Awesome comments Jamie and all so true about Mom and Dad. We were/are so blessed with the parents we have/had. Jeanie will post later but she had another really good visit with Mom today. She's figured out it is all about timing and after lunch is almost finished is best. Mom ate good even today! I hope she's as good when I visit next week! Dad is the one not doing so well mentally and maybe not physically since he didn't eat as much and has what seems to be a cold. Nice if we had them both good at the same time!LOL Brittney and the boys left this morning and I miss them! Skyler asked me last night if I was going to be so happy to have my house back and I told him no because I'd miss him. We both choked up and he said he would miss me too but we could talk on the computer like they did with his dad!LOL Logan kept looking behind them as they were going ahead of me through the security part as if to say "why aren't you coming with us?" Adorable kids! I'm just so glad that they are going to be a family again with Frank because he's missed them all so much. I told Brittney last night too that I was so proud of she and I because we lived together 6 months and still love each other!LOL Love to all, Judy

OMG! Jamie, I read your post going 'AMEN', 'AMEN', and 'AMEN'! You are so right about all of this! Today I went to see them again (it's wednesday). Mom was GREAT! I have figured out that going just as lunch has ended/ending is the best time so far! Today she was alert, not draggy-eyed---any of that stuff. She ate good, too. She'd eaten half of her BBQ, all her french fries and part of her slaw. I fed her all her watermelon and all her ice cream! She did good! I told her I was going to see about getting her haircut, and she said she needed it! I wheeled her around to the beauty shop section and talked to the lady that does the haircuts. She's going to do Mom and Dad's hair! Dad wasn't that good. He didn't eat very much at all. One of the girls asked if he'd had two sandwiches because he'd only eaten about 2 bites of the one on his plate. I have no idea. He didn't eat the slaw nor french fries. He was trying to get the oj of the lady sitting next to him. I showed him the watermelon and gave him at bite. He liked it, but it was like he couldn't see it. He picked up his fork and was stabbing at the white paper by his plate. I handed the cup of melon to him and he ate it, but when I gave him his cup of pudding, he stabbed at the white paper (now on his plate!) again! Go figure! He's still not feeling the best---he has a cough and a runny nose. Debbie told me she'd faxed info twice and Nikki said she'd send it again today! Anyway, they pushed Dad out of the dining room while I took Mom to the beauty shop lady. Anyway, when I got back around to their room, Dad was sitting in front of the nurse's station wanting some tobacco. I asked if he wanted the newspaper or if he wanted it put on his bed. He wanted it, and after getting the tobacco he was spitting and reading! That part was great! Anyway, they were ok today. Mom was MUCH the better and Dad wasn't as good---balanced each other out! LOL! I won't go back until Mon. I have Grant and Makenzie from tonight until 6:00 Fri night, then Bruce and I are headed to St Louis on Sat to stay until Mon! Hopefully Pam can go on Fri or Sat because Pat has a yardsale on both those days and won't go until Sun! Ok, I'm off to wait on the grandkids! I love you all, Jeanie

Hello Sisters...I'm finally back home, have all the laundry done, mailed out bills, bought groceries, recovered physically and just about mentally and cleaned house yesterday and today!! i'm sorry I haven't written on the blog in awhile...I read it while on vacation, but Jerry's computer is so secure that I couldn't post! Here are my ramblings...this blog is about communicating the facts of Mom and Dad and unfortunately, there are going to be a lot of unhappy facts! It's just the sad, depressing situation that is Mom and Dad. I wish that they were with it mentally..it would be so much easier on us..but in a sad way, it's good that they don't know. Can you imagine Mom's comments about LNC if she had all her faculties...of course if she did, she wouldn't need to be there anyway! I know you feel bad Jeanie about always feeling like you write negative stuff, but it's the facts of the situation. I don't read the blog looking for good...I read for information...and honestly, I don't really expect good, so when there is good, I'm pleasantly surprised. I think the reality is that Mom will have fewer good moments today than yesterday and even fewer good moments tomorrow. If she is end stage like the doctor diagnosed, then this is our reality. I chose to remember Mom and Dad from about 15-20 years ago...older, but still full of life. Mentally, I can't afford to dwell on how they are today, I must just accept it....even if it does suck!! We must be careful not to get caught up in the horribleness of the situation and make sure we continue living our lives to the fullness. If we live long enough, we'll all be there soon enough anyway! I don't question for one second the love that Mom and Dad have for any of us and the love we have for them...the 2 people at LNC are just what's left of the Mom and Dad we all know. The essence of them are with us everyday..the morals, values, ethics they instilled in us! I know it's hard going to visit them..again, it is a sad and depressing thing seeing them like they are, but it's for you and not them really anymore. Keep posting the facts...for those of us so far away, news is news, no matter good or bad. If Mom is slipping away, I pray that she holds on until I can get closer to Jonesboro, but I also know that that might be praying for a miracle. I too am glad I'm not an only child and that there is strength in numbers...6 is a nice strong number!!! I love you all......Jamie

Hey Pat neutral is good compared to my last visit! I wish I could say that's what I had but I certainly didn't! I'm just glad for any note that isn't BAD! Love to all, Judy