A Weekend With A Sick Baby Boy

Last Friday after work I met Nikki at Fort Sanders hospital to pick up Haley and Mason. Nikki was staying with her dad at the hospital for the weekend. He had had surgery that morning.

I was so happy to see my little darlings! They were so happy to be spending the weekend at my house. On the way home, Mason said his throat was sore. I decided to stop at Walgreens and get him some sudafed and motrin in case he was getting sick.

When we got home, the only thing I had to do was cook spaghetti noodles for supper. I had already fixed the chicken lo mein that morning. Both of the kids ate really well for supper. They played while I washed dishes. I had the kitchen clean and everything organized before we went to bed. 

I have a long pan with high sides that I have used to cook turkeys in at Thanksgiving. I no longer use it, so I put all kinds of beans in it for the kids to play with. They drive cars in it, cover things, etc. They can think of all kinds of things to do with it. Both of them love it. It keeps them busy while I am washing the dishes and fixing food. 

That evening Haley made herself a fort at the corner of the living room.

 She slept in it that night. Mason got sicker and sicker as the evening went on. He had no interest in sleeping in the fort. I put him on the couch and fixed a bed pallet on the floor beside him. It is usually how I sleep when they are here. I had given Mason sudafed and motrin before he went to bed. He felt so bad, he was asleep before long. Around the middle of the night, he woke coughing. He coughed and coughed and coughed. His nose was so stuffy. He would tell me it felt like a bubble in it. As soon as it was time, I gave him more sudafed, and it helped. 

He started feeling nauseous. He told me his mama said to run to the bathroom when he got sick, so he went to the bathroom and threw up. He said he felt like he was going to die. It broke my heart!! How bad he felt. After he threw up, he felt better. He coughed off and on the rest of the night. We were awake until 4 something in the morning. (if I remember right).  Then we slept till around 7:30AM. Haley was bright and cheery that morning. Mason screamed at all of us. I totally understood because he felt so bad. After he ate breakfast and got some medicine in him, he felt a lot better. He still coughed a lot. The medicine would wear off before I could give him more and his nose would get stuffy again. Then he would be coughing and coughing. 

One time he got so mad at me over something the first night (I don't remember) and the in the next few minutes he told me he was making something for me.

Later, he put them all on the front door.

Then he made a really cool design with them.

Haley found a Christmas tree and a snowman in the craft tote, so she and I made a Christmas globe thing in a mason jar. We glued the tree and snowman to the bottom of the jar. Then we poured epson salt in the bottom, and she painted the lid red. We also glued a red bow on the lid. It look so pretty. I am so mad at myself because I didn't take a picture. 

All day long I kept them fed and occupied. I kept the dishes washed and swept beans out of the kitchen what seemed like a million times. :) That afternoon we were in the living room and Mason was laying on the couch watching tv. He fell asleep. While Haley played on the tablet, I took a little nap too. When Mason woke from his nap, he was croupy. It really freaked me out inside because Nikki has had to take him to the ER before because he could hardly breath. 

Saturday afternoon I let them make a "potion". I let them put everything in it from tea to cinnamon to toothpaste. They had a blast!!  

I fixed potato soup for supper and they both ate well. After supper, I gave them both a bath. Haley had to have a bath first since Mason went first last time. They never want to get out when it is time. They love playing with the toys in the water. When I gave Mason a bath, he quit coughing after the steam died down. I wanted to keep him in there forever. 

I forgot to say, Ryan went out that morning and got Mason some cough syrup. It could be taken every 12 hours. I gave it to him right before he went to bed. It was around 9. I had giving him sudafed and motrin around 7. He had ran a temp off and on all day. That night he had no problem going right to sleep. Haley wanted to sleep by me, so I let her. We snuggled and talked. It was wonderful, but I felt like I couldn't really relax because I was worried about Masey. 

Oh I forgot to say, that when I first was going to put him to bed, I held him. I decided I would hold him all night as upright as I could to keep him from coughing. He was just not comfortable, so he crawled over to the covers that were piled at the bottom of the couch. It was really good because he was almost upright and didn't cough. 

I finally ended up on the other couch after Haley went to sleep. I just couldn't settle down. Mason woke some time in the night and sat up. I asked him if he was ok and he said he thought he needed some medicine. I picked him up and he was burning up. I gave him some motrin and held him for awhile. All in all, he slept better that night. He was in a much better mood the next morning.

You can see he doesn't feel well. Anyway, after breakfast Haley got very bored. ;) She had already done crafts, played games, made a fort, etc. She was ready to go back to her mama. She got dressed, and I got Mason dressed. I told them it would be after lunch, so I decided to let them help me fix lunch. I was very careful with what I let Mason do because I didn't want the rest of us to get sick.

That morning I had put a roast and carrots on to cook, so I decided to let Haley peel potatoes with the potato peeler.

She loved it!!! Ya'll, she told me it was more fun that going to a water park. HAHAHA  She said, "I'm serious!"  Of course that thrilled me!

I let Mason beat the eggs and mix everything for the cornbread. I want you all to notice that he said he could not look (meaning he was looking at the camera) and still mix the eggs.

Haha Ahhhh, how I love them so much. When it was really time to take them home, I could feel such a heaviness in my chest. I knew I needed rest, but I just wanted to bawl. As we were driving to Nikki's mom and dad's (her dad got to go home), Haley said, "I'm really going to miss you." I tried to be upbeat and tell her we see each other often. I didn't want her to cry, but I sure felt like crying. Mason was feeling better and not coughing as much. Neither one of them cried, for which I was very thankful.

I went back home and took a nap. I was so exhausted. Nikki sent me this pic of the kids on their way home.

They we both asleep. Love their little hearts.

Yesterday (Monday) Nikki sent me this pic of them after Haley got out of school.

Mason looks like he feels better. 

Today she took them to the doctor. I guess Haley started feeling bad. When Nikki called Haley's teacher, she said there were only eight students in her class. There is so much sickness. This afternoon, Nikki found out they dismissed school for the rest of the week because of sickness. Yay!!! Now maybe Haley can be well before she has to go back.

I am feeling really tired today. Dennis came in this afternoon around 3 and said I could go home. They were expecting storms. I went by Martha's a minute and then went home. Then Ryan and I went out to pay the water bill. I think I dozed off a bit, but I still feel tired. I hope I am not getting sick. When the kids were here, I accidently took a bite of Mason's soup. It was sitting beside my bowl and I wasn't paying attention. Haley said maybe he hadn't taken a bite yet (he really wasn't wanting to eat and had gone to the living room to get something). I hope he hadn't. I am supposed to clean Sandra and Wayne's house Friday and Saturday, so I need to be well for that.

Today I am thankful:
1. That I was able to get off early. I am supposed to get off early tomorrow too. Judie has an appt. Yay!!!

2. That Mason is better (I think), and Haley is off the rest of the week.

3. And that I have been doing so much better keeping the dishes washed and the house straightened. It feels soooooo good!!

I pray for health, blessings, and safety for all of ya'll.

Till next time....

Not Much To Post

Yesterday, Sunday, Kevin had an appointment to preach at the church he used to pastor, which is five minutes from my house. Ryan and I went too. I have a membership there still, but I go to the church where Kevin is a pastor now. When Kevin was called to the church he is at now, I told Martha I would never go there. I have usually attended the churches Kevin pastors. This time I had no intention of going. At the time, Mark had been out of church for a while. He has been in and out of church for years. Anyway, he decided he wanted to go to church where Kevin is now the pastor. So guess what! I ended up going to the church I said I was not going to go to. Of course I wanted to encourage Mark to be the spiritual leader of our family, so I agreed. He has already stopped going, and now I have been going there so long that I hate to quit. So the moral is, never say you are NOT going to do something, because you may end up doing that very thing!!

I really enjoyed going to my old church. Sandra and Wayne still go there, and I got to see many of the people I love dearly! My Aunt Bernie was there and oh, how much I love her. She is the sweetest, most precious person!!!!

After church I came home and fixed potato soup for lunch.

After lunch, Cruzer and I took a little nap. We didn't have church that evening, so I just relaxed the rest of the day. Well, other than washing a few dishes and hanging/folding some clothes. :)

Late last night Ryan texted me that it was snowing, and he was going to put Dad's car at the top of the driveway. Mark usually parks at the top when it snows, but he was asleep. I was in bed, but I was still awake and reading. I don't think it would have mattered anyway, because my kids have always woke/bothered me. (Life of a mom) 

This morning there was a pretty dusting of snow.

The roads were icy in some spots, but we had no problems. You can see Ryan in his red car driving up the hill.

Dennis was still home when I got there this morning. He and Judie were in the bedroom and he yelled for me. When I went in there, he was putting on his shoes to leave. Judie was laying down. He said, "I just wanted to tell you there is a change of plans. Judie has an appointment today at 3:45." Thriiiiiillllllllll!!! I was so happy inside. That meant I would be getting off a little early.

Today Judie was in a very depressed mood. She cried and cried. It broke my heart. She would say Dennis had taken away her liscense (for good reason), and just different things that made her cry. Most of it was about Dennis. I think he gets the brunt of her anger if she doesn't feel well. She was ready when he came home to pick her up tho'. It was a wonderful miracle. :) 

I left at 3:22PM. I usually leave at 4:30PM. I went to Walmart to pick up three things (and I actually only got three things -another miracle). It is really helping that I know Ryan is helping with the budget. I want to be a good example. I am truly not a big spender at all, but I usually do go over the grocery budget. I am trying to do better.

When I came home, I took a nap. I have had a nap for the past three days. I love taking a nap, snuggling under the covers in the middle of the day. But, it is not such a good thing at night tho'. A lot of times if I don't sleep well the night before, I can doze and feel refreshed to get my work done.

Tonight for supper I fixed flavored rice packages with cut up chicken for Mark. I fixed bbq chicken stir fry for Ryan and me. 
Mark doesn't care for bbq.

I cut up the chicken and cook it in a skillet. Then I fix Mark's rice and our rice in separate pots. When Mark's rice is finished, I add part of the chicken to his rice. Then I put bbq sauce on the rest of the chicken in the skillet for Ryan and me. I made a package of broccoli in the microwave, and then mixed them all together. It doesn't look that good, but it was delicious.

Today Nikki sent me a picture of Mason and Toby sitting with her as she crocheted.

I can't even tell you how that boy melts my heart. I thought he looked a little tired, and it just made me want to hold him. I tell ya, being a grandma is very different than being a mom. Sometimes I think my heart feels a million times more than when I was a mom. I mean, I loved my kids beyond words and took wonderful care of them. I just can't explain the feeling of being a grandmother. Your heart aches about every little thing.

Nikki sent me this cute, adorable pic of Haley too.

Nikki made this hat for Haley. I just can't believe it. I love it, and I think she looks beautiful in it!! (Of course I do!) Nikki never ceases to amaze me with her creative talent. I don't think I have any creative talent. Ugh! I see so many things she does and I wish I could do them. 

And finally, today is Martha's birthday. She is my best friend and we share all of our happy, sad and ugly. I love all my sisters so very much, but she is my best friend.

This picture was taken last year on my birthday. She and Kevin took us out to eat and play putt putt in Pigeon Forge. We had a blast. Kevin is tallying up our scores. I think Jared won. I just know I lost really bad. :)

Ok, I am off to wash dishes. You know, Ryan and I have discussed that if we get a new dishwasher (we plan to), he has to have the responsibility of loading it every night. I know I complain, but it really isn't that bad to wash them. Once I get started, it doesn't take long. And, I feel such an accomplishment when they are all clean.

Today I am thankful:

1.  That it snowed enough to enjoy seeing it but didn't keep me out of work.

2.  That Martha was able to celebrate her birthday feeling good and in good health. She had a rough three months last year.

3.  That all of my family is safe and home tonight. I pray for their safety every day.

Be blessed till next time...

Friday and Saturday Off

Yesterday was my day off. The night before (Thurs night), I finished my book because I knew I could sleep late the next morning. Guess what! Mark woke me early to get the bank card. He needed gas and did not remember the night before. Ugh! Since I was awake, I got up and started cleaning the bathrooms. It really felt good to get things done early. I also gave Cruzer a little trim and a bath.

When Ryan got home that afternoon, he and I worked on a budget. There was some heavy discussions about how we should execute it, but we finally came to an agreement. This is going to be a great learning experience for him. Next month we have to pay our house insurance and our house/land taxes. It will not be easy. Mark is so happy for Ryan to be helping. I told Mark that Ryan may be too hard on us..we may be having bread and water. Ha! 

For supper last night I fixed lettuce wrap hamburgers .

Later that evening I got hungry for a snack, so I fixed kettle popcorn. 

It was really delicious, but I probably will never fix it again. You put 1/4 cup oil in a pot and three kernels of corn. Put it on the stove on medium. When they pop, you put in 1/2 cup kernels, 1/3 cup sugar and 3/4 tsp salt. Then you stir it, and put the lid on.  Then you shake the pot constantly over the heat until the popping slows. Then you hurry and put it in a bowl before it burns.

I don't know what I did wrong, but the sugar started turning to glaze as I shook it. Only half of it popped, and I had to take it off before it burned because the sugar was a solid. Anyway, what did pop was delicious. :)

Yesterday Haley's class celebrated 100 days of school. They were supposed to dress like they were 100 yrs old.

Doesn't she look like the cutest little grandma ever?? I think Nikki did a wonderful job! Haley said GiGi always wears lipstick, so she wanted to wear lipstick. She also said GiGi always reads her Bible, so she wanted to carry a little Bible. (which really touched my heart!)  She tried to think of other things old ladies did, but I think she looked perfect as she was.

That night, she was so ready to have her hair washed and be back to normal. Haley said this is what grandmas hair looks like if she didn't keep tie dyeing it. LOLOL

She said she just wanted to look like herself and not old anymore.

This morning, Saturday, I slept till  9. Yay! It felt so good to finally be able to sleep in. After my morning devotions, I bathed and washed my hair. I took my time getting ready. After awhile, Ryan got up and got ready too. He and I were going shopping today.

Before we left, Ryan flattened a lot of boxes we had downstairs that needed to be taken to the dump. I also gathered the trash upstairs and got together some things that could be thrown away downstairs. Our downstairs really needs to be purged. I started thinking if I took off a trunk load every Saturday, we could get it looking good again. 

After we dropped the trash at the dump, we went to get Ryan a burger. I don't like to get him anything with gluten, but there was nothing fixed at home he could eat. Then we went to Aldi's. It really helped that Ryan was with me because he would discourage me from getting things I didn't need. Looks like he really is going to be a great help to our budget. :) We then went to Walmart. I had to pick up a couple of things, and Ryan needed more ear buds. We were finished quickly. I picked up a couple of things at Ingles, and then we went to Rural King.

Rural King just recently opened, and we have been wanting to go check it out.

 Internet pic

That place is so very cool! It is a farm supply store and has everything from boots to baby pigs and baby chicks. Ryan and I loved walking thru the whole store looking at everything. We even held the baby chicks. They were so so soft.

As I was typing that, I remembered something that happened when I was a kid. Someone gave us a baby chick. We loved that little thing. When night came, we put it in a box by our bed. I slept with my sister in a big bed (we were just kids). That little chick kept peeping all night. It was probably cold?? Anyway, I got it and cupped it in my hands next to me and it was quiet and happy. I fell asleep and the next morning when we woke it was dead. I had rolled over on it during the night. Poor thing. It is funny now, but oh the buckets of tears we cried. 

When Ryan and I got home, he helped carry the groceries upstairs. I washed the dishes from the night before, and put chicken on to boil. Mark wanted some chicken salad for his lunch next week because he got up with gout this morning. I love chicken salad too!!

I also baked Ryan some cookies.

For lunch I ate leftover meatloaf. After lunch I took a nap. I love to take a nap when I am home. Cruzer is always, always at my side. I took this before I went to sleep.

Ryan took this one.

I think I slept around an hour. Ryan woke me once and told me I was snoring loudly. Haha 

I started on the chicken salad as soon as I got up. I first deboned the chicken. Then I ground it in the meat grinder. 

I added lots of mayo and chopped celery.

I mixed up that and then added two scant tablespoons of sugar and one scant tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. 

I ended up with one and a half jars and a little container for my dad.

It was so very delicious!!!

Ryan has helped me running up and down the stairs to do laundry. I still have to fold/hang up clothes and iron. It has been a really good day. I just needed it to be longer. I love when I am able to be off Friday and the weekend.

This evening Nikki sent me a text about listening to the kids as they were sitting at the table eating a snack. Haley asked Mason, "are you in love with me?" And he said, "no, I just like you a lot." Hahahahahah they crack me up!

Ok, I am off here to get busy.

Today I am thankful:

1. That I was able to spend the day shopping with Ryan. I am sure the older he gets, the less it will be. 

2. That Nikki sends me lots of pics and texts of the kids. I love that!!

3. That I forgot to give Dad's meat grinder back to him, so I was able to make chicken salad. Ha!

4.  That I got this text my my sister Sandra, Wanted to tell you that Dad loves his movies. He was watching them this morning and was excited to show us how many he had.   Yay! That makes me so happy!

Be blessed till next time...

Thursday, Jan 26, 2017

Guess what! I read again too late last night. Sigh  I still do not know who murdered that guy. This book is about a young girl that works at a Fitness Center. They have a bar that has juices, shakes, etc. One night while almost finished with her shift, she got an apple juice. She was so busy she didn't end up drinking it. She offered it to the guy coming in on the next shift. It killed him. So, I have just read where they are wanting to bring her in for questioning about it, and she has just realized someone tried to kill her. Plus, she has been on vacation and accidents keep happening around her and she thinks someone is after the friend she is with. I have got to have more self control. Ugh!!

Today when I got to work, Dennis was not there. So, I went to check on Judie. She was awake and wanted to go thru the books, first thing. She said she had been discussing something with Dennis and my name came up. She does this to me a lot. It is like she tries to taunt me by saying Dennis was discussing me. In all honesty, I don't care. Ha! I really don't think she is trying to be mean. I think she is trying to spark my interest. So, I have to act very interested. Ha! It was really sweet tho'. She was telling him that since she has so many books, she would like to turn it into a library for her and me. :) It made me love her to pieces! We discussed how we would write down our names on a piece of paper and what books we had "checked out". It brought me joy because it brought her joy. :) She may forget tomorrow, but today it gave her some happiness. And she has been really depressed about her inheritance. Someone told me that when a person gets Alzheimer's, they go backwards in their life until they get to their childhood. So, I guess we are in the stage where her mother passed. She thinks her mother passed recently (like last week) and she thinks Pops (her step dad) passed at the same time. Actually, I think he passed several years before her mom. 

The chaplain came this morning. She is part of Judie being on hospice. I forgot her name, but I am really impressed with her. She is very calm and loving, and I am impressed with the things she says. Judie does not act like a christian, so she tries to gently bring about questions asking about her faith. It does not seem to work. I pray for Judie a lot!!! We love talking to her (the chaplain), tho. We talk about family, life, etc. You know, I am a very shy person, but I am able to talk to a lot of people. In a sense I am pretending, although not fake in who I am inside (just fake that I am outgoing. haha) I force myself to talk. Anyway, I wrote all of that to say that when I am with the chaplain, I do not have to force myself to talk to her. I really enjoy it. 

Before the chaplain left, the bath girl (as we call her) came to help Judie with her bath. It didn't take her long because Judie was very cooperative today. When she left, I gave Judie a pot pie I had fixed for her. I ate my regular peanut butter and banana sandwich. Yum!! Judie and I talked a while and then she fell asleep. Today I washed her bed pads (we use in case she has an accident). I usually change them every day no matter what. That way, she is always sleeping on a clean pad. While she slept I folded and put them away. We watched the "Waltons" a little on tv. I love that show. I don't think I have ever really gotten into watching it, but I am loving it now. This afternoon we looked  again for an attic door, but we never found it. Ha! I really think she may be thinking about that door in the garage ceiling that you pull down with a rope. I would never show her tho', because she would try to go out there when I am not there!!  It really makes me feel so sorry for her. I just love her so much!

Today when I left, I called Dad to see if he wanted me to bring him a burger. As I have posted before, I usually take him a burger on Friday's. Since I am off tomorrow, I didn't know if I would be out to get it for him. He said he would like a chik fa la chicken sandwich. So, after I put my check in the bank, I went to get it for him. He is always sitting at the kitchen table when I get there. :) I gave him his mail too.

I also gave him his Christmas present. I had been trying to wait until Ryan and I could go together to give it to him, but it just didn't work out. Dad was sick for a long time, and Ryan did not want to get sick. When Dad got well, either I was going to see the grands, or Ryan was spending the night with Matt on the days I could go. So, I decided to go ahead and give it to him. 

I got him six seasons (I think) of "Gunsmoke". He really seemed to like it. It made me so happy. We talked some, and then I left. I usually wash his dishes, but Mary was there today and washed them for him.


I just looked around at the beauty of his place when I left.

I would love to live in a place with so much land; where someone is not almost sitting right on top of us. Our neighbors are so close to us. And, although we have done things to give ourselves more privacy, I would thrill to live at a place like this.

In the summer, the trees fill out and it is very private.

When I got home, I sat down for a snack before I started supper. I hate when I do that because it makes it harder to get up and get busy. Anyway, tonight I fixed chicken/rice tacos.

Ryan is the only one that eats it in the shells. Mark and I eat it as a casserole. 

Tonight Ryan and I have been discussing a budget. Ryan is really good with money, and he is going to help me scrimp and save to get things paid off. Maybe someday I can quit my job. I probably would not quit as long as it would devastate Judie though. At some point she may not recognize me, and it would not matter to her.

When I got my job, I prayed and prayed about it. Ryan did not want me to work and Mark did not think I could handle it with all my responsibilities. I won't go into detail, but I knew I really needed a job. So, I prayed if it was God's will, that He would "drop it in my lap".  One day, probably a month later, Nikki called me out of the blue. She said the man her dad was working for needed someone to sit with his wife. Her dad knew that I had taken care of my mom and thought I may be interested. I went to talk to Dennis the next day and he took me to see Judie. Dennis told me later he liked the way I talked to her (If I remember correctly). And that was how I got my job. I didn't search for it, and it was actually "dropped in my lap." Even though I would love to have enough resources to stay home, I am so thankful to God. Dennis is very understanding when I need off and that I can not drive in the snow. 

My dream would be to live on a farm with a big garden, chickens, and a cow. I would love to live outside in the sunshine. :) And have a big, wonderful place for my grandkids to enjoy.  Ahhh maybe someday. Ya never know what the future holds.

This evening Ryan got something really cool in the mail.

He made the Dean's list. Yay! Matthew made it too. I am so thankful for the prayers answered that I pray every day they go to school. I pray for their futures as well. Tonight he is working on homework.

Well, I am off to bed. I am going to be lazy and not wash the dishes because I am off tomorrow. Yay!! 

Today I am thankful:

That my dad is alive and well.

That Ryan is going to get involved in helping me with the budget. 

That I have a day off tomorrow with no where to go. (I hope I get to stay home)

May God bless and keep you!! Till next time....

Wednesday Jan 25

Last night I got so mad at myself. I was so tired, so I started reading a book to settle down my mind. I read way too late and defeated the purpose of reading to get to sleep. I was reading a mystery, and it was more and more intriguing. Afterwards, I kept praying and praying that I would feel amazing today, and you know what?? I felt amazing. :) I realized that I pray amazing a lot! I say, "let me be amazed at how much I get done....let me feel amazing...etc." And, so many times, I am amazed. There is a verse in the Bible I think about sometimes. It is Ephesians 3:20...Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (verse 21) Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen  I love that He can do exceeding abundantly above all I ask or think!! 

Dennis was there when I got there this morning and Judie was awake. He said the nurse was on her way and he was staying to talk to her about Judie's eye. It was red and he thought a blood vessel had burst in it. I wanted to add that Dennis talked to me about Judie being upset about not getting what she thought she should when her mom died. He said she actually got very little, but she did get part of the silver. I wanted to clarify that, because I thought she got more.

The nurse came and I went to fix Judie french toast (from the freezer) and sausage for breakfast. She called Judie in some eye drops for conjunctivitis. The nurse and Dennis left, and Judie ate her breakfast. While she was eating, I took off the sheets and mattress pad on their bed and remade it. Then I washed the sheets and later the mattress pad. 

After breakfast, Judie wanted to go check out the books in the bedroom. She has had hundreds of books, but Sarah, her daughter, has boxed up a lot of them. Judie had found some books she thought we might be interested in. That is her joy...to go thru the books. We have done that many times, but she never remembers what she has. So, it is new and enjoyable to go thru them again.

She showed me this really cool book by Julie Nixon Eisonhower called Special People. I also loved the book "A Rustle of Angels", showing in the pic. It was about experiences people have had that angels brought them thru. I hope I can read it sometime. 

She also loves going thru her old jewelry. She pointed to the jewelry box and wanted me to give her a drawer to go thru.

Some of it is really cool, but most of it is a mess. (They have put away her expensive jewelry). I have a hard time going thru it with her because I get bored. She doesn't care if it is a mess. She wants to go thru each piece. Today tho, she just looked at this drawer and went back to the books. Yay!

We stayed there till lunch time. I fixed us both a peanut butter banana sandwich, and we talked while we ate. After lunch, she fell asleep. I felt so drowsy and was hoping I could doze. But, my legs kept jumping. It was so frustrating! I was able to relax a little anyway and felt better.

Judie woke and asked where her mother was. I told her I hadn't seen her. She went back to sleep and when she woke, she got up without saying a word. She went to the bedroom and came back. She said she was looking for Pops (her loved stepfather). I think she said she saw him laying in the bed and wanted to wipe his face with a damp cloth. So sad, ya'll. I told her I hadn't seen him. She said, "did you look upstairs?" (they don't have an upstairs) I said, "no".  She said, "come on." And we went looking for the door in the ceiling to go upstairs. We went all over the house and even out to Dennis' office. I told her I had never seen a door and she said it went to the attic. They actually do have an attic door in the garage. Wonder if that was in her mind??  Anyway, we ended back in the bedroom looking at books. This time she put them in stacks of what she didn't want, what I wanted to read, etc. :)

I left to go home right after that. When I got home, guess what. All the clean towels, bath cloths, and sheets were folded and put away. Aww Ryan helped me, and I was so thankful. Actually, last night I told him if he wanted me to fix supper tonight, they had better be folded and put away when I got home. (Ha!) He said to leave him a list. Usually when I leave him a list, he does it. I think that was why I was so upset when he didn't yesterday. Ahh well. He truly is a big help to me.

Tonight for supper I fixed Italian Goulash and carrots.

I have been thinking a lot about fixing more things from scratch and not using so many processed foods. It is overwhelming. Just for tonight's meal, I opened three cans of food...diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and carrots. I need to can some tomatoes and tomato sauce this summer.

Nikki sent me a pic of what she fixed for supper.

Shepard's Pie. I have to say, I usually don't like shepard's pie, but that looks absolutely delicious! Haley and Mason loved it!

It thrills my heart for them to eat well because they are both picky eaters.

Ok, I am off to wash the dishes. It feels wonderful to get up to a clean kitchen.

Today I am thankful:

That I felt amazing :)

That the President signed into law that tax payers money could NOT be used for abortion! Yay!!! 

And that it was a sunny day. It has rained tonight, but today we got to enjoy sunshine. Thank you God! 


I pray all my friends and family are safe and blessed.

Till next time....

Tuesday

Last night when I went to bed, I felt overly anxious and tired. I slept well for the most part, but I got up feeling the same way this morning. I could tell that I had rested, but I still had a nagging tired feeling. It triggers all these worries like, "what is wrong with me? Do I have diabetes? Is my blood pressure very high? and anything else I can worry about. I can't explain why I get like this but I know a few things that causes it. Not getting enough rest is one thing, so I plan to get in bed earlier tonight. One thing I have learned thru the years when I get like this, is to move. When I sit and do nothing, I worry even more. Even though I don't feel like moving (far from it), it always makes me feel better. Not that I had much choice today because I had to go to work. 

This morning when I was getting ready, I discovered I had left my makeup bag in the car. Since I had to go downstairs to get it, I went ahead and put a load of clothes in the wash and put Zoe out in her pen with food and water. That way, I didn't have to take the time to put her out as I was leaving for work.

When I got to work this morning, the first thing I did when I got out of my car was pick up the trash in the yard. It wasn't much, but it always grosses me out to touch things people have thrown out their car windows. They live on a very busy road, so every once in a while I have to pick up something out of the yard. It is not part of my job, I just want it to look nice.

Dennis had already left for work, and Judie was in bed. I went to wash my hands, and she yelled for me. She told me she was well medicated (haha) which meant Dennis had given her med for pain. We talked a bit, and I told her I was going to mop while she rested. I mopped the whole house (except the bedrooms and back bathroom) with soap and water (not swiffer mop). It smelled so so good! I was sweaty hot, but I started feeling so much better!! 

Dennis came back for a little bit, then left. Judie got up for a bit, then went back to bed. I hung up Dennis' clothes that were in the dryer and cleaned the front bathroom. I try to clean it everyday, so it only takes a minute. Then I sat down to rest. I know I have posted this at some point, but I wanted to post again where I am when I work. The chair with the green pillow is where I sit every day.

She sits in the blue chair most of the time. On the other side of my chair is the tv. Behind the brown chair, is the door to the sun room. When I say I mop the family room, this is it.

This long room is the dining room and living room.

The front door is beside the piano, and on the other side, is the hall to the bedrooms. We are hardly ever in these rooms. And thru the door in the dining room is the kitchen.

There is my mop bucket (I should have moved it). So, you can see, there is a lot to mop in this house. 

After about 20-30 min, I heard Judie coming down the hall. I told her I was going to fix her something to eat, but she didn't want me to. She said she had had a toaster pastry earlier. I went to the kitchen to fix her something anyway and she followed me in there and got another pop tart. (ha!) So, I figured it would be useless for me to fix her something at that point. 

She wanted me to give Heidi (the dog) some fluids, so I went to refill their water bowl. She said she meant in a cup but that was fine.?? She must have had a dream or it was her dementia. I went ahead and swept and mopped the sunroom where the dogs go in and out. I always mop it last because I don't want to reuse any water that has touched the dog room. I know, I have a little OCD about cleanliness.

I was able to sit and rest a little more. I always read a couple of chapters on my Bible app. Today I read a book that is Dennis'.

It is true accounts of WWII. Dennis loves all WWII history, and got me into reading it too when I started working there. So much history we didn't learn in school. It has made me realize we truly do not give soldiers the honor they really deserve for the fighting they do. I have learned so much reading his books. I have started this book three times. It is hard now a days to concentrate because she doesn't sleep like she used to. I would read some of it, then forget about it, so I would start over. If I am too focused on whether she will be getting up, it is hard to concentrate to read.

The next time Judie got up, I fixed her a sausage and egg toast sandwich. I wanted to get some protein in her. But, she even got another package of pop tarts after that. She loves them, and now that she is mobile, she gets them whenever she wants. I don't mind, I just don't want it to bother her. Today I sat there and wondered what annoying things I may do when/if I get old. I don't ever want to look down or make fun of anything she does. I truly love her so so much (although sometimes she does annoy me, haha). 

Today we talked about her parents dying and how she didn't get what she was supposed to get. She would cry saying she just wanted to have some memorable things from Mother and Pops. (I know she did get her part). I act understanding about the whole thing because there is no way I can explain it to her. She said she has not seen her sisters since her parents died. I think her parents died around eight years ago, and I have seen her sisters several times since I have been working there. And I know they love her very much. Alzheimers is so cruel! My heart aches for how she feels. We talked about how she has the same silverware pattern (Chantilly by Gorham) as her mom had. And, she would have liked to have had the silver (she truly may have gotten it, I don't know). Sometimes I can easily distract her and we talk of other things. It is work, I tell ya.

After work today, I ran by Walmart for a couple of things, and then came home. I left Ryan a note this morning to wash the dishes and fold the towels. He did neither. I was so very mad! I don't ask him every day to wash the dishes (which he hates), but sometimes he has to. Instead he folded and hung up two of his loads of clothes and made his bed. I needed the dishes washed instead! He was working on his college homework and told me he can't wash them every time if he has homework. I told him he has to contribute to this household every day (not that he does).  Ya'll think I am awful don't ya. I was so tired and had to wash a million dishes and then fix supper. Tonight was spaghetti night for Mark, and I usually fix something different for Ryan and me. But, not tonight. I told him he could have spaghetti or fix something for himself. He fixed himself something. I ate tuna salad and chips. He has worked all evening on his online college course. He asked me to scratch and rub his shoulder because he is tired and I won't do it. I feel kinda bad, but I feel like I have to teach him sometimes he has to go the extra mile to help me. I do the bulk of the work around here. Sigh Really tho, if I wasn't so tired, I would not have minded. Now I'm feeling sorry for him. He hates when I get mad.

Ok, I'm off here to wash the dishes, so I don't have to worry whether they are done tomorrow or not. Ha!

Today I am thankful:

That our President stopped funding to groups that pay for abortions overseas (why would our nation ever do that in the first place?)

That he plans to NOT take away the right to bear arms, but to make it tougher on gun criminals. Because there is less crime when they are off the streets (well, duh). He also plans to allow military to carry guns on the bases because of terrorist attacks (why were those rights taken away?) I am really liking him, and I pray for him to make wise decisions for us.

That we have the freedom to live and worship in this country. I do not ever want to take that for granted. We have so much to be thankful for.

Be blessed...until next time.

Monday

This morning Ryan had to go to work before school, so I had the house to myself. It seems like I get ready quicker when I am by myself. I even threw the sheets in the washer before I left. 

When I got to work, Dennis was still there. He wasn't in a hurry because it was a rainy day and he couldn't accomplish anything at the farm. He left and Judie was still in bed. I crept down the hall to check on her. She was leaned up in bed as if she was watching tv, but her eyes were closed. When I checked on her a little bit later, she had laid down and was asleep.

Today while I was there I cleaned the front bathroom, folded two loads already dried, dried and folded a load that was left in the washer, and washed two loads of Judie's clothes, and hung them up. I also swept the family room,  and part of the living room. And then I swiffer mopped part of the living room and family room. I fixed Judie a chicken pot pie for lunch (from the freezer).

Judie slept while I got a lot of the work done. Dennis came back with a few groceries and she woke when he was talking to me. She told me she got in trouble for being restless last night because Dennis couldn't sleep. She always acts like Dennis is mad about one thing or another. I have heard him talk normal to her and she acts like he is mad. I know he probably gets aggravated at her at times, but I think a lot of it is in her mind. Anyway, we discussed that she had a dr. appt. today. She kept saying she didn't want to go and made me feel sorry for her. She said Dennis would talk, talk, talk, and she couldn't say what she wanted. (ha!) 

Right before Dennis left, she said she was going to take a shower. I need to explain....a couple of months ago Judie got so bad they put her on hospice. They also got a hospital bed for her and I would have to help lift her into the wheelchair to take her to the bathroom. She is a large lady. I did not know how I was going to physically be able to keep my job. Well, Dennis decided to take her off of one of her bloodpressure meds because her blood pressure would be like 90/54. I mean really low. She was on two meds for her bp. Anyway, it made a total change in her. I mean, she is like a new person. I don't have to help her to the bathroom any more, and she takes care of herself for the most part. I do have to fix her meals. If I don't have something fixed, she will get pop tarts (all day long).  Now, back to what I was going to say, she said she was going to take a shower. There are LPN's that come help her with a shower twice a week. I was thinking there is no way she can take a shower herself. I asked her if I could help her and she said no. Dennis told her she should let me help, and then he left. She kinda fussed at me for asking to help in front of Dennis. She said she would hear about it for a while. Ya'll, she went and took a shower herself. I would stand outside the door to see if she fell, but she made it fine. I went back to taking care of the laundry and didn't let her know I had been checking on her. She laid down on the bed and fell asleep. I guess she was exhausted. 

Dennis came back in a little while and she still was not dressed to go. She had on her robe. They ate lunch, and instead of going to get ready, she sat down to talk to me. I would try to talk her into getting ready. I would tell her I had laid all of her clothes on her bed, but she would not respond. Finally, she decided herself (that is the key) to get dressed. Dennis sat and talked to me until she was ready to go. It really is a miracle she can do all this herself when a couple of months ago I was wondering how long she would live.

They left around 3PM, and I went to Aldi's for a couple of things. I ended up spending $20.  I kept seeing things I needed. I came home, dried the sheets, and got a snack. Then I dozed a while before it was time to fix supper. I have felt really overly tired today. I think my body just needs a day to relax. 

Tonight I fixed some of those packages (like Knorr chicken flavored rice) and cooked chicken to add to it for Mark. I fixed bbq chicken stir fry with veggies for Ryan and I. 

I try to fix things for us that are gluten free. For dessert I fixed peanut butter fudge. I just heated a tube of vanilla icing in the microwave for a minute. Then I mixed it with a cup of crunchy peanut butter. It is so so good, and I so so don't need it!! 

Tonight after supper I put clean sheets on the bed. I made Ryan bring them up from the dryer and he has to put the clean sheets on his bed. I probably will wait till tomorrow to wash the dishes. I am just too tired!

Today when I was at work I found sitting on the table next to me an old cookbook. Judie told me it had belonged to her Grandmother's sister. Isn't that the coolest thing?! I took a few pics of some of the recipes.

I really loved seeing the ones that had been hand written on blank pages in the book.

I plan to try some of these.

Ok, I am off to bed. I am so tired tonight, even though I dozed this afternoon. 

Today I am thankful:

That I got off early.

For the rain, even though I find myself grumbling inside because of it. I am still so thankful for it.

That we now have a President that stands up for the christian values that I believe in. Thank you Lord!

Until next time.....