Hey, if our kids can't keep our feet on the ground, who else could even come close! LOL! Jerome swimming in that pond is too funny! There is no such thing as being too froo-froo when you have boys, I swear! LOL! Too funny!!!!!!!!! I'm guessing he liked the house/barn/area though. THAT is awesome! It is such a nice home---only to be made even nicer by you all! GOOD! As for me today, Jeremy bought the contents of a music store. Bruce, Aaron and I emptied and moved the entire store today---I mean anything and everything that could be resold! We started about 8 and finished about 6. We came home, showered and went to Grant's ballgame---it was freezing and drizzling rain! Good grief! We got home about 10:30! I called Maggie to sing Happy Birthday to her----she's 3 today, but I never had a chance to give her a birthday kiss and hug! She and Macie are coming early in the morning before Jeremy's morning bus route---I'll get it then from her! She's adorable! Good job on Brittney and fam making it to Hot Springs! YEA! OH, the check DID clear today! PTL! We needed it to so badly! Ok, I'll check in tomorrow. Love you all, Jeanie

I can always count on a laugh when I get on here and Jamie has posted a note! LOL You crack me up!~~ That million dollar neighborhood won't be tainted by Jerome swimming! They probably will be too busy having afternoon tea to notice!lol Now your barn might make the paper though! It's so awesome! I guess Jerome was loving the house? Surely yes because he would be nuts not to! I think that's a great idea that the Army go ahead and move your stuff because that would get you to Kentucky at least a day or 2 sooner and I know you're anxious! I would be too! Good luck with those taxes! Brittney,Frank and the boys are driving up from Dallas even as we speak! They are in Texarkana at the moment--only about 2 more hours. Yeaaaa! Love to all, Judy

So glad to get on here and see mostly good news....Mom and Dad's stuff heading toward a resolution and normal boobs!! YEAH!! Talked with Jerry and Jerome yesterday...Jerome called as he was walking in the front door of the house and continued to talk as he walked all around exploring the various nooks and crannies of the house. He even found some hidden attic space up some stairs above the upstairs bathroom...this while asking me if he could finish the bonus room and make it his man cave! Some things you never outgrow I guess!! We continued on the phone while he looked all around...even as he walked out to the pond and barn. "I'm swimming in that pond!" he said. "OMG please don't!" I said "I don't want the people with the million dollar house next door to think we're some kind of rednecks... they'll be saying look at them.. they've got an 11 year old Volvo practically being held together with Duct Tape, a house full of old furniture and a kid who wears scuba gear and swims in the fish pond in the backyard...there goes the neighborhood!" He'll do it anyway and it'll probably make the Murray Ledger paper! Oh well...Murray needs some spice I guess...and Jerome is not afraid to provide it...that worries me!! Ok..I've got to get off here and get something done today...I still haven't done MY taxes and I'm setting up an appointment with transportation. I may let the Army move my stuff to Kentucky in May and then live in Lodging until June when Jason graduates. Jerome and Jerry could be unpacking stuff and getting rid of boxes and it would sure make for a quick exit from here on the 21st of June. I'm exploring my options right now! Love you all.....Jamie

Only you Jeanie with your OCD would/could have handled all you have/do! I am lost just talking about the stuff with you--much less if I had to actually DEAL with it! Keep that OCD for a while longer!!lol Hopefully the stupid check will clear cause otherwise it will cost an additional $1500 for Dad's part for the month I'm thinkin. On a positive note from me, I had my mammo today and got a phone call it was normal! Yea!!!! I love normal!lol I was about 6 months late in getting it and it always makes me nervous regardless! Brittney and family will be here tomorrow night about 7 p.m. by the time they land in Dallas (1 p.m.) and rent the vehicle (which they have already done online) and drive here to Hot Springs. I'm excited to see them! My life is in limbo though for the next month!lol Love to all, Judy

Just letting you all know that I'm reading the blog. Jeanie, thanks again for all you do for Mom and Dad. You're amazing! I won't be able to see Mom and Dad until Sunday. I'll report then. Love, Pam

Ok, I went to see Mom and Dad today. They were ok. Dad looked really good and ate everything on his plate. He told me that he thought they were about ready to move. No idea where! Mom was asleep all during lunch. She ate everything, but she had her eyes closed. The girl feeding her was great. She was SO patient and kind talking. What we need is a good way for Mom to drink. She chews on a straw and nothing will come up. The sippy cup didn't work---spout is just too short since she won't lean her head back. With a regular cup, she bites instead of sips. She needs a hard straw. I'm going to look online at some of the medical sites that have supplies for physically challenged people! I went by the bank and the check has NOT cleared! I called LNC and she assured me that she had run the check through---that she herself had done so! I told her it was SO important that it clear by tomorrow and could she please call their bank to check on it. She's suppose to in the morning and call me back. I'll call her and Dad's bank again tomorrow. If it doesn't clear his Medicaid will be in suspension for the month of April, too!!!!!!! More red tape! YUCK! On a brighter note, I did get their taxes picked up today and filed! They owed nothing, but the guy charged me $100 for doing them. He's the same guy who did them last year, and last year he charged them $174. That was nice of him to cut the price. Anyway, more POA signings again today! Geez Louise! I really don't like all of this 'signing' stuff at all! Anyway, I'm filing things and clearing my desk. I need a secretary BAD!!!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

I called Michael Smith today to be sure that the check would have cleared by Thurs--it has to be deducted from Dad's account before the 1st. He said they have a machine like Wal-Mart's---when they run it, it's out of the acct right then. I'll call the bank tomorrow just to be sure! I also gathered all their stuff to turn over to H&R Block and took that down there to them. I kind of hit the panic button for a minute. With Dad's pension, Mom's $1000 from the state of Missouri, both of their social security, interest from Simmons and two checks from GenAmerica---I'm thinking OMG! with the income. Then I added up the money from the nursing home alone and it trumped the income! LOL! I don't think they'll owe any taxes, but they will owe for the doing of the taxes by H&R Block. I didn't get the letter today from DHS about the changing of the dates for Mom from 10/1 to 8/1---when I do I've got to go back to see Chad again. Anyway, it is all coming to some kind of end soon---good, bad or ugly---or in our case all three!!! I'm anxious to hear what Jerome thinks of the house when he sees it! I'm so glad they made it there safely! What an adventure!!!!!!!!!!! St. Louis got snow over the weekend, but I guess it didn't interfere with their travels! Good! Ok, I'm pooped tonight. Got up early and for some reason just plain tired tonight! Love you all, Jeanie

Good Lord, what an ordeal!!! So be it and amen! Just glad it'll all (hopefully) be done and finished. I'd say it's about time!! Jamie, glad your 2 guys made it to Kentucky! Keep on cleaning that basement! hee hee! Jeanie, bless your heart, is all I can say for you! Okay, off to the shower! love you, pat

Ok I now officially have a headache as well...I feel like I need a degree in something other than education in order to understand all this crap...and I do mean crap! I swear...this is the biggest pile of it I've ever heard of! I'm like Judy, just tell me my part and it's yours or the states or whomever...no good deed goes unpunished....and then stick a giant fork in my as well!! I am glad they ate good and that Dad knew you Jeanie..that's a bonus! Just got off the phone with my guys..they spent the night in Boonville, MO last night...so on Monday they traveled from South Dakota to about the half way point between Kansas City and St Louis. They should get to Murray around 3...the slept in a little this morning and they're going to stop in Paducah and get everything weighed for the military on some certified scales off exit 16. They'll spend a couple of nights at the Holiday Inn...I think Jerry signs house papers on Thursday...and then they'll move into the house. Very exciting!! Ok...off to the basement...it's so cold and damp down there...like the weather outside...YUCK!! Love you all, Jamie

Well I read it all and thankfully had talked to you on the phone about most of it because if Chad gave you a headache, you gave me one! I think I understand the generally gist of it and that I owe about half or maybe only $4 thousand of Mom and Dad's money!lol Just give me the total when it comes, and it's yours!!!! I'll be glad to have it over and DONE! Stick a fork!! We don't want to have them "broke" and needing tobacco and then figuring out who is going to buy it! That won't happen will it? NOT that I would care to buy tobacco or something but just the hassle of it for someone--meaning YOU Jeanie!lol It will be nice to have it over though whichever way it goes. Love to all, Judy

Ok just so I don't look TOTALLY retarded, Jeanie's note under mine was NOT there when I typed mine! I'm just sayin!!!lol Now, let me read her's and I'll comment again!lol Love, Judy

I know Jeanie went to see Mom and Dad today and it was an ok visit--they both looked good and Jeanie fed Mom all her lunch and Dad ate all of his. He was talking about someone called and told him that there was a problem with Judy and she assured him I was fine--No clue what that was about. I'm sure she'll post tomorrow about it all. She talked to Chad today too about the Medicaid stuff but I'm not even going to get into that one! Just wanted to let everyone know that they were seen today and that I was here!lol Love to all, Judy

You Cats fans are killing me! Go Duke! Go BYU! Go Butler! LOL! Whatever! Anyway, I can't believe Jerry and Jerome are getting so close! YEA and WHEW! That is all SO exciting! On this end I went to see Chad and Mom and Dad today. I really like Chad, but he makes my head hurt! LOL! He talks so fast and thinks on the lamb and changes what and why and how and when all the time! It's like keeping up with a fast train that keeps turning corners constantly! Anyway, bottom lines: basically we'll have to pay all of Dads. Right now Dad owes $2606.05 and we can add about $1500 for the months of Apr through Aug to that total-----somewhere around $10,000 total for Dad. Mom right now owes $21,145.22 + she'll MAYBE owe $3750 for April----MAYBE $24,895.22 total. I'm saying maybe because Chad says she's Medicaid eligible 8/1/10 and not 10/1/10 as DHS has it. He called them (DHS) today while I was there. Faith (the lady in charge of their case) agreed that it should have been Aug 1 and not Oct 1, BUT she said that that didn't change the penalty period beginning 10/1/10 because that's the date of application. You know what, I think we did apply earlier and were turned down. I'll check on that. Anyway, IF Chad can get the penalty period moved back to beginning Aug 1, then the penalty period would end Feb 28. This means that we wouldn't have to pay for March (which I already have) nor April. IF that works out, then you can subtract about $8500 off Mom's total bill. Understand? LOL! It's a mess. He did tell me that they'd get Medicaid for all their med's. Mom's will go back to 8/1 and continue to the present. That's good because she has a $1063 bill at the pharmacy right now that they (DHS) would pay! Dad will get his meds paid for ONLY the month of Feb right now because that's his date of eligibility. He's in suspension for March for having too much money in his acct! GRRR!!! I called the pharmacy and gave them both of their Medicaid numbers and told her to refile Mom's back to Aug 1st. We may get a slight refund of $60 on Mom's + I told her to refile Dad's for Feb only and I'd send a check for the balance. I also paid Dad's acct down to a little over $600, so that he'll be asset eligible for Apr and beyond----hopefully! Anyway, it is beginning to come to a head. REGARDLESS of the appeal, Mom is Medicaid eligible totally as of April 28 of this year. That's a thank goodness. Dad has a ways to go, but at least he does have an income each month! I went to H&R Block to check on filing their taxes. The guy was SO nice. He said that they have too much income NOT to file, but that they shouldn't owe anything in taxes! That's a thank goodness, too! Right now I'm thinking the most we'll owe for both of them is right at $35,000! There's a good chance it could be $25,500. There's still the matter of AARP for Dad for the next 5 months----he can't be without the supplemental insurance during this time. ($396.00 each month)I have got to fine out for sure about the prescriptions before I drop Humana for both of them---that's another expense during this time for Dad IF Medicaid won't pay for his meds. (Humana $44.00 each month for Dad) Anyway, it is nearing a figure that we'll have to come up with. I asked Chad about the 'what ifs' if we didn't pay it. He was like they'll come after you, kick Mom and Dad out of LNC, etc. He said that this last week he had a hardship case that he wound up having to file a divorce for the people who were 86 in order to get their things paid---said it was a mess. Bottom line here is it HAS to be paid. Anyway, I'll let you know as soon as I know exactly what the amounts will be. I'm hoping that it won't be a total of more than $4000 each---that would be better than I was counting on it being. On the quilt---I spent about an hour and did three small squares! Not pretty either! I'm hoping that by the time I get to the end ---IF I get to the end----it will be easier and prettier quilting! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie Oh, Mom and Dad were fine. They both ate nearly everything on their plates. Dad ate all of his + part of Mom's bread and one of her Cheetos. Mom ate nearly everything but her meat. They're going to start pureeing (is this a word?) her meat to make it easier to feed to her. Dad called me by name, and they said Mom had been so alert this morning---had sat up straight, etc.

There are some great videos of the Cats and the other final four teams on cbssports.com and ukathletics.com is the official Wildcat web site. I'm so thrilled for them...I've always felt a victory for the Wildcats is somehow a victory for Daddy...he has always been such a Cats fan and raised me to be one as well I guess! I just hope they play good regardless of the outcome...the last time we played UConn was in the Maui Classic when we were in Hawaii over Thanksgiving...UConn crushed...it was not a good Thanksgiving!! :) Jerome has taken a few good pics of the countryside...I'm like you Judy..I wish he'd keep his hands on the wheel and mind on the road, but I gotta let that go and say an extra "Please Lord"! Those are some wide open spaces out there...can you imagine the settlers crossing out there in a covered wagon? I thought the same thing when I saw west Texas and the plains of Oklahoma...those people had some big sets on them for sure! :) They are still hoping to get near Kansas City today..if they do, Matt said they'd only be around 8 hours from Murray. Jeanie, continued good sewing on your quilt..keep us posted. I have a quilt top that I'd like to get done once you're finished!!:) Actually, there's a quilting group in Murray...I'm hoping to be able to get mine done there, but it's way down on the TO DO list once I get to Kentucky!! Ok..I'm off to get a few errands done and then start on a job in the basement..YUK!! Hope all is going great....Love you, Jamie

Pat and Jamie--Go Wildcats for SURE! It was a heart stopper for me a couple of times and such a relief that they pulled it off! No Number 1 or 2 in the Final Four seems bizarre! I'm sorry Pam that Mom and Dad were sleeping but at least they had been up and had eaten. That's always a positive! Jeanie, if anyone can do a quilt, it's YOU! You can do anything! I have total faith in your ability and maybe you'll be so good that I'll LET you do mine!lol Brittney said it was snowing in Alaska today and she was going to miss it. I know she will because it's gorgeous there and she'll be in for a HOT summer in El Paso! Yikes! They'll be here Thursday. Leisa and Bryan came over tonight and we got Logan's bed that I borrowed from Fara and Jeremy put together and made up. Furniture has been moved out, knickknacks put up, things hidden, bedding changed, etc. I'll go to the grocery tomorrow and then just sit and wait! I'll keep you posted! Oh Jamie, I loved Jerome's pics on facebook of the countryside but told him to keep his eyes on the road!lol The mother in me!lol Love to all, Judy

I think that is awesome that Jerry and Jerome are 'bonding' on a trip clear across a huge chunk of America! How awesome is that for an adventure----not even adding in the u-haul and trailer! LOL! Extra prayers for them for sure! Good choices for sure! Jerome will love the house and land! What's not to love! Murray will just be the tip of the iceberg as far as his exploring goes! LOL! He'll know more about that area than you ever thought about! LOL! Good job for them! I've started 'quilting' my quilt. Good grief! How many years do you think this will take!?! I'm serious. Hopefully I will get faster or this truly will be the only one I ever do!!!!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

GO WILDCATS!!!! Oh, my gosh, I can't believe they're in the Final Four. They sure have had a rough way to get there! Amazing that Kansas lost to VCU!! hee hee! Jamie, I know you'll be so glad to be settled in again and back to being a family. Good things are worth waiting for! Good luck to Jerry and Jerome on their adventure across the country! At least they are getting to see a lot of scenery. Love you all, pat

My guys left Friday with a 17foot u haul full of stuff pulling a trailer with a jeep with stuff followed by a suburban full of stuff. I was cracking up...as I said...pretty redneck, but they were both so excited!! I have to say it was a little sad seeing them drive down the street and even sadder when I walked into my house and it looked a little deserted! I spent some of that night and most of the last 2 days cleaning and beginning some organizing. I just got off the phone with them...to scream about my WILDCATS!!!...and they're right outside some town, Christian, South Dakota I think. It's where they're stopping for tonight. I believe Jerry said from there they still have 1500 miles to go..YIKES!! The goal is to get to Murray on Tuesday, but I think it will be more like Wednesday. I think the u haul can only go 55mph, so it's slow going and pretty boring countryside. Jerome did tell me that the mountains in Montana were gorgeously covered in snow and he saw an antelope grazing out by the interstate. Once they get across the plains, there will be more scenery to look at....I think they head toward Kansas City next, then St Louis and then hit 24 toward Paducah. I would imagine about now that some of the excitement has worn thin and so has the padding on the butt. They'll perk back up when they start to get closer. Keep praying for their safety and smart choices!:) I'm so excited for Jerome to see the town and the house...I hope he loves it...I think he will. That's about it for now...other than we'll close on our house and land as soon as Jerry gets there. The hospital is throwing him a Welcome to Murray party for the community on the 31st and he starts officially on the 1st. Seems weird...them there...us here..but there's plenty for me to do, I just can't seem to get motivated to do it yet...I have 3 months, what's the hurry? Keep those posts a comin'!! Love you all, Jamie

Jody and I did go by to see Mom and Dad, but both were sound asleep. They said they had both been up and eaten a good breakfast and lunch. Nothing new to report. Just wanted to let you all know that I did go by. Love, Pam

Ditto for Judy's post! It was an ok visit. Dad is on an antibiotic for a UTI. They started him on Thurs. I was trying to think when it was that Nikki was trying to get a urine sample. It seems like it was a long time ago. Anyway, she said it takes about 3 days for the culture to get back. This is why Mom needed to go to the ER that day---can you even imagine! Anyway, Dad looks good. He just is having some issues! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie Oh, Jamie, how's the cross-country travels going with two of the men in the fam!?! Interestingly I'm sure! LOL!

Jeanie, Bruce and I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. It was about 11 when we got there. Dad was asleep in his wheelchair but awakened pretty easy and said "I had a good nap". He's still talking nonsense a lot and said something about a Lt. Col giving him something, something about Japan, etc. He asked me about how the boys were. I really thinks I'm Jamie a lot--not sure why cause we're not looking alike. I'm WAY older looking!lol Mom was asleep too when we got there but they did get her up. She's soooooo not the Mother she was in the hospital a couple weeks ago! She had her eyes about half open most of the time and completely closed the other. A couple of times she did say "I don't know" and did that squinty grin and shrugged shoulders that I love a few times too. Jeanie got her a couple of the small Hershey candybars and I fed them to her and she ate them both. I say go for candy whenever you can!lol I tried telling Dad about Kentucky winning the basket ball game last night but he didn't seem interested really. I said it again before we left and asked him if he wanted Kentucky to win and he said "Well, yeah" like that was a stupid question!lol He did say "there's Bruce". Jeanie asked him if he was going to Physical Therapy and walking and he said yeah and he was walking like 20 miles. He said Mom sleeps a lot too and also that she eats a lot, so obviously he is observing some. He did say she ignores you most of the time which I'm sure is true. They were both clean though and Mom's hair is longer and looks so pretty. It has so much body! I told Dad that Pam would be there tomorrow and I was sure Pat would be by soon. He said yeah Pat comes a lot. All in all, not a bad visit but nothing fun to report! Love to all, Judy

Hey, Pam, Judy and I are going to go on Sat---tomorrow. I am so sorry that Matthew has been sick. It has been a crazy last couple of weeks for me, too. Hopefully it will all start to settle down again for all of us. Love you all, Jeanie

Just wanted to let you all know I'm reading the blog. It's been a crazy week. Jim has been on spring break, but has had a funeral and a wedding, plus Matthew has been sick and had to see the doctor. Judy, how long are you going to be in? If you're going to see Mom and Dad on Sat., then I'll wait and go on Sunday afternoon. Just let me know. Jamie and Pat, so glad you both had good news this week! Love, Pam

Jeanie it may be where they gave her a refund for being "in the doughnut hole". Was she? I remember I read that they were going to give people money for that. Other than that, no clue! I will be glad to get the appeal done and sent! I think it's awesome that you're going to have a minute to talk to Chad about some of the questions that you and I had come up with. I want him to be prepared! lol I should have been an attorney!!! NOT!!!lol I'll see you tomorrow Jeanie after I get off work, I'm heading your way to see Mom and Dad and get the little bed for my baby Logan to sleep in! Love to all, Judy

Beth called me today to ask if I could come talk to Chad for a minute before he sent off the papers (I'm assuming the appeal). Well, I couldn't go today, but I could tomorrow after 3:00. Beth won't be there then, so I'm going Mon morning at 11:30. I'll ask a couple of things about 'what ifs' when I go. I got a check today for Mom for like $579 from the US gov't. It didn't have any paperwork with it, but it had 'ins' something on it. What on Earth!?! Who knows! I swear it's a hoot about Mom and money! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

That is AWESOME, Jamie! Good job! Hey, just when you think it can't happen---it does! I guess they just wanted to see you sweat! LOL! And it worked----you did! Hey, that is all great! I'm so excited for you that it is a done deal and the men in the fam can begin working on it for you----yeah, right! Hey, it will be fun, and they really will get a lot done for you all! Wonderful!

I did call today to ask 'what next?', and Beth said that Chad was going to file an appeal. She said it would be probably 30 to 60 days before they'd do the phone call conference, but there's nothing for me to do except wait until they call (they as in Chad's office). Hey, if it works out where we have to come up with the money, we'll just do it. I don't know the why's or what's if we don't---I will ask though. In the meantime, I thought this afternoon, I wonder if Mom is on Medicare payment right now since she was in the hospital for 3 nights. I need to ask. I called Michael Smith and told him I'd talked to Beth and she said fine to send him some money. I sent $5000 for Dad and $1000 for Mom. They both had this in their trust accts. I need to ask about spending down the rest of Dad's. Anyway, we'll just wait and see for now.

Ok, I'm fixing to sit for a spell. I've had Maggie all day---from 8:30 until 7:15---and she was precious. I'm going back to get her tomorrow for the same time period. Jeremy and Fara are in Atlanta for a Stevie Nix and Rod Stewart concert. They'll be back about 3:00 Fri. Fara's Mom is spending the night with the girls each night. Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie, I'm so excited for you!!! I knew it would all work out!!! Good job!!!
I went to see Mom and Dad this morning. They were both sound asleep - Dad with his hat still on. I talked to Nikki and she said they were fine. We checked and Dad ate 100% at breakfast and Mother 50%. Anyway, not much to report!
I'll go back this weekend if possible and check on them again. love you, pat

Jamie you kill me girl!lol I just got off the phone with you about all your house stuff but wanted to let everyone know that I was here and read your notes. You always always make me laugh and that's an awesome thing! I can hardly wait till you are close enough that I can get in my car and come stay a couple of days when I need some laughter! Welcome to houseowners and no longer a househunter! Love to all, Judy

Life is killing me!!:) Yesterday,I talked with the realtor, then a builder, then a guy with a rental home and then I went into a Red Cross Luncheon. When I came out, there was a message on my phone from the realtor...there had been a new offer made between the seller, the land owner and the realtor...and we took it...we're now home and land owners in Murray, KY!! I'm not sure if I'm pleased, scared, tired or just a combination of the 3 three, but soon I'll start writing checks that will reinforce those emotions (and others) every 30 days! I have big plans/changes for things but I'm trying to stay calm. Jerome and Jerry are focused on a tractor, fish, rocks, fencing and an ATV mower thing...I'm focused on getting a sunroom built...which I'm thinking now about possibly knocking out a wall and expanding the room, getting new carpet for the bedrooms, new patio, blah blah blah....we've all got our areas of interest I guess!! I'm hoping some things get done before I get there in July, but honestly, I'm not counting on much off of my list to be completed, but I'm sure I'll have one heck of an awesome pond or 2 to look at!! Oh well...patience...patience...deep breath...deep breath...SCREAM!!! Anyway, Jerome and Jerry will still leave on Friday with the Suburban pulling the Jeep on a trailer and a Uhaul full of junktiques, guns and rubbermade totes of stuff...can you say REDNECK? Guess that means we'll fit right in back in Kentucky!! Please pray for them...and me...as they head cross country without a woman as a voice of reason. I figure it will take them 5 days to get there! I'm trying not to think about it....ok, gotta hit the showers and then Walmart for bubble wrap, packing tape and more Rubbermade totes.... Love you all, Jamie ps, Pat glad your test was ok, but I wish they'd find some kind of meds to help your indigestion/heartburn!

I didn't hear from Chad, but Michael Smith called me to see IF I'd gotten the letters! Well, duh!?! I am going to call Chad in the morning and see if I can pay something toward Mom and Dad's bills. I HATE being dunned! We'll see if there's anything new. I read the back of the letters and it's 30 days for an appeal. Spare me the agony! Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie, so sorry for your house woes! It'll all work out!
I had my EGD test done this morning and it was all fine. Looks like I'll just have to live with indigestion! I'm going to call my Dr. tomorrow and get him to send me something new to try. Anyway, I came home and slept until 3:30! Oh, well, just glad it's over. I'm going to see Mom and Dad tomorrow so I'll report back what I find. Jeanie, did you hear anything from Chad? What a nightmare this has been! love you, pat

Jamie, I am so sorry! It was a hard decision to begin with and then a great deal of planning went into it to make it 'yours'. That just stinks! Are you still in contact with a builder---the lady that built the house and others we liked, I'm assuming? Are you still thinking about building on the acreage with the barn? Geez Louise! It will all be ok---really. You'll just have to come up with another answer to this puzzle. In the meantime, pack up that vehicle and send them out. Jerome can be a great set of eyes and ears for you---send that camera with him! Hang in there. Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie, I'm SO sorry about all of the plans! That stinks BIG time!!! The people with the house wouldn't budge I'm guessing huh? What about the land with the barn? Good grief is all I got!!! It will all work out though for the best. I just know it will!!! Love to all, Judy P.s. Pat how was your test? Hopefully fine!!!

I just have time for a quick note...I'm already late to hop in the shower and get ready for a luncheon...all our plans fell through...we have no idea what we're going to do at this point. I've cried and cried and prayed and prayed, but no clear answers yet. Jerry and Jerome head out on Friday with the Suburban and Jeep...more to come later! I hate crap!! I love you all....Jamie

LOL Pat!!! Thanks it will be fine! Taking a muscle relaxer which relaxes the whole body and you sleep like a baby till the muscle returns in full force! It won't keep me from bingo though!lol Love to all, Judy

Sorry, Judy! I hope your back feels better! love you, pat

Is it me or is there just a lot of stuff up in the air right now!?! Holy COW! Hopefully we'll get it all put together by the year's end! OMG! IF it takes that long, I'll be nuts! I am so glad Molli is doing better! Good for her! Hopefully your test tomorrow will be good, too, Pat. If so, will they just say 'reflux' and be done with it? I hate your back is hurting, Judy! Getting old is getting to us all----well, I can speak definitely for me at least! Pam, hang in there with Casey. Jamie, any news? I'm fixing to hit it for tonight. I just read Caringbridge and Randall is better. Thank goodness. Those UTI's are scary! Yuck! Love you all, Jeanie

Pat good luck with that test tomorrow and be sure and let us know. Good thing I have tough skiin or I might be offended that you didn't put a note to me on the blog!lol All is well! Glad you had a good time with Molli. I'm looking forward to seeing my babies soon too. Only 10 more days! Wow! Love to all, Judy

Lord help us all, is all I can say!! Ridiculous!!! One thing about it, my kids won't have to worry about all that because there won't be anything! hee hee!
We had a great time at Molli's. She's so precious and is doing great! We shopped a lot and ate a lot! I didn't have indigestion while we were there so that was good. I go in the morning to have my esophagus test. I'm nervous about that, but it has to be done. I'll let you know how that goes.
I'm so sorry for Ona. I can't imagine how she's handled this all these months. I know you just do what you have to do and take it one day at a time, but geesh!
Jeanie, I'm sorry you have to put up with all the DHS s--t! Not fun! Jerry got the gutter fixed and the rocks removed at Mom and Dad's house and the insurance guy came and inspected it and said it was fine.
I will go to LNC one day this week, probably Wednesday.
Jamie, hope everything's going your way with the house!
Pam, hang in there!
Love you all, pat

I talked to Ona today too and she is on such an emotional rollercoaster. She told me that she truly believes he will be okay from the head injury but it's the infections that worry her so much. Saturday was an awesome day for him and it makes me so sad that it was such a short lived happiness! Hopefully the new med he is taking will get him back on his feet in a day or 2. As for DHS and the money--whatever!lol I'm like you Jeanie in that I just want to know what it is, pay it and be done!!! Stick a fork already!!! Hopefully Chad will get with you tomorrow and let you know where we go from here. I hope Jamie found out something today too on her house. Gee, so much stuff going on! Pat I hope your heartburn is better and Molli is back to normal. Hopefully you had a good visit too! Pam, I pray for Casey everyday for his service to our country. God will take care of him! I guess Jerry and Jerome are leaving in a couple of days headed to Kentucky! How exciting and nerve wracking both for you Jamie! Gee, we're glad you're moving closer but we had hopes you'd have a house!lol My back is killing me today but other than that, I'm good! Katilyn is in Panama Beach, Austin is in Clinton with grandparents and Mike and Brittney,Frank and boys will be here on 3/31. Life is picking up!!!lol Love to all, Judy

I did finally talk to Beth today. She (they) hadn't gotten their letters concerning Mom and Dad. I read her mine. She's like oh, my! I'm like: YEAH, RIGHT! Anyway, she said she was so sure that we had everything worked out for sure with Mom---NO! She said that she thought theirs would come in today's mail and she'd give them to Chad as soon as he got back from court. I haven't heard anything else from them today. Beth felt sure that he'd file an appeal on both of them. We'll see. I told Beth that I just felt like they were making a test case out of us. That no matter what I gave them, said, etc it was going to be the same outcome! I mean, RE-APPLY! Are you KIDDING ME! It isn't fair, but you know, that's life. I'm just ready for it to be settled---either way. Just give me the FINAL decision and we'll go from there. I just don't know what they expect if we don't have the money, etc. Lawsuit against the fam? Time will tell. What have we gained? Nothing really. An advocate, but I'm not sure that that will suffice. I talked to Ona and she is worried about Randall because HE has a UTI now! Bless all their hearts. They need so much prayer. My heart feels for them. They have it tough----we have to worry about Mom and Dad and the money thing, but I'll take that any day over what they are going through. Love you all, Jeanie

Judy covered it all...I really don't have much to add. If Dad is awake, and I talk to him, he always says something to me about going home. Maybe he does think I'm Mom.lol I look old enough!! His words were so slurred and he kept reaching in space for things. Mom was all clean and snuggled in bed. She looked great, but was sound asleep. We took Dad outside but the wind was too cool, so we just wheeled him around inside for awhile. He's just so pitiful when you say goodbye. He always says to be careful going home. :( I just can't believe all this mess with DHS! Something's not right!! What good did it do to get Chad involved? Has he helped at all?? It's just all so insane!!! What about their house? One person tells you one thing and someone else tells you the opposite!!! It's just so tragic to work and do without your whole life, to save for your future and it does no good at all. Sooooo unfair!!

I have nothing more to add to the DHS crap other that my ranting to Jeanie via the phone! INSANE is all I got! Why did we pay the 7 months of penalty if there was going to be 7 more months is my only question. INSANE!!~! I know Pam went to see Mom and Dad today because she texted me that she had gone. Mom was asleep and Dad wasn't making much sense. She said he talked about going home. I don't understand why he always talks to Pam about that because he doesn't with me. Maybe he thinks she's Margaret still from when he was in the hospital and she told him "to stop that James".LOL I'll text her tomorrow and have her add anything she can think of on here. I'm so sorry Jeanie about all this crap with the bills, money, letters, etc. I'm just ready to give mine back and let the chips fall! I see nothing good for us or Mom and Dad either here. Let this be a lesson to us for our kids! Love to all, Judy

All I can say is OMG....It doesn't pay to save for your future...you're better off spending every bit of your paycheck each month and if you have any extra, give it to your children for their bank accounts. This is utterly ridiculous!! I'm speechless....... I'm sorry for all the hassle you've had to go through Jeanie just to be told no anyway....what a total waste of time, energy and brain cells. I hope Chad has some answers/solutions for you tomorrow.......OMG.....Jamie

Ok, when I got home today I had letters from DHS about Mom and Dad. About what I have been expecting! Mom's states:
This is to advise you that effective 10/1/10, your nursing facility medicaid application has been approved for co-insurance only (no vendor payment) for the month of October only as you were resource ineligible for the months of November 2010, December 2010, January 2011, February 20100 and March 2011. Once you have spent down your resources, please feel free to re-apply. In regards to the penalty period of 6 months and 20 days for the transfer of $30,000.00 to your children, since you were resource eligible for Medicaid in October, your penalty period began with the date of application which was 10/1/10 and will continue to run through 4/28/11.( This means that they aren't going to pay ANY of Mom's past charges nor future ones through the end of April)

Dad's says the same except he's resource ineligible for Jan 2011, and approved for Feb 2011, but 'due to your Miller trust account balance of 3/1/11 being $5830.96, this places you over the current divisor of $4514.00 and your Medicaid will be in suspension for the month of March. We strongly advise you to use the excess funds to pay the nursing home. We will need the 4/1/11 balance of the Miller trust and your joint account so we can determine whether or not to take your case out of suspension. We will send notification of this request at a later date. His penalty period began with the date of eligibility which was 2/1/11 and will continue to run through 8/20/11. ( this means we owe everything back charged for Dad + all his charges through Aug of this year!!!!!!!!!!!! The reason his account has too much in it is because DHS told me NOT to dispense any funds from it until they told me what to dispense!!!!!!!!!! I mean there is NO winning here, girls! N-O-N-E!!!! I'm calling Chad in the morning and I'm sure he will file an appeal, but this is getting ridiculous! I've got bills for 6 months that need paying + the pharmacy bills that I have put on hold also! It is just a paper nightmare. No matter what I/Chad do, it just keeps coming in a 'chase your tail' circle! I'll let you know what he says after I contact him tomorrow. I've got to try to figure out WHAT they owe, too, so that IF we wind up having to pay, I'll have an idea of WHAT each of us will have to put in. I am sick of fighting this whole thing with them. It is so demeaning as far as I'm concerned, but I think that's the way they treat everyone. YUCK! Sorry for the new, Love you all, Jeanie

I don't blame you for just wanting SOMEONE to make a decision! I can handle the decision---make my adjustments and go with whatever, BUT I do not like being in limbo waiting on someone else to control me! Hey, WHATEVER is right! You'll be fine with the decision regardless of what it is! Bless your heart. Is Jerry just going to rent a place with Jerome when they get there or do they have a place already? Hey, it was cool and cloudy for us this morning. In fact, I wound up wearing one of the coats that we had for sale! Pam did go by and check on Mom and Dad. She said that Mom was asleep and in the dining area without her food. Nikki said she'd see that she ate. Pam said she did say a few things but didn't open her eyes and was grinding her teeth. Dad was hungry and ready to eat. They were ok. Nikki said they should get Dad's urine sample results today. (checking for UTI) Ok, that's it, I think! Love you all, Jeanie

Jeanie and Judy...good luck on the yard sale!!! Pat...good luck on the shopping!! I'm staying close to home this weekend and cleaning out boxes and piles of stuff in my house. We thought we might have news on house things, but alas...no. Hopefully Monday there will be some movement toward an answer...at this point, I'm like WHATEVER...somebody make a freaking decision and let's go with it...this negotiation crap is killing me! Living in a van down by the river is sounding better all the time!! Have a safe and wonderful weekend in your 80 degrees...I'll be here in nuclear proof rain gear trying not to glow!!! Pam, so glad you're going to see Mom and Dad, hope it's a great visit.....Be safe and "talk" to you soon......Love, Jamie

Pam, you have to be proud of Casey for doing this if this is what he really wanted to do. That is a tough decision! It is not one made without a lot of thought and determination. Congratulations to him and Bless your heart, too. It will all work out for the good because he felt called to do that. Good for him! Thank you for going to see Mom and Dad this weekend. That is wonderful and one less thing to worry/wonder about for me for a couple of days. We got the stuff out and we'll see how much we sell. Hopefully every single thing! Dreaming for sure! Love you all, Jeanie

Pam I guess his graduation will be there in Georgia and then he moves to another base in Georgia? Frank went to Ft. Leonardwood Missouri for his and it wasn't a bad drive for us at all. Frank lost so much weight while he was there that we hardly recognized him! This will be good for Casey because he will probably go the opposite and just get FIT! Frank came out both! I know Mom's worry because that's just what we do! That will never change. Keep us posted! I'm looking forward to Jeanie and Bruce getting here today and the yardsale over tomorrow! It's suppose to be pretty! Hopefully that's right! Love to all, Judy

It all went fine with Casey. He is now officially in the Army and leaves April 5th. It's a done deal, now, and I'm fine. All I can do now is pray and support him all I can. He can take his cell phone, but don't know yet how much he'll get to use it. I know we can write him and send packages, so I'll do that. I know God has a plan and I'm trusting Him to work it out for Casey's good. We'll be able to go to his graduation in June, then he'll go to another base in Georgia for his specialist training. Thanks for you all asking about him. I'll go check on Mom and Dad Sat. and Sunday, ok? I'll report tomorrow after I see them. You all have a great weekend. Love, Pam

That's thing about grief and losing someone, it takes a lot of time but eventually you can think about them without crying. She'll never be gone until you are gone yourself because we carry them with us. She was so adorable! I can't really talk about it either. She had been miserable for a while though and God has a way of working things out for us which includes Annie. Pam, I thought about Casey several times today too and hope it went ok. It's a HUGE deal but he'll make it! Pat have fun this weekend shopping while Jeanie and I are selling!lol It's suppose to be 80 here and Sunny. I actually went to the garage today and emptied 3 boxes more of stuff! Go me! Pam let us know how Mom and Dad are. Hopefully GOOD! Love to all, Judy

Pat, shop away in and around Dallas! Geez, I need a break! Bruce and I are headed to Hot Springs after lunch tomorrow for the weekend. Unfortunately Judy and I are going to have a yard sale and not just shop! LOL! I am still looking forward to just getting out of town. Hopefully the weather will be nice there, too.

As for building, Jamie, go for it! It should be cheaper + you'll get what you want. Hey, there'll be someone willing to rent you a house for those months. No pressure then for sure about your house keeping, setup, etc----I'm in a holding pattern will be your pat answer to any and every thing! Sounds good.

Pam post about Casey and how it went. Hopefully it all worked out the way he wanted. I'm glad you're going to see Mom and Dad on Sat since Pat and I will both be out of town.

As for Annie, I'm sorry, but I just can't keep her off my mind. Tonight all of a sudden it hit me that I'll never see her again, and I about got sick. I am SO glad she's buried in the yard. I checked on her several times today. She was a major part of my schedule every day. It's a time thing for us for sure. Ok, I'm off to bed. It was a beautiful day here for sure. Love you all, Jeanie

Oh, my gosh, Jamie, you are hilarious! At least you can still find humor in everything - that's a good sign!! Jeanie, I just had a feeling you would bury Annie in your yard - I was SO hoping you would! It's not going to be the same without her little welcoming bark! She was so precious!
We're off to Texas in the morning and will be back on Monday. Molli and I have a whole weekend of shopping to do! Also, there's a big flea market this weekend in McKinney about 20 miles from her house. The weather is supposed to be around 80 all weekend so it should be great. Hope to find lots of bargains and of course, we have to go to the Coach Outlet - my favorite place!
Pam, hang in there! Casey will be all right , but I know how hard it is not to worry! We all want what's best for our kids and sometimes their ideas are different from ours.
Okay, nailbiter basketball games do not help my indigestion problems! I'm so glad Kentucky won, but I sure wish they wouldn't scare me like that! I can't believe Louisville lost - I'm sure Rick Pitino is really happy, he may have to find him another girlfriend to comfort him! hee hee!
love you all, pat

Jeanie, I think that was so right to bury Annie in the backyard...you'll find comfort knowing she's close and you can talk to her anytime you want...I still can't believe she's gone.

Wished Dylan a Happy Birthday on Facebook...she's growing up so fast..so smart and full of life! I know she and Pepper are a hoot for sure!!

Holding pattern on the house still....I think we're really leaning toward building...crazy, but we crunched numbers and it's cheaper plus we get what we want....of course we also get the hassle of waiting 6 to 9 months...you only go around in life once right? I'll keep you posted!!

Ok...back to basketball...Kentucky won a nail biter...Louisville lost a nail biter and Vandy lost a heartbreaker...anything can happen during March Madness!! Tomorrow will be another basketball filled day... Hope all is well...Love you all, Jamie ps Pam, how did things go with Casey today?

Jamie I swear you should be on tv or at least write a book of comedy! I laughed and laughed when I read your notes! You are so freaking funny!!!lol Anyway, you're right about Annie not being "just a dog", cause that is like saying it's just a leg (oh heaven help me with that one!Lol) or arm! She was precious and we loved her! As for DHS--NUTS is all I got! I'm just ready to read it and weep!lol Brittney, Frank and the boys will have the movers at their house this coming week and should be here at the end of the month or first of April. I'll have to take them to Dallas at some point to get their truck and wouldn't it be nice if Ona was there and I could visit! Things never work out the right way though, do they? Oh and Jamie, building a house would be awesome! You could built a 2 story salt box like you love! Things always work out! It will be fine! Love to all, Judy

I swear Jamie you can always make me smile! You are such a mess! I hate all the stuff with your house! That's just insane. Hey, at least you'll still have your barn, pond AND the house you want. You can do it! You're just crazy enough to pull this off! It sucks that you don't get reimbursed for the $1000. They should at least split it with you because it wasn't you that let the thing fall through! Geez!

DHS called me today and I didn't answer. Ain't talking to her again. Beth then called me and said they needed ONE MORE THING! Supposedly this is the LAST thing they need. If you believe that you're nuts! Anyway, they wanted me to transfer 1/2 of their AARP payment out of their joint acct and put it into Dad's Trust acct and send proof of me doing that. I did. I owe Donna Hankins something when this is all over. She has been a blessing to me. So cheerful and so willing to help me. I guess now we just wait for the ruling. Nothing else to do there. We'll fight that battle when we get it if need be. Maybe it will be fine, but I'm not counting on it.

As for Annie, it's just going to take me some time. I still can't really talk about her without crying. I am SO glad we buried her in our yard. It really does offer me some comfort seeing her grave. The funny thing is I had this big piece of granite that was a sample. It's a perfectly cut rectangle. Well, we put that on top of her grave and it looks like a foot stone. I can see it from all the windows across the back. I guess that's weird, but it makes me feel like she's not so far away.

Today is Dylan's birthday. She's 7! She's a precious little girl! Love you all, Jeanie

Let me just start by saying I'm glad you're fine Judy...I'm not sure I could take one more "thing" to worry about/be upset about right now!!

Jeanie, Annie was not "just a dog", she was part of the family and such a character (she fit right in)! I'll miss her terribly.....I'm thinking about you and Bruce and I too am here if you need/want to talk!

Pat, I'm so sorry about your indigestion and lack of sleep...I don't function well without sleep...it may be time to look at changing your diet! You know what they say..once you go meatless, you never go back...actually, they say that about a certain race(black)...well, not the meatless thing, but I'm trying to be witty so work with me here! Anyway...once I stopped the meat, skins on fruit and sodas, really I haven't had any issues...except garlic...garlic gives me major indigestion, but I still eat it occasionally. Could it be coffee? Hope you find what works!

House: I just got indigestion!! The appraisal came back at 410,00...under what we were going to pay! The bank said (and Gale) they don't really value the land like you would think. So we are back in negotiations sort of...they've given us their bottom line again and we're saying we're just not willing to eat the difference. We've put in our for real bottom line and I'm sure they're going to say forget it. So now, we've contacted a builder and looking into building on the 5 acres...Lord, help me! What am I doing? Am I crazy? Has nuclear rain fried my brain?...the answers: something stupid, yes and yes.......bottom line...I'm absolutely no closer to having a house to put my stuff in than I was a month ago when I went to Murray...plus I'm a $1000 poorer because of the inspection and appraisal....NICE!! Am I on Candid Camera? If I am, they better get ready for the bleeper and that blurry spot they put over things they don't want you to see!!

For right now, I'm going to start a load of laundry, pick up my house a little and get ready to watch basketball games all day and eat junk food...that way,when my butt and thighs explode out of my jeans and my muffin top and boobs are the same size, I'll really have something to be depressed over and being homeless won't seem so bad! I need to seek professional help....:) I love you all...Jamie

With everything going on in everyone's life, I'll take OK as a good thing! At least Mom and Dad are in the boat together and that's a LOT better than one being in the boat and the other at the hospital or WORSE! Yuck! I'll be so freaking excited when the whole DHS, will pay, won't pay, Miller's trust, etc, etc is a thing of the past and Medicaid just pays every month. At the rate I'm going, won't be alive to get that good news! LOL Just kidding, I'm fine! Love to all, Judy

I went to see Mom and Dad today. They were ok. Both were so sleepy they couldn't stand themselves. Dad kept saying I think I'm just going to fall out right here I'm so sleepy. I asked about his sleeping last night and they said yes. I talked to the older of the two women who came to the hospital to see Mom, and she said Dad didn't want to get up for supper last night. I didn't ask if he did or not. Didn't want to know. They both have new skin tears. They've ordered some blood work on Dad because Nikki said he'd been really confused, etc---worried about a UTI! I'm growing to hate those three letters, by the way. Dad is taking therapy. The therapist said he did really good yesterday and walked from the therapy room to the door to the patio down past the nurses' station by their room. I was shocked---so was she. Anyway, she took Dad to do some more today. That may account for why he's so tired. Mom fell asleep in her chair after lunch. Ok, was what they were. Love you all, Jeanie Oh, Beth called and Faith (DHS) needed some more bank statements----3 for Mom, 1 for Dad and 1 for their joint account + she needed me to sign a paper saying we could/would terminate Mom's Miller's Trust account----said Faith said Mom didn't need one. Anyway, for now---do nothing, but if it all goes through then I'll close that one account. Works for me.

My gosh, this page is full of crap right now! We still are just so upset over Annie. I know she's 'just a dog', but we loved her and have had her for nearly 8 years. We were both so attached to her. I really expected her to recover---she just took a major turn for the worse and died really fast. It's going to take some getting used to not having her around. Bless her heart, she was a good little dog.

As for Casey, Pam, sometimes we have to give them permission to 'do' those things they want even if WE don't want them to. That is such a hard thing to do as a parent. We want to protect and serve----really all of their and our days. IF this is what he REALLY wants to do, then he has to do it. I think you and he will both regret it if you don't. So hard to watch and wish and pray for them and you, too.

Jamie, what on Earth about your house! Surely, they will appraise it for that. I mean, where did the lady come up with that number to begin with? Cost of building it? Tax tables? Where? There has to be a 'value' placed on it when the original owner got the loan to build it. What was that? Add the 3 acres it sits on even to that amount. What about the homes being built on that street? Someone is getting loans for those + one was for sale for $795,000!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, come on, what's the deal here. Something can't be right. The other was like $895,000 and the others were over $500,000! This one was less than any of those, but they're saying that nothing has sold for the amount of yours!?! That doesn't make sense! Good grief!

Pat, will the test on the 22nd show acid reflux if that's the problem? I mean, something is going on otherwise you wouldn't be hurting so badly.

Let's pray for some sunshine!!!!!! Extra prayers to be continued for Ona and Randall. They need us worse than any of our problems!! Love you all, Jeanie

Oh my gosh, I'm SO sad about Annie. I was so hoping she would get better. She was such a special dog! I'm so sorry for ya'll and I can't imagine how much you'll miss her! I loved Annie!
Pam, I know how scary it is for Casey. I felt the same way when Jerrod was thinking about joining. As Mothers we still want to make big decisions for our kids and it's hard that we can't. We just have to hope and pray that their decisions are best for them.
Jamie, I'm sorry about all your house problems. They'll all work out for the best, too.
As for me, I had another horrible bout of indigestion last night and was up half the night. I'm really getting tired of this! I absolutely can't work without sleep!
Okay, off to the shower! Love you all, pat

Jeanie, I'm just absolutely SICK about Annie. I've cried and cried and you know my heart hurts for you and Bruce. I loved her too but not anything like you two. If you want to talk about it, you KNOW I'm here. You helped me so much when Dean died, that I'd do anything for you and you know that! Pam, Casey will be fine because he's doing it for himself! He would NOT go into this if it wasn't what he really wanted to do. It's a major commitment but the Army has been great for Brittney and Frank. They have had lots of adventures and regardless to what anyone says, the Army DOES take care of their guys and girls. He will need lots of prayers and you know that we sisters can do prayers with the best of them! He will be added to my list for daily prayers and God will take care of him! Jamie, not sure what to even say about the house and hunting again if that happens but as for a road trip--I'm so there! Just say the word! Brittney,Frank and boys will be here during April for a big part of it but I can work miracles around things so just let me know! Maybe Brittney can road trip and I'll watch her boys! That would be GREAT for her anyway! We'll figure it out! Pam I feel the same way about all of you sisters and I can't imagine my life without each and everyone of you in it! You mean more to me than you probably even know! Prayers for all!! Love, Judy

our little annie died today. i'm so sad

Pam, Casey will find his way! I think as Mothers we're all so invested in our children to be happy, successful and independent and it's so hard to watch them as they go through all the things in life that eventually get them to that point...but they do get there...some just faster and easier than others. I wish all the best for Casey on this new journey and I hope he finds what he needs out of life in the Army. As I've said before...hard for me to say anything bad about the military..it has served us so well..a Masters Degree for Jerry and awesome experience that has led us to our newest adventure that we're about to take! Jerry will be the first to tell you...all he is he owes to the Army!! Extra prayers coming your way! Jeanie, my poor Annie...extra prayers coming your way too! I think I'm going to turn to drinking or major junk eating personally...we got some preliminary news about the appraisal and it's not good...official report will be tonight or tomorrow. The problem is there's nothing else in Calloway County to compare this house/land/location to so basically they're left to compare apples to oranges. If this falls through, we're back to square one and I guess I'll be making another house hunting trip the first of April...there's just nothing else to really even consider...I looked again this morning after we talked with Gale. I do think we'll keep the land if possible..maybe..right now I just feel like the rug's been pulled out from under us. As I said, drinking may help!!:) It's just a wait and see....everyone keep posting...Love you all, Jamie

Just talked to doc and Annie is better--maybe a little they said. Geez! Still has IV and still no food. We'll see how the day goes. IF they can get her back on food, and IF she doesn't get sick again from it, and IF..............! We'll see. I thought she'd be much better by today, but the girl at the desk didn't sound/say so. I'll call later. As for the road trip in April, I'd love to, but there's no way for me right now. Good grief, I can't seem to get a day to do ???? much less a week! Maybe Judy can come. She's been wanting to and she'd said something about flying out and riding with you. Hey, if she does that, maybe I could come pick her up in Murray. Just a thought. I'll be glad for the appraisal to come through. Waiting is just not one of my strongest points for sure. Love you all, Jeanie

Just wanted to check in to let you all know I've read the blog. I didn't read it until this morning, so I had to go back several pages, but I'm caught up now on everything. Are our lives all crazy or what??? I won't be able to go see Mom and Dad until Sat. Jim has something going on every day after school this week. My big prayer request is for Casey. He's signing up for the Army Reserves on Thursday. He's going to Memphis for his physical and what I understand, swearing in after that. He's to leave for boot camp between April 1-11 and will be gone 9 weeks for that, and then leave again for his specialist training for 16 weeks. So, he'll be gone 6 months!! I've been upset about it, but he promises me that this is something he's always wanted to do. I hurt for him, because he has never really found his place. He's just worked these little jobs, and he just cannot support a family like that. I pray that it all turns out the way he wants it to. It's going to be the hardest thing he's ever done but hopefully the most rewarding. They've bought a house in Jonesboro, and are moving this week. I just feel like they are putting more and more stress on their marriage, but you know you can't tell these young adults anything. They just need lots of prayer!! Jamie, thank you for calling me. It made me feel better, but I'm going to need you all to support me in this. I'm sitting here crying as I type this. You just love your kids so much and just hurt for them. This is going to keep me on my knees and that's a good thing! I will get through it. I pray for you all daily, and love you all so much. Pam

So glad to hear about Annie...you needed a little extra stress in life right? Glad to hear Mom and Dad are doing good as well. I think physical therapy will be great for Mom...you've seen what it does for Dad...his mental faculties always improve once he starts therapy. I hope they increase his food intake/calories as well. Hey a milkshake from Sonic would help...man, that sounds really good right now...I might have that for breakfast!! Today is my baby's birthday...18...wow, where does the time go! He skipped school and his brother ditched work to go get donuts from this crack house looking place and then hit the mountain for a day of snowboarding...ah to be 18 and 20 and virtually obligation free...I remember those days! Of course I was teaching school at 20 so my obligation free days were a few years prior to that!!:) Still waiting on the appraisal from the house...we've been on the phone with Matt, the finance guy, again this morning, but still no word! We've got everything ready to move forward if this appraisal comes in on target...if not, don't know what we'll do next...I guess cross that bridge when we come to it!! Jerry is continuing to clear post and he and Jerome still hope to be out the door by the 23rd..yikes, so much to do, so little time!! If they're unable to take a u haul full of stuff, is there anyone who'd like to fly here and road trip with me in April???? Just putting it out there!! :) Life is short Adventures are fun...Speaking of adventures..I'm off to get laundry done, errands run and a cake baked and encourage the husband to continue to clean up/throw out piles of stuff from all over my house!! Love you all....Jamie PS Pat how are the new meds working?

It's a good thing that I only have to read about your adventures with stuff cause I'm definitely too old to have to DO them! You can't possibly say you're old when you handle so much, so many things! You're my hero!!!lol I'm so glad Annie is better and that Mom and Dad were too! I'll take that kind of day any day of the week! Love to all, Judy

I would love to learn how to repair clocks! Unfortunately by the time I have time, I'll be too old! I'm serious---I'm getting there quick. I'm still just exhausted and can't catch up either. Today I finished my house, went to get Mom's pillow, went to Walmart to get her sippy cup, went by Bob Haun's to pay insurance, went to LNC, went by Target to get sodas, went by WalGreens to by the stuff on sale, drove straight from there to Valley View to pick up Grant and Mak, went to Kroger to get groceries, came home and started supper because Mak had to be back at VV by 6:30 for the science fair, came back, made milkshakes for the kids, cleaned up my kitchen, and started a load of towels. I'm just now sitting down for the day---I'm just pooped! Anyway, I'm checking in because I'm heading to bed. I ran into Dr. Lawrence at the science fair and talked to him about Annie. He's going to try to start her back on some food tomorrow---not for sure, but he hopes he can. That will all determine when she comes home. She's still having the big "D", but he thinks she's not in as much pain as when I brought her in. She's not panting now. Ok, love you all and good night! LOL! Jeanie

Pam and Jeanie--I got my clock back from the fixit man today and he gave me the following name of a man in Jonesboro that fixes clocks. He said he was here last weekend and he has his phone number in his cell, so obviously they are pretty good friends. Ok, the Jonesboro man is Pete Cronas, cell phone 870-974-2583. You might mention my clock man's name is Blaine Hoar. He said Pete was going to retire soon and that he works for the government. He fixes clocks on the side evidently along with selling tools to repair clocks. Jeanie, you can become a clock fix it person in your spare time and fix all our clocks! We'll even pay you!lol Love, Judy

Update on Annie: she's doing better. Still can't eat, but he said she's 'getting there'. If she continues, I will probably be able to bring her home Wed. Hey, the good news is that it looks like she's turning the corner, too! Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to see Mom and Dad today. I found a sippy cup with a straw that folds out and is not that real soft silicone. Anyway, I told them to keep it with her with water and to make sure she drank a lot. She was still good. Tired, but good. Dad looked really good, but he didn't make a lot of sense most of the time. He was SO glad to see Mom and all that. He's up walking for therapy! Good! They're going to do an evaluation on Mom tomorrow and try to give her some therapy, too. I like it! Anyway, it looks like today is going to end on a good note! I like that, too! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

An update on Annie for all of you. She's in the hospital with an IV and we're in a holding pattern with her like we were with Mom! Good grief! Her levels were all up except the albumin (whatever the word and sp?) which was low. He said the only thing we could do was give her the meds and see if her body could fight it off! He said the next 24 hours would tell. She has pancretitis (sp?). Anyway, I'll keep you posted. She was so sick when I took her to the vet this afternoon after she threw up this last time. Scared me. She just whimpered when I wiped her face like she felt so bad. Bless her heart. If all goes well with her, he said it would be Wed, Thurs or Fri before she could come home! Hopefully he's wrong. Love you all, Jeanie

Jeanie I'm just sick about Annie. Bless her heart! I'm saying a prayer for her too! You're right about Ona and her family because this had to have been a tremendous 7 months for them that felt like 7 years! A huge nightmare for sure! I hope this isn't repeated for Mom or Dad for sure! None of us could stand much more! Love to all, Judy

Called LNC about 1:30 to check on Mom and Dad and the lady I talked to said that they were doing fine. She had fed Mom her lunch and that she had "eaten quite a bit" and one time she told the lady "I love you" and the lady laughed and told her that she loved her too. I think it was the mother who came to the hospital to see Mom while she was there. Her daughter works at LNC too but I don't know their names. She also said that Dad had slept all night last night which evidently he hasn't been doing since Mom hasn't been there. She said he was so glad to see Mom. I know he was! So glad they're back together! Love to all, Judy

Well, I'm SO glad it all worked out like it did! I'll tell you the truth, after getting home between 3:30 and 4:00 on Sat-------I had HAD it! I'm still just exhausted! On top of mine is Annie. Bless her heart, she's just not doing well right now. I really think she's lost her eyesight---or most of it + last night and this morning she has thrown up. I hate it all so badly. I'm going to take her to the vet tomorrow if she isn't better from the throwing up----she has an appointment for the 24th anyway. Jamie, I'm glad you've had a chance to 'finish' at Washington. It is hard enough to move and relocate without having to lose a week in the middle of it. I'm going down tomorrow to see Mom and Dad and take Mom a sippy cup. I told Rose that I was going to bring them so that they could make SURE Mom got plenty of liquids! I just don't want a repeat of this! Mom and Dad ARE strong, BUT( and it is a big but!!!) they neither one can do this many times and pull through! The odds are not in their favor at all! Ok, glad everyone seems to be heading back to the end of their crisis. Let's say all those extra prayers for Ona and her fam. My heart really goes out to them now more than ever. Bless their hearts for dealing with this 24/7 for over 7 months straight now! I am so sorry they are having to go through this. Extra prayers for them would be great. Ok, I'm off to do something positive to my house! LOL! It needs some TLC of its own! Love you all, Jeanie

Oh my gosh, first of all, Jamie, I cracked up at your 70's pictures! They were hilarious!!
I'm also glad that Mom survived once again. Spending the night with her was very tiring, but I survived! I came home and slept from 1:00 to 5:00 ! Of course, the time changing didn't help my cause! Anyway, life goes on! Jerry's brother and his grandson were here all weekend on top of everything else, but that worked out okay too! I have 4 days of work this week and then we're off to see Molli and Marty on Friday. Spring break, I'm ready!! Okay, love you all, pat
Oh, Molli got a clean bill of health on Friday and I got my ultrasound results and it was all normal! Woo Who!!

Yes we are blessed! Mom and Dad are such fighters...just the way they grew up I guess...I'm not sure I have that kind of fight in me, but I'm hoping!!:) So glad you were all there to rally around and help pull Mom through this...I'm sorry I couldn't pull my weight this round, but soon I'll be just a stone's throw and available for anything! Jerry and I made it through all events on this end and then both collapsed from exhaustion on Thursday night. Friday we got several things done toward getting out the door and today Jerry just about finished the last of his paperwork for Madigan. Monday we have 4 appointments lined up here and we're opening our bank account in Murray via phone and transferring closing cost money into it on Monday as well. I'm hoping to hear about the appraisal on Monday or Tuesday and maybe the land financing this week as well. We won't make any decision about a Uhaul until we know more about what's going on with the house....the waiting is killing me...patience is not one of my virtues!! Jerry and Jerome still hope to leave around the 23rd or 24th. That's just around the corner and still so much to do! Ok, I've got to try and get some sleep...there's work to be done tomorrow! I love you all, Jamie

Well welcome back to our regular way of communicating! Am I glad we're back?? You bet I am cause it means all is back to normal! What a 3 day ordeal!! I LOVED Mom coming around on Friday and laughing and talking like our normal--well ok, relatively speaking--Mom! It was awesome and such a treat! We are so incredibly blessed to have dodged that bullet! God has been awesome to this family!! Thank you so so much to all of my sisters because I can't imagine having to go through anything like this alone! How would you do that??? I know Dad will be so glad when he sees her! I'll call tomorrow to see how things are going! Thank you again for everything you do! Love to all, Judy

I definitely want to see the CD/DVD of anything you have there! I watched Jerry's video to Madigan and cried. He is such a great guy!! We are all so fortunate you chose him! I think the disco thing will be a hoot for sure! Can't wait to see those pictures. As for rain, it's rained her for 2 days now but it's suppose to clear and be cold and pretty by the weekend. NOT like 365 days! yuck!! Love to all, Judy

Good Morning...it's a typical day here in the Northwest...RAIN RAIN RAIN...omg...how people live here for years and years I do not know. I'm no sun worshipper, but this is the pits...2 years will be my limit!! Although Gale said they'd had quite a bit of rain in Murray too..hopefully that will be done by the time I'm there!!:) Today is a big day...the appraisal on Bridlewood takes place this morning...not sure when I'll here anything...Gale is suppose to keep me posted...she's been so great!! And we have our 70's disco farewell tonight!! Even Jerome decided to get a costume...we were at the thrift store yesterday and I was cracking up at him trying on clothes..at one point he was trying to squeeze himself into a pair of women's bell bottoms. His outfit is funny...not sure if it's disco or 70's porn star or starchy and hutch, but it's funny anyway!! Jason has decided that he'll just wear "normal" clothes...this coming from a kid who snowboarded down the mountain at Drum in nothing but his underwear, a red velvet king crown and cape!!! WHATEVER!!! I'll take some pics of us and the bobbleheads and try to get them on here or Facebook tonight if I'm not exhausted or tomorrow afternoon after the Change of Command....this will be a toughie...I'm going to try and get a copy of the dvd or cd made so I'll have it for you to watch if you want. It's all so bittersweet and surreal...a lot of emotions to process....Ok, off to finish washing Jerome's stuff for tonight and to Lysol his shoes for tonight...I don't even want to think about the feet that were once in those shoes!! Love you all, Jamie

Hey, Pat at least one down and one to go! Surely you'll hear tomorrow about that one. Hopefully it's fine. I'd have the hardest time going without anything until 1:00! I can barely make it 10 minutes once I'm up before having something! LOL! Keep the faith. Molli still doing ok? Still going back on Fri? Hope all is good with her. Love you all, Jeanie

Pat that EGD test will be fine. The worse thing for me is the IV. Once I get that over, I'm good!~lol Keep us posted~ Jamie try to enjoy these events the best you can because it speaks a lot about you and Jerry that everyone is sick about you leaving. You're both a real asset to the military and the whole human race! Love to all, Judy

I got my "abdominal" ultrasound done today. I don't know anything about the results. I guess they send them to my Dr. and he calls me. Anyway, one down and one to go, unfortunately the worst one yet to go. I could not have anything to eat or DRINK until my test was done at 1:00. I was miserable all morning. I'm used to my coffee first thing! Needless to say, I had a severe headache all morning and still have it. At least my esophagus test is at 8:00! Judy, I'm having the one done that they put you to sleep and run that scope down your throat. I really don't enjoy thinking about that!
Jamie, it's SO hard to say good-bye! It makes me cry just hearing you write about it. At least it's a good good-bye! love you, pat

Jeanie, just so you know--my 90% chance of rain, hail and tornadoes has started! Luckily it's only rain at the moment!!! Bingo indoors sounds pretty awesome!lol Jamie, yes please post those pics of your bobbleheads!lol That's awesome! Won't they look cute in your new house! Ok off to the bank to fight with them(they want to put my account into something good and improved where it costs me $4 a month unless I make 16 transactions!I don't think so!!) and then on to the cable people to fight!(They want me to sign a contract for a year without having it listed what the charge will be! Again, I don't think so!!! Good thing I have bingo afterwards!lol Love to all, Judy

OMG! God Bless the USA makes me CRY without it being attached to the kind of farewell you're talking about! OMG! I'd have bawled! They played that at Ryan's graduation from high school, and I stood in the stands just bawling! Ryan said she knew I was up there crying----she told the guy standing next to her that I would be! That is SUCH an emotional tug-at-your-heart song! Good grief! I'd have been struggling, too! Poor Jerry! Hey, the good news is that it is while he's here to hear it and not after he's gone! I LOVE the bobbleheads! That is TOO cute! You've got to post a pic of them on here! Where on Earth did they find a place to do that!?! That is SO cool! This next party sounds like it will at least be more on the fun side of good-bye! That's neat! Ok, I'm off to try to walk Annie. Not sure if I can or not, but I'm going to try. I hurt my stupid foot somehow. It is better---just not totally well! I need to walk her before we get the 100% chance of rain we have for today! Keep us posted, Pat! Love you all, Jeanie

Yea Pat, both of those tests sound like no big deal and super fun!!!..NOT...If you get the choice of sedation or not, go sedation...at least you get a good sleep then and some residual sleep after that!!:) The farewell today was SO nice...kind of like being at your funeral only you're still alive!! You know... people say tons of awesome things about you, they talk about how much they're going to miss you, you get flowers and cards and then there's food and everyone stands around talking and laughing!! My poor husband is really struggling...he choked up a couple of times today...they did a retreat ceremony where they presented him with a flag flown over Madigan in his honor and read this poem about the flag and all it represents...then everyone stood to sing God Bless the USA. We got just awesome gifts...almost embarrassing...but the funniest thing we got were a pair of bobbleheads that look like us...I cracked up!!! The troop battalion wanted to do something totally different than everyone else and I think bobbleheads did it!! We didn't even get done until 5...Wednesday nights 70s Disco farewell party will be super fun...I'll send some pictures!! Funny, today he also got a copy of the invitation for his welcome ceremony at Murray...it's like leading a double life... Ok, I'm going to pop out my contacts and sit my butt down on the couch for awhile...Patsy, keep us informed on your gallbladder and esophagus!!:) Love you all, Jamie

Jeanie's right our visit was OK with Mom and Dad and actually one time Mom opened her eyes, looked at me with that look of recognition and then did that laugh with the scrunching up her soulders and then said "I love you" to me! This of course made my day!!! When we first got there and I stepped in front of Dad his face lit up and he smiled real big and said "Well HI!" and I thought well this is good but then he said "Where's Judy? She hasn't been here in a long time" and I said Dad, it IS me! Then when I asked him who I was, he said "Well, Judy-you haven't changed" so who knows! He later again said "Where did Judy go?" and I said I'm right here Dad! Pat, what test will they do on the esophagus? Barium swallow? It's nothing! Or EGD where they knock you out like they do for a colonoscopy? I've had that too and you're basically asleep so no big deal either. Hopefully your new medicine will help! Jamie, I'm so sorry about all your good byes but they are bitter sweet I know because you have at least something good to look forward too at the same time as the sad ones you're going through. I'm glad I drove on home today because the weather says Hot Springs will have storms tomorrow including possible tornadoes and hail! How fun is that? Glad I'm not going to have to drive in it! I came home and went straight to Kroger and Walmart and then Walgreen to get all the stuff I need to hibernate a few days if I had to! Love to all, Judy

Well, at least you have something new in the meantime! Hopefully it isn't gallbladder! I'm assuming he's checking your esophagus because of the reflux! Good job, Patsy! Let's hope for the best on both tests! Love you, Jeanie

Okay, Dr. Carlton gave me some new medicine to try, but in the meantime I'm having an ultrasound done on my gall bladder tomorrow and then my esophagus checked on the 22nd. The second test does not sound like fun! Anyway, maybe I'll know more then. love you, pat

Jamie, bless your heart! I don't do well with the emotional stuff---I cry WAY too easily! Good grief! It has got to be bad if you know BEFORE you even leave you'll cry! Isn't that good though that the memories and the feelings of accomplishments are that strong! The good news is that this isn't coming at a permanent good-bye: AKA funeral! Now THAT would be SAD! This just has so much 'change' attached to all of it! You have got to be SO proud of Jerry, you, your whole fam and all you all have been through! Congratulations to all of you! You did it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom and Dad were ok. They weren't horrible and they weren't great, but they were ok. Dad was so clean and looked really good. He was pretty confused: kept talking about winning a $400 jackpot, the big snowfall, etc. Hey, at least they're good memories! He'd been looking for the girls this morning, Nikki said. I laughed because he kept asking where's Judy. LOL! He was actually looking for Jamie though we think. He said something about the playground. Pretty confused. Mom was awake sleeping. She has her eyes shut, but she's not asleep. She ate good. Judy kept saying I was choking her, but she wanted the food and I was going to feed it to her! There was a guy down there today that was in charge of operations for the nursing home---Michael Smith's boss. He came over and asked about the food and their appetites and if Dad was a veteran. He was nice. There was also a man from DHS there. I didn't hear him, but Judy said she heard him ask were was James Shelton. Becky was with him and she pointed Dad out. He'd been asking about different people prior to that. Why? Who knows! Ok, I'm off to work in the purple room. I think Judy and I are going to have a yard sale at her house the weekend of the 19th. I also want to start quilting Mimi Shelton's quilt top. I think I'm going to try it! We'll see. Paint a quilt block. Remove the popcorn ceiling in the laundry room. Start my albums for the kids! LOL! LOTS of stuff I want to do! Love you all, Jeanie

I hope everything goes great for everyone today!! There's definitely a lot on everyone's plate!! Pat let us know about your doctors appointment and Jeanie and Judy about your visit with Mom and Dad. It is a sad situation for Mom and Dad and us, but because there are no other options, we must just do everything we can to make this situation the best it can be. I don't know if Dad means home to Jonesboro or back to his room...my guess is somewhere in the back of his mind he remembers the Poplar house or the Gideon house, but it's just a confusing memory...like the casino, or a train trip to Indiana or smoking cigarettes....I know when he says things like that, it stabs you in the heart! It hurts just reading it.. we can't help, change or go back to what was, we can only work to make what is the best it can be for them! As we've all said so many times...if we live long enough, this will be us someday and our children will be talking about these same issues. I personally hope I don't know what the heck is going on...too depressing for me if I do know. For this moment we have them...good, bad, somewhere in between...and that is a blessing for us. Ok, I'm off to get ready for the day and cry my eyes out at farewell number 2 this afternoon!! Love you all....Jamie

Pat, good luck on your doctor's appointment tomorrow! Hopefully, they can give you something that will take care of your problems. Randall is also having his tests for Baylor tomorrow, too! Let's hope both of you get good news and Molli gets good news Fri! Thank Jerry and Jerrod for taking care of that at Mom's house for us all! It was SO cold yesterday and today! Two weeks ago when the fam came for lunch, we ate on the porch! Go figure! Today it was like 40! Goofy! I'm glad Dad was better. I hope he doesn't tell me he's ready to go home! That would be sad. I'm thinking that he surely must think he's at the casino and talking about leaving there. Rose called me again yesterday to tell me they found Dad on the floor. This time he had a skin tear on his forearm(I think forearm and not upper arm)---last time it was on his wrist by his watch. Poor Dad. Ok, Judy and I are heading down in the morning. Let's hope for a good visit. Love you all, Jeanie

I try to tell myself that when Dad asks about going home, he means LNC home! He doesn't mention it often to me--thank goodness! So Mom I assume never woke up? She seems to be slipping further and further into her own world which kills me!! I know we've thought it several different times that we had had our last "familiar" moment but then she might come back around again. You just never know. We got for ourselves mainly but at least Dad is good at small moments. It's better for him that he doesn't know a lot! I'll post after my visit tomorrow. Pat, I'm so glad Molli's ordeal is over. I had missed her comment on Jeanie's note. She's so precious and hopefully she'll have that child by this time next year! Love to all, Judy

Went to LNC this morning. They were both in the big room - Mother sound asleep in her wheelchair. At first, I thought Dad was going to be totally out of it, but he got better. He looked at me one time and said, "I'm about ready to go home - I've been gone a long time." That really gets to me! I keep telling myself that he was talking about going home from the casino, which he talked on and off about. Linda was the nurse today and that's the first time I've met her. She seemed nice. She checked Dad's sugar while I was there and it was 165. There was also another girl there that I hadn't met. She had talked to Pam yesterday. She said, "You look more like your Dad!" ya think? I really did today because I had no make-up on and my hair looked horrible! We probably looked about the same age! Oh, well, if the shoe fits wear it! hee hee! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for Molli! She wrote a comment on one of Jeanie's entries. Okay, I'm fixing to watch the race and then make a chicken pot pie and cherry cobbler. love you, pat

Jeanie, Jerry and Jerrod were going to do the stuff at Mom and Dad's yesterday, but it rained. He is planning on getting it done this week. I'll let you know when it's done. pat

I'm sorry that you didn't get to try to talk to Dad today, but they are usually ready for a nap when lunch is over. That's the routine: lunch and then nap. There are days that Dad is in bed and asleep before I can finish feeding Mom and get to his room! He is ready, too. It's not just them putting him down---he WANTS to go down for the nap. See you tomorrow, Judy. OH, Pat did you get a chance to talk to Sammie about those two things at the house on Poplar? Molli still doing ok? Love you all, Jeanie

Well Pam the good thing about that is that the people at LNC know we are there and checking and that's the main thing. Mom doesn't really know who is there anymore anyway, but the personnel know. Dad knows some of the time but he's not nearly as good as he use to be even a few months ago. I'm driving up tomorrow after church and will go see them on Monday. I hope they're awake! Love to all, Judy

Pat, so glad all went well with Molli and I wish her only the best. So glad she has Marty. He's a good man. Just wanted to let you all know that Cary and I went to see Mom and Dad. I wanted to get over there at lunch, but we didn't make it until 1 and they both were already sound asleep. I talked with Nikki and there is nothing new to report. Mom is still isolated, but is soon to finish up her medicine. She thought they both ate a good breakfast and lunch. They both looked good, but I didn't get to talk with Dad or anything. Pat is going tomorrow, so I hope they are awake for her. Hope you all have a great weekend! Love, Pam

Glad to see the good news about Molli...I checked a couple of times earlier today and there was no news yet. You can now exhale! I hope she has a quick recovery and I hope she lets Marty pamper her for a few days!! Relax, watch old movies, pig out and do general couch vegging and after a few days, she'll feel so much better! Keep us posted! Love you, Jamie

Pat, I am SO glad that that's over!!!!!! Hopefully that will be the end of this whole thing! What a nightmare for all of you, especially poor Molli and Marty! Good grief! How long does it take for this to heal/be considered finished? I know there's a lot of discharge involved. Bless her heart. Love you all, Jeanie

Gosh Pat I'm SO glad this is over for all of you! I hope she has smooth sailing from here on out with babies! She has good DNA for lots of kiddos! Worrying about how many NOT to have is generally the case with us!lol Son in laws sure can come in handy, huh? Mine is a keeper for sure! Love to all, Judy

Molli's D&C is over and done and everything went well. She had to be in recovery for an hour, but Marty text messaged me when they took her back, when they started, and when they were done. He knows me well! He's a great guy! I just talked to Molli and they were on their way home. She said she still felt groggy, but she was starving! So, hopefully, this is the end of this 20 week ordeal! Thanks for the concerns! love, pat

If anyone hears from Pat, let us all know how Molli is. I've thought about her all morning! It's rainy and dreary here and I think a nap is calling me! I didn't go to bed till 1 and got up at 6:45 to volunteer at the hospital! Why am I volunteering? Guess it's good for my soul but not my sleeping habits! Love to all, Judy

I took a marathon nap at about 6pm, so I'm awake at 11:40 while everyone else in my house is asleep!! Pam, so glad Matthew did ok...hey NOBODY likes going to the dentist so I'd call this a victory!! Plus Matthew is right...I hate the taste after I've been to the dentist! I don't know if it's the latex gloves, the polishing paste, the flouride treatments always make me gag (I'm gagging now while writing about it) or just the smell leaving a bad taste in my mouth! Wonder why Dad was so tired today? I wish they'd do a protein milkshake or something for him on top of his regular food...do you think on days when he's tired he might still drink a shake...with a straw maybe? The guy we've been working through that knows Ryan is Matthew Garrison at US Bank. Seems really nice, a native Murray guy! We talked for about 20 minutes today on the phone...a little business, a lot of visiting. Everyone has been super...it's a little scary though...hard to hide in a small town and they're all so excited about Jerry and the future of the hospital. It'll take a little getting use to I think!! Pat let us know about Molli..extra prayers for sure!! Judy, glad you're going up to see Mom and Dad..hope it's a good visit. Ok, I'm going to attempt to go to bed...I've got tons of stuff to do tomorrow and it won't be good if my tail is dragging!! Love you all, Jamie

Pam, I am so glad Matthew's dental appointment went ok. Hey, that beats the heck out of horrible, awful, terrible, etc. Ok is good when it comes to dental visits!
Pat, I will say an extra prayer for Molli tonight. Please let us know as soon as you can. I've never had this done either, but I know they've done them for a looonngg time. That doesn't make it any easier, but it does make it feel safer since so many have been preformed.
Jamie, is the guy the one Ryan told you about? Matt or Jason wasn't it? Hey, it really is a small world. Today at the nursing home this girl said 'where do I know you from?'. Ok, there are always several choices: Bruce's Market, one of the kids' friends/acquaintances/spouse, etc or someone I had contact with at school. Well, turns out she was/still is from the Central community where I taught for so long. She is in love with one of my former pupils that I loved. She sent him a message right away while we were still helping Mom and Dad with lunch. Hey, I figure every connection helps with the attention paid to Mom and Dad. Don't worry about the loan papers and all the reading. It is just as complicated on the selling side as it is on the buying side. It will all be fine. It's just stuff that you have to do. Scary when you read some of them, but nevertheless stuff that you have to do.
I did go see Mom and Dad today. Dad was totally asleep and had been wandering more all morning. I tried to wake him several times, and he'd fall right back asleep. He at his brownie and maybe a piece or two of fried squash for lunch and that's it. He could NOT stay awake! The girl, Rachael, said that he'd eaten nearly everything at breakfast. Debbie had checked his sugar and it was 169. He was just sleepy! They asked him if he wanted to go lay down. Yes. Before I could finish feeding Mom and push her down toward their room, he not only was in bed, but was sound asleep! Mom never really knew I was there today either. She acts like she's sleeping, too, but yet she eats----well! I fed her all her yogurt, ice cream, brownie, fried okra, about 2/3 of her beef stew and about 1/2 of her corn muffin + all her strawberry drink! I finally thought the lady has GOT to be full! Anyway, not a great visit----not horrible---just a visit! I've got to take money down to put into their acct to pay for haircuts again. I did take Dad more tobacco today. I gave Kathy a small pouch on Tues and I took one of those 1 pound packs today. He should be good to go on that for awhile. Ok, I'm off to bed. I am pooped again. I can't seem to stay awake much lately. LOL! The weather has been awesome and Annie hates to walk, so I carry her probably at least 1/2 mile up and down hills every time we walk! She loves it! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie