Diane, I feel bad for you that your brother is in this type of situation. Your mother just doesn't want to see the bad in her child....what mother does? I do hope he can get some kind of help. Maybe you or Glenn can talk to him one more time....you are very persuasive.

The water park sounds like alot of fun. One of these days I really need to get me a bathing suit. Never know when I may need one...lol. You have a great time and know that you'll be missed.

Marilyn....how exciting!!! A new baby....any day now!!!! And your first!!!! For our first we had twins!!! I know that you'll be with the baby as much as you can.......they change so much you don't want to miss one moment!!!! Be prepared to spend money like crazy......things you didn't buy for your kids you'll get for your grandkids!! Trust me!!! There is nothing as special as a new grandbaby!!!! Make sure we get pictures!!!!

Boring day because all my managers were in a leadership mtg until 1 and I left for PT at 2. One of my girls was out, so I covered her group and did a few things for them. During heating pad breaks, I booked the hotel rooms for this weekend. It's hard finding cooler indoor things to do around Houston.

Friday night we hope to get all the kids together for a little visit. Saturday we'll go to the children's museum, the downtown aquarium, bass pro shop and rainforest cafe. Sunday we'll visit Galveston and moody gardens. Monday I'll take the kids to see my house on their Way out.

I'm so thankful my kids include me in their events. My daughter is making plans for next weekend.

That's wonderful Sandy....you have a great family too.

Marilyn, This is such wonderful news! As Diana said, there is nothing like a grandchild! You will not believe the emotions! Ahhhh!

I hope she has an easy birth, and that you and Rex have a wonderful visit, aaannndd, that her hubby does get to stay here.

My prayers for all to go well and easily.

Today is hair day, and then I am going over to Jessie's house. Tonight I have my writing group, but I have not written anything. It is okay to skip a week, but I better get on it this week!

Jess is getting ready to go on vacation, and I am doing some online shopping for little things for the kids. However, I refuse to spend $8.99 for S&H for sand toys!!!
I hope there are still so,me around in the dollar stores!

I'm also giving Brandon my father's dog tags from WWII. He is going to be soooo excited! I gave Kass my heart locket from when I was a little girl. Mackenzie got my pearl drop from when I was near her age from my aunt. Mackenzie also got a diamond and sapphire ring that was Jessie's for her graduation from 8th grade.

I look at these things in my jewelry case, and things of my Dad's, and want the kids to have them now. I do not want them to wait for my death to get things they will never use. I also love to see them using the jewelry. I told Jess to come look through these things and to see what she might want now.

Congratulations Marilyn!!!

I am counting down the hours until this week is done and I start my new job next week. Scott comes home today after an overnight site trip to a mine :) Poor Layla didn't understand and she kept going to the back door to wait for him to come home. He called me last night and he said somehow he got this huge hotel room because it was all they had left. It has a jacuzzi tub and a fireplace!!! He told me to come on out lol... right :rolleyes:

My dad is also in the city tonight because he has a doctor's appointment in the morning. I think we're going out to eat when he gets in, so I'll be staying in the city until later tonight. Scott gets in around 9:00 so one of us will just follow the other home.

Thank you all for the congrats. We've already spent lots on this baby and she's not even here yet. I'm still at work waiting....... Rex got his computer this morning and is loading his software and drivers so every so often he calls with a question. What would they do without us??

We're going with some of Carlton's (Karen's husbands) family to see Cowboys and Aliens this evening. It's so great that we get aling so well with them. Wish Melissa's inlaws were closer so we could have a better relationship with them, but they aren't, and they are planning to move to Cocoa Beach, Florida in about a year and a half.

Lindsey, sounds like a nice evening. Know yOu are anxious to have Scott home!!

Judy, that is so special that your distributing the jewelry to your grandchildren. It's so wonderful that you reconnected with them!!! Just beyond words...

And Sandy, hope you have a wonderful weekend. It's not too hot to have fun as long as everyone stays hydrated and isn't in the sun too long. Enjoy!!

Worked my usual 9 hours, bought a 5 month old $1100 refrigerator for $500 from one of my girls who is moving in with her boyfriend, paid my earnest money today, finished emptying all cabinets and drawers so they can fumigate my apartment tomorrow, took doggie and meets to my daughter. Need to get packed for my weekend.

Praying for Janet and her Mom. Praying Grandma Marilyn gets her baby blessing in time.

Marilyn, my four year old granddaughter is Emma Grace! Enjoy! There is nothing like that first grand baby.

Sandy, I hope you have a great weekend! Don't be out in the heat too long.

I'm here in Houston with the kids. I'm going to Abi's volleyball game in the morning. In fact, Abi has to be at school to catch the bus at 6:30AM :eek: the game is about 45 minutes away.

My daughter has shingles. She has always had a hip that bothers her and she told me a couple of days ago that it was acting up. She said today she didnt feel very well and kinda felt achy all over. She also said that her hip pain had wrapped around to the front of her hip too. She said her skin was tingly also. I told her that sounded like shingles. Sure enough when she got ready for bed, she called me in to show me a red spot on her hip. I told her she definitely has shingles so she and Bryan went out to an urgent care center to get some meds. The quicker you can get on anti-viral meds, the
better. I sure hope it is not too bad.

Oooh..shingles hurts! I hope she got on the meds soon enough to kick it up and out!

I went over to Jessie's yesterday, and Mackenzie hit her finger head on, catching a basketball. Long story short - she broke it in 3 places! They have to go to an orthopedic surgeon. Something about the tendon pulling a bone out of alignment. Yikes! It sounds really painful! She was really brave, but I imagine that last night was hard for her.

She broke her toe two weeks ago, and now her finger! She has never been to the ER before!

3 places....that had to hurt like crazy. With school coming on she won't be able to do everything she's wants will she? I hope this is the last thing she breaks. She must be very brave if she's never been to an ER before.

Hope the shingles go away soon for your daughter Gayle....Mom had the shingles many years ago and was in so much pain.

Ouch to the shingles and the broken finger!!

One of my coworkers got shingles a few years ago and he was out for about 3 weeks :( It sounded pretty terrible.

Judy, I used to play basketball but luckily I only ever got my fingers jammed. That was painful enough! I couldn't imagine breaking one that way. Ouch! She's a brave girl to get through that!

It's my last day of work!! :cheer: I'm so busy and stressed though. I don't know how I'll get everything done on time! :(

Last night I visited with my grandma, and then went out to eat with her, my uncle, my dad, my brother, and the little girls. It was good! I've said it before, but those girls are so well behaved, and their mother has been working out of town during the weeks (internship for her social work degree) and my brother has been parenting on his own. He is a really good dad and it's nice to see him like that with the girls. He'll scold them when they need it, and laugh with them when they need it. I think they are all really lucky that he came into their lives.

Tonight we are going out for food and drinks with a friend of ours. We both used to work with him, and he and Scott have gotten pretty close over the years. It will be nice to see him again! He moved to another province a couple of years ago.

Today I went to physical therapy...it was a good session. My neck was so sore last night from sitting so much in the ER and then in the room they gave Mom that I wasn't sure I'd even be able to sleep. I didn't get home until after midnight and then had to be at therapy at 8:30. I was still so sleepy.

After therapy I stopped by Burger King and got a bit of breakfast. I hadn't been there in a long time so decided I would this morning. I then headed to Lafayette to stay with Mom. She looks so fragile, that at times I can't seem to stop looking at her. So different than that strong bull-headed woman I grew up with.

The C-diff has come back, plus she has a bad urinary tract infection. I guess these are common when on dialysis and they are no longer urinating. The EEG that was done last Thursday showed no signs of seizures. I guess that's a good thing, but now no one is sure why her BP is dropping so fast. This morning they did a standing check and it dropped to 72 over 46. Even when they raise the head of the bed...they have to do it slow, because it makes her lightheaded and ready to pass out.

I sat with her until after 2 and then needed to get home, get some laundry done, run the sweeper and rest. It feels good to not have things waiting on me to get done. Also paid Mom's bills that were due.

Now I'm just lying here in bed with the latop. I'll probably fall asleep here in a bit because I can feel the ole eyelids getting heavy. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Janet, I am praying for Mom. I hope they get her comfortable and feeling better soon.

I had the 2 little ones yesterday. Jessie and Mackenzie needed a break. I fibbed and told Jess they couldn't sleep over because I had plans with my friends. They left at about 7:30.

They begged me to sleep over. After spending the day with Kass at the ER on Friday, and planning to watch them on Monday so that Jessie can take Mackenzie to the orthopedic surgeon on Monday, I decided NO. I felt bad, but for once, I didn't give in, and didn't really feel guilty all night either!

Jess has been through too much lately, but Steve has too step up and help out. He actually came to pick them up last night! Usually, Jessie drives them back and forth.

Oh...wait, Jessie just called me that Mackenzie's eyelid is all puffy, and her eye is discharging???? Poor kid!

Gary and I shopped for something Gary could turn into a bathroom vanity for his sisters lake house. We found the perfect piece for only $25!!! It is reallu neat and I think she is going to love it.

We are supposed to go out to eat later but Brooke is not feeling very well. She is having a lot of pain today with the shingles. So maybe we will order in something, I'm not sure. She is laying down right now.

We will go home tomorrow. We've had a great visit but I am ready to get home and get ready for the week. This is my last week of summer school. It goes SO fast.

They will finish our tile Monday and Tuesday and then our stove will be installed on Wednesday. I'm ready! We will only have painting left, but I'll take a little time to decide what color.

Wow!! Everyone has been so busy this week!!!! We're home!!! Jaci, Nate, and Karlie, and I got home just a little bit ago.......the others went to some thrift stores while we went to a flea market before we came home. It was such a fun weekend but I'm ready to be home for awhile!!!

The water park was so nice!!! It rained before we went and then was cloudy most of the day so it wasn't too hot while we were there. I also think that the rain kept a lot of people away so it wasn't too crowded. I mostly stayed with Dean and Karlie so that Dae Lynn could have a good time. I usually like the wave machine but really didn't care for it this year. I did love the lazy river though and could have spent all day just floating around it except for the other people on it!!! Really.....I think that I really just like my pond best but the water park was nice for a change!!

My cousin really out did herself on making us welcome!!! She is such a good hostess and had everything organized and planned out ahead of time. She's used to entertaining much larger groups than we had but still for 12 people to come and stay with you is still a lot of work!!! She let the kids all know that they were more than welcome to come and stay anytime.......and you knew that she meant it!!

Janet, I can see that your Mom is back in the hospital. I hope all is well and you're getting some rest while she's gone and being taken care of.

Gayle, I hope your daughter caught her shingles in time to have the medicine help. I've heard that shingles can be awful.

Judy, Poor Mackenzie!!! A broken toe.....AND.......a broken finger!!!! AND broke in three places!!!! That poor girl!!!! She sure has my sympathy!!

Lindsey, Yay!!! Yesterday was your last day at your old job!!! AND Monday is your first day at your new job!!! :cheer:

Welcome home Diana! Maybe you can get a big truck tire inner tube and float around the pond. That sounds like heaven!!!

Your family is amazing at get togethers! It sounds like so much fun.

Gayle, I feel so bad for Brooke! What can you do for shingles? My uncle had it and wore lidocaine patches, which helped a lot.

Janet, how long is Mom in the hospital for this time? You are resting up, I hope!

Linds....Good luck on Monday!!! How exciting!

I poured yesterday, so I stayed in. I put some things away, played a hidden object game on the computer, wrote a little tiny bit for my writing group, and read some. It was a great day to veg out! I hear today is going to be more of the same, although I see the sun out now. I probably will stay in today too, although I could go for a manicure. Nah....too lazy!

Mackenzie's eye was a bit better last night. She goes to the orthopedist tomorrow. I hope the doctor doesn't have to hurt her to get her finger aligned. I also hope she doesn't need surgery. The tendon pulled a bone out of whack.

We are home! good visit, but glad to be home.

Poor Mackenzie, I just can't believe all her trials lately, and the whole family, it sounds like.

Judy, wish we had some of your rain.

Diana, your family get togethers sound so much fun! We used to do that a lot, but it seems that everyone is living farther away now, and it doesn't happen very often.

Janet, let us know how you and your mom are doing!

Lindsay, good luck on the new job.

I hope Marilyn's grandbaby comes SOON!

I wasn't able to fall asleep last night until after 2:00 AM. Not sure what the problem was, can't remember thinking anything particular. So....didn't wake up this morning until Ricky came in and asked if I wanted some biscuits and gravy at 10:00 AM. I don't eat as soon as I get up so I passed and stayed in bed for just a bit.

When I got myself awake enough I took my shower and then headed over to be with Mom. Yesterday she looked pretty good, but today....not good at all. She is still not able to eat but a few bites. She is down to 110 lbs and I'm really worried. It's my honest opinion that if she stays as she did today....I worry whether she'll make it home again.

She can't remember anything either. Today she couldn't remember why she was in the hospital and when I told her that I took her to her reg. Dr. and passed out....she doesn't even remember going.

I got there at the same time my brother Jerry and his wife (Betty) got there. They had been gone for about 30 minutes and she asked if Jerry and Betty were there earlier. She also couldn't remember my birthday.

Tomorrow they are doing some kind of test to see what it looks like when she chews and swallows. Maybe it will help with her eating and not pocketing her food. She can't go on much longer in the state she's in.

This is so hard for you Janet. I am praying for you and Mom.

Thanks Judy......I just want to spend as much time with her as I can.

We know that you want to be with your Mom and that's where you should be. I know that it's so hard to see her going downhill. You're both in my thoughts and prayers.

It's so hard Janet, it sounds like her body is just so tired.

You're right Gayle. I just called her and she sounded so weak. She's not speaking as clearly as she was so I asked her if she was thirsty. She said her mouth was a little dry so I told her to take a drink. I can tell she is just worn out. She ate a couple bites of mac and cheese, but basically just sucked the cheese off and took the macaroni out of her mouth. Same with the chicken salad...didn't even eat a tsp. size and took it back out of her mouth. She says she hasn't had any thing else to eat...she's not hungry. They have to make her eat something.... I'll be heading over first thing in the morning.

It is so good that you can spend the days with her. I am sure she feels safe with you right there.

I'm at the hospital with Mom. They just took her down for a swallow test a few minutes ago. It looks as though she may have had a light strike or TIA. When I came in this morning her speech is really bad...like she can't control her tongue. She is also complaining her right arm is heavy.
I also had to tell her 3 times within 3-5 minutes where they were taking her.

It does sound like a stroke, oh dear, I hope they can help her feel better

I think she is getting a bit better from the stroke. She can now smile without the right side of her mouth staying closed. She couldn't do that this morning. Her arm didn't feel heavy later in the afternoon, but her speech is still bad.

They are going to do the Swallow Study again. When they tried giving her pudding, she would gag and cough and couldn't catch her breath. Then everytime they gave her anything...it would happen again so they stopped and will try again.

Her memory is really bad, she asks the same thing over and over. I have PT tomorrow morning and then get my eyes checked and hopefully new glasses. I won't make it back over to see Mom until noon or after. I hope I see some improvement.

I am praying Janet.

I'm glad to hear an update and for you to say you think she is a bit better. It must be so hard.

I'm so sorry for all you're going through Janet, but it is good to hear she has improved a little. After my mom had a stroke, it took about 5 days for her to get back to almost normal, and the whole time the doctors couldn't say how much she would actually get back.

Janet, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Hang on.

I had an awesome weekend with my son and his family. We did backtoschool shopping along the way and had one more stop this morning to get Abby a couple pairs of jeans. While in Penneys, someone broke in my son's truck and stole everything ... Luggage, dirty clothes, new clothes, shoes, everything ... Except his bible laying on the console.

Well now, that's just the pits Sandy! It makes me so mad that some people think they can just take anything they want.

I'm so glad that you had a fun time though, before that. I know you love being with your family and I bet you had a great time. I thought of you this weekend as we were in Houston to see our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. My daughter had shingles so she didn't feel well and we didn't do much except go to Abigail's volleyball games.

Today I had PT and then went and had my eyes checked. Just can't believe a pair of glasses cost so much money. I had been saving up since April (after I bought my IPad2) and now will have to start saving for the next thing.

Made it to the hospital about 11:30 AM. Mom's speech is still bad and her motor skills are going downhill. She has trouble holding her head up for very long. We ordered her some lunch and then two minutes later she asked me if she had ordered lunch yet. When it came she took a couple bites, made an awful face and took it back out of her mouth. We visited and I could tell she was tired. The nurse and aide got her back to bed and she fell right to sleep.

She woke about 10 til 3 and looked over and saw me and said in a very happy voice..."Hi Janet....when did you get here"? I reminded her that I had been there for quite some time. She looked at the clock and saw the time then said..."oh my....I've never slept this late before, I've missed lunch". Again, I reminded her we ordered lunch but she didn't eat it. She didn't remember. I asked if she would like me to order her something and she said she wasn't hungry.

My heart is aching so bad and I cried all the way home. I got a text from my brat brother saying that a Dr. came in and scheduled a CT scan for tomorrow to see what damage there is. I'll be bringing the bus home tomorrow morning and then heading over to be with Mom. She's not remembering anything within a 30 - 60 minute time frame and longer. Doesn't remember if a Dr. came in or if anyone has visited her.

I think for the very first REAL time....I realized I'm actually losing my Mom. It's so hard and I just don't think I'll be able to stand it.

Oh Janet, my heart just breaks for you. I still have my mom, but I was closer to my grandma than my mom and when she passed, it was so hard. Like your mom she had a stroke and was in the nursing home for 3 months before she died. I was a nine hour drive away, so I only saw her twice in that time. Her death was bittersweet and by that I mean, I was so glad that she was no longer suffering, lying in that bed, unable to get up or even talk. On the other hand I didn't want to let her go and it was so hard, so very very hard. In the end though, I think I was more relieved that she was no longer suffering, than I was sad she was gone. It makes me teary eyed now to think of these memories and she left me in 1989. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.

Janet, my heart goes out to you. I remember going through tough times with my mom before she passed. In the end, I was upset that she was gone, but relieved that she was no longer in such bad condition. So so sorry you are going through this!!

This is such a sad time, Janet. You are in my heart, and in my prayers. My Dad only lived for 7 weeks after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, but he had not been feeling well for about a year. I went down to Florida 4 times in that time. I was with him at the doctor when he was diagnosed. That will always be with me. It was the last time I saw him walking outside, and enjoying life. After it was over, I was so glad that he had such a short time to suffer. I would not have wanted him to stay if he had to suffer. I miss him every day, but he is with his brother, my mom, and the rest. I still fell the connection with him, and feel that he is still here, just in Heaven.