You got it Pat! If you need a stop over going to or coming from Texas, just let me know! Sooo happy for all of you about Baby Margaret! Love ya all, Judy!!

It is all very hard to deal with emotionally - both for Mother and Daddy.  I try not to think deeply about it most of the time because it's too sad.  I still think Mother is still there and it is sad when I realize she's not.
On a happier note, Baby Margaret should be arriving soon.  Molli went to the Dr. today and she is dilated to 2 and 75% effaced(?).  If she doesn't go in to labor before Wednesday she will be induced on that day (the 4th).  Her Dr. said that she would not be surprised if she does not deliver before then.  As soon as we get the word, we are heading to Texas for a week.  I'm very nervous about all this, but at the same time, very excited to see that baby's face.  Keep us in your prayers for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.  Love you, pat

Jamie I hate all of that for you! I had the flu or what felt like it ( hit me on the way home right after the funeral) but started an antibiotic since it felt it was going to my chest and I'm almost over it all. Maybe it's time to go to,the doctor about it?? Stomach bug I didn't have nor do I want!!lol. I do know what you mean about not facing the whole thing but doing it in little bites has helped. I've had several meltdowns but try to get out of that deep hole ASAP! if you need to call to talk, just call! I've been in wedding mode since Christmas ended and once that's behind me, I'll probably be calling you!! Take care of yourself!! Dad is doing ok! Love to all, Judy

Sorry I haven't been on here..I'm still trying to feel normal again..or some version of normal! The flu hit me about an hour outside of LakeCity after I left Dad and I just can't seem to shake it. My head and cough are starting to be better, I think.. Now I've got a stomach flu as well and I just dizzy all the time. I've been back in to see the eye doctor thinking this new prescription might be off so he did put me in a new trial script and u swear it's worse!! I see him again on Friday! I say a prayer for Dad every day..the whole thing is so gut wrenching I really still just can't let myself think about it.. I just feel so out of sorts..not normal at all.. My mind just doesn't work and I feel so disconnected from reality.. I've got to find a way to get my life back in order but I can't seem to find a way or the will to work on it. I hope as I start to get over this flu for real,I'll start to get back on track. I think I thought I would feel more relief that Moms suffering is over but I'm not there yet...hope things are going good on your end..Love you all,Jamie

It will always be weird there without Mom I'm sure. I still can't say her name or have anyone ask about her/me without crying. Getting through the wedding will be hard without Dean and Mom being there. Leisa and Bryan both found a dime today which makes her feel Dean is with her which is awesome! Love to all, Judy

I went to see dad today. He ate great as in cleaned his plate ! Debbie said he did this morning and all yesterday. She ordered a chest x-ray for dad because he has a cough . He just disn't say much of anything today. I kept talking and he really never replied
d. They had gotten him up for the x-ray so maybe he was tired. It is so weird down there without mom
Being there. It just has a different feel for me right now. Anyway he was ok. Didn't ask where mom was---I was glad. Still haven't seen the other Margaret! Love you all, jeanie

Pat did you see the one Ryan posted on Facebook too? Oh wait I know you did under Molli's account!!!lol. I had a hard time yesterday too but have had the flu I think ever since I got home and not sure how to divide the tears between feeling awful and sadness! I just have to keep reminding myself of what Jim said about what a great Christmas Mom had in heaven! I know that's true too but sometimes I forget because I miss her and what she stood for. Hope all of you had a great Christmas with family/friends! Love to all of you, Judy

Jeanie, that was an awesome picture of all of you with Daddy.  I'm so glad you went to see him.  How was he?  I just feel so sad for him.  Today was their anniversary and I've thought about them all day.   I still find it hard to believe that Mother is not here anymore.  I find myself looking for her when I go to LNC and it seems so strange not to see her laying there in her chair.  Will they put Daddy in another room?  I know he will be totally confused when they do and it makes me sick to think about it.  Hope all of you had a great Christmas.  love you, pat

Pat that is so sad about dad, and makes me want to just cry for him and me both! I hope he makes some friends and thinks someone else is Mom. Uggggg! merry Christmas to all of you if possible! Love, Judy

Jerry and I stopped by to see Daddy on our way to Pam's today.  He was sitting in the eating room at a table by himself.  He hadn't gotten his food and it was so sad to see him there alone.  I asked Margaret if he could sit in the other dining room with someone and they moved him to a table with a man I had never seen before but who seemed very nice.  Of course, I cried because it was so sad.  He asked where Mother was and I just didn't say anything.  They said he had asked a few times.  Anyway, we sat with him for a while as he ate.  He was not very alert and I'm not sure he even knew us.  love you, pat

Jeanie and Bruce went today to see daddy and she said he was doing good. I'm sure she'll post in a bit but we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our daughters! Brittney will be here in about an hour. They got 4" of snow in El Paso after they left! Crazy!! Ryan and fam should be at Jeanie's about 7. I'll be glad when the long distance travels are over for today! I know seeing Mom's grave will be sad for us all for a long time but eventually we will be able to go there without crying I think because I can go see Dean now and not cry. Merry Christmas to all of you! Love you all! Pat be sure to spread the word on Molli and Margaret ASAP!! Lol Love, Judy

Amen, Judy!  As sad as it was, it was an awesome service.  Jim absolutely did a great job.  I can't imagine going through that without all my sisters.  I am so thankful I have you all.  Can't imagine life otherwise!  Jerry and I drove out to the cemetary yesterday because I forgot to look at the headstone.  It was really hard to see the beautiful roses laying there on the ground.  Of course, I cried some more.   I plan on going to see Daddy tomorrow.  That is also hard to do.  I'm scared he will ask my where Mother is.  I hope he continues to do well and doesn't remember a whole lot about the last several days.  It's all so sad.  Love you, pat   Hope you all have a great Christmas!!

I just had to post a note on here telling all of you how proud I was of us in losing Mom. I think we all handled it with the utmostrespect for her and I know she would be so proud of all of us. Pam, please tell Jim that the service was so appropriate and fitting to Mom. He did an AWESOME job! It truly did help me and made me feel good about Mom and remember where she is now and what a gift indeed for her!!! When we lose someone who means the world to us, a piece of us dies with them but yet our lives have to go on and live with hopefully that piece shining through so others see her inus. I'm with you Pat, I love you Mom!! Thank you all for being my sisters and I love you all dearly!! judy

I LOVE YOU, MOTHER!  pat

Yes I meant to tell you that too plus Pat the card from Molli was adorable too!! I never send Christmas cards so don't be looking for one from me!! Love, Judy

Pam, I meant to tell you that Cary's Christmas card was precious.  Tell her thank you and the picture was adorable!   pat

Thank you Pat for the note!! I love having something to read besides what I wrote myself!!lol Wow your new granddaughter will be her sooooo soon!! how exciting!! You have to try to not think of the nerve wracking stuff!! I'll see you all Wednesday with MY favorite thing which may or may not be yours!!lol
Love to all, Judy

Judy, you are too funny!   Well, I am officially free for 2 weeks!  Of course, I have a ton of stuff I need to do, but probably won't.  It's going to be strange this Christmas without Molli and Marty here.   Jamie, Addison wore her UK hoodie today and she looked adorable.  Jennifer took her picture in it and  she was so cute.  Jeanie, are you finally able to walk again?  
Molli went to the Dr. this morning and she is dilated 1cm.   I know some people are like that for quite a while.  If she does not go in to labor beforehand, they will induce her on Jan. 11.  I can't believe it is so close.  Very nerve wracking and exciting at the same time.    Okay, I'll see ya'll on Wednesday.  love you, pat

And yet Another note from myself?? Is anyone out there?? HELLO!!!!!lol. Come on girls drop a note or two already!! Love, Judy

Ok I'm writing back to back notes on here and I know Jeanie and Jamie both went yesterday to see mom and dad!! Where are your notes girls?? Come on you can do this!!!!lol Love to all, Judy
P.s. did we EVER decide on our get together this year? I'm ready anytime between now and the 23rd when Brittney and fam get here. Just let me know when and where

I'm reading this daily but I have nothing new to report! I pray for mom and dad daily and know hey are in God's hands so it will be ok. Love to all, Judy

I called Debbie to ask about mom and dad . She said they were doing fine. Mom had had a shower and was up. Dad was up but sleepy. She said that dad's sugar was ok. I asked if she thought mom was the same or worse. She said she was the same and that she'd changed the bandages on her skin tears. She said mom was responsive. Anyway I've tried to call the dhs office here fri and three times today with no one talking to me period ! I'll try again tomorrow. Love you all, jeanie

Ok, I'm sorry to report that I won't be able to go see mom and dad
today. I have hurt my back or pulled a muscle in the groin area or something stupid! Anyway I can't walk for now. In fact I'm using Judy's wheelchair and Bruce is being my legs ! Lol! Anyway, hopefully I'll be up tomorrow. Today is day three for this stupidity! Love you all, jeanie

I went to LNC this morning.  They were both in the big room asleep in their chairs.  I tried to wake
Daddy up, but he wouldn't stay awake.  One of the girls said that Mother ate 75% of her breakfast and she quit feeding her when she began to choke.   Anyway, nothing new.  I took the new clothes that Jeanie bought for them and the lotion.  The girls said they would hang them up for me.  Pitiful as always, but that's just how it is.  Love you all, pat

I called and checked on Mom and Dad today but they were both sleeping and all Donna had to say was that the day nurse didn't say anything about them so she assumed it was status quo. She did say that Dad's blood sugar was 96 this morning and they had given him snacks. I told her that was NOT good for his sugar to get that low!!! Mom evidently has another small skin tear on her leg now too. This whole thing just breaks my heart!! UGGGGGGGG!!!! Love to all, Judy. Oh Pam is going around supper time and she will post or I will based on her text.

Jeanie and I went to see Mom and Dad today and it wasn't a good visit for us. Mom was partially slumped in her chair and I held her head up while Jeanie fed her. She is just pitiful and it's so sad! There were only a couple of things she said that I understood and one was when I hugged her and asked if she was doing ok and she said "no not really". I wanted to just cry!! One other time I told her that we all loved her and she said "I love you too" but it wasn't totally clear and maybe it was just me wanting to hear that. Dad was in bed and wouldn't get up for lunch. He told Debbie that he wasn't. Going to and obviously he didn't want up because he was flat on his back, no feet, and mouth open wide sleeping up a storm. They put his tray in his room and said they'd try to get him to eat later. Debbie said his vitals and blood sugar was fine today so I guess he was just sleepy from being up and to the ER last night. He never woke up the whole time we were there. The girls all said that mom had been very vocal earlier in the common area so maybe she was just tired. I thought when we first got there that she was breathing awfully hard andyou coukd see her heart beating in her neck and it seemed fast to me too. She did aeem better about that after a while though. It all makes me sick to my stomach!! Anxious to hear how she is on someone's next visit. On a positive note Brittney told me today that Frank's leave was approved and they will be here around 12/23 and stay till after the wedding. Ive never had Christmas with her whole family and am anxious!!
Love to all, Judy

I have called the last two nights about 11 and was told both nights that they would make sure the heat was on and Jeanie said today that they told her that it had been warm in there the last two mornings so it must be working!! I'll continue to call for a few more days to make sure they don't slack off. Jeanie and I just got home from shopping and she had a message on her machine that dad had fallen while trying to get into someone else's bed and they were sending him to the ER to be sure he was ok. Well that was 4 hours ago!!!! Jeanie just called and he's fine and already back! NO clue why they didn't call her cell or someone else!! We are going tomorrow to see them and I'll post. Jeanie went today and she said mom was so good she was scary!! Hopefully she'll be good tomorrow and that will be the best Christmas present for me! Love to all, Judy

Thanks for the postings on Mom and Dad!!  I've read the blog on my phone, but I'm on the computer this morning so I can post! So glad they are doing well...I agree about Daddy..he is thin! Are they still weighing him every week and if so, has his weight dropped? I don't guess they've talked about a stimulant  for him?  I've been nonstop going since getting home!  After Jason and Brandon head to New York, I'll have a little more time...even though I'm no where near being done with shopping, Christmas cards or wrapping.  A day through the week for us to get together would really work for me...but whatever works for the masses! I guess I probably should get that shopping done at least huh?   Ok, gotta get back to cleaning, running a few errands and generally preparing for Saturday!! YIKES!!   Love you,  Jamie

I did go see Mom and Dad on Mon. I'm getting horrible about posting! Sorry, but I'm just busy. They were both in bed when I got there. I'd been talking to Jon for over an hour and missed most of my chance to visit. Debbie and Margaret both told me Mom ate 50% at lunch and breakfast Mon. That was AWESOME! Mom's vital signs were still all good and she was again so alert. They were laughing that she'd been calling PAT! Her eyes were open and all when I went in to see her, but she fell asleep pretty quickly. Dad was awake and didn't talk much about what I could understand, but I thought he looked good---color and all. He is thin, but he's been getting thinner for a while. He's kind of getting into the routine of eating a big breakfast and not much lunch. His sugar was good and he wasn't yelling. He didn't want them to take off his glasses, but when I talked to him with them, he said ok. Margaret and Missy both told me that they had complained to Debbie and Michael Smith (even met Michael Smith at the door to complain) about Mom and Dad's room being so cold in the mornings. They said the shift that comes on at 10 and works until 7 turns on the a/c or else turns on the heat but turns the temp down to the coldest setting. They said that Dad doesn't want up it's so cold and they were worried about Mom since she just had pneumonia. Anyway, they decided to complain to me so I could file a grievance. They didn't want me to use their names. SOOOO, I'm having Judy call late before she goes to bed to ask about please make sure their heat is on. Tomorrow when I go, I can then ASK Margaret and Missy about the heat and when they say no (if that's their response) then I can complain for real! Anyway, holding steady for now! I'm so glad. Love you all, Jeanie   OH! When are we going to try to get together? I know, Jamie, that Jason leaves this weekend and you won't be able to until after that. Pat, do you get out of school a week from this friday? Pam, does Jim? Maybe we can get together either that weekend or one day the next week? We can get together any day next week as long as it's after school for Pat and Pam? Just asking. I'm pretty free as to times! LOL!

Pat it's awesome that dad knows you at least and that's a positive thing! We have to take those where we can find them! With this rain we are having, I'm changing my day to come on Wednesday afternoon
after my dentist appt to have 2 fillings (yikes!!) and will spend the night that night and go see them on Thursday. I just hope Mom stays status quo till then at least! Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I went to LNC this morning.  They were both in the big room.  Daddy was getting a manicure.  He told the girl "that's Pat and her husband Jerry".   I really didn't understand a lot of the stuff he said after that.  He looked good, but I'm like Pam, he is so thin.  Mother was laying there in her usual way.  The nurse said that one of the girls accidentally nicked Mother's finger when they were cutting her nails, but they were going to keep it bandaged and put neosporin on it.  Jeanie, their room looks great with the balloons, flowers, and Christmas tree.  I sure wish they could enjoy them.   Anyway, not a bad visit considering.   Love you all, pat

After seeing Mom today, I realize that being back at LNC was what needed to happen. She has improved since the hospital. She had her eyes partially opened, and she responded to my voice and touch. She responded to some of my questions. She even looked at me once and said hi! She looked at dad and said dad. She ate pretty good, just very slow and little tiny bites. I stayed about an hour and a half, but needed to go, so a young aid took over for me. Dad ate about 50%, but it was greens, creamed potatoes, ground up chicken, I think, and apple sauce. He looks thin to me. His shoulders are so boney. He mumbled a lot, but there was a little girl visiting someone else, and he talked to her just fine. He did ask me where Jamie was, and he told me to be careful going home, but other than that, I can't understand what he's saying. But all in all, an ok visit. Love, Pam

So glad you checked on them and posted Pat cause I'm hungry for any and all news! I tried calling the nursing home this afternoon but after 15 minutes and the lady even coming on to ask who I was holding for, no one ever came to the phone. Part of me is a nervous wreck when I call because I'm so scared it will be something bad. I have to get over that though and I'll work on it! I plan on coming back one day this coming week and hopefully they're no worse. Love to all, judy

I went to check on Mother and Daddy when I got off work this afternoon.  They were both in the big room.  Daddy knew who I was because he said Pat and Patricia, but he was not very alert.  He was holding Weezie(?)'s hand and talking to her like he thought she was Mother.  She looked at me once and said, "I don't know what he wants."   I checked with the nurse and she said Mother ate zero at breakfast and 25% at lunch.  She looked about the same.  Jeanie, the balloons and tree were adorable!  Thanks for doing that!  Anyway, not much to report.  I wish Mother could eat!  love you all, pat

Cute Pat!! Lol. yes we're old but strong!! Jeanie went today and took balloons and told Mom that we all loved her and hugged her. Absolutely kills me but she's better that we are in a way since she has no clue that she's not ok or see how much this hurts us all. That would just kill her!! Just sad is all I got!!! I cry really easily over all of this as I'm sure we all do. I do now KNOW that sending her back was right even though I hated it because she would want to be with Dad if she could make the decision for herself. We will get through this together. Love to all, Judy

Amen, Judy!  I've thought about Mother all day!  Wish she could enjoy her birthday.  I plan on going down tomorrow when I get off work to check on them .   Monday was really a hard day for me, but I am doing better.  The picture  Jamie sent was priceless.  Of course, I boo-hooed a ton after that.  I am also thankful that I have lots of sisters (even if they're all old).  hee hee!  pat

Happy Birthday to our sweet Mom!! Whoever goes today be sure and give her a kiss for me!! I just called to check on them and they were up in the dining room eating. She said mom was about the same with no changes. I guess that's a good thing since she has only one way to go. Makes me sick!! Love to all my sisters cause I truly don't know how only one child could do it! Love to all, Judy

Debbie called me this morning to tell me Mom is running a temp and they had started her on an antibiotic and oxygen. They hadn't gotten the results of the x-ray at that time, but they were starting her on this because. She called me a little while ago to say that Mom does have pneumonia in the lower lobe of her lung. I asked about changing the antibiotic and she wasn't sure yet what they'd do. She had called radiology herself to get the results---she still didn't have the report. She has been precious. She told me some signs to watch for---shallow breathing, slower breathing, changing color starting with her feet. Right now she said Mom was exhibiting none of those signs. I'm heading down there at lunch to be sure to see Dad. I don't want him scared or too worried if I can help it for now. Not good. Will post when I get back. Love you all, Jeanie

I always hate turning my heater on first thing each year too because of the burn smell but like Jeanie I chalk it up to burning the dust off! Stinky but necessary. As for Mom, I think I already said that I wasn't in favor of a feeding tube and I'm sticking with that. I realize I can be out voted if and one when my vote is asked for but that will be it. Does it all make me sick??? YES!! But I truly believe that it's loving her enough to let her go with all the dignity she has left instead of having her stay alive for me to just watch her with tubes. On a different note, I'm game for a sleep over! Just tell me when and where and me and jams will show up!! Lol Love to you all, Judy

Ok, I don't even know where to start! I did go Fri and I was frightened by Mom's 'general' appearance. What exactly was it? Not sure---she was flushed (even on her chest) her eyes looked sunken in more to me, her breathing was very noticeable---not like she was straining---just you could see every rise and fall of her chest with each breath, she had her mouth just hanging open and wasn't swallowing her food---just a lot of things to me. The girl finally fed Mom maybe most of her yogurt and a few bites of other food with it. Debbie did check her and her air exchange was good---no rattling in her chest, etc. Debbie did agree about her face being flushed and she did notice the breathing, but she thought Mom was about the same. I don't know. I could just tell Mom was further away. Dad was about the same. Donna called last night and said Dad needed tobacco----I knew that because I'd forgotten to take it Fri---just took pj bottoms. (Pat took it today) Anyway, I asked her about Mom and she didn't seen overly concerned and in fact said Mom had eaten 75% at supper---I'm like ---well that's wonderful. I have a hard time believing it, but that's a 'whatever'! Debbie just called me to say that Mom was now wheezing and she's ordering a chest x-ray for today. She isn't sure if it's something or if Mom has aspirated something into her lungs. I asked her about Mom and she was really kind. I told her that I know she can't say for sure about anything, but were there certain signs we could point to or anything to watch for --- just anything to help us. She said there's a book there about the steps of Althemizer's and dying and she's going to try to find it for me. I mentioned the feeding tube and asked about that. She said that everyone was different. Some live for years with one---some just continue to decline as if it wasn't there. Anyway, I know that this is where it's headed. EVERYONE needs to think long and hard about this because I'm expecting to be approached about this every visit from now on! Double and triple YUCK!

Ok, NEW SUBJECT: Jamie, yes, your furnace smells funny when you light it for the first time each season. I always just think of it as burning off the dust! LOL! It is hard to imagine that Jerome is 21, HOWEVER it's pretty hard for me to believe I have a 21 year old grandson! Do WHAT!?! Now that does make you feel old! On that note, Bruce told me today that he thinks ASU plays here not the Sat of Thanksgiving weekend  but the weekend after that! I would love for you to all come and stay Sat night! We can have a sister sleep-over! That would be cool! Ok, I'm off to buy groceries AGAIN! LOL! I keep thinking of things I need for Thanksgiving---like a turkey! LOL!---and for the shower! Love you all, Jeanie

Pam called me today after her visit with Mom and Dad and she totally understood the "flushed " that Jeanie talked about yesterday. I don't see Jeanies note but think everyone knows that Jeanie was concerned about Moms color and breathing yesterday. Debbie checked her and said she had good air flow though and today Pam said that 2 new young RNs were working (she and I both were impressed with 2 RNs especially on a weekend!) and that one named Crystal had their wing and she was keeping a check on them. She told Pam that Mom had finished her antibiotic yesterday and even though she does look flushed she's still not running a temp and her breathing isn't labored. She told Pam she really thought Mom was doing ok. She told Pam she was watching Mom too because she seemed to be "pooling her food" which Jeanie had mentioned too because they had mentioned it to her yesterday. Dad was ok and Pam said he acted happy to see her and probably recognized her even though he didn't say her name. She also mentioned like Jody and Jeanie did that Mom wasn't really responding to them. The nurse today said she had noticed it too but had continued to make contact with Mom until she finally told her to stop it! At least she did respond! That's all I can recall at the moment. If mom continues to pool food and not swallow or refuses to eat at all, we are going to be facing some gut wrenching decisions. I for one (I talked to Leisa about this too) will have to vote against a feeding tube. Leisa said that NOT putting in a tube was God's way of handling things and that she had typically seen that most patients (once they get to the point of needing a tube) don't usually last long because evidently of the trauma of putting the tube in. They have to go to the hospital for the procedure and have some anesthesia too. She said it is not a horrible thing and not painful or anything once they stop eating. She said it was like after going on a diet where after a bit of time you're just not hungry. I HATE all of this but we all need to be thinking along these lines now for the possibility some day! YUCK!!! Love to all, Judy

Jerry has requested seafoam salad for Thanksgiving...he's talking about the lime green jello stuff that has pineapples, marshmallows or cream cheese and pecans...he said he thought he'd eaten it at Jeanie's on Thanksgiving...Does anyone have a recipe?  I know Mom use to make this too...was that hers Jerry remembers eating?  Anyway, if you got it, share it!! :)   My heater upstairs smelled funny when I first turned it on for the season...the fire alarm even beeped a couple of times...normal? I freaked out and shut it off! I was afraid ADS (security system) was going to call me again...I talk to them almost daily on the phone...not really, but we have set the stupid alarm off a lot!!:)  Jerry and I have Dancing with the Stars of Murray tonight...no, we're not dancing, we're just watching...should be funny!!  I saw Faye Austin again last night..her husband Clegg was honored for 50 years of medical service to the Murray Calloway County Hospital..he and Jerry were laughing about how they both had married up when they married girls from the bootheel of Missouri and how they are "related" through marriage!  Faye's maiden name is Bentley...I guess she's Randall's cousin? I think she said she attended Risco high school. Who is her father and how is she related to Randall?  Pat, 60 is the new 45!!:) and yes it is hard to believe Molli is married and old enough to have a baby...of course, I have a tough time with Brittney, Jerrod, Ryan, Jeremy, Jody, Cary Beth, Casey,etc, etc etc...I remember when they were born and if they're getting older, so am I!!! :0  Speaking of older, Jerome turns 21 tomorrow...scary, on alot of different levels!! I can't hardly believe it... I'm hoping he comes with me to Mollis shower...he's nothing if not entertaining!! Ok, I'm off to an eye appointment...the aged eyes are changing and I can't seem to see well with either prescription!  Not good!! Love you!! Jamie ps..Judy stay Saturday night!!:)

Thanks for the birthday wishes!  Nothing like turning 60 to make your day complete! hee      I always think of Mother on my birthday and how she would tell me about when Pam and I were born and how  surprised everyone one was.  I can't believe those 2 babies are now 60!  Time sure does fly!  It seems like Molli  should still be little and here she is having a baby of her own.  She has pics of her nursery on her  blog - it's so cute!  Okay, off to the shower for me!  Love you, Pat
p.s. when are we going to do our Christmas "thing"?

Jamie I did know a lot of the medics were KIA but didn't realize it was that high! Hey you can talk about churning gut cause it isn't a bad word!!lol. I talked about mine lots and now I'm shutting up!lol. I was going to go home Saturday after the shower but I could be persuaded to stay probably since I don't have much of a life!!lol. See you soon! love to all, Judy

Happy Birthday Pat and Pam!!  You're what? 29?  Hope you have had a great day!!  Just checking in...haven't felt too great the last couple of days...stomach/gut is kind of churning!! I know..TMI!! I've got a lot going on in my brain which seems to stir up the ol gut!!  I did get my other wing chair painted and moved and Judy, got your chair cleaned and put upstairs...I put Mom's crazy quilt on it...looks awesome!!  Jerry and I have an award ceremony tonight for his staff...should be nice...eventually I'll get to know everyone I guess!!  Did I tell you we got invited to hear Gary Sinise (you know, Lt Dan from Forest Gump) speak at Fort Campbell?  He's honoring the combat medics at a dinner and ceremony.  Did you know, next to the infantry, the combat medic is the 2nd highest category of KIAs?  They are so highly trained in their field that many go on to become Physician Assistants or Doctors after the military...they are referred to as "doc" by their fellow soldiers!  Just a little trivia!! In case you're ever on Jeopardy and the question comes up!!:) Anyway, can't wait to hear Lt Dan...he's been a huge supporter of the military and wounded soldiers!  Ok, gonna run the vacuum and get my clothes ready for tonight!  Jeanie, I'll let you know what Jerome and I are doing...might just come Saturday morning and stay Saturday night...but I'll try and let you know before I'm on the road there!! :)  Judy, you staying Saturday night too?!!  Love you,   Jamie

Hey, I AM old and slow but you forgot BUSY!!!!!!!!!! LOL! I did go see Mom and Dad today. Not much to report really---they're both about the same. Dad looked good today---I keep forgetting to ask about his weight. He looks not so thin to me. He didn't eat much at lunch today but had had 2 egg sandwiches earlier. Mom was eating---just slowly. Dad had had a shower today too. Anyway, they were ok. Becky called and asked about giving them a flu shot this year. I said something about them both being on medicine and she said she'd wait until they were both finished and would check temps before giving it. Oh, I did talk to MS about the Marquis Dental bill that needs to be paid. They saw Dad in Oct and filed a claim to DHS. DHS never moves quickly---except on this. I paid all of Dad's money about the 4th of Nov. On the 9th of Nov DHS mailed me (this was the date it was cancelled at the post office!) a DCO-712 form saying I was to write the check out of his Nov money! WHAT!?! I called Faith and she said it was between Michael Smith and me about what to do about it now! Great! I told the girl in the office that they'd need to pay it. IF they can't I'll pay it---he has just about that much in his account----but really LNC needs to pay it since I overpaid them because I paid them prior to DHS telling me not to! I mean, is this a mess or what! Lol! Our tax dollars at work! Love you all, Jeanie

Just checking in to read your post from your visit today Mrs M and even thou I know you went and what you saw, there isn't a note here! You must be old and slow today!!lol Glad your visit was ok!! love to all, Judy

You're funny Judy! LOL! It will be here quickly though! Jamie, I'd love for you or you and Jerome to come over on Fri and spend the night/weekend! Hey, I'll put you and Judith Ann to work cooking! LOL! No seriously, it will be fun! I fixed an extra bedroom in the basement for just this reason---that gives me 4 total! One for you, one for Jerome, one for Judy and one for Bruce and I---works out great! Love you all, Jeanie

Yes Jamie it will be fine because you are quite the hostess!! It will be awesome for you to have family close enough to make it for the holidays! Don't sweat the small stuff like food!lol. It really will be fine! You can always leave and go after Thanksgiving shopping! That's one way to get out of the house!! Lol Jeanie glad Mom and Dad weren't any worse at least! I too am glad for Adrianne but hate it for Mom and Dad since she's one of the people we know love them, that's the thing about nsg homes though--people come and go and don't stay long because it's a low paying job. Love to all, Judy. OH are all of you thinking about "something you love" to share at Christmas with the sisters? It will be here before we know it!!

Quick note. I did go see Mom and Dad today. Dad was really slurry with his speech and was confused. He kept calling for Margaret. I heard him when I walked in the door and asked Adrianne if he was having a bad day. She said no. I said something about him yelling and she said he'd been yelling Merry Christmas earlier. She told me that Tues and Thurs were her last days there. She's going to school to become an LPN. I told her I was really glad. She's so young and will work a long time still. That will be good. I do hate it for Mom and Dad. She stood there holding Dad's hand for the longest time. She said he wants her to hold his hand and asks her all the time to lay down with him. LOL! She said I tell him I can't do that. LOL! Anyway, Mom was about the same. I paid attention today and she did not cough while I was there---about an hour. Dad did sneeze a couple of times. Both are still on their medicine. Not much to say really. I went to WalMart today and used their money for Nov to buy Dad a new pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and some razors. I have enough of his left to buy a pack of tobacco still. I bought Mom a new pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt, a bundle of socks and a new throw. I saw these houseshoe/socks---they are kind of like the slip-on ballet shoes---only their made of fleece and padded all around. I noticed today that Mom had on just socks. I thought those might be good to keep her feet warm and still be washable and easy to put on and take off. Ok, I'm off to bed---I am pooped. OH, Jamie, take a deep breath and don't panic about Thanksgiving. It's like any other meal----just involves a turkey. The first year Bruce and I were married I cooked my first Thanksgiving meal---made everything from scratch including the vanilla pudding---have you ever made pudding from scratch?---I mean, what was I thinking! LOL! Bottom line is it will be fine----it will be so nice at your house---really it will be so special! Love you all, Jeanie

Sorry I've been the absent sister here...I think this is my first time on in a while! When you're not home it's hard to get on the computer!  Judy, so glad you texted me about Dad and sent me the pic!! Bless his heart!! Glad everything turned out ok..scary!!  How long will they be on Cipro?  I'm going to try and get over there this week but not sure at this point! We were gone all day Thursday, all day Friday, a huge chunk of Saturday and all day yesterday...Sunday was Jerry's Mom's 85th birthday so we met his sister Karen and her husband Bob in Radcliff to take her to lunch!  While I was there I discovered that I would be having Thanksgiving for Jerry's family at my house...can I get a OMG from the crowd!! I'm trying not to think about it, but at some point I'll have to I guess.  We've had horrible winds...all my chairs are sleeping in the yard and the wind even blew off one of my huge clay pots with an asparagus fern in it and smashed it on the front steps!  It seems to be windy again today!! We were blown all over the road yesterday..scary!!  Ok, I was checking in and now off to do some cleaning and run errands.  Jerome turns 21 on the 19th and I'm having a Pike jacket sewn for him and I guess now I'm also off to WalMart to see if I can find a pot for my plant!!  Love you all,  Jamie

How were they today Pat? Hopefully Dad is no worse for wear!! Anxious to hear about them! Love to all, Judy

Thank goodness you are quite the blogger, Judith Ann! Moi, on the other hand hasn't been on here for several days! I'm in a fast mode right now with things going on. I had a yardsale today with Fara and we did AWESOME! I've now figured out that early spring or late fall are the best times for a yardsale! Go figure! Tomorrow is my day to cook for the whole family, so I had to go grocery shopping after the yardsale! Got a big part of lunch for tomorrow cooked tonight. Good grief! LOL! It's all good though! Two of our shoppers were Pam and Cary Beth! LOL! Too funny! I was glad to see both of you! Love you all, Jeanie

I called on my way home today to check on Mom and Dad and the lady said that they were both doing fine (big surprise huh???) She said that Dad didn't have any lingering effects from his trip to the ER last night and that they both were status quo.  Still no fever for either. Love to all, Judy

Here is an update for you! After Bruce and I left Dad going one way with the transporters after THEY had made the decision to transport him back by wheelchair transport, they changed their mind and decided he needed to go by stretcher!! When I called down there after more than 30 min and told he wasnt back yet, I kinda panicked and told Donna it had been at least 30 min since they headed their way and for her to double check that he wasn't there and I'd call here back in a few. After calling back Donna said he still wasn't there but that she had found out that he was coming via stretcher instead of wheelchair like we thought and he was in route. I again called back and he finally was there at 10:15! They had sent him up to the ER without a coat and the attendant said the van was warm and he'd wrap a blanket around him. Well they hadn't evidently because Donna said he was chilled to the bone but was in bed in a long sleeve shirt and covers pulled up to his chin! I told her that I hope he didn't get pneumonia and she said she did too but at least he was already on Cipro!! We'll see!! Love to all, Judy

I think everyone knows by now that dad fell and went to ER. He looked good and the CT scan was fine. I was impressed that he wasn't there any longer than he was! I wrapped him in my pink furry coat and told him he looked pretty in pink and he laughed and said not too pretty! He was adorable and hugged me bye and said to be careful. Pat and Jerry we're there when they first got dad back there and talked to the doctor and thank you Pat was being there! Thank goodness Bruce went with me too causeim not crazy about being there alone. Thank goodness he's ok and transferred back!! Love to all, Judy

Called to check on Mom and Dad and the nurse (Kathy??) said they were both on the Cipro and doing fine. She said they were both up and had eaten pretty good for lunch (basically 50% each) Neither was running a temp. I told her that Jeanie and I would be there tomorrow to see them because I am staying again tonight. I'll post after the visit tomorrow, love to all, Judy

Just a quick note to say Donna called JeNie tonight that they had received orders for Mom and Dad both to be put on Cipro antibiotic for their cough/cold/pneumonia, etc. Hopefully they will both be better soon! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie and I went to see Mom and Dad today but it was after 2 before we got there since Jeanie was babysitting and both were sleeping. Dad has an upper respiratory thing going on and Debbie had already faxed over the information to get him started on something. He was hoarse yesterday and Jeanie said she knew was getting something. Debbie had listened to his lungs and they sounded good but it's all just upper respiratory. He's not running fever but he was sleeping with his hat on, a blanket snuggled up around his chin and the heat was on! It was probably 20 degrees hotter in their room than the lobby!! He did wake up a little when the girl came around with drinks and snacks. I went in to talk to him and he was mumbling about being tired and I asked him which daughter I was! Lol. He just looked at me until I said I love you Dad and he said I love you too Judith Ann! Lol Now for Mom--- she was sleeping without a blanket in her reclining chair and Jeanie got her a blanket. Debbie had already told us that she had listened to Moms lungs and they were "wet" and she had faxed over for meds for Mom because of that and the fact her cough is horrible!!!Jeanie hadn't heard her cough the last few visits but she sure is now!! They said she wasn't running a fever. She didn't feel hot either. She did take a glass of thickened water from the aide and I made a comment that I was glad they gave them water/orange juice and she said it was required???? It wasn't a bad visit but not really good either. It is sad seeing them like they are but I just love them both so much and don't want anything to happen cause I don't want to let them go. Love to all, Judy

Sorry! I got side-tracked changing rooms in the basement! WHY???? do I get on these binges!?! Anyway, I got everything put back into place, but by then I was pooped! Anyway, I did go see Mom and Dad yesterday. Mom was Mom---no better and no worse. She looked really good. Dad was not himself and was yelling and talking about some stuff I couldn't really all get. He kept saying something about 'come on, let's go' and going 'home'. I finally asked him if he'd slept last night and he said something about the moon and stuff happening, etc. I asked if he was tired and he said he was worn out! He didn't eat much of anything for lunch. Adrianne said no one really liked what they had. I asked if he wanted some ice cream from Sonic to which he said yes. I went to get him a choc sundae and he had a hard time getting started on it. Kept wanting me to eat it. He finally ate over 1/2 of it---it was a big sundae, too. Anyway, they were not the best but really about the same. Love you all, Jeanie

Ok Ms M where is your note from today? I know you went cause we talked about it! Don't even pretend you wrote it before this note!! Lol. I'm just messing' with ya!! But you did go!! See ya tomorrow! Love to all, Judy

Oh and Jeanie Saturday after Thanksgiving for the shower for Molli works for me!!

Pat I hate it that your visits are always bad!! Dad definitely has some bad days but wonder if the time would make a difference in your visits? Do you still go around noon? He seems worse by all I read on here and personal experience if he's really tired. I hate mom is still coughing too!! Wonder if they got another chest X-ray on mom like they said they were?? I'll be up this week to go see them again because Katilyn is playing intermural volleyball on Tues night and I want to watch her play and then Wed heading to Kentucky, then back to Jboro on Thursday but will definitely go at least once in there! Pat glad Molli is still doing great! I read her blog and it's adorable!! Pam when is Casey coming home? I thought it was NOW but haven't seen any notes about it. Leisa had a wedding shower yesterday that was absolutely amazing!! She got so many great gifts and no duplicates!! Good thing about second marriages is that the gifts are more personal and not about pots and pans!!lol. Brittney,Frank and Boys are in DisneyWorld. They arrived there on 11/1 and will fly back to el paso this Wednesday. They are having a ball!! Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I went to LNC this morning.  Not a good visit.  Daddy was totally out of it and made no sense with the things that I could understand him saying.  Mother was still coughing a lot and was pitiful as usual.  When we got ready to leave, he said, "Be careful."  That was the only thing he said that made any sense.  One of the girls said that he had been looking for directions to St. Louis this morning.  He also mentioned Pam, Jeanie, and home.  No idea what he was talking about.  It's just all so sad!
On a happier note, Molli is still doing great.  She will have an ultrasound on Wed. to see if the baby is still breech.  Hopefully, not, but there's always a plan B!    Her nursery is adorable!   They are so excited.   love you all, pat

Hey, I am SO glad that the report was good and you can move on! Too many things to do and places to go! LOL! Love you, Jeanie    PS: I'm planning on having Molli's baby shower the Sat afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend. I hope this will work for everyone. I'll send invitations soon. FUN!

I've finally got the dreaded EGD and Colonoscopy behind me!! It was ROUGH and I told Leisa it was my last volunteering drinking of that nasty stuff and the only way I'm ever having another ismifmim hemorragjing from the butt and then it will be an emergency and I might get to pass,on a prep!! I do have some reflux, some irritation in my stomach he thinks from the Indocin and I have to stop it for 2 weeks! Looks like a headache to me! The colon was pretty much fine even though he did take some samples but really a good report! I'm good to go with Immodium he said ifmimget diarrhea and that's my plan!! Do they sell it by the 500 to a bottle?? Lol Jamie looks like we're heading your way next week! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie, so glad you took Dad pizza...even though he only ate one piece, I know the change was good for him.  How much is a personal pan from pizza hut? It's just about equal to 1 piece of pizza!! :)  I agree about Daddy liking us around talking and being "normal"...I think it stimulates him in a way..makes him listen and feel like he's home.  Wish we could do that everyday!!   Mom is still in there...she's down pretty deep, but rubbing and patting on her back the other day, she seemed to like that...like Jeanie holding her hand...maybe she needs more contact.  I'll remember that when I go next time.  Ok,  we just got in from the medical conference and I'm tired.  Going to start a load of laundry and eat some sherbet!!  Love you,  Jamie

I did go see Mom and Dad today. Dad was asleep in his wheelchair when I got there, but woke up and was better. His speech was slurry today, but when I showed him the pizza he said: you splurged today! LOL! He ate both pieces of his fish, a slice of pizza, 1/2 of his slaw and all his cake. They'd given him one of the Glycerna shakes for a snack this morning because he didn't eat too much at breakfast. He was ok. Mom was Mom. She ate good -- Margaret has been concerned lately that Mom's chocking on her food and drinks. Today she sat Mom nearly in a totally upright position. Mom did better. Anyway, they were doing ok. I'm going to try to go by and get Dad something for a treat at least once a week. He seemed to like the pizza, but the smallest Papa John's was a small---$7.60---and he only wanted one slice. Not really a good cost to eating ratio! Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Well that's just insane!! And they wonder why we are all broke!!! Government red tape I'm sure!! Crazy!!! Love to all, Judy

Here's a weird piece of news! Mom has a credit at the Omnicare Pharmacy that supplies drugs to LNC. Well, they were the ones who had Mom owing over $1100 at one point and finally got it down to a little over $190. I sent that in and got another bill showing that she owed a little over $160 instead. Well, I kept thinking they'd issue a refund---NO. I called today and they will not issue one as long as Mom's in the nursing home! I'm like: what if it's 5 more years?! Still won't! They'll continue to send me a statement each month showing the credit, but won't issue a refund! The refund is $31.34!!!! Is that nuts or what! Hey, they'll spend that and more in letters, envelopes and postage over a small period of time! I swear, the more I deal with stuff like this----the more amazed I am by it all! I don't know how anything gets done! Love you all, Jeanie

Mom reaching for your hand is a natural response and when I say she's still in there! She's getting deeper into that "gone" state but occasionally seeing a glimmer is awesome!! Love to all, Judy

Well, I guess I'm back! LOL! It has been so long since I posted that I'm out of practice and out of drive to post! Not good! I'll try to get back on this wagon. I'm telling you though, falling off a wagon is a good way to let the thing keep rolling and not even try to get back on! LOL! Our visit Mon was fun for us and fun for Dad. Judy's right, he doesn't say much, BUT he is listening and when Jamie would ask a question about someone somebody in or around Gideon---he'd answer. I do think he likes the noise and talking---it's such a normal thing for him---and us! LOL! I'm finally getting life back to normal here---but I keep hitting walls of being worn out! There tonight, too! I did go see Mom and Dad today. Dad was confused in that he kept saying: well, come on, we better be going---things like that. HOWEVER, there were two ladies there with their little dogs, and when I told Dad that Annie had died, he was like: well, I'll be! I said something about missing her, and he said 'she was a loving little dog---I know you all miss her a lot. I really hate that, he said, too' That was all so normal and such a correct response. I also showed him the pics of Ryan and Bryan at FoxBash + several other pics on Facebook. He enjoyed those and said the right things. My phone works SOOOOO slow there. Terrible reception! They both ate good at lunch. I didn't take Dad anything today ( I was running late), but I'll TRY to do that Fri. I did get them some candy---they both really like it---A LOT! Dad actually looked good today. He was tired because he'd been up since 5:30! I asked about the Glycerna (or whatever that stuff is called!) and Missy (misty) told me that they were giving it to him at night for a snack. Mom was Mom, but the one thing she did today that got me was she'd hold up her hand like for me to hold it. I was talking to her and she did it the first time----started lifting her hand up toward her face. I took her hand and held it the best I could. When I put it back down in her lap, she started moving it up again. I held it this time and talked to her for a long time and she never once tried to take it away or move it. I really feel she wanted me to hold her hand today. Isn't that so odd. I told her we all loved her and we were all doing fine and how proud all of us were of her. She didn't really react any except for moving her hand toward me and her upper body. Anyway, not a bad visit---ok visit. Alright, I'm going to TRY to clear my desk. That's part of the reason I haven't used my computer---it's been buried under about a foot of papers! Well, that, and I'm already spoiled with my iphone----how quickly we adjust and move on! I like it! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Jeanie,Jamie and I met at LNC today and it was another good visit. By that I don't mean Mom was any better or Dad was great but both were ok. Dad seems to like the chatter and laughing and all of us sitting around the table together in the commons area. They brought their trays there for to feed them and both ate great. They weighed dad today and he has lost another 3 pounds. Jeanie and Jamie talked to Debbie about dad getting a dietary supplement I think so they will have to talk about that! Mom is staying the same weight. Mom stil has a cough but again not sure what Debbie said about that. Jamie listened to moms lungs to listen for crackles but she didn't hear any. She knew how to do this because of jason with all his lung problems. Dad ate 4 or 5 little candy bars cause I asked him if he wanted chocolate or tobacco after he ate and he said chocolate! Mom ate some too and seemed to love it. The showers 3x per week have been cut to 2 because of short staff I guess. Margaret down there is so awesome to mom and dad along with Adrian??? Dad still slurs lots of words but did answer some questions and seemed to know us even though I don't think he called any of us by name. All in all a good visit! Jeanie is going to try to take dad a pizza on wednesday cause we figure he would love a change and he always would chose pizza if you asked him what he wanted to eat. Hopefully that I'll go well. love to all, Judy

Katilyn went to see Mom and Dad for us today and not a very good visit cause Dad was agitated and yelling most of the time. She said he had his tobacco but he was just yelling for Margaret and asked her where Judy was. She told him I was home but would be to see him soon. He cussed a lot too which makes me think he might have another UTI? She asked about Moms X-ray and they looked in chart and said she hadn't had one since 10/4. There should be a note on there for one tomorrow!!! I'm going to drive up later today and go see them tomorrow. Jamie you're driving over tomorrow too aren't you? Mom was about the same and didn't say anything but was in her chair ans some coughing. Oh they said mom was through with the updrafts too so not sure about that either. I'll post after my visit. Love to all, Judy

Called to check on Mom and Dad and Donna said they were doing okay today. Dad was sitting at the station staring at her!lol. I told her to tell him that it was me on the phone and was calling to check on him. She said they had both eaten good at breakfast with dad eating 100% and mom 75%. They had eaten 50% for dad and 25% for mom at lunch but mom had taken 100% of her liquids. Mom is still coughing and Donna put a note on Monday for someone to either order the X-ray or post results. I assume she's not taking antibiotic but that's just me assuming! I'll post after Katilyn goes tomorrow. I told Donna she was coming either today or tomorrow and not sure which cause I like to keep LNC guessing when we will show!!lol Love to all, Judy

I am thankful for the quick payments! You all are wonderful! I hate when dad has bad days. At least they're not all bad! I'll post later. Dylan is reading to me. Love you all, jeanie

Pam just called me to tell me she was just leaving LNC. Dad wasn't very oriented and pretty agitated. She talked to Donna and she told her that dad has good days and bad and this wasn't a good one. Dad kept trying to stand up and picking at invisible things in the air but then was lucid enough to call Margaret! Pam told him that mom was right there and he tried to close her mouth cause it was open. Mom still has a bad cough but Donna said she was still getting the breathing treatments. Pam paid her money to LNC today while she was there so we should be really close to that zero balance!! I'm SO excited about that!!! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie I'm sorry I wasn't much good when Dad called..I couldn't understand him, but finally just told him I'm ok and living in Murray.  Poor thing...I wish he wouldn't be so up and down in his behavior...scares me.   Glad you liked the butcher block...right size, wrong price..got it, I'll keep looking!!:)  I've found several benches of various lengths and colors...you've got to come antiquing...and bring me my chair and I'll give you your table!!:)  I'm liking this arrangement...what else you got for trade?!!:)   Congratulations to Jeanie..she and I joined the world of iPhones yesterday!!! We even sent pictures last night!! GO US!!    Judy, I'll be thinking about you and your colon on the 4th....Aren't medical procedures fun?!!  So sorry that you're having to deal with this stuff...whenever you're feeling better, come for a visit...I have 4 toilets...you can have one designated just for you!!:) Ok, I'm off to get my protective shield put on my phone and run a couple of errands before getting ready for tonights MSU event!!  Love you  Jamie   ps Pat, have fun at Molli's shower...take lots of pictures!!

Thank you all so much for responding to m's bill so fast! It's like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders! I'm so proud of you all! That's too funny about the hats pat! Lol! I did go see m and dad today. Mom is mom--not much change. Dad was looking for Jamie and Judy today. I finally called jamie so dad could tall to her . He was tired and had been up all morning. At one point I thought he was fixing to cry--his eyes and face just looked like it. Anyway it wasn't an awful visit . Love you all, jeanie

Just letting you know that I mailed my check to LNC today.  Great job, Jeanie, and just glad to get that part done and over with.
Hey, Jeanie, everyone loved our Smurf hats. I'll be sure to take pictures at the party and let you know how we looked!  Love you, pat

Went to GI doctor and my fun tests are scheduled for Friday 11/4 at 1pm. He said he didn't expect to find much at all but since I take Indocin and it can be hard on your stomach and the fact it's been 10 years since my last EGD and colonoscopy that we should do both. I totally agree and if everything is fine, I'll live with occasionally having the big D!!! He said to not go out of town for a week afterward???? The only reason I can think of is if you had to have further tests or a surgery consult?? I'm NOT expecting any of that and besides Leisa will know the results long before a week is up!!lol FUN!!!!! NOT!!!!!! Love to all, Judy

Hey, that's awesome that two checks are on the way! YeeHaw! You have no idea how happy I'll be to put a check by this! I talked to Ona today and she sounded good. They were on the way to the track. They (she and Randall) walk one round one day and two rounds the next. That's great! I told her that would be good for her, too. She said she's thinking about getting a power scooter to ride while Randall walks! LOL! She said he was up to like 192 or 193 pounds. He looks really good. Anyway, it was nice to talk to her. I am so sorry about your eye, Jamie, and your gut, Judy! Both you two get well---we have antiquing to do! Now THAT is exciting! LOL! The meat block on ebay was right---except for the price! I really don't want to spend that much for one. LOL! Sorry! Ok, I'm fixing to hit it. I've still got several things to wind up before heading to Ryan's on Thurs. Love you all, Jeanie    Good luck tomorrow, Judy!

Well high end of normal is better than over the limit!! I'm super psyched up for my GI appt and will post the details of my fun in the future tests!! I can hardly wait!! NOT! I didnt make a copy of my check but will know when it clears on Internet. I put POA Margaret Shelton on the check along with s note to that fact on a piece of paper attached. If they screw that up they are pretty stupid!! Lol Love to all, Judy. Jamie sorry about the blister on the eyeball cause they hurt! Been there and done that!!

My doctor's appointment went pretty good...he didn't see anything in the eyeball, but thinks I may have had something very tiny in there initially because I have a small blister on my eyeball...yuk!! The swelling has gone down some and the redness in getting better...I'm on steroid drops for a few days.  I thought I might have had pink eye, but when things were still not better this morning, I got in to see the professional...Believe me, I tried warm compresses, eyelid scrub and eye drops with no contacts or make up for 3 days first!  I hate going to the doctor!  He checked my optic nerve and pressures also while I was there...my pressures were 19.5 in one eye and 20 in the other...that's the high end of normal! 21 is the last normal range.  About 8 years ago they were 14 and 15 so they are slowly increasing...but not much over the last 4 years.   So now I'm on the watch list...pressure checks/optic nerve checks every 6 months. On the good side, my optic nerves look young and healthy and if there's a need for game 7 in St Louis, I can wear my contacts and make up!!:) Also...my checks in the mail too!:) I made a copy of my check as well, just in case LNC says they didn't receive it or don't give Mom and Dad credit for it!! Not that I'm thinking anything bad will happen, just covering the bases...something the Cards were good at last night, they just couldn't clear the bases for runs...I'm just saying!! Ok, Jerry just got home and he's out the door at 10 for a town hall with his night shift folks so I guess I better go visit with him for a few minutes!! Love you,  Jamie
 

My check is in the mail!! Hallejuah!!Amen!!lol Love to all, Judy

Quick note because I'm on my way to the eye doctor....thanks for the pimento cheese recipes...making that this afternoon!!  Jeanie, thanks for EVERYTHING with Mom and Dad and MS and LNC...and medicare, medicaid, and AARP on and on...huge gold star for sure!!  I'll put my check in the mail this afternoon!! Does Ona know? Didn't know if she reads the blog...don't think I've ever seen her comment on here.  She's up to her eyeballs in stuff I know, but I agree, the sooner these checks are written the better!  Ok, sorry this is short...appointment in 20 minutes! Love you,  Jamie

I'm putting my check to LNC in the mail in the morning! I,m so glad there is an end in sight!! I called Katilyn and asked if she would drive to LNC at some time either friday,saturday or sunday and eyeball Mom and Dad and talk to the staff so they would know we were around and checking! This is the time where I wished I lived close so I could help out while you're gone Jeanie, but sending my granddaughter is about all I got this week!! Lol Good job on getting this all done for Mom and Dad Jeanie and I'm thankful today for your OCD!! Lol Love to all, Judy

Ok, hopefully, I get all this on without forgetting something! LOL!
1. Jamie, I use cheddar---in fact usually it's sharp or extra sharp cheddar, miracle whip lite, pimentos and all the juice in one jar (I usually use the chopped pimentos and then smash them some more) + sugar. That's all I use. No pickle juice here.
2. Pam, I'm not leaving until Thurs for Louisville, so I'll go on Wed to check on Mom and Dad. Pat will be out of town, too, so anything you can do between Thurs and Sun will be great. I'll go again on Mon when we get back.
3. I did go see Mom and Dad today. Mom was Mom--not really any change. Dad was not as good as last Thurs, but not as bad as he was for Pat on Sun. He looked at me when I first got there like he didn't know who I was. He didn't eat much and kept rolling away. He'd tried to stand up this morning to go to the bathroom in the big commons area and got upset when they took him to the bathroom. By the time I left, he was better. I fed him a candy bar and got him some tobacco, and he was 'chillin'' some then. I did get a call about 6:30 to say he'd fallen on his backside. He'd gone into the wrong room and tried to get into their bed and slid out onto the floor. He wasn't (or didn't appear to be) hurt. Both had been weighed today and both had stayed at the same weight as last week.
4. I talked to MS today and got Dad's bill all straightened out. He now has a $0.00 balance. They had not credited the cash I'd paid at the first of the month to his acct. Cash is deposited into a totally different acct and then they write a check for it and put it then on the resident's acct. Whatever! I asked WHEN the check would be written, and she said today. That left a $55.32 balance still owed. I'm like---nope---should be zero. Come to find out, there was a credit (I had a copy of the bill they'd sent me showing this) on the private pay side that hadn't been moved to the Medicaid said---anyway, it got moved and zeroed out Dad's acct! YEA! He went over Mom's bill with me today, and WHATEVER, again---LOL!---he came out with the same thing. It's $20,796.89! Good grief! I used just about every dollar in Mom's Trust Acct (I called and asked Faith) and their joint acct to pay on this. Bottom line is this: each of us will owe LNC $3200. That's not anywhere near what I was afraid at one point we'd owe. It still stinks, but that's just what it is. I'm taking my check to MS on Wed. You can mail yours to LNC at :
Lakeside Nursing Center
1207 Willow Run Road
P.O. Box 578
Lake City, AR 72437
Michael Smith said to note on it that it's to be paid on Margaret Shelton's acct. The sooner the better on this, so that I can file this whole thing away. It's been a long time coming, but this bill, calling AARP to cancel Dad's coverage and sending Faith 2 more documents will put a big period by this part of the process---the getting them both on Medicaid, paying their private pay bills, switching their drug coverage, cancelling their AARP's, and who knows what else! Ok, I think that's it. Love you all, Jeanie

I'm planning on going over on thurs around suppertime but that's probably all I'll be able to do. Jody is going out of town on Wed-Sat, so I'll have Peyton. Jim & Cary are going to Nashville to the Razorback game. Sunday is pastor appreciation day & we are having a noon meal, then Jim is leaving for a meeting in little rock until Wed! I'll do the best I can...Pam

Jerry and I did go see Mom and Dad Sunday.  We could hear Daddy when we were coming down the hall, so I knew it wasn't going to be a good visit and I was right.  Dad did not know us and he was agitated.  He kept trying to get up and kept going to the outside door and trying to open it.  I didn't understand anything he said.  Mother was the same as always - pitiful.  Anyway, not a good visit.  I asked Debbie how he had been and she said fine until he woke up from his nap.  His sugar was 131 which was good. 
Sorry I haven't written for a while, but know that I always read the blog every day.  We will be leaving Thurs. morning early for my state conference meetings in Little Rock and then on to Molli's about noon Friday.  Her shower is Sunday afternoon and we're excited about that.  Can't wait to see how much bigger her belly is!
Jamie, I have always grated my cheese for pimiento cheese until one day Jerry asked why I didn't use the already grated kind.  I buy that "fine"  grated cheese that is cheddar and colby jack mixed.  I add a little sweet pickle juice, Miracle Whip lite, a small jar of already cut up pimientos and sugar.  It is awesome and so much easier than before!   On another note, if you like cheesecake, Sam's has an awesome one from The Cheesecake Factory and it's only $11 and some odd cents.  Well worth it!!
Okay, now I'm getting hungry!   love you all, pat
Judy, I meant to tell you earlier that I can't believe Dean's been gone for 5 years!  I miss him!!

I go to the GI doc Wednesday and then I'm sure tests will follow! Joy is my word too!!LOL Do you have drops Jamie for your eye? I keep antibiotic eye drops cause my eyes get dry especially when the ceiling fan is going and it causes corneal abrasion. Fun!!! NOT!! I know Jeanie doesn't melt her cheese before making pimento cheese but that's about all I know! I make mine with American cheese that you grate and then smash the pimentos and add them. I use Miracle whip light and don't add pickle juice but do add sugar. I think it's Mom's recipe that I have always used. Pat did you go yesterday to see Mom and Dad? How were they? Jeanie will be gone from Wed through the weekend, so Pam can you go this week? Hopefully I'll get back up next week depending on my tests. Love to all, Judy

I've got an eye infection...joy!! I think I got it from the Kroger shopping cart handle...I don't even want to think about it!! Anyway...I'm going to attempt to shower and then do some housework...maybe some yard work too...we got 7 dead trees cut down and there's quite a mess in the yard!!   On a side note...Jeanie, how do you make your pimento cheese...is it just cheddar, pimento and mayo with a splash of pickle juice?  Do you "melt" your cheese a little on a double boiler and smash your pimentos?  For some reason, been craving it!!  Judy, what did the doctor say on Friday? Did she say, no more mountain dews?!!!! I hope not..let me know.   Love you all,  Jamie

My visit with Mom and Dad WAS so special! I hope for more---but you never know at this point! I did call and talk to Faith and can use some of Mom's Millers' Trust Fund to pay on her bill---hey, every little bit will help. It's only about $700, but that's $700 we can use! I also called and talked to MS on Fri. He and I don't have the same amounts, but part of that is because of Medicare's payment when Mom was in the hospital. He also said that we still owed around $600 on Dad's----there is NO WAY this is right! I paid the entire amount that was due AFTER I thought I had paid all of it and before he told me we'd owe for Dad's portion of each day even when Medicaid did pay---paid that! He was going to check it out and call me---I told him I didn't want to worry with it all weekend! He called about 4:00 on Fri to say their computers were down and couldn't get into them to give me any info. I just told him I'd see him Mon so we can go over Dad's and Mom's---I want SOMETHING in writing that we are DONE!!!!!!PERIOD, DOT, COMMA!!!!!!!!!!! After I talked to him, I'm like 'It's never going to be settled!' I felt like here we go again---one step forward and two steps back! Anyway, I'm not worrying about it because we do NOT owe that amount---$10 maybe because of the premium for Humana that DHS took back, but $600 or so---NO! Ok, I'm off to bed. Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie that would be much more than cool to say you were there when the Cards win but let's hope it doesn't have to go to 7 cause not sure my heart can stand that!! Lol I too am thrilled about the visit with Mom and Dad and hope for a day like that for my next visit!! Lol Leisa and I have the 2nd yardsale for her stuff and some of mine tomorrow and then hopefully we're done for a while!! Leisas pics were awesome! Hard to pick a favorite! love to all, Judy

Jeanie, that just makes me so happy that Dad was so good and that Mom griped at you...for that moment, all was so normal!!:)  Maybe Dad's cake and party brought him around...I swear, he needs a little sugar and needs a little fat...two things I try to eat everyday myself!! These moments are so special for sure!!  Thanks for the great report...makes my day!!  Judy, saw Leisa's engagement pictures...beautiful...Bryan looks a little like George Clooney in a couple of them!! I picked my 3 favorites on facebook!!  Pat, Molli looks so good...so glad everything is going so great for her...she's the sweetest and her blog is precious!!  Pam, when does Casey come home...I know he's getting anxious...you too I'm sure...hope it's soon!  Jerry just called and we got 2 tickets to the world series in St Louis...for game 7...let's hope there is a game 7 now! How awesome would that be to say "I was there when the Cards won!!"?  Molina...I'm coming to see you!!:)  Ok, running the vacuum and doing the boys laundry...yuck...have a great weekend..Love you,Jamie

I'm so glad you had an awesome visit with dad! That makes my day!!! I just feel like all of us should go see them EVERY chance we can because I think our good visits are going to be fewer and fewer. Awesome!! I'm anxiously awaiting my total for Mom's bill!! Im so excited to have that behind us!! Love to all, Judy

Ok, quick note. The girls are on their way to stay with us while Jeremy goes to W. Memphis for a ballgame and Fara has class. Dad was beyond awesome today! I mean, he was the most with it that I've seen in months!!!!!!!!! He was all smiles and talking and saying reasonable things and on and on. Bruce was like OMG! your Dad was great today! He was, too. He wasn't sleepy---that's the key for Dad. They weighed him today and he weighed 139---up 4 pounds. She said he'd been eating better and she noticed him eating the cake and all on Tues. Hey, I told her, feed him anything he'll eat! I'm serious! Give him the fats and sugars and whatever! He kept saying what good care they took of them there and how nice they all were and about the shower and how it had to be that way so they could stay on schedule---just tons of stuff. He never once rolled away either at lunch or afterwards in the big commons area. He just sat and talked to us. Margaret said she was glad he'd had such a good birthday---it's just been a good week for Dad---today was beyond good! Mom ate well and weighs 127---I told them I figured she weighed more than that! LOL! She actually said 'Quit, Jeanie' today when I wiped her eyes---I swear she did. I was like: I can't believe she said that! LOL! Anyway, a VERY good visit! They're going to take another chest x-ray when Mom finishes her antibiotic! Love you all, Jeanie

Well if you can't make your figures match LNC then they can't be matched!!! If theirs is lowest anyway, then let's just go with it! We definitely want it in writing that this is the FINAL bill so he can't come up more crap later! Done is done to me!! I'm anxious to have it all paid and not have to worry about anymore! Love to all, Judy

Judy posted for me yesterday, but I'm just checking in tonight. I've been going over Mom's bill; and I hate to admit it, but I can't get mine to match LNC's! I'll take theirs and will ask IF we pay that will that be the end of the bill for Mom!?! I want that in writing, too! I'm going to call Faith Elrod tomorrow to see if we can just use the amount in Mom's Millers Trust account to pay on her bill----I don't see why not---but good grief, don't get me to lying!!!!!! Anyway, I hope by Fri (for sure) to have an amount that each of us will have to pay to LNC for our part of Mom's bill. It has been a long drawn out affair, and I for one will be glad that the bill is FINALLY paid! Each of us will just pay our part to LNC---you'll just need to write a check and put it's for Margaret Shelton's bill---send it or just pay when you're there. GET RECEIPTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie      Judy was right in that it was a good day/time. Maybe once a month (at least) we can have a holiday day there---of course coming up in Nov is Mom's birthday + Thanksgiving and then in Dec is Christmas----BUT maybe starting in Jan we can do our own holiday days for them!

I wish we all could have been there! It was upbeat and festive and hate it that we couldn't do a family gathering there way more often! Maybe we can try to do that more often! Love to all, Judy

Glad you all went & had a good visit. Wish I could have been there...Pam

Oh forgot to mention that we took dad a birthday cake too and I took pictures with him holding it and will try to post some later. We shared cake with all the staff there at the time and left the rest for the other staff. They are all super nice down there it seems to me and were getting napkins, forks, ice cream,etc and just willing to do things without us even asking!! It was a good day!! Love to all, Judy

I'm posting for Jeanie and I both and possibly even Jamie!!! We went to LNC for Dad's birthday and it was awesome!! They asked us if we all wanted to eat together in the large commons area and we did. They brought dad a cupcake with a candle on a saucer and it was adorable cause we all sang happy birthday together including 5 staff members. Dad was sleeping when we first got there but came around with a cup of coffee. Mom was sleeping too and even though she ate really good she was not very responsive to talk or touch. Mom is slipping further and further away and I see it with each visit. She did tell Jeanie to "oh shut up" once!! Lol Dad looked good and seemed to really enjoy all the attention cause almost all the staff came around to say happy birthday and sing to him at different times. There is one lady down there that seems to just love dad and he does her too because as soon as she came up to him he had a huge grin on his face. I don't know if she's an aide or works housekeeping. She is always so nice to dad. Dad was sound asleep when we all left as was mom. We spent probably 3 hours with them and it was a good day for all of us. Love to all, Judy

Ok girls get those minds out of the gutter! I meant footballs that Jamie is bringing!! We are getting dad a cake and balloons to take with us down tomorrow. Hopefully dad will eat it!! Lol Love to all, Judy

Jeanie, look on www.craigslist.com under western kentucky, then listings for antiques.  On Sunday, someone in Eddyville posted a butcher block table..there's a picture too you can look at along with the dimensions....anything you might be interested in?  I wouldn't mind doing a road trip to Eddyville!!  See you tomorrow...Jamie

Yea I'd hate to forget my balls...that definitely wouldn't be good!!:)  Cake sounds delicious to me...I'll get my fork ready...if I don't forget my balls!! :)   See you tomorrow!! Love you,  Jamie

Hee hee!! Judy, what kind of balls are we talking about?   pat

Am I the only one who found Judy's post funny!?! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

When Brittney had all those ear infections even after her tubes, the pediatrician at Children's Hospital put her on a low dose antibiotic too for a year. She did much better with those stupid things too during that time and eventually outgrew them all together. Hopefully the same with Macie! jamie I'm going up today and mentioned to Jeanie about getting a cake from SAMs foe dad and nursing staff on his wing, cause their cakes are delicious!! Presents? Not that I know of but we'll see. Don't forget the balls!! Lol Love to all, Judy

I literally stayed in bed all day yesterday...I was officially pooped! Feeling pretty awake this morning!! Jeanie, so sorry to hear about Macie...can totally relate to the long term antibiotics and there effectiveness.  When Jerome was like 10 and had all those kidney problems...talking possible removal of one because of a severe infection...the pediatric urologist put him on a low dose of Septra(an antibiotic) for 1 year. At the 6 month mark, his ultrasound was  so normal that they took him off early and pronounced him recovered...I know Macie will have the same results and hopefully this will totally end her ear, nose and throat issues once and for all...but it's still scary I know! Homecoming was awesome!! We reconnected with so many people and the new Pike Lodge is so beautiful...we had the official open house on Friday night!  Jerome and Jason's pledge brothers and active brothers are all too cute and they're having was too much fun!!:) Murray won their game on Saturday with an exciting victory in the 4th quarter!! Jerry's PIKE big brother's son won Homecoming King...he's also a PIKE and the PIKES won best float in the parade...it was a good weekend!!  Ok, out to run a few errands and go to the derm...I'll see some of you tomorrow!! Are we doing presents? Cake? for Dad...let me know and I'll pick up whatever!!   Love you,  Jamie

It does suck about Macie, but I'm thinking everything will be fine---hopefully she'll outgrow it! She's really becoming her own person! LOL! We've had a really good weekend with the Horn's, and it was awesome at Chris and Dana's cabin on Sat. It was just so peaceful and relaxing even with everyone there. It was just so nice. Ok, I'm checking in before I start to try to put things together here. I actually got a letter from LNC on Sat, and the revised amount is about $150 less than the one he gave me on Fri! We'll see. Hopefully this week I can give a final amount due to each of you and this part of the affair will be over for the time being! There will be financial hurdles in the future, but I believe this will end our portion of it! We'll see. I'm not counting on anything at this point in time! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Just posting a note to make sure everyone knows I'm reading and cking her numerous times a day for notes! We were good at posting we were here for a while but now not so much!! Come on sisters and show your support for this blog before it becomes a thing of the past!! I'll be there Tuesday for Dad's bday! I'll see you there Jamie! Pat and Pam will you make it over that day too? Love to all, Judy

Well that sucks BIG about Macie!! You're right in the fact you'd never think she was sick and looks majorly healthy!! It will be ok though! Finding out where all the colds and snot is coming from is a good thing!!I'll add her to my prayers for sure!! I'll take MS amount too!! I'm sure it will fall through too cause this whole thing has been a nightmare!! Off to bed for early getup for the yard sale!! Love to all, Judy

I'm glad the weight thing made no sense to you either! I guess I'm thinking that a pound of feathers weighs as much as a pound of iron! I don't get it either, but I guess it's like spreading the weight of a floor over the entire beam and not just all in one spot kind of thing. Whatever, as long as they continue to weigh him sitting in the wheelchair, we'll have apples to apples to check his weight. I did go see them this morning---both were sleeping. Debbie said that Mom was coughing up the 'gook' in her lungs, but where it was going she didn't want to even know! They both had eaten ok at breakfast, and she said they were doing fine this morning. I asked her again about a urine sample----she said she'd left several notes about it, but that she hadn't seen anything saying they had gotten one. She said Dad wasn't showing any signs of a UTI, but I told her that I wanted one to be SURE he didn't still have one going on. I did talk to MS about Mom's bill---he gave me a statement showing all the charges and what we'd paid. His was different from mine in a good way----it won't hold up, I'm sure---but for today I'll take his! LOL! On another note, Fara found out today that Macie has an immune deficiency in the area of the cold, snotty nose, etc area. She has to take a teaspoon of amoxicillin (I believe that's the one) every day for a YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has an appointment with Children's Hospital in Little Rock in Nov. They'll check her to see if there are other areas, etc, and then she'll be retested in 6 months to see how it's all going! Worry, worry, worry! Bless all their hearts. She's growing so big and eats so well---to look at her you'd never guess the child had been sick a day in her life! Say a little extra prayer for Macie Riggs Moore---she's really a sweet little girl. Ok, I'm waiting on my company. I'm a nervous wreck tonight---I think the whole thing with Macie wiped me out and I've got to get my balance back. If I ever totally lose it, just put me away---far, far away---somewhere! Love you all, Jeanie

Yes come on the 18th Judy because I'm coming over that day too! At this point that will be a welcome vacation!!  I've had one crazy busy week and today homecoming events kick off...I have 3 things today and tomorrow my day starts with a parade in the morning, pike party at 11, ballgame at 3 and a house party at 7....Sunday, I'll be officially tired!!:)  Monday I have a derm appointment..not really looking forward to that, but it's necessary!! Got to set up a mammo and a pap...but those are even LESS desired than the derm!!  I'm having a hard time understanding about the weight thing for LNC...they weigh less sitting down because of gravity...WHAT? Sounds like BS to me..I'll have to have someone explain that one to me! I love how they say they'll give Dad that drink anytime he asks for it...HELLO!!! are they nuts? Do they think he's going to pull up to the nurses station and say, "Yes, I'd like that diabetic calorie supplement please!" Whatever!! Ok, I've got to get off here and run the vacuum and do a little cleaning before heading out the door...I'm already tired, is that bad?   Love you,  Jamie

Dad's birthday is Tues, the 18th! Come on down! We'll have a party at LNC! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

You ARE great company! Sounds like a plan to me about the settlement amount but I'll just take whatever to be able to put a check by that!! Insane it's taken us this long and still dealing with it! Hopefully this will be the final big hurdle until it comes to them being gone and we have the house issue! UGGGG!!! I'm glad dad was better cause he was pretty loopy Monday! I'm thinking I'll try to come up on his birthday which will be what day? You know I can't ever remember if it's the 16th or the 18th!! Lol love to all, Judy

Ok, Sisters, I finally talked to Michael Smith today! I told him to get me a statement showing what Mom owes so I can compare it to mine. He said that he could get me a bottom line amount AND could get the other one showing all charges and payments if we need it. I told him to give me the bottom line and if they didn't match THEN I'd want the other so I could see how it was the amount he has. I'm suppose to pick that up Fri. I haven't heard anything else from Chad's office and don't think it will matter anyway. I also asked MS (Michael Smith) if they would take a settlement for a certain amount. Of course, he said no. Anyway, I'll know more on Fri. Mom and Dad were ok, today----actually I thought Dad was a little better. He was SO sleepy in the dining room that he kept kind of nodding off. He even kept saying, "I'm so sleepy!" I took him tobacco, razors, jeans and both candy today. I bought Dad a new pair of jeans last month, too. Mon he had NO jeans in his closet and only the pair on his body. Today he had on a pair + had one pair in the closet. Whatever! Mom ate really good at lunch---everything on her plate. A lady---not sure who she was/is---came in and told me they had new orders on Mom and Dad. They're switching Mom's appetite supplement to another that's suppose to have more calories! I said: WHY? She's gained another pound this month! The lady didn't know. She just said that dietary had met yesterday and this was their suggestion/recommendation. For Dad they had a diabetic Ensure (Glecema?) that he could have whenever he asked for it! I'm like, he's never going to ask for that! IF it's not put on a tray or given to him for a snack---well, they might as well not bother! She said well he can have it any time! I explained it again. She said she'd go talk to Becky---Becky had already left for the day---so she was going to check with her tomorrow and then call me! There are two bags of candy--one big and one small---that are at the nurse's station. They both love the candy. If you're there and want to give them one, just ask for it. Dad ate his right down. Mom did, too---you just have to break hers into bite size pieces and feed them to her. Anyway, both of them fell asleep in their chairs in the commons area! LOL! I'm great company! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Just got home from visiting with Mom and Dad and it was an ok visit. Mom was literally the same to me except she didn't really say much other than stop or quit. We had one of the girl's cut Mom's fingernails cause they were so long and she had scratched her face today. She has her fingers all clutched too and we got a rolled washcloth in her palm so she wasn't digging into her hand. She ate good at lunch. Dad wasn't eating much when we got there but I took his fork and got him to eat at least half plus ice cream. One of the girl's gave him a piece of a candy bar and coke too!! Lol He really is garbled in his speech and the only thing I know he said really was something about a cigarette! We told him he has a birthday soon and he said "sure nuf?" lol!! We were saying he was going to be 92 and later he told me he was going to be 92 so he remembered. I asked about how many kids he had and he sat there a long time but said 5. Jeanie said that was right cause I had asked how many other kids he had since we told him Ona to get him started! Lol. Moms cough is still not good but maybe she's not coughing as often. Jeanie asked about Dad's weight and they are weighing him in a chair now since the girl said he won't stand for her any more but told us that the weights are different standing vs sitting??? We didn't understand but today in his chair she said he weighed 135! We aren't sure what that would have been standing but they told us that sitting you weigh less because of gravity???Anyway Jeanie said to weigh him sitting from now on then so we could keep upmwith his weight. Mom had gained a pound and weighs 126 they said which seems low! Jeanie asked Debbir about if they had sent a urine specimen in to make sure Dad's UTI is gone and she said it was on her list of to do. Ok I think that's about it! Love to all, Judy

The first time I saw Mom being moved with the sling was very hard on me, too. It was just so in-your-face about how bad Mom is. It is really hard. I hope the breathing treatments are helping. Did the nurse seem to say anything about that? I don't understand Dad not knowing you? Is his UTI worse? Did they get another urine sample? Was he tired? I don't get that at all. Ok, I am going down in the morning--well around noon. Judy is coming up to go with me. I'll try to find out some answers to some of these questions. Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning and it was not a good visit for me.  When we got there they had Mother in a "sling" getting her out of bed into her wheelchair.  It was not something that I enjoyed seeing.  It was just pitiful.  Dad looked good, but he did not know us.  I asked him if he knew who I was and he said no.  I talked to the nurse, but she didn't have a lot to tell me.  She said Mother has 4 breathing treatments a day.   They are just not good.  I don't see how Mother can live much longer.  Needless to say, I cried all the way home!  I also learned that Nikki doesn't work there anymore.
Mother got a letter for jury duty in the mail - yeah, go figure.  Anyway, I went on line and got that taken care of.  I wish she could do jury duty!
On a happier note, Molli and baby Margaret are still doing great.  Three more months!  Her nursery is going to be so cute.  Jerry and I going there on the 28th for the weekend.  Her friends at work are giving her a shower, so I'll be able to be there.  They are both still so excited!  okay, off to get my laundry finished!   love you, pat

Called to check on Mom and Dad and Donna said Mom was kind of quiet today and hadn't eaten much. I asked that she please push liquids and she said she would. Dad had only eaten about 50% today too but he was there at nursing station and drinking his coffee. She said that Mom was still. Getting her updrafts too so hopefully shell be better this week. I'm going to drive up on Monday to see them. I'll post then. Love to all, Judy

Yes hopefully it will clear it! I called and talked to Donna right after I talked to Jeanie and asked her to put a note on chart and to dietary that Mom needed to eat yogurt while taking Cipro and she said she would and that she had eaten Yogurt tonight for supper. Glad dad was better but I do worry about his weight lose. Not good!! Love to all, Judy

Bruce and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. Dad was asleep, and they got Mom up right after we got there. Mom looked good and had eaten REALLY good at breakfast. Debbie told me that yesterday Lisa had sent in the wrong name with the request for info about Mom's cough. Debbie was faxing Mom's info today to the doc. Well, Donna called me tonight to say Mom has some pneumonia and they're going to give her updraft treatments + Cipro for the next 10 days. I asked about fever and there was/is none---just coughing. Dad had eaten great at breakfast, and Debbie said he'd actually been better than usual she thought. I asked about his eating and his weight. She checked and the last time he was weighed he was at 143 or 142---whatever, it was like up immediately after Jamie and I talked to Darah. They were suppose to be weighing him like maybe today---I told Debbie that there's no way he's gained weight. He looks really thin. She said she thought he'd lost weight, too. I'll call in the morning and ask if they got him weighed. Anyway, they seemed ok this morning. I hate that Mom has pneumonia, but hopefully the meds will take care of it. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

I called to check on Mom and Dad this morning. The lady said that Dad was up and about and had no new issues---hopefully his is over. I asked about LNC specifically. She said that they were heading in the right direction---the hall where Mom and Dad are has one lady this morning saying she doesn't feel well. I think it was Paula I talked to---anyway, Paula, said they didn't know if it was one of her regular days not to feel well, or if this was her getting sick! She said west hall still had 2 or 3 cases---but that they were hoping that within a couple of more days, it would be out of there. I told her that I wasn't wanting to come down and get it---she totally understood. I may call again in the morning before I go. On another note, she said she'd contacted the doc about Mom's cough. She hadn't heard back as of the time of my phone call. Mom definitely had a cough on Mon. She said she thought it was maybe an upper respiratory infection and he'd give her an antibiotic. She's going to call when she hears back from the doc. Ok, today I'm going to try to hem three pairs of jeans. Oh, yeah! LOL! Hey, all you sisters get well. We can't have the stomach troubles running around the fam! Love you all, Jeanie

Good news for me is NO CDiff!! Yeah!! Of course that does leave the question of what is it then but that's another day I guess!! Keep hoping it will all go back to normal on it's own! We'll see! Jamie I hope today is good for Dad and a few words out of Mom thrown in! Love to all, Judy

My plan is to come over tomorrow, but I still don't feel great...my gut has just been a little upset the last few days...not sure if it's the new bread I bought or some raspberries I ate on Sunday...I do feel somewhat better today so far.  We've had the flu going around here as well...one of the guys I met with on Monday had just gotten back after being out for 4 days...yikes...he told me this after I shook his hand..double yikes!! Thankfully, I had my germ x wipes in my purse!!   I'm heading out to do a few errands this morning and then going to try and relax this afternoon and enjoy the weather!!  Ok, Jeanie, I guess I'll see you tomorrow???  Do you want me to bring the footballs too?  Dryer buzzer just went off...that's my signal I guess!! :)   Love you all,  Jamie

I called to check on Dad this morning and he was doing ok---no throwing up or big 'd' either. He'd eaten breakfast and was NOT on a liquid diet like several other residents. Hopefully he'll miss it all. I am not sure if I'm going tomorrow or wait until Thurs. I REALLY don't want any illness if I can avoid it! LOL! Keep working on getting that gut well! Love you all, Jeanie

Yes that book is awesome!!lol I'm still fighting with my gut so I'm NOT going tomorrow and probably won't make it this week at all since Jeanie and Bruce are coming here for the weekend on Friday! I'm sorry I can't take the risk with anymore gut problems at the moment! Pat and Pam hopefully one or both will make it there this week to pick up my slack! Sorry! love to all, Judy

I did go see Mom and Dad today. Mom had had a shower and ate really good at lunch. Dad was waiting for his shower and didn't eat as well at lunch. Dad kept telling me his stomach was churning---he was right. Margaret said that when they got him in the shower, he let it all go. Not totally diarrhea, but really close. She and another one or two of the girls told me that the stomach flu was going around at LNC. She said it did the same thing last year, too. I HOPE that Dad's not getting sick---he doesn't need it at all. I asked if it was the 24 hour type or what. Margaret said that for some it was 24 hours and for others it was a couple of days or more. Mom was coughing more than normal. Adrienne (sp?) said she'd left Mom sitting up this morning because she was hoping she'd go on and cough it up and not choke! I'm like good grief! I did feed Mom a piece of chocolate candy---VERY interested in it was she! LOL! I also paid the difference of Dad's bill----the amount left from last month and the extra for the Humana that he dropped at the beginning of Sept. HOPEFULLY that will be it other than the normal amount he pays each month. I did not pay that amount for Oct today because I hadn't gotten their social security checks by the time I went to LNC. I asked for Michael Smith and he was gone to lunch. I told the girl at the desk that I wanted him to get Mom's bill together for me. I will TRY to get there earlier next time and maybe catch him. I'd like to see what he has and if it matches up with mine. THEN we can come up with the figure. I hate that it's turned out this way, but that's the way it is. Anyway, I'm doing laundry and fixing to read on my (well, Judy's) book! It's actually very good! Love you all, Jeanie