Covid 19 ~ Day 39

Is anyone else just about ready for this to be over with????  Oh Gosh I am!!!!!

Kansas has 1,986 cases of Covid-19. Yikes!!
Deaths ~ 100
Hospitalized ~ 405
Negative tests ~ 16,775

Stay at home order is now May 3rd.

Trego County, where we live still has 0 cases of Covid-19.
Ellis County, the county to the east has had 8 cases of Covid-19.
Gove County, the county to the west has had 1 case of Covid-19.

I still feel like I'm dreaming!! Is this really happening??

Oil prices busted yesterday. Oil per barrel closed at $-47.50 yesterday.
YES!!! NEGATIVE $-47.50!!!
This has NEVER happened!! So, so sad!

Covid 19 ~ Day 30

This is CRAZY! Day 30!!!  It feels like the days are so long and just running into each other. But yet it doesn't feel like we have been doing this for 30 days!

You would think I'd be getting soooo much done! NOT!

As of yesterday, Kansas has 1,337 cases of Coronavirus with 56 deaths. There is 1 case in Gove county which is the county right to the west of us. And there is now 2 in Ellis county which is right to the East of us. Thankfully the cases in Western Kansas are not as high as the cases in Eastern Kansas where their population is so much higher. I NEVER dreamed that I'd go from sewing minky throw blankets to making face masks for my family!!

We are still Facebook Portaling quite a bit. But I sure wish we could reach through the Portal and give our little man a big hug and kiss!! I'm sure he'll look like he has grown a foot by the time we get to see him in person!

I have been trying to get back in my garage with the nice days we've had.  New hearts are being posted on Facebook and I will be listing on my Etsy shop soon!!

Until next time,
Take care!!!

Covid 19 ~ Day 10

The days are starting to run into each other. You have to stop and think.... what day is this?  There several counties around Kansas City that now have went to the next step with stay at home orders. This is for Kathryn & Tanner & kids. Also for Cara and Nathan. Sedgwick's order goes into effect tomorrow morning at 12:01am.  Vicki, Dennis, Kim and her fiance live in Sedgwick County. My sister Jenny, Mike and daughter Haylee are there too. Both Jenny and Haylee work at a hospital.

Shawnee County's order goes into effect at 12.01 Thursday morning. Jessica & Gabe live in Shawnee County. Today's count is at 98 for Kansas. That was 98 that got tested. And it is expected that there are cases in Shawnee County that haven't been tested. Just scary!! Stormont Vail  in Topeka brought in their first patient with Covid-19 today. But that patient was not from Shawnee County. The numbers are rising so fast, these stay at home orders need to be reinforced!! Let's get rid of this crap!!

There have still only been 2 deaths from this terrible virus in Kansas. And unfortunately a Man in Arizona has died from taking chloroquine phosphate, which is a fish tank cleaner. There has been hearsay that the medicine chloroquine sulfate could be part of the treatment for this virus. Apparently this couple did not listen or know that there was a difference. This gentelmens wife is now in icu. So so scary!!!! Don't try to be the doctor!!! Let them tell us what to do and please for gosh sakes listen!! They are not just wanting us to social distance for the fun of it!!!

Western Kansas is still seeming to be free of this virus, but you know it will be coming. BUT When? I have been sick for most of the winter. I've had so many issues with my sinuses. My surgery last March was suppose to fix it. But not sure it did. I had RSV over New Years. I've been on a antibiotic for most the winter. I was suppose to have a procedure on the 9th of April to break up all the scar tissues in my sinuses. But I got the call today that all surgeries were being postponed.

And then when you think this all can't get worse, Roger's Uncle Paul died. They live in Colorado. There will be a graveside service with only the immedient family under the tent. Everyone else is to stay in their vehicles. They will be able to listen to the service over a radio station. Thankfully his daughters are going to have a memorial for him when all this craziness is over. Sad week! Prayers and Hugs to all the family!!!!

Our Grandson Wade is hanging in there. They have good days and they have bad days. Talk about turning your life upside down!! The good out of all this is that within the first week he has pretty well poddie trained. Even wearing his undies at nap time. Way to go Wade!!!

The sad visits are when he asks if he can come to our house. Poor little guy just doesn't understand!! And I have to admit I'm having  Wade withdrawal!!!! Thank goodness for our Facebook portal!! The other evening we had a four way chat and it was awesome!!!! Michele & Wade , Jessica & Gabe, My Mom and Dad and then Roger and I. I think we talked for over a hour. It was nice to just be with them all and laugh.

Last week I was just really down in the dumps! Just sitting and laying around watching all the news and updates. And now I'm slowing that all down and just get up and moving more. Been cleaning. Tomorrow I have high hopes to make it out to my workshop. I haven't been out there since last fall before I got sick all winter.

Enjoy the beautiful day tomorrow!!
Stay well!!

Covid 19 ~ Day 6.....

Our Govenor has closed our schools for the remainder of the school year. They are now scrambling to provide online classes for all the children.

Yesterday there were 34 confirmed cases in Kansas. Today it is now 44.

J's husband that works at a bank in Topeka has been moved to work at home.   Thank goodness!

The Sheriff's Department in our town is now offering to pick up grocery orders and pharmacy items and deliver to your house. How awesome is that!! We may live in the middle of nowhere, but we are sticking together!!

Our own home is making it just like everyone else. Roger's job has been the same. We are lucky that he does not have to be around too many people and his company is taking more precautions. My schedule is going on as usual. I typically stay home because of my autoimmune disease and have continued that. Our small town Dollar General has their first opened hour every day for the elderly and immune compromised people and if needed, that is when I go. If we will need anything from other than that, Roger will be getting it.

We received news yesterday that we have bacteria in our water well. Do you ever feel like when it rains it pours??? We have been advised of what needs to be done and Roger has started that process. Luckily our home has two water wells!! It may be a burden, but we can make it happen. My primary doctor has extended my antibiotics for my sinus issues. I was told it wasn't likely, but it is possible that the bacteria is what is causing the bacteria in my sinuses. I guess we will know is time.

I pray that everyone stays self quarantined and stays well!!

Covid 19 ~ Day 2 self quarantine

Oh Gosh! I don't even know how long it has been since I posted last. But this crazy world of our has made me feel like I needed to document about these days. These crazy and scary days! I'm sick to my stomach even thinking about it.

Today is Day 2 of the self quarantine/de socializing from the Covid 19 Virus. Overseas is crazy! And we are just two week behind China where so so many have been sick and so many are dieing. Such a sad and unsure time. I never thought I would see something like this in my lifetime.

Day 2 comes with 11 positive with Covid 19 and 17 more being watched and quarantined and 1 death  in Kansas. All Kansas schools have been cancelled for at least 2 weeks and will then be re evaluated. Most colleges are closing the rest of this semester and will start next week and finish with online classes. YMCA's, fitness gyms and casino's are closing, restaurants are changing to carry out only. So many business are saying if you want to still shop they can facetime shop with you. Then they will bring your purchased items out to your vehicle. We just need to stop this virus!!!!

If you go to the grocery store so so many shelves are just empty. NOTHING! The first to sell out was toilet paper. Then all the hand sanitizers and wipes. You see people on Facebook posting they are looking for diapers and formula. Such a sad time!

I am lucky to say that both my daughters jobs have allowed them to work from home. What a relief to this Mama Bear!!! And with that being done, M was able to pull Wade out of daycare. We have hopes that between his Mama and his Auntie being so close, they can keep him busy busy. M's husbands job is mostly not around people and J's husband works at a bank. There they have taken precautions of closing their lobby. We all know how dirty money is!! So I'm sure there is LOTS of hand sanitizer!

I just want to wake up tomorrow and this be just a BAD dream!............

Hello...... hello!!  We are still here! :-)  But the last 3 months have been a big blur.

Wade Nicholas Brady was born on May 12, 2017 @ 1:40 am.

8 lbs. 1 oz. & 19.75"

Now..... back to the beginning.

The beginning of April I headed east.  Jessica works for the State of Kansas.  And her office was looking for a temp to fill in for two months.  Boom!  Great way to be able to be close to Michele, but yet not just sitting for who knew how long. So for the month of April and May I went back and forth between Jessica and Michele's house while working with Jessica daily.  Every couple of weeks I would go home for the weekend or Roger and Jorge would come to Topeka. The supervisor knew that my condition would be that if Michele went into labor I would be gone. And of course Jessica was right there too.  

My hopes for a easy delivery for Michele turned into a long nightmare.  She got induced early on Thursday morning. Morning turned into afternoon.  And afternoon turned into night. That was when she was able to start pushing. When we were at two hours, my gut started getting a little lump so I called back to see how things were going.  I was told she was still pushing but was doing okay. Finally at 4 hours we got that text from Nick..... He was here!! And right away the next text said.... He is not breathing, going to nicu.  I don't think I've ever felt what I felt then. 

Long story short.... Wade was born sunny side up. He got stuck and had a lot of pressure on his head when they were finally able to get him out. His head was VERY large, filled with fluid.  And the birth was just as exhausting for him as it was for Michele. Therefore he wasn't breathing. 

Let's just say our Angel's in heaven were working overtime that morning.  

Things just fell into place that helped our little guy be able to make it in this big world.  Since they had to use the suction to get Wade out (which failed), nicu had to be there. And thank goodness! They were right there to whisk Wade to nicu. We did not find this out till a couple days later, but the neonatologist did not expect Wade to make it to her next shift.  What a trooper our little guy is! He was discharged home from nicu after just 6 days. 

Wade just turned 6 weeks. Has had lots of feeding issues. We've had to try several formula's. Several different kind of bottles. And now on medicine twice a day for acid reflux. We take shifts, but we are getting there! Just going forward knowing that hopefully in the near future all will be good. And our little guy is happy.

Whew!

Last year was a very exciting and VERY busy for our family. Jessica and Gabe got married in May. Then Michele and Nick got married in October.  Got one wedding over with, took a deep breathe and dived into the next. Whew! No major problems..... We won't talk about Jessica's bridesmaid who cut her finger 15 minutes before the wedding and ended up in urgent care right after. And we won't talk about the limo breaking down right before Michele's wedding. Now we can laugh!! 

Roger and I have adjusted to having "boys" in our family. We see them often, but of course never enough. And obviously the holidays have changed with our girls having new families to work into their schedule. But it has all been good! 

We are now patiently (impatiently) waiting for 2017. Our family will be G.R.O.W.I.N.G!! Michele and Nick will be adding a member to our little family in May. And last week we found out. . . . . . 

IT'S a BOY!!

I'm back. . . . a little. . . .

Hello!!

I am back.  Or at least a little.  My posts will probably be few and far in between.  But I am alive. I have made several changes with the looks of my blog.  And have added a few new things.  One being pages to my hobbies such as the growth charts, signs, paper bag albums and rag quilts. There is also a page that shows ideas for the growth charts.  I have hopes that these changes will help when I'm making a growth chart that has been ordered.  

Soooooo. . . . sit back and relax.  And we will see you. . . . sometime.

Hello everyone.  

After serious thinking, I have decided to not blog anymore.  No reasoning except I'm tired.  Just tired. I'm not going to delete my blog at this time because I'm not sure yet if I'm going to come back or not.  But if  sometime in the future you can't find Ummel4, it is because it is all gone.

Happy 2016!

2015 Recap. . . . .

January. . . . Was in the middle of planning wedding #1. 
                . . . . Roger's Aunt Evelyn passed away on Jan 26th                          

February. . . . Wedding invitations #1 went out.

March. . . .  Jessica's bachelorette  party

April. . . . Jessica's bridal shower

May. . . . . Jessica & Gabe's wedding
         . . . . . Marley spent a week with us
         . . . . . Courtney graduated from high school 
         . . . . . Jumped right into the middle of planning 
                    wedding #2!!

 June. . . . Michele had #7 knee surgery :(
         . . . . Taylor's bridal shower 
         . . . . Taylor & Jason's wedding

July. . . . Remodeled bathroom
        . . . . Zola came to live with us. Birthday gift from Jess.
            . . . . I turned 49!!

August. . . . Wedding #2 invitations went out
              . . . . Nick and Roger brought his tractor home from
                      the farm
              . . . . Michele's bridal shower
              . . . . I re"tired" from the hospital  

September. . . Bruce joined the Brady family
                    . . . Luke died :(
                    . . . Michele's bachelorette  party  ~ Still need to   
                                    post on this.

October. . . . Michele and Nick's wedding
            . . . . .  Michele turned 26!! (on her wedding day)
            . . . . . Nemo and Bruce spent a week with us 
            . . . . . Nick had shoulder surgery

November. . . . Windstorm blew a tree into our roof
                   . . . . Thanksgiving in Topeka
                   . . . . M diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis 

December. . . . Jessica turned 29!!
                   . . . . Roger turned 53!
                            . . . . Christmas

Wow! This last year has just been a big circle.  I lost count how many trips I made to Topeka.  All I know is the miles racked up on my Tahoe.  Stuff going this way to go that way. 

On New Years Day we woke up and both gave a big sigh.  We made it!!

Happy Birthday to the big guy. . . .

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ank-kih-low-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss), or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort. In the most advanced cases (but not in all cases), this inflammation can lead to new bone formation on the spine, causing the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position, sometimes creating a forward-stooped posture. This forward curvature of the spine is called kyphosis.

 

AS can also cause inflammation, pain and stiffness in other areas of the body such as the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels and small joints of the hands and feet. Sometimes the eyes can become involved (known as Iritis or Uveitis), and rarely, the lungs and heart can be affected. 

 Currently, there is no known cure for AS, but there are treatments and medications available to reduce symptoms and manage the pain. Recent studies show that the new biologic medications can potentially slow or halt the disease progression in some people.

Although the exact cause of AS is unknown, we do know that genetics play a key role in AS. Most individuals who have AS also have a gene that produces a "genetic marker" - in this case, a protein - called HLA-B27. This marker is found in over 95% of people in the Caucasian population with AS. It is important to note, however, that you do not have to be HLA-B27 positive to have AS. Also, a majority of the people with this marker never contract ankylosing spondylitis. 

Scientists suspect that other genes, along with a triggering environmental factor, such as a bacterial infection, are needed to trigger AS in susceptible people. HLA-B27 probably accounts for about 40% of the overall risk, but then there are other genes working in concert with B27. There are probably five or six genes involved in susceptibility toward AS. It is thought that perhaps AS starts when the defenses of the intestines start breaking down and bacteria from the intestines pass into the bloodstream directly into the region where the sacroiliac joints are located. 

Unlike other forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, general onset of AS commonly occurs in younger people, between the ages of 17-45. However, it can affect children and those who are much older. AS is more common in men, but occurs in women as well. 

The severity of AS varies greatly from person to person, and not everyone will experience the most serious complications or have spinal fusion. Some will experience only intermittent back pain and discomfort, but others will experience severe pain and stiffness over multiple areas of the body for long periods of time. AS can be very debilitating, and in some cases, lead to disability. 

Almost all cases of AS are characterized by acute, painful episodes (also known as "flares") followed by temporary periods of remission where symptoms subside. 

It is important to know that ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, or life long disease and that the severity of AS has nothing to do with age or gender. It can be just as severe in women and children as it is in men. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok.  So, you are thinking. What is this about??  

This is about M.  She was diagnosed with AS the beginning of November.  In her words.... At least I'm not crazy.  There is a reason I hurt. 

Now we just learn more about this disease. Stay on top of the doctor appts. Take the medications to help prevent it from getting worse. Take the pain medication.  And keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Happy happy. . . . .

to our first born.

To our Jessica Kay.

29 years!!

Wow! I can remember bringing you home

from the hospital when you were born.

Now your 29. And married.

Love you to the moon and back!

catch up. . . .

Just when I think I'm getting caught up here. . . . . I fall behind.  :-)  Seems to be the story of my life.

I have no pictures to share but can get you all up to date.

Roger & I were to go to my Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving Day.  But of course we would have an ice storm.  Then we were to head east to spend the weekend with our girls.  That too did not happen.  I was not prepared for Thanksgiving at all.  So we compromised and had chicken and noodles.  Close enough, right??  I do have to say I was pretty bummed all weekend.  

 Last Friday we finally got to head east.  WaaaaHoooo!!!!

Roger, Me, Jorge, Glada, Audrey & Scooter (the new puppy) left mid morning.  When we got to Topeka we got some quick shopping in.  We also got to spend a short time visiting the girls at the bank where they both work.  Now how convenient is that??  Nice!!

Saturday we got to spend ALL day with our girls and their new hubbies.  (Now that sounds funny.  I'm going to have to get used to that.)  We stuffed our selves.  And then we stuffed our selves some more.  It was after 10 pm before Roger and I made it back to Jessica & Gabes.  

Sunday morning we all met at a pancake house for breakfast.  And then it was on the road heading west again.  

It has been 4 days and I'm already having with drawl.  Boo!

Made. . . by me. . .

 This first picture is made from a pallet.  I'm not really sure where it came from, but was this size when M got it.  Thank goodness!  You see all of these ideas to do with pallets.  But have you taken one apart??  They say to use a Saws all.  But really??  I had a heck of the time with the ones we have taken apart and had to have Roger do it.  But it still took two of us.  One to cut and one to hold. 

This sign was made for M & N's wedding.  If you haven't heard the story, Yes, they met on MATCH.COM.  

This next sign I made yesterday.  I think it turned out soooo cute.  And yes.  It is for SALE.  $25.00.  Of course the colors are much better in person.  And there is wire on the back so it can be hung on the wall. 

The last couple weeks has just been "not so great" for The Ummel's.  

A couple weeks ago we had several days that the wind was blowing like crazy.  And when I say like crazy, I mean like CRAZY!  

I had just face timed M on the phone.  Had opened our front door to show her how yucky it was here.  And her showing me how she had her windows opened and how nice it was at her house.  As I shut the door we heard a weird pop and the lights flickered.  Of course that makes you stop in your tracks.  Who likes to go without electricity?? Not me!  And again I heard another big pop.  I opened the front door to see little flames in the air near our electric pole.  

Then the electricity went out.  The wind had blown a very small branch out of our trees.  And right into the transformer on our pole.  YiYiYi!  Thank you Midwest Energy for getting here fast.  Let's just say that little ole branch flipped the breaker all the way thru Quinter.  Even the hospital had to go on their generator.  

Yep.  That was me!  :-)

Then this last Monday evening we had some thunderstorms roll thru.  And boy did they roll!  Straight line winds??  I'm not thinking so.  But what do I know.  

The winds were strong enough to break a limb out of the tree and put it politely on/thru my roof.  Gosh it was terrible!  I think that evening was right up their from when we had our own tornadoes many years ago.  The electricity was out for several hours.  And the poor people driving interstate when it went thru.  Made my tummy just turn seeing all the ambulance and state trooper's flickering lights.  At one time I seen 6 at once.  Just down the road 2 miles they lost a big metal shed.  The whole south and east sides were north of their farm in a heap of mess.  Scary!! 

Obviously Roger couldn't do anything about the tree till the next day.  But then off course this is Kansas.  And the weather is just crazy.  Tuesday we were thrown with Blizzard warnings and ended up with about an inch of snow.  We were forcasted for 6-9 inches, but they said the thunderstorms the night before sucked the moisture out so we didn't get that much snow.  

BUT. . . . during the high winds. . . . the wind now blew the tree off our roof.  

And a limb, of the limb, went right thru our hottub lid.  Jeezzzz louise!! So this was then when Roger had to go into the attic and figure out a way to plug the hole till the adjuster could get here.  

Can I again say. . . . .    YIYIYI!

keeping busy. . . . .

Since I have re"tired" I've really tried to keep myself busy and not fall into a slump.  Obviously I'm resting.  But I'm keeping busy in between.  I have started a to-do list and am trying to work on it every day.  It might only be a little bit, but I'm doing it.  

These are some of my recent doings. . . . . . 

These first two were made for baby showers. 

 This next one I actually made for Michele and Nick's wedding.  Its new home is now on their front porch.  :)

 This Welcome sign is for sale.  $40.00.  I love how the board looks like it came from an old red barn.

 "Pray Big" is also for sale. $25.00.  

This sign sure didn't take long to find it's new home.  I just L.O.V.E. how it turned out!!

Last but least is another Welcome sign.  It was special ordered to sit on the front porch of a red brick home.  It was painted with a dark red.  Then crackled and coated with white.