Ok Jamie I got out the copy of the newspaper article when Dad got the "Orchid from the Gideon Newspaper" and it says that he taught in the rural schools of Gideon district for two years prior to WWII and that he was engaged in farming and later in the feed and hardware business in Kentucky before returning to teaching. So evidently he taught originally without a degree?? Hope this answers one more of your questions!lol Love, Judy

Jamie, I'm pretty sure that Dad and Gaston BOTH worked in the Gideon School System. Dad rode a bus out into the country and taught at a rural school--he's talked about walking in the mud and about his students being not much younger than he. I always thought it was out around Hartzel---where Randall grew up. I don't know if you had to have a degree to teach back then. I figure he went to Gideon because of Gaston. Pat and Pam were born in Nov 1951---they definitely were living in Murray then. I'm thinking Dad worked on his Master's that second semester (Jan-May) and then that summer before moving to Gideon. I know we moved to Gideon just like a few days or that weekend before school started on that Mon of my 1st grade. I was still 5---fixing to turn 6---1952. I'm thinking that he must have finished his degree that next summer + took some correspondence courses during that school year. I do know that we did not move back to Murray again as a fam. Ona did marry in June of 1963 after graduating in May of 1963----she finished in 3 years. No idea on the docs for Pat and Pam other than the Dr. Houston or whatever his name was. I'm so excited that you'll be back in KY! WHOO-OOOO! Hey, we'll make some BIG plans as soon as you're ready and available! FUN!!!!!! Ok, I'm off to bed---I'm pooped and I've got a nasty cold! GREAT! What a way to spend a vacation! LOL! NOT!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

I thought Dad was already teaching school in Gideon before he left for WW2. I know Ona was born in Miss Gertie's house across the street from our Gideon house... When Dad was drafted he left Missouri to go back to Clay in hopes he's be sent out with Kentucky boys he knew. So he had not completed college prior to WW2....what was he doing in Gideon then? I know he worked at the mill...I thought that was at night to help make ends meet. Did he go there with Gaston? Did Gaston ever work in Gideon? Keep those answers coming!! Love you, Jamie

Good grief sister Jamie!lol I have no clue about any of those except that I couldn't start to school the first year we moved to Gideon because I wasn't old enough and it was Jeanie's first year of school. Since I was born in 1947, it had to be 1951 or 52. Pat and Pam were born by then too so what year were they born? I think it was November 1951. I'm HORRIBLE with dates and stuff!lol I do know that Gaston was the principal at Mayfield and that they thought they were hiring him instead of Dad. Don't know about his education though. In 1947 Mom and Dad were living in the apartment on top of the feedstore in Clay is something else I know!lol Dad was getting his masters at Murray when the twins were born, so again, what year was that? Okay, called Jeanie and she said that she had made copies of Dad's diplomas for all of us===is she smart or what???lol Okay, according to the copies of stuff, Dad graduated from Clay High School on May 13,1937. He graduated from Murray State College with his BS on January 26,1952. He graduated from Murray State College with his Masters on July 30,1953. So Pat and Pam HAD to have been born in 1951 while we were living there and Dad getting his BS. We may have stayed there until summer 1952 while he worked on his master's before moving to Gideon. I know for SURE that we moved there in 1952 and Jeanie started 1st grade. He evidently worked on his Master's with correspondent courses and perhaps went over for a summer school in 1953 before receiving his Master's degree because we definitely did not move from Gideon back to murray for him to finish in 1953. Jeanie said Ona graduated from Murray in 1963. She married in 1963 too in June maybe?? before you were born in 1963 on Sept 1. Okay, that's the wealth of all my knowledge! lol Hopefully helped some. Love to all, Judy

Questions....Dad graduated from Murray the first time in what year? 1940? And then with his master's in 1952? Was it still Murray State Teacher's College then? Also, Pat and Pam...Mom and Dad always said your doctor was a Dr Houston in Murray...his son, also Dr Houston, was a friend of Jerry's in college..but I thought I recalled you saying that Mom always told you it was a Dr Cook? maybe. Maybe Dr Houston was Mom's doctor at Murray...any light would be wonderful. Also, what year did you all leave Murray...1952? Dad had the farm for a couple of years between WW2 and going back to Murray for his masters and then eventually back to Gideon in 52....close? Really the principal job was suppose to be Gaston's right? Did Gaston graduate from Murray as well? He was a principal in Mayfield right? Any answers would be super!!! Oh one more...Ona graduated from Murray what year? Love you brainiacs...Jamie

Jamie is was great to talk to you today and I personally can't wait for you to be closer! I like it a LOT. I'll pass all the info you gave me on here and on the phone today to Brittney. I think it is a cumulative (sp?) thing from 2 tours in Iraq but the trauma was from the 1st one evidently since he lost his hearing for a while. I just didn't realize he had encountered so much. Not sure about the wounded warriors either but will ask. Ok, off the finish my cake. Jeanie and Bruce are coming to spend the night. Will be good to have some company! Love to all, Judy

Correction,the last four of Jerry's cell is 0170...I was tired and thought about this after I went to bed!! :)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!! I had a great one...thank you Jeanie for letting me talk to Dad...best present ever and yes he made perfect sense and carried on a totally normal conversation!! We spent a quiet day at home together...opened presents that morning, ate breakfast and dinner together...a rarity and worked puzzles and watched a movie..and ate some more...just family time..it was great! I know it was hard for you guys who live close to Mom and Dad and were use to getting together...some big changes this year...but we still have them and I think we worried a lot if that was going to be the case this year...so life is still good!! Judy, I'm sorry to hear about Frank...are they moving him to the wounded warrior battalion for the year? Is the diagnosis PTSD or MTBI(mild traumatic brain injury)? Did he suffer a head wound or concussion while deployed this last time or is it cumulative from the 2 deployments? I know it seems like overkill, but unfortunately, with all the crap that happened with Walter Reed and the crap that has happened since with both active and reserve and national guard troops, the medical side is afraid not to do something for fear of further bad press. I'm sure they'll watch him closely, but we're here if they feel like things are not happening like they should! Was Frank referred to behavioral health as well? I'd encourage Brittney to read up on all the side affects of whatever meeds they have Frank on and check out the military's websites on recognizing signs TBI and PTSD...www.army.mil and www.military.com/PTSD Again, if she has any concerns or questions about anything...call Jerry 253 968 4055 is his private line at work 253 318 0107 is his cell. Keep us posted. I agree with Jeanie, we need some sister time for sure...one way or the other we will be Kentucky starting in June...even if it's meeting in Nashville for the weekend..when is the big Heart of the Country Antique show? or Louisville or Paducah or Little Rock or Memphis...just a few days to eat out, shop and just hang out...I could sure use some of that right now!! I'll have a better handle on my life very soon and we can start making some plans...maybe by Spring!! Ok...I've got to get in bed...everyone's asleep but me and 7 am is going to come pretty early. I love you all

Well, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my sisters! I love you all! I went to see Mom and Dad today---well, technically it was yesterday---gosh, I'm still up at nearly 2:00! I'll be wiped out today--tomorrow, whatever!!!!!!!!! They were ok. Dad was just getting up and was kind of groggy at first, but he read your card, Jamie, and said how nice it was. He opened his presents and kept saying it's just what he needed, etc. Mom was out in the commons area and sleeping in her chair. I went out there after Dad opened his presents to let her open hers, and she was good. She loved the bright red of the throw and wouldn't put it down. She kept saying is this yours, and I'd say no it's yours. She'd give that surprised face and just smile. She carried your card around for the longest time and even carried it to lunch! I told her it was from you and she said something about you would. Anyway, they were ok. I had a really hard time and told Judy I nearly lost it a half a dozen times. It was so touching and sad and everything all at the same time. I was so glad that Dad got to talk to Jamie. He made a lot of sense on this end---I couldn't hear what Jamie was saying. Anyway, I hope Jamie that it all works out like you want. I know that this has been a hard year on all of us. We've managed to make it through the holidays---I knew they'd be tough. I want us to all get together and spend some time together this coming year. We've got to plan some sister times---period!!! Ok, I've got to go to bed. The fam will be here in about 5 hours for breakfast! LOL! Keep the faith sisters---our lives ARE good. We can't forget that ever. I love ALL my family---those near and far, big and small, old and young. How blessed is THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

I'm excited Jamie about a real good future for you! I like it a lot! Hopefully it's really really close to home. I think next year I'm going to rethink my Christmas time since this year seems sadder to me than any since Dean died. Why? I think it's because I always went to Pam's and didn't and this is the first year with Mom and Dad in Lake City and I missed them today. I wish I had driven up yesterday, visited today and then home. Next year hopefully Brittney will be in the lower 48 and that will be awesome too. They diagnosed Frank with, he/she said traumatic brain injury but I'm think post stress disorder maybe. I didn't realize that he had some dangerous situations happen the first time he was in Iraq and after being shot at one time he lost his hearing for several days. He's having trouble sleeping, doesn't remember as well as he use too and things like this. They put him on medical something and he won't be getting out for at least another year. Will he get to go to Texas or make him stay in Alaska that year--kinda like you Jamie in no one knows. Hey he could come to your hospital and be evaluated next! lol They started him on Adderall! Not bothering him yet. I'm a little concerned in this being overkill but I may be wrong. Time will tell. Okay, off to church, then to Leisa's to open presents. Merry Christmas to you all. I miss the good old days of our family! Love to all, Judy

Thanks for trying to deliver my card Jeanie...just whenever is fine, no worries...sorry to add one more thing to your list..I owe you big time!! I think I'm finally ready for Christmas...although nothing is wrapped...and it may get handed out that way as well...Santa's has been too tired to care here lately!! Jerry woke up sick this morning...kind of scary because we visited in patients yesterday and several were non contact or contagious...there was a WW2 soldier recovering from pneumonia and a child with an infection...let's hope it was just coincidence!! We have church services tonight and then a real day of rest tomorrow...except for all the cooking and eating..and then Jerome starts back to work on the 26th with a snowboarding trip for 130 soldiers...Jason's going too..he'll just be snowboarding...that kid doesn't work unless he's backed into a corner!! :) We are hoping to have news on our future very soon...I'm thinking within the first 10 days of January. It will be nice to know "for sure" what we're doing and where we're going so I can begin to make some plans...seems like we've been in limbo for a long time and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel now. If it turns out as we hope...life will be good..really good!! I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!! Post some pics if you get the chance.......I love you, Jamie

Just posting a note Jeanie so you'll have something to read instead of just being the writer!lol I really do read this all the time but of course I'm not there very often to make notes for you. I'm so glad that things are looking up for Mom and Dad since they have some good workers again. They went through a rough spot but it seems better. I'm going to try to come up between Christmas and New year for maybe just the day but at least I'll get to see them again since my Christmas visit was pretty much a bust!lol Keep up the good job you're doing. The sisters owe you BIG time! Love to all, Judy

Sorry this is after midnight, but I went to see Mom and Dad today (Wednesday). Dad was sound asleep and Mom was laying in her bed talking about ????. When she saw me she said Hi, Hon, and then something about it was going to be ok in the form of a question. I told her everything was fine and talked to her a while. She looked good and so did Dad. I asked Nikki how they were doing today and she said fine. She and another worker were laughing about what a mess Dad was yesterday. They said he kept taking off his shoes, and they'd put them back on. He'd take them off again, etc. Finally they just put on his house shoes and he STILL kept taking them off! LOL! Pretty cute. Anyway, Jamie, I did not leave your card today since Dad was asleep and didn't want to leave it with just Mom. I'll take it Fri when I go back and if I have too, I'll wake Dad up to give it to him! Love you all, Jeanie

I still haven't gotten the form from GenAM for the surrender of Dad's life insurance! I called them the 7th and it REALLY needed to be finished and spent by the end of Dec. Ain't goin' happen! I called again today and they supposedly sent the forms out on the 7th even though the lady told me on Fri the 17th that they'd mailed them the day before! Anyway, she's going to resend the forms. Chad is still planning on asking for Medicaid for Dad beginning Jan 1. We'll see. No further word on Mom's case, so I'm thinking it will be a go. Who knows!?! I won't believe any of it until they make those first payments. I'll keep you posted. I'm suppose to get with Bob Haun tomorrow on the house ins. I had talked to him a month or more ago, and he's changing their policy to a 'not owner occupied' policy. It will be much cheaper, but it won't give Mandy and Sammy any coverage for their stuff! Ok, off to bed. Full day tomorrow---LNC early, walking Annie, making cookies and picking up Maggie from school! Awwww...that all sounds like fun---FOR REAL! Love you all, Jeanie

I got your card for Mom and Dad, Jamie. I'll take it to them tomorrow when I go down to see them! You're sweet to send the card. They'll love it. Love you all, Jeanie

Bruce and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. Today, Daddy looked good! He was back to the sparkle in his eye and just his general talking, posture, etc---he was good. He looked SO clean, too! Mom had already gone back to bed, but she looked so clean and so peaceful laying there. There was a new girl working. She introduced herself and said how much she'd enjoyed taking care of Mom and Dad. She said Mom had been SO funny this morning in the dining room---that she'd giggled and been so cute. Good visit! One of the AmLegion auxillary groups had come by and left a bag of fruit for Dad, Pat Wallace had sent them a card (never opened! LOL!---we got it for Dad to open and read), plus several other cards from other AmLegion Posts had brought cards. It was nice. I took several shirts out of Mom's closet and put them into a paper bag. I'm going to sneak them out and pitch them---they are so stained. Anyway, it was a nice pleasant visit. I took cards today for all the residents and will carry our bags on Wed and their gifts on Fri. Bruce kept saying how decorated LNC was, etc. It felt good down there today. YEA! Love you all, Jeanie

Called to check on Dad---no diarrhea today +he ate his breakfast and seemed to be doing good! That's great news! Hopefully it will continue! I'll go on Mon if nothing else happens in the sick department. Love you all, Jeanie

I am so sorry that we couldn't go. I've already been twice this week and just felt like 3 times was pushing it for me. I tend to attract stomach stuff easily anyway, and I really don't want to be sick over the holidays. Fara said that you can carry the virus for 7 days---perfect timing already! I'll go back on Mon and check on them. Judy and I have little bags of stuff to deliver to the residents on their hall. We've called and checked on Dad (them) again this afternoon, and Debbie said no more diarrhea for Dad. That's good. Ok, love you all, Jeanie

I hate that Mom and Dad are sick...and all of LNC it sounds like. Dad has been sick for awhile now hasn't he? It just scares me to death...diarrhea and stomach flus are so dangerous for the elderly. I'm assuming they are bleaching/sanitizing everything trying to stop the spread, but it sounds like it is still pretty active. Was their Christmas party today? What a major bummer for sure! I hope Dad gets over this pretty quickly...again, it just scares me. I was at the pharmacy today picking up a script and there were so many elderly folks of various degrees of wellness...one woman reminded me so much of Mom the way she was walking and there was a man sitting down with his legs crossed just like Dad and rubbing his forehead like I've seen Dad do so many times....it just made me kind of sad and have a pit in my stomach...I'm so anxious to get back closer...it's a constant thing on my mind. I'm so glad you all are close to each other and Mom and Dad...I miss that. Post if there's anymore info. I love you, Jamie

Ok just talked to Debbie again and Mom and Dad are up but we (Jeanie, Pat and I) decided that we wouldn't go to the party because none of us want to be sick at Christmas and we don't want to expose any of the stuff to our families since someone has come down with it today there and Dad had diarrhea. I asked Debbie if she would try to get a picture of them and she said she would. I could just cry over all of this since I won't see them before Christmas now but that's life I guess. At least they are in a safe environment and someone is looking out for them. She said that Dad didn't eat much lunch either today and no breakfast. I told Debbie to take care of them and she said she would. Sorry for all of us to miss the party but nothing we can do either. Love to all, Judy

Just a quick note--Debbie called Jeanie early today that they had put Dad to bed with "a touch of diarrhea". I just called and Debbie said they had "finally managed to get clear liquids down him at breakfast" which means Dad didn't want to eat breakfast. Mom has a scratch by her eye too which she said they think Mom did in her sleep. They did get Mom up today and showered and cut her nails. They were both in bed a few minutes ago (It's 10 a.m.) because Debbie said in case Mom wanted to get up for the party they wanted her to be rested. Her comment to Jeanie early this morning was "you might want to re-think about coming to the party" because someone had gotten sick this morning pretty much instantly and was running a fever and they weren't taking any chances on Dad getting this since he had diarrhea on Monday with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and now has diarrhea again. Jeanie and I are thinking that if Dad isn't going to be up for the party, we're not going to go expose ourselves again since we were there yesterday. I'll write a note later. What a huge bummer!~~ Debbie said she put their gifts in the office so that they wouldn't get mixed up with all the others and we could give them to them ourselves if we got to come. Love to all, Judy

Ok the post for today is probably just for Jamie but here goes---Jeanie and I went to LNC this morning. Mom was in bed but only about half awake. She only said "bye bye" to me and/or Jeanie and was basically just sleeping. Dad had just gotten out of the shower and was chewing tobacco. He looks so good to me! His color was good and he had just gotten out of the shower and had been shaved really good. We commented on he needed a haircut and the girl there went down to check. She was in and said she'd cut it before noon today! Yeaaa!~ We'll go back tomorrow for the party at 2. Pat is going to be there too. Pam can't make it because Jody gets her RN degree in a ceremony at West Memphis. Good job Jody!! Jeanie and I started the day with a trip to Walmart to get Mom a top and dad some houseshoes for Santa to give them at the party. I had gotten dad some diabetic socks, a bag of Russell Stover sugar free candy, Mom a throw and we decided Mom a new top and Dad some houseshoes would be good since especially Mom's tops are pretty sad. When we were there we found 2 tops for Mom we liked and decided to go ahead and get Dad a new long sleeve teeshirt too. Well the really cute top that was soft and fleecy (lol) turned out to be $5!! We spent a total of $30 for the 2 tops for Mom, a top for Dad and houseshoes!lol Well we went back again later this afternoon and bought 2 more tops for Mom since they were only $5 and will give them to her eventually. For the party Dad will get houseshoes, tee and candy and Mom will get candy (I went by and got her a box of candy too)and 2 tops. The socks and scarfs Jeanie will take later because they generally get one Christmas. The four sisters met tonight at Chili's and exchanged our favorite things and ate. It was so nice to get to just sit and visit. Jody came by to visit too and took a few pictures. I'll try to get them on here in the next few days. Okay, will write again tomorrow. Love to all, Judy

Jamie, we're taking little gifts tomorrow for Mom and Dad for the Christmas party---Mom a sweater and Dad some houseshoes. We've got a throw for Mom for next week, and we have socks + candy for Dad. We'll put from all of us on the tags. Really it's not that much and don't worry about the money. If you want to send them a card, that will be great. We've got little gift bags for next week for the 12 people in their unit, too, so they'll have some things for Christmas. There's just not a lot they want, need or can use. Clothes become community property, I keep Dad in tobacco and hard candy---I just don't know what else to do for them. Hey, next year when you're closer, maybe we can come up with something else, but for this year count it done. Pat, Judy and myself are all going to the Christmas party on Fri. and Judy and I are going in the morning to see them, too. On another note, GOOD JOB on the two boys getting into Murray! YEA! You'll do fine! Love you all, Jeanie

I know I'm probably behind the curve here, but are we getting Mom and Dad presents for Christmas? If so, what should I send? If something's already purchased, can I contribute some money? Mom seemed to get over her flu kind of quick...is it hitting Dad a little harder? I hate that he's so sick he didn't eat breakfast...he must really not feel well. Are you all still getting together tomorrow? I think that's so nice...I'll be there in spirit...next year, count me in. I'm attempting to get cards in the mail this week...they might actually get to your houses BEFORE Christmas...hopefully! :) I hope you're ready for Christmas...I'm still trying to get a few things for my boys...harder to buy for now that they're older! On a positive note, both got their applications/transcripts, etc into Murray and all's a go for the Fall semester. Jason's best friend from Fort Drum, Brandon, also got accepted to Murray and we're working on connections to get them all in the same room...actually, they'll know several military kids from several different posts that will be starting at the same time...kind of neat! I'm not really looking forward to the empty nest...kind of scary! Ok, I'm off to get errands done while it's not raining...I love you, Jamie

Today is Tues and I went to see Mom and Dad today. Mom basically slept all through lunch! Regardless, I fed her all her mashed potatoes, ice cream, cake, milk, tea and all but one piece of her fried squash! LOL! Not bad for someone sleeping. She finally woke up some just as they were going to put her down for a nap! She looked good and clean. Dad didn't look so good. He told me he'd thrown up yesterday and today just felt kind of shaky and like he had indigestion. He ate maybe 4 bites of his lunch. I asked Debbie and she wasn't there yesterday. She looked at his book and it had nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting on his notes. No fever. I asked the aides and the one told me that he didn't feel good at all yesterday. She'd given him a shower and then put him in bed with two blankets. She went back to get his watch from the shower room and he was already out! He also didn't eat one bite of breakfast yesterday but did eat all his lunch. He has what's been going around. They actually said that both of them just didn't feel well today. Mom didn't seem like she felt that bad, but Dad definitely did. He was asleep as soon as they laid him down. I went over to give him a kiss and tell him bye, and he didn't even move---out! I'll check on him tomorrow. Love you all, Jeanie

Well I'm basically writing for Pat. She has been having some issues with being able to get on here but I wanted everyone to know that Pat and Jerry went to see Mom and Dad on Saturday. Pat called me and said it was the BEST visit she had had with Mom in quite a while. Mom even called her Pat about 5 times! Go Mom! She connected Pat to Jerry and asked what Jerry was doing today even though Jerry was sitting there!lol Dad was a little confused but he did ask Pat about Molli which connects her to Molli which was awesome. Dad said he had hit a jackpot the night before. That's MY dad!!lol Pat will write when she can but wanted everyone to know it was a good visit. I'll be up on Wed to stay till after the party. I hope she's good!love ya, Judy

Quick update again. I just got off the phone with LNC. Mom went to the dining room tonight for supper. She said she didn't eat much, but she seemed to be better. I asked about her temp, and Donna said that she'd had no temp on her shift tonight! YEA! That's much better. I'm guessing then that it was just a virus that was going around. Ok, I'm off to bed. It has been a long day and a long week! LOL! I'll check again tomorrow. Love you all, Jeanie

Quick update. I called this morning (just a minute ago) to check on Mom. Her temp was up to 100 this morning so Debbie gave her some more Tylenol. They got her up for breakfast--liquids---and she drank all of them. They put her back in bed to rest. No more throwing up, etc. Dad still has no symptoms, but he was up all night! She said about 6:00 this morning he decided it was time to go to bed! LOL! They put him in bed and brought him his breakfast to eat there! She was laughing about it. I'll call again around lunch. I asked Debbie how long this lasted with the others, and she said it was like a 24 hour virus. So by today late she should be some better and by tomorrow ok. I'll post after I check next. Love you all, Jeanie

Hey, I say a prayer every night for Molli and Marty to have a healthy baby. They are so sweet. I really like both of them so much. They are such great kids! Jerrod going to Black River Vo-Tech is an awesome idea! Hopefully that will all work out for all of you! That would be great! As for Thurs, that will work for me. I'll have Macie some next week---not sure what days yet---but even if I do have her on that day, Thurs night would be fine!

I'm on here to let you all know that Debbie called me this afternoon to tell me Mom had been sick today. She'd thrown up once---not a huge amount---and had some diarrhea + a temp. They'd given her Tylenol for the temp and had been giving her fluids. Debbie said she seemed to be doing ok--her temp was 99.5. I called back a few minutes before 5 to check on her, and Debbie said her temp had come back up to 99.9. The girls had gotten up her for supper, and Debbie told them to put her back in bed and let her rest. She said that Mom drank cranberry juice then. I called back a few minutes before 10, and Donna said that she seemed to be doing ok. Her temp was back down because of more Tylenol, and she was resting comfortably. I asked about the throwing up and diarrhea---she'd had no more. I asked about any more fluids, and she said that she'd had some, but not much, at supper. I asked about Dad, and she said that Dad was wheeling around calling for Margaret and acting like he normally did. Hopefully, she said, he's missed it. I told you all that Tues the worker said that they'd had a lot of people sick with flu-like symptoms and stomach stuff. I'm hoping that that's the problem with Mom today and that in the morning she'll be much better. Ok, just a head's up! I'm off to bed, Macie will be here with Maggie probably about 6:30 in the morning for the day. Maggie will leave for 'school' about 8:00. We took her to Jeremy's ball game tonight. She was so good and was THRILLED that her boyfriend Aaron was there! LOL! Aaron came across the gym (he was running the clock at the games) and she ran to him with her arms out for him to pick her up---which he did. It was adorable! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Woo Hoo!!!! I can finally get back on here. I don't know what the problem has been but for days I haven't been able to post anything! I finally called Judy tonight and voila! it worked. I guess she's magic! Anyway, I do read the blog every day! Okay, as for the 4 of us getting together next week - Thursday night would be best for me. I tried to call Pam but no one was home. I'll try again and see if she can make it then. I will try to think of my favorite thing to bring everyone - I think it will be hot onion rings from Sonic! hee hee! Hope everyone has all their shopping done. I'm very close to being done, if I could just stop buying Addison stuff! I love that kid!! Good news, is that I'm going with Jerrod tomorrow to enroll at Black River Technical College. He's going to take the "machinist" course work. Pray, everything works out okay! Molli and Marty are doing great. They will be trying again for a baby, so pray for that too! They are a precious couple. Guess I've rambled enough. Love you all, pat

I tell you Jeanie that ALL of us sisters owe you BIG time for all the hard work you've put into all of this stuff in regard to Mom and Dad and the bills. I know I kid you about OCD but all joking aside I want you to know how very much I appreciate you taking this all on. Pat you too have helped with all of this and I want to thank you for your part in this. Us other sisters would be lost without all your help in my way of thinking at least!lol Again, thank you! It does sound like a good visit with them and I'll be up this coming Wednesday and will stay till after their party on Friday. I looked again today for sugar free candycanes and came up empty handed. I'll keep looking though cause we need those for the bags. Okay, off to my church sewing group. OH if any of you haven't read the blog lately about Randall, you need to. They are doing a fundraiser for them in Feb and the newspaper article is posted. It made me cry! What a testimony to that whole family by all those they have touched. Awesome! Love to all, Judy

Ok, I went to see Mom and Dad today. Actually they were pretty good. Mom was SO clean until I fed her and got food on her! LOL! Dad was really clean, too. They were just starting to eat lunch when I got there. Mom said she loved that when I fed her mashed potatoes and good when I fed her the ice cream and that's enough when I had fed her a bunch of salad. She really said quite a bit. After lunch I wheeled her around to the tree and she starts talking about ok, it's time to go. She got kind of fretful like she was worried about the 'going', so I pushed her all around LNC. We came back across Dad back in the dining room. I got him some tobacco and he was telling me how he'd won a jackpot for $500. Anyway, he was kind of confused, but he asked me if I'd gotten enough to eat and told me to be careful when I left. Two of the girls there told me Mom had been really sweet/good all morning. She'd even helped them get her clothes off for her shower and hadn't minded! They also said she'd been after Dad all morning, too, and were laughing about it. Dad came rolling up and said there's my Baby to Mom though and reached out and patted her leg. It was sweet. Anyway, not a bad visit. Their room was really clean with both beds made, too.

On another note, I heard from Chad today, and I've got to cash out Dad's 2 little life insurance policies. I called GenAm today to get the forms sent to me. I have to fill out the forms, send another copy of my POA, and a letter stating when and why Dad couldn't sign his name to the forms. I'll mail those back and she said it'd be about 10 days before I'd get the proceeds from them. I'm then to pay down that amount---no problem---Dad still owes over $4400 to LNC + he has a bill for ? due Central Pharmacy for the months of Oct, Nov, and Dec. IF I can get that done before the end of Dec, then Chad will re-apply for Dad for help starting with the 1st of Jan. I haven't heard from them yet concerning Mom----I'm not holding my breath, but it's been nearly a week since the last info they requested was sent to them. We'll see if she's approved or not for the payments for the last three months. Hopefully that will be a yes, but I'm not counting on anything from DHS until I actually see a check to LNC from them!!!!! Sorry, but it's been a mess and a half as far as I'm concerned. SURELY though we are getting close to the finish line with DHS------SURELY! I'll keep you posted! Love you all, Jeanie

Well, that stinks that they don't/won't tell you about Jerry until March! Hey, there'll be a leak somewhere with someone. I can not imagine that they would NOT pick him up for General. I mean, come on, he's been serving in a General's position for nearly a year and a half! Hello! Hey, it will all work out either way----I just hope that whatever happens, you all are closer to here than you are now! Boy, does that leave a wide margin for moving! LOL! I'm in the same boat with the tree, etc. I just now got my tree finished today! No shopping to speak of and no ideas to take with me to shop! I've laughed to myself lately about just giving g/c this year to everyone! LOL! Easy and quick! Ok, love you all, Jeanie

Well Jamie with Jerry "is or isn't" I guess you're currently no different than you were!lol Hopefully the stress will be lifted soon. I'm kinda stressed at the moment because Auburn is playing South Carolina for the SEC championship game and unfortunately Auburn is stomping them! Yuck! I don't like Cam Newton!!lol Anyway, another story!lol As of right now, Frank is still staying in the Army--good or not? NO clue either way and they are fine either way too. We'll see how this all goes but for now they are heading to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX after the first of the year--probably Feb. Brittney is SO ready to be in the lower 48! I did watch Oprah--not a big fan either but wanted to see GW on there and I also watched Matt Lauer doing his interview too! I just think he's awesome and hate it when he gets badmouthed for trying to be a good Christian guy and they still talk about him. It doesn't seem to bother him though, so that's good. I'll be sure and put my name on the Library list to read it. Okay, good luck with the tree and shopping. Leisa and I went to Little Rock yesterday and I'm pretty much finished except for wrapping.lol Not surprising, right?lol Love to all, Judy

Yes I do love a good battle and wish I was there to do some fighting...I need to burn some steam right now for sure! Can't believe all this crap...it is just disgusting!! Glad Mom was good on her birthday...I thought about her all day and wished I could have seen her. The GO board met this past week. I guess right now Jerry either is or is not a General on paper. The results aren't released until like March...but I think we'll know our plans way before then! It has been a stress filled few months and it will be nice to be able to start making some plans for the future. I think you all should get together and do something...sounds like so much fun...wish I was there! My gift to you would be a copy of George W's new book..Decision Points. I'm almost finished and it has been so good. I've cried and laughed and really gotten a behind the scenes look at the decisions he made and what the media never told us. Don't know if any of you saw him on Oprah...I'm not an Oprah fan at all, but did watch when he was on with her...what a super nice guy! Ok, I've got to get a tree up today and some lights...I've done absolutely no shopping for my guys...could be pretty sad here on Christmas morning if I don't hurry up! This is all I need...more stress!! :) Hope all is going well on your end....I love you, Jamie

I called Chad today and he was not in the office all day. He was in Federal court. I will call Mon. I did go on and pay the portion of Dad's income that would go to LNC regardless of whether Medicaid paid or not. It would go to them either way--$2433.20 per month. I told LNC that the rest would be coming. Chad is suppose to let me know if he's going to file an appeal or if I have to indeed cash in Dad's life insurance policy. Hey, if it's the policy, Dad will be broke the moment I get the proceeds! He still has an outstanding bill at LNC of over 4 grand + a running bill at Central Pharmacy for his drugs! Good grief is right. I did not get Mom's final ruling today---maybe by the middle of next week. We'll see about hers. I did go down to see Mom and Dad today. I got there a little before 1 and went to the dining room. Neither were there. I checked the big commons room---nope. Went to their room and both of them were already in bed sound asleep with mouths open---it was then straight up and down 1 o'clock! Usually they don't even get their trays until at least 12:30--sometimes even a little later. I'm assuming they ate ok. I asked Debbie how they were. She said they were doing fine. Dad's sugar level was 160. I asked about the culture for the UTI. She had no entry in his chart for it, so she's assuming it was ok, too. Anyway, they looked good, but that's all I can tell you today. She did say that yesterday Dad got up at 2:00 and was in full swing until 5:00 last night! LOL! Ok, love you all, Jeanie

This sounds like a battle Jamie would love! She loves fighting with "housing" and maybe it would work on housing Mom and Dad. DHS watch out!lol I know how frustrating this whole thing is for all of us and how RETARDED it is! Good Grief! They want to make sure that they are paupers before they'll pay! Let Michael Smith just TRY to put them out! We're screaming LAW SUIT~~~ That would be asking for punishment! GRRRRRR the whole thing makes me want to scream!!! I'll be so glad when it is all settled, done and we can move forward without having to worry about where the money is, where it came from, where it's going! Good thing we paid for the burial and headstones or we'd be forking up dough! On a much happier note, I did get Mom a throw for her gift at the party, and I had already bought Dad some socks. I plan on coming up there probably on Wednesday and staying till after the party. My hope is that, like Jeanie said, we can get together. I really wanted us to exchange little gifts of our favorite things--anything from soap to toothpaste to candy to a spoon-- whatever is your favorite item you'd want to share with the sisters. I think that they should be exactly the same for all and not a big deal about how much or how little they cost. It's NOT about that. It's about sharing some of your favorite things with each other. If no one wants to do that, not a big deal cause you're getting something from me anyway!lol Let's try to all get together and maybe go see Mom and Dad as a group if possible while I'm there. I can stay from Wednesday till ??? as long as we see each other and do something fun like go out to eat or just sit and exchange our things with dessert! Let me know what you think! Love to all! Judy

I got a letter yesterday from DHS that they will deny Dad as of 12/1/10 due to the fact he has more than $2000 in assets. He has about $4800 in cash value in two small insurance policies. AFTER this is taken and spent (with receipts and verification, etc) then we can RE-APPLY! I'm thinking this whole thing is nuts! I called Chad's office yesterday to ask about this, and they didn't return my call. I'm going by there today on my way to see Mom and Dad. That will be an interesting visit because Michael Smith has also sent me a major dun letter wanting their money! LOL! Anyway, I'll let you know the next step in this oddessy of ours! Haven't gotten Mom's letter---probably will come today or the first of next week. I can't wait to see the reason they're going to NOT pay her bills! Should be interesting! NOT!!!!!!!! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

OMG! The pics were AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! I cracked up at the comments Ryan wrote! LOL! We laughed and laughed at the pics! One of the workers took the group shot of all of us. She took two---the one where everyone is looking around and a second one where she cut off the top of Ryan's head! LOL! The ones Judy took looked like Mom wasn't even suppose to be a part of the pic! LOL! TOO FUNNY! I did go today to see Mom on her birthday and she was GREAT!!!!!!! I took some pics of her and Dad and will TRY to get them on here tomorrow! She was sitting upright and talked and looked SO good! They had tied a balloon onto her wheelchair, given her a cupcake and sang Happy Birthday to her in the big dining room! It was all sweet! I took her your card Jamie----she said it is JUST beautiful! So Pretty! It was amazing! I also took her a shirt from Judy and I and a cupcake that Ryan had made---it looked REAL fancy! She ate it and said OK, I've had plenty! Just like she used to! I cracked up because when I asked Mom if it was good, Dad goes--I can vouch for that! LOL! They both loved it! Anyway, Mom said twice I need to go peepee! I asked one of the workers and she took Mom out of the dining room. I took Dad a few minutes later and Mom was sitting in the big commons room. I pushed her over to a tree they had that was FULL of cardinals! It's adorable! She said two or three times how cute it was. She then got to talking about a dress and that they couldn't find one that would have been any cuter, etc. She was good! Her pics are NOT good! Bless her heart, she is NOT photogenic! LOL! Not at all! Dad was ok. He looked good, but he was pretty confused. He wanted some tobacco and Debbie got it for him. He put the cup of good into the cup for spit and was going to spit in the good. He kept trying to get things up off the floor. When I told Mom the card was from Jamie, he asked if Jamie was coming. I told him that not today but probably before too much longer. Anyway, it was a good visit. I asked Debbie about Christmas and what they did and what I could do for the people there. She said they have a big Christmas party---she thought it was the 17th and I should be getting a letter about it. She said they needed a couple of presents each before then because Santa would hand out gifts that day ( I think they save one of them for Christmas Day itself) and that it was a really big deal event. I'll definitely go, and I think Judy is definitely going to try to go, too. Any others want to go with us. That's a Fri (if indeed the 17th is correct). Judy also thought that while she was here, the 4 sisters that will be here could get together for a small celebration of our own---maybe a movie or out to eat or shopping or something. Judy's coming on Wed and will stay until that Sat, so maybe on Thurs or Fri night/afternoon. I'll talk to all before then. Anyway, it was a great birthday for Mom and a good day for all! You've got to love those kinds of days! I can't wait to hear about your plans, Jamie, when you get them. I'm so hoping that you'll be closer, but I'm also hoping for Jerry to make General! Maybe General AND closer! Whoo-oooo! Now THAT would be SPECIAL! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Loved the pics of Mom and Dad and Ryan and her little family. How was Mom today on her 91st birthday? Kind of makes me a little ill thinking about it...just can't believe they are that age...happy, yet sad feelings about it all. Mom was leaning over in her wheelchair...does she always sit like that now? Poor thing...she looks really healthy though...kind of chubs!:) I know the look...I see it when I look in the mirror! HA HA Glad you all went to see them on turkey day!! Jerry should hear something about our lives not long after the first of the year...it will be nice to have a handle on things and possibly start to make some plans!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you.......and my sisters too, Jamie

What a cute family!

I only took a total of

three pictures and they were all of Ryan and her family. This is number 1 with Bryan and the girls.

Thank you SO much Ryan for posting on here! I love all the pictures! The one with Dad and your girls is great! Mom really was better than she looked like in her pictures--God love her! She doesn't take very good ones anymore at all!lol Thanks again for sharing!Aunt Judy

Here are some of the little ones who were there on Thanksgiving! Macie with me, Chandler, Maggie, Dylan and Pepper at the little table. We had such a good time! It was so nice to see you, Aunt Judy and Aunt Pat (and fam!), and we missed all the rest of the aunts, cousins, uncles, etc., etc.!! I looked through my pictures from the few days and they are pretty much worthless!?!? What on earth was I doing to not get any decent pics?? Hmmm.... making cupcakes, breaking things in Mom's house, shopping at midnight, catching a cold from a zero-year-old.... LOL! Hopefully some of these will share a little of the holiday with ya'll! Love and miss you all!!! :) Ryan

Couldn't put pics of Thanksgiving on here without including the girls on Aunt Pat's Pretty Boy! LOL They loved him!! :)

A couple more! Ya'll can thank Judy for the awesome camera angle of Grandma in the first one! LOL Dylan's body language in the group shot cracks me up. She really wasn't as bored with the whole scenario as she looks in that picture!! :)

A couple more! I'll get them on here a little at a time!! LOL

Thanksgiving 1

Having a hard time with posting these this morning?!? Going to just get them on here as I can! Love yall!! :) Ryan

I am so thankful for the progress that Randall is making! Reading his blog is so encouraging and uplifting! That is all so great! Sometimes it's easy to forget that we get so many blessings each and every day. I am so thankful for you all and am so blessed in so very many ways. Love and peace, Jeanie

Jeanie, Ryan and the girls went to see Mom and Dad yesterday(Thanksgiving)and they were in the dining room finishing supper. Dad is still really confused. When we first walked up and Jeanie patted his shoulder, he turned around and said "Hi Baby". He also opened his arms and reached out for Jeanie to sit on his lap, so we think maybe he thought she was Mom. I said something about Mom and he said he didn't know where she was. I told him "she's right here Dad and pointed to her." He just looked funny. Later he did reach over and patted her arm a couple of times and called her Baby. He said she goes from mad to glad which we all know! Mom was good I thought. She was leaning in her chair but she ate really well. She was nasty with food where she kept picking beans and stuff up and dropping some on her lap. She managed to get a lot in her mout thought and her plate was empty by the time I finished putting ice cream and cake in! Ryan took some pictures of all of us in groups and I'll ask her to post some on here. Mom even said "I love you too" when I told her that as we were leaving. She hasn't said that to me even after me saying it to her every time I visit, until yesterday. Totally made my day! Dad kept asking us about staying to visit at the hotel and there weren't any rules about when you could visit. He tried to drink from his spit cup which we stopped. He was talking about walking miles and stupid things but some made sense. I call it a good visit. Okay, off to shop! WhoopWhoop!lol I'll have to tell about our adventure at Old Navy at midnight! lol Love to all, Judy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY AMAZING SISTERS! I can't imagine my life without each and every one of you in it. I'm so thankful for our Mom and Dad and realize more and more each day what a blessing they were/are to us all. God has been so good to our family and I give him the thank you that he deserves. Have a great day to those I won't see, and I'll see some of you later! Love to you all! Judy

We're watching the Maui Classic on ESPN. It's in the Lahania Civic Center on Maui (naturally!)! LOL! Anyway, UK is playing. Shame you aren't there, too! LOL! Hawaii is so pretty---it really doesn't seem real in a lot of ways when you're there. ENJOY! Hey, for me---eat some Kona coffee ice cream! OMG! It is AWESOME!!!!!!! I literally ate it EVERY day we were there---more than once some days! OMG it is SO good! LOL! Just me though! LOL!

As for Dad, his appetite is still good. Breakfast he usually eats 100%. He loves breakfast. At lunch it seems he eats less. I think he usually has snacks, etc that makes him not as hungry by lunch. I'll check on the insulin amount. I don't know at what point in weight you alter the insulin dose. Weight is a factor. The funny thing about that though is that Annie takes 8 units twice a day---Novilin (sp?) N like Dad. Dad was taking 14 in the morning and 10 at supper. That's 24 for his size and 16 for Annie's size!! Go figure. Annie weighs about 15 pounds---at the time 1/10 of Dad's, but the amount of insulin she takes doesn't reflect that. Weird.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all---see some of you Thursday! LOL! Ryan and fam heading here tomorrow afternoon. Mak and Grant won't be here at all all weekend because it's Nancy's holiday and it's a 4 day holiday according to the divorce. Divorce stinks for kids for sure! Dana will have both her son and her daughter with her this year---she's so excited about that. We'll have a new addition this year, too, with Macie. The turkeys just keep growing! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

I worry about Dad being thin...of course he's never been real big. Funny how Mom is the one who's heavier now and we always worried about HER being too thin. What about Dad's insulin...as his weight drops, shouldn't his insulin be adjusted as well? Could his insulin dose be too high for his weight which in turns makes him lose weight? Does Dad still have a good appetite? Speaking of appetite...I hope you all have a super Thanksgiving! We'll be eating Thanksgiving buffet at the Hale Koa...80+ degrees and sunny....a HUGE change from what's going on in Fort Lewis right now...they have 30 degrees and SNOW! I feel so sorry for them...NOT!! We're off to the North Shore to watch a surf board competition...supposedly world famous! Jerome's excited..I'm hoping for good shopping near by!! :) I miss everyone and hope to see you soon! I love you, Jamie

Hey, sisters! Bruce and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. Mom was SOUND asleep when we got there---mouth open, deep breathing sleep! )Dr Parten came around for rounds while we were there. I introduced myself and asked for some thoughts on Mom. He said she was naturally was naturally continuing to decline as per the nature of her disease. I asked about the Sequerel and told him about the info online that it had not been approved for the elderly with dementia related problems and could cause heart problems. He said that it had to have been approved or else they couldn't use it. The other doc (the psychiatrist) is the one who prescribes it and that he (Dr. Parten) can 'tweek' it if needed. I told him that we did NOT want Mom zoombied out---he said they didn't want that either. I asked about Dad, and he said that their main concern with Dad was keeping his nutrition and activity levels up. He said that other than some confusion issues, Dad seemed to be doing fine. Dad was in the shower when we got there, and he looked SO good when he got out. He was SO clean and clean shaven, etc. He looked really good---tired, but good. I took his tennis shoes off his feet and brought them home with me to wash. He had some leather ones there to wear while these are washed. Anyway, Bruce and I talked to him and all for a while. I kept going to check on Mom, but she never woke up---not even totally when Dr Parten checked her heart, pulse, feet, etc.! Not a bad visit. OH, I asked Debbie about the results of the test for Dad's possible UTI. She said it probably wouldn't be back until the middle of this week. He didn't seem as agitated as last week today. Ok, I've gathered and gathered and gathered for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is cleaning day and Wed is cooking day! WHOO-OOOO! I'm ready to start cooking now! Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. They were both in their wheelchairs in the big room. Daddy seemed very disoriented and didn't make much sense today. He looked good, except that he's so thin. Mother was more alert than she has been the last few times I've been. She talked a little and actually stayed awake most of the time we were there. I asked Nikki about them and if they had found out if Daddy has a UTI and she said evidently he didn't because they haven't put him on any new medicine. Anyway, not a bad visit considering. love you, pat

Sorry this is so late in coming today! I went to see Mom and Dad today at lunch. Mom is definitely more awake and aware! She got mad at me for trying to hold her glass and then got REALLY mad at me when I tried to straighten her bib. In fact she said 'she'd slap the hell out of me'! OK! I'm out of here! LOL! I went out to find Dad. He'd finished and rolled out into the hall. He kept yelling JEANIE at the top of his lungs. I'd go to him, push him to where Mom and I were, then he'd roll away again and start yelling! LOL! They've sent off a urine specimen to check for a UTI. He was definitely more agitated than normal and had been up since 3:00! Good grief. He was WORN out. He kept telling me he had a doll for Jamie. Judy (the lady in charge of housekeeping) told me he was rolling around with the bear yesterday singing to it. I told her he'd told me he was giving it to Jamie, and she said that's what he told her all day yesterday. I thought that was sweet. Anyway, more crap from DHS today. They're nuts and driving me that way, too. Hopefully, I can get this info to them tomorrow or Mon before the holidays. Having fun Jamie? I am envious!!!!!!! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Ok, I was just watching the Today show and an ad came on the TV about Seroquel XR for depression. Is this the same medicine that Mom's on? You know how they always list "side effects"? Well the one that says "elderly dementia patients should not take it because it increases the chance of death." really got my attention. Maybe there's more than one type...seroquel xr and then a regular seroquel....I know it caught my attention. I'm looking forward to Hawaii...the warmth and sun will be nice...I know you all have had it with the heat, but it's been a cool rainy summer here. I bought President Bush's new book and printed off some crossword puzzles...that will be the extent of my activities, plus some shopping!:) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat lots of goodies for me...I'll be dining on pineapples!! Jeanie, glad you're taking the party to Mom and Dad...I really think that's the best option for them...but I know it's tough. I'll try and put some photos on Facebook! I love you all, Jamie

Ok, I got up this morning and went to see Mom and Dad. I was sick for Pam after reading her blog. Anyway, Mom was in bed, but she smiled and talked to me some. I asked her if she was tired, and she smiled and said she was sleepy! She said this feels really good. I mean, she knew what I was saying! She was not unhappy or any of that today. Dad was nowhere to be found. I was walking around LNC and came across Nikki. She said Dad was in the shower. I said something about Mom and her talking, etc. She said Mom had been so sweet this morning and was doing better with the less med in the morning. She said Dad had been up all night and was kind of aggitated. She was going to check for an UTI to just make sure nothing was going on. When they finished with his shower, he looked SO good and SO clean. He had a cup of tobacco and seemed really tired! I asked if he'd been up all night, and he goes---I don't think so! LOL! He did point out the bear that Judy gave Mom and said it belonged to Jamie. All in all, they were fine today. I felt much better about the whole thing today, too. Bruce had already said, Jamie, that Thanksgiving afternoon/night we'd take them something down and go see them. That's the best option for sure. I don't want to make life harder for them by confusing them about the whole thing. ANYWAY, I'm fixing to shower, work on my house, finish Maggie's turkey, EAT, go pick up Annie at the vet and talk to Chad!!! WHOO-OOOO! FUN, FUN, FUN! LOL! Actually---yes it is!!!! Happy HAWAII to you Jamie! There was a lady on the radio talking about going to NYC for the first time and how much she loved it and would go back today if she had the money, etc. I thought---adventures are SOOOOO important and SOOOOO much fun! You go have one for all of us right now and try not to worry! Love you all so much, Jeanie

Hey Sisters,

Sorry I've been out of the loop for awhile...Mother in Law here, now gone and trying to get ready for Hawaii...I must say reading the blog tonight was quite a downer...you guys have got to throw a joke on here now and then or I'm going to need Lexapril or Seraquil or whatever!!:) I think we all agree that Mom and Dad's situation is really sad and it's so much harder on us than them. I guess I get through each day holding on to the fact that they are 90+, they are clean, housed, well fed, cared for and safe... could we wish for more? sure...better mental capabilities and physical strength, but their basic needs in life are taken care of and that's a pretty good place to be. I miss them and think of them so much...I probably dream of them at least twice a week...good dreams and when I wake it seems like they were so real. I know it will be tough not to have them for Thanksgiving...I would be so scared to take Dad for fear he might say something...and Mom would be so scared I think....maybe taking the party to them might be an option....wish I was going to be there. I've worried about leaving for vacation....about something happening...I'm trying to not think about it when it creeps into my mind, but it's always there. I miss you all and love you all and hope to see you all soon under super happy circumstances.....Jamie

We all know that there isn't anything to do or we would have done it long before we put them in the home! It's horrible but I know it would be so much MORE horrible if they were living at home and there isn't any way that they could live with one of us because it would be a full time job for 3 people since you'd have to get some sleep at some point and you couldn't because you'd have to worry about what they might do if they woke up. It's just a horrible situation all around but just think of the thousands and thousands of families that go through this every day just like us. Unfortunately it's just a part of being/getting old. Ours kids will probably have the same things to deal with too. No win!! Love to all, Judy

Pam, they have cut Mom's med in half in the morning--she gets 1/2 dose in the morning and one dose at night. Supposedly, it's very little. That is so strange that she had that reaction today. That's more response than I've seen in a while. Hopefully cutting it is helping some! Usually she's not into what's being said. I am so sorry that this is the way it is. I know what you mean about the 'can't do a thing about it'! I feel the same way on some visits. I just don't know what the answer is. We'll see how it goes with the dose cut in half in the mornings. IF she's still more out of it than with it, we'll just ask that they cut it out in the morning period. I do think she gives them a hard time. I understand it on both ends---theirs and ours. I hate it for Dad more than for Mom. Dad does say some crazy things, but he's not out of it like Mom. I wish I knew a better answer. I just don't. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

Jim & I went to see Mom & Dad on Sat. around 2:30. Mom was in bed but talking and awake. Dad in his wheelchair, in the room, beside her bed. Mom doesn't know me. I kept patting on her and calling her Momma and she finally said, "Did you call me Momma?" and started crying. Then of course, I started crying. Jim came over and I said this is Jim and Mom acted like she knew him and kept saying, "Oh Jim, Jim". Dad talked with Jim about the ballgame and seemed good, but every now and then says something crazy. He said Mom wants to see Mrs. Keach but could never make the trip and then said something about Jamie being down the hall. When we got ready to leave, Dad followed us all the way down both halls, and it scared me that he would say he wanted to go with us, but he didn't. He just told us to be careful going home. It's just heartbreaking. Do they give Mom the meds to keep her from being violent? I just HATE the meds!!! I just think it's cruel to keep them sedated to make their job easier. I HATE the whole thing, and know there is not one thing I can do about it!

You are both so right about all of this. It just kills me to think about where they were such a short time ago as far as ability to do things. Hard to imagine that they were living alone in that house on Poplar with just some help in the mornings! HOW did they do that? Were they really that much better? In a way yes, but we just don't realize how bad it probably was. Dad told me once that the only way he could get Mom to "settle down" when she lost it before they went to LNC, was just to hold her. She was obviously so in tune with Dad's touch that it was still familiar to her. Even after going to LNC, one of the aides (Jessica I believe) said that a lot of times she would put them to bed together but Mom wouldn't even comprehend that today. Jeanie you're right in "how would you take them back". I personally don't think I could do that again. Dad might fight it now if he went back there--just maybe and not likely. He would think it was home I guess but I personally couldn't/wouldn't want to for ME and not him. Pat you're right too in we are so blessed to have each other. Not that we talk that much at times but just knowing I CAN talk to one of you if I have the urge is great. I love you all! Love, Judy

I've thought about the holidays too. I was thinking about how much worse Mother is now than she was last Thanksgiving. Last year she was still walking and could communicate at least some and could totally feed herself. There's just no way we could handle Mother the way she is now. It was hard last year, but now it would be impossible. It's sad to think that the time has come that we'll celebrate without our parents - I guess I just never thought about that time arriving. I really don't want the time to arrive where none of us gather at all for the holidays, because that's not what Mother and Daddy would want us to do and I can't imagine my life without all of you. Even though we might not talk every day, it's nice to know I have all of you that I could call when I needed to . Not everyone has the support system that we do and I'm so thankful for all of you. Love you, Pat

Patsy, you are so right! Mom is so sad and would HATE how she is now! Her pride and her opinion of how she should live and all would be mortified to see herself right now. Some days it's just so much harder to see them now than others. I was telling Pat, my emotions seem to be so raw these days and things get to me easier. Bless their hearts and all of ours as we head into this holiday season. It's the first time Mom and Dad won't be at my house for Thanksgiving in so many years I can't even remember when it started. I've thought and thought about that and would love to have them---just can't figure out a way. Dad---we could handle. Mom---I'm doubtful. Plus how do I take them back? That's the part that would be so hard. I don't know, it's just hard! Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to see Mom and Dad today around lunch. They were still waiting on their food and it was 12:30! That's crazy! Anyway, Dad seemed pretty good and talked quite a bit. Mother is just pitiful and that's about all you can say. She never knew I was there . I fed her lunch to her and she'd open her eyes a little every now and then, but that's it. She is so "not good"! Her eyes were very watery and she looks as pititful as she acts. Jeanie and I talked today about how mortified she would be if she could see herself and that makes it even harder to deal with. I talked to Debbie about the Seroquel (sp?) and she said they did cut the morning dose in half, but that she was still very sleepy. Sorry, I haven't written in a while, but life takes some turns sometimes that just keeps you otherwise occupied. Hope to see lots of you Thanksgiving! love, pat

I called this morning to talk to Becky about the Sequerel and the Lexapro. She said she'd get back to me, and did! They're going to give credit for the Lexapro---YEA!---and she said she'd sent a thing over to Dr Parten (?) about cutting the morning dose of Sequerel to one-half the amount. She asked the problem, and I told her that when I was there at lunch Mom was still sleeping. Anyway, Nikki just called and said they'd gotten new orders for Mom---12.5 mg of Sequerel in the morning and then 25 at night! Double YEA! I also got Mom's papers from DHS today, too. She's been approved, and they asked for the same 500 items they did for Dad. Hey, at least part of the items are the same for both of them! That is good! I've got until the 19th of this month to get them submitted. I'll try to get them tomorrow or Fri for sure! Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Poor Dad. It breaks my heart but there isn't anything that can be done and we all know that. Mom's probably much better because she's clueless. The whole thing makes me sick but I am thankful that they do have someone looking out for them 24/7 at least. That's about all the joy there is in it! Dad hasn't been bad at all the last few times I've been there but maybe today was just a bad day for him. I'll say an extra prayer tonight for him! Love to you all, Judy Oh and Jeanie my granddaughter was 18 in May so I'm not too much behind you! Hard to believe!!

OK, today is Tues and I went to see Mom and Dad. Several bits and pieces of info. I got a bill yesterday from Central Pharmacy for the Lexapro that we told them Mom did NOT need, but the psychiatrist prescribed for depression! I talked to Debbie today and she knew nothing about it. She said she'd look on her cart, etc for it before I got there. When I got there, I saw Becky as I was going in. I asked her about it. She said she'd see about it and get back to me. I went on down to the dining room and talked to Debbie about it again. She said it was NOT on the cart and she figured they discarded it! She said there's a short window where they can return med's, but she wasn't sure how long the window was open. I went back to talk to Becky as I was leaving, but she was in a meeting! I'll call in the morning and talk to her. The stupid prescription cost $109.31---Mom's copay part! This is twice that it's been ordered, not given, but we've paid for it! GRRRR!!!! On a different note, I don't know if everyone knew that Mom had hurt her toe a while back. It was like she'd banged it and had a blood blister, etc. Anyway, they've been doctoring it for several weeks now. Well, the foot doctor was making rounds at LNC today, and Debbie wanted to know if it was OK for him to look at Mom's toe---we'd have to pay since she doesn't have diabetes. I told her that if she thought Mom needed it, then have him check her toe. If Debbie thought it was doing ok, then no. She said she'd done everything she knew to do, and she thought that maybe he'd have another suggestion. So, I told her to have him look at Mom's toe. Well, the one girl that I like told me she was with the doc when he made his rounds. She said he clipped the old toenail off and it looked SOOOO much better. She said that you could see where the new toenail was growing in, etc. The doc also looked at a blister type place on the side of Mom's little toe and told them what to do for it. Total bill--$40. Well, spent! Mom is taking the two doses of Sequerel (sp?). Debbie told me again that she's going to see about halving the morning dose. I'll ask about that in the morning, too, when I talk to Becky. Mom has a new skin tear, also. Ok, that's it for the medical reports. Mom on the general report wasn't too hot. She basically slept while I fed her, but she did open up some when we left the dining room. She kept saying something about someone and something in a soft little voice. I could NOT make out what she was saying. She finally looked straight at me and said: I hope it's not you. I'm like, ME, TOO! LOL! Dad left the dining room before Mom and I, and they had Dad in bed by the time Mom and I got to the big commons room! I went in to talk to him and he smiled and held up his hand for me to hold it. He kept saying he was just so tired, so worn out. It was both so sweet and so pitiful at the same time. They brought Mom in the room to put her in bed, too. She has ground her teeth until there can't possibly be any left! It's crazy how loud and hard she grinds her teeth. Anyway, it was a sad visit for me today. Today was one of those days when I just couldn't get a grip on my emotions where they were concerned. Dad was trying SO hard to help another lady in the dining room and then tried to clean up in there, too. It's just a really hard sad situation for them. On another note---and then I'll stop for tonight----I got a letter from DHS on Sat concerning Dad. I thought it was one for Dad and one for Mom---that's how hysterical I was---both were about Dad. Dad has been approved---the second sheet was a post approval worksheet about his contribution to his care---moneywise. Anyway, before it could be final they requested all this HUGE pile of info AGAIN!!! Insane stuff about verifying deposits and withdrawals, pages 2-4 of Assured Peace (burial plan), a letter about the death benefit from his retirement, so many banking things it was unreal. I went to see Beth at Chad's office and took her what I could find that was on the list. I then went to Simmons Bank and got the balances for 11/1, and then I drove to the main branch to get the images of checks and deposits on Dad's trust account. I called PSRS (Dad's teacher's retirement) and the lady is faxing a letter about the $5000 death benefit to Beth at Chad's office. We'll see if this is enough info. I laughed because Beth said this is the first time DHS has EVER asked for this kind/amount of info on the accounts! Go figure! I still have gotten nothing concerning Mom's approval or denial---who knows! Ok, enough for this novel. Annie is FINALLY doing some better! THANK GOODNESS! She's gone two nights in a row without going to the bathroom on the porch! Let's hope for three after tonight! LOL! She's doing well with the shots---Bruce holds her while I give them. She's a good little dog. OH! Today Aaron is 20! Is that insane!?! I know, Jamie, you're thinking I'm fixing to have a 20 year old---well, yes, a son---this is my GRANDson! How old does that make me!?! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Okay Patsy where are your note visits? Pam, how about you? I hate it when I get on here and the last note was my own!lol I'm anxiously awaiting to see how the weekend went. Love to all, Judy

Judy got it pretty much on the mark! I did laugh though when Mom kept asking Judy if Macie was Judy's little boy! LOL! They were ok---I thought Dad looked really tired. Having his teeth in crooked and all didn't help! What on Earth was that all about!! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Oh and one more thing is that I asked Debbie today about if she thought the doubling of Seraquil was making Mom more out of it and sleepy than normal and she said that they were just watching it for a little bit to see if it evened out and that if not, they were going to cut the one she gets in the morning in half and try that. Okay, haven't thought of anything else!lol Love to all, Judy

Ok Jeanie and I went to see Mom and Dad yesterday morning around 10 I believe it was and they were both in bed sound asleep. I asked Nikki if they had been up and had eaten, etc and she said yes they had been but were tired and they had put them down to take a nap only a short time earlier. She said that they were doing fine so Jeanie and I didn't want to wake them up. We were on our way to Memphis to pick out Jeanie's granite for her counters and planned on going back that afternoon as we told Nikki we would but it was drizzling raining almost all day, road construction had traffic in a dead stop and by the time we got home it was 5 or after and we didn't really want to go at supper time and just waited to go this morning. We got there today around 9 and Mom was sleeping but Dad was awake. Again they said Mom hadn't been asleep long and she looked totally peaceful and was in fact snoring some. Dad at first looked at Jeanie and didn't seem to register for a sec but then he did and was glad to see us. He called me Judith Ann so I know he knew me too which was nice. He oohed and ahhed over Maci and kept talking about her red hair. He said some weird things that didn't make any sense , for example something about Missy in the hospital. Well it turned out that the lady who rooms next to them actually had gone to the hospital so we think he was talking about her. Mom eventually got up and looked good I thought. When they rolled her out into the large area and in front of me she said "oh hi, when did you get here" or something like that==not my name of course but seemed to know I was familiar. Something about her eyes is weird most of the time though like she's blind. It's strange! She does see though cause she commented about "whose baby" concerning Maci. I fed her a whole pack of those big grandma cookies though and she drank 2 cups of apple juice and commented about how good it was. I told her that she looked so pretty and she said "awww no I don't" which made sense. Then she said something about those kids and James and I did something so she knew about James at least. She didn't acknowledge Dad really while we were there though. Dad had his bottom teeth in weird as if they were on the side of his mouth. We asked him about them and he said they were fine and not bothering him but we told him that he needed to rinse his mouth and put them back in again before he ate lunch. Hopefully they did that since the staff mentioned it too after we did. Mom had on Dad's socks and someone else's shoes which was weird! The shoes fit her but they weren't hers. Jeanie and I are going to try to weed out their clothes and throw stained ones, especially Mom's in the trash when I go back. We'll go through the community closet too and try to locate what we can't find and then restock with Mom some new shirts since hers are so stained. Bless her heart the outfit she had on was those pajama looking bottoms with pink and white something and that top that matches with a hood. It's really stained but I think clean. They said Mom had eaten breakfast which was a biscuit, jelly and bacon. Someone would have had to feed her though cause she could barely find her mouth with the cookie I had given her. I ended up feeding most of it to her. It wasn't a bad visit at all though overall but it's just sad to see our Mom not in that body that we always thought as her. Her teeth are so ground up and horrible that she would just die if she recognized her surroundings enough to notice her teeth. Okay, that's it from me. Jeanie may post what I missed!lol Love to all, Judy

You know, I may have to quit reading on here! We need to rename this the 'depressionshelton6sisters'! YUCK! YUCK to Jamie for her Mother-in-law---sorry Jerry! DOUBLE YUCK for Ona and Randall and family! I HATE all of that for them so badly! What Jerry Calder said is so true---you have to be so watchful because what he could get there could really do him in! YUCK, YUCK, YUCK! I'll just add to it! How's that for more fun!!!!! LOL! Bruce and I went to see Mom and Dad today. Mom was really not good, but after I fed her and wiped her eyes, she seemed to do better. I did go OMG! once! I was feeding her and she burped then said EXCUSE ME! Is that nuts or what!?! Dad was in the dining room, too, talking! Some sensible, some not. He wanted to go to the lobby, so Bruce took him around to the waiting room. When Mom and I got there, Bruce and Dad were sitting on one of the love seats talking. It was good. This other guy named 'James' who is 90 came up and started talking to them. Bruce wound up giving Dad and him both $1 because they were talking about being broke. Anyway, when we left, Dad goes: Thanks for the $1 Bruce! It was good! Anyway, I wasn't trying to talk like Mom and Dad were already gone. I'm trying to find the positive in this situation. They are fed, clean, and in a safe heated environment. How awesome is that for anyone!?! It is sad that life changes, but it changes for ALL of us everyday! Luckily we DON'T know what's around that corner. It's scary enough when we run into it without having to know it's coming at us! Ok, I'm off to clean on my house. Bruce and I just voted and tried to clean house there! LOL! We'll see how that goes, too! Love you all, Jeanie

No Jamie I didn't know your mother in law was coming! Great!!!NOT! Jerry 50 huh? Just a kid!lol I'm actually writing on here because I called to talk to Ona this morning because I know how much she hates Mondays. They are just a big letdown for her because everyone leaves, Howie works and she's all alone. Well today when I called making a joke about horrible Mondays and wanting to boost her spirits, she told me that it was a horrible one for sure because Randll has a temp of like 101 and is back in ICU in the acute hospital. She said he was fine at 6 this morning and about 9 started running the fever. They have decided that it's a urinary tract infection and have started yet another round of antibiodics on him and he will stay there for 2 or 3 days. He also has a bedsore on his tailbone and that's the reason for all the notes about "wound care" that Denita puts on the CaringBridge website. Jerry Caulder talked to Ona though and told her that she had to stay vigilant about fevers and handwashing because he felt he would get past the head injury but hospital/nursing home/rehab facilities infections are not good. I asked her about did she want to go home and check on her house since she hasn't been there since the accident and she said she didnt want to go there without Randall. I really worry about how she'll ever cope if something does happen to him and she has no choice but to go home alone. She said that the people who have the apartment told her that she is to stay there until they all return back to Canadian which is truly a blessing. Jerry Caulder also sent them a small apartment size refrigerator, a 32" flat screen tv and an Ipod with 1600 songs on it. He said he wanted them to be comfortable while they were there. He also said that he was researching about water beds and bedsores and he would send him a water bed if it turns out it's helping with those. What a friend! Another question is why are we talking like Mom and Dad's life is over? It's NOT. Dad is still in there some and Mom could outlive all of us. Will she know if she does, no but that doesn't change the fact that she might be alive. Let's get back to positive--I like it MUCH better. Love to all, Judy

You're right Jeanie, they have had a good life, I guess that's what makes their situation now so hard to deal with...my head knows nothing stays the same and time marches on, etc., but my heart wishes otherwise. I just sometimes have a pity party about the whole thing!! Yes, we leave for Hawaii on the 17th and will be back on the 26th...Thanksgiving dinner will be fish and pineapples? yum I'm looking forward to the warmth and the sunshine and just relaxing. The boys have several dives planned, I have some shopping planned and we're raising the flag at the Arizona on the 18th, but other than that, just vegetation!! Ok, I'm off to de Halloween my house, clean my house and then work a basket auction at the hospital...did I mention my Mother in Law comes tomorrow? Jerry turns 50 on Wednesday and she's coming in to surprise him (he knows)! Unfortunately, it's suppose to be cool and rainy for like the next 10 days....welcome to Fall in the Pacific Northwest!! Love, Jamie

Hey Patsy how did Sundays' visit go? Just curious to see if Mom was any more alert or if we need to start thinking the double Seraquil is the problem. Love to all, Judy

You know, Jamie, on the fairness issue with Mom and Dad, they DID get rewards while here on Earth! They got to live long enough to raise their children, see their grandchildren, and see their great-grandchildren! They got the pleasure of knowing that all their children turned out 'good' and have productive lives and care about this country, too! They got to have each other for nearly 70 years! They didn't really want for anything all these last 50 years or so! They did some traveling, had new vehicles, and lived in good houses. They had REALLY good health up until the last few years---I mean really good health! Mom has never had a mamogram or pap smear that I know of! I mean, if you think about it, they did get a lot of rewards here on Earth! It makes me sad for them that they have to go through what they're going through now because they were such good people and such citizens, etc. The truth of the matter is that none of us came with any type of guarantee. They have definitely gotten a lot of mileage out of what they were given at birth. I don't like their now, but they really did have a good life. How wonderful is that!

On a happier note, the SmileTrain fundraiser went well. It was colder than blue blazes, but it went off without any problems! YEA! We made it home tonight to watch Macie while Jeremy and Fara went to a Halloween party for all their friends and children---probably 40 kids in all! They did hayrides all out in Ridgepoint, played games, bobbed for apples, ate, etc! He said it was so much fun. One of the houses they went to, the lady ALWAYS dresses up like Cinderella and hands out candy. Maggie was Cinderella, too, this year. She asked Jeremy after they left if they could back Monday to see Cinderella. Is that not precious!!!!!!!! You've got to love the world through little eyes! So sweet! HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Love you all, Jeanie

Yes funny in a weird way! I have this song that runs through my head all the time that talks about these times are only the dark before the morning and someday we'll see the bigger picture and that we just have to hold on tight and keep believing. As for Brittney and Frank, Ft Campbell would be awesome for sure but I'm thinking that won't happen. As of now they head to Bliss in Feb I think. At least it is the lower 48 and maybe someday they'll be able to come get all their stuff out of my garage and house!lol When is it that you leave for Hawaii? I think you said you'd be there on Thanksgiving this year, right? I know you'll all have a great time! Love to all, Judy

Life is funny isn't it?...you work hard, try to do the right things, raise your children to be good people, pay taxes, vote, be a good citizen, support your church and school and then you're rewarded by losing your mind and physical capabilities and having to wear diapers and live in a nursing home... I know our rewards are suppose to come in heaven, but shouldn't there be some on earth as well? I just have a hard time dealing with the whole fairness thing...I know, no one said life is fair, but that doesn't mean it has to suck either!! Ok...that's my whining for right now... Judy, can't believe Brit and Frank are going back to Bliss...I wish they'd get Campbell...how awesome would that be?? When will they move and when will they know for sure that's where they're going? At least it is the lower 48...could be worse, I guess! I'll get that walmart card put in the mail to Jeanie along with a birthday card for Mom...there won't be enough time to mail it when I get back from Hawaii...so I'll mail it super early!:) I'm off to hit the showers, the commissary,the px, hair cuts for the boys and laundry...all before I put on a costume and handout candy to trick or treaters!! Happy Halloween....love you all, Jamie

Bless their hearts, Oh, Lord, I pray. Keep them safe by night and day. Amen. Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to see Mother and Daddy today. We got there around 1:00. Dad was flat on his back in bed, but wide awake. Obviously, he had just gotten in bed. Mother was sitting beside her bed all slumped over to the side. I have never heard anyone grit their teeth as loud as she was! It was crazy! I'm surprised she has any teeth at all if she does that often. It was horrible. She never knew I was there. I tried to talk to her, but it was no use. She had on a white turtleneck top and it was either dirty or very stained. I also noticed her feet looked swollen. Anyway, 2 girls came in and got her in bed and she never moved after that. I didn't get to talk to Debbie - I guess she was with some patient. Dad was very alert and talking, but he kept asking Jerry if his hip was better. Don't know what was up with that. He also said that Mother always falls asleep in the car before they ever get to where they're going. Okay, I'll go back Sunday and report again. love u, pat

went to see mom and dad. I had to go late, around 7p.m. I was afraid they'd be in bed, and they were, but Dad was still awake. I was glad I went. He was glad to see me. He was a little confused, but pleasant, and sweet. He's so precious. He actually liked me tonight!:)Mom was asleep, but I patted on her, and she was breathing and sleeping soundly. I spoke to the young lady on duty. She said they had been fine since she arrived @2. I had her check their supper eating, and dad ate about 75% and Mom 25%. I'm going to Nashville tomorrow with Cary and won't be back until Sunday afternoon. Pat, I hope you can visit with them some time this weekend. Jody is going to try to stop by to or from work one day. Love, Pam

I did go see Mom and Dad today--it's Wed. The Seriquel is for behavior--not depression. I'm like you in that there's no way to diagnose Mom with depression---NO WAY! That's what I told Debbie when she called about the Lexapro! I don't want the veggie out and the lack of response. Anyway, today they were both in the dining room waiting for lunch when I got there--about 16 till 12. I waited to just see how long before they got lunch---it was like 12:27---nearly 45 minutes! They didn't seem to mind, but I got SO antsy waiting! That's nuts. Mom didn't want to wake up to eat. She was leaning to the right and forward in her wheelchair. I kept trying to push her up (and Miss Bobbie kept telling her to sit up, hold your hear up, etc---she's another patient that's a MESS!). Well, about the third or fourth time, Mom goes: Jean Marie if you don't stop that I'm going to hurt you! I cracked up! I told Judy that she either knew me--VERY doubtful---or she's just used to me being the mean one! LOL! Anyway, Dad was ok--not great. He was confused today. He said he was really tired, that he'd been up since 3:30, that he'd been in there with all women at midnight, etc. They were clean and Dad ate good. In fact he asked me if I was going to eat my bread (it was actually Mom's). I said no, and he ate it, too. Ok, I'm off to bed. We're heading to Louisville tomorrow for the Smile Train fundraiser that's Fri. Annie seems to be doing ok. She HATES the shots, but I figure you can add it to the list of things we all do that we don't like to do! LOL! If it works, then that's fine. She's up to 4 units now twice daily. They've increased her insulin each time I've taken her back in for checking. I've got to take her again on Mon. They're trying to fine out how much she needs. I'll be glad to get it stabilized, so I don't have to keep running her back and forth every couple of days to be checked. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie