June 25, 2026

  Since I started the reduction of Depakote (seizure medication) by 250 mg/day for the next two weeks, I have been laying low and staying close to my apartment.  I haven't felt very good and all of my symptoms are on the list of possible withdrawal side effects like fatigue, headache, unsteady on my feel, and tremors.  I have slept quite a bit, but now at day eight I am feeling much better.

The exception to staying at home was when Ben came to pick me up and we went to the Lobby Cafe for a coffee and pastry on Father's Day.  I also had a nice conversation with Pat that day.

I walked to the dentist for a cleaning on Monday and ended up with an exam first and not enough time for the cleaning.  The exam found that I need a new crown on the upper right next to the last molar.  I cringed when I saw the cost, but after giving it some thought and looking at my savings, I decided that I will go ahead and do it - just haven't scheduled it yet.  The next morning, I got a notice on my door that told me an audit had been done and I had overpaid my rent and was due a credit of $844.  This will come pretty close to covering the cost of my crown.  I think the stars were aligned for me.

Joey and I have gotten some nice walks in the last few days, the temps have been in the 70s with low humidities and very nice blue skies with the exception of a much needed rainy day on Tuesday. 

Friday, June 19, 2026

 I spent Saturday and Sunday at Ben and Jill's house with Yoshi while they went to Iowa for a family reunion on Jill's side of the family.  I got packed up and ready for my road trip to Des Moines on Monday, June 15.  On my way out of town, I stopped by Eric's garage to have the oil checked in my car (I forgot to have Ben do it before I left his house) and then I headed south on I-35 for about 220 miles.  After four stops along the way, three at rest areas and one at a gas station, I arrived at our destination of the Stoney Creek Resort in Johnston.

Bob, Penny, and Randy (I shared a room with him) were all checked in and Rita and Denny followed shortly after.  We mostly hung out in a nice patio area, catching up on the last two years before heading out to dinner.  We all packed into Bob's car so we didn't have to take 2 cars and went to Zeke's Rooftop Grill for some casual American food.  It was a bit breezy but nice to sit on the outdoor deck.  Back at the resort, we hung out in the bar for a while before retiring for the night.  I was all settled in for the night when Rita came knocking on our door and just wanted to hug me, snuggle and tell me how much she missed and loved me.  We reminisced about having to share a bed the whole time we were growing up at the house on Hamilton St in Stoughton and then Randy escorted her back to her room.

On Tuesday morning, Randy and I had breakfast at the hotel, Bob & Penny went to a park to walk, and Rita and Denny took their time getting ready for the day.  We met up at the same gazebo/lounge area as the previous day and visited for a while.

We had a late lunch/early dinner at the Soggy Frog Marina on Saylorville Lake and enjoyed some great conversation next to the water. It was a beautiful day! When we got back to the resort,  we gathered in the lounge and watched some videos that Rene shared of past family reunions that were held at Rita and Denny's lake house in 1992 and 1996.  We then looked at photos (I have kept an album of pics of all of my siblings, going back to school days, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. through the years. We also told lots of stories, shared memories, and had lots of laughs.  Bob and Randy cracked me up with their boyish antics - stick teasing each other and giving noogies and Dutch rubs. The guys all did some card tricks.  A gal from Pisces Beach, CA who was at the table next to us joined us at our table and we all had a nice time. Unlike our gatherings in years past, we were all ready to retire for the night by 9pm.  That might be age related - ya think?

After breakfast on Tuesday morning, we all loaded up and headed back to our respective homes.  I am so glad that we had this gathering and that we planned to keep it going every year on the 2nd week of June - next year the week of June 24, 2027 .  We aren't getting any younger and have all had health issues over the last two years. 

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

 I finally got the results from my most recent EEG and learned that things are stable, although there are some underlying seizure activity that is mild enough that it isn't a concern.  I am able to gradually decrease the anti-seizure medication, Depakote by 250 mg a day for 2 weeks, then drop another 250 mg/day for the next 2 weeks.  He did advise that the reduction in the medication could cause seizures, so not to drive while going through the reduction.  That will be a pain. 

Monday, June 8, 2026

 Today was a full day, starting with a good walk and a phone conversation with Pat while I was walking and I had also put a load of laundry in the washer before I left.  Just as the laundry finished, I had a conversation with Tom that we had arranged (the 2-hour time difference is crazy to work around).  As usual, we spent an hour or so chatting - mostly about upcoming trips - him coming back here for a visit in August and then a possible California cruise later in October.  Time to do some research.

Deb's friend Mike, a drummer with several local bands, was playing at the VFW with the Jim Strait Blues Jam and we met her friends Joanie and her husband Phil there.  Deb's daughter Chelsea also joined us for a beer too.  Phil has Alzheimer's so I was warned that he may repeat the same question over and over and that did happen but since he is a former drummer, he was just so happy to hear the music.  He did keep asking the name of the band and saying they were really good.  He got in a conversation with a guy at the table next to us ( also a drummer) and since it was a jam session, they got his name on the board and he was able to get up there and play a 3-song session.  He was in his element! Us girls all got up to dance when he played and I looked over and saw Joanie crying because she could just see how happy he was - and boy, did he do great.  Just before we left, the head of the band came over and invited him to sit in again. It was fun and I learned I can still dance - got a little winded though.  

We had art class on Wednesday and made clay pieces for another garden totem.  Genevieve had made the pieces ahead of time and each of us just chose the shape we wanted and decorated and painted it. She will take them home to fire in her kiln and then return so we can add them to the garden.

I met up with Ben at Girard Park yesterday and we did the walk around the lake and then went to Rustica for a pastry and coffee before he had to get to the swim meet that Charlotte and Camille were swimming in.  I was hoping to see the livestream but they weren't doing that this time.

My cousin Judy passed away on Monday, June 1. She was the oldest of my Aunt Virginia's three children. I don't remember when I last saw her as she lived in Missouri and our paths never crossed.  I did hear from her now and then when I would see her brother Ken occasionally and his family still comes to the reunions and I keep in touch on Facebook