Good report Mrs M!! You're so right about the beautiful weather! Bryan has rented out his house majorly unexpected and we have all been moving stuff into Leisa's and out of Bryan's! The lady wants to move in on 10/22 and he has someone who is going to paint the whole inside between now and then! Plus we're having a yardsale over there on 10/15! lots of changes going on between those 2 houses! Katilyn and I worked on her bedroom today and gathered the rest of her stuff for yardsale, keep or trash because Austin is moving into her room and Austin's is going to become the man cave for all Bryan/Austin hunting stuff!! I've bee busy busy!! I plan to come up Sunday and go see Mom and Dad on Monday if as stay status quo! Lol I'll post when I make it there! Love to all, Judy

Hey, I'm glad something about you is 'normal'! LOL! Seriously, that IS good news! Hopefully, it is NOT c-diff or whatever the heck that is! I DID go see Mom and Dad today. Not a bad visit---not a great visit---but an ok visit. Neither was worse---that is good. Dad looked pretty good, but he didn't eat much of his lunch. Not the cake, not the bowl of black-eyed peas, not all his fish, not many of his fries. He said he wasn't hungry. I kept asking him and even handed him his cake with a fork. He took one bite and then put it down! He kept trying to get into the trash on the medicine cart! I got him out of it a couple of times telling him it was trash. He said something about tobacco and not having any for a long time. I told him there was always tobacco at the desk. Debbie got him some when we got back to the big commons area, but they took Dad to check him and put him in bed! I just put the tobacco beside his bed on the little table. He did call me by my name and did ask about Judy when I told him she would be there next week because she was sick today. (I told him she had a cold and didn't want to give it to everyone!) Anyway, they had taken Mom to the beauty shop and cut her hair + styled it into a big kind of bouffant style with lots of hairspray!!!!!!!!!!! I'm like 'WHAT ON EARTH!" The one girl (I believe her name is Misty) said she knew it hadn't been me who asked for the haircut since I hadn't mentioned it! Mom's hair is right at the bottom of her ear. Ok, that is not too bad, BUT I told her NO to going back to the beauty shop next week and NO MORE haircuts! She said she bet Tracy had something to do with it because she had her nose in things she didn't need to. She also told me that she nor Margaret nor Adrianne (sp?) used the hoist thing to get Mom in and out of bed. That was Tracy's idea, also, she said. She said they all thought it GAVE Mom skin tears because it scrunched her all up. Those three girls thought that just getting her in and out of bed with their own power was better. Anyway, no one knew if Dad had eaten much at breakfast---not Debbie or any of the girls. The med Dad is on is Amphicillian (sp?). Debbie said they'd given him Cipro last time and since it didn't work, they were giving him another type this time. Ok, that's about it. It has been SO beautiful here the last couple of days it makes you appreciate just being alive! How awesome to see/enjoy and just be on these special days! We have so few of them every year! ENJOY! Love you all, Jeanie

Don't know about my culture but get this--- she had blood drawn when I was there at 10 and just now when I checked my email, the test results from blood work were on my electronic medical record that I have access to!! How cool is that?? All blood work was normal by the way! Yeaaa!! Jeanie went today and she'll post later but it wasn't a bad visit!! I'll give you that much info!!lol NOT that it was great though but ok. Love to all, Judy

Finished with doctor and she doesn't know about cdif so having to do a stool specimen!! Yuck!! She said she would think I'd be really sick if I did have it but definitely have some symptoms. Exam was normal though so who knows! Staying home till I find out something. Love to all, Judy

Judy, I hate that you're sick...do you really think you have c diff? YUCK...I'm with Jeanie, I don't love diarrhea..just the thought of it makes me want to have it!! Sorry, that's gross!!  I hope you're feeling better soon!!!  Just a quick note to say I'm not heading that way tomorrow..Teresa is coming to do the last few things around the house and put the shutters on and collect the last payment!!:)   I have Jerry come out but he has that his and hers golf tourney that the hospital is sponsoring.  Jason is spending the day in the library and doing "pledge" work, so unfortunately, I'm it!!  I will definitely come next week...possibly Monday and bring the footballs too!  Had a super time today with Herschel...literally the nicest guy ever! The MSU Racers were absolutely thrilled...players and coaches and the hospital staff was beyond stoked...we were 45 minutes late getting to lunch because the crowd was so huge to see him!  He's got a Nashville connection, so maybe we can get him back one day.  His visit to Fort Campbell put him at over 10,000 troops he's talked with since he started touring.  He's even done a trip to Iraq...truly a celebrity doing good! Any way, I'm getting back to doing some of Jason's laundry...he's staying with us tonight...funny, he seems so grown up in just this short amount of time!  Good kid I think though...I hope so!!   Love you all, Jamie

I love you, Judy, but I do NOT love diarrhea! LOL! Call me crazy! LOL! Hopefully the doc will tell you what it is NOT and then you can come! I will definitely follow up on the weight and the antibiotic. Unless Cipro's whole name starts with an 'a', that's not what they called to tell me. Sorry, the names of the meds don't mean much to me. Thank goodness! As for my day, it's been great! The guys finished my door, the steps, the plug in out front and the board out front! I bought a paint sample---just in case it doesn't match---before I buy a gallon. Hopefully, I can paint all the things tomorrow and then THAT'S IT for a while for me! I'm serious! Tired of the messes and the work and worry. I am really happy with all that I've gotten done though. I'm now trying to figure out a table/small work island for my kitchen. I really think I'll use it. I want something no more than 2 feet square---preferably on rollers---wood. I've moved a table of my own in there for now to 'try it out' to make sure it won't drive me crazy moving around it. LOL! Could happen! Ok, off to give myself a pedicure and watch some tv! Happy Birthday to me!!!! LOL! Love you all and thank you for my birthday wishes, Jeanie

Well I was going to Jboro on Friday because Katilyn is coming home tomorrow and I want to see her but I'm once again plagued with diarrhea and going to the doc Friday morning instead! Am I having fun or not!!!! I think NOT! I'm kinda worried it's cdiff too and want to rule it out before heading that direction! Jeanie said she wanted me to come but not bad enough to want diarrhea!! lol I hope dad continues having some better days till I get back up! Keep those posts coming!! And once again Jeanie Happy Birthday!! Love to all, Judy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you have a great day!!! Love you lots!!! pat

I totally agree about the weight!!  I questioned Darah saying "You mean since the end of August/1st of September when he was weighed last, he's gained 4 pounds? You only started implementing the weight gain things..the ensure drink and quiet eating area,etc... over the last week and a half.  That doesn't make any sense."  Key the music because she just started dancing around about all these things they're doing and how they've been really watching/helping him eat.  I got to wondering if she looked at Mom's weight and not Dad's by mistake.  Maybe something to follow up on!! Darah told me they were putting Dad on Cipro..not that other drug you mentioned..again, something to follow up on, because he was suppose to start that yesterday.  Yes, the cranberry pills seem like a logical thing, but as I think we're all finding out, logic and healthcare don't always go together!  Again, I think I really understand why the mortality rate of the elderly in nursing homes is so high...sad and scary for sure, but as long as Mom and Dad are alive and all of us are alive, the good fight will continue!!  Judy, you're going up when...tomorrow?  I may try to come over on Friday, but not completely sure yet..the hospital has a golf tournament and I'm not sure if Herschell is staying to play in that or not...I'll let you know!!  Ok, off to get some errands done..Love you,  Jamie

Totally agree with you Jeanie and I certainly don't understand the cranberry issue. Ambesol doesn't sound like an antibiotic that I know about and thought it was Cipro they were doing because that's a common antibiotic for UTIs. As for the weight gain, not sure how accurate it is but NO weight lose is the biggest issue and not really how much he's gained from my thinking point! I do think that it was cranberry or apple juice they use to give them off the cart and not sure when that stopped. All I got is that it's a very good thing we are trying to stay on top and things and playing doctor or Mom and Dad both would probably be gone by now!! Scary!! Love to all, Judy

Ok, several things! 1. Am I the only one who finds it strange that Dad has 'suddenly' gained 4 pounds!?!
2. I don't understand the 'quiet' time to eat and the food/drink you mentioned----I haven't seen it and even mentioned to Judy today that Mom had more food than Dad----no ensure type drink at all.
3. They just called me from LNC and said they had orders for Ambesol (sp?) as an antibiotic for his UTI.
I did go today to see them. They were ok. Mom ate REALLY good. Dad ate about 1/2 or less of his food and then fell asleep in his chair! I offered him Mom's cake and ice cream, but he didn't want either. He had water and tea to drink---that's all. Mom had milk and water. She also had yogurt and ice cream which Dad did not have. I don't understand why they haven't been giving him the cranberry pills! As for them NOT having cranberry juice---my question is WHY? and can they not get it? I mean, come on, that's not something WEIRD to have on hand! They offer kool-aid, crystal light and several other things to drink---what's the deal with having cranberry juice. I want to say they did when they first went there---that it was an option on the snack cart! It just fries me that they were so quick to jump on Dad for behavioral issues instead of rechecking him for the UTI! I mean, WHY!!!!!!!!!! None of us have a medical degree, but it seems like we're the ones who have to ask for/suggest that he might have one. Wasn't it Darah in our meeting that said that Dad had been treated for his UTI and therefore didn't have one now!?! GRRRRR!!!!! Hey, at least he DID have one and that is part of his confusion. Bless his heart. I say if the natural sleep-aid helps him retain urine---then it probably needs to be stopped. Ok, I'm off to bed. I have worked so hard for the last few days and I am pooped! They did get my door hung, the board replaced and are nearly finished with my steps. I did get the basement ceiling painted in the purple room and that all put back together. I still have to paint the board out front and the new back door + seal the seams on the gutters! Good grief, THEN, I think I'll be finished until I make a new list! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

My vote is a definite yes on the cranberry pill and wonder why they just don't give those all the time to nursing home people since they are so prone to the UTIs. Dad gets $40 a month and so does mom so a definite yes on the cranberry juice from me. I still think they should give dad some coffee because he loves it! Scaling back wouldnt hurt though! Jeanie went today and said dad was glad to see her and ate ok but then fell asleep at the table! He was still somewhat confused too. Mom was status quo. I'm going on Friday and will post then. Love to all, Judy

Round 2 with Darah...Dad's UA came back positive..he does still have a UTI. They are starting him on Sipro(sp) today.  She did not have his weight in front of her...again...I'm sitting here waiting on a third call. Ok, Darah called and Dad's weight is back to 143.  She said they had been taking Dad down to a quiet area to eat and they'd been pushing some flavored waters and the weight gain drink.  I mentioned to her about the Melatonin(herb) that Dad has been taking for a natural sleep aid and whether she thought that might be contributing to his UTI's.  She said yes.  Do we want to stop it and see if it helps?  Also, they have cranberry pills as a natural aid to UTI's..I said start Dad on those dudes...is everyone ok with this?  Also, Darah is going to look into cranberry juice instead of coffee...coffee is also not a good thing for UTI chronic patients.  If they do not have cranberry juice, we would have to supply it.  Is everyone ok with providing cranberry juice if LNC doesn't have it?   I know Dad loves his coffee, but being UTI free is more important I think..yes?  Ok, I've got to go...I have a Spring Creek open house in like an hour and I'm not even dressed!!  Love you,  Jamie

Just spoke with Darah....UGH!!!  I told her the Zyprexa was an absolute no go. I asked again about a true sleeping aid..possibly an OTC.  She mentioned Restoril.  She thought it could be given as low a dose as 7.5mg.  I will  do some research on it. She did not recommend Tylenol PM because it can be so hard on the liver and kidneys..her words.  She mentioned again about the fact that she's been on Ambien for 20 years plus has tried Remeron and Restoril...obviously, she has trouble sleeping...and swears by Ambien!  She also said that the Melanon (an herb to aid in sleeping) also carries side effects like urinary retention.  Could this be a reason Dad's had chronic UTI's?   I'll do some research on this as well.  She's looking up the results of the UA and Dad's weight, which was taken yesterday.  Dr Parten has not made it there yet, but only has until Saturday to make his rounds there...I guess this is Septembers visit he's trying to complete.  They have state inspections going on today...I'm sure this is a stressful day!!   She's suppose to call me back in an hour or so after she's located the UA results and the weight.   Ok, hitting the showers real quick and trying to get ready for the day!!  Love you,  Jamie

I did not hear from Darah on Friday, so I'm assuming that means that Dr Parten did not make rounds on Friday.  If I don't hear from her today, I'll call first thing in the morning.  Also, I really didn't get any info on an alternative sleeping aid that wasn't prescription....they just don't give OTC drugs...has to do with state/government rules and regs on drug distribution.  I will check with Darah about LNC's policy for OTC drugs.  Pat, glad Dad was good...he scares me when he's struggling mentally.  Mom looked so good last week when I was there.  She responded to me when I rubbed on her and spoke in her ear. She's still in there...just sometimes harder to find than others.  I'm cleaning today and working on a chair that I'm painting.  Got some things moved to the sunporch this weekend, but still not exactly settled on stuff out there!!  For some reason, I've kind of hit the wall...I think the "newest" has worn off and now I'm having a hard time getting motivated!! Oh well, some veg time will do me good I guess!!  Sun is shining today and I'm off to walk a little before starting back into cleaning!!  Love you,  Jamie

Awesome Pat that Dad was better! I'll take anything positive at this point cause I constantly worry about them and if they're ok or not. I kid myself into thinking they're not totally aware of things and that's good for me to believe cause I couldn't stand it if Dad actually knew where he was and wasn't going home again. I can hardly make myself even say it to myself! I do know they are where they need to be and take comfort in the fact that they aren't ever alone for any length of time. Glad your visit was better than some! Love to all, Judy

Jerry and I went to LNC this morning.  We got there about 10:45 and they were both in the big room.  Daddy looked really good and he actually , for the most part, talked very good.  He called Jerry and I both by name.  He also said that he knew this place was costing them a lot, but they had 3 meals a day and they took good care of them. He also said that they have a Dr. there in case anyone gets sick.  Pretty clear thinking.  It's sad for me for him to realize where he is, but at the same time, it's good that he thinks they're taken care of.  Anyway, he was very alert and calm and was his usual self.  The nurse said he had been fine, but of course, they always say that.  Mother was pitiful as usual.  It really hurts me to look at her and see her the way she is.  She was such a vibrant person and it's hard to reconcile that this is now her.   All in all, a good visit.  love you, pat

Any visits from the weekend to report? Wondered how they were doing and if Dad was better. Post if you know anything new! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie at the end you said bad visit but figure that was a typo since at the beginning you had said it was an ok visit?? As for rails my guess is that Mom doesn't move in the bed other than maybe her arm a little. That's sad to think about though! I like to pretend she's the same as always! Glad dad was better! Love to all, Judy

Sorry, I'm so late blogging, but the girls just left and it's my first chance! Mom and Dad were ok today---Mom about the same: eating well, looking fine, etc. She didn't say anything to me today and didn't open her eyes, but I could tell she knew that someone was talking to her when I talked to her. Dad seemed better. I asked him if he'd slept last night and his response was 'like a log'! He had like 4 big pieces of fish for lunch along with fries, slaw, bread and lemon icebox pie. He ate two pieces of fish, part of the fries, about 1/2 slice of bread, a few bites of slaw and about 1/2 of his pie. He said he was SO full. I got him tobacco and a jacket (he said he was cold) and then took him back to the dining room. He'd eaten in there, but we'd left to get the tobacco. Anyway, he was not as slurry with his words. He did think that the Maude Shelton sitting on his other side was Mom. He kept reaching out to her and smiling and saying something about her eating, etc. I kept telling him that this was Mom and not that lady. He said they had a long way to go and wanted to know if Mom had packed yet. He was definitely easier to understand. I asked if he'd gone to sleep on his own without anything at all and still slept---two different girls in there said yes. I never did see Debbie, Nikki or Darah at all the entire time I was there (about an hour and a half) No idea. Donna was the nurse at his desk area today. Anyway, they said he was worried about Mom last night---they took off their rails and he was afraid she'd fall off the bed. What do you think about the rails and Mom. I was like 'OMG, I didn't even think about that with her! Do you think she'd know if she was too close to the edge? Does she roll around in bed? I'd think not, but I don't know. Anyway, it was a bad visit. Dad had water and something in a big styrofoam cup with ice in it for liquids today. Margaret told me she'd given Dad a Zinger ( like a hostess cake only long and thin) today. I said "I don't care! He's 92! If he wants it let him have it!" She said she always checked on his sugar levels before she did anything like that, and I told her again---I don't care if you give it to him! Let him have it! LOL! Ok, we're off to St. Louis early in the morning to spend the night with Belle. I'll check in Sun afternoon late. Love you all, Jeanie

Ok I checked with Leisa and since she works for surgeons she personally hasn't prescribed either of these but she looked both up on drug reference app. She said first of all she wouldn't recommend they start both of these at the same time and she didn't like Zyprexa at all. She said that she sees a lot of elderly patients on Remeron and thought it would help him sleep. S bottom line is that of the two Remeron would be the starting place I think. Hope this helps some but nit working for a GP limits the drugs Leisa is most familiar with. Love to all, Judy

Well so much for Darah being nice! I'll ask Leisa tomorrow what she thinks but the nursing person at Spring Creek sounds like a real option since she is use to working with elderly patients in a nursing home. I hate jumping straight to 2 mess for him!! Pam went today to check on them and she said they had sent off for the uti check. I'll let you know what leisa thinks! Love to all, Judy

Remeron (Mirtazapine)
	www.nlm.nih.gov Mirtazapine is used to treat depression. Mirtazapine is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain to maintain mental balance. Mirtazapine comes as a tablet and as a disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. Darah flat out lied when she told me this was a sleeping pill....

Why would this Doctor Sargosy (sp) even prescribe this for Dad...

Important information about Zyprexa

Zyprexa is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Zyprexa may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Zyprexa may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Zyprexa can cause high blood sugar(hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Zyprexa.

Had a pleasant conversation with Darah today...NOT!!  She said the doctor(psychiatrist) wants to put Dad on 15mg of Remeron (sleeping pill) and 2.5mg of Zyprexa (anti psychotic drug).  I asked her about Dad's weight and was he not concerned about that. She said that he thought once Dad's behavior was under control that he'd start eating.  I asked her at what point would they start to worry about Dad's weight and she said they were monitoring it weekly! (Something Jeanie and I just discussed with her yesterday)  I asked for a second opinion from Dr Parten...which I put no faith in, but want it on record that both doctors knew of Dad's weight loss and our concern for it.(This is for us...God forbid something happens, I want it recorded that we asked the professionals about the weight loss.) They have added a supplement drink for diabetics...glycerna similar to ensure and she was so proud of the fact that they had fed Dad a donut because he'd asked for it.  I'm like you better feed him all the damn donuts he wants...  I forgot to ask about the urine sample and if they got one today to run a follow up UTI check.  After arguing/fighting and generally copping a piss poor attitude with her, I didn't even think about the UTI. Jeanie will check tomorrow when she goes.  Darah also started some BS about "well we've had to move some people do to your Dad's behavior."  I set her straight about Mr Lane and she said there were other incidences....she claimed she had told Jeanie and when I called her on that,she started back pedaling saying maybe it was Pat to which I said we have a blog and this is all news to me. She started doing the backstroke then saying, well we don't bother the family for everything...more BS! Bottom line, I told her no medication until we've had a chance to research/discuss the meds and get the second opinion from Dr Parten and then we'd let her know what we wanted to do.  I don't understand why they can't start out with a Tylenol PM or some other OTC drug instead of going straight to a prescription.  I don't want Dad on a psychotic drug...I don't really want him on a sleeping pill, but I do agree he needs to rest at night.  I called Jerry and ask him to check with his head nurse at Spring Creek..unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to call this afternoon...he went from meeting to meeting and home and now back out the door for a meeting.  Judy, maybe you could ask Leisa and Pam ask Jody for their opinions on these drugs.   Ok, Love you and I'll let you know if I hear from Nurse Ratchet again!!   Jamie

Jeanie and I talked on the phone this afternoon and I'm so glad you both got to talk to Dara or Darrah or whatever her name is! I do think we are a unique family with some brains to know the right questions and even understand most of the answers! We have resources of people in our family at least to bounce things off of! I'm glad you made it back over Jamie to see them again! I always feel good when I've been there to eyeball them and know you feel the same! I'll check tomorrow off and on to check on Darah's followup! Hopefully she will be dependable!! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie always good to see you too!! :) Got home about 6 tonight...I was so tired that I had to stop at WalMart in Union City and go to the bathroom and walk around the store a little to "perk" up.  Didn't help much, but at least when I got back in the car I found a funny call in radio show where they were discussing everything from gays in the military to our local democrats and their latest escapades!!  Kept me entertained til I got home!!  The nursing home came and picked up the piano!! YEA!! I worked on moving a few more things to the sunroom and straightening my half of the garage...I think we might be able to squeeze both vehicles in now!! Double Yea!!    Yes Jeanie and I talked to Darah...I got a little snippy at one point(this happens when I'm tired! sound familiar?)...but we stated our thoughts and suggestions and I agree that she did seem like she was willing to try some things to help Dad.  My guess is that they are just not use to dealing with family members that know too much...we, however, are just the opposite and I'm sure it's a little weird for them!  I like that it's weird for them...gives us the edge and keeps them on their toes!!  I'll post after I talk with Darah hopefully tomorrow...my feeling is that I'd like them to implement some of the changes we discussed today and see if those make a difference before we just jump right into the sleeping meds.  Darah said that the appetite stimulant has alcohol in it which can help "calm the beast"...maybe a full tummy and a little shot will do the trick!! :)  Ok, I'm hitting the sack...I've got a long list of chores to do for tomorrow!!  Love you all,  Jamie

Always so good to see you, Jamie! We TALKED and TALKED to Darah and then Nikki and seem to have made some progress with things. They're going to see about the appetite stimulant for Dad, give him some other fluids (gatorade, crystal light, milk, vitamin water, etc), get a urine sample and check it to be sure his UTI is gone, maybe let him eat in the big commons area so there won't be so much going on, see if the alcohol in the appetite med will help him sleep, etc. It was a lot of stuff. Darah actually seemed pretty nice and seemed to be 'thinking' about Dad and possibilities. We'll see. Bottom line is we don't want Dad just drugged and out of it. Darah is going to call Jamie with the possible drugs to help Dad sleep along with their dosage for Jamie to approve or not. Me, I don't know meds the way she and Judy do. Wish I did, but I don't. Anyway, we'll watch Dad and see how this goes. He was some better today---his color was better and he talked more reasonably UNTIL he got really tired and then he was yelling and standing up, etc. I asked him if he was sleepy and he said yes. Before we could cover him up, he was asleep! He doesn't do well tired! Sounds like some of the rest of us! Anyway, Mom was about the same. Margaret fed her because she does a really good job feeding Mom. Mom ate fine. Ok, I'm off to take the laundry out of the dryer that keeps buzzing like I'm deaf or something! Good grief! Where's my 'clicker' for that thing!!!! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie be careful driving over today and hopefully you and Jeanie can make some headway with Dara in stating our intents about Dad and what we will and won't let them do! Maybe today he will be having a great day as well as Mom! Wouldn't that be awesome!! Love to all, Judy

Jamie how awesome that you are on the road to the finish line and it's in sight!!! Yeaaaa!!!! Jeanie I'm glad you talked smart talk to Dara so she knows that we are involved and watching them for Dad's sake! I hate to wish a medical condition on dad but would love to think he'll be back to a normal state where we can at least understand some of what he's saying and feel we are connecting with him on some level. Don't forget to ask about an appetite stimulant too. I don't like weight lose! Well I'd love it for me but not Dad!! Lol Love to all, Judy

Good for you, Jamie, that the painters can finish up (hopefully) tomorrow and you can put a BIG check by that room/house! WHEW! You have got to be so ready to see an end to inside work! LOL!Love checks by things to show completion!!!!!! I am not going to get my 'checks' all done this week like I'd planned. The guy going to install my door, build me some new back steps and repair/replace a board out front can't come until at least the end of this week---maybe Mon of next week! Oh, well, I STILL have plenty to occupy my week! LOL! As Jamie said, we'll meet with Dara on Wed. We DO NOT want Dad medicated to the point of blah. I want to be sure there is nothing medical going on + I want to be sure that he's sleeping at night! IF all of those are taken care of and he STILL has an issue---well, we'll cross that bridge then. For now, we've got to make sure that Dad gets the best help to fit his needs. Love you all, Jeanie

Small change of plans...I'm going to let my painters finish tomorrow(Tuesday) and go to LNC on Wednesday so Jeanie and I can meet with Darah face to face...much better than trying to talk to Becky and hoping Darah gets the message from Becky,etc.  This really works out better for me too because I'm hoping the painters will get done and get out of my house and life!! :) Cleaned my sunroom today...mopped and washed the windows and put my big ficus out there...such a good feeling...we may be sitting on fold up chairs, but at least it's a step forward!!! Hey, I figure if it's still bare at Christmastime, I'll have a place for my tree!! :)   Jerry and I picked up my cupboard from our cousin in Mayfield on Saturday...love it!! It's a lot like Mom's George Washington cabinet...not sure where it's going...maybe the sunroom! Folding chairs and a cupboard...fine decorating for sure!!  Ok, Jeanie see you Wednesday! Love you all,  Jamie

Ok, I've had painters here all morning and they just left for lunch...thankfully a quick break!!  They are suppose to come back tomorrow(Tuesday), but I'm going to have them come on Wednesday instead so I can go to LNC tomorrow. I'll be so glad when they're finished with all of this and I really wanted it to be today, but I really want to come over to see Mom and Dad...seems like it's been so long since I was there!  I'll leave in the morning around 8 or 8:30 and get there around 11:15/11:30.  When were we suppose to hear about Dad's UTI and if it is gone?  If there's anything you want me to ask or check on, let me know!  So, Jeanie I'll see you tomorrow?  Ok, going out to run a couple of quick errands before my painters get back.   Love you all,  Jamie

Ok, I just noticed that part of my post is highlighted in yellow. Don't ask me how I did that because I had no idea I had! Good grief! I'm glad you went Pat to see Mom and Dad Sun. It is a sad situation, but it is also one we have no real control over either---that's so hard, too. Love you all, Jeanie

Jerry and I went to LNC this morning.  Dad was asleep all covered up in bed.  Mother was in the big room in her chair.  I talked to Nikkie and she said Dad had good days and bad.  Duh!  She said he finished his meds. on Wed. and that they had some tests ordered for him.   It just gets harder and harder to go there and see them like they are.  They are both really pitiful right now, and it's really heartbreaking to see.   I know neither one of them would want to be like they are, but we don't have a choice to end our lives like we'd like to.  It's just sad.  love you, pat

Jamie, if you're going on Tues (maybe) I may wait until then to go instead of Mon. IF you find out early tomorrow that they'll be working inside your house on Tues, let me know and I'll go Mon. I'm suppose to have a guy here this week to do several little jobs for me. I don't know right now exactly when this week. Hopefully, that will be tomorrow. Whatever, I'll go either tomorrow or Tues to check. Hopefully he'll be better. I totally agree that we had great parents who gave us really strong values and a steady life. I know that that's why we're like we are----able to deal---how many times did Mom say that we all NEEDED to be able to take care of ourselves because you never know what's ahead---thus we all wound up with an education that would allow that. They planted those seeds and made them grow. I am so proud of our family. I just know how hard this would be on them IF they knew. IF being the operative word here. I know----and that's what bothers me, I suppose. I mourn for our loss and theirs. I am so appreciative of what they did leave with us---all the values and strength and all my sisters! They did good! Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie I asked Leisa and she said no that the liver wasn't affected by the kidneys so it would be a whole separate issue. She said that you could tell jaundice by the whites of the eyes more than just by the color of the skin. She said it was easy enough to check liver functions too by a blood test. Jeanie look at the whites of his eyes tomorrow and see if they look yellow to you. Yuck is about all I have! We have thougt so many times though that dad was so bad and then all of a sudden he's so much better. Hopefully that will be the case this time too! Love to all, Judy

Jeanie, I'm so sorry you had one of those rough visits. It's a tough situation period and I know what you mean about when you're tired things hitting you hard. Judy is right, you have been our rock in all of this and even a rock has to crumble every now and then.  It's ok to be sad, angry, scared, frustrated, worried and every other emotion out there...the reality of this whole thing is there's just very little good and a whole lot of not so good. Sometimes out of the blue something will remind me of Dad and Mom...sometimes it's a sad memory and I'll find myself getting teary eyed..sometimes it's a memory that makes me smile...I just embrace both and really feel lucky to have had such good parents. I can only hope that mine will feel the same about me when I'm 91.  I do worry about Dad's color...yellow in like jaundice?  Could there be some liver issue along with a kidney issue?  Judy, ask Leisa about if the kidney's are in distress, could it stress the liver...diabetes is so hard on the organs as well...could Dad be in organ failure?   My plan is to come over on Tuesday if Teresa doesn't need back in the house.  I know they are painting again tomorrow and maybe replacing the window in Jerome's room, if so, the rest of the work is exterior.  Let's do make plans...soon, especially now that the weather is starting to be so cool...you all can come help rake and burn leaves! :) That constitutes a party in Kentucky!!!  Love you all,  Jamie

Jeanie sorry today was so hard on you but you have done amazing things in dealing with Mom and Dad. I seriously mean that I think you're amazing! You've done so many things that I mentally could never have done and it's perfectly ok for you to have hard times with it all!! I don't know why you haven't totally lost it!! Or maybe you have and I'm so far gone I didn't notice!!lol It's just a horrible situation in the state of their health but that's obviously what you get when you're lucky enough to have them as long as we have! It's sad for sure!! I certainly don't want to lose them though and that's the only choice we get that they live like they are or we lose them! I say to keep them as long as we can and that's what we're doin! We wont ever have to look back and do the woulda coulda shoulda things!! We just continue on the path and know that it will all work out the it's meant to. Love to all, Judy

I did go see Mom and Dad today (Bruce went with me), and it was SO hard today. It just hit me so sad today that I cried there and all the way home. I don't know what it was exactly. I was/am tired and that makes me more emotional anyway, but they were just not good either---Mom was about the same---not good. It just hit me hard today. I didn't have my game face on tight enough. I fed them both a Hershey bar (small size) and it just made me sad. I did talk to Debbie for a long time. She knew NOTHING about Dad hitting anyone. The young girl that gives them baths was like he's never that way with me. She said that Missy or Misty said she hadn't given him his bath that day (I guess it was Fri) because Dad had hit her in the stomach! This girl said that if Dad's sleeping and you wake him, he's kind of irritated. She said she lets him wake up good and then he's fine. I told Debbie that the ONLY time Dad acts like that is if  he has a UTI or his potassium is low or some other medical condition is present. The girl said that she hadn't been able to understand Dad lately either. Anyway, Debbie wrote on Dad's chart (I watched) for them to recheck for a UTI, recheck his potassium and to give him some nutrish or ensure or something. I had her look at his weight---it was 143 in June, then down to 141 in Aug and now 139 in Sept. I told her we did NOT want him losing any more weight. I asked about the appetite stimulant, too. Debbie said she's not on the weight committee anymore because it meets on her day off, but that she would ask about something else for him. She also said that he needs to drink more water. She said she gave it to  him with his meds and he got some at lunch. I asked if he drank it---it does no good if he just gets it! Anyway, he had kind of a yellowish color today. They said he was up all night last night. I don't know what's going on with Dad. I do NOT want him medicated with serequell! I'll check with Dara on Mon. It's just sad---period. His potassium was in the 'normal' range on Aug 25th---it was like 4.7---high on the normal range. Gatorade is a good idea. I asked about his eating--I know I'm rambling (i'm watching CMA music awards at the same time)---and they said that he eats USUALLY, but that there have been a couple of days that he hasn't. I mean, the bottom line is Dad is nearing 92 and just isn't in the best of health anymore. I hate it all so much. Mom did open her eyes when I talked to her, but the only thing she said I could understand was quit when I moved her arm. Oh, the girl also told me she'd cut Mom's nails because she keeps her fists clenched and she was afraid the nails would cut her palm. She also put folded washcloths in both of Mom's hands to keep her hands not so clenched. Ok, on a happier note, I loved your house Jamie! It looks awesome and the whole thing (yard and barn and ponds and fence) make the most amazing package for a house. SO Kentucky! I really think it is great and can't get over how different it looks now! You're doing a great job on it! Ok, Love you all, Jeanie    PS: we've got to plan a sister day at the least to go over to see Jamie. I'm thinking we can leave early one morning and come back that afternoon late.

I'm sorry I didn't get to go see dad today before heading home but I have gut issues again and didn't feel like much! I did make it home however and Jamie once again I can't say enough about your house! Pat and Pam you need to make a trip over soon if we can't find a free weekend for a sister trip because it is amazing!!! As for dad I'm not sure what is going on! Jeanie will post later because she did go over and she said it was one of those really hard days! She said mom or dad neither one is good right now and she talked to Debbie about them for a long time. Debbie did write down orders for a recheck on a uti and also on a potassium check. She said he didn't look good and she didn't like his color either. It makes me so sad to think of them like they are but so thankful they have someone with them around the clock. I hope to get back up in a week or so because I'm not sure how much longer well have them at the rate dad I'd declining. Yuck! Love to all, Judy

Pat,  Darah is the new chief nurse/head nurse/nurse in charge.  I got a chance to meet her on like her first day of work about a month or so ago.  I think if Dad has dropped more weight, the bs they keep spewing about "but your Daddy eats so good" whenever I've mentioned the appetite stimulant for him is obviously not the case anymore and he needs to go on the stimulant.  They added ice cream to give him more calories, but the last time I was at LNC, he didn't eat much of his food and only about half of his ice cream.   I just can't understand why they are so concerned about Mom's weight and not concerned about Dads?  Maybe his UTI is not gone and he needs another round..sounds like he's still acting like he has one.  Could his electrolites(sp) be off from the UTI?  What about Gatorade to drink for a few days? Or even Pediasure? They'll probably have a fit saying it's a sugary drink, but maybe he needs some of the potassium and other stuff in there.  It is horribly sad...just glad they're somewhere with around the clock care...   On a happier note...Jeanie and Judy, so glad you stopped by to see me...wish you could have stayed longer.  Let's plan a sisters weekend soon or at least a sister's day soon!  Bring Bruce with you and he and Jerry can "work in the yard" and fish and we can go antiquing!!   Ok, hitting the showers and going to get my jelly cupboard in Mayfield from our "cousin"!  Love you all,  Jamie

Someone named Dara called me about 5:00 this afternoon from LNC.  She said Daddy had fallen or really more like slid down the door trying to stand up.  They had checked him over and didn't find anything wrong with him.  He also told them that he was not hurting anywhere.  She also said his agitation was getting much worse and they needed to consider changing his medication.  She said that he had hit one of the aides and had been aggressive to other people also.  She said that this was the way alzheimer patients behaved!  I'm thinking that I didn't know he had alzheimers!  I told her that we knew he would become very agitated when he had a UTI.  Anyway, I could hear him yelling in the background.   She said that it was getting worse and worse to try to get him settled down.  Jeanie, she said she needed you to call her on Monday, because she needed to talk to you about something (she didn't say what).   Anyway, it's just so sad to think about him being like that.  I feel so sorry for him.   Too sad!  pat

Jody just called me after her visit with m&d. Mom looked good even though her eyes were matted. Jody straightened Mom up & she told her to quit it. lol Jody said she didn't think Dad looked good either. It's his coloring but Jody reminded me of his age. Dad weighs 139, down 2 more lbs from last time. He finished his medication yesterday. Jody said he was really confused but they said he just woke up. They were taking them in to eat when she left. Jim is leaving town tonight after the ballgame so I won't be able to go this weekend. Love, Pam

Jamie, I forgot about that weight loss on Dad. When I asked Nikki, she said something about them just weighing again, so I'll have Jody check & I'll let you know. Nikki also mentioned Dad's medication & said she thought he was just about finished. I'll have Jody check on that too. Love, Pam

Pam, Daddy has lost weight.   When I was there 2 weeks ago, I asked one of the aides to check for me.  They had just weighed them either that morning or the day before.  Dad had dropped 2 pounds from July to August. They should have Septembers weight now...I'd be interested to know if he dropped again.  Maybe Jody could check for us.  Glad you got to go see them.   Is Dad still taking his UTI medicine?  Ok going to bed.  The tile guy will be here at 6:30 am.   YIKES.   Love you,  Jamie

Pam I'm glad you got to go see them and it is sad that it's getting harder and harder most of the time to carry on a conversation with Dad but he seems to know what he's talking about! I hate it when I have to say "what??" I'm glad Mom was clean and that they're both ok! Love to all, Judy

Ok, went to check on m&d. It was supper time, so they were already in the cafeteria. Mom was grinding her teeth, eyes closed. She was so clean, eyes & all. Dad was complaining about being cold. An aid had gotten him his sweatshirt jacket. I zipped it up & got him some coffee. He seemed to warm up. He looked really thin to me. I asked Nikki if he'd lost weight & she said she didn't think so. I tried to talk with dad, but it's sad, you can't. He just mumbles & I have no idea what he's saying. I didn't get to stay long because of church but I did check on them. Jody is going tomorrow for me because Jim is going out of town for the weekend. I'll blog after she visits. Love, Pam

Ok, housekeeping stuff first...glad the traveling sisters made it to Louisville, voted for Molli (so adorable), probably won't make it over to see m & d this week, but will next week (sorry, I'm living with the construction crew), Jerome and Jason decided to pledge Pikes this semester (Jerry's fraternity! I was a little sister as well)..anyone want to buy a dirtbike...gotta a feeling Jerome's will be for sale and last thing....please shoot me if I mention the words remodel, update, renovate, change, tweek or anything else of the sort!!  Right now, I'm literally hiding from the trim guy...I swear if he says my name followed by a question mark I might just go postal on his butt!!! He's got this air hammer thing that makes a loud bang!  It sounds like either he's dropped a heavy tool on my newly tiled floor or slammed a piece of crown molding into my wall!  I swear I've jumped liked 10 times.  Earlier, I had to get out of ear shot...I caught myself clenching my jar and calling him all types of 4, 5 and even 6 letter bad words under my breath...so I went to paint my barn star! That really helped to calm my nerves until I fell off the ladder hanging it!  Although right now a short stint in the hospital might be a welcome vacation!!  So back to the house for other chores....which means bonding time with the Dyson!   He's been chugging cans of soda all day and leaving them lined up along the brick wall outside...you know what this does right? Attracts flies!  You know what that means right? Every damn fly still alive in the city of Murray and Calloway are living it up in my house!!  At one point I was standing in the middle of my tv room with the vacuum hose just stuck up in the air hoping I might get a few of those PITA's (pains in the asses) as they flew in!!  I know several times he gave me funny looks, but do you think it gave him any type of hint to CLOSE THE DOOR?  He called me out there just a few seconds ago to look at the molding and all I could concentrate on were the 3000 pre maggots bumping up against the windows!!....There may not be enough bleach in the world for me to clean that room with once this is all done!!  Ok,  gotta go, I hear him either talking to himself (SCARY) or hopefully to his wife on the phone telling him to come home!!   Love you,   Jamie  

I voted too! TOO cute!! Loved the bow in Margaret's hair!! love, Judy

Jody ended up not working, so I'm going today after school to check on m & d. Will post when I get back. Glad you arrived safely. Pat, I already voted for Molli! Her shirt was adorable!! Hope she wins!!! Love, Pam

Just letting you know that we made it to Louisville. All is well so far!! Ryan's kids are adorable and soooooo smart!!! Love to all, Judy

Hey, everybody!  Find Molli's Halloween picture on facebook and follow the directions to vote for her!  She can win a free 3D  ultrasound from her Dr.'s office.  She made the shirt!  It's too cute!!  Also, continue to check out her blog!  love you, pat

Pam no we wont go in the morning cause were leaving town at 6:30 am and I'm rolling right out of bed and sleeping all the way to Louisville!! Lol Just kidding about the sleeping but not kidding about the time we're leaving! Will ck in on posts and hopefully they will have a good week! love to all, Judy

Are you going by tomorrow, tues, on your way to Louisville? Jody is working tomorrow, so she can stop on her way to work or Wed. morning on her way home. I'll do my best to run over Thurs before Jim's ballgame. I'll make sure to post. You all be safe! Love, Pam

Jeanie and I went to see Mom and Dad today and we can say it was ok but nothing super except Mom told me she loved me and she didn't know what she would do without me! She wasn't really with it a lot but she did say a few things to us. Dad didn't really say much that I understood at all but laughed and stuff and did eat some candy and chewed tobacco. Dad's hands were so purple today and no clue why. We were going to ask Nikki about it but she didn't come back around. They gave Mom a shower and she looked good. Nothing much else to report! Going to Louisville tomorrow but will be checking in and hopefully there will be notes!! Hint hint!! Love to all, Judy

Checking in to see if anyone has posted but looks like no! I'll be up tomorrow to see Mom and Dad and will post then. Love to all, Judy

Bingo everywhere??? Really?? I'm so jealous! Play a round for me!! Lol On the money issue it will be fine because the good news is we will do what we need to! What if we didn't think we could all pool our money and pay it and had to get a loan and divide the payment!! Now that would be a BIG yikes!!! Enjoy your weekend off and be ready to entertain me next week!! Love to all, Judy

WOW! Jamie, that's all great progress! I know it will be wonderful! Judy, you did a great job posting for me---even the right words for the money situation! LOL! The money situation is this---we will owe an additional $902.?? for Dad for Aug! I kind of lost it with Michael Smith. I do understand why, but it just makes me SO mad! It's like every time I THINK I have it straightened out---here comes another darn curve ball heading at me! Why do we owe MORE? Because Medicaid pays the amount of Dad's bill PER DAY that Dad can't afford---hence, you divide the $2543.42 that was Dad's share of his income that was to be paid to LNC for Aug (remember we always made up the difference each month?!) by 31 (# of days in Aug) and then multiply that amount by the 11 days Medicaid WILL help pay, and the rest of Dad's/our liability for the month of Aug!!!!!!!! BIG FAT YUCK! I asked then will we still owe for the 10 days in April when Medicaid began paying for Mom? YES! The difference is that Mom's amount will be like $12.10 per day X 10 days BECAUSE Mom's share of her income each month is $363! Anyway, I will eventually get to a point that I can tell you what we'll each need to pay. Right now it's $902.?? + 121.00(Mom's for April) + $24,242.22 - the amount for the 10 days they will pay divided by 6 SHOULD be our amount! I'll be able to figure it more accurately when I get home and can check my figures! Anyway, GRRRRR! On a happy note, the track at Franklin, KY, looks great, they are having a HWY 31W yard sale this weekend, and our motel is nice! LOL! Judy, they have BINGO everywhere! At the track, about 300 feet from our motel and another place across the street from the track! Go figure! LOL! Love you all, Jeanie

Wow on the progress Jamie and a double wow that Oma is home now!! Gotta love it!! Can't wait to see your improvements which is a funny word considering how awesome your house was even before you started!! Jeanie went to LNC today and Mom was sleeping but the girl told her that Mom had been asking for Jeanie all morning?? Weird and I don't like her calling for people like she's that with it!! Makes me think of all the stories before a major event the person becomes lucid! Just the paranoid tendency arising in me I'm sure!! Lol Dad was asleep like a "C" and when she woke him he said he was sooooo tired. Jeanie had them put him to bed and he was asleep before she could pat on him! She talked to Michael Smith about the money stuff but I'm not going there since I don't total understand all of the crap!! Crap is the real word too!!! Jeanie have a good time and I'll see you on Monday! Jamie I hope you continued success on progress and Pat and Pam I hope all is well with you and yours! Love to all, Judy

Yesterday the tile people got all the particulars worked out with the tile, got all the lines drawn and prepped the floor...today,  LET THE TILING BEGIN!!  They are so nice...a father/son team...they're actually coming Saturday and Sunday if needed to get all the tiling done!! Then is has to cure for 2 days...bummer, but Tuesday, if the stars, moons and planets align, all the wood trim stuff will come in and Wednesday will be a big progress day!! Hey, maybe by Friday, it might just look like a room we can use!!!   Hauled Oma to Mayfield yesterday to 4 antique shops...found a chair, a table and a bench...funny, she had no desire to go back with me today to pick them up!!   Thankfully she's going to eat Chinese with Jerry instead...and then home this afternoon!!!  Jeanie, so glad you talked to Bryan!  Doing nothing sounds great to me as well...if she's not in pain and can still eat, it would be nuts to put her (and us) through a scary ordeal like pulling the teeth or capping them. Thank you Bryan for good news!!  Ok, doing laundry and sweeping floors this morning and getting ready for the security guy in like 30 minutes!!  Love you all, Jamie

Pam I answered your post under a comment! Didn't want you to not see the answer!! Sorry for the confusion!! Love, Judy

Ok, I'm confused!lol Jeanie & Judy, I thought you two were gone to Ryan's? That must be next week? Pam

Good job on the post Ms M!! Normally you call me after you go and when I was talking to Jamie this afternoon I realized I hadn't talked to you about your visit today!! That's great that Jon went with you too and also good report from Bryan! Doing nothing with Mom's teeth certainly falls under my thoughts! I am anxious to see them Monday when I come! I always get a little antsy about it! I love coming but then I'm so glad when I leave too because it's like I can breath for a bit if that makes any sense!! I worry about them each and every day but thankful they are where they are and not alone!! I sometimes think about them on Poplar by themselves and I get sick almost thinking about what a nightmare that had to of been for both Dad and Mom too! Thank God that he didn't let anything major happen to them before we got them help!! Love to all, Judy

For me, I like the idea of floor pillows even better than folding chairs---unless of course you're talking about the ones that have the fold down arms with the cup holders---now those are COOL! Hey, multi-colors---how bright and cheery would that be!?! LOL! You've got to love progress even if it does involve a mess! I've got a guy coming week after next to do several projects for me---love projects---especially when they get done! LOL!
Nikki told me that Jody had been by to see Mom and Dad. That was so sweet of her. I told Nikki that she was so cute, such a mess and SO smart! She is, too! Dad was awake at lunch and actually looked good. I made that statement and they then told me he'd been up all night! He'd had a nap and had eaten really well---his plate was just about empty. I took him some candy (he'd asked about some Mon) and asked if he wanted a Hershey's. He said yes he was always eat some candy. So I gave him one (they're the small size) and he ate the whole thing! Mom ate pretty good, too. I really like Margaret down there. She really feeds Mom. Anyway, I opened another candy bar and fed it all to Mother. She ate it---no problem! The one girl (and I do not know her name and now hate to ask) told me that Dad had been up all night and was moving his rings around from hand to hand. I looked and the Murray State ring was NOT on his right hand! I nearly panicked! I asked WHERE is Dad's ring!?! She said it was on his other hand! Sure enough it was on his ring finger above his wedding band! I'm like good grief! Later I got him to move it back to the right hand because you could tell it was not working on the left hand. When I finally got it off, his finger was bruised like the ring had kind of cut into his knuckle when  he bent his finger. We really all need to check and make sure the ring is there each time one of us goes so we can report/trace/look for it as soon as possible after it turns up missing! As for Mom's eyes, they are pitiful. They are SO matted and so yucky looking. I've wiped them off with a cloth, but they fill back up. They had not given either of them a bath before lunch, but they gave Mom one after lunch and were taking Dad as I left. Jon went with me today, too, to see them. I talked to Bryan today about Mom's teeth. I explained how she'd ground them off to nearly level with her gums in the front, etc. He basically said that with the trauma that the teeth had gone through with the grinding + her age, that the teeth had probably begun to seal the nerve off with calcium. He said that as we age this happens some anyway, but with the grinding it encouraged it even more. He also said he would probably guess that they were NOT hurting her. He said he'd seen so many with teeth ground down that when you looked into them there should have been a tiny hollow type hole where the nerve would be and there wasn't one. He said that when he'd ask the person if they were bothering them, they'd usually say they didn't bother them at all. His thought was that probably he'd do nothing right now. That even if they've kind of put a layer of calcium over themselves, they still offer Mom some 'chewing' help. He asked if Mom acted like she was in pain---moaning, crying out, not sleeping, etc---or if there were signs of an infection---face swollen, etc. I said no. So, I guess for now we'll just wait and see and then decide if we have to about what to do! Ok, SURELY that's all I need to tell you all! Sorry for the book! Pam, I'm glad Casey is still doing ok. I know you'll be glad for him to come home. Hopefully, he'll stay home and not be deployed. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie   PS: my computer won't let me check spelling----hopefully it's ok! LOL!

Pam I'm so glad Jody likes the nursing home as good as most cause none are great for sure! Every time I'm there though I realize more and more that not even considering Mom, Dad would have to have 24/7 care. He is so confused the majority of the time and has no idea where he is or what is going on. Jamie I called and left you a message today after you didnt answer my call yesterday! Lol I didn't need anything but was going to give you a break from Oma!! Lol I think lawn chairs would definitely push the envelope but she might think it's totally appropriate!! Pam I hope Casey doesn't have to go overseas cause it's so hard on families but if he does you will all be ok and get through it with flying colors! Pat I hope Margaret and Molli continue down this road as easy as it's been this far! I know you are all so excited!! Love to all, Judy

Let the naked dancing and singing begin...I'm at home alone...well, alone if you don't count the 2 guys putting in my ceiling and the 6 guys digging a new "stream" around my barn!!  I've been running the vacuum...why?...the ceiling guys just ripped the door frame off, cut off the old molding and made a HUGE mess...but it's progress and I'm digging it right now!!  They're so sweet...really all of Teresa's guys are as nice as can be!  Teresa's daughter, Brittney is so sweet too...she's an interior designer and works for Teresa and her clients.  They were over yesterday and both Teresa and Brittney love antiques and "junk"...that's probably why we get along so well!!   Hopefully my sunroom will be mostly completed this week and next....of course, it will have no furniture!!  How do you think folding lawn chairs would look in a $30,000 addition?? That would probably send Oma over the edge!!!   Gotta go,  Teresa is here with some crown molding!! Love you,  Jamie

Jody was kind enough to stop by and check on Mom and Dad on her way in this morning. She said it wasn't the greatest that she had seen them, but that they were ok. Dad was up all night, hadn't slept and was asleep in his chair. Mom was covered up in her chair & asleep & her eyes were really junky, wet, yucky & matted. Needed her faced washed. Jody thought about doing it, but she didn't want to wake her. They were fixing to bathe Dad, so she thought surely they'll bathe Mom too.  Jody talked with Nikki and she shared about the UTI and the antibiotic. I had already told Jody about it. Jody added that she doesn't like nursing homes, but this one always seems like a good one. The aids and nurses really seem to care about the patients and do a lot of interacting with them. Let's hope they do it when we're not around.  Casey did not get to come home for the Labor Day weekend. We just skyped with him on the computer. He's due to come home now Nov 9th. He has several friends that are getting deployed in Feb-June next year, but right now, Casey's not, thank goodness. I try to read the blog every day, so keep posting, I'm reading. :) Love, Pam

Jeanie I think it's Bombeck but heavenly days I could be wrong!! It certainly wouldn't be the first time or the last! Pat maybe you and Jamie could write this book together and I'm sure it would be a best seller! Love to all, Judy

Jamie, in your spare time start your book! You could be the next Erma Brombeck (is that right?)! Anyway, she had a way of telling such funny stories from ordinary stuff, too! You are WAY too funny! LOL! I love when you post because I know I'm in for a good laugh! Thank you, and thank Oma for me, too! She gives you great material! LOL! Anyway, thanks for the invite to stay the night at your house, but the plan right now is for us to leave REALLLLY early on Tues going and then back on Fri. We'll leave Louisville after taking the girls to school, so I thought we'd swing by and see you for a couple or three hours or so. Hey, IF you get a chance to get away, GO! We'll catch you later! I did get Mom changed to a $0 premium drug plan today. SLOWLY but surely, we're getting to the end of this mess. I've got to talk to Michael Smith to be sure Medicaid is paying for Dad---he was not there yesterday and when I called today he's gone to a meeting until Thurs!----before I can cancel his AARP. IF both of the new drug plans kick in as they're suppose to do, then the only hurdle will be paying Mom's bill! OMG! I can't believe it's that close to being all lined out! We'll see. Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie, you are hilarious!!  I laugh and laugh when I read your posts!  Too funny!!  Molli and I went to see Mom and Dad on Sunday.  They were in the cafeteria with no food as usual!  Dad was still very confused acting and mumbled a lot, but he did say  our names so he knew who we were.  Nikki told me that the UTI test had come back and that he did have one and that they would start him on antibiotics.  He definitely has not been himself, so maybe this will help.  I just feel really sorry for him.  It's got to be a long, boring life living there. Anyway, I will go and see them, but just not sure what days.  Everybody stay safe and well!  Love you, pat

Jamie you are so insane!! Your life truly is a zoo!! I guess Jeanie hasn't mention to you yet that we plan on stopping at your house on the Friday we're headed home but if you're going to be gone I guess that would be a NO!! Lol I'm driving up on Monday and were going to LNC and then headed to Louisville early as in 6:30 a.m. On Tuesday! Pat and Pam will you be able to pull a double next week since we won't get home till late on Friday and then I'll head home cause Leisa is cooking for my birthday that weekend which is early but works out better for all of us. Gee our lives are busy huh?? Jamie sorry you will miss the funeral. Frank's stepmom in Alaska died this past week and he nor his sister got to go. Frank is in school there in ElPaso until 9/27. Love to all, Judy

Somebody shoot me...please...if you love me or just merely like me, you'll shoot me and put me out of my misery!!  I've had Oma all day today, by myself...she started in on me as she was coming down the steps this morning...today, it's been how I keep my shades, the fact that I don't have any living room furniture (I've decided not to put any in there just so you'll be pissy!), the idea of putting leather in my sunroom (yea like I'd take decorating advice from a lady who has an oil painting of a spanish senorita on velvet and a clock from the 60's that looks like a giant sunburst that hasn't worked in 30+ years hanging on her wall!) and why I can't seem to find her her soap operas to watch...sorry, but I gave up my controlling stock to CBS and ever since that time they don't let me decide what's on TV!!  This is horribly sad, but Jerry's Aunt Pearl died on Sunday and the funeral is tomorrow...because of construction I can't go(oh happy day) and that means Jerry and Oma are going without me...they'll be gone ALL day...I'm  going to run around in my house naked and singing at the top of my lungs! Ok, not really, because I've got the workers here...but inside my head that's what I'll be doing!!  That just leaves Thursday and part of the day on Friday...I might make it!!    We went to McKenzie Tn today to check out a flea market Merchant outlet Mall...PITS and stopped at an antique mall in Paris..double PITS!!  I still like my Peddlers Mall here in Murray!!   Is Franklin kind of near Bowling Green?  The KY Arts and Crafts museum that we went to is downtown Louisville near the Bat Museum.  It was awesome, everything there made by KY artists.  We bought an original oil painting of 3 little boys fishing..so cute! They had brooms from Berea, pottery, ironworks, jewelry, hand loomed towels...I could have bought a small fortune for sure!!      Jeanie, do you and Judy want to come over and spend the night on the way to Ryan's?  Or if we're here, on the way back...or really even if we're not here...I can give you the code to the garage.  Just let me know!!  Ok,  I hear Oma puffing and huffing...that means "My show is over, come and find me something else or come here and let me tell you how much you suck..."     Love you all,   Jamie

Well now I'm a little confused cause I thought we were going over on Monday!! Lol if we aren't going till Tues I might wait and drive up Mon night rather than Sunday! yikes you're killing me with plan changes!! Lol I'll call tomorrow to confirm!! Poor Dad! That would be hard for him to be excited about seeing you but he sees you a LOT so be thankful for that! You are his one constant! Take care of that cold this week cause I do NOT want it!! Lol Love to all, Judy

Ok, Jamie, YOU always have the worst stuff!!! LOL! Kaye drives me nuts, BUT she's not visiting at my house for a week! Good grief! THAT is a nightmare!!!!!!!! You are SO funny though. I swear I laugh everytime I read one of your posts! Too funny! Bruce and I are going to Franklin, Ky, for the weekend. I think there was something about the KY Arts Museum on their 'things to do in the area' list. Maybe not. Is the new antique mall at Paris on the Murray side or the other end? There used to be a huge antiques/flea market store in a huge old barn just as you were coming into Paris from Murray. It has been closed for a couple of years at least! I LOVE looking! It's funny how many things you see you love, but you have to choose what you can bring home! Sounds like fun! I did go see Mom and Dad today. I have a horrible cold---I thought it was just sinus stuff, but I've kind of had chills today and just don't feel really good in general. I hated to even go to LNC, but I did. I took Mom two new sweatshirts and 2 pairs of sweatpants + some Oil of Olay for her face. I got Dad another two pairs of diabetic socks and am going to buy him another pair of jeans + some chocolate. He nearly made me cry today. When I first walked in he said "Well, Hi, I'm so glad to see you today!" and reached out to hug me. I nearly lost it. He's still pretty confused and didn't eat much lunch. They did start him on Cipro (sp?) today---twice a day for 10 days. Mom was about as always. They did start her appetite stimulus back, but she hadn't eaten much of her lunch. They told me Dad had eaten 1/2 a bologna sandwich for snack and that's why he probably wasn't too hungry. Anyway, they were ok. I went to their room to hang Mom's clothes, and I heard Dad yelling for me. Debbie brought him down there, and I tried talking to him. He seemed better just sitting there where I was. Bless their hearts. Right now I think I'm going to Ryan's on Tues---we'll need to leave by 7:00 if we do that. Fri we'll head home after we take the girls to school. Ok, I'm off to bed. I didn't sleep too well last night. My nose has poured BIG TIME! Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have it under control. I've had my head so stopped up since we were in NY that I hate to take something to dry the stuff up. It's nice to have it drain----seriously. LOL! Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Jamie you crack me up!! I love getting on here and you've posted cause I know I'm going to laugh out loud! You never fail to deliver! I'm not coming to Jboro till Sunday late cause I'm riding with Jeanie to Ryan's to stay the week. She and I will go there on Monday morning before heading to Louisville. She told me that she'll go her usual days this week but will go early Friday (as in breakfast time) because she and Bruce are going away for the weekend. Pat since you told Jeanie about Dad's UTI I figure you were at LNC yesterday. How were they? Was dad confused again or maybe I should say still? Bless his heart! I'm so thankful Mom doesn't know enough about what's going on to be upset because she would be a big handful if she had a clue! Pam did Casey get to come home for the weekend? I noticed Cary had said that it was good to see him yesterday. I know you're ready for him to be home! Love to all, Judy

Thank you for all the birthday wishes!!  So glad to be home...going away is ok, but being home is awesome!!  We had such a good time and we both needed the time away with just us.  I found lots of stuff to buy, but really only came home with very little...the 2 big pieces of furniture I wanted would not fit in the suburban of course.  Jerry kept saying let's go get a uhaul, but it just seemed crazy...I may have to buy me an old pickup truck just for hauling stuff around! I did find an amish roof tin star for my barn, a tiny child's chair, a couple of hadley pottery coasters with kentucky on them, a UK necklace and some star sheets for my bed upstairs and an original painting from a Kentucky artist at the KY Arts and Crafts Museum(my most favorite place)... saw a ton more stuff I wanted from here, but that's for another trip.  We did alot of furniture looking for the sunroom..I mean to the point where I was like NO MORE FURNITURE LOOKING!!  I think I know what I do and don't want out there now!!!  Again, so nice to get away and just exhale!!  We got in last night and the boys came over and we had dinner together...would have been the perfect ending to a perfect few days except sitting across from me just waiting to complain or tell me again the right way to do something was my Mother in law!!  Yes, she came home with us...sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little...I've already been schooled on the final stages of Alzheimer's, what type of bar stools I need, how to get blood out of Jerome's shorts, how to trim my bushes out front, how to clean my shower, what needs to get done still on my sunporch, the fact that German desserts are better than American desserts(this was done as she was eating a piece of chocolate cake and practically licking the plate clean) and on and on.   She bought us this huge popcorn maker wagon of a thing...I mean it's a piece of furniture and she's insisting that it is going on the sunporch...yea, right next to my bottle of bourbon!  She even told Jerome to go in there and put it together.  I said, my sunroom isn't even done yet!  That's ok she said, it can go anywhere...yea, like in the garbage!!   Jerry is taking her home on Friday, so I only have to deal with her for 4 days...Jerry's off today and I plan on working outside, doing laundry and/or having diarrhea and staying in the bathroom all day today!!  Tomorrow, I guess I'll haul her around doing errands and then on Wednesday I'm going to a new antique mall outside of Paris...she's going to love that...NOT!! Thursday, we have tickets to see a performance here in Murray and then Friday, home.  I'm also suppose to have tile, ceiling and trim going in this week...where is my bourbon??!!!!    I guess it will be Saturday or Sunday before I make it over to see Mom and Dad now.  Jeanie, what day are you going to Ryan's?   Oh and Dad does have a UTI?  So they have started meds for him?  Bless his heart! And Mom's teeth...they want to pull them I'm guessing once they put her to sleep?  Please do ask Bryan about this and what he thinks...YIKES and YUCK!!   Ok, the natives are stirring...I love you all,  Jamie

Pat, I am so sorry that Dad does have a UTI, but at the same time, I'm glad that something was going on! Bless his heart. He hasn't been really with it for a couple of weeks. I wish I'd told you to tell Molli how precious I think her blog is!!!! I can NOT get on there to leave a comment. Judy is going to showhelp me when she comes up. Ok, Love you all, Jeanie

Just posting a short note to say Happy Labor Day to everyone!  I'll be up this coming weekend to see Mom and Dad.  Jeanie tell Bruce to have that Japanese slot machine fired up cause I need another good laugh!lol  Pat I hope that Mom and Dad are both good for you today!  I'm anxious to see them as usual!Love to all, Judy

I went to see Mom and Dad today. Dad was SOOOO tired---he fell asleep during lunch! I knew he was tired because when I got there, I said HEY, DAD! He just looked up and then down like he didn't even know me! LOL! Mom was eating good, and Dad ate good. He ate most of his lunch, fell asleep and then woke up and ate his dessert! LOL! Anyway, Debbie told me today that Mom's teeth were hurting her yesterday---she said she asked Mom if they were and Mom said yes. Debbie said she put some tylenol on them, but that we'd probably need to do something about them because they are so worn down! She said that we didn't want them to get an infection going! I'm like: HOW? She said something about an offset (from Medicaid about the price), but that is/was not my concern! My HOW? was about the actual physical act of doing something about her teeth! She finally said, "Well, they might have to put her to sleep." I'm like thinking: HOLY, COW! Anyway, I figure that's a decision that's coming down the road to meet us. I can't believe they don't hurt, but I also wonder about Mom answering. Of course, she's said things that were the correct response lately even. I mean, when she told me "Honey, stop." that was a direct response to what I was doing. Anyway, I'll ask Bryan for some guidance and I'll talk to Keith Hendrix at some point this coming week. Geez, Louise! I just don't know about any and all of this. Michael Smith was also gone to lunch again by the time I left. Ok, Love you all, Jeani

Happy Birthday, Jamie!! I thought about calling you a dozen times today, but obviously I never made it! I DID remember---but my actions didn't match my thoughts today! Hope you've had a great day antiquing! Love you, Jeanie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMIE!!!!!!!!!  Hope you had a great day!   Eat lots of cake and ice cream!  Love you, Pat

Well it's not morning but wanted to post HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE! I posted on Facebook and left you a message on your phone but didn't want you to think I forgot!!! Lol Hope everyone is having a good day! Love to all, Judy