January Happenings

Well --- when we talk to our family and friends back in Michigan we feel like we are missing out  - haven't had a winter like this since 1978--- but then again - Thank you Lord!!!  Their winter has been NASTY!!!  Schools have been closed January 23, 24 (then the weekend), 27, 28, 29 and now another storm tonight  and again Saturday.  We feel bad for you!  Our January was very COLD but no snow --- we could actually use some!!! - just for the moisture!!  As you can see from the photo below - we've had lots of wind.

 The birds had to hang on for dear life as they tried to eat the thistle seeds.  I suppose it didn't help that the bags were about empty.  It was kind of fun watching.  I did fill them up the next day.

We did a little more ice fishing but our results were rather sad.  We tried one day and almost lost the shanty. The wind was so fierce........there was water on the ice........and not one bite.  However, on the same day one of our neighbors went to a different lake about 5 miles away and he had a hard time carrying his two buckets full!!!   AUGH!!!  I felt so bad for him   NOT!!   :)  :)

Gary  has a lot of projects to keep him busy ---- a new bathroom cupboard for a neighbor, put some electrical outlets in a new garage, repair a couple of  "sun heaters" (thinking that's the right name), do the chores for another neighbor while he takes a trip to Kentucky.  However, they all got put on hold. 

We went to North Platte to get some supplies for these projects on Monday and just before noon he felt a bit of a stomach pain.  Didn't think too much about it --- but as the day progressed  - so did the pain.  By the time we got about an hour from Valentine (on our way home) it was getting down right miserable.  We bought some meds when we got to Valentine - Gas X - all he could do was burp and burp....but no relief.    We continued on for home......but decided about 10 miles from home that we might just as well turn around because things were not good.  He was admitted to the hospital and they inserted a tube through his nose down into his stomach - gave him some morphine (and this was NOT quick enough !!!) and then he was comfortable (somewhat - as much comfortable as you can be with that tube down your nose).  He came home today (Wednesday) and is back to normal.  Below is a photo of the lovely rose he received from our "Our Lakeview Church Family".

He's had this 2 times before so the Doc. and nurses are getting to know him.   We are VERY thankful that it didn't all happen down in North Platte where we know no one and they don't know Gary's history.    They tell us that the muscles in his intestines just quit working.  Then the gases build up in his stomach because they have no other place to go.  Getting the stomach empty and the morphine for the pain work together to relax those muscles and things begin to work again.  Doc says drink LOTS OF WATER!!!  that's the key to keeping things working.  So we have to get that in our heads and REMEMBER IT!  That might be the hard part.....

So while he was "resting" in the hospital - I did the neighbors chores.  Found the water for the cattle froze up - so called in another neighbor and he got that fixed up.....good to go again.  Chores were feed 2 colts, one cow, check water, feed the 4 dogs, chickens (one little banty rooster tried to run me off) and geese, and then go check on the pheasants -- nothing too intense. Kind of fun  :)

It's good to have Gary back home again....  We went to the PMO (Alcohol Treatment for teens) and JDC tonight.  Laying on his back in the hospital gave Gary time to put the finish to his lesson and he did a great job tonight.   The lesson tonight was from Exodus - when God gave Moses the 10 commandments.  We discussed how we can never keep them perfectly and that's why God sent his Son.  The verse was John 3:16.  Kids listen so good ---- we just pray that they take it all to heart and apply it and believe it.

Thanks for your support, prayers, and interest.
Gary and Barb