The first week in August, Mike and I went camping at Wyalusing State Park near Prairie Du Chien. Our campsite was on the bluffs overlooking the Wisconsin River where it meets the Mississippi River. The views are hard to desribe, besides breathtaking! We drove across the river to McGregor, Iowa and visited Pikes Peak State Park. We could look across the river to Wyalusing and see the bluffs we were camping at.
 

These pictures are from our 4-wheeler ride to the fishing hole. The deer were playing hard in one of the fields and didn't run until we were pretty close to them. The grasses are close to 5 feet tall and Mike enjoyed driving through them and scaring me by going thisclose to the water! No fish that day though. Some of the trail is muddy in the woods so we saw lots of turkey tracks, even baby ones! No bear tracks thankfully. But as we came into our driveway, a baby skunk ran into the grass! That night Moose came into the house and  had a faint smell of skunk, so he got a bath. He did behave for it. None of the other cats have found the family of skunks living down below the garage. It has been too hot to go out in the woods and Mike has been working nights, so maybe Tuesday or so when he goes out to make wood, I'll tag along and take my camera.

 Saturday July 2nd we celebrated Dad's 66th birthday. He enjoyed his day. Mike and I, Tony & Sarah, Wes, Kenna, Mark, Brian & Julia, Uncle Ken & Aunt Gloria, and Uncle Ed were there. Moms friend Gail and her family stopped in for a visit also. It was a fun day. I actually drove over and back without any problems. I wasn't too over tired today, so slowly getting better. We go on the 12th to Milwaukee for my 8 week check up with the neurosurgeon. Hoping for good results.

                                                Shadow sat staring at a pheasant that was across the road.

                                                        Miss Millie!

                                                        Kitty on the prowl in the field!

Finally took a 4-wheeler ride with Mike today. We went slow but it still aggravated my neck pain. And it wore me out. Slow progress I guess. Anyway, we saw lots of deer tracks along with tiny fawn tracks the size of a quarter. Should be good hunting this fall. The fishing hole was surrounded by tall grasses, so I didn't get off the 4-wheeler while Mike fished. I still remember the snake under the 4-wheeler last summer. Do not like them at all! There are beautiful wildflowers out, tons of columbines, and I didn't take my camera with! Next time! Mike brought me home and he went back out to fish while I made venison and onions for supper. Smelled and tasted so good.

The picture above is of my staples at the back of my head and neck. 20 staples I believe.
Great to see the sun out today. I'm having a hard day, recovery wise. Just a little depressed and wish I could make Mike understand how I feel. On the other hand, we have two extra cats, Tigger and Tia. They belong to my son Wes. he is going through a breakup and can't keep his cats where he is staying at. So far they all get along. Moose loves having a smaller kitten  (Tia) to play with. She is the only one out of them all that stays inside all the time. Kitty, the oldest of them all, has become very attached to me. I don't think he liked me being gone for my surgery. he even sleeps by my pillow, where as before he stayed outside every night. Even the dogs could care less about the added felines! I can't imagine how hard it would be to recover without my animal brood!

Home at last! Mike and I came home Tuesday the 24th. It was the longest week ever! I went in for surgery on the 16th, and spent two days in ICU afterwards. I was very sick from the pain meds and was poked for IV sites two many times! I think I'll be black and blue forever. The NS said once he opened up the original surgery site, he found not one, but two blood vessels sitting tight against my brain. So he thinks maybe that is what was causing all the pain on my left side, not to mention the headaches! It's  amazing what medical science can do to help now. I had a hard time recovering in the hospital, lots of nausea and weakness but man was the staff great. They kept me on track to leave on time and then we stayed at the volunteer place, Kathy's House in Milwaukee until my wound check day. I get my staples out up here next Tuesday then my check-up isn't until July 13th! It was hard for both Mike and I to be there with no family and we're still feeling the effects, but we'll make it. Lot's of catching up to do!

                                                        Moose

                                                   Millie

                                                    Hazel

                                                       Shadow

                                                       Kitty                                                                                                    

Today I have so many things on my mind. First, Mike got his 2nd turkey this Spring. He is quite the hunter and fisherman. We had fresh Northern and Bass Saturday night for supper. Then today, he caught a Walleye and a Northern. That will be our dinner tomorrow. Later tonight my brother-in-law Dennis is coming to do his turkey hunting on our land. He and his friend Leo stay in our cabin while they are here. The biggest thing on my mind is my upcoming surgery. We leave Sunday morning for Milwaukee, Columbia St. Mary's Hospital. We will stay at Kathy's House, a place people stay who are going through medical hospitalizations and appointments. Mike is staying there while I'm in the hospital and then I'll stay with him there until my staples come out. I am putting Shadow in a kennel while we are gone. I'm very nervous about it, he is such a momma's boy. Kenna, Tony, and Mike's friend Lyle will take care of the other dogs and the cats.

I've been taking advantage of the yucky weather to get some more work done on my soon to be daughter-in-laws family tree. I get so caught up in it, I want to share it with her right away. I forget that not all people get so excited about genealogy. Oh, well. So our fun out here has been a small family (herd) of deer that eat in our yard twice a day. On the down side of things, I have been having a hard time healthwise. While I hope this next surgery will help, it's causing a lot of anxiety in me, and Mike is having a real hard time accepting the fact that I will be alright. We will get through this, I have faith that God is with me and will stay with me through it all. Enough said.

Moose came home! I lectured the little guy about scaring mama, but only as a cat can, he only wanted the food dish!

What a day! Went to Siren with Kenna, Sarah, and her mom Barb to find dresses for the wedding. Both Barb and I found one. I so didn't want to look like a "matron". And I will not! Beautiful sparkles on the top, little jacket, and black draped skirt. I told Sarah that I may start crying now, and not stop until September10th!  Definitely had a better day today than yesterday. Mike and I took his mom to Eau Claire for her eye appointment, and I ended up with both a migraine and a horrible Chiari headache. I am so ready for this surgery to hopefully alleviate some of the daily pain. Plans are made to stay at Kathy's House in Milwaukee and trying to figure out what to do with the dogs. Shadow just might have to stay at a kennel, which makes me nervous. He is such a people dog and hates being alone. Either we are with him or Hazel and he are together. Uff da! What to do! And to top that, my Moose is missing! He got out the other night, and we cannot find him anywhere! I hope he is hiding nearby and will come home soon. This weather tonight will scare him. Mike called the neighbor to let them know to watch for him. They lost their cat last fall, so they feel our pain.

I spent Friday with my mother-in-law shopping in Rice Lake. We had lunch with my kids, their girls, my mom, and Mike Magana, who is home on leave from the Marines. He spent a large amount of time with my family while in high school. It was so good to see him before he goes to Afghanistan for a second tour. Mighty proud of that boy! It was a long day, running after an 81 year old who can go faster than me! Tomorrow we leave for Bloomington, MN to attend my dads retirement dinner from AMPI. Should be fun, my brothers will be there and my sister can't make it because she has all those 2nd graders to teach! On the downside of things, my lovely husband gave me his cold! My nose is so raw from blowing it!

Yesterday we had my family over to celebrate March birthdays. All together, there are 6 birthdays in March, plus Moms on February 28th. We had a great time, especially my nieces, Emma & Sarah. Last night, we went to the New Hideaway to celebrate Wes' 22nd birthday. It's hard to believe my little 6'3 boy is that old. Mike had to work at 11, so we came home early. I had a date with my pillow! My headaches aren't getting any better, so I scheduled my surgery for May 16th down in Milwaukee. I'm hoping for at least a 50% reduction in the pain. Maybe. Mike is very worried, but I have great faith that things will go good. There is no cure for Chiari, but surgery can halt the symptoms sometimes.

I am having some quiet time right now. Mike is out ice fishing, hoping for some crappies for supper tomorrow night! I finally called the Chiari Center in Milwaukee to tell them I am ready to have my surgery. It feels like a weight is off my shoulders. I just have to wait for the scheduler to call in the next few days. Dr. Heffez, my neurosurgeon, is great and I have faith in his ability to "redo" my previous decompression. It will require Mike to take two weeks off work, but we'll manage. I'm hoping Kenna can stay at our place to take care of the animals. I've been reading other Chiarians journeys and am feeling less alone with all of this. I know I have my family and husbands support, but unless you actually have the problem, it is hard to know how it really feels.

Spent Thursday night in the ER for a migraine that wouldn't stop. I normally don't have much good to say about our small town ER, but this time they went above and beyond for me. I didn't go home pain free, but almost and that was good enough for me. I have had migraines for 30 years and it doesn't get any easier, especially with my Chiari complications. I go see my Neurologist next week and hopefully find some new ways to prevent and treat the migraines. After that. I need to decide if  I want to have another brain surgery. Or need to I guess. My husband is scared to death about this decision. I don't blame him. My faith in the Lord will see us through this difficult time.

So, today isn't the greatest. I have a migraine and Mike has a broken and infected toe. Such is life! He dropped a tackle box on his toe a couple of weeks ago. We thought his nail would fall off, but yesterday he cut wood all day and could hardly stand the pain.

Home from Rhinelander at last. Went to Fort Wilderness for a Valentine dinner and show with my sister and her husband. The entertainment was a comedienne from the Twin Cities. I laughed so hard, I cried. The time went to fast and my nieces were not happy we didn't stay longer. Hopefully we will all get together in March for a family birthday celebration. The dogs and cats missed us terribly, even though Kenna was here. Mike works tonight, so they can all cuddle with mommy on the bed! When we got home, Mike had to put a new battery in Kenna's car. He even went to town with her so she bought the right one. I love it when he spends time with her. She needs a father figure in her life and I am glad Mike is there for her. Also tonight, my brother Brian and his fiancee are celebrating at an engagement party in Rice Lake. Wish we could be there with them!

Another cold day here. But I did brave the cold and headed into town today. Needed some Valentine goodies for my little nieces, Emma & Sarah. We are going to Rhinelander to attend a Valentine dinner and show with my sister and her husband. We went last year and had such a good time. My daughter, Kenna,  is coming to stay with the animals overnight. Moose misses her and looks forward (I think) to terrorizing her when she visits!

Today was way to cold out to do much. Went and picked up Michael's car from the shop. He found a truck to buy and sold his car this afternoon. It will be nice to have a truck again, so I can have my car back! Kitty is feeling better, he has an infection in his sinuses. I started giving him penicillin yesterday. I hope he gets better soon. The other cats keep checking on him. I feel like I have a sick child! On the down side, my headache is bad again today. Waiting on the results from my LP from my neurosurgeon. Hopefully he has good news.

This is Kitty. He only drinks from the faucet, compliments of my son Wes!

The above pictures are of the creek running through our land. We enjoy fresh fish all summer long.

Beginnings

This is all brand new to me. I've wanted to journal for some time now, but just can't seem to do it. Blogging may be just what will help me along. I've got my two house dogs and youngest cat next to me for inspiration. (They think they are helping me). Moose, our 7 month old orange tabby, usually sits on the desk and touches me with his paw to remind me he is more important than what I'm doing on the computer. Now, he is sprawled out on the treadmill, watching Hazel, our chocolate Lab, chew on her bone. Shadow, our Siberian Husky, is out cold next to them. Ahh, the life of a dog and cat. They were home alone most of the day as Michael and I took his mom to Eau Claire for a doctors appointment. After the dogs went out for a minute when we came home, I think they appreciated the warmth they had all day. My cat, Millie, just jumped up to check out what is going on, all 27lbs of her. She is a long hair lilac point Siamese mix. Now to figure out how to put photos on here.