Normal Life

Dear All,

I'm glad to say that life is beginning to sort itself into a new normal around here. Melba is doing very well at most all daily tasks, which most certainly includes reading and writing her own newsy emails. I have cut back on posting here as we have had little official news on the case...the detective called yesterday to say they are continuing to work the forensics. I'm reading between the lines here, but I think they had the guy in for questioning, but he wouldn't acknowledge having robbed the condo, and they didn't have enough evidence at the time to keep him. The local driveway paper ran the sketch again today, with the admonition to keep windows locked up. So much of the crime here in the Foothills is opportunity-driven: open garage doors, unlocked gates, doors and windows. The police love block watch groups, especially the ones that patrol their neighborhoods at all hours.

A condo neighbor came over to Melba's yesterday and when she saw the smallness of the window the robber came through, I think her opinion of the incident changed. She had seen the dining room window (not the kitchen window) in the news video footage and thought, (as did half the Valley of the Sun who watch the evening news) that Meb had been ill-advised to leave 'that' window open. Now she has a different story to tell all her neighbors! I will say, everyone at Toscana Lakeside (especially the single ladies who live on the ground floor) are grateful that large, bright motion detector lights are now installed at 6 or 7 locations around the development.

Many of you will have a higher "high" than we will today....it's 61 degrees, projected to only go up to 66 tomorrow....brrrrrr. Yes, we're weather wimps around here. (86 by Monday...shhhhh!) Happy Halloween, everyone!

A Little Protein Goes a Long Way

Well, I guess there is such a thing as too much protein...or maybe too many antibiotics...or TOO MANY PILLS, as Melba would say. Today wasn't much fun as Meb's constitution wasn't cooperating for much of the day. She got over the hump by dinnertime and was able to tuck into the clam chowder and cheese bread, thank goodness.

I think we will get in some additional exercise tomorrow--that should help keep things moving. Dr. Larry says chewing gum helps kick start the system, so we will try some of that, also (asking forgiveness from all the teachers in the group!). We did go out for a short walk today; need to lengthen it manana.

We hear the 3 kids across the street have already had the swine flu! Glad they will all be healthy by the time we hand over the candy later this month! Regular flu vaccine is in short supply here, and they anticipate the H1N1 will be also. Maybe it's best to just hunker and bunker down? How have you all fared in that department?

Melba is answering some of her email now that the sling is no longer an impediment. Hope you hear from her soon!

U2 May Be A Safety Buffalo

(Just a silly title, which is based loosely on my moniker--in the Conley house I'm the Safety Buffalo and I was raised by one, too.)

Meb's dermatologist was pleased with how her various skin areas are healing up and she found no new areas to pick on, so we happily left THAT doctor's office today! We had a few other misc. errands to run which kept us out for a bit. It's good to get some fresh air and exercise, but we don't want to push the envelope too much, either. It was a lovely day in the Valley of the Sun, BTW.

This afternoon, we talked with Bill, Meb's brother in Cincinnati, and he avowed--had he been in the condo--he would have saved the city of Phoenix the cost of lockup or trial of the perp. Believe in Uncle Bill, as he is a retired Cinci. Police Sergeant! We hear similar sentiments from our retired SM Co. law enforcement friends and a semi-retired FBI nephew/cousin! Bad guys, watch out!!

If you want to get a rise out of Meb, ask her about Frontline's documentary on derivatives tonight! Whoa!

Wednesday is a doctor-appointment-free day--yipee. Hope the same goes for y'all!

The Ex-Californian, Dr. Farber

Good news from the bone doctor--Meb can leave her sling off and use her left arm as much as is comfortable for her. No swinging from the monkeybars, though. He will see her in 3 weeks and do another X-ray to check healing progress. She might try typing a bit more now that she has that clearance.

We cruised Costco for a few minutes before heading home. Not much on our wish list but there's always something to look at and it provided an opportunity for low key exercise. The lentils served by the kiosk lady were yummy!

Also stopped by the condo to check out the alarm system. You'll be glad to know we didn't 'trip' it...Jerry says it makes an ungodly amount of noise. As advertised, it's very easy...just two clicks of the 'fob' to arm and disarm both the motion sensor and the window and door sensors.

Tomorrow is for the dermatologist...a checkup on how the removal of spots on her face is progressing. The bruises are really fading (turning that lovely shade of yellow) so she should expect to look much better in the mirror shortly.

2-4PM is frequently nap time now...post-lunch the house gets quiet and all God's critters get some additional rest. We're hearing this experience has produced ripples...more of you and yours are taking extra precautions with your safety...and we're glad of it. Fondly, Cynth

Kona's Under Meb's Feet...Again!

Kona has been a bit of a pest, bedding down by Meb's feet most of today. Or she's barking for someone to throw her the pink frisbee out in the yard. We think she continues to miss her pal, Roxy the Boston Terrier, who as some of you know, departed for the rainbow bridge after her recent encounter with a rattlesnake in the back yard. We all miss her, indeed.

Tomorrow we go to the orthopedist regarding how Meb's shoulder is healing up. She's been very good about keeping it immobile in the sling and not using her left hand very much. It's one of those injuries that just takes a long time to knit up. She's not looking forward to Physical Therapy but she knows that's a part of getting the arm and shoulder back to normal.

We'll be an hour ahead of you CA folks in a week...daylight savings time begins on 10.25...and an hour closer to the East coasters! Thanks again for your nice cards and notes...they've been looked over more than once by our patient patient.

Brats and Conversation

We did the predictable thing after a very satisfying lunch of mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and brats--we slept! Ute made the trip down from Fountain Hills, bringing flowers and food and we tucked into it like we hadn't eaten for a while...the food, not the flowers! It was good to see a familiar face from the old country (CA) and we shared lots of conversation.

Walgreens finally produced a Silver Sulfadiazine cream for Meb's skin tears; they're healing slowly but we're glad to have an additional weapon to fight off infection. No more Percocet! It plays havoc with one's digestive system, and she doesn't really have that kind of pain right now.

Yes, AZ's having record heat for October ...but thankfully cooler temps are on the way and we'll be able to spend more time on the patio, maybe even take a few walks around the 'hood.

Just saw a news report about a local Ahwatukee woman who went out and knocked on 50 of her neighbor's doors last evening, gathering phone numbers and emails so they could get to know and alert each other if there were suspicious occurrences in their area. Appears some good will sprout from Meb's experience! Security system's a "go" and the motion sensor lights were put up by the condo manager today.

Thanks so much for all the cards...Meb received a whole fistfull today and she sure enjoyed hearing from everyone.

Meb, a few years ago, in L.A.

Despite the heat, we wanted to get out of the house today, so drove over to the hospital to pick up X-rays for the orthopedic MD's review on Monday. Stopped by Costco for supplies, including a very berry sundae...! We had a healthy dinner of lamb chops, potato salad and greens...plenty of protein to help bones reknit. Kona, the Vizsla dog, had her first teeth cleaning at the vet's today...no cavities and no extractions. Vet's instructions included keeping her inactive for 12 hours following the procedure...Hah! After a fun-filled and very funny video chat with the grandgirls, Meb went off early to bed. Hello to all from Melba and the Conleys!