Talked to Jeanie and she doesn't have internet there so she won't get to post.  I did catch her up on the going ons of our family!lol  She still doesn't sound great but she said today she was better and that the plane actually helped open her ears some.  Dylan had fallen and hit her head at the condo and they think she'll have a black eye~ Kids are killers to us older folks!lol  She also said that she thought probably Mom eating half of her food was plenty since they give her such a massive amount.  I hope that they are still doing that and she's eating half of that amount and not a decreased amount that she's only eating half of!  It's the worrier in me!lol  Love to all, Judy

Poor Mom and Dad--I hate it when neither is at the top of their game.  I do worry about Mom's eating because that will be about the last thing she'll do!  I hope they start her back on the stimulant myself.  I'd rather her be a little heavy than not eating!  You know my philosophy has always been to keep at least enough on you to get you through a major illness!  I'm so glad Molli and baby are doing great and you be sure to know prayers will continue until delivery~!  Leisa and Bryan are still trucking along and she said he's been extra nice and attentive and stuff since the breakup she did.  They are calling it unofficially engaged--well she is anyway.  She's giving him till their anniversary weekend which will be September 17 I think to come up with the official engagement and it has to be a BIG deal or she'll break up I think.  She says she'll take the ring but she's not interested in marriage anytime soon because there are still issues she wants resolved--money, kids, exwife, etc.  We'll see!  I'll keep you posted~  Pam how are Cary and Nate doing?  I hope and pray that works out for them~  I'd love to see her married happily and with child~  Wouldn't THAT be awesome~!!  Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I went to check on mom and dad this morning.  They were both in the big room.  Mother was in her new chair and she looked much more comfortable except she still had her head leaning forward.  Dad was not with it today.  He had that blank look and acted as if he didn't know what was going on.  I tried talking to him but couldn't understand anything he said.  I had Nikki check their eating and Mother had only been eating about half of her food.  I asked her how often they were weighed and she said everyone was weighed once a month, but those losing weight, on appetite stimulants, etc. were weighed more often.  I told her that we really wanted to keep a close watch on mom's weight. Anyway, not a very productive visit, but it is what it is.  love you, pat
p.s.  Molli and baby Bishop are still doing fine.   Keep those prayers coming!   Judy, what's the status on Leisa and Bryan?  Hope everyone's feeling better!!

Pam that's awesome that Jody and Kelsey went by and mom and dad are good. I can honestly say that I'm finally better! I was about sick of feeling crappy! I'm not at 100% but I'll take 75% any day!! Glad mom's new chair is better. Wonder if dad noticed and/or what he thought about it. Jeanie have fun in Florida! Jamie be careful whenever you drive back to jboro thus week and Pat and Pam thanks for all the reports! So glad you're all posting!! Love to all, Judy

Today is Kelsey's bday, so she & Jody were going into jboro, so they stopped by to check on Mom & Dad. They already had Mom in her new chair & Jody agreed that it was better for her. She said Mom was so clean. Dad was too, even though he had a few crumbs on his shirt from breakfast. He was in a great mood & hugged & thanked them both for coming by. Pat is going tomorrow & I'll go Monday. I hope everyone is feeling good today! Love, Pam

Pam, so glad Jim got to have a really good visit and I know Dad enjoyed it for sure!  Mom responds at times too so that's awesome!  Health wise I'm still not well but hopefully getting there.  I felt horrible earlier--weak and shaky--but I'm thinking it might be the Mucinex so I'm stopping that one.  I have had this crap a week already! Uggggg.  Logan turned 3 and we finished his party a little while ago.  He's so adorable.  He opens each preent and oohs and aaahs all around like it was the best thing ever!  Too cute!  Getting pictures wasn't so good though cause he didn't want to look at the camera!  Jamie if I ever get well I'll be ready for a road trip for shopping!  Get that suburban oiled and ready!lol  Jeanie I hope you're better!  This stuff is a killer! Love to all, Judy

Jim had to go into Jonesboro, so he stopped in to check on Mom & Dad. He said he really enjoyed it! Said they were sitting in their wheelchairs outside their room. Said they were both so clean. Said Mom was a little awake & responded some to his voice & touch. Said Dad was in the best mood & really carried on a good conversation. He mumbled some but really Jim could understand him fine. So, all in all, great day! Love, Pam

Hey, road trip to PA or Ohio anytime for me...I got a Suburban with a hitch so we can even attach a UHaul to the back!! Redneck Antique shopping YEEHAW!!   Judy and Jeanie, glad you're feeling better and on the road to recovery! Pat, I'm glad they're going to get Mom a different chair. I think it will help in feeding her and putting her be in a more comfortable position.  I think we really need to watch Mom's eating...although she has a little extra now...scares me to think of her not eating and the alternatives that go with that.  They're weighed every week right? Easy to check whether she's losing or maintaining.   Judy, I'd heard that about the PX at Bliss.  Some of Jerry's soldiers from the 31st(at Bliss) were in Lewis last year and they were telling us about it.  Couldn't believe when I saw Brittney's pics on Facebook of that water spurting thing out front...FANCY!!  Speaking of fancy, Jerry and I went to the Racer Stadium Booster Dinner last night!  Wow...they've really turned that into something else! Very impressive! Definitely NOT the football stadium we remember at all!! Can't wait to watch the games! We've got pretty good seats too I think!  Construction is still moving along...windows got put in yesterday and it's really starting to take shape.  I'll be glad when that's all done and I can get the rest of my furniture out of the garage!! ha ha  Still got to find Jerry a desk...the computer is sitting on a antique drop left kitchen table from the 60's right now...hard to find new quality furniture that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! He found a desk he loved on line but it was $7,500!  I wouldn't even pay that for an antique desk!!  So the search continues!!   Ok, I'm off to shower and dig through more boxes before getting ready to go to the farewell tonight!!  I'm already tired...that's a bad sign right?  Love you all,   Jamie

Well I have to say that I am better--not well but better.  I started an antihistamine and Mucinex and it seems to be helping.  I just feel like my head is full of snot~!lol  It's stormed here almost every day since I got here and tonight they had a really bad one with lots of lightning and thunder.  Not the norm for here and this could have something to do with the head~  On a different note Skyler and Logan neither one felt very good today but Logan has bounced back.  Skyler hasn't yet but he only started feeling back about 4 hours ago.  Aren't they glad they had me to come visit???NO~~~ Anyway, I'm so envious of your shopping Jeanie~  I'd love to find something new for my house!  I don't think I'll find it here though.  Jamie you would NOT believe this base compared to when you and Brittney both lived  here.  It's HUGE now~~~ The PX is a mall in and of itself!  Amazing is all I got!  There are huge new buildings everywhere!  Pat I agree totally about the chair and the supplement if Mom's appetitie goes down.  We'll strictly add that stuff back!  Love to all, Judy

OMG! Judy, I can't believe you are still so sick! Hey, that spinning head is NOT fun! I hope you're better for Logan's birthday party! Bless his heart! Happy Birthday little Logan! Good job, Pat, on the wheel chair. Mom can NOT be comfortable in the chair she's in, BUT I'm like you in that I do NOT want her laying back and sleeping now all the time! I can't stand that! I do NOT like her not eating, but usually they give Mom more food than they give Dad! Maybe she doesn't need to eat all she's been eating. Thank you all for covering for me while I'm gone. EVENTUALLY I'll be home---I guess! LOL! Jamie, just a note to say-----OMG! Take me antiquing to PA and OHIO! Good grief! It's a good thing we were in the Jeep because I could have bought a freaking truckload---literally! Not at all like antiquing in Jonesboro area! WOW! Love you all, Jeanie

I went to check on Mother and Daddy at lunch today.  Daddy was pretty alert and looked good.  He did not eat his lunch.  He said he wasn't hungry because he'd been snacking all morning.  One of the girls asked me about getting another kind of chair for Mother so that she would be more comfortable.  I told her to go ahead.  She showed me what she was talking about and I agree that it will be much better for Mom.  She will have something to support her head and legs.  She can't be comfortable the way she is!  Anyway, we'll see.  I told her that we just didn't want Mother laying back and sleeping all the time.  She assured me she wouldn't be.  She also said that it wasn't because she was declining or anything like that.  They just felt that she would be more comfortable.  One of the girls also told me that Mother had only been eating about half of her food the last 2 days.  We need to be sure and continue to check on that.  Everybody get well and stay safe! love you, pat

Jamie that's insane about the pounds over! How many would they have said if you hadn't hauled half your stuff yourself! Crazy!!  Guess they figure you're out now and it's not their problem~ Makes our military not look so awesome if that were the case~! As for me and my health--I got to the point late yesterday of looking up urgent cares because I'm like you Jeanie in that I was so freaking dizzy~~ I called Leisa and she told me to take an antihistamine and I did and finally got to the point of being able to open my eyes without the room spinning.  I took another one this morning as soon as I got up and so far so good.  This is insane! I finished my antibiodics too~ Tomorrow Logan will be 3!! We're going shopping later for a few things for him other than what we already have!  I mailed a box and then brought some things in my suitcase!  So glad that the wealth of checking on Mom and Dad can be spread out!  Love to all, Judy

Good grief, everyone's falling apart!  As for me, we got back from Branson this afternoon.  We had a good time, but it's always nice to be back home.  Jeanie and Judy, hope you both improve quickly!  Maybe ya'll need to stay home! hee hee!  Anyway, I'll go check on Mom and Dad tomorrow and probably Sunday.  Next week is pretty busy for me.  I have a dentist appointment, my OBGYN appointment, mammogram, and a workshop at school.  I'll still manage to go a couple of days, just not sure yet which ones.  Okay, everyone stay well and safe!  I'm off to sleep in my own bed!  woo hoo!   love you, pat

Ok, that's insane about the 2500 lbs over! I mean, Jerry and Jerome carried a ton, you and Jason carried some and you gave away/sold a ton! I don't see it really at all! Hey, they don't feel like they owe you any thing now and WHATEVER is their attitude! Sucks for sure! Thanks for the 'get well' things. I'm better, but the ride over the mountains today has me feeling a little shaky. The ears had a hard time handling the changes in pressure. I'm definitely better---just not well. Judy, you still sounded awful today on the phone---sorry! Take that med! Dana did go see Mom and Dad today. She said it was a great visit with Dad-----he remembered she was Chris's wife and that they were neighbors in Jonesboro. She said she fed Mom and that one of the nurses wanted me to call about getting Mom a different wheelchair. Jamie, did they say anything to you about that? I'm thinking they're talking about the metal roll around ones that you can lean the back back like some of the others have. I hate that---but she probably does need one. Dana is leaving Sat and will be gone until next Fri, so she won't be able to help next week with visits. I'm sorry. Thanks for covering for me while I'm gone. Still no word from DHS unless it came today---I talked to Jeremy earlier before today's mail ran. Ok, girls, I'm off to get ready for bed. I could already be asleep, but I thought 7:30 was too early for bed! LOL! NOT! Love you all, Jeanie

"Lord  I was born a traveling man..." or woman in this case!! Go Jeanie and continue to have tons of fun!! Judy, glad you're feeling better!!  We went to Fort Campbell all day today..literally, got up at 6am and got home at 3pm.  We went over for the hospital Change of Command, to see about retired id cards, to see about our move...did I tell you they are trying to say we were over by 2,500 pounds? and to hit the px and commissary.  The move thing is really ticking me off...we've received $0 so far for 2 cross country moves because they're trying to say we gained 5,000 pounds since we left Fort Drum.  Still not resolved after today..it's going to take at least one more trip over!! YUCK!! That, Scarlett, is for another day!!  Tomorrow we have a dedication ceremony at the hospital followed by a tour of the new football stadium and a boosters dinner party.  Friday night we are heading back to Fort Campbell for the farewell dinner of the Commanding General. Saturday we are wooing a potential doctor with a boat cruise/party on the lake..and then I figure Sunday I won't be worth poot! I'll have to see what the construction schedule holds for next week before I can say what day I can head back over...right now, Tues or Wed might be a possibility, but I won't know for sure till it gets closer to the day.  Ok..gotta get groceries put up, something made for dinner..I'm thinking cereal, and some bills made out for tomorrow mail...Love you all,  Jamie

Yes, I'm reading! Jeanie, I'm so glad you are better. I hate to hear when any of you are sick! Glad you are going to Florida. We can continue to take turns checking on mom & dad. Pat was going yesterday & I think she said she could go thurs. Dana is suppose to go today. Jamie, just let us know when you can go. Jody & Jim can help too. You all take care of yourselves! Love, Pam

Wow Jeanie is all I got since you're not even going home to change out clothes! Awesome!  You're really living on the edge there!lol I am sooooo thankful you're feeling better too!   Pat, Pam and Jamie I hope you read this since you'll be in charge for another week!lol  I'm better too but still feel like my throat is closing!  I did remember this was the Alive Day for Randall and I know they are truly celebrating!  As for the girl that hit her head in PA--yuck!!!  I hate head injuries worse than just about anything!  Jamie good luck with the construction you have going on--can't wait to see the results!  Love to all, Judy

I am better. I spent 24 hours in bed---literally---and got up this morning. I still have some of the wabbles when I walk, but at least I'm not green anymore. I really think I've had something coming on for a while. I remember even before Ryan and Bryan went to Africa, my right ear hurt and had a lot of wax in it, etc. I was going to give it a couple of days and go to the doc, but it got better. I've had some hearing problems lately for sure! The doc said this is why. I have some break-away drainage from my nose once in a while, but a lot of the time my nose feels so dry and stuffy. All tied together with what Jamie said about PA, plus we went swimming, plus the issues I've had kind of a feeling about and it went wild on my. PA is so gorgeous. We really liked the whole Amish thing. Sometimes I think that that would be a good way to live---you can feel the peace when you just drive around their farms. Pretty cool. We're heading for the Amish group in Ohio tomorrow. The Ohio group is the second largest group of Amish in America. We'll just see how those Buckeyes compare! Judy, take care of yourself! Good grief. I know Brittney and the boys are glad to have you there even though you've come with an unwelcome present! LOL! Jamie, don that helmet and get that construction done! Oh, did I mention that I'm not going home Sat with Bruce because Ryan, her girls and I are flying from Louisville to Destin, FA for a WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!! She called and asked if I'd go along since Bryan can't. We're going to stay in Jeremy's condo. Poor Bruce will have everything hit him when he gets back home---including the mail. I HATE that part! But the rest of it sounds like fun! Today is Jeremy's birthday (he's 33) and Randall's Alive Day! Both happy things! OH, and we were on a tour of a pretzel bakery today when all of a sudden there was this HUGE nosie. We all turned around and a girl about 15 had passed out and fell straight down onto the concrete floor! It knocked her out for a minute or two, but she was really hurt. They called an ambulance and she was still on the floor when we left! I HATE accidents! They are so sad and so scary. I have thought about her all day and wondered if she was ok. The 'head' injury just scares me to pieces now---and that's what she hit---her head. YUCK! Love you all, Jeanie

Yuck Jeanie!! Well the good news is that now you know the problem and hopefully the meds have already kicked in.  Mine is better but not by a lot!  I still can barely talk and my throat feels yuck.  I don't ache all over anymore so that's a plus!lol  Get better Jeanie! I worry about you and don't think I could live without you or any of you for that matter~~~ Love ya~ Judy

OMG Jeanie!!  What caused the fluid...have you had a cold or sinus drainage issues since you've been gone.  I will tell you, when we were stationed in PA, I suffered major sinus issues. My doctor told me that the Susquehanna Valley Area was notorious for sinus problems..stuff grows and blooms there and nothing blows out of the Valley.  I hope you get to feeling better now that you're on meds!!   Judy, I hope your drugs and mucus stuff has kicked in and you're up and going.  Nothing like a sick vacation....both of you need to get back to Arkansas where your bodies are use to the germs!! Ha ha    Construction men on my porch today...suppose to be done in like 4 weeks...we'll see!! Another step toward getting things done!!   Love you,  Jamie

Quick post. I was no better this morning except I was so dizzy I threw up! Bruce went downstairs to find the nearest urgent care location. It took me nearly two hours to get to the point I could get out of here. I was SO dizzy and thus so nauseated! Yuck. Anyway, bottom line  is I have major fluid in BOTH ears! I am on an antibiotic and a motion sickness med to help with the fluid. Bruce has been awesome, he's waited on me hand and food. I have spent the day in bed, but wanted to check on your visit Jamie. About what I would have expected. I am glad they stopped the appetite stimulant and not the insurance. I thought that sounded weird, but you never know. Obviously Alvin is no better--not surprised there either. We went to Adamstown Sunday afternoon. It was amazing. The funny thing is I really haven't bought anything. There is SO much great stuff in those shops. Several times I'd look at a booth and tell Bruce there is not one thing in that whole booth I didn't love! LOL! Judy, get over the whatever! I do NOT like you being sick either. Hey, vacation is not the time to be sick. I haven't heard from Beth. MS could get the letter before me, but probably not by more than a day. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Good report Jamie and sounds like everything we talked about.  I have been cramming Mucinex today and just waiting for something to help this crud!  I almost feel like I have the flu! Weird!  It can't be that though for this time of year I wouldn't think.  Leisa said we had rain for the past 2 days in Hot Springs and I'm so glad!  She was going walking cause the temp was only 83!lol  Love to all, Judy

Went to see Mom and Dad today!  When I first got there, Dad was a little sleepy, but after 2 cups of coffee he perked up and ate pretty good at lunch.  Debbie said his blood sugar was 101. Mom was basically the same.  She and Daddy were both clean...I think Debbie said he'd had a shower that morning..and their clothes were clean! Room and beds were made and looked really nice.   After lunch Dad was ready for a nap and he wanted Mom in there too, so after my good byes I went to see if I could find Michael Smith and  Linda.  MS...no where to be found, but did find Linda(social worker).  The Lanes are on the other side of the nurses station from Mom and Dad, but their room on the other hallway is being readied and they're to move as soon as furniture gets there and house keeping get done sterilizing..possibly this week.  Linda said that MS had talked to her and Nikki and said that Alvin and Dad are not to be together period...so we'll see. Speaking of Nikki..she's a piece of work. While I was feeding Mom she came in to the doorway between dining rooms and started talking to Debbie about some of the residents..she made some sort of sassy comment like "Oh you know they're moving him to the other hallway...don't know how that happened.." and then she lowered her voice and stepped out of my line of sight and continued to talk.  Then when she was ready to go she spoke back up in her regular voice....you figure she was talking about Dad or us or both? I wanted to say, hey, can you speak up? I can't hear what you're saying about us and I'm sure it's fascinating!!  By the way, insurance had NOTHING to do with Mom's appetite stimulant.  LNC and the dietitian made that decision because Mom has put on like 30 pounds.  It can be started again no problem if she begins to stop eating or begins losing weight.  I met the new Head Nurse..Darah. Very nice and she worked as a cardiac nurse for 2 doctors in Jonesboro before coming to LNC.   Husband is a farmer and they're from Brooklyn(line).  She says she's looking forward to meeting us all and for ya'll to stop by and introduce yourselves.   On a side note,during lunch, Margaret (the aide) and another aide were talking and said that Alvin had gone crazy and pulled their hair and grabbed their arm and smock.  I asked was that today and they said yes! That behavioral therapy really worked huh?   I think that's it for my report!  All you sickies get better soon!!  Love you,  Jamie

Jeanie you know I HATE it when you're sick cause you'e the strong one in the family in my eyes!  Please take care of yourself!  I'm on antibiodic myself from what I thought was a sinus infection but yesterday I am pretty sure I ran a fever and my throat feels constricted with a horrible cough! Yuck!!! Hopefully the medicine hasn't kicked in yet!  I just started it when I got here Saturday night.  We'll see!  Nothing like vacation and sick together! NOT a happy time!  I got the feeling from the note you wrote that perhaps Michael Smith had a letter from Medicaid?  Did I read that wrong?  Surely he wouldn't get something before Beth!  I assume you haven't heard from her yet.  Jamie be careful driving there today--guess you're already there though since it's 10 after 11 here which makes it 10 after 12 at Lake City.  Can't wait to hear how your visit went.  Love to all, Judy

OMG....Adamstown, PA...one of my most favorite parts of the country.  Kutztown and Redding are also good places...are you going to Intercourse or Bird in Hand, Pa?  Hershey is also on down the turnpike...if not for Kentucky, Pennsylvania would be my state!!   Sorry you're sickly Jean...too much traveling, eating weird food and drinking strange water???  Your body will be glad to get back to Jboro for sure!! Ha Ha  Keep having a great time!   I'll inquire about the status of the stimulant tomorrow...you may have a letter at home, but I'll just do some investigating while I'm there!   So glad Jody went by...I like eyes on the target!! Ok, gotta hit the bed or I'll be a sleepy driver tomorrow!!   Love you all,  Jamie

Good grief, I know what you all mean about missing a day! I didn't check yesterday and there were a ton of posts! Yikes! and Yea! Judy, I am sick that they didn't take care of you when you were at the airport! How did that happen!?! They've always given you the VIP treatment and done such a good job about helping you! I hate that so much! Bless your heart! I am so sorry! Pat, I'm glad you and Marty/Molli had a good visit! I'm guessing she's still doing fine---Double YEA! Pam, that was so nice of Jody to check on Mom and Dad! Thank her for me, too. Jamie, I don't know how to help you tomorrow. Beth has not called me and it is possible that LNC DID send a notice to me---I'm not home and haven't gotten my mail. There is a chance they did do this. As for Nikki, I've not been a huge fan of hers for a while. She's always seemed to tell what you'd want to hear kind of stuff, yet she's nice and seems to treat Mom and Dad well. As for Alvin, WTH!?! Why would they put him in isolation? Why on the other side of the nurse's station down by Mom and Dad. His room was about 2 or 3 rooms down the hall going away from Mom and Dad. There's not much difference in the distance now than from where he was. No idea on that either. As for Mom and the appetite stimulus---I can't believe she'll stop eating----that's my head in the sand thing. She seems to like it, and I can't believe the stimulus would be totally the reason she eats like she does! Head in sand here. As for the AD she has, hour by hour is my motto on it. I can't really afford to look forward nor too far back at this point. I'm just here with blinders and dealing hour by hour. She (hopefully) doesn't understand her situation, and for that, I am so grateful. Bruce and I are having a good time---I've had a couple of health things----I either have/had poison ivy or shingles and today I thought I was getting a migraine headache---I've been kind of green all day! Hey, the good news is the show must go on. I finally got up about 10:30, put on my big girl panties and we went antiquing in Adamstown, PA. It was great! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

I know Mom has gained and I'm sure for a while she will be fine without the stimulant.  If we have to add it later, we will~  Pat so glad Molli had a great birthday and hopefully her pregnancy is rolling along!  Pam thank Jody again for going by to check on them for us! Jamie I hope they're good for you tomorrow and last but not least-Jeanie I hope you're having a good time! We miss you! I guess Beth hasn't contacted you about whether or not they've made a decision about Mom's eligibility.  Love to all, Judy

Jody was working tonight so she stopped by to check on mom & dad. They were eating. She couldn't believe how much weight mom has gained. She said they were both clean & seemed fine. Nothing new to report. She did tell dad that Jamie was coming tomorrow. Love, Pam

Alvin was in the room on the opposite side of the nursing station from mom and dad.  He was in that room where there's a sink or something before you get in the room.   I do try to not think about mom's condition, but sometimes it just hits me that she is really bad.  I know it doesn't help to think about it, but it's kind of hard not to when it's staring you in the face.
We had a good visit with Molli and Marty.  We had her birthday dinner Thurs. - lasagna and it was so good.  I also made her a frozen coconut cake.  yum yum!  okay, love you, pat

Jamie I couldn't have posted a better response to the Alzheimer's if I wanted to! That is exactly the way I look at--I remember all the great visits and talks Mom and I had and how Dad was always there for me and move forward with today.  Love to all, Judy

Judy, so glad you made it and that Logan is so cute!!   I asked Jerry about the insurance and the appetite stimulant and the fact that Nikki told Pat that.  Jerry said if the insurance had suddenly decided to not cover it anymore, we would have gotten some sort of notice..letter or call or something, not a floor nurse informing us of this.  I will check on this tomorrow when I go and I agree that we can just buy it if needed...maybe even give a little to Dad!!  I'm sorry,but at this point anything Nikki says is BS until I hear otherwise!  I am also going to check on where Alvin's room is also...IS it there right next to Mom and Dad's?  If so, I'll pitch a fit about that to MS and get that fixed.   Alzheimer's is a horrible disease...bottom line.  We just have to deal with it as is..try to remember the good from the past and not think of the future any further out than 24 hours or your next visit.  Sometimes a little head burying is a good coping skill...doesn't mean you don't hurt or wish for a different circumstance, it just means you have to do a little something to be able to still function and have joy in your life. Mom loved us..we all know that.  Can't wait to see them tomorrow....I'll post tomorrow when I get home...Love you all,  Jamie

So Alvin's room is next door to Mom and Dad? Has it always been? Or instead of moving him to a different wing all together as they told Jamie, they moved him next door? Help me understand this!!! Insane~~~ As for the appetite stimulant and the insurance not paying it, we can use her $40 and just buy it and give it to her ourselves~  It's just he insure looking stuff isn't it? Pat I know how you feel about the Alzheimer End Stage but you're right that we can't go there!  If I had to really look at it headon, I'd go off the deep end pretty fast!lol  We'll stay as upbeat as we can for as long as we can.  On a different note, I  finally did make it to El Paso~  Finally being the major word!  They never came to push my wheelchair even though I had an hour and a half to make my connection and I missed my flight, had to wait 3 hours for the next one and even though I requested a supervisor and so did the gate people, one never showed up!  We really are living in a 3rd world country I'm thinking!  I did get put in first class for my flight from Dallas to El Paso but it was way too little, too late.  The nice guy at the gate gave me the phone number, address to complain and he was filing a complaint himself.  At least I'm here and my grandsons, daughter and son in law were glad to see me!  Logan said "Nanny why did it take you SOOOO long to get here!!!lol  Love to all, Judy

Molli and I went to LNC today.  We didn't get there until about 1:00 and they had finished eating.  I'm assuming the girl at the desk was the R.N. in charge, but she didn't have a name tag on.  I asked her about Mom and Dad and she said they were fine.  Daddy talked quite a bit , but as usual not all of it made sense or was understandable.  Here's the weird thing.  The room right next to the nurse's station had Alvin Lane's name on it and an "isolation" sign on the door!  I wanted to ask the reason, but figured the girl would tell me it wasn't my business!  I looked in there when she walked off and it was him.  Interesting!  Anyway, when we got there Mother and Daddy were both in the big room and Daddy was trying to push Mother in her wheelchair.  By the way, I forgot to mention about the appetite stimulant.  When I was there Wed., Nikki said that the insurance was not going to pay for it any more and they were just going to take her off of it.  I'm really so afraid that she will stop eating.  I know the end of Alzheimer's , the person stops eating and even though I try not to think about it, we all really know that she is getting to the end point and it really is so hard to face that.  I try not to think about it even though I know it's the truth.  Too sad!!  Love you, pat

I don't even know where to start on the situation with Alvin! I mean, what on Earth! WHY would it NOT be a permanent situation where they are separated!?! That makes no sense! Nikki DEFINITELY knows about the conflict between Dad and Alvin---I believe she's the one who said that Alvin had NEVER liked Dad! As for moving him to another wing, that's fine, EXCEPT that won't keep him out of the dining room while Dad's there! Moving him to a different dining room and then returning him directly to his room after the meals was a great solution---what a mess! He needs to deal with it! I can NOT believe he didn't know that Alvin was back! Give me a break, the money starts coming back to them with his return! Good job, Jamie about the call. He does not want to know how badly it will be for him if he lets Alvin hurt/hit/yell/anything at Dad again! GRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! On a happier note, Judy, be safe and have a good time with Brittany and fam! If it helps any, it's hotter than all get out here, too! Record temps! We were at the track today and it was HOT!!!!!!!!!!! Jamie, I'm sorry for Jason's troubles---but that sounds like Pat's jaws when she had hers taken out! I swear she had softball jaws -- they were huge! If you can't make it on Mon, Dana will go back, I'm sure. Let me know. Love you all, Jeanie

Awesome posting Jamie and totally covered our conversation earlier! You are good!!!  Let's hope he sees the errors of his way!  Not holding my breath! Love to all, Judy

Ok...Here's the conversation high points with Michael Smith.  Let me just start out by saying I think he's a dumb ass  and totally incompetent!  I have a real issue with dumb..or those that play dumb so as not to be held accountable...either way...I'm not at all confident in his abilities to run a manure farm let alone a nursing home.  1. He(MS) wasn't aware that Alvin was even back in LNC.  2. He(MS) tried to give me some BS about staff turnover..I quickly informed him that neither he nor Nikki were new, so go sell that somewhere else.  3. (MS)Nikki probably wasn't aware of the situation..I informed him she most definitely was aware because Jeanie had talked to her about the problem and the solution. 4. (MS)Ok, well then I'll file this as a formal grievance...excuse me, but a formal grievance on this matter has already been filed when Jeanie came and talked to you about the first sets of incidences. 5. (MS) Well, I have 70 or 75 people to keep up with and you never know when dealing with these individuals what type of mental state they're  going to be in from week to week...me, you're right, so why would you even think that having him near Dad was going to be any better now..he's already displayed aggressive behavior toward my Dad and your staff.  Jeanie thought she made it perfectly clear, we wanted them separated and my Dad in no way punished or restricted over this solution and we assumed it was a permanent thing! 6. (MS) So, if I make this permanent, you'll be satisfied?  I'll be satisfied as long as this man or any other person there gives my Dad no problems...I don't want him or my Mom hurt, bullied or harassed. (MS) Oh me either! (This is where I begin to gag) 7. He started throwing some BS around about Mom and her behavior issues and I quickly informed him that that happened when they first got there and to not even compare these two things...Mom pretty quickly got settled in and there have been no issues since. 8. He called for the records and skimmed them while we were on the phone...(MS) yes I see where a grievance was filed and then he read the recommendations and notes. He then said he had Linda(the social worker) and Nikki in his office and they were going to discuss this right now! (whatever..why wasn't it discussed a month ago)  Linda did call me back and said that she had put in a call to Alvin's daughter about asking if he could be moved to another wing, but hadn't heard back.  I informed her I didn't care where he was moved as long as he didn't see, speak to, touch or came in contact with my Dad in anyway.  I will follow up with this on Monday when I go!      On a side note, I told him we had a blog and that we discuss every visit. I told him someone comes to see Mom and Dad almost everyday and we're all very informed on the goings on where Mom and Dad are concerned.  I also told him I was married to a healthcare professional who runs a hospital and nursing home in Murray.. hopefully, he'll realize that we have a person on our side that knows the business, that we talk to each other about LNC and that maybe he should get his head out of his butt and start paying attention. I plan on reiterating all this with him on Monday while I'm there, if he's brave enough to face me!HAHA    The whole thing just ticks me off...we'll see...Love you,   Jamie  

Pam checked on Mom and Dad today.  Debbie said they had been fine.  They've taken Mom off of the appetite stimulant, I suppose because Mom has no issue with eating!lol  Dad's sugar was 230 this morning Debbie told her but was down to 128 by lunch.  They were waiting in the dining room when she first got there and she got Dad some coffee which always calms him a little.  Mom was all slumped over in her chair sleeping.  Pam had never seen the top Mom had on--black with multicolored polka dots??I don't recall that one but I could be wrong!  She said Dad mumbled a lot but he did say several things that Pam could understand.  She's going to go check on them again tomorrow.  I assume Pat you go Sunday? I know Jamie is going on Monday.  I talked to her earlier today and she did call and talk to Michael Smith about Alvin.  He acted like he thought it was fine to put Alvin back since he had gone to that behavior modification thing!! He is NUTS!  Jamie told him in no uncertain terms the way it was and was going to be!  She'll write about it later tonight but the bottom line was that Linda called her back and told her that they were going to move Alvin to a different wing.  Don't know that it will solve the problem, but maybe.  They'll still be eating in the same dining room though I would assume and Dad has full reign on the hallways, so not sure.  Probably something else we need to try to monitor! Uggggg!  He better keep his hands off Dad or there will be a price to pay I'm thinking! Love to all, Judy

I agree totally with you Jamie and it hacks me off big time!  If we just knew if it was an isolated time or if its back to the way it was would be helpful.  As for calling, feel free even if Pat has already called.  I hope Jason gets better soon since he's obviously excited for move in day according to facebook.  How exciting! Starting a new adventure! But as you know it can be a LOT of work!lol  Jeanie be careful and have fun!  My bags are almost packed but I know it's going to be even hotter than here and that's not appealing!!!lol  Love to all, Judy

So much for Michael Smith taking care of all of this!!  Is someone calling him or talking to him...I'd be glad to if no one has yet!  If Alvin does one thing..says something ugly, approaches Dad whatever, I feel like we can legally approach Mr Smith and say we are going to file a law suit against him and LNC for not protecting Dad initially and then for not assuring safety after the problem was brought to him. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want a formal investigation brought on...that would be nothing but tons of fun for him and his staff!!  Jason is looking like chipmunk cheeks and taking his drugs pretty regularly..he attempted some semi solid food last night, but mostly is living off of jello, pudding and yogurt...not a bad diet if you can handle it!!:)    I'm hoping by Monday he'll be feeling 110% better!   Still working on my house...just can't seem to get motivated to start another project...I think it's because I don't have my living room furniture, Jerry doesn't have a desk and the kids still have all their crap in the way...hard to decorate around those obstacles! It could just be laziness... Love you all,  Jamie

I thought I had understood you right but glad you cleared it up Jeanie.  It makes me mad!  Michael Smith should have known this before it ever happened and then once you told him, he acted all mad and would take care of it!  I thought he would have called Nikki in on it too since you told him that Nikki knew it! Stupid!!!!  Glad you're having a good time Jeanie and be sure and thank Dana for me too!  That's so awesome she's gone twice this week!  Love to all,Judy

Ok, first of all Alvin is NOT to be in the room with Dad---period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was one of the things that LNC was going to do to take care of the problem! Nikki SHOULD have known! She's the name I gave to Michael and then she's the one I talked to about the whole issue! Not happy with that! I'm sure they'll say he's had 'behavior modification', but that does NOT affect him being in there! Sorry! Let me know what you come up with on this. I did NOT read Pat's post last night. How she posted BEFORE me is weird! Dana did go to see Mom and Dad today. She said that Dad was good and she talked to him for a while. She said there was a 'crazy lady with long hair that kept coming to their door and yelling at Dana to get away'. Well, she said Dad said that woman was crazy! LOL! Anyway, she said it was a good visit and she again made sure that some of the staff knew she was there. She's sweet. Ok, we're off to bed to head for the races EARLY in the morning. LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Pat it was my understanding from Jeanie that they were NOT to ever be in the same place again, hence Alvin going to bed right after supper in the OTHER room!  Jeanie didn't make a note about it after your post so it might be she didn't read it.  I don't like that at all!!! I suppose Mom was the same as usual?  Bless her heart.  At least Dad ate!  Dana is going tomorrow isn't she?  Pat if you call down there tomorrow, please post.  Glad Jason's ordeal is over Jamie!  We dread it when our kids have to have anything done!  Love to all, Judy

Jamie, I swear you're the next Erma Brombeck (sp?)! I used to read her and laugh out loud---exactly the same thing I do when I read your posts! OMG! You are TOO funny! Bruce was laughing out loud, too! LOL! Judy, I'm so glad your labs all turned out perfectly! You go girl!!!!!! Good job! Maybe there is something to the diet Mt Dew thing after all! LOL! Hey, you are too funny about the calling! It seems like everytime I've gotten a call or a text, it was at a not good time. Isn't that weird!?! We're in Clifton Park at the Comfort Inn for tonight and the next two nights. We went to the Equine Hall of Fame today and it was amazing! Tomorrow we're planning on taking a tour of the capitol building and then heading to VT. OH, Good job on Jason's teeth, too! I like good. Dylan had her meeting with the spinal doctor today. Basically, Ryan said he was a jerk! She got that gene from me, too. Can't take pompous anybody. Anyway, bottom line is they're to go back in 6 months for another x-ray and go from there. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Oh my gosh, Jamie, you crack me up!  I was laughing out loud as I read your post.  Too funny!  Judy, glad your results were all good.  I go for my fun exam on Aug. 2.  I hate going, but I make myself go every year.  I haven't missed a year in ages.  The mammogram is always fun, too.  I told Molli that she needed to have a mammagram done so that she could understand her patients better! She thought not!
Anyway, I went to see Mom and Dad today and stayed about 45 minutes.  They were at lunch.  Dad ate everything on his plate except the mashed potatoes.  He was not real with it and once asked me if the parade was today.  After he ate, I got Nikki to get him some tobacco and he seemed much better.  Okay, now when I got there, Alvin the Terrible had returned and was sitting at the table next to Dad's table!  So, I told Nikki that they weren't supposed to be in the same room.  She said it was okay as long as they were supervised.  I told her  that  that was not my understanding!  Is that right, Jeanie? She said no one told her that and she would check on it!   She asked me who had said that and I said that Jeanie had met with Michael Smith and we were assured that they would not be in the same room.  I also told her that they had put Alvin in the other room after the meeting, so I assumed that they would continue that.  One of the aids said he was put in there because he was losing weight!  Anyway, I was not happy with Alvin being there!!  Pam, when you go, please check and see if they moved Alvin to a different room.  Maybe we should call tomorrow and see?   The saga continues!  love you, pat

Judy so glad everything was perfect...you can pour yourself another diet mt dew, grab a bag of chips and relax!! haha   Jason had his wisdom teeth taken out today...everything was fine.. to include his doctor!! OMG a major hottie!! I could barely contain myself when I shook his hand and said YOU'RE Dr Pledger? Nice to meet you!! After he left the room, even Jason said "I thought he would be older!" I think that's code for "Could my doctor have been any more of a stud?"  A Wendy's frostee, some percas and pajamas and he's feeling ok.  Not much bleeding and the whole procedure only took like 40 minutes.  Let's hope the next 24-48 hours remains as uneventful!!   Jeanie..glad Dana went to see Mom and Dad...that was so sweet!   Love you all,  Jamie  

Jamie you are sooooooooooo hysterical!!! I LOVE it!!!lol  I could picture your whole night as I read! Awesome!!!  So glad symmetry caught up and balanced at the end of the night at least! Geez nothing like a lopsided head!lol  As for my lab--PERFECT!! Yeaaaaaaa~~~  I had a butt load of it too so this is good!!!  I have been preaching about the benefits of diet sodas for a lot of years now and maybe itt's time you all listened!!lol  Doesn't really mean everything though since even runners can drop dead of a heart attack!lol  Continue on with those stories Jamie--can't wait for the next one! Love to all, Judy

Syracuse NY...I know it well. Stay safe traveling Jeanie!! Judy, post your results..even though I know all is well..those diet Mt Dew's have preserved you from the inside out!!!:)  Jerry and I went to the Chamber of Commerce banquet last night...over 400 in attendance!  Can we say all of Murray came out for the event?haha   Gail Cornelison was elected as the new president of the board and Jerry was elected on to the board of directors!  There was a special pretuner event at a historical home here in Murray on Main street for about 30 folks.  We met at the Curris Center and then rode the old trolley over...very neat!! My night was crazy as always!!   I got showered,put my make up on, did my hair, got my clothes ready and still had about an hour so I thought, I'll just throw on a t shirt and take a quick nap...an hour later I woke up as Jerry was coming in the door.  No problem..I can get it together in like 10 minutes and be out the door.  We were barreling down the rode, trying to catch the trolley at 5 when my large hoop earring fell off my ear and landed perfecting down into the seat belt holder of the suburban.  It was like a coin going into a slot! I couldn't have done that if I was trying! I could get my fingers on it, but couldn't pull it up...I'm panicking! I was afraid I was going to bend it or break it...worse, I was afraid I was heading to this pretty formal deal with 1 large white gold loop on one side of my head and nothing on the other...there goes symmetry BIG time!!  I said something like...I'm not getting out of this vehicle with only 1 earring!  Jerry, already a tad mad because I was ever so slightly running late..pulls the Suburban off the road, unbelts his belt, while I jump into the back seat and we both begin to try to dislodge this stupid earring.  He grabs the plastic case around the seatbelt and pulls it open..I thought he was going to break it, but didn't care...my earring was more important! Out it popped and all was good!...until...we make it to the Curris Center, get on the trolley and as I'm running up the stairs of the trolley, my pant hem gets hung on the buckle of my shoe! I didn't really think anything about it as I just pulled it loose and went on. I sat down and noticed it had pulled the hem a little..no biggie..just kind of straightened it out.  We pull up to the house and begin getting off the trolley. It seemed the more I walked the weirder my pant leg felt..by the time I get into this gorgeous house, in my really nice clothes, with 30 people and their spouses who I've never met yet, the hem of my pants on one side is dragging the ground and I have a long tail of thread that Jerry has gotten tangled into behind me.  There goes symmetry again!!  We quickly took a detour into a side room while he clipped the thread with his teeth.  I stood up and yes, the pant leg was definitely out on one side.  I had to fix it..I still had 4 hours of the event left! So I go to the home owner, who I'm meeting for the first time..."Hello, I'm Jamie Penner.  Thank you so much for inviting us to your home tonight..it's absolutely beautiful. Do you have double stick tape or a needle and thread I could borrow? I've had a wardrobe malfunction!"  She was so nice...found needle and thread..thread was white, pants pale grey, but beggars can't be choosers right?  Again, I slipped into a side room, pulled up the leg of my pants and did a quick fix sewing job... The rest of the night was uneventful, but I fully expected to spill food on myself, fall in front of everyone or have broccoli in my teeth after dinner while I was talking to people...no wait, that broccoli thing happened at the dinner the night before...I was safe....Hope all is well with you....Love you,  Jamie

Good traveling there Mrs. M!  Notice I haven't called and bothered you??lol  That is awesome that Dana went to see Mom and Dad and I'm going to get Katilyn to go for me when she gets back to school!  Won't hurt her to appear every now and then!  I think she moves back to Jboro on August 10.  I haven't heard from my lab but it is online and Leisa will check it tomorrow.  Always makes me nervous!!lol  Nothing else new from here in Hot, Hot Springs!lol  Those springs must be boiling today! Yikes!!! Love to all, Judy

Good job, Judith Ann! I have GOT to do that! I'm nearly two years into not having had one! Not good! Dana sent me a message that they went to see Mom and Dad. She said they seemed fine, but that both of them slept a lot of the time they were there. She said she made sure that several of the staff members saw them! LOL! Anyway, she's really sweet and was so nice about going. Anyway, we're in Syracuse, NY, and heading for Saratoga Springs in the morning. We've got our room already for while we're there! Yea! I'm SO glad to have that done!!!!!!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

Jeanie you're right about the forget something? Just buy it!  I have my medicine and an extra pair of glasses which are the only 2 things it would be a hassle to replace but anything else is game! Walmart is full of crap things to buy!lol  Have fun Jeanie!  I went today for my annual exam--how fun is that??? NOT!  I'll post my test results when she calls me.  I've passed everything but the blood work at least!  Love to all, Judy

Ok, I just got on here and am dying laughing! LOL! Pat and Jamie you two have GOT to start a book! I agree totally with Judy about the book being a best seller! OMG! You both are TOO funny! Anyway on the reading note, when I was there Fri, Dad read 'I love America'. I thought he was just saying it, but when I looked he was looking at this throw this older lady had over her lap! Pretty cool! Dana sent me a note today to ask about the best time to go see Mom and Dad tomorrow. I told her between 11:30 and 1:00. I'll send her a message and ask how they were tomorrow. Ok, I'm fixing to look up some hotel/motels in and around Saratoga before I hit the bed. Tomorrow we're off again! Judy, remember our motto about travelling---if you forget it you can buy it! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie you are so hysterically funny!  I love getting on here and you've posted a note cause I know I'm going to get a laugh!  You never fail to provide a smile! Thanks for that! As for Leisa, it will work out one way or the other and be fine.  She is soooooo totally calm and collected that it's scary!lol  Just kidding but she really is at peace with the whole thing.  She's turned it over and God will provide!  Good for her!  I truly believe he'll come through though and I know he loves her dearly! Who wouldn't???lol  Pam texted me and she went to see Mom and Dad today.  They were both asleep and doing fine.  Nothing new to report.  She said they had both eaten well.  Dad's blood sugar was 110 before breakfast and 111 at lunch.  She told them that someone would be there tomorrow to check on them again and she's going to work out the days that Dana doesn't go (tomorrow and Thursday I think this week) with you Patsy!lol  Stay out of the heat everyone! It's a killer out there! Love to all, Judy

Judy, I hope everything works out for Leisa...as I've said before, she deserves to be happy!  Glad Mom and Dad were status quo...and Dad reads...that's awesome! He and Jerry carried on quite a conversation about the Cardinals when we were there...he can be pretty lucid about some things!   Pat, I know how you feel about those words uttered by your husband...mine usually by passes me and goes straight to one of his partners in crime...ie, the boys!!  Jerry was out working on the yard on Saturday!  He decided since the water level in the pond was down some, he'd take this opportunity to mow really close to the edge.  After awhile, I didn't hear the mower anymore, so I thought he was done.  I heard him come in the back door and go upstairs.  I finished what I was doing in my room and headed toward the kitchen.  I heard he and Jerome going into the garage.  What's happened? was my first thought.  Jerry had mowed close to the edge alright...so close, the mower went into the water and was beginning to float!  OMG...that's a $8000 "boat" going out to sea!! Jerome, still in his red Cardinals pajama pants,sleeping t shirt and glasses got the Jeep and headed toward the pond.  I was crossing the yard when he went into the water, pajama pants rolled up to his knees, winch cable in hand trying to "catch" the mower! Eventually, it got winched out of the water.  Thankfully, the stupid thing started and wasn't damaged...I heard Jerome saying something like "yea, Dad, that money I spent on the winch doesn't seem so stupid NOW does it?"  I know our neighbors must think we are rednecks...but what can you do...it's life on the farm right?   Off to shower and get ready for a long afternoon/evening.  Love you all,  Jamie

With Mom and Dad I'll status quo every time!  I like it! As for a top with dots on Mom--NO clue!  I didn't buy it and I don't remember seeing it when Jeanie and I sorted through the clothing.  No telling!! That's adorable about Dad reading and I'm about as shocked by that as them saying he walks!  Has anyone seen that yet? Pat your stories mixed with Jamie's and a couple of the other sisters to throw one in, and we'd have a Shelton Sister best seller!!!lol  Too funny!!! It looks like for the time being Leisa and Bryan are "unofficially" engaged.  The saga continues!  I said he'd have to lose her before he knew what he had and I'm thinking I hit the nail on the head.  I'll let you know when it's official and he said he has a plan to surprise her with it.  We'll see! Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I went to LNC this morning.  They were both in the big room.  Of course, Mother was sound asleep in her wheelchair.   They said
Dad had just gotten up.  He mumbled a whole lot and I never could understand much of what he was saying.  This was funny, though.  One of the residents had on a Fat City Grill sweashirt on and when he went by us, the back said "Fat is Back".  Daddy laughed and said "Fat is Back".   It was just strange to hear him read something!  And he said that plain as day!   Jamie, your farm stories are hilarious.  I could write a book on mine!   We are filling in our swimming pool with concrete and dirt that some people are bringing out here and dumping it in the pool for us.  Jerry then takes his tractor with a big scoop on the front and drives in the pool pushing the stuff to the deep end!  Well, yesterday he comes in and says, "I need you to help me for a minute."  Those are not welcome words for me!  I was right.  He had gone too far in the pool with his tractor and was stuck.  I had to get on a different tractor and pull him out!  Ya think we're rednecks?  How many people get their tractors stuck in a pool or cement pond to us!  Anyway, Mom and Dad were about usual.  Mother had on black knit pants and a black with polka dots pullover shirt.  Sound familiar or not?   Molli and Marty will be here Thurs. afternoon so I'm excited about that.  Can't believe she is going to be 27!  Seems like just yesterday that she was Addison's age.   She has a Drs. appt. Thurs. morning so keep those prayers flowing!   love you all, pat

Trips are fun...not!  Sometimes vacations are more hassle than relaxing, but I guess if you NEVER went anywhere you wouldn't be so happy to get home to your own bed and things! :)  Stay safe Jeanie and Judy have an awesome time!  Nothing new on this end except more work...we've cut down a couple of dead trees, removed the rose bushes by the mailbox, sunk some logs and a couple of giant branches in the pond, set up the adirondack chairs and bleached the fence!!  There's always something!!  Jerry and I have a reception tomorrow to welcome a new doctor and his wife that MCCH just hired and then a press conference officially introducing them to Murray.  Then on Tuesday, we've got the Chamber of Commerce reception..we're hopping on the trolley to go to someones house for a "pretuner" and then back on the trolley to the Curris Center for the event.  There's quite a bit going on in this little town..loving it so far!!  Love you all,  Jamie

So what was going on in Cincinnati to pack the town? I would have thought you couldn't fill that sucker up!!!lol  Nothing new on my end! I do have my suitcase out with 3 separate lists going ---One of things to pack, one of things to buy and one of things to do before I leave".  How fun are trips??? Not so much!lol Love to all, Judy

Just a note to say we're in Macon, Ohio! We tried to stay closer to Cincinnati, but the hotels/motels were all full! We had to drive another 40 miles to find a place! YIKES! Anyway, Love you all, Jeanie

Jeanie have a great time!  I usually have my suitcase out and packing by now but not this time!  I have a week and will fill it as I go along.  I'm not taking much!  Kinda like you--if I have snacks I'm good to go!  I figure I can buy a tee shirt!lol  Be careful! So glad that everyone is pitching in to cover Mom and Dad while we are all moving in and out of pockets of time!   Love ya! Judy

Jamie that is so cool that you and your boys went to play bingo with the seniors! That is awesome! I know that the seniors LOVED having your boys around to talk to and about! How great would that be to be able to visit and talk like that to the residents! Good for you all! Hey, Jerome may find his calling in geriatrics (sp?) ! LOL! Ok, I'll try to check in and see how things are going while I'm gone. Take care and I love you all, Jeanie

Jamie that is SO awesome that you're doing that and Jerome too!  You'll be rewarded!!!  I'll come play when I come to visit! Bingo is my game!!lol  I love your stories! What great people and goes to show that everyone has a story! Love to all, Judy

The boys and I went to Spring Creek (Murray's Nursing Home) to play Bingo with some of the residents.  I've got several favorites over there already...Mrs Hill. She has 2 boys, one that comes all the time, one that only comes about once a month.  She and her husband married when she was only 17. She's a bright, funny lady who loves to scrapbook and take pictures..and eat candy!  Mr Tucker. A corn farmer who lost an arm in a cornpicker accident several years ago.  He was only 15 when he married his 13 year old wife. His brother was 13 when he and his 13 year old wife married.  Mr Tucker and his brother lived close to Mrs Hill's parents as young boys and helped them around the farm.  Mrs Hill now "takes care" of Mr Tucker as a thank you for everything he did for her parents..when he dozed off, she continued to mark his bingo card! He usually wins when he falls asleep she said. She told the aide that next time, Mr Tucker needs a sleeping pill before they play bingo! Mrs Robertson had a stroke about 2 years ago and no longer has the use of her right arm and right leg..she jokes with me that she can move her wheelchair pretty good, but only in a circle. She moved in with her son in Louisville after the stroke, but really just wanted to come back to Murray to be with her friends.  Rebecca is a hippie..likes to talk about having a beer with her medication and asked the boys if they knew where she could get some weed.  She saw Elvis in Memphis when she was 10 and he kissed her hand.  She was an assistant to Crystal Gale in Nashville.  I laughed today at the characters in the room...Mrs Shoemaker, who struggles to make out the numbers on the card. Mrs Catherine who was a hairdresser and now has long painted fingernails and I'm sure a long interesting list of stories to tell.  A relatively young black man who's missing both legs and most of his teeth, but has an infectious grin and is constantly teasing the aide calling out "bingo". The woman with only a few strands of hair and a cranky disposition who told me in a loud, authoritative voice " YOUR HARR LOOKS LIKE A BOYS!"  I cracked up!  I had such a great time and so did the boys...Jerome has decided that he'll do his 5 hours a week community volunteering there once school begins.  It was a good day!  Love you all,  Jamie

Oh and I forgot to say that Jamie you are "stylin!" You look so cute! Jeanie and you do too which is always!! Nothing new on my end! Love to all, Judy

Hey, the pics were good EXCEPT WHY did you post the one of me and Mom!?! You are a mess! Trying to show the family resemblence, huh!?! Funny---NOT! The visit was ok. Mom does eat well---period! I'm always afraid to give her the salad and bread---I worry about her choking! The one guy started that gagging/coughing like Mon again yesterday! It is HORRIBLE! It makes ME want to gag! YUCK! Nikki did say that the speech therapist was going to check Dad again because he seems to have a lot of fluids that stay in his throat---almost sounds like he's gargling at times, she said. He definitely looked more rested yesterday than Mon and was ready to lay down. Margaret---the girl who works there---said Dad just does the yelling out at times. She said they usually sit where he can see them so he'll know he's not alone. I thought---how nice and thoughtful is that! Anyway, it was good to see Jamie and Jerome. He is adorable! So cute and SO smart on so many things! Love you all, Jeanie Oh, and your pics are clear with the Coolpic. I think that is the one I'm going to get!

Awesome pictures!  That's the same shirt dad had on Monday when I was there! Same hat, same glasses, same expression!lol  Jerome is as cute as they come!  He IS growing up! Where did the time go?? Geez!   I'm glad you got to go and got home safely!  We had major storms here today but at least we got a great rain out of it and my yard was desperate!  Hope to see you soon Jamie.  Jeanie be careful when you leave on your trip!  Be thankful you have your husband to go places with!  Trust me, you'd miss him even though you could kill him at times!lol  Love to all, Judy

Jerome and I and Jeanie went to see Mom and Dad today.  Mom ate good, as always and Dad ate ok...he just gets real nervous/anxious before his meal gets there and then when it does, he's just not that interested.  Nikki took his blood sugar before he ate and it was 216. He looked pretty rested when I got there and seemed so excited to see me!  He gave me a big hug and Jerome too.  I laugh...when he finished eating he started looking for a cigarette! He settled for tobacco.  After lunch he wanted to lay down and nap, but he kept calling out for someone...he could hear us talking and was having a tough time dozing off...we headed out so he could rest!   Jerome said on the way home he couldn't believe how chubby Mom was.  He said it made him sad to see them like that...he said getting old was just not fair...few things in life are I guess.  Glad he went with me...A good day I think, all things considered.  Love you all,  Jamie

Pam texted me that she had an opportunity to go see Mom and Dad tonight and she took it!  She said they were  both ok. She said  Dad looked good but was tired and mumbling like yesterday evidently.  He didn't eat a lot either but it was salad and beets??That's a weird combo!  Mom ate everything.  I'm thinking it was an ok visit and the good news is that someone showed up at the nursing home to let them all know "we're watching".  Good job! Love, Judy

I haven't read the blog since @ least thurs or fri, & couldn't believe all the news when I read it tonite! My life is just way too crazy! I just can't seem to get anything done extra around here. I haven't been able to make it to see mom & dad. We've had plumbing problems, Jim has been sick & we had a yard sale this weekend too. Jeanie, I'm sorry about Dylan. How did they discover it? Just through a yearly exam? I hope you all get encouraging news on the 20th. Judy, I'm shocked about Leisa & Bryan but I think Leisa is right. But that doesn't make it easy. I wish her only the best. Pat, glad Molli is doing well. I'm so excited for them & wish them the best, too. Jamie, glad you are enjoying the country life! lol Can't wait to visit you! Casey is doing ok as far as we know. His facebook posts drive me crazy! He's so negative most of the time. Cary went to see Nate in Hawaii & had a great time. She loved it! Nate's 28 day vacation starts @ the end of July & will be coming to AR so that's good. Keep them in your prayers. I keep up with Ona through the caring bridges & it all sounds good. That is just so awesome that the town is doing that for them!! Makes you realize that there are still good people left. I love you all, Pam

Dad really didn't eat much---all his cake (very small piece) and about 1/2 of his corn and meatloaf and about 1/4 of his greens! He just wasn't hungry, but he was so agitated! He kept wanting to stand up and roll around in his wheelchair. FINALLY after he ate and got his tobacco, he calmed down. I think the 'waiting' is just hard on him. I think it confuses him about what's going on and what he's suppose to do. Anyway, they were all talking about how he'd been a mess all morning and had been so funny. They were also talking about him tying shoe laces----no problem---just reached out and did it like it was nothing! Ok, I'm off to bed. I've kind of done nothing today. Our electricity was out for about 45 minutes this afternoon. I went out on the porch and it kind of set the tone for the rest of the day---just chillin'! Love you all, Jeanie

I swear I'm sitting here laughing out loud at you, Jamie! LOL! OMG! You are THE funniest person to read/listen to! Hey, it all falls under the joys of home-ownership! LOL! Well, that and being back in this part of the country where the bugs, sun, humidity and whatevers reign supreme! Too funny! Tell me you videotaped this! RIGHT!?! Love you all, Jeanie

I really was too tired to laugh at your notes Jamie but couldn't help myself!lol  You kill me!  WHY you don't write a column or book is beyond me!  Pat could add a lot of funny herself!lol  Mom and Dad were ok today.  Mom was Mom and didn't really say/do anything but eat other than she "stirred" every now and then and mumbled that "I gotta go" thing she says.  When I got ready to leave I hugged her and said "I love you Mom" and she mumbled what sounded like "I love you" back.  Maybe it's just my wishful hoping/thinking! Dad was confused as usual and he gets so stressed when he sits there waiting for his food!  I know they give him coffee but I think he worries he won't get anything to eat because he doesn't know what he's suppose to do.  I don't think he ate much but Jeanie helped him while I fed Mom so not sure about his amount.  Nikki had already warned us that the nurses had been feeding him snacks and he probably wouldn't eat much.  His blood sugar had been 107 so they have snacked him up with stuff!  Did any of you know that Dad could walk with a walker??? Jeanie and I didn't but Nikki said he does great and almost runs! WHAT??? She said they use a strap around him and he walks.  She was going to get the PT to show us but I guess she was at lunch cause it didn't happen but Dad was waaaay too tired to walk!  He was so sleepy with his eyes half open but he was chewing tobacco before his nap.  We did get him a pair of jeans and some razors and took to Nikki.  We ended up finding a 35/30 for Dad but the ones in his closet are actually 36/30 but the girl who works there with her Mom said they were so big you could just pull them down without unsnapping them.  Hopefully these will be good and we can buy him another pair.  Ok, I think that's it!  Leisa is awesome and in a GREAT place!  She told Bryan he could date her and they could start at the beginning while he tried to figure out why he couldn't make the engagement/marriage commitment because now it's not in the cards for them.  Go Leisa!  I know they love each other and hopefully it will work out at some point in the future if it's what SHE wants!  We'll see.  I told her that she was her own soap opera!~lol  Love to all, Judy

"Farm" life is killing me!!:)  (The theme to Green Acres begins to play)  While looking at my potted plants on the front porch, I misjudged the step and my toe caught on the edge of the bricks.  I proceeded to trip/fall/bounce down all 3 steps and landed on the short column at the bottom where momentum almost let me somersault right onto the concrete...luckily my fat butt had enough weight/width that I held.  I did cut a huge chunk out of the bottom of my big toe, bruised it and another toe, hurt my hip,my knee and my pride!  My toe still kills and now I have a cramp in my leg because I'm walking funny so as to not hurt my toe!  Still there's work to be done...so yesterday, I worked in the yard and heat for 4 1/2 hours taking out bushes, raking mulch, clearing logs and leaves from around the barn and burning them in the fire pit.  I sunburned the back of my legs, got into some weeds or something that literally chewed up my ankles and calves, got bitten by like a billion no seeums, scraped the heck out of my leg on a log all while sweating like a pig in long sleeves and a straw hat...and if that wasn't enough... I came inside and took a nice long shower, put on clean cool jammies and got ready to watch one of my favorite movies only to discover that I had started my period a week early!  I think my response was "really? REALLY? Awesome!"...I ate an entire cheese pizza, a pint of raspberry sherbet and a bomb pop and called it a night!  Today,we're under a heat advisory...suppose to feel like 115 degrees by 4 o'clock...I'm staying inside where it's safe... I ordered 4 adirondack chairs off the internet, made an appointment to get the barn treated for termites, ants and other creepy crawlers, made an appointment for the car, talked to our builder and put chicken wings in the crockpot...a much easier day on the farm today!  Hope everyones keeping cool...Love you all,  Jamie

That's horrible about Dorothy! She's the thin woman that walks all the time---you'd think she was ok to look at her and here her talk. She's the one who's always asking how to get out of there (as in directions!) and at the beginning was always looking for her husband. Wonder how/where she fell!?! Yuck, that just makes me sick! I can't believe they've sent Alvin to a behavioral place! I guess after we complained they were just waiting for the next incident and then he was gone. Good! I'm sorry for his wife---she does seem nice, really. I always try to speak to her. I don't like Dad not eating. Wonder why? Any ideas from Nikki? I knew about the razors, and Judy and I will take those and some new jeans down tomorrow when we go.

As for all the rest of our lives, they're all pretty full, huh!?! I am so happy for Molli and Marty and say a prayer for them and Baby Bishop every night. They'll be awesome parents. Judy, the thing with Leisa and Bryan isn't over. You never know how things will turn out. Be careful what you say! I learned a long time ago about being careful about the words I'd have to eat! LOL! Jamie, it will be good to see you on Wed. It really sounds like the redneck life works for you all! LOL! Actually, a lantern, burning wood and lawn chairs outside late at night sounds really peaceful and pleasant---well it would somewhere else! Here the mosquitoes would carry you away sitting out like that! Thanks for the info about your boys, too. I did not know that they had scolosis. I keep thinking about it and then try not to think about it. We'll both have worry and news on/for the 20th of July----your Jason's teeth will be coming out and my Dylan will find out what they're looking at as far as treatment/possibilities goes! Ok, I'm trying to come up with what Bruce and I are going to do on vacation. For me, nothing sounds good! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Hey, everybody.  I went to see Mom and Dad today around noon.  Daddy was not very alert, but he looked good.  I asked him if he knew who I was and he said kind of loud, "Patricia".  hee hee!   I couldn't understand a lot of what he said and all he basically ate of his lunch was his pie!  Sounds like me!   I found out that Ivan the Terrible was moved somewhere to a behavioral place.  Nikki said he "got a hold of some woman" the other day.  Anyway, she said his family was very cooperative and didn't want him to be like that.  She also said that his wife was sad with him gone. Mother was the same.  I feel like it's been so long since she actually looked at me and said anything.  It's just so sad to see her that way.   Laundry had sent a pair of Dad's jeans for us to decide whether to throw them away.   I looked at them and they were very ragged, so I told Nikki to toss them.  I checked his closet and he had one pair there and the ones he had on.  She checked with laundry and they didn't have any of his clothes.  Nikki said that he also needed some razors.  Anyway, not an exciting visit, but then how many are?  Love you, pat      Jeanie and Judy, you probably know which lady is Dorothy.  She's  the one that roams around a lot.  Anyway, she had just returned from the hospital this morning.  Nikki said that she fell and had a fracture in her arm and a "brain bleed".  What's up with that?  Yuk!

Man you're right , life comes at ya fast!!lol  As for Leisa and Bryan--can't predict that future for now because he might just face his demons and they work it out! He called her late last night and they talked for 3 hours--Leisa said stuff that I can't imagine she said to him but that needed to be said a year ago! Good for her!! She's moving forward and told him that if he wanted to start from day one and call her and ask her out sometime, she'd go.  She told him that when they met she was desperate for someone in her life, but she's not desperate anymore.  She told him to not be desperate either and just want her back because he's afraid to be alone or whatever because that was not going to work for her.  She's has become such a strong person and I'm so proud of her because I truly don't have to worry about her "falling apart" anymore over him and probably not any man!  She is totally in her own driving seat and I love it!!! Stay tuned for my family soap opera!!!lol I'm so glad Jamie you're close now and can come to see Mom and Dad at least whenever you want/can!  So much better than "can't get there from here!"  I'm hoping for a good visit tomorrow!  Brittney/Frank had a yardsale yesterday and the Mexicans bought $405 worth of stuff!lol  Good job! Off to church, with love to all, Judy

OMG...I miss a couple of days and it never fails...crap has hit/is hitting the fan!!  Where do I begin?  Let's start positive...can't wait to PART-TAY with my sisters in August!!! I'll try to have some fun stuff lined up along with some regular redneck stuff...which is what I've been doing the last 3 days.  We've cleared and burned 3 piles of limbs, hickory nuts and leaves from both properties(1 more to go), mowed in 2 stages (1 more area to go) and fed the fish, caught the fish and threw them back in..Jerry and I were out last night until 10pm.  We had our lantern, our burning limbs and 2 chairs..if THAT ain't Kentucky redneck, I don't know what is!!  Pat, SO excited about Molli and glad everything's going well! She'll be such a great little Mom!  Jeanie, so sorry about Dylan!! You know both of mine have scoli..Jerome 27% curvature and Jason's around 17%.  It is a scary thing and really scary when you look at the X-rays..I almost puked when I saw Jerome's. I have a friend who's daughter had like an 80% curvature by the time she was in the 3rd grade, had to have the surgery but everything was great and she's now a senior in high school and doing awesome.  Glad they've caught it now/early so it can be monitored and a medical plan formed...extra prayers!   Judy, I'm floored by the news of Leisa and Bryan!! Is he NUTS???? Leisa is such an awesome person and he should consider himself lucky to know her, let alone have her love him.  He's stepped in it big time and he's obviously starting to realize he's screwed up!  Good for her though for putting herself first and walking away...she deserves happiness!!   No more missing days for me...I might miss something!!  Ok, I'll be to see Mom and Dad on Wednesday and then again one day the next week...found out on Friday, Jason gets his wisdom teeth out on the 20th of July, so I'll probably be back to see M&D on Friday the 22nd!  Back to cleaning and organizing...I've been doing things in spurts...a little cleaning, a little eating! A little organizing, a little vegging outside!!:)   Love you all,  Jamie

Extra prayers it is!  Bless her heart! It's always something with kids/grandkids isn't it?  As for Leisa, she's doing fine.  We went out to eat tonight and then shopped at TJM!lol  Shopping is great therapy! She bought a workout set, 2 tops and a purse! Gotta love a new purse!lol  Bryan on the other hand isn't doing so good.  He texted her off and on today even after the long discussion they had on the phone today.  Tonight it was a text of devastation!  Reality is already sitting in.  I can't help but feel a little sorry for the guy because he has a LONG hard road ahead of him! He told her to go ahead and date whoever she wanted and he would just try to go on with his life.  Sounds like a plan! Love to all, Judy

Judy, I'm so sorry about Leisa and Bryan!  Do you think they'll get back together?  He's crazy if he doesn't!!  She is an awesome person and he will never do better than her!    Jeanie, sorry about Dylan!  What is the treatment for that now?  I'm sure it's a whole lot better than it used to be.  I hope everything works out okay for her.    Molli has a Dr. appt. next Thurs. so we should know how everything's going.  So far, so good!  She will be home on her birthday which is the 23rd, so I'm happy about that.  I just realized tonight that I only have 4 weeks until school starts!  Yuk!!!!   Jerry and I are going to LNC in the morning so I'll report later tomorrow.    Everybody hang in there!  I say a prayer for all of you every night!  love you, pat

I'm glad Leisa got to say her say to Bryan. I know he doesn't know what he had and lost, but sometimes that's the way things work out. I'm glad Leisa is doing ok. That would be my worry---about her---but if she's ok, then ok it is!!!! As for me, Dylan has the beginnings of scoliosis they think. She had a checkup and then an x-ray. They have an appointment with another doctor on the 20th of July. Say an extra prayer for her. She's such a precious little girl. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Hello sisters! Are you reading this?  If so, please post a note to let us know! Ona called me last night and talked about 45 minutes.  She's doing great and so is Randall.  He had walked 90 steps over to Denita's last night for supper and then back.  He's standing taller and things are clicking more and more.  The town is building them an addition on their house.  I don't know if I'd mentioned this on here or not but she found out the day Randall came home.  It's the town's gift to them.  It will be a big room with big windows and wrap around porch so Randall can look out and go outside on the porch.  There is a bathroom with handicapped shower they're installing too.  She said the concrete was poured already and things are starting to shape up.  She cries a lot because she feels it's too much for the town to do and she feels guilty buying anything because she's afraid the town will think she's too poor to buy anything!lol  I told her to stop worrying about it and enjoy it because the family deserves it after the long hard year they've had.  Be sure to check out their 4th of July pictures because they're awesome!  On a different note, Leisa broke up with Bryan yesterday.  She's fine with it all since she did it but the bottom line for her is that she's been waiting on a commitment from Bryan and he's not ready yet so they're on different pages.  She told him that he had to figure all of that out without her in his life and he needs to date others and so did she.  She was hurt and angry at first--to the point of dropping everything she had at his house within 30 minutes but she talked on the phone to him today and he's in a better place with it all and she said everything she wanted to say.  I feel kinda sorry for him at this point because he has no clue what he's lost yet but he will soon enough.  Meanwhile she's moving on!  She also found --not one but TWO dimes last night in her house afterwards! One was in the living room while she was talking to Laura and I she spotted it and the second was under a clock in the dining room she had just wound a couple hours earlier and it was NOT there. AWESOME!!!  Okay, that's it from this household--what's new in yours? Love to all, Judy

Sorry about that! LOL! I was going to post and then got busy! Yes, I did go see Mom and Dad thursday---along with Bruce and Maggie----did I mention I got busy Thursday?! LOL! Anyway, they were in the dining room eating. Needless to say I didn't feed Mom---hands full with The Pie (as Bruce calls her!) Anyway, Dad ate about 1/2 of his food. He did ask me where were Judy and Jamie---I told him the both of you would be up soon. The young girl sitting at the table feeding Mom said they'd used that lately to get Dad up---telling him Jamie was coming. That's sad. Anyway, Dad kept wanting to stand up. I finally just pushed him out of the dining room to get some tobacco to see if he'd settle down. He kept saying what a pretty little girl Maggie was---she is too! LOL! He was ok and so was Mom. She didn't open her eyes, but she was eating and Debbie said she'd been ok that morning---not loud or anything. Anyway, not much to say really. Love you all, Jeanie

Is it just my computer or are my notes back to back?lol  I KNOW Jeanie you went to see Mom and Dad yesterday but where is the note??? In your head, right?lol  Post it girl!!!lol Love ya, Judy

I'm just checking in since I don't think any posts were made yesterday! I don't want anyone to think I'm not on here checking for a note!lol  Pat are you still out of town? I didn't see your note from Sunday and wasn't sure if you were or not.  Hopefully you're enjoying what time you have left of summer!  I'll be there to see Mom and Dad on Monday.  I'll post about my visit then.  Love to all, Judy

Hey, I'm game for most anything anytime. Aug whatever sounds good! I'm anxious to see all your progress and the old original house and barn, too! LOL! Hey, with the quick route that you've figured out, getting there won't be any problem! Sounds like fun! I went to see Mom and Dad today---they were both in bed asleep. Margaret said Dad had been wound up again today. She said they've kind of figured out that if they get him up and get his breakfast tray pretty quickly, he settles down. She said they both ate good and they'd given Mom a shower this morning. I did pay LNC Dad's bill---creative pay: the amount according to DHS, another check from Dad's trust account for $1000, and finally a personal check of mine for the balance ($319.68). Anyway he's paid in full for now. I went to Chad's office to just check one more time on how I could write this check from Dad's account. He said that payments to nursing home were automatically approved. I also took the bill for the dentist to LNC and told them that Dad was NOT Medicaid eligible at the time of service and that the dentist said it was LNC's bill and not mine! We'll see. Dad is down to about 6 weeks left on his penalty---August 20th is his last day to be private pay IF all goes as planned! Let's hope! Still no word on Mom's appeal. Pat, did the guy give you an estimate on the damage to Mom and Dad's house? Love you all, Jeanie

I quit my volunteering job today since I was going to be gone for 3 weeks anyway and I need a change! Getting up early Friday and going to work cut me out of yardsales for that day and then on Saturdays I wasn't looking forward to getting up again early!  SO Fridays work for me too.  I could leave here early Friday and  be at Jeanie's in time for Pat to get off work.  Sounds like a plan!  So that would be the 19th, 20th, 21st and any or all of those dates?Sounds good to me! Love to all, Judy

I start back on the 8th of Aug.  My school closes every Friday at 12:00 noon, so it won't be a problem for me as long as we can leave after that time.  Looking forward to a "vacation".   love, pat

Jeanie, from LNC we went 18 to Monette, turned left on 139 in "downtown" Monette which took us to 412. We stayed on 412 through Kennett and on over to 155 to 51 through Union City/Troy etc and then hit Purchase PWY right before 51 ends for like 2 exits and then got on 94 to Murray.  I live off of 94, so my house is like 10-15 minutes closer than the Holiday Inn where I was staying the last time I drove Murray to LakeCity.  It was a really easy drive and I didn't speed, well not really!!   The boys move in to the dorms on the 13,14 and 15th of August...how about that next weekend for a sisters get together? Pam, will Jim already be in school then too? Pat, you said you start toward the beginning of the month.  You all could come on Friday and stay till Sunday or Saturday or just come for the day, whatever works out for you...I may have a couch and a chair by then too...those get ordered today!!   Ok, I'm off to do errands..lots of errands..trying to get all the finance stuff straightened out in my head!! YIKES!!  Love you all,  Jamie

Jamie, I am so glad that your first visit back was 'pretty good'! That's great! I am totally amazed that you made in it 2 and 1/2 hours! HOW!?! Did you do the 94 to 51 to Union City to 55 to 18? That is insane, really! Bruce and I are back from St. Louis and had a really good time. Jeremy, Jon and Ryan's families all came, too, so it was typically a Moore's wild and crazy time! LOL! Anyway, I'm fixing to hit it and get up in the morning and start on 'doing' stuff before going to see Mom and Dad. August for a weekend sounds good to me. I'll be back the first of Aug, Judy the middle of August and school should be starting around the middle, too. SURELY we can come up with a date that works for all of us! Yea, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Love you all, Jeanie

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm off to El Paso for 3 weeks starting July 23.  I fly out that Saturday at 5:25 p.m. and return on Saturday Aug 13 at 4:40.  I'll be there for Logan's 3rd birthday! yeaaa!  I'll be living for info on the blog so please post during that time! Love to all, Judy

Jamie I'm so glad you and Jerry made it over to see Mom and Dad yesterday! That's so awesome!!!  I have been worried for months that something would happen before you got "home" but thank the Lord it didn't! Good Job!! I fixed BBQ ribs for Leisa and family yesterday and it was so delicious!  Went to Church today and our Pastor asked last Sunday for everyone to wear red/white/blue today and almost everyone did and it was AWESOME!  We of course sang all Patriotic Songs and it was great!  It's too hot for me to go to fireworks so I passed on them the last 2 nights they've had them and can't see me going out tonight either! What a fuddy dud!lol Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I got up yesterday morning and drove over to see Mom and Dad..only took us 2hrs and 30 minutes and that was getting stuck behind a couple of slow movers and road construction on 155.  Dad didn't know me at first...Linda said "Look who I found in the hall! Do you know who this is?"  Dad said NO.  Then he said "Jeanie" I said something like that's close! Then Dad said no that's Jamer Cay.  He looked good and he did pretty well carrying on conversations..he and Jerry talked about the Cardinals and Albert getting hurt, they talked Army and Jerry retiring and the hot weather.  He ate about half his meal..but Linda said he had eaten a big breakfast of sausage and biscuits. He talked about cigarettes and tried to stand up to look for them in his pocket I guess.  He was tired after lunch and laid down to take a nap.  Mom ate really well...but never really woke up.  Can't believe how round her face is..she looked more like Aunt Ernie did when they came to Jonesboro that Summer.  She responded to Linda when she talked to her,but I could never really get a response.  Jerry was pleased with the facility..thought things were very clean, the staff very attentive and the food looked and smelled good.   Their room was clean.. beds made and things picked up.  It was a good visit over all and not a bad drive...found the way back onto 94 from 51 so that was good! Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th.  We're doing house things today and nothing tomorrow(our little reward for work today)!  Love you all,  Jamie ps..girls night/weekend in August sounds great! Can't wait!

You are SOOOO weird! LOL! The money situation you don't understand, but all the medical stuff you do! LOL! Happy 4th to all of you, too! Let Freedom Ring! Love you all, Jeanie

I laughed out loud about Dad getting his head xrayed when LNC  broke his teeth but Jeanie assured me it was NOT a typo!lol  She said they DID xray his head!  I'm like--can a dentist do that??? I'm thinking the answer is yes!lol  I talked to Jamie today and she told me that she was SO glad we did NOT come all the way over to the ceremony on Thursday because it was SOOOOO hot and it wasn't over till 4:30 or 5:00 and their part was only minutes!  I think you told me 24 or 27 couples had their 2 minutes of fame too didn't you Jamie~  At least a LOT of other people did show up to congratulate you both!  We were there in spirit--right sisters?Happy 4th of July to all!!! Be safe and careful out there!
 Love to all, Judy

I went to see Mom and Dad this morning at lunch----that makes no sense, does it?! Oh, well! Anyway, Dad had two big pieces of catfish, fries, slaw, ice cream and a small piece of lemon icebox pie + a piece of bread. He ate dang near every bite! Mom had the same except a HUGE piece of pie + thickened water, strawberry drink, tea and milk! Good grief! She ate nearly every bit of hers + all the fluids! Dad did pretty good except the tired he gets the more confused he gets. Mom told me 'I'd better quit it!" when I was telling Dad to sit down. He did with Debbie's help and said he was so 'swimmy (word?) headed'! And WHY does he not need to stand up!?! I called Beth this morning about the damage to the house---there can be no gains from it and we can't pay the deductible from a Miller's Trust acct! Whatever! She also said that Chad told her for me to just write the check out of Dad's acct to the nursing home-----I'm like YIPES! and said will you put that in writing so that I'll have proof Chad said that! I mean, for real, that's what I told her. I also called and talked to Social Security about the year-end representative payee form that I had to fill out for each of them---did that and have already mailed them back. I also called Higginbotham Dentistry about the bill I got for an x-ray of Dad's head after he broke his dentures and they (LNC) sent hit to the dentist. Ashley finally called me back this afternoon and said the bill belonged to LNC because they told her it would be Medicaid offset and that in no way, shape form or fashion did I owe it! I'm suppose to take it back to Michael Smith and give it to him to ????????. She said if I had any more problems to call her and they'd get involved! So there! LOL! The whole thing is one big hair-splitting thing! I'm serious! Jamie I hope Jerry's retirement ceremony went well. Give him my apology for not being there. Love you all, Jeanie

Count me in on a Sister weekend too!  I have no life so can pretty much go whenever!lol  Actually I'm going to El Paso in July myself since it's Logan's birthday on the 29th.  I'm looking at going around the 25th or so.  Just set date for August and it sounds like a go for me. Anxiously awaiting posts of how Mom and Dad are this weekend. Love to all, Judy