lose my hair.  She had searched for a wig place before she came down.  Ended up purchasing me a wig.  OMG - I was so excited.  Had a problem stopping the tears.  Of course - we couldn't go home without going to Bealls.  Michael came down for the day to help Lee out with some computer stuff.  Austin was sick so he didn't come down.  I can't be around anyone with even the sniffles anyway since the last medication lowers my immune system.

                                  Linda's Sister Debi
Sunday night we get all settled in for the evening ---- when a water line burst in the master bathroom. Water was everywhere!  We finally got the mess cleaned up and back to bed after midnight.  Like we really need another issue.  Lee ran some errands for us on Monday.  When he got home an end table had arrived that we had ordered.  We spent the afternoon putting it together.  Looks great!!! Tuesday the 24th was another doctor appointment.  The new meds are making a slight difference so she increased those again.  The rheumatology office called to set up an evaluation appointment which was on Thursday.  Had a very extensive evaluation ---- oh -- and MORE blood work.  The doctor said he would submit the letter of approval by Friday at the latest.  Now -- we wait.  I just HOPE and PRAY there will be no problem with this approval.  I will NOT get better until I get these infusions.

I want to THANK everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the kind words, prayers and encouragement.  Please keep Lee and I both on your prayer list.

Until next time.......take care