Reflecting in 2008

It is the time of year that we all will reflect on life's hurdles that we have all had to jump. Time to reflect on the good and bad that happened this year. The happy along with the sad.
I have sit and hoped that I have done something good this year to encourage others in my life to look on the positive side of every situation that we have been handed. I hope that I have made a difference in others' lives. I hope that I have made someone smile with a kind word.
Most of my time was spent with my parents' dealing with illnesses with both of them. Momma with her Alzheimer's and Parkersons' along with a host of other illness and Daddy with the flu that would not go away. I have seen profound saddness with this disease that I thougth that I would never have to see. I have seen a brilliant mind not remember her childrens names. I have seen this disease rob so many others of their loved ones. Many people have ask me if it has been a long year? Yes, but I have to also say that it has been an enlightening and learning year also for me. Alzheimer's is a nasty disease that not only our loved ones have to deal with on a daily basis but we as care givers have to learn to deal with. There are emotions that we will not allow our loved ones to see...crying, anger, frustration. I will not let Momma see me get upset and yes I have shed what it feels like to be a million years since Momma has been diagnosed with this disease. I know that many of my online friends have shed tears over this disease and the loss of a loved one because of this disease.
It has been a sad year for most of us. I have children crying over a the loss of a parent and I have seen parents crying over the loss of a child. But I must say that it has been a good year also. We have been blessed to have grandchildren born this year and we are blessed with the news of grandchild that will be born in the Feb. and May of 2009. And I am so blessed that I have both of my parents with me.
I will say that this year has been a roller coaster for me and my parents. This is okay as long as the ride doesn't get too crazy, but it if it does, then I will hold on for dear life. No one nevers knows what is going to go on with AD. I am thankful for having my parents with me and that I have a loving, understanding and loving hubby that stands beside me through the good and as well as the bad.
I am so grateful for my online friends, Nancy, Lori, Chris, Terry, Stef, Dave, Joanne, and Betsy for all the advise that you have given and continue to give on this AD journey. Rick...thanks for all the humor and making me laugh through the tears with some humorous post. Dave, "aka Grandpa Face" thanks for all the advise and kindness, you will never be forgotten. Stef..my little buddy I miss your post and I hope that you are staying warm and that you are doing well. I miss you and love you!!!
Thanks again to all my online buddies. Where would I be without you all? Lost!!
I pray that 2009 will be a better year for all us. You all are in my thougths and prayers. Happy New Years!!! Peace, love and happiness!!!!

Merry Christmas

Just a quick note to say "hey" and Merry Christmas. It has been a long and happy day for my family. I hope that everyone has a great day filled with love and happiness.
Peace, love and happiness.........

New job

The job is going really well. I am enjoying being back in the world of the employed. I am getting into the groove of leaving before the sunrises and getting home as the sun is setting. I don't think that too much has changed since I left the job 20 months ago. Some of the paperwork is different but it has not been hard to figure out. It is good to see many of the co-workers that I worked with previously. I have been ask to take a different position in April with the same company. I am thinking about taking this job, but it will require alot of traveling and alot of training and that is really the only downfall with this position. I like being at my house (or close) to it when it is getting darkthirty. I guess that happens with age.
It is a nice and warm 73 degrees here. Yea, 8 days until Christmas and it is 73 degrees. The weather is crazy this time of year.
I hope that everyone is having a good week. Take care and peace, love and happiness!

Start of a new job

I start a new job Monday the 8th. I am excited. I will miss being with Momma all day but I will be at her house everyday after work. And I will be calling and checking in on Momma and Daddy during the day. I am taking them to doctor tomorrow and then I will take off when they have doctors' appointments. A friend of mine that I attended high school with has been staying with Momma for over a year now and Momma loves her like family. I trust her and I know that if Momma or Daddy gets sick that she will get them to the doctors' office calling me to meet her on the way.
I will be working for a correctional facility. I will be counseling inmates. I have done this job before and it is a good job.
I hope that eveyone is having a great day. Peace, love and happiness!!!

100 thousand times

That is how many times that Noah, my 2 year old grandson has said my name in the past 24 hours. And as I sit here and type, he is calling "NAN, hitting me on the arm and saying "boobie" while he is watching a short on Madagascar 2." And why he is saying "boobie" is beyond me. "Move it, move it" and doing a lion growl at me, as he is hitting me on the arm. He is wanting me to get off the computer and play with him. The things that 2 year olds do and say never ceases to amaze me. And Noah is no exception to the rule. He is one rotten kid. But I love him with all my heart. I will try to post a picture of him and the Christmas tree when I can get him to stand still for a few seconds so that I can get a picture.
Peace, love and happiness...

The tree is UP

The Christmas tree is up. This was not an easy task. Noah was helping with the lights, Gabby was under the tree while we were trying to put the lights on, and Lulu thougth that she needed to sit on the back of the couch and wag her massive tail, hitting me every chance that she got.
When we finally got it finished, all the girls were under the tree, acting like they were the gifts. My dogs are just a hoot.
Today was a good day. Momma talked about everyone that was at the house yesterday and that I had come into my calling of being a cook. She said that she enjoyed everything that we ate but that we were not cooking like that at Christmas. She has decided that we are grilling out that day. Me and Daddy just laughed because we both know 2 days before Christmas, she will want the big meal like we had for Thanksgiving. If that is what she wants, then that is what we will have.
I hope that everyone has a great and hopefully, restful weekend. I have a wedding tomorrow night and hopefully Sunday will be restful. Take care! Peace, love and happiness!

A day of Thanks

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, there is so much that I'm thankful for. Today was such a GREAT day. Momma done really good with so many people at the house. She was excited and so happy to see her children, gandchildren and great grandchildren. She sat at the back door, looking out at Noah and Daddy sitting in the yard. (it was cold here today with a small breeze, so she would not go in the yard.) When she called me to the door, she told me to go and take pictures for her. Yea, the tears have fell all afternoon after seeing this sight. Noah was handing Daddy pine straw needles and Daddy was counting them, Noah saying the numbers after "his Papa". Momma done really good, calling names, confused from time to time on who everyone was, but she had a good day. I cooked yesterday and started cooking again the morning around 9 am and we all sat down to dinner around 4 pm. It was so good to have the family at Momma and Daddy's for a meal. The laugther, the endless chatter of all the conversations going on around, standing in the kitchen with my BIL as he is "samples" everything. It was nice.
I am so thankful for all of my family members and friends that I didn't get to see today. I started calling and texting this morning at 8 am. I am so thankful for this one little nephew that lives in Atlanta Ga. He was the first person to call me this morning to tell me Happy Thanksgiving and that he loves and misses me. He is 11 years old. He is a sweet young man. So, if you are reading this tonight...Dada, I love you..and I miss you too.
I have so much to be thankful for, and I am especially greatful and thankful for my online blogger friends that have walked with me through this AD journey. I will be forever grateful for all the knowledge that you have all have given me this past year. I am thankful to know that you all are still giving much needed information that I need concerning this disease. And that you all are close when I need answers to questions and shoulder to cry on. Thank you all, I will never forget the kindness that you have shown me.
Once again, Happy Thanksgiving Day to you all, my friends. Take care. Peace, love and happiness!!

Cold again!!

Cold again. In the 30s and a wind of 9 to 15 miles per hour. We are keeping the fireplace burning and Momma in the house. She is really excited about Thanksgiving. Everyone is coming to Momma and Daddy's for Thanksgiving Dinner. I will be cooking for several days for this one day. It is okay. My youngest son, his wife and babies will be coming in from Thomasville (praying my oldest son and his wife and daugther will be able to make it in) and all of my sisters will be there. My brothers will be out of town working. All of my neices and nephews will be coming in. And the hubby will be working that day.
My oldest sister's son is getting married on the 29th so we will be at the wedding. Momma is saying that she does not know if she is going but I think that she will be there. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that she will feel like going.
I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving and that family and friends are close, whether in person or by means of Ma Bell. All of my online blogger friends will be on mind and in my thoughts. I will say a prayer and thank God for all of you! Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Take care and Peace, love and happiness to all!

The weather

The weather here is in the 80's again. Momma seems to having better days now. I don't know if the weather has alot to do with AD but when it is cold, she don't have much to say. When it is raining or cloudy, she is sad. When the sun is out and it is warm, she talks about any and everything.
Today is really a good day. Lil' Bit come to town with David this morning and Momma is feeding her Cheetos and candy canes. (they were to go on the Christmas tree..oh well). She loves coming to Momma and Daddy's house on the weekend. They feed her from the table and that is something that does not happen at home.
I hope that everyone has a great weekend. Peace, love and happiness!!!

Worried...

I'm worried ...no Momma is doing okay. She has a really good day today. The weather was cloudy, cold, windy and misty rain.
I have someone that I'm worried about. I will not call any names but I am very very close to this person. Alot is going on in their life and they are not sure as what to do. And that is what worries me. The love that you have for someone will make you worry. I guess that the humanitian side of me. I do worry more than I should, but what can I do. Really nothing.
Me and hubby has decided not to buy the property in the moutains that we were looking at purchasing. We are looking a different property that already has a cabin built and we have been to this area when we have been skiing. I guess that we will put the feelers back out and start checking on other properties. Are we moving immediately. NO, this is where we will retire. This is where we can go and vacation with the grandchild. Yes, we have 2 grandchildren that are due next year. One in February and one in April. We are many many years away from retiring but I would like to the have a mortgage nearly paid off when I retire. That is the plan away.
I hope that everyone is having a good week and I hope the weekend is even better.. Take care..peace, love and happiness...

Halloween pumpkin

Here is the pimpkin for 2008. BOO!

Lazy Sunday morning

Sunday morning, sitting at the kitchen table, Droopy is under my feet snorzing softly, a small fire is burning the fireplace is burning the den, a cool breeze is blowing outside and Momma is taking a nap. I can hear "I love Lucy" in the background on the TV in the living room. Momma's favorite show.

I have been cooking this morning getting lunch and dinner ready. Daddy and David are gathering wood with some friends of the family helping.

Momma has been talking about the Thanksgiving meal that she wants this year. Nothing big, she says. Fried turkey, chicken and cornbread dressing, yams with mallows, peas, chicken and dumplings, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, pecan pies, homemade coconut pie, Red velvet cake and maybe a caramel cake but nothing chocolate. I agree nothing chocolate. Bless her, she says that she is helping me cook this year so that I will not have to do it all by myself. I told her okay we will cook together this year. Then she ask, "how are we going to make chicken and dumplings?" I tell her we will boil the chicken breast, when they are done we will take the skin and bones out and then pull the chicken apart and put it back in the pot. Roll the dumplings, add a can of cream of chicken soup and slowly add the dumplings, making sure that they are not sticking to each other. She says, "Now that's a plan." We both laugh. Chicken and dumplings is something that I didn't learn to make when I was younger. Matter of fact, I think that I have evolved as a cook over the past 10 years. I don't cook out of a box. Most of everything that we eat, I make from scratch. I have a pasta maker that David bought me for Christmas a few years ago and it has paid for itself. I understand what my mother is talking about when she said that she "made it with love". She toook her time and was in no big hurry when she cooked. And feeding 6 kids and her and dad, well she was in the kitchen all day cooking. Breakfast to lunch and then on to dinner. I can remember as a child that Momma made a dessert everyday for dinner. Yes, everyday. I get alot of my ways from my mother. I like to sew, garden, cook, really enjoying reading..(if you get a chance read Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote, a dog lovers book), I enjoy spending precious time with my friends and family, love the grand babies and treasure every moment with them. (Oh, we are going to be grandparents again. one in February and one in April. ) I enjoy time with the girls (the dogs, in which they don't think that they are dogs), I like listening to the radio, and not much on TV.
And I am proud that I am in ways walking in her footsteps.
I hope that everyone is doing well. I hope that everyone has a great week. Take care and know that to my blogger friends that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Peace, love and happiness!!!

Cold and Windy

Folks, it is cold here in South GA. It has been 37 degrees here for 2 nights. I have always said that I wanted to move where it is cold during the winter but can I change my mind? The dogs don't even want to be in the yard. They are fighting over the blanket in the doghouse. Funny hounds!
I know some of my blogger friends has already had snow according to the weather channel. I hope that you all are warm and that Ole Man Winter is being kind to you. The place where we go skiing is already getting snow but the slopes are not open, bummer huh?
Please take care and know that you all are in my thoughts. Have a great weekend! Peace, love and happiness!!

Is it Friday?

It has been a long week. A very long week. DH has hurt his right hip and has been at the doctor's office everyday this week. And it seems like it is not getting any better. He is home in bed in pain.
It is cold and rainy here. It is 57 degrees and the wind is blowing and that is something that we folks in the South don't have to deal with too often but we really need a cold winter. We have not had a cold winter in many years. We are usually running around in shorts this time of year, but not this year.
Momma seems to be doing okay. Her memory is going really fast. Same question every few minutes. We just answer the question.
I hope that eveyone has a good weekend. Take care..peace, love, and happiness..

A day late

Momma came home yesterday. I went to see her and that PA let her come home. I didn't know this that she was coming home until I got there. So, the nurse give me another gown and a blanket and she was homeward bound. I don't know how was happier to see each other. Her seeing Droopy or Droopy seeing her. He would not let me get her out of the car until her got in with her and sniffed her. She was so happy to see him. When I got her in the house, she wanted to feed him a Milkbone dog biscuit before she done anything else.
There are so many things that are going on right now. I hope that everything will settle down soon. It has been a very long 2 days. I guess that I'm not sleeping well because I'm afraid that she will get up in the middle of the night.
If it is a few days before I post, please know that you all are in my thoughts. Take care and I hope that everyone is having a good week. It is getting really cool here, not something that we have in the South too much. I am really enjoying the cooler weather.
Peace, love and happiness!

Apple cidar donut

Yesterday me and DH got up and went to Elijay GA. (north Ga. Moutains) and picked apples. We made the trip to south Atlanta Ga and picked up DH's parents and they went with us. I now understand who DH get his one line zingers from, his Father. I don't know when I laughed like I did yesterday. We had a really nice ride to pick apples and then we come back to his parents and spent the night. We were up at 6 am getting the truck packed to make the 3 1/2 hour drive home. This was a trip that I needed..a little break so that I can come back and take care of Momma. I was about 75 miles from home when my cellphone started ringing. My nephew sent me a text message and said, "Granny wants to know where you are and when you are coming to the hospital?" I called him and ask him to let her know that I was on the way home from getting apples and that I would be there in about 2 hours. I drove straight through, stopping at Daddy's long enough to let the hubby out of the vehicle and I drove on the hospital.
When I got there, she rolled over, laughing and smiling, and ask "Where have you been?" I told her that I went and got apples to put in the freezer for pies later in the year. She wanted to know where her doughnut was. She wanted an apple cidar donut. I took the donut out of my bag and she smiled. So, we shared a donut and cup of coffee. That was the best moment of my day. After she finished her coffee, she told me that she was sleepy and was ready for bed. I got up and kissed her on the forehead, told her "I love you Momma" She told me that she loved me. I was getting my things ready to go and she looked at me and said, "you still here?" I told her that I was getting ready to leave. She told me that she would see me later. I told her that I would call when I got home. God above knows how much I miss her, being at home.
My heart broke into a million pieces. Why, I don't know. There are so many questions that I have no answers too. How I wish that I could take this disease away from her and all the others in the world that has this awful disease.
Yep, I cried on the way home again. I wish so much for my Momma to get better, but in my heart I know that might not happen. But I know without a doubt, that her mind might forget me but her heart never will. That is the what keeps me going.
I hope that everyone has had a good weekend. The weather here is cooling so I know that my friends in the upper states must be getting some really cold weather and maybe snow. Take care and know that there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you all. Have a great week ..Peace, Love and Happiness...

still in hospital

Momma is still in the hospital. She is doing better. Her mind is in a fog and she is so confused. She does not remember anyone coming to see her. When I arrived today she was in bed, chatting away and no one was there. Sad to see. I touched her on the shoulder and she woke up and wanted to know where Daddy was. "He is home", I told her. I had to go out of town so I stoppped on the way back to Alma and got her two donuts. I had to..I always get her donuts.
So she had a blueberry donut and a cool cup of coffee for an snack.
After I was there 15 mintues she told me that she was sleepy and that she needed a nap. I finished reading the newspaper to her. I was sitting at the foot of her bed and she told me to go come to the head of the bed and she give me a kiss and told me to "go home". So, I kissed her back, told her that I love her and that I would call her later to check on her. She rolled over and started talking to the invisible person as I walked out of the room. Sad day, I cried on the drive home, wondering will her mind ever be the same? Take care...peace. love and happiness.

Another Day.....

The doctor told us that Momma is in the final stages of AD and Parkerson's. She seems to be somewhat better but still really confused about everything. She thinks that it is the first of the month. She wants to know when the apples are coming in. We don't grow apples around here, but we are going to get some this weekend in the North Ga. mountains. Okay, I don't know that I'm going but the DH will be going to see his parents and then he will travel on from there to get the apples or other goodies. Momma thought that it was raining outside today. I tried to get her to let me push her to the doors at the hospital so that she could see how pretty it was today. (they are adding onto the hospital where she is at so therefore no windows.)
I will post more later as Chloe has gotten up here next to me and wanting some attention. Take care...peace. love and happiness!!!

In the hospital again

We have had a long week and the weekend has been even longer. Momma's birthday was yesterday and she didn't even know what was going on. We were at the hospital until after 1 am this morning. I got home around 2:30 am and fell into bed, unable to sleep. Finally feel to sleep aroung 4:30 am and was up around 9:00am. Got up and checked on Momma and cleaned her up (had an accident before I could get to her.) I called the answering service and the doctor called me back and told me to take Momma back to the hospital again. After several attempts to get her in the car, we finally decided to call the ambulance service to take her to the hospital. Momma could not even hold her head up. The doctor thinks that she might be having a reaction to some medicine that she is taking. I am so thankful that he is calling me after seeing her in the hospital and givning me reports. And he is calling the hospital several times a day and checking with the nursing staff on her progress. We have a great doctor..a great doctor is hard to find these days.
I hope that everyone is having a good weekend. Take care and will try to keep updates when I get a chance. Peace, love and happiness...

Really quick hey!!

It has been so busy around here. I wanted to let eveyone know that Momma was at the nuerologist today and we were told that she is going in the final stages of Parkinsons and Alz. We seen the PA and she was really upset. She is a wonderful lady and there were several times that she had to stop talking so that she would not cry. I reassured her that everything is going to be okay. She told me that she was sorry and that she usually does not get emotional. I told her that there was nothing wrong with her crying. We all cry! She gave a wonderful package with some much information concerning AD. I told her about the AD website and that there are so many wonderful people on this website that has given me so much information concerning AD. Momma told her of all the wonderful cards that she gets in the mail from people all over the United States. I also explained that we all mail greeting cards to others that have AD. She got the website addy and promised that she would look at this. She give me a few more websites to check out on Parkinsons.
The last two weeks hae been really hard around here. I have a freind that lost her 22 year old son. She has been told that he had sleep apena but nothing is certain. Her son and my youngest son were best friends in high school.
Please keep us all in your prayers. I am certain that God has a plan for all of us. I miss you all and I hope that everything is going well for everyone. How is the weather where you are at? It has been so wonderful here. Nice cool days and cooler nights. I am ready to go on vacation..oaky a mini-vacation that is. I will not leave Momma and Daddy for too many days. So, we are going to North Georgia to get apples. I will leave on Friday and be back late Saturday afternoon. I will enjoy the time that we will get to have with DH's parents. Take care..Peace, love and happiness...

Oh...BIL is doing okay not great but he is in good spirits. I took some pictures of him and his dog, Max and hopefully I will get to post one in the next week weeks.

BIL

I got a call from my sister today and she told me that my BIL will no longer be taking any more radiation treatments. He is starting to have seizures and he is not doing well at all. The doctor advised my sister that his brain is swelling and that is what is causing the seizures.
Daddy is still having trouble with his breathing. We are going to a lung specialist Thursday so that we might can find out what is going on.
Momma seems to be going into another stage of ALZ. She is like we have good days, bad days and awful days. We are having more awful days than anything else these days. I know that there is never good news when it comes to ALZ. but couldn't we just have a few good days. She called me this morning (my night and day home) and tells me Droopy (my beagle that lives with her and Daddy) has the pink eye. Can a dog get the pink eye? I went to town and checked on him and he was fine. So, he got a bath while I was there. I just don't know what we are going to do. In my heart, I know that she is not a candidate to live in a ALF and that she does not want to go in the NH again. But we are really at a point that we don't know what to do at this point. I know that I don't want to place her in a NH at this point. The last stay was unreal. Momma thought that she was there working but I thought that I was going to lose it when she was there. I guess that I knew things where not on the up and up.
Just for the lighter side, Lil Bit and Chloe had their surgeries where completed last week so we will have no puppies by these sweet girls of mine.
Take care and I hope that everyone has a great week...Peace, love and happiness

Hey!!

It is been a while since I have been on. DH has been sick with ear trouble. Daddy with respiratory issues. Momma has been having some really bad days lately and the last two girls has been to the vet to get snipped and clipped. Lil Bit was none too happy that I left her at the vets office. But they are alright.
I hope that everyone is doing okay. How is the weather? Hot and humid here. I'm so looking forward to go to the Smoky Mountains for a few days next month. We are looking forward to relaxing and doing nothing. We have everything lined up so that we can take a few days off...Thanks Sheila!!!
Take care and I hope that everyone has a great week...Peace, love and happiness!!!

Rain rain go away!!

Hurricane Fay dumped 5 to 6 inches of rain on us in one week. Needless to say, we really don't need rain but it looks like we might be getting some rain from Hurricane Gustav. I hope not. I'm sick of the rain and it seems like everytime that a Hurricane blows in, we always have alot of sickness. I don't know why but it seems like people with sinus and allergies have a rough time with all of this bad weather. I have had a sore throat for around 2 weeks, along with the sniffles.

Gabby and Ella had surgery Monday...(NO MORE PUPPIES) and we still have Lit Bit and Chloe to go. They are scheduled to go in and have surgery Monday week. Gabby and Ella are not fans of the vets office anymore. The vet told me that they no longer liked him. I explained that they are never away from me. They are all spoiled little critters but you can't help but love em.

I hope that everyone is doing well. It was good to read that Jackie, Nancy, Lori and Chris had the chance to visit with each other again. I can say only one thing good has come out of this awful disease that our loved ones had faced..and that is the friendships and bonds that have been made. It is good to know that there are others that understand what is going on and how we, as caregivers, feel during this progression of this disease.

Take care and I hope that everyone has a good week...Peace, love and happiness...

Checking in

It has been two very long weeks for me...I have been so sick. Something is going on my allergies...the doctor said today that is something that is blowing in with Hurricane Fay. We are getting alot of wind and rain for this storm. My throat feels like it is on fire. And it is hard to swallow. I'm hoping that I will be okay in a few days.

I went to a job interview on Monday for case management/counselor.. Hopefully I will hear something in the next few days about this...

I hope that everyone has a good weekend....Peace, love and happiness...

Sunday - August 10th

Me and my hubby and my sister and her hubby along with 3 of boys and their girlfriends went to Momma and Daddys' house for dinner. We also invited some of our close friends to come to eat with us. We all had such a good time. The guys in the yard grilling ribs and chicken and us girls in the house cooking the side dishes, talking with Momma. I made a summer dessert with strawberries, angel food cake and vanilla instant pudding. Momma and my BIL's favorite dessert. And Momma thought that she would get her dessert first but I got smart and put it in the refrigerator after I made it. Out of sight, out of mind. Her mind was so good this past weekend. And it if like she has been lost all week. I'm beginning to wonder when she has alot of visitors on the weekend if that causes more confusion during the week.

Any help with that question, would be of great help. Her Parkerson's is getting worse. She is having trouble holding a glass (she uses a 4 oz. plastic cup-like you give a child) and she is having some trouble feeing herself. I wish that things would get better.

Momma was a woman that loved to travel with her grandkids and she loved more than ever to take them on a long vacation with her and Daddy. She loved to have her grandkids at her house during the summer when they were out of school. And now it is like they have to wear a name tag or play the "name game"with her. You know the name game, she will call everyone's name until she reaches your name and then you answer her. I think that my nephew's have a rough time with this. They were dotting over her Sunday, and she loved it. Her oldest grandson, grilled her favorite veggies on the grill and she knew that Little Randy made them just for her.

Sad that she can not remember what she has for breakfast, but she knew that Little Randy made the peppers on the grill. " The love of a grandmothter is so wonderful" as our kids gracefully stated to their Granny as they were leaving.

I remind them occassionally that this disease will rob her memories of all of us in her mind but it will never take the memories that she has in her heart for all of us. I know that is what substains me and I hope that it substains them too. I know in my heart that she will always know me in her heart.

I hope you all have a wonderful week...Peace, love and happiness

Virus?

Me and DH has been sick since Monday with a nasty virus. I come home late Sunday night when I started feeling blah so that Momma would not get this.. I have not been to up there all week. The CNA as been in and out all during the day and night to make sure that both of my parents are okay.
The heat here is unreal. It is 110 degrees with the heat index. The humidity is so thick here. A friend of mine called me today and told me not to be outdoors unless I had to be. She said it was like breathing "pure fire" outside. I have not been out of the house since Monday morning.
Take care and I hope that everyone has a good weekend...Peace, love and happiness

Sunday dinner

Yesterday was a really great day. We went to Momma and Daddy's house and we grilled for dinner, we all enjoyed spending the day together. Momma was so alert and talkative. We sat and put a puzzle together. It was so much fun to sit with Momma and Daddy, complete a puzzle and laugh with them. David grilled chicken and corn on the cob along with some squash and onions. Dinner was so good.
Daddy and David worked on a few projects. David and Daddy tinker with some many things when they are together. They share a wonderful relationship.
I hope that everyone has a great week..Take care...Peace. love and happiness...

A tribute to Mandy Johnson

A friend of mine passed away last Saturday as we were coming home from DH grandmother's funeral. She was 26 years old. She was a diabetic and her meds were changed and her frail body could not adjust the changes. There are so many things that made Mandy a special person...I think that the most important is that she loved people. It didn't matter that she sick herself most of her life. She wanted to help others and completed college as a surgical technication. She tried to work and as some will know how diabeties take a toll on the body and certain organs. She could not see from time to time because her sugar was too low. She has stomach ulcers and that made it to where she could not eat at certain times. I can remember that her and Momma were in the hospital at the same time (Momma due to CHF and Mandy due to issues with her diabetes). Mandy would get one of us to get a wheelchair and take her to "Granny's" room so that she could see and make sure that she was okay. Mandy would laugh and joke with Momma and when she got back to her room, she would get in bed and fall asleep almost immediately. She loved my parents as they were her grandparents, she always called them Granny and Pa.
Mandy was part of our family not by blood but my love. We loved her and she loved us. And that will never change.
Mandy, spread your wings and fly. We love you and miss you much.....

Tired?

We are home and tired does not even being to describe how we feel. We are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. Everything went well while we were gone out of town for the funeral. My sister and her DH came and stayed with my parents. I was so happy to get home and see Momma and Daddy. On the bright side, we got to see Noah, Bethany and Haley. Noah stayed with us. He is such a ham. He walked around the funeral home and shaking everyone hand. 2 years old and already acting a "politican". He was making everyone laugh. Noah really enjoyed playing with his cousins Dalen, Spencer and Kyle.

I hope that everyone had a good weekend. Peace, love and happiness.........

Mom is doing well. The medication change is somewhat helping. Her mind has been clear and she is remembering somethings really well. Ask her what she had for breakfast and she will tell you a sausage biscuit, which she has every morning. But ask her what she wants for lunch, "a sausage biscuit." She will still ask a question and then ask you same question again in 5 minutes. I guess that will never go away. Take the good with the bad.
BIL is taking Chemo again. He is not doing well this go 'round. We threw him a huge brithday party a few weeks ago and he was so happy that all his friends were able to attend. There was one friend of his that also has cancer and was not able to come. He sat around and talked with his friends about the "good ole' days". It was so good to see him laughing and smiling for a few hours.
My DH lost his grandmother yesterday. It was so unexpected and we don't know what to do. We were in Atlanta GA yesterday, all day. She got sick with what was believed to be food poisoning. This was Monday, so the doctor put her in the hospital for 24 hours observation. She was moved to the Critical Care Unit Tuesday afternoon, and the doctor wanted to do surgery on her intestines Tuesday afternoon, to see what was going on and she told them no. They believed that she had a part of her bowel that busted and caused an infection to spread all over her body. She was having issues with her breathing and she agreed to let them put her on a respirator. The family was called in around Tuesday night at midnight. The doctors did not expect her to make it through the night. We had over a 3 hour drive to get there so we left early Wednesday morning calling every 45 minutes to get an update on her condition. We got to the hospital and she was could nod her head, move her toes. We told her that we loved her and that we knew that she loved us. I believe in my heart that she was waiting on my hubby and her great grandson to get there to see her before she passed over. Everything started to close down. She left this world at 4:55 pm with her husband, children and grandchildren by her side. Her great grandchildren were not allowed to go back and see because they were too young. The nurses were so good to the family. They allowed all the family to be in there when she was leaving this world. We were all allowed to go and say our good byes. She left a wonderful legecy, one that she is very proud of. She loved us all. We will miss her so much...
Granny B. we love you and will miss you. Take care of everyone there and we will see you again. I know that Uncle James and Uncle Junie was waiting on you and that you are okay....Love to you always....
Take care my friends and I hope that everyone have a great weekend....

I wish that I had better news...

It seems like a gray cloud is hanging over my head.
BIL is worse...we were told last week that it just does not look good and that he has 2 weeks to 2 months. Do I believe that? NO! I have faith and hope that God will come and heal him. I just pray that God's will be done.
Momma is not doing well at all. I believe that she is going into another stage. Wednesday was a really really bad. She didn't know me or DH...She didn't know her granddaughter that lived with her most of her childhood. It is breaking my heart. The CNA that comes to Momma's ask me today what I was going to do when she had no memories of me. I told her that "in her mind, she might not remember me but she would remember me in her heart. And that was all that matters. And then we both started crying. Momma looks at us as if she is looking through us not at us. We had dinner with them last night and she would not eat until we got up from the table. We got up from the table and then she eat and fed Droopy. I really don't know what to do from here. She tried to cook Wednesday night. Needless to say, I cleaned up a dozen or so eggs out of the floor and off of her and Droopy. I have a nasty sinus infection and I have had headaches all week. But, I will not leave her.
Today was not any better...She was confused when we were going to the doctors' office and once we got there it was not any better. Medications were changed around..some discontinued..some new ones added... more tests done...She didn't know who's car we where in. I told her that it was my car and she told me "no, you have a bug truck.." I told her "yes, Momma I have a Yukon but I drive the car when we go to the doctors' office." "Oh," she said.
Last week was wonderful. Her mind was so clear. This week it is like a thick fog has rolled in and it will not move on. So, we are just here...making sure that everything is going smoothly for her. I'm afraid that we are going to have to make a decision on what is best for her..
I hope that everyone has a great weekend..please know that I miss you all...
Take care....
Peace, love and happiness

Happy Father's Day Daddy

Daddy,
I wanted to let you know that I love you so much! I am so proud that God give me the honor to be your daughter. There are so many things that I'm thankful for but God above knows that I'm thankful that you are my Daddy. You held me in your arms immediately after I was born. I will never get tired of hearing about the day that we were born. Dale and then me. How we got our names, how you and Momma had your hands full with 2 toddler and then 2 new born babies.
Daddy, there so many things that you have done for me as a child growing into a teenager and then as I entered adulthood, holding my hand along the way! I can remember, you and Mama took a sandwich to work everyday so that your children could have everything that we needed and most of what we wanted. I would meet you for breakfast every morning while I was in college and you would buy me breakfast. You made sure that I had gas and that my oil was changed and that my car would never leave me broken down on the side of the rode. I can remember when I was on campus, and the car wouldn't crank and you went out and bought me a new car. I was so worried about car payments and you told me "not to worry." And I knew that I didn't have too.
You made sure when I was on campus all day long that I had money to go and get some lunch. I never went to your house that you and Mama didn't have something cooked and me a plate in the microwave.
I remember when we were painting the front porch because Mama wanted a "hunter green" porch and you were standing there watching me and telling me.."Gale, you missed a spot..get it before the other paint dries."
I miss our fishing trips on the coast. Fishing for sheephead. I don't eat fish but loved to fish with you and Mama. I miss the trips to the mountains. Camping out and getting up early to cook for everyone else. I miss us doing alot of things but I know that you are just a phone call away when I need you.
I know that you are so proud of all your children..all 6 of us. I can see the twinkle in your eyes when you talk to other people about us. I can also see the hurt in your eyes when you talk about Ricky, your son that has gone on. Your heart just breaks into a million pieces everytime you talk about him! You are so proud of your grandchildren and now your are a great grandfather. And these grand children love you so much! There is nothing like their "PAPA".
I know that I can speak for your other children, we love you Daddy. Thank you for all that you have done for us! We are proud to call you our Daddy!

A quiet home

It is has been a two very long weeks. With the boys and and a 21 month old granddaughter in the home, was nerve racking. Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly but remember, I have not had small kids in my home for many years. I baby sit for my niece and friends on occasion, but they are only here for a few hours and then they are gone. So having 3 kids in the home 24/7 is something different for us.
We took the boys home yesterday. I think the oldest child thought that we were playing a million and one questions. It is so funny because I can remember making this trip with my boys when they were around the same age and all they done was sleep. We would get out the yard and they would be asleep. The youngest child watched a DVD on the drive and didn't say a word all the way until I got off of I-75. And then they were both excited. "Aunt Gale , turn this way or Aunt Gale go that way." And then the oldest boy, reminded me that we were in his "neck of the woods" and I reminded him that I had made this drive so many times that I could make this drive with my eyes closed...lol. I miss them so much.
Skylar (our grand daughter) went home yesterday also. I know that my son and his wife were so happy to see her. She is a sweety but a handful.
I wish that I could say that Momma is doing okay, but she is having some really bad days. There are days that she will be up long enough to eat. She is not eating well either. I just hate to see her like this. I would love to see her eat a good meal. Not just a bite of this or that. She ask me if I would go and buy her some wonton soup, fried rice and an egg roll. I go and get it and she looked at me and ask me why I went and bought all this food. I was so sad that she would not even taste of it. I think that we are going to see more days like this.
I hope that everyone has a great weekend and to all of my blogger friends that are Fathers'..have a wonderful Fathers' Day!!! Peace, love and happiness......

a visit from Skylar

Our 21 month old granddaughter, Skylar has been with us this week. It has been a very interesting week for us. We have my nephews from Atlanta with us also. They are having a great time playing with Skylar. She is keeping them on their toes. They are all so sweet. We are planning on going to see out grandchildren in Thomasville this weekend so that my son and his wife can see Dalen and Spencer. Bryan misses his little cousins. The boys are wanting to meet their cousins also.
Momma has been sick this week but hopefully we have everything under control. My BIL is in the hospital due to a blood transfusion. He is not doing well at all. Hopefully this will help him. He is not eating and he is swelling really bad. Even after taking Lasix. Currently he is not taking Chemo but he is taking radiation treatments. I don't know who much longer that he is going to take these treatments. He is having a rough time with these also. He was to go back to the doctor that is doing his radiation treatments tomorrow. I don't know how is going to have the strength to go after the stay in the hospital.
Take care everyone...and have a great weekend...peace, love and happiness....

A beautiful baby girl

All in the world is good. My heart is full and I am so happy. We have a wonderful granddaughter. She weighed in at 7 lb.s 15 oz. She is 23 2/3 inches long. Her hair is dark brown and she has the bluest of eyes. She came into this world at on 5/27/08 around 3:40 pm. I know this may sound a little partical but she is a beautiful little girl. Me and David have our 2 year old grandson with us. This is the first trip without his sister or his parents. He is doing really good. Noah and his Papa are having a great time with each other. I can't help but laugh seeing them in the floor playing with cars, walking in the yead and Noah wiggling his toes in the dirt, watching his share his cookies with Papa and the dogs, especially Lil Bit. Lil bit is his friend. Noah will be going home Friday. And we are going to miss him so much. We are getting David's 2 nephew's Saturday for 2 weeks and then my granddaughter, Skylar will be coming in Monday to spend a few days with us. We are so excited to have all the kids coming in. I know that alot has been going on in my life with my Momma and my BIL, but it is times like this that makes the bad seem good. Please continue to say a prayer for Momma and Burkett. He seems to getting worse since stopping the Chemo. Momma is doing much better and is home. I have not a clue on why she is retaining water but she has an appointment to see the doctor next week and I will discussing this with her. I will post pictures of Bethany soon. I will see her again Friday when I take my "NONO" home. I must go for now, Noah is sharing his animal cookies with Nana now. I hope that everyone has a good weekend. peace, love and happiness....

Hospital again.....

Momma is in hospital again. She is retaining water and swelling like a balloon. Her feet and legs were awful and looked like they were ready to pop. She has been sleeping all week and I should have picked up on it...It has been a very long week.... I found out that my BIL is no longer able to take Chemo treatments any more. The doctors are saying that it is causing him to have some major heart troubles. He will finish his radiation on his lungs and then he will start with radiation on his brain. The doctors are hoping by then he will be able to start Chemo again. His family physican is trying to adjust his meds weekly. His hair is growing back in sprigs and spots. He laughs about it and I hide the tears. My sister, God bless her soul, is trying really hard to deal with all. Job, doctors appts., everyday life...and she is a ball of nerves. For the good news, my DIL is going in the hospital on Tuesday to give birth to our new granddaughter...Ms. Bethany. I will be there for this milestone and to get pictures of her. When I get home, hopefully I will get the chance to post some photos of the new baby. We will be traveling to Atlanta to get my DH nephews for 2 weeks. We are so excited to have them for a few weeks. They are wonderful boys. I hope that all my online blogger friends have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day and great week....peace, love and happiness...

It has been awhile since I have posted. Alot is going on but it is going to be okay. I have HOPE! Just wanted to check in and tell everyone hey and I hope that everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day! Take care...peace, love and happiness...

A lazy Sunday afternoon

This is Haley and a very pregnant Veronica..sitting under a shade tree at my parents' home. This is my favorite pic of them together. They were enjoying a conversation while waiting on dinner to finish cooking. I happen to look out the back door and seen them and I could not resist taking this picture.

Happy Mother's Day

To my Momma, I want to wish you a Happy Mothers' Day. There are so many things that I miss about you since this diease has reared it's ugly head. You are still here with me, some days are good and some days are not so good. I will take the good with the bad. That is what love is about. And I will not love you any less because of this disease, I will only love you more.
To my Mother in law, Gloria..I love you and thank you for all that you do for me. You gave me so much when I married your son. You held his hand as a child and now I hold his heart. Thank you raising a wonderful boy into a man. I could never had ask for any gift, any better than David. I love you and Happy Mother's Day, MawMaw..
To Veronica -Thank you so much for Noah and Haley and Bethany(on the way). They are wonderful extenstion of this big family of mine. I love you sovery much and Happy Mothers' Day.
To Jennifer-Thank you for the sweet little girl that you have given us..Skylar..Happy Mothers' Day and love to all...
To my online friends..I hope that you all have a wonderful Mothers' Day. Take care and I hope that you all have a wonderful week..peace, love and happiness

Happy 2nd Brithday Noah

Noah..Today you turn 2. My heart is full of joy. You are a wonderful and sweet little boy. You are loved so much by so many people. It is seems like yesterday that you were born and now you are running around, playing and getting into everything. You are a blessing from God above and always know that Papa and Nana love you so very much...so Happy Birthday, my Nono and we love you! We hope that you have a wonderful birthday!
Nana and Papa

Grandbabies in for the weekend

The grandbabies were here for the weekend. We had a wonderful time. We grilled at our home Saturday afternoon and then we were at Momma and Daddy's Sunday for a family dinner, which was so much fun. We eat, I washed dinner dishes (there were not to many) and then gathered in the den and watched family movies when we were young adults. And then movies of when I children were celebrating Chirstmas many years ago at out parents house. Some moments were light hearted and others that just tugged at your heart. These are the movies in which Momma was doing great. Walking, talking with great sense..and now she is confined to a wheelchair. And we are very lucky that she knows us on a day to day basis, The house was full of ooo's and aww's while watching these. And a few tears. My boys were so young and now they have babies...lol. It was so much fun watching the grands run around and play. Haley was on her bike the time that they got here. And she rode it all weekend long. Noah played with his "CARS' cars that he got from his Granny Thompson. I have pics that I will post later when I get a chance. I have one that is so good of my daughter in law and Haley.

News on BIL- he was in hospital for 2 days battling diabetes. Yes, he has diabetes. And was put in because the doctors could not get his sugar to go down. He has lost all of his hair and he is having a rough time eating. He has been nauseous and is taking meds for that at the moment. He is no having Radiation -5 times a week and Chemo- 3 days a week and going on Friday to take a Chemo shot. Then he is going to see his family physican on Saturday. Alot of doctors' appointments in one week.

Mom is having a good well. The knot on her neck is not giving he as much pain as it has been in the past few weeks. I hope that everyone has a great week. Take care...peace, love and happiness...

Saturday with the grandbabies

We decided around noon Saturday to go and see the grands. It was about a 3 hour drive but well worth it. Noah has learned so many new words since we have seen him. David loves that he can say "PAPA". We miss them both so much. BIL is having a rough time this week. He has been going for both Chemo and radiation and he is weak. He is not eating well. Although, we did have a cookout at Momma and Daddy's house Sunday and he did have somewhat of a appetite. I hope that everyone is having a good week.. Take care...peace, love and happiness..

On the lighter side....Lulu and the powdered dounts

Yes, this silly dog loves powdered donuts. I discovered this when I come home one afternoon to find the donut bag, ripped into shreads in the floor and Lulu licking her paws. She apparently jumped up and grab the bag off of the edge of the kitchen counter. Now, when we come in the house with groceries and she sees anything in a yellow bag, she gets really happy and the tail goes to wagging. Well, the entire hind quarter is wagging. She is wanting on the her donut. She is a rotten dog and she is a great dog...and we love her..

Long Day???

Today was rather stressful and it seemed like it we were getting no where. Me and Peggy, my sister were at the lawyers office for awhile today getting the POA on my BIL. The insurance company is driving us up a wall. So, I called my attorney and done what had to be done. So now the insurance company is going to have to deal with Peg. Hopefully, she can get something done now, concerning his insurance. Insurance companies are just a joke at times. I'm sure that we have all dealth with some crazy things when it comes to the insurance companies. Peg had to call all the doctors office and is tring to get a schedule set up for the radiation treatments. The doctor said Friday that he wants Burkett to have radiation treatments twice a day, starting this week. This is so sad. I was with them most of the day and the wind has been knocked out of Burkett's sails. I just don't know what to say at this point. HOPE....that is what I have. He is really fearful of the radiation more than he is of the chemo. He has not been feeling well at all today. He told me that he feels like that he is living in a dream. I can understand that. He said today that he is sick of ice cream and Jell-O. I told him to eat what he wanted to eat because there might be a day that he can't. He said that his daughter Jami bought 15 gallons of ice cream...I think that he was joking..take care and have a good week...peace, love and happiness

Better Days

The job interview went really well but I didn't get the job, needless to say I was really shocked. BIL is not having a good weekend. He has been really sick and he was at the doctor's today (yea, she is open on the weekend too, she says people have to work during the week so she has to be available to her patients on the weekend. wish there were more doctors' like her). My sister is taking the week off so that she call the insurance companies and try to get him on some medical assistance. The meds. alone are keeping them in the poor house. I hope that everyone has a good week. peace, love and happiness.....

?

I have come on, trying several times to post some happy thougths and to give update of BIL. I think that the only positive thing that I can post right now is..BIL is doing well with Chemo treatments but this was his only second treatment today..but he is in really good spirits..I hope that everyone is having a good week. Take care...peace, love and happiness

Just checking in

Sorry that I have not blogged in a while but it has been a busy week. Took Momma to the neuro Friday and they put her on a new med. for AD. Parkinsons' disease is still really bad. She is shaking all the time, which keeps her tired most of the time. BIL went to Jacksonville FL for scans of the brain. First chemo treatment is Tuesday, which will last 8 hours. He will go Wednesday and Thursday for 4 hour treatments. I will take him Wednesday. We are all going to take turns taking him to chemo and to the doctor. My sister is going to be on vacation in a few weeks so that she can be home with him. I have a job interview Tuesday, and I'm feeling really good about this job. Keep me in your prayers..I will post as soon as I know something on the job and on BIL. Take care and have a good week....hope to chat with eveyone Thursday night....

News on BIL

Quick post to report on my BIL- Lamar. I have always called him Burkett so if I say Burkett instead of his first name then remember they are one of the same. Doctor's visit Thursday was not what we thougth that it was going to be. The news was given to him and my sister, Peggy that the cancer has spread to his brain. Sad, but true. He will be traveling on April 3 to get another MRI done at 8:30 am and then at 2:30pm he will have his first Chemo treatment. I hope that it goes well for him...and I know that he must be scared, I know that I would be. I'm worried about him. He is definately not himelf. He has always been a quiet person now he is really talkative now. Please keep him in your thougths and prayers. I will keep you posted as I know something...Take care Burkett and please know that me and David love you and you are in out thougths and prayers...peace, love and happiness...

Is it the weather?

I think that this wonderful weather and the sunshine is making everyone happy. The past few days have been busy and stressful but the feeling the warm sun on my skin when I'm in the yard working is truly wonderful. I got a call today confirming that I would be having an interveiw later this week. Yea, I'm so happy about that. I'm praying that I get this job. This is in the field in which have been working...case management. I'm ready to back in the work force. I have a wonderful young lady that is with Momma during the day and it is someone that I can trust with her. And that is alot to say when you have to deal with someone with ALZ. Momma has taken to her like she is a family member. I hope that all of my blogger friends are having a good week. Take care.
P.S.-please keep my bother-in-law in your prayers ...he has been told that he has cancer. We will know more Thursday after the returns to the doctor's office.

Today was a great day

Yes, today was a great day. Momma wanted to go out to dinner. Not for someone to go and get dinner and bring it to her house but to she wanted to go out and eat dinner. So, we went out to eat fish. And I don't even like fish but I was willing to eat whatever she wanted to just to get her out of the house. We had a nice drive and then to dinner. It was so good to get her out of the house. There was a care co-ordinator that came to the house today and she ask Momma some pretty touch questions to answer. And Momma answered them all. All about life and if she was happy. The answers were pretty sad but she was being honest. It was still a great day...I hope that everyone has a good week....take care...

Happy Easter to all my blogger friends.

Momma is home

Momma is home today. I wish that I could say that her stay was good but then I would be lying. The head nurse took it upon himself to come into the room that she was in last nigth (which was semi-private) and decided to tell her and the other patient that they 'better not call the nurse's station again." Yea, I was nice to the Assistant director of the nursing staff this afternoon. I told her if the charge that he was not going to be talk to my Momma like that. I called her doctor and he told me that she could go home. So Monday I have a meeting at the hospital with the Director of Nursing. And I am going to talk to him in the matter that he talked to my Momma. I aslo told the Director that my Momma has a host of issues not to metion AD. Yea, I'm still upset, well maybe upset is not the word, but I'm trying to be nice. If anyone has any suggestions on how I need to handle this, please advise. Because I'm so upset and I don't want to cuss these folks out but I have had enough of these folks not taking care of her when she is in the hospital and then treating her like she is a nothing when it is the patients in that hospital that paying their salaries. Ugh, I could just scream!!!! Sorry for venting!! But thanks for listening !!!

Momma in hospital

Momma was put in the hospital late last night. We were in the ER for 5 hours and the ER doctor decided that he was going to put her in. She has fluid in her lungs again.. The doctor said that she would not have to stay but 24 hours but I know how this goes. She is usually in the hospital for about 3 days. I would like for the fluid to be gone before she comes home. Bless her heart, at 10:30 last night she was wanting something to eat, so the doctor told me to go and get her some french fires without salt and him a chicken wrap for McDonald's. So, he come in the with Momma and they had dinner. This ER doctor was a very good person. I don't know if he has a private practice but if he does, I know that his patients have to just love him. He has a great sense of humor. He done all the test to make sure that she was not going into heart failure and that she was not trying to have a heartattack. All the test come back negative. He just had concerns about the swelling and the fluid on her lungs. I still am waiting on some news about a job. I have heard nothing as of yet. I'm not giving up hope...Have a good week..take care...hope to chat with you all on the chat tonight with Stef....and please say a prayer for Momma.

The Sun is out and the girls are asleep

The sun has been out most of the day and the girls are laying in the sun, alseep. Gabby, Ella, Lil'bit, Lulu and Dixie is turned "sunny side up" snoring. The weather has been rainy and gray here since Thursday. I am so happy to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. And the girls are happy to be able to run around in the yard without getting mud all over the paws. Droopy is gone to my parents for a few days. Lil'bit is in heat (ugh) and she is having surgery next week so we are keeping him away from her. I hope that everyone had a good weekend. Have a great week.

Rain

I think that the rain is here to stay...it rained all night last night and most of the day. It stopped raining after lunch. My yard is full of water. I'm in hopes that the sun will come out tomorrow and dry some of the water up. In the South, when it rains, it pours. I hope that everyone else is having better weather than we are. I believe that we got 3 inches of rain in the past 12 hours. I hope that everyone has a great weekend....Take care....

Lil Bit

Ms. Lil'bit...this is my little bad girl. Don't let the sweet little face fool ya. She can be just as mean as the other two...and she will mess with them when they are trying to sleep. David says, "the only time that she is a sweet girl is when she is asleep. But she is a sweet. She does not beg like Gabby..well Gabby don't beg...she will take whatever she wants and runs. They are all growing up..but they are all sweet when they want to be.

Gabby

Ms. Gabby...she is definately David's puppy. That is where she is at when David is home. Next to him..and she reminds me of a toddler. She is into everything. I have to keep everything picked up. A napkin can turn into a million pieces of paper. And she will take everything from the rest of the puppies.

E

Ella...aka "Eddia Bean". I think that Bean is the sweetest of all the puppies that Lulu had. She has the saddess eyes of all of them. She is a love...loves to be held.

Lulu

This is the funniest dog that I have.

My boys

As I sit here, I'm watching a movie that both my sons loved as a child. And the tears flow down my face. Isn't it funny, how you can hear a song, see a movie, or see someone that reminds you of someone from your past and your heart is flowed with memories? I miss my boys..I miss my grandbabies... but tonight I miss them more than ever. Brent or Bryan if you are reading this, know that I miss you and I love you more than ever....Mom
P.S....I watching Casper and wishing that you both were here with me!!<3

Boring huh?

This past week has been long and boring..Lost a pet in the first part of the week. Then on Friday I took my Dixie to the vet to get her teeth cleaned. Some folks in this part of the woods is clueless. I caught much slack on that. This was the best one..."you take a dog to the vet to get her teeth cleaned? So how does the vet clean their teeth. You lead a boring life, huh?" Reply.."no, I would never consider my life boring..busy but never boring. And yes, the dog has to have her teeth cleaned too. And the vet cleans a dog teeth like a dentist cleans your teeth. DUH!!!" Saturday was David's birthday and we went out with friends to dinner. We had a really good time. It felt good to get out of town and have some adult conversation. When we got back to town I went by my parents house to see if they were in bed and a light was on in the living room. When I got in the house, Mom was up, waiting on me. That confused me because she never does that. I ask why she was up and she told me that "she was waiting on me to get in." And I was thinking..."okay she is waiting on me...I'm in my 40's and she is still waits on me." She wanted all the details of where we went to dinner and what we had from dinner. So we had a 30 minute conversation on dinner. I miss the days that she would go out and eat dinner with us. Now we can not get her to go to the Dairy Queen or anywhere to go and eat. We can go and get it and bring it home to her and she will eat it but she will not go out. Sad because this is a woman that loved to travel, go out to dinner, take her grandkids to Wal-mart and anywhere else that they wanted to go and now she can not even remember what she had for breakfast. Sad but true. She loves her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. She has days that she thinks that her great grandkids are her kids..days she cries because she can't remember some events in her life. And then there are days when she remembers everything and she wants to take about nothing but the past. Alz. is a pain in the ass. Not to mention the fact that she has Parkinson's to go along with the Alz. She had a very bad day Sunday, shaking all day. The meds. didn't seem to help. We got 6 inches of rain over night Sunday night and she looked out the door Monday and that was the conversation piece for us all day. But I am thankful that she was in a talking mood. There are days that she has nothing to say or she will start talking and then just stop. I hope that every one has a good week. Take care all!!!!!

A quick note

I wanted to post and let everyone know that Mom is trying so hard to stay in good spirits. Dad is having a hard time and is still having a hard time. I believe that they both are trying really really hard to strong for each other. My Dixie is up there tonight. They have Ms. Hattie (Dad's dog) and she was lonely so I took Dixie up to their house so that she would have someone to play with. I am hoping that I can find them a pup soon... Mom called me when they were ready to go to bed to tell me that Dixie and Ms. Hattie were playing and having fun. I told them that Dixie did not eat from the table (a habit that we are trying to break) and I was told that she had french fries and a hamburger for dinner tonight. I didn't say anything...Mom sounds so sad and so much like a child when she is talking about the babies (that is what we all the dogs...are our babies). I wanted to wish all of my online buddies a Happy Valentine's Day!!! Take care and have a good week, what is left of it...

Prince is at the Rainbow Bridge tonight

My mom's dog passed away today. Prince (aka Monkey Moo) had some dental work done Friday and he didn't act like he felt well when I picked him up. I have been at the vets' office everyday since Friday. I took him to the vet's office yesterday and was told that he was going into congested heart failure. I brought him home, praying that he would die at home. I didn't think that Mama could handle that. So this morning, Dad took him to the vet's office and I got a call around 11 am to go and pick him up around 3 pm. At 1 pm I got a call and when I seen that it was the vet's office, I knew that it could not be good. I told the vet that I would be there to pick Prince up so that I could bury him next to Tiny. I cried all the way to the vet's office. I got there and seen Prince for the last time. I told him that I loved him and that I would miss him. I got to my parents home and Dad seen me drive up and he came in the yard. I got the shovel to move the Earth so that I place in him his final resting place. Mom seen me get him out of the Yukon and she told me that "she had to see him one last time." So I took him up on the back porch, uncovered him and she rolled over to the back door and she looked at him and told him.."I love you and Granny will miss you but you are running around playing now." Broke my heart. So I picked him up and carried him to his final resting spot, Dad placed his pillow in the hole and I gently layed him on top of the pillow. Dad put on of his favorite toys next to him. Prince had alot of toys.. a new toy at every holiday. Moo you will be missed and your are loved..I know that some people might read this and think "this is just a dog." God made dogs for us to love and care for. Moo, you were well taken care of. Prince was a gift from me to Mom about 12 years ago. He was a true friend to her. He was under her foot at all times. And slept next to her every night that she was home. Take care Moo...and wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

Not much going on...Mom is still not feeling well. Daddy is still not feeling well either. I will be glad when the weather is warmer. I had a friend that come over this weekend for a few minutes and it is amazing how a few minutes with a close friend will warm your heart and make everything seem so much lighter. We talked about her new job, which she loves. She works in the mental health field and she says that is her calling. I could tell that she really enjoys this job, which is rear these days. I am so happy for her. Yea, I'm still trying to find a job. With the economy and job market these days, who knows. I do have several applications in and I am hoping and praying that I hear something for one of them in the next few days. I hope that everyone is having a good weekend and I hope that all of my blog friends have a wonderful week....

Yes last week was a long week. Too much going on! The death of a really good friend. Daddy is still not feeling well at all after the hospital stay and I had a toothache to boot. I was back and forth to the dentist and finally Friday the tooth was removed. The right side of my jaw and cheek swelled up and resembled a baseball. The jaw is still swelled and hurting. I pray that next week is so much better. I still have not heard anything from the job interviews that I went on. So, I'm hoping that I will get a phone call from them this week. I hope that everyone has a good week. Take care and you all will be in my thoughts.

RIP Biscuit (KC)

Biscuit,
There will be many many things that I will remember about you ...
I will remember:
the smile on your face when you found out that you were going to be a Daddy.
the biggest smile on your face when you found out that your child is a boy.
the day that your little boy was born and how you glowed when you were telling about your new baby son.
the smile on your face as your were walking down A building towards me.
your laughter, and you laughed for no reason..(which is good).
you being silly..doing a half walk and half dance in the hallway.
you telling everyone when something was not right in their life or when they were sad..IT IS GOING TO BE OKAY. Hold your head up!! I"m right here if you need me..
I will never forget your beautiful face or wonderful smile. Biscuit you are georgeous!! You are a friend to everyone that knew you. You are missed...
Rest in peace my friend..and know that I love you and I will miss you!!

Skittles and dryer sheet

Yes, Stef has a twin in the town that I live in. She is about 5 years and just as beautiful as Stef is. When I seen her again yesterday. I was in town at the laundry service getting a comforter washed and dryed. The little girl was playing around me. She walked past me and ask,"Do you have any moneys?' And I told her "yes." She ask me, "can I have some?" And I told her "yes". So I walked over to the vending machine and dropped a some money in the machine and she told me that she wanted "Skittles". So I pressed the numbers for that selection. She got her candy and looked at me, smiled and said, "thank you." She walked over to the table where her mother was sitting and her mom looked back at me and said, "thank you so much." I could tell that the mother was sad. I figured if the mother wanted to talk that she would. In a few minutes the mother walked over to me and told me that she didn't have the money to buy her little girl a snack before they come to do the laundry. The little girl come running over to where I was at and ask me if she could sit on the folding table where I was and I helped up. It is amazing what makes some children happy..a 70 cent bag of Skittles and playing with a dryer sheet. Life is good!

Great news, and not so great news

I went to my job interview today and I felt that I done very well and then earlier this afternoon I recieved a phone call to go back to another tomorrow. YAY!!! So I am praying this is good news. Okay now to the not so good news, Daddy was put in the hospital Monday afternoon and then late yersterday afternoon he was moved to ICU because he stopped breathing. So, he will be in there until Saturday. The doctor called me around 7pm at Mama's and was telling information that I really didn't want to hear but I needed to know. Yea, Daddy is not in good health. This is a man that weighs 90 pounds (he has never weighed over 100), but eats whatever he wants...but I wanted to keep everyone afloat on what is going on. I will post more tomorrow on what is going on with both. Keep us in your prayers...thanks....

Secrets

I knew my heart things were not right
I felt it in my bones that somethings were just not right
And then I find out tonight...I was right..
There is nothing that I can say
There is nothing that I can do
To make this any better
If only I had known sooner...
But then again....there is nothing that I could do....
I guess I will live with the pain and sorrow of this secret
Maybe not knowing might would have been better ...
But then I would have spent the rest of my adult life trying to figure this out
I will be okay ...
I am a survivor...
But we are all survivors..
I believe that we adapt, no matter what the situation is ...
And goes on.....

Home Today

Mama get to come home this afternoon. It was after dark when we left the hospital and she was confused because the nurses did not order her a tray to eat befored she left. We stopped at the Kentucky Fried Chicken to get her some dinner and she wanted an apple pie. So with chicken and apple pie in the truck, off we headed, home. It is nice to be home, sitting on my loveseat and watching the Discovery Channel. She come home the cath to her kidneys so that she will not have to get up and down all night to use the "potty chair". She has to take 2 different prescriptions to keep the fluid off on her lungs. She is happy to be home and I happy that she is home. Please keep us both in your prayers. I had a voice message on my cellphone and I have a job interview Wednesday morning as a probation officer and I pray that goes interview goes great and that I'm offered a job. I'm ready to get back to work. I have some really good care that is coming in with Mama so I feel comfortable about going back to work. I hope that everything goes well for all of us. Lord knows that I need it...

A long week...

Mama is in the hospital again. She has fluid on her lungs and something is going on with her heart..She has been in the hospital since Wednesday and she is not a happy person.. she is ready to come home but knows that she has to be in the hospital until she is better. She has not been eating well but she is slowly eating better. So hopefully she will be home in a few more days. I hope that everyone has a good weekend.....

The First day of the New Year...

An old wives tale states that whatever you were doing at midnight determines your year. That means that I will be a caregiver all year and that I can deal with. I took care of my nephew last night. His first New Year's Eve that he was legal to drink but I told him that if he was going to drink then he would not be driving, so give me the keys. We were at a friend of mines. Well the wife is my friend and the her hubby works with my older nephew, so we were at the same party. But, I guess that is where it was meant for me to be at. I did have a good time. I sit, laughed and had a good time just talking with friends. I had not seen these friends in months. So, it was really good to have some stimulating adult conversations...and to see good friends for a few hours. I believe 2008 is going to kind to me...I have faith that it is going to be good anyway.