Sunday, February 27, 2011

X/treame Lawn Care

We live in a community where our HOA covers lawn care. We have been here two years. The current company is the third lawn care company since we bought here. The first did a good job but I think they priced themselves out of the market. The second group lasted a short time and apparently were ineffective. The company we have now (in my opinion) does an outstanding job. They inherited a failing and poorly designed sprinkler system and grounds that were in poor shape. They have steadily improved the look of the entry from the main road, properly trimmed shrubs and palm trees. They also have to deal with the stones that were placed around all the foundation of each house. Pictured below is an example of these stones. They have caused headaches for every lawn care company. Windows have been broken, vinyl siding cracked and screens pierced.


Now that the weather has warmed up, the guys started cutting grass and trimming. Unfortunately, my new sliding door was shattered by a stone that was send flying by a weed whacker. This door was special ordered to withstand high impact hurricane winds of at least 135 mph. It also was treated to protect from UV rays of the sun. Pictured below is the result of the stone hitting the door.


We were out for lunch when this happened. I saw the door immediately as I entered the house from the front door. I was livid to say the least. As I approached the door, I could hear the glass crackling. I told Carol don't touch the door. I called the management company and they were talking to the owner of the lawn care company. They accepted full responsibility for the repair and a man from the glass company was on the way. The owner of Xtream called me and said he would see me within an hour. He never did come and for that I am disappointed in him. I judge a man by his word. As the glass continued to crackle, it started to fall in on its self. The picture below shows the process


The gentleman from the glass company came. He quoted a price to the lawn care company and he was awarded the job. He did an outstanding job of cleaning up the broken glass. We are not afraid to bring our three dogs out there. Because the door was a special order, the replacement will not be here until the middle of next week. While he was here, I asked him to quote on replacing the two small eyebrow windows in the front of the house. They have slats within the window and one has fallen in the window and the other has the rubber casing inside visible. I would like the front of the house to look right. Time will tell if the door will ever be right.







Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Surgery Updates

Carol saw the doctor yesterday morning. Her left eye previously 20/400 uncorrected is now between 20/25 and 20/30. She is experiencing balance problems because the two eyes are so much different and also her lens is different from mind to correct her astigmatism. The doctor agreed to move the surgery up a week and Carol's second eye will be done on March 2ND.

My left eye was operated on yesterday and this morning I had the one day checkup. My eye is more swollen than he wants so I have some extra drops for two days. My distance vision is good both eyes, but my closeup vision is blurry today. All in all, good progress and good news.

We both will be finished with surgery and all followup appointments before the end of March. We will be cleared to leave for Rhode Island as soon as the new grand daughter arrives.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Eye surgeries and odds and ends

Carol's eye is doing much better. She is seeing distance well with the other eye closed. When both eyes are open she has trouble with balance. A neighbor who also had astigmatism correction with her cataract surgery told her that having the second eye done was the key. She too had the imbalance and trouble focusing before the second surgery. Carol sees the doctor tomorrow and told me she will beg and grovel to have the next surgery as soon as possible. We know the Doctor is taking a weeks vacation sometime in March. Depending on the week, she may have to wait an extra week.

My second eye will be done tomorrow afternoon. I am also eager to get that done. Once our eye surgeries and followup appointments are completed, our new granddaughter should have entered the world. We will head up to Rhode Island then.

Gizmo was chasing Pillo and they both leaped over Tiny. When Gizmo landed he sprained his lower left front paw. We took him to the vet the next morning and he was given an anti inflammatory shot and I have a script for him. He does not like taking liquid from a syringe. Its easier with a pill wrapped in cheese.

We took Tiny in this morning. His skin is in poor shape and he scratches so hard he cries. We are afraid that the quality of his life is diminishing rapidly. He received two injections that are time released and we will monitor him closely over the next week. If he shows improvement, he will need two more regiments every 10 days. He continues to lose weight and no longer wishes to be held. He is 17 years old and has lived a great life since Carol rescued him 15 years ago.

Pillo has passed the 6 month birthday and has started lifting his leg. Once Carol has a date for her second eye, we will figure out a good date to have Pillo "fixed". He continues to amuse us. He struts around the block as if he is the biggest baddest dog out there. He menacingly charged a frog until it hopped and he then ran the other way. Also he has started to jump up on the chairs where Gizmo sleeps. No rest for Gizmo. He has managed to jump in the basket where her yarn is kept and was running off with a skein. He also managed to chew an end off a knitting needle. Carol is considering buying a playpen for him.

The weather on the Panhandle has finally warmed up to normal temperatures for this time of year. We have been spending time in two of our favorite state parks. I mentioned to my son that I had to run the A/C in the truck and it affects my MPG. He said he was freezing his you know what off and had no sympathy for me.

The realtor had an open house in RI and two parties showed interest. I will hope for the best and what will be - will be. If no buyer, we will spend the summer there.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The eyes have it

Carol's surgery was scheduled for 1 PM Tuesday the 15Th. To say she was nervous was an understatement. To add to the anxiety, we sat in the waiting room until 1:30 PM before she was called. Carol was having more extensive surgery than I had. Carol agreed to have her astigmatism corrected at the same time as cataract surgery. This required a special lens and two additional incisions. Tuesday night Carol's vision in her left eye was no more than a blur. She could not see. Wednesday morning her sight was no better. She complained that I was able to read the paper the next morning. We are all different I said trying to calm her. We were at the the eye doctors for an 8:25 AM appointment. Carol's vision was a disappointment. The doctor told her that her eye was very swollen and dry. The lens was perfectly placed and that the dilation would wear off later that day. We needed to get lubricating drops for the dry eye. Carol was told that her vision would be changing over the next few days. This morning she could read without glasses but her distance sight is still poor. The doctor told her that they expect her to have 20 - 30 vision once the eye heals. Part of Carol's anxiety is due to the fact that my vision drastically improved within 48 hours and hers has not. I truly expect her vision to rapidly improve as the swelling goes down and the dilation finally fades. Carol will see the eye doctor next Tuesday morning and I will have my left eye done that afternoon.

Changing subjects, Carol and I enjoyed our Valentine / wedding anniversary on the 14Th. We added to Carol's pandora bracelet. We enjoyed a nice steak dinner utilizing an Omaha steak that was part of my sons Christmas present to us.

Yesterday, I was called by the company that administers one of my credit cards. Apparently someone in Illinois tried to charge $300.00 at a Home Depot. The card was denied because the experation date was wrong. They then called me. We closed the account and a new card will be sent. I reviewed all my charges over the last few months and the only time the card was out of my sight was at an Italian restaurant in Old St. Andrews. All the other charges were at the market and the gas station where I use all my cards on a rotating basis. So hard telling. I'm glad they have good detection software.

Monday, February 07, 2011

20 - 25

I had my one week visit this morning. My right eye is now 20 - 25. The healing process will continue. I can also resume normal activity. I will not have to tape the plastic shield over the eye. I can bend, stoop and lift within reason. My left eye is now scheduled for February 22nd. I can hardly wait. I am seeing so much much better with one eye, I know it will be even better.

Carol goes for pre-op tomorrow and her first eye will be done on the 15th. It will be my turn to do the bending and lifting for her. Pillo still requires an early (3 AM) trip outside. I don't look forward to that but it will have to be done. By the time we head North for the new grandchild we will both be seeing so much better.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Surgery Update

The surgery was yesterday. I arrived 10 minutes early for my 1:30 PM appointment. I was taken on time, prepped for the procedure. Drops were placed in my right eye to numb it. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and given a small dose of a drug to relax me. The doctor came in and spoke to me, checked my eye for dilation. A few minutes later I was moved to an operating room. My head was strapped in place. I was told to stare at the light and he began. He told me what he was doing every step of the way. I was finished within 10 minutes. I was wheeled into recovery, provided with a drink of apple juice and I was given two pictures of my eye in different stages of the procedure. Carol came in and got me. Total time there 90 minutes. Last night I was amazed at the vibrant colors on the TV. My sight had been deteriorating for awhile. Now the hard part, no bending, stooping, or picking up anything over a few pounds for 7 days. I must sleep with a shield over the eye. Carol is hovering over me watching my every move.

This morning I went for the day after surgery appointment The eye looks good just a little swelling around the incision. As the dilation fades, I am seeing so much better. I am looking forward to having the next eye done.

We had previously made an appointment this morning for Carol as she was due her yearly checkup and she wanted another scrip for contacts. Carol also has cataracts and we scheduled her first surgery around my next procedure. This way one of us will be able to drive the other, and provide care during the sensitive 7 days after surgery.