Round and Round We Go...

Mom got another phone call from Dad last night.  She was over at my brother's house for dinner.  Her recorder logged in Dad's call at 5:10pm.  That's a lot earlier than he usually calls.  We think it is due to new part time staff.  Apparently they had to take down the note above his bed and placed it back on the front of Dad's chart.  Guess whoever called for Dad, did not look at his chart.

Mom said Dad sounded "normal" and thought he was calling my brother.  He left a message saying he could not get reach Mom and needed to come home and pick up a few things... These kind of messages upset all of us, but especially Mom.

I called Mom this morning before she went for her weekly visit with Dad.  I called earlier this morning and spoke with the charge nurse at the nursing home, about making sure the night staff know to call me first.  ( How many times do we have to go through this???) She assured me she would.  (Yeah, we have heard that before...)

I wanted to talk with Dad, but the staff was still getting him up and he would be getting his shower, so I was asked to call back.  I intended to, but with everything going on, I feel like I have been spun dizzy on a merry-go-round all day...Here it is almost 8pm....so I will try again tomorrow.

I assured Mom I did not think Dad would remember, and for the most part, I was right.  She found Dad waiting for lunch in the dining room.  The residents had just finished a rousing game of Bingo.  Dad was in a jovial, peaceful mood.  Mom was relieved...

Dad looked up at her, after giving her a hug, and said,

"I think we should take a trip up north, to where we used to live..." (Dad meant, Bremerton, WA...back in the 1940's.)

"Most of our friends are gone or moved,"  Mom managed, starting to get a bit nervous...

"Don't you still work there?"

" It was a long time ago."..(not to mention it would be a long commute!)

"Where did you work again?"

"Rhodes Department store as a fashion illustrator for the two Seattle newspapers.  It was torn down long ago and something else is there now..."

" Oh yes....well, there's a big lawsuit going on in Kitsap County (where Bremerton is) and you will be receiving a big check for a lot of money.... I don't need any money, because I am 'well to do', so put the check in the safety deposit box and DON'T CASH THE CHECK!" 

Mom cringed as Dad yelled loud enough for everyone to hear....she gave everyone in ear shot, a double shoulder shrug and an apologetic smile...

"DON'T WRITE ANY CHECKS EITHER!" Dad commanded..."I am happy here.  I help with the research and testing."

Mom just nodded and smiled, acting impressed.

Happily, his lunch was served, so Dad sat back in his chair, folded his hands in his lap, and opened his mouth, waiting for Mom to shove the food in his mouth...

Another tasty lunch, as Dad began to salivate admiring the .fish fillet, cheesy scalloped potatoes, beets just the way Dad loves them, cucumbers in balsamic dressing, apple walnut cake, ice tea, wheat bread, butter, coffee, milk and Ensure.  Dad piled it all together, dunked his bread in his milk and began to suck it into his mouth.  He inhaled every single crumb, and announced he was ready for a nap.

Doctor-Doctor was his nurse today, so when she came to wheel Dad back to his room, Dad was laughing,  flirting and enjoying her company.  Mom kissed Dad good bye and waved to him wishing him sweet dreams...

One of the other nurses stopped Mom in the hallway, asking if she would like them to remove the phone from Dad's room.  Dad cannot make calls himself, he has to have someone dial the number for him.  Mom told her we would all discuss it.  Mom knows I would not be a happy camper if I could not talk with him... so she told her we would get back to her...

When Mom got home, my youngest brother called.  He told Mom he was near Dad on business, so he planned on stopping in to visit with him.  Mom told him she had just left and he may be taking a nap...
Knowing my younger brother, he will not allow Dad napping to deter him, nor would Dad want him to....

Lord, Please Help Us...

Please bear with me dear blogging friends. 

The challenges of last week are still upon us;  in addition to some new ones...

I need to breathe

I need to keep the faith.

I need to pace myself. 

I need to remember,

"this too will pass"....

One Heck Of A Crazy, Chaotic Week...Between Heaven and Hell...

This has been a real crazy week!  We came back from California to plumbing and appliance problems.  I had  previously scheduled our annual warranty check this Tuesday for our fridge, washer and dryer and our water heater.  I scheduled a repair appointment for the fridge because I noticed we were getting some floaty, whitish, opaque things from the water dispenser. YUCK!

To make a long story short, each of the check ups turned into separate hellish nightmares.  By Tuesday night, AFTER all the check ups passing all inspections with flying colors, we had no hot water in our water heater.  I could not run the WASHER MAGIC (for built up soap and residue, recommended by the tech) due to no hot water... And, we had no ice or filtered water because the tech refused to reconnect our source water from the wall, until we called a plumber.

I called the contracted plumbers for a "look see", who were hired by our housing community, due to an ongoing community law suit against Pulte/Del Webb.  Pulte built the homes with yellow brass or high zinc contact fittings which deteriorate with the Las Vegas Valley water.

The tech  had warned the corrosion caused from these particular fittings could clog and potentially damage the refrigerator, which would null and void our warranty protection agreement.  A new solenoids would cost from $300-$500.

The plumbers advised us to go to Lowes or Home Depot and purchase an additional filter to protect the fridge from the source water.  We went to Lowes and the appliance salesman looked at us like we were from another planet.  He told us in 35 years he had NEVER heard of such a thing.  He said he would love to make a sale, because we would additionally have to purchase five feet of new line to make the filter fit behind the fridge, but the only thing we would accomplish, in his opinion, was smaller ice cubes.

Frustrated, we left without purchasing anything but the Washer Magic and the lint brush for the dryer lint trap, suggested by the Sears tech.

Again, I called Sears, once we got home and I began to clean the washer...when I discovered we had no hot water and to have someone help us with the fridge.  I remembered this really nice tech named Rocky.  Two years prior, he repaired our ice maker and was not only friendly, good at his job, but full of helpful information.  I requested him for both the fridge and the water heater.  I was so fed up with Sears.  I have never been a big fan, but my husband is....but that is another story...

So Rocky came Thursday and I almost kissed him at the front door!  I told him our tale of woe, and he promptly went into the garage to check out the water heater.  He determined we had a small leak which was putting out the pilot light.  The previous tech, who took all of two minutes to check it,and  had pronounced it "fine".  Rocky told us it would be replaced, but we would probably pay extra for code upgrades and permit.

He checked out the water I had saved from the wall source water and agreed with the contracted plumbers, we needed to put an additional filter and five foot line.  We told him we were going to pay $80 at Lowes for the supplies.  He told us he would do it for $46.  We have to change the filter in 8 or 9 months, and replace the white hose line with a grey hose line, if we should start to notice an odor.  He told us to call him back and he would install it for us if we had problems.

Friday, our new water heater was installed ($186 for permits and code upgrades).  The Sears plumbers told us the replacement Kenmore water heater (made my American, our former water heater) had a nine year warranty...."if" we would have bought it ourselves, brand new.  The fact it was replacing a water heater on warranty, we would only have whatever warranty remained on our current warranty, which expires this August.  (This morning, two days after the install, Sears woke me up to ask if I wanted to renew our warranty...FIVE MONTHS before it expires!)  Total for our "free" annual check ups...$252, including the Washer Magic and lint brush.

Saturday, was spent cleaning and doing laundry which had piled up from no hot water...as well as dirty dishes, stored in our dishwasher.  I actually had sore ears from all the phone calling and answering of phones this week!!! I felt like a frazzled switchboard operator!

No, that is not Izzy, but she was extra interested in the dishwasher this week...

We did have a good time in California. We left last Friday, the 18th and returned to Nevada this past Monday, the 21st. It was sooooo wonderful to see my daughters, grand sons and grand pup...

Normally, when we take Izzy in the car, we tell her we are going "Bye Bye" and she runs straight to the car.  This time, we told her "Road Trip".  Her head did a tilt, hearing this new word...

Pardon my unmade bed and attempts at video recording...

She traveled well like she always does.  This time I had her seat belted in, (instead of locked in her crate) which tethers her enough to look out each side of the windows in the back seat.  I put her crate on one side of the back sear and left the door open, and her dog bed on the other side, preventing the door from closing.
She napped contently on the pink bone blanket my oldest daughter Holly made for her. She happily went in and out  of her crate, checking out the window scenery as we drove.  I could almost hear her asking, "Are we there yet?"

Upon our arrival to my oldest daughter, Holly's home, we introduced Izzy to Dutch (my 3 month old chocolate lab, grand pup). 

We let her say hello (smell his butt first), and when it was his turn... he attempted to mount her.  She did not appreciate his enthusiasm and promptly, turned and did a snap and growl at him.  My grand sons, the 8 and 6 year old got a huge charge out of this!  They belly laughed with glee seeing our scruffy terrier with a pink bow on her head, attacking like Kujo, to their dog, twice her size! My 9 year old grand son was highly impressed with her warrior attitude.

Holly cooked three delicious dinners for us during our three night stay.  Spaghetti and meat balls on Friday, chicken on Saturday and Tacos with all the trimmings on Sunday.  Friday night I watched the DVD, Despicable Me with my two oldest grand sons.  Both of them had seen it so many times, they took turns acting out the movie for me and saying all the lines! It was glorious and I laughed til' my face was sore...

Saturday we watched the 6 year old's T-Ball game.  He made two great hits, one of them a home run, plus two great field plays resulting in two outs.  He received the game ball and was so excited he slept with it.  We all laughed the next morning when he walked out with the game balls inscription, tattooed to his cheek!

Sunday, Jacob turned 6 months old.  My youngest daughter, Jodee, her boyfriend Jeff and baby Jacob came over to join us for dinner. They wanted to share in the celebration and to see Jacob debut his first time eating oatmeal...

First taste of solid food...

Oh yeah, he likes it...

Proud Daddy thinks his son is still hungry

A storm was due on Sunday, so I had brought Izzy's rain jacket in hopes my daughter could come up with a solution, since Izzy's expanding belly prevented it from fitting her. My genius daughter Holly invented an expander band of black felt with Velcro, allowing Izzy to fit into her jacket once again. She finished it just before the rain began to pour!  

Pretty awesome, huh?

Since Dutch had been banned from the garage for eating my son in law's wallet with his credit cards and photos, a la carte, Dutch stayed in the backyard and we let Izzy have the garage...except when he rained.  Dutch went in the garage and we put Izzy in her crate.  No dogs allowed in my daughter's house.  Izzy did well, especially with all the walking we did.  She also enjoyed watching the boys build things with their Legos. She did not eat much...not sure if that is normal for traveling with dogs...I caught my husband sneaking her treats...so maybe that is why... 

Holly suggested we go to Pet Co and buy her some sausage rolls, "made of all natural ingredients, no fillers and good for her". My daughter does her research and knows what she is talking about, so off we went.  I bought the turkey flavor and Izzy LOVED IT.
I walked Izzy every2-3 hours since she was more confined than she usually is.  We called it the Gauntlet, because every house in their neighborhood has at least two or three big dogs, plus several were off leash.  I had to do some "posturing" to prevent them from charging us.  Course Izzy was doing her stiff legged robot dog routine...to let them know they better not mess with her.  She has a Napoleon Complex with bigger dogs...

Holly and I talked in the living room, where I slept on the couch in the same room with Izzy in her crate.  It was so good just sitting and talking, looking at my daughter's beautiful face and hearing her voice... I miss these precious moments more than I can express... Our home is so quiet, and I felt emotional just hearing the sounds of children laughing and playing, the hustle and bustle of all the family talking, cooking and visiting...it was just pure heaven to me.

Kidnapped...

Despite the black, looming clouds, Mom prayed for the rain to hold until she returned home from visiting Dad.  She found him in bed, asleep, with his legs elevated. She made herself comfortable and just sat, waiting...

She noticed an 8 x 12 sheet of paper taped to the wall over his bed, typed in at least 36 point font, which read: 

"Daughter of bed 38C is upset that staff is calling the wife of the resident. Please call daughter first for any changes in resident's care." 

Mom smiled.  Guess they heard Donna loud and clear, she thought... Mom and I have been having a heck of a time getting the staff to consistently call ME first, instead of her...hopefully, the sign will stay in place for a while.

The wound care nurse popped in to visit with Mom, telling her she had treated the wound on Dad's left pinkie toe and how well it was healing.  They chit chatted about their grand kids and great grand kids.  Mom loves the look on her face when she talks about her newly born grand son...Mom shared with her about my grand son Jacob, who has two bottom teeth at six months old.  The nurse was very impressed...

After the nurse left, Mom woke Dad gently.  He opened his eyes and smiled, telling her he had been waiting for her...

A new nurse came in and introduced herself to Mom.  She helped Dad get dressed and into his wheel chair.  Mom wheeled Dad into the dining room and took a table by the patio window.  She and Dad looked out to the ominous dark clouds...Dad was very concerned about Mom driving in this kind of weather...she told him not to worry because the rain would not come until after she got home...

She read him a few bible verses to calm him down.  Dad continued to talk, and Mom listened... 

"Donna was kidnapped by Gadhafi. I thought he was my brother until he did that to her!  No brother of mine would do such a thing."  Mom assured him I was fine...

Yesterday, the nursing home called to inform me his psychiatrist had ordered Zyprexia 2.5mg for Dad because the past four nights he awakes at 4am and refuses to go back to sleep.  He fears he is going to be kidnapped and held for ransom.  Dad gets very afraid and needs someone to comfort him.  He stays awake until 6am, when he allowed to get up.

Mom inquired this morning before going into Dad's room, and the head nurse told Mom Dad had slept in until 6am.  It sounds like Dad has been watching the TV and I have asked them NOT TO LET HIM HEAR TROUBLING NEWS...

***Since coming home from California on Monday, it has been non-stop chaos around our home.  Starting with plumbing problems with our refrigerator and our water heater.  (Thank God we took out warranties on everything...) It has been a rough week.  It seems everything was breaking down and the phone has not stopped ringing between plumbing companies and Sears! Hopefully, we will have a new water heater and HOT WATER tomorrow!!!*** Hopefully, I can call Dad on Saturday...

Dad was really working himself into a snit when his lunch arrived...which totally mellowed him out...

"I am so happy and at home here...if anyone tries to make me leave, I will raise hell!"

Dad immediately started to mix together his lasagna, green salad, zucchini and a dish of mixed fruit (Mom rescued his garlic bread before he added it to the mix!)  Dad looked up at the young man who served him and asked where his fruit plate was.  The young man apologized and reached to remove Dad's "mixture". 

Dad quickly grabbed the young man's wrist, telling him he was not finished and he wanted the fruit to eat with his lunch.  Shortly, the young man returned with a large plate with cottage cheese in the middle surrounded by watermelon chunks, peaches, pears and orange slices.  Dad polished it off before the plate had settled on the table...

Dad drank his milk, his chocolate Ensure drink and licked his lips.  He announced to Mom he was ready for a nap.  Apparently, his morning physical therapy is really giving him a good work out!  Mom wheeled him back toward his room...

On their way out, the administrator walked in, greeting several of the patients.  When he saw Mom and Dad he shook Dad's hand and patted Mom on the back.  Mom made sure he knew how happy Dad was and how much he enjoyed living there...

Mom was thankful for another good visit as she kissed him good bye and told Dad she loved him.

Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Very Happy...

"When Irish eyes are smiling,

'Tis like a morn in spring,

With a lilt of Irish laughter,

You can hear the Angels sing..."

Lil' Irish eyes are smilin'...and oh the Angels are a singin'...

Mom went to visit Dad today.  She arrived a wee bit later than she had planned.  The nursing home was decorated to make every Irishman proud...Every single resident, visitor, and employee were wearing green or green bead necklaces.  The dining room tables all had bright green and yellow striped tablecloths, yellow flowers with green ribbons and green and yellow balloons EVERYWHERE, with toe tapping Irish jig music playing. 

Mom found Dad surrounded by staff and residents as he joyfully belted out the song, "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen".  All the nursing station was abuzz with his full voice.  This is a very special song for my Dad.  He sang it to his Mother on her death bed...sending her off to Heaven with this very song...

Dad was exploding with happy cheerfulness, smiling and greeting everyone as he extended his hand to shake or reaching out his arms for hugs... It is Dad who gives us our Irish heritage.  His grand father was from Belfast, Ireland.

Mom took Dad a baggie of miniature York mint patties, a pack of gum and a box of Crackerjacks... all some of his favorites. Doctor-Doctor must have had the day off, but Dad was absolutely delighted with another nurse he calls, "Pickles".

Mom listened to Dad as he told her he had been elected advisor for activities.  He does a nightly broadcast.  He had imaginary businesses for his sons, other than the ones they currently have...He wants to give all the ladies awards and wants their phone numbers.

Dad played the table top like a piano as he told her he sings and plays for everyone because he is qualified in both singing and relationships.

When Dad's Irish feast arrived at lunch time, Mom cut up the generous two portions of roast beef with gravy, and smacked her lips as she surveyed the mashed yellow squash, beets, wheat bread with butter, milk and lemon cream pie.  As his usual practice, Dad promptly mixed everything together and devoured every bit until the plate was clean.  He dunked his bread with butter in his milk and gobbled it down, telling Mom how much he likes it this way.

Just as he polished off the last crumb of his lemon cream pie, "Pickles" waltzed in with a big plate of orange slices, fresh cut up peaches, and a pile of cottage cheese. Dad thanked her and gulped down everything but the curly lettuce it sat upon, as if he had just begun to eat!  He turned his milk glass upside down and informed Mom, he was done. 

Mom knows after Dad fills his belly, he is ready for a nap.  She wheeled him back to his room, where his male caregiver saw Mom and followed her into the room.  He helped Dad get ready for bed and elevated his legs.  Mom kissed Dad with her usual "love you" and hugged him good bye...

The physical therapist popped in to chat with Mom. Mom followed her out to the nursing station on her way out. She told Mom how amazed they all were with Dad's strength. Mom nodded in agreement, telling her we have all been in awe of Dad's super strength, lifting things himself, that took three of my brothers to attempt to move...  Dad is doing 100% on the stationary bicycle and is up to stage 5 with NO PROBLEMS!  She told Mom, when she woke Dad this morning and asked him how he felt, he gave her a huge smile and told her he was very happy.

We're very happy too...our Irish eyes are smiling ..

What Do You Think?

My youngest daughter decided to color her hair darker, which is more towards her natural color.  She used to be more blond.  Now, a busy working Mother, she wants to save money and have less up- keep on her hair...

 Here she is with Jacob as a blond...

My green eyed beauty with dark hair...

I told her it brought out the Irish in her...doesn't she look ready for St. Patrick's Day?

My oldest daughter babysat Jacob yesterday while his Daddy attended a work seminar near where my daughter lives.  She had him from 6 am to 8:30 pm.  She said he was an absolute angel all day.

Can you see his wings?

She put me on speaker and when I talk to him, she said he looked like he was trying to do "jumping jacks", moving his arms up and down and jumping with excitement.  I cannot wait to get my hands on that precious little guy...

 Is he a smiley boy or what?

See his two bottom teefers? (teeth)

Oh, I just can't STAND IT!!  I want to get in there and kiss him up and snuggle in that sweet baby neck!

Preparing For The Road To Love...

We are going to CA this coming Friday.  I am in need of some hugging and laughing with my two daughters and kissing and loving on my grand sons.  We decided to take Izzy with us.  My oldest daughter's family got a chocolate lab and have named him Dutch.  I think I posted some pics of him...(yes, I did, I was bragging about my "grand pup"...) Oh well, I will post another...

I have been doing laundry and washing clothes.  We are also having one of my husband's Irish friends over this Thursday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us.

I took Izzy in to get trimmed up for our trip...I cannot believe the groomer was able to affix a ribbon in her fur.  Generally, Izzy does one good shake, and the ribbon goes flying...see it on top of her head?  Look at that smile!

 Doesn't she look cute?

This is Izzy's cousin...my Grand pup

Dutch 

This morning while I was walking with Izzy, the nursing home called. The wound care nurse wanted me to know she was still treating Dad's pinkie toe wound.  Due to his poor leg circulation, it is slow to heal.  At least it is not infected.

Four Truths and a Lie...

I want to thank Donna at Donna's Book Pub for sharing the following Memetastic Award with me:

This is going to be a challenge, because I am a real lousy liar...

I must tell four truths about myself and then one lie.  See if you can guess which one is the fib...

*** I have worked on a production line making radios, as a dental assistant and office manager, as a food server, cocktail waitress, medical assistant and office manager, nanny, babysitter, receptionist for a law office, executive secretary for a bankruptcy law firm, a commercial artist for a radio station, a go go dancer, a sales person in a hosiery department for May Co,  a medical transcriber, home maker, a liaison for cardiac rehab and physical therapy patients, did clerical work for the Lung Association, clerical work for a city government, an intake clerk for a federal bankruptcy court.  I also had my own calligraphy business, submitted several children's stories for publication (but was never published),   I worked as a hospice volunteer, volunteered as a candy striper at a hospital, an usher for a theatre in the round, volunteer fundraiser for schools, volunteer Girl Scout leader and assistant leader, volunteer computer monitor, volunteer blog teacher, mail clerk within a federal court, telephone operator within a federal court, court recorder within a federal court, calendar clerk for a federal court, operated various office machines, copy, recording, transcribing, fax and scanning machines.  Archived, purged, organized, various filing systems in medical, dental, and governmental settings.

*** I have met or seen in person, Connie Stevens when she was on Hawaiian Eye, Gary Clark (actor dating Connie Stevens), Robert Goulet, Martin Sheen, John Wayne, Angela Lansbury, Emilio Estevez, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme, Jayne Mansfield, Carol Lawrence, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Ann Margaret, Tony Curtis, Ed Nelson (Dr. Rossi on Peyton Place), received a letter from Cloris Leachman, Steve Tyrell, Barry Manilow, Terry Fator, original Moody Blues, The Beatles, Queen (without Freddy Mercury), Dennis DeYoung (lead singer for STYX, James Belushi, Red Fox, Don Rickles, Roy Rodgers, Dale Evans, Trigger, Buttermilk, Hopalong Cassidy and his horse Topper, Robert Conrad, Lee Majors, Farrah Fawcett, Sony Bono and his wife Suzie,  and Clint Eastwood.

***I rode a beautiful Palomino horse, with white mane and tail, bareback, along the beach in Mexico.

*** On several occasions, I knew what it felt like to be a victim of a crime.

*** I was part of a first response to someone in an emergency situation.  I held him in my arms and felt his blood stop pumping when he died.

I would like to share this Award with anyone who reads my blog and strives to be the best you can be...

Thank you again Donna, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness...

Feeling The Love...and Wanting To Pet The Bunny....

Mom and my sister Holly went to visit Dad yesterday.  They found him in the TV room, listening to a church sermon.  He was totally engrossed in what the Chaplin was saying, so they hung back and just observed Dad from the hallway...

Before wheeling Dad out to the patio, Dad introduced my sister to the Chaplain, as "Donna" (me) .  My sister corrected him, and when Dad was flustered, told him it was alright. My sister wheeled Dad out to the patio.  Dad smiled happily in the sun, chatting them both up on how well he was cared for and how happy he was...

My sister did not like how Dad's eye looked, but it is an ongoing problem.  It looks bad, they treat it, it looks better, and then it looks lousy again.  He was to get his shower and shave after lunch, before they put him in bed to elevate his legs.  Mom and my sister both were "poked" by his whiskers, so he really needed a shave!
My sister noticed he needed his nails trimmed, so she cut his nails and massaged his hands.  She always comes prepared to care for Dad.  He thanked her profusely.  Dad was always a well groomed man.

I went to Barber School back in the early 70's, so when I visit Dad, I try to remember my scissors, in case Dad needs to have his ears or eye brows trimmed.  Some times the nursing home stylist misses those details...

The Activities Director came out to visit with all of them.  She brought a baby Jack Rabbit out to show them.  Her husband had found it abandoned in the street.

Isn't it adorable!

Dad LOVES animals, but my sister was protective and would not allow him to hold it.  They put it down on the ground so Dad could enjoy the bunny hopping around in the grass by the shade tree...

See him? (click to enlarge)

Dad's lunch was served and both Mom and Holly each turn turns helping Dad chow down his lunch.  Both of them were starving even more as his lunch looked and smelled delicious!  After he finished his meal, they wheeled him back to visit with his friends.  My sister brought him some punch.

Dad began a discussion with one of his military buddies, so they hugged and kissed him good bye...my sister always stops by the cafeteria window and blows him a kiss...Dad looked for her and smiled as he caught the kiss she blew him...

On the way out, Mom asked the head nurse to PLEASE have all calls directed to me, instead of her.  It seems we always have to remind them, especially after he returns from the hospital when they start a new chart.  The nurse told Mom they had a new night nurse who did not know Dad's situation that well, but she would make sure another note was placed on his chart.

Mom got a call the other night from Dad.  He thought he was talking to my second to the oldest brother, K____.  Dad ranted into Mom's message machine on how he could not reach his Mother and how he wanted to come stay with my brother and his wife.  Dad told him how he would work in the yard and help him...like he used to...

Mom asked if they could please be more creative and dissuade Dad from the calls.  My sister suggested if Dad persists, they should call me (like they are supposed to!!) instead of Mom.  Dad's calls really freak Mom out.  She about jumps out of her skin if she gets one of those night calls...

Thankfully, it sounded like another great visit.

Mom and Holly had planned on having lunch together, but my sister had to get back home to take her husband to pick up his new red Italian Fiat...

My brother in law was one of the first 500 customers to get the new Fiat Prima Edizione .  He was one of the customers in their "Numbers" commercial.  He is #78.  He is wearing a tan shirt and glasses.  He  has deep dimples when he laughs...

Fiat Prima Edizione "Numbers" Commercial


Let's Dance...

My Mom sent this email to me...I was watching the coverage on CNN about the monumental 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami which has devastated Japan.  With everything going on in this world, the economy, the financial struggles of so many, and those who face medical challenges...please allow me to share this with everyone...

Dancing With God

"When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life."

So let's continue to pray for one another.

"You changed my mourning into dancing…"  Ps 30:12

~unknown author for poem sent through email~

The Wall Of Love...

I called Dad this morning...he sounded so happy!  He was belly laughing.  Doctor-Doctor and his skin angel were both attending to him.  They both told me "hi" in the background...

The skin angel was taking progress photos of Dad's left pinkie toe.  It has been healing much better since they put him back in bed after breakfast and elevate his legs.

Doctor-Doctor was making faces at Dad and making him laugh so hard.  It made me laugh til I cried I was so happy...

He told me how much he enjoys all the pictures and cards on his bedroom wall because it reminded him of all his family and how blessed he is.  My sister arranged all our cards and paintings I have done, and drawings from my grand sons, (his great grand sons).  We call it his, "wall of love".

I told him about my 8 year old grand son learning to play Chess from his Dad.  I shared how the 8 year old and I played and how impressed I was with his play.  My grand son also taught his Mother, how to play.  Dad was thrilled and very impressed.

Dad was in awe after I explained how the 8 year old, in 3rd grade, was tested and reads at a 7th grade level of understanding.  He laughed when I told him about his brother, the 6 year old, being a left handed batter playing baseball.  The 6 year old beats his Dad and everyone in his family playing Wii sports, like bowling and golf.  Dad loves hearing about "the little ones..."

Dad talked of the family, how blessed we all are.  We discussed memories and I told him how much he influenced all of us in such a positive way.  Dad talked of praying and loving Jehovah and trusting in the Lord...He told me how much he loved me...

"Gather together, for I am with you." he paraphrased...

He said some times he liked the TV on and some times not...but especially when he was naked, because "they" could see him and it would be too embarrassing...

"Course God made me naked when I was born, so I should be used to it..."

I had to smile and agree with him.  I know what a struggle it has been for him, being such a private, modest, introverted person.  In his normal state of mind a prideful man, a Marine, a former Chaplain, he would be devastated...so in this particular case, his dementia is a blessing so he can cope with living in a nursing home and cooperating with the personal care...

I love you so much Papa-doots...

New Blog Award...and Sharing Blogs...

I want to thank thisisme at Southhamsdarling ..."A little bit of everything" for bestowing this sun shining happy fantastic blog award to me and several others....She enjoys her retirement and grand children living by the sea in Devon, United Kingdom.

I am to post of a picture of myself at the computer blogging...since it is 3:36am, hubby is asleep, so the best I can do is to post a pic my sister took of me at my lap top.  She has a Samsung Fascinate cell phone with an app which transforms a picture into one looking like a painting...or a cartoon...you guys can decide...

So here is my picture of me focused and tuned into the world of blogging...

I would like to share this award with the following blogging buddies...( in no particular order)
Should you decide to accept this award, please post a picture of yourself blogging on your computer.

Linda O'Connell at Write From The Heart -  a writer who lives in St. Louis, MO trying to establish a writer's platform, which as she states, "is an absolute must for anyone hoping to publish a book."
Roland D. Yeomans at Writing In The Crosshairs. - newly published writer, dreamer, currently living and working as a blood courier in Lake Charles, LA.
Sherry O'Keefe at too much august, not enough snow... - Poetry editor and Poet, working on her second book of poetry, living in Montana with her two dogs.
Ellie King at Matters of the Heart - living in Puerto Rico, fighting her way back from the darkness of losing the love of her life and soul mate .  Her beautiful soul enriches through her poetry.
Kass at The K....Is No Longer Silent...living in Salt Lake City, UT.  She calls herself an "irrational optimist" but I call her a new blogging friend...
Wanda at Moments of Mine - living in Ohio, a lover of family and nature.  She claims to be an amateur photographer, but she sure fooled me... visiting her blog is like a visit to a spa...very serene and calming...

The above blogs are newer blogs to me, ones I have never given awards to and blogs I wanted to share... but please dear blogging friends, anyone who visits and would like to post a picture of themselves blogging, please feel free to copy and paste the award to your blog and please link back to my post and share the award with others. Please notify those you give the award to and post links to their blogs on your blog.  No limit on how many you share it with.

Thank you so much Thisisme...I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and friendship.

Thank you to all of you, my blogging buddies who make my days so much brighter and lighter, sharing the stories of our lives...

All She Cares About Is Seeing Dad Happy...

Mom went to visit Dad today.  She found him as he was being wheeled into the dining room by (DA-DA...) his favorite nurse, Doctor-Doctor, who has returned, refreshed from a month off after her hernia surgery.  Mom said she had dyed her hair dark, and she looked rested and wonderful.  She had gone to her aunts in Los Angeles to recuperate.  The reason Mom could not reach her by phone was due to her phone being stolen from the hospital when she went in for surgery!  Mom gave her a big hug from all of us and she sent one back to us...

Obviously Dad was thrilled to have her back.  Both of them were laughing and joking, the way they always do together.  Dad was so happy, Mom said he was on Cloud 9.

Mom sat with Dad in the lunch room.  She watched him pile green salad, dressing, green beans, and tapioca pudding on top of his spaghetti with sauce and Parmesan cheese!  He mixed it all up, (which looked totally gross to Mom) and gobbled the entire mess down with garlic bread, milk and a chocolate shake!  Mom said his plate was clean when he finished it looked like he had washed it.

I guess logically it makes sense because it does all go down to one place...but it looks like someone scraped all the plates off onto his plate after he dumped everything together.... I can just imagine Mom's face when he did that...I can see her shuttering from here...

Mom continued to visit with Dad while Doctor-Doctor took her break.  He told her about how he hides under his covers when the drunks come in because he heard them talking about kidnapping him and getting a big ransom. 

He told her how he spent the night at Doctor-Doctor's house and saw all her little boys with cookies in their mouths.  Dad said he put a cookie in his mouth and they all laughed.

He was in a very merry mood, despite his tales of woe and delusion...  When Doctor-Doctor returned to them in the dining room, Dad paid little attention to Mom.  He was totally captivated with his "wife-favorite nurse".  Mom was fine with it.  She understands.  All she cares about is seeing Dad happy.

On her way out, Mom saw Dad's skin care nurse.  Dad calls her his "skin Angel".  She reported to Mom how well Dad's left pinkie toe is looking since they have been having Dad elevate his feet after breakfast.

Mom also stopped to chat with the administrator and told him how happy Dad was to have his favorite nurse back... He gave Mom a big smile and told her she made his day.