Insanity. ; )

Oh Dear... oh, dear.

; )

Life... it is a 'Journey'.

 dare I say...

'Adventure'.

???

: )

Eye's still a mess.

Can't open documents, that I need to 'see', from The MPO, 

'Fairfax'....

nor, can Pal, Bill.

?

Going over things from The 'U'.

: (

Have an appointment with my Eye Doc, this afternoon.

and...

the Locksmith is coming here, this afternoon to make a new key for Sally.

Her key is lost.

We've looked EVERYWHERE.

Had to drive Jethro, to The 'U' last week, when Sally's key couldn't be found.

: (

That was a MESS.

I parked in Valet.

Had to.

{That's why I always drive Sally, for appointments, at The 'U'.

She's an Easy Driver.

Jethro, on the other hand, 

is a Fiery Old Boy, with a Very Touchy Clutch.

VERY.

The Valet assured me, they could handle Jethro.

They did, but... it wasn't easy for them.}

: (

{wasn't easy for me to watch, either.

: (

I'm kind of protective... of the Old Boy.}

oh... dear.

Dear, Carol... posted the above, the other day.

<3

Above was sitting on Jethro's seat, from Joyce's {Rob's} Sale, when I took off the other day, to grab a Pizza, from Casey's.

: )

Haven't unloaded anything, yet.

{this eye... oh my.}

It's a Spinner Cap, from an Early Mustang.

<3

As I was leaving Casey's... with my hands full, asked the Man who was coming inside...

"Hey, there... Mr., would you please hold the door for me??!!"

: )

Heard the Man say...

"Barb!!"

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Oh My Gosh!!

It was 'Stan The Man'!!!

; )

Stan, was The Leader of The Band, I used to sing with.

: )

Haven't seen Stan... FOREVER!!

We visited for a bit, 'caught' up... a little.

: )

As I was leaving, Stan said...

"You've got one heck of a voice."

Told Stan, he.... is "One Heck of a Guitarist."

: )

and...

appreciated All of The Fun we shared, back in 'The Day'.

: )

Small World!!

A 'Neighbor'... and, sometimes, 'Adversary'... who is sadly Still in a nursing home, called yesterday morning.

Was hoping when I saw his name come up on my phone, that he was 'Home'.

{as much as he might Piss Me Off, and has... over the years, I sure wouldn't wish the Hell he's going through on him, or anyone.}

After we hung up, I sent him the above.

Told him to 'Get Crackin' '...  with his Physical Therapy.

: ) : ) : )

He liked that.

; )

I'd better do the same.

Miles to cover...

today.

Yeah... Boy.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{A.K.A. 'The One Eyed Bandit'.}

; )

{Above is my favorite Tune, Stan used to perform in 'The Band'.

Whenever I hear Skynyrd... 'Give Me Three Steps' on the radio, 

I think of Stan, for two reasons.

: )

One, he Performed that Tune, So Well...

: )

Two....

Stan brought a vehicle here, for John to look at, Many Moons Ago.

When Stan was leaving John's Shop, he exited out the back door, that I was approaching.

'Approaching' with me, were about 20 of our Pet Geese.

<3

HOLY SMOKES!!!

When Stan saw those Geese....

{ Hahahahahahahaha!!!}

{I shouldn't laugh.}

Lord... LORD!!!

: )

Stan Couldn't get through that Shop Door... FAST Enough!!!

{Stan didn't need 'Three Steps'.}

Hahahahahahaha!!!

I... went inside, saw Stan, still... kinda hyperventilating, 

I asked him...

"What in The World...???"

All Stan could muster, was...

"I... HATE... ANYTHING with a BEAK!!!!"}

: )

Oh.... dear.

I really, really... shouldn't laugh.

I've had a Rogue Rooster put me on The Run, More than Once.

; )

It's  REALLY Funny...

when It Ain't Happenin'...

To

You!!!}

Hahahahahahahaha!!

; )

<3

There's Always... Always, Something to be Grateful For. Always!!

Truth.

<3

Visited with Pals Kris, and Joyce... the other day.

: )

'God's Country'

<3

Kris called, said Joyce was preparing for a Sale, wanted to know if I'd like to swing by.

Had an appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald, told Kris... I'd love to visit, after.

Needed an 'Escape'.

'A One Eye Escape'.

: )

Joyce, and I go Waaaaaaaay Back.

: )

I've known her Sis, Val... even longer.

{30 years, or so. <3}

Kris... is helping Joyce, pull an early October Sale, together.

I figured... it was one of Joyce's 'Barn Sales'.

Sadly...

to my surprise, it wasn't.

Rob, Joyce's Wonderful... Husband, passed away in July.

: (

I had no idea.

: (

Rob... was a Very Kind Man.

: )

He, and I had One thing in common, for Sure.

The Love of Fords, and Mustangs.

<3

We'd sit and visit, about our Mutual... Love Affair, when we crossed paths.

: )

The Sale... is in Rob's Shop.

{Will be}

I found a few things... in Rob's Shop.

<3

Mostly... 'Mustang' related.

: )

{Jethro is Loaded... with little Vintage Mustang 'Treasures' from Rob.}

<3

Kris showed me the baggie of old Matchbooks. 

: )

They are so Fun.

: )

Those Girl's were Workin' Hard.... 

Wish I would've been firing on all cylinders.

: (

Still... trying to catch up on no sleep.

This eye, is healing... but, it's still...

pretty 'blind', and sore.

'Angry'.

; )

still...

had to

 Escape.

: )

Couldn't stay, as long as I wished... but sure Enjoyed the Time We Shared.

<3

Was so busy, yesterday... with MPO/Fairfax/Bike Trail crap, and...

dealing with the 'Billing' at The 'U', 

9/11...

kinda slipped past me.

Was thinking about 9/11/2001, this morning.

: (

I think we all know, who were living... at that time, exactly... what we were doing, when We...

were

attacked.

: (

I... was sitting in my pink robe, watching GMA.

Sippin' my morning brew.

The Kid's had just got on the Bus, for School.

It was a Beautiful Morning.

until...

it wasn't.

: (............

I watched, in Horror, as did Everyone, with the announcement of the first plane hitting the WTC.

then,

we saw... Live, the second plane hit.

At that moment, 'We' all knew, this was no 

'Accident'.

: (........................

I called John, at The Shop.

Asked him, if he thought I should pick up the Kids, at School.

I... was Freaking Out.

Big Time.

John advised me to sit tight.

That... was Tuff.

: (

My eyes were glued to GMA, and the Special Reports.

Insanity.

: (......................

The Kids... were brought Home... Safely, but... The World Changed, forever...

on that day.

We must Never, ever... 'forget'.

Then...

a few years later, on September, 11.

<3

Another 9/11... I'll Never Forget.

: )

<3 <3 <3 

'Priceless'

Happy 11th. Birthday, Miss. Meadow Rain.

<3 <3 <3 

Always think of Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea, when I see these posts.

<3

<3

<3

Time... marches on.

Visited with some Dear Friends, today.

Loved Hearing Their Voices.

<3

Screens, are something I can't 'do'... these days.

I'm dilating my eyes, twice a day, so... 

screens, hurt.

; )

I'm not much of a 'texter', anyway.

Never have been.

I... Appreciate Hearing a 'Voice'.

Always will.

; )

{Grateful... for this 'excuse'. : ) }

There's Always, Always...

Something,

to be

Grateful

For!!

; )

Always.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3 <3 <3

One Day... at a Time. ; )

: )

Oh My...

So Much to Share...

but, still... chewin'.

; )

Lord, Lord!!!

<3

Received some Great News, yesterday.

Our Dear...

'Brick House'

we're Praying for...

made it through surgery, Well!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Waiting to hear... how she's doing today.

<3

Been dealing with The Corridor MPO/Fairfax/IDOT 

'public records'

today.

oh my.

; )

Grateful, for what's been sent, but... not 'seeing', so far... what I've asked them for.

???

Hmmmm.

Dealing with... 

'The Borg',

University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, today...

as well.

; )

I'm 'self pay'... 'Need to Know' their charges, thus far.

; )

The 'U' didn't have my 'balance'.

 Too early, they say, but...

told me 

my 'Follow-Up' eye exam, on Monday, would be

close to 3500.

: )

Needless to say, 

that 

'appointment' was

'CANCELLED'.

; )

One Day... 'One Eye'... at a Time.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{so much to 'share'... 

stay tuned.}

; )

; )

{I was told... several times today, that I should be careful, keep that 'appointment', maybe.

: )

I referred all of those concerned, to reach out to Lawyer Meardon. 

; )

He knows better than most Anyone... 

'Living'... 

I'd cut my nose off, to spite my face, if I Knew... in my heart, I was doing what's right.

; )

'Nose'... 'Eye'.... 

: )

It Is what it is.}

Chewin'...

Was going to write a long, long... post, about 'yesterday', today.

; )

Decided I'd better chew on it, a bit.

Get a little rest, before I 'write'.

: )

Gratefully... my eye's 'better enough' they say, I can take only one drop every two hours.

'Awake' hours.

; )

{I... actually slept a little last night.}

Yippee!!

: )

Yesterday... my Friends, I do believe... was a 'Test'.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Lord, Lord!!!!

: )

{as if... Fairfax, Iowa... and The Iowa Department of Transportation, wasn't Enough!!}

; )

{bless their hearts}

Just need to pause for a moment, and... try to put it all together without blowing my cork.

: )

Count... The Blessings.

: )

Be...

Kind.

: )

Hahahahahaha!!!

in other words...

'I need a moment'.

: )

<3

{stay tuned}

; )

<3

When I read the above... 'Memory' a bit ago, 

thought I'd better 

Pump The Brakes...

a little.

; )

Stay Tuned.

: )

Yesterday... was quite an Adventure.

oh...

my.

; )

Love to Ya... 

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{A Dear, Dear... Friend, is going through some ugly things right now.

She's been through Hell, over the last 6 months.

 Surgery in the morning.

She's been on my Heart, and in my Prayers... Daily.

<3

Praying for her Beloved... 'Family', as well.

<3 <3 <3 

Sent her a note... this morning, admiring her Strength, that... I've Always, Always... Seen in Her.

Always.

Told her... during these difficult times, She needs to

 Lean On It. 

; )

That 'Strength'... wasn't a Gift.

She Earned It.

; )

Also, asked her... to find a little 'humor'... in this mess.

; )

It's there, too.

 : ) 

Humor... is Very Helpful, during difficult times.

: ) : ) : )

She'll get a Kick... out of The Tune that popped into my mind, after our 

'Exchange'

this morning.

: ) : ) : )

<3

My Pal... is a 'Brick House', if I Ever Knew One...

on

So

Many... Many,

Levels.

; )

<3 <3 <3 

She's a 'Winnin' Hand!!'

: )

<3

Please... keep My Friend, her Family...

and

 All...

who are struggling, these days...

in 

Your Prayers.}

<3

Story... tomorrow.

Just...

got

 Home...

 from

 'The Borg'.

{AKA 'The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics'}

; )

What a 'Day'...

 on

 Every

 Single 

Level.

'The Borg'... was the Icing on The Cake.

; )

Yeah...

Boy.

; )

The ONLY Tune... I could think of, tonight...

that could match 'this' day...

isn't a

'Tune'

at

all.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Still Dancin'!!

: )

Yeah...

Boy.

; )

A... 'Simply Iowa' day...

in 

a

Nutshell.

: )

stay...

tuned.

Oh.... dear. ; )

So wish I could write about everything... that's transpired today.

: )

Screens, and my good eye, aren't gettin' along.

oh my.

Spoke with Dr. Fitzgerald early this morning, before she asked me to meet with her, at her Clinic.

Asked her, if I could just send her a few pictures of my eye this morning, and maybe... not have to screw up her morning.

The Doc, was good with that, as long as she could 'see'... what she needed to 'see'.

: )

It was a 'trick'... but, captured several, that... amazingly put her mind at ease.

{ She's So Caring!! <3 }

I'll meet with The Doc, in the Morning...

After visiting with 'Doc'... my phone rang.

It was a Contractor.

He was at the door, ready to get busy on repairs.

Holy Smokes!!

; )

Shared my situation with him, then, Hit The Door Runnin' best I could, to get things in order.

Called Helper, Brandon, and Grandson, Justin...

asked them to 

'Put On Their Dancin' Shoes!!'.

; )

Lord, Lord.

: )

Grateful for All of 'em!!

I... couldn't help... long, but they knew what needed to be done, and Did It!!

; )

<3

I'm sure I'm fun to deal with, these days.

; )

No sleep. Maybe, a little.

: )

and... not very comfortable.... to say the least.

; )

Pal, Steph... Out of The Blue... last night, brought some Amazing Food.

<3

She's One Heck of a Chef!!

; )

<3 <3 <3 

I remember posting the above.

; )

'It's been my experience... 

when you're down to your last match...

Ya better light a Candle with it.'

; )

Yeah... Boy.

; )

Indeed.

The above, was my eye, this Morn, that Doc said looked much better.

: )

If Dr. Fitzgerald says so... I... believe it.

: )

Indeed.

<3

Hopefully, we get to 'sleep'... 'rest' every now and then.

; )

{SO want to Share... what The Contractor said, this morning. It Was Priceless!!}

Stay Tuned.

Oh... My.

<3

There Are Angels Among Us...

Indeed.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{still dancin'}

; )

; )

Oh my. ; )

<3 <3 <3 

: )

So Incredibly Grateful, to Paige...

Steph's Beautiful Daughter...

for setting the Alarm, on my Android.

<3

Without it, well...

I'd most likely be Sleepin' Peacefully...

 'One Eyed'.

<3

for a long, long... time.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

Had no idea... when they sent me Home, from The University of Iowa, with HIGH POWERED 'drops' that HAD to be 

administered...

every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day... for 3 days, and kept refrigerated...

exactly, how to 'do' that.

: )

???

 Doin' It.

; )

Still.... Dancin'.

: )

oh my.

Thanks, to 'The Calvary'.

<3 <3 <3 

Long Story Comin', when I can find my feet.

; )

and...

my

 left eye.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

<3

The Calvary. {wrote this 9/5. posted it 9/6. } ; )

<3

God Bless... The Calvary.

; )

From Dr. Fitzgerald, Pal, Dale... and 

Pal, Steph... with her Amazing Daughter, Paige.

<3

Steph called last night on her way Home... from the Twin Cities.

She's helping Paige move back 'Home'.

<3

Steph asked what was goin' on, I filled her in.

; )

Those Girls... Saved Me!!

Brought Food, but more importantly, Paige sat down with my Android, set the alarm to go off every 30 minutes.

I was very concerned about putting drops in my eye, every 30 minutes... 24 hours a day, religiously, for three days.

I can set the alarm on my phone, no problem.

Setting it to go off every 30 minutes, well... 

that took some Doin'.

; )

Even, for Paige.

May God Bless Her!!

<3 <3 <3

The Girls... brought me a Cooler, too!!

Filled with Ice Packs!!

; )

So I could keep those 'Need to be Refrigerated' drops, by my side.

: )

<3

Game Changer!!

; )

<3 <3 <3

Dr. Fitzgerald... called this morning.

She wanted to meet with me this morning.

Take a look at that eye.

: )

Sadly, The 'U' hasn't sent my records to her... as I Requested, Over, and Over...

to them,

yesterday.

: (

Told them, I didn't plan on coming back... to 'see' 'them', just want their 'findings', test results, sent directly to

Dr. Fitzgerald.

I'm more than angry, those extensive 'U' test results haven't been shared with her.

{in this day... and 'Time', seems a click of a Key... can send most anything.}

Dr. Fitzgerald... seems to think my eye is improving, this morning.

: )

{I can't 'see' out of it, yet. Just colors, and light. Kinda like looking through a window covered in Vaseline.}

Dr. Fitzgerald wants me to call her tomorrow, with an update, on her personal cell,

then, meet again, on Monday.

{yes... Labor Day}

'The Calvary'.

<3

I might be stumbling around... with my words, and posts...

for the next several days.

; )

Sleep... 

 It's for The Dead... they say.

; )

I, actually... enjoy sleep, 'now' and 'then'.

; )

Again...

So Incredibly Grateful, for 'The Calvary'.

<3 <3 <3 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Still... Dancin'.

; )

<3

: )

It's All... about 'The Journey'.

Here's The Story.

: )

So.... 'J' and I worked pretty hard, on Wednesday.

I... uh, even perspired... much more than an Old Taurus wishes to.

{it was 93, with a heat index of around 104.}

Sweat got in my eyes...

{Hate That!! {probably a little dirt, too... from all of The Mountain's we were movin'!!}

When I came in, Wednesday Eve, gave Niece, Kari... a call.

She sent me somethin' Funny.

; )

Had... to catch up with her.

{It's been Too Long.}

<3

It was late, when I finally hit the hay.

About 3:30 Thursday Morn,  woke up with my left eye giving me fits.

Got up... took the contact out, and went back to bed.

When I woke up, ready to take on The Sale Day... my left eye, wasn't 'ready'.

So...

skipped my contact, and hurried out the door, to The Rabbit Hole, where some Sweet Folk's were waiting.

: )

Things went from bad... to worse, concerning my eye.

Felt like I had crushed glass... in it.

It was watering... like a Fountain.

: (

Couldn't leave... Folk's were coming, and the Sale was advertised.

I finally, broke down... called Dr. Fitzgerald.

She's an AMAZING Optometrist.

<3

In my opinion... from her taking Care of Us All, she's better than any Ophthalmologist, my Mom was treated by.

; )

Got an appointment for 2:45, yesterday afternoon.

Reached out to Pal, Dale... to see if he could 'Babysit' The Rabbit Hole, while I ran to that appointment.

Dale, didn't answer...

but, in a few minutes, who comes walkin' up.

; )

Dale.

: )

Dale said he'd be Happy... to hang out, while I was away.

YAY!!

{Bless His Heart!!}

That... was about noon-ish.

Things kept getting worse, and worse.

: (

Decided to go to see The Doc, a little early.

Figured I'd wait in the office, hopefully they could squeeze me in.

: )

Dale asked me, if I was ok to drive....

an hour before that, I would've said yes.

The problem was....

don't know if it was the heat, or... the pain,

I was so nauseous.

I can Drive... through Most Anything, and have, but...

being 

that nauseous, with 'One' Eye....

well...

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

That would've been Quite an Experience, with Old...

'Jethro.

: )

We Both... Bugged Out of The Rabbit Hole!!!

{My Sincere Apologies to Those we Deserted, for an hour, or so.}

<3

Gratefully, Dr. Fitzgerald got me in... right away.

<3

When she looked at my eye, she 'Thanked' me... for not waiting any longer.

<3

The Doc said... I'd pretty much performed LASIK Surgery on my eye, when I removed the contact.

She said... a Surgeon couldn't have made the cut across my cornea any straighter.

{me, and my right thumbnail... may have missed our 'Calling'. : ) }

Hahahahahaha!!!!

The Doc set me up with High Powered Drops, and Ointments, and demanded I come see her this morning.

: )

That, I did.

Pal, Dale... Again... 'Babysat'.

; )

I felt good enough to drive, figured I'd be right back.

Oooops.

The Doc, said... "Part of your eye is healing... the other part, looks mighty 'Angry'."

She called The University of Iowa Hospital, made arrangements for me to be seen there, in their Ophthalmology Department.

Right Away.

{Bless Her Heart <3}

{you have no idea how much I hate to navigate The 'U'. 

Grateful... it's here, sure don't like being any part of it.}

Called Dale, asked him to Pull the 'Open' sign.

: (

Dale asked me, if I needed him to drive.

: )

Assured Dale, he'd Done Far Enough, for me.

: )

I'd be Fine!!

; )

With the meds, The Doc had prescribed, yesterday...

I... wasn't feeling quite so sick, and... instead of glass in my eye, it felt more like gravel.

; )

That... I can deal with.

; )

Below.... is the 'Casey's' bag... I've carried with, since yesterday Morn.

: )

Needed something Big Enough... to Carry Everything I Needed in a Hurry!!

: )

The Doc... got a kick out of it.

: )

{She... appreciates my 'humor'. : ) }

They didn't Blink and Eye, {no pun intended} at The 'U'.

The, 'U'... I Do Believe... has Seen Most EVERYTHING!!

; )

Oh my.

: )

The Doc's at The 'U'... were very nice.

: )

{very concerned...}

They mixed a couple of High Powered Potion's for me.

{drops}

; )

They directed me to put one drop in my eye, every 30 minutes...

24 hours a day until I 'see' them, next Tuesday.

: )

That'll be a trick.

: )

{they have to be refrigerated... as well.

 ; )

can't just keep them 'beside' me.}

Sound's like a 'Dance Marathon'...to me.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!!

Told 'em... I'll do my best.

: )

For the record, when I say... 

'I'd rather 'Stick Needles in my Eyes'... than deal with Fairfax, Iowa, City Hall, 

and 

The Iowa Department of Transportation,

you can Trust me... on that, after today.

Take'er to The Bank.

; )

I've done both, now, in Spades.

: )

The last couple of days have been a Walk in The Park... compared to

'dealing'

with 

them all, over the years.

: )

{That's why I Sing Lawyer Meardon's Praise's... so Loud.}

; )

{The Book... is coming.}

: )

; )

It's All...

about

'The Journey'.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

What a Ride!!

; )

More to this 'Story'... comin'.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!

oh...

my.

<3