Update on my moms

After all the ups and downs of all that has gone on, I have so much to be thankful for. My mom is home, and Dad is being a fantastic caregiver. We went to see her yesterday, and she looks wonderful. There will be another surgery/procedure, in a few months. There are still a couple of blockages, in her heart. Just have to wait for her to recoup from this one. I am just so thankful that Dad got her to the E.R. when he did.

My mother-in-law is doing fantastic. She just makes me smile. I don't have the ambition and drive that she has, and she is approaching 100. They are seriously talking of sending her home next week. I don't know how it will go, but we'll see. As determined as she is, she will do it. I have to say a huge thanks to Mercy Hospital and their staff, for the wonderful care she received, and that they didn't just blow her off, as a 97 year old. They did a fantastic job.

Our other Christmas present, which I can't go into, in great detail, involves our youngest granddaughter. For the next three months, she gets to be with the people she loves the most and who care most about her. I am in amazement at how poorly some people can treat their biological children, and not bat an eye. So, to see the joy and relief in her face, her mom's face, and all of ours, has been truly priceless. All children should feel safe and loved, every moment of every day, forever and ever.

So we have had an amazing Christmas, so far, and still have more to come. I am so excited. Hope that everyone else has had the best Christmas possible. Our Holiday wishes to all. Our wishes for everyone, is a safe, healthy and joyous 2009.

My Moms

Man, when it rains it pours. Since Nov. 14, we have been running to Des Moines, 40 miles away, or Nevada, 8 miles away, to visit my Mother-in-law. As I posted earlier, at the age of 97, she had to have her right leg amputated, just below the knee, due to no circulation. She is doing fantastic. I am amazed every time I see her. She is working her bottom off with Physical Therapy, with the hope that she will get to go back home some day. She lives with her daughter, who is also wheelchair bound, so who knows.


She just works so hard, and keeps saying she can do it, and from what I have seen her do, she just might be right.

Well, Tuesday morning my dad called and told us that Mom was in the E.R., having a heart attack. They were taking her to Surgery to put in a stint for one artery that was 100% blocked. She came thru that okay, has to have two others done, but that will have to wait for a later date. Shortly after noon, she kept complaining of horrendous chest pain, so they took her back in, just to be on the safe side. Everything looked okay, so they figure it was caused by excessive Plavix that was given to her for the proceedure, causing extreme heartburn. The Dr. thought that is what it was, but wanted to be sure that something hadn't happened.

Aboout 3:00 a.m. yesterday morning she started having some problems, and her heart went into atrial fibrilation, fast, irregular heart rate. So yesterday was a day of tests and drugs, to try and get her heart back into a normal, regular heart rate. Finally at 3:30 in the afternoon, it happened. She did well the rest of the day.

This morning, Dad got to the hospital at 6:30, to find her rather agitated, and somewhat confused. She is having some problems retaining fluids, also, which isn't good. When we left this afternoon, her B.P. was pretty low. Dad hasn't eaten anything today, and plans on spending the night. We worry as much about him as we do Mom.

Me and Mom, Christmas 2006

I just can't believe that all of this is going on. It is the Christmas season, and all the kids are so excited and letting us know all the things they want. Me, all I want for Christmas is to have another year with my moms, and them to be healthy, both body and mind. I just think that I may be 60, but I need them as much today, as I ever have. I was asking Mom yesterday, about a recipe she gave me a few years ago. See, I still need her, and always will. Just hope Santa is listening to my wish list.

99 things

Several of my blogging friends have done this list, and I thought it was fun, so thought I would play along. Would love to see your list. The ones in bold, are the ones I have done.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Now here are a few other questions posted by others

Worn two different colored shoes
Worn your shirt inside out
Called someone by the wrong name
Driven the wrong way on a one-way street
Driven on a “buses only” street
Thought about stealing a cat
Actually stolen a cat
Assisted with a hemorrhoidectomy
Got lost going someplace you’ve been before
Eaten frosting straight from the plastic tub
Dropped your driver’s license into the toilet

5 kids, 5 pictures

Thanksgiving day, we got together with my family, for a wonderful dinner. I like to get pictures of the 5 grandkids for our Christmas cards. Would love to have Sasha in them also, but with her in MN., just never works out.

So, had the kids go outside and get on the play equipment. Did this a few years ago, and loved how they turned out. Well, this year, the sky was perfect again. Can't say the same for the subject matter, LOL. Anyone that thinks toddlers don't cooperate, hasn't dealt with teens and preteens. Like I always tell them all, "what you do, is what I scrapbook. So which of these do you think would make the best photo for the Christmas cards?

I am very thankful that they are all close enough, right here in town, that I can get them all together. I am also very thankful that they are close enough to act like this. We don't do the, get them all in matching clothes, thing. Just wouldn't happen. Now that I think of it, I sent home clothes with three of them, and none of them have them on, so much for trying to plan this.

Oh, this is Mhikealy 14, Katisha 18, Teddy 10, Tyree 16, Grace 9. Katisha and Mhikealy are brother and sister (Misty's). Tyree, Teddy and Grace are brothers and sister (Joan's)

I think I am going with the top one. God I love these crazy kids. I love them all, more than my life.

I did have a wonderful dinner, with my family. Mom and I really had such a wonderful talk about what we are the most thankful for, our husbands.

Don's mom

Thought I would do an update on her recovery. She is an amazing woman. She cries from time to time about the loss of her leg, but then we all talk about celebrating 100 years+, and she beams. She wants so bad to see 100 years, and many more. And who wouldn't mourn the loss of a body part?

Today she was transferred from Des Moines to her local hospital, which is about a block from home. She knows all the staff there, and is really looking forward to seeing the Physical Therapist. He is a close friend, and will do wonders with her.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving gift to our family.

Amazed

Today has been such an emotional day for us. My beautiful, mentally alert, 97 year old mother-in-law had to have her right leg amputated, just below the knee. This has been one of the most gut wrenching things to even imagine. This shouldn't happen to anyone, but especially someone that has lived this long.


The first 6 years of our marriage, this woman did so many things to ruin our marriage. I don't know that it was that she hated me, I think she just wanted her son to move back home. In 1974, her brother passed away, and a month later, I lost my brother. I think that was what bonded us, and we became the best of friends. This is a woman that has never harmed anyone her entire life, except for that brief period in our lives.














So today, this beautiful woman had to go thru such a horrific ordeal. This is a woman that has never been seen in public, without powder, rouge, and lipstick. In her day, she was a WOW! She just had her hair done a day or so before she was admitted to the hospital, and yes she is a red head!!!!

The hardest part of this day was when they came to get her to go down to surgery. Darleen, Don and I were there. We had all talked to her, and she was doing pretty well. As they started wheeling her away, she raised up, and grabbed at me and called my name. OMG, my heart just totally melted. We have been somewhat estranged for the past 4 years. She let me know at that moment, I was still her best friend.



The surgery took longer than first anticipated. It was one of the longest days I have ever put in. I spent the whole time with Don and his nephew, David. Darleen sat by herself, just because none of us can stand being anywhere near her, but we just won't go there. When we finally got to see "Mom", she looked gorgeous, seriously, gorgeous. She was smiling, no pain, and doing great. She was a bit teary at times, but not bad. We all got a chuckle when I told her she looked gorgeous, and she said, "well, they did put rouge on me". I said, well, did they put lipstick on also, she chuckled and said, "yes, I think so."

Guess I should mention, these pics are from Don's retirement party, June 20, 2007. These are of Don, Me, our daughters, our grandkids, Me, and Don's nephew, David.

BZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!

So a week or so ago, Don tells me that there is some big something up in one of our trees. He says that neither he, nor Joan can tell for sure what it is. Since it is Fall in Iowa, we are losing leaves, and so I finally got a good look at this strange thing I kept hearing about. And this is what it turned out to be. Pretty freaking scary, huh? It is some sort of a hornet's nest.

We were a little freaked out by what to do with it. Don had checked it out with the binoculars and saw no activity. Today I called the Conservation office and was told that the hornets only use it for one season, and should be gone by now, except for the queen. She will freeze to death. So, once we have had a few days of freezing weather, Don will get it down, and then I think the kids might want to take it to school and share with their friends, or not. We'll just have to see.

I just find the whole thing amazing. These nasty little guys make this huge home by chewing leaves and wood, and spitting their juices, and then to only use it for one year.

Grace's glasses

Grace finally got her glasses. Got them Friday, around 4:30, then left them at her Dad's over the weekend, and finally got them again this morning. God she looks so stinking cute.



Oh yeah, she cut her own bangs. What the hell do kids do that for? Especially when you are 9 years old, and your aunt is a cosmetologist. Who knows, she is still cuter than cute.

Girls will make passes

The school sent home a note that Grace needed to have her eyes checked at the DR. Joan set up appointments for both kids. Well, turns out they both need glasses. Teddy's came in before Grace's. Hers are here, now, and she will get them tonight. Teddy is just so proud, and I just think he looks so stinking handsome.




We did have a slight problem, I couldn't get a serious shot of him. He just kept hamming it up.

We have concrete

Actually we have had concrete for almost two weeks. It is so wonderful.


One of the first steps to doing concrete is putting down sand, lots of sand, 4" of sand. Don carried and leveled 18 ton of sand. This process took a week or so, no didn't get pictures, thought I did, but guess not. One of the biggest problems with this process was a very persistent toad. We would take him out, put him down a little ravine, and the next morning he would be buried in the sand, again. We try not to think about the fact that he may have ended up under the cement.

Then Don put down 2" styrofoam, and had to tape all the joints. This provides insulation, and the taping is so moisture doesn't come thru.

BTW, we are going to have plumbing out here. Don will have a utility sink and a toilet. All the comforts of home, lol.


Then the concrete guys came put down all the rerod, and tied it all. The next day they came and poured the concrete. There were 4 loads of concrete, I think. What a glorious day that was.



The next day the guys came and had to saw the expansion joints. This still makes me laugh. When they left, and Don put the doors down, they were the color of the upper part of the building, they were so covered in concrete dust. You can see on this door, which is supposed to be all dark brown. Just gave Don something more to do, LOL.



After a week we could put the cars in, omg, that was just the icing. This has really been one of the most fun projects, ever, and a total dream for Don.


Well Teddy and Grace had to try it all out. They thought they were just pretty, "all that", sitting on the cement, and watching movies. Who knows, I may never see any of them again, hmmm!

TAGGED

Well, my first tag. Received this from Jenn, aka scrapperjjb

1. I am a 60 year old groupie to country singer Gary Allan, and the country duo, Montgomery Gentry. Have gotten to meet Gary twice, and he sang Happy Birthday to me in 2005. I own 7 Gary tee shirts, and am a paying member of his fan club. I have seen him 9 times, and he has his own scrapbook. Montgomery Gentry, I have seen them 10 times in concert, met them officially 3 times, and got a huge hug from Eddie in the parking lot at the Surf Ballroom. Oh, and will be seeing them again, in a couple weeks. I love lots of other artists, rather ecclectic in my taste, but these are the guys I would, and have traveled far to see.

2. I love to travel, but only in the U.S. I have been to all but 15 states. Those are on my bucket list. Oh, and I want to do as much as I can, by auto. The only problem I see is Hawaii, lol.

3. 4 years ago, I did a search online, and found my oldest granddaughter's biological sister. They share the same father, but the names had changed, and she and her mother hadn't been seen by the father for 14 1/2 years. It was truly the most exciting, happy experience of our lives. Also, the fact that they are only 4 hours away makes it even better.

4. I can touch my toungue to my nose. Yeah, you wanted to know that, right?

5. I will never own any kind of underwear, but Jockeys. My friend Karla introduced them to me 3 years ago, and it has been a love affair, ever since. With the underwear, not Karla. Although I do love Karla, but not.................you know.

6. I only have one functioning kidney. Apparently as I child, I suffered a severe kidney infection that went unchecked, and destroyed my L kidney. I guess it is the size of a 5 year olds. I used to have lots of infections and was told that I would have to have the bad one removed, if that would continue. I work very hard to avoid that.



The "Rules":

* link to the person who tagged you
* list 6 random things about yourself
* tag 6 new people
* let each tagged person know they've been tagged by posting a comment on their blog
* link to the 6 people you've tagged
* and let the person who tagged you know that you posted

My tags:

Cheri

Jen

Rosalie

Karla

Janalee

Judy

Weekend play

It was the weekend of our monthly scrapbooking crop. I went to the clubhouse early. Joan H. joined me shortly after I got there. Joellyn brought me a huge, delicious birthday cake. The girls sang Happy Birthday to me. We had so much fun. It was a smaller group, but it was great.

Saturday morning Karla and Trish came down. Trish hasn't been able to come to a crop in months, because of her boys and their football. So we decided to get together for the day. We were very productive.


We made a couple of little books. I got the treading water punch, by Fiskars, so we had to try it out. I didn't complete my books as much as Karla, but will.





Then we made BOO banners. We used lots of our toys. We used glimmer mist to spray the coasters. Then did the letters on the Cricut. Did some stamping, and added a few more embellishments. I think they all came out so cute. They all turned out differently.


This ornament, I had actually worked on during the week, but completed it Saturday morning. Used a dabber, then took some light blue paint and did the edges. Stamped the birdhouse, then masked it, and did the snow flakes. I stamped the birdie, cut it out, and popped him out. Then I went Stickle crazy. I love how it turned out. We really had so much fun. It was so much fun spending time with Trish, since she has been working so hard, then with football, just haven't gotten to see her.

So while I was trying to pick up my stuff to put away, I got distracted, lol. Happens a lot. I made this card. And while I was doing this one, I did two others. Who knows what might happen with them.

All in all, it was a really fun weekend. Basically just played the whole time, and I loved it.

My gift

I told you about my Dad on his birthday, the 18. I had his gift done for him, which is very unusual. I seem to have a block about birthdays. I know there coming, know when they are, just can't seem to do the card/gift thing on time.

It is also getting very hard to come up with something for Mom and Dad. I don't want to give them things that I will have to bring back to my house, sometime in hopefully the far distant future. They always tell us not to get them anything, which I try and not pay attention to. We have gotten where we have either given them gift cards to eat out, or taken them out, which we really love. But I had a different idea this year. I knew that there was a huge tub of pictures and things in Mom and Dad's basement, that was Grandma's. I went thru it and found a bunch of pictures. Also a cousin of Dad's emailed me a bunch of wonderful photos, last year. So I decided I wanted to do a scrapbook for Dad's birthday. I ended up with 2 6"x6" books


This is Grandma Thomas, in the mirror, with her mother. I think this is one of the coolest photos, I have ever seen.


If you want to see the rest of the book, go look here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grandmaper/sets/72157607526068828/

BTW, Mom and Dad were thrilled. Now they can look at these photos anytime they want to, and not have to sort thru that big tub in the basement.

Girls and football

just don't mix, I guess. Monday, in P.E. class, Grace was to catch a football. As she did so, she hurt her pinkie finger. It looked swollen and the assumption was that she either sprained it, or jammed it. She was complaining of pain, and Joan tried to get her in, but couldn't, until Tue. Well, sure enough, the luck of Grace, her finger was broken.




She goes back in three weeks to see how it is healing. She had decided before her appointment, that she wanted a blue cast. I asked her why blue, "It's my favorite color" was her response. So there. She said it doesn't hurt, now that she has the cast. She really didn't do a whole lot of complaining, even at the time it broke.

She's a Senior!

Katisha is a Sr. this year, so that means lots of lasts, I guess. Well, last night was her last Homecoming. She was going with a group of friends, no DATE. I always thought those were the best times. Not tied to one person, just have a good time with your friends.



She came out early in the day and helped Grandpa tape styrofoam for the garage floor. Before that, we did go to The Cafe for an awesome breakfast, as usual. Anyway, when she was done helping Grandpa, and cleaning her new car, she went home to start getting ready for the dance.



She came back later so we could see her, and give her money for her ticket. Of course it was picture time. I did have her take a couple of her and Grandpa.

Happy Birthday Dad

Yup, today is Dad's birthday. He turns 72. Now if anyone wants to do the math, I will be 60 on October 1st. Mom will be 81 on October 16, and they will celebrate 51 years of marriage, Dec. 9.
The year I started Kindergarten, my Dad was a Senior in High School. That always makes me laugh. Three years later, Mom and Dad met, at my grandmother's cafe, Mom's Cafe. It was a truck stop, with a gas station attached. Mom worked at the cafe, Dad at the station. They finally started dating, which only lasted 3 weeks, and they got married. BTW, my mom had divorced my biological father earlier that year, THANK GOD.

Us kids were all in love with Dad, and were really happy about the marriage. Because Dad was only 21, Mom 30, and us three kids, others were very skeptic of it all. Well, to this day, I have never met another 21 year old man, willing, or able to take on the task, and do the excellent job Dad did.

Yes, there were lots of bumps along the way, but that happens in everyone's family. All I know, is this man stood up, and took it all on. If there was child support, great, if not, we still were taken care of. The biggest thing for me, I always knew I was safe, which was something new for me. There was never any yelling, screaming, violence, threats, nothing. There were very lean times, but not because he didn't work 365 days a week.

Grandma, (Evelyn), Great Grandma,(Mommy or Elva), Grandpa, Homer)

Along with a wonderful father figure, Kenny, Gerry and I received two of the best grandparents any child could ask for. I have always been amazed at how they must have felt, but they never showed Mom or us kids anything but love. We also got a fantastic Great Grandmother, who also welcomed us with open arms. There were also two wonderful aunts, Rita and Dixie. I don't know how we got so lucky, but I'm sure glad it all happened. Eventually we were blessed with two little sisters, that made our family totally complete.

Dad, Happy Birthday. I'm sure there were many times along the way that you second guessed your decision, esp. when there were three teens in the house. But you never failed us. You are the person that I judge all men through, and man did you set the bar high. I love you, and Happy Birthday! Oh, and hope for many more.

My weekend

My daughter Joan has mentioned for a few years that she would like to start scrapbooking, but it just didn't happen. She has always been a very artistic person, and has shared my love for taking pictures. A week ago she came out and we organized some of her pictures, and put together some page kits, so she could scrapbook with my scrapbooking group.

So Friday, we went to the club house, me at noon, and Joan at 1 or so. We were joined a little later by a couple others and eventually there were 13 of us. We had such a fun time. Daughter Joan fit in very well, and did some wonderful pages.

Saturday I went to meet Karla, at her daughter's softball game. Karla and I took off and headed for Des Moines. We were heading to see Jason Aldean at the Val Air Ballroom. We drove by to see how big a crowd there was and if we needed to stop and jump in line. The line was pretty short so we went to Valley Junction. We shopped at Heirlooms by Design for a bit, then went and had supper. It was then time to go stand in line. We happened to meet our friend Amy, who was second in line, so she saved us spots, belly up to the stage. It was wonderful. Jason put on a really good show, and has a wonderful, fun to watch band. BTW, he is much younger looking in person, than in his videos. Either way, very handsome guy.

We ended up with some very funny stories again, but as they say, "What happens in............." The younger generation is so different than it used to be. Dang. Anyway, we had a blast, and it sure felt good to cut loose, again. It has been way too long.

We then headed to the Motel 6, to spend the night. We had a little adventure finding it, but alas, they did "keep the light on", and we found it. We slept, showered and on the road again, we were. Well, first a stop at McDonalds, Archiver's, and Old Navy.

We arrived in Council Bluffs, walked all the way thru the Casino, only to find out the venue was outside, just across the street from where we were parked. Oh, well, there was a strong need for a ladie's room. We spent the next few hours in line, meeting some pretty nice people. A woman Karla used to work with was third in line, so we did end up going in with her, and WOO HOO, belly up to the stage, again.

Cross Canadian Ragweed opened for Gary, BLECH!!!!! But, who cares, we were getting to see "Our Gary". We would have stood thru anyone for Gary. And nope, he didn't disappoint. It was truly amazing. He just gets better and better.
And after all these years, I do know what my favorite, favorite, favorite Gary song is. Gary's version of Tom Petty's "BREAKDOWN" is beyond freaking amazing.
By the way, who doesn't love a man in a skirt? I do.

We had a blast, and again, lots of stories, and a ton of hysterical laughter. Got home at 2:00 a.m. this morning. Didn't get to sleep until 5, up at 9, and going to hopefully, crash tonight. Fantastic weekend, thank you Karla. Ready to do it again, anytime soon. Next time we may have to invest in some depends.

School picture time

Teddy and Grace have school pictures today, so they were both very excited and wanting to look extra special. They picked out their clothes, and I must say that they both looked so darned cute. Teddy even did an extra tooth brushing, LOL. Oh, and the hair, that had to look perfect. I just don't recall 10 year old boys really caring what they look like, but he sure does.


And Grace, she came down with a big old sweatshirt covering her gorgeous outfit. Well, she is 9, and she is pretty self conscious of what changes are going on with her body. OMG, I so remember 50 years ago, and all the trauma of that stage in your life. It really sucks being a girl some times. I did convince her to ditch the sweatshirt long enough to take some pictures. She doesn't like her smile right now either, cause she is missing a couple teeth. We don't notice, but she sure does. God, vanity and self doubt starts so young. Poor kid. She just doesn't see how beautiful she truly is.
Last minute instructions, give them your best smile. Oh, and Teddy says, "it isn't fair, we have our pictures after P.E., so we will probably be sweaty and all messed up." OK, knock it off Teddy, you aren't old enough to worry about stuff like this. Go to P.E. and run and sweat, and get messed up, and have a ton of fun. It is only a picture, and Grandma has a ton already.

Both of you, enjoy being children, you are too young to worry.