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.