Regular work day ... Our department VP held a town hall meeting that my tummy could only take half of. I hung in for my needy manager, but came home when she went to 3p meeting.

I think I'm starting to have lactose issues. Dr Gayle, is that normal to have egg and milk issues later in life? Somebody said it's from not having a gall bladder.

Another lazy, lonely evening.

Yes, lactose issues can happen at any time. I don't think they know why it doesn't show up till later in life, but it sure can. And yes, it might be because you don't have your gall bladder. But then again, it might just be, because it is! :D

Thanks doc!

Feel better Sandy!

I'm waiting to hear from Jessie about what they are doing. I don't think they have been evacuated from Hatteras Island yet, but I just would love if they could find a nice, pet friendly place with a pool, and that they can just relax and enjoy themselves.

I'd be going crazy, Judy. They'll be ok!

Regular work day, except my bossy keeps telling me about the guys she meets. Got home to no power, so I went up the street for dinner. Still no power, so I'm lying in bed with 96% on my iPad. It's windy out so I'm praying for rain.

Long busy day - too many last minute problems, made my head spin. Came home and took Gary to the lab to get his blood drawn for doctor's appt tomorrow. The lab used to be open till 7:00PM, now it closes at 5:30. We got there at 5:40. Sigh. Then we got something to eat. I needed to go to Petco for dog (did I call them DOGS! :eek:) food. Then we stopped at Hobby Lobby for something Gary needed but didn't find. Next, I wanted to go to Home Depot to get the rest of the pulls and knobs for my cabinets and drawers. Yep, the ones I wanted were at Lowes, not Home Depot. So we went to Lowes and they only had the pulls, not any knobs. So on to the next Lowes and I got the knobs and pulls. Last but not least, I stopped at the grocery store for a couple of items I really needed. Got home after 9:00PM!!!!! T.I.R.E.D.

Gayle, that made me tired. Hope you got some restful sleep.

Spent the night at the hospital with Mom. She has fluid overload and there isn't much they can do about it. Last night her BP was 50/nothing, couldn't get a reading. They had to us this Doppler thing because her heart beat couldnt be heard through the stethascope (sp). Didn't look like she would make it through the night, but she did. Not sure what today will bring. Everything has been stopped except for pain management. I feel so lost.

Oh Janet, this is so hard for you. But it is not so hard for your mom. She is being kept comfortable, she is not falling, fainting, hurting or choking. I would imagine she looks peaceful right now. Hold on tightly to your precious memories and let her failing body go. It is tired, she is tired, you are tired. It is so very very very hard, but you can do this, I know it.

Oh Janet, there are no words for this kind of pain. I have you in my heart and prayers. Mom is going to be with God now and that is so wonderful for her. She is just too sick to stay here with you. She will always be with you though, watching over you, and loving you.

Jessie and her crew are, hopefully, on their way to a nice hotel in Wilmington(?), VA. There is an indoor pool in case the storm forces them to stay indoors. Lots to do there, like Busch Gardens, a historical fort, etc., etc.

Janet, I know that this is so hard for you and I'm here if you need me. Glen and I are praying for you, your Mom, and your family. Hugs!!

Judy, I sure hope this hurricane misses where your family is vacationing at. That's awful to drive so far AND have the time off to have a hurricane ruin your vacation.

Sandy, I hope your divorce ends soon and peacefully. I can't imagine what you're going through.

As for me......I've been cleaning and cleaning!!! I don't know if it's the diet, the breathing machine, or what but I have so much energy lately!!! It's nice to not feel so tired and actually get things done!!! I hope it keeps up!!!

Dean's getting better every day. I've noticed that today he's not limping. The bruise is still there but is fading! He's such a sweet little guy that I can't imagine what life would be like without him!!!

Janet, I brought two of my coworkers into my office and we prayed for you. God's will be done. I love you.

Super unusual start to my day ... I drove to work in the rain! One of my girls was out and I enjoyed that quietness. Her manager mentioned that he liked it too.

Wished my twin grandsons happy 20th birthday. I got their gifts last weekend. I stopped on my way home to get Sarah's 4th birthday presents. I'm going up tomorrow afternoon to spend the weekend at Jeff's and give Emily the weekend off. like how I word that. Love my babies.

Yesterday, I spent the day at the hospital with Mom. My older brother was there and also my younger brother and his yummy wife. I left around 4, everyone said I needed to get out of the hospital and get fresh air, rest and sleep in my own bed.

Rick had gotten home around noon so when got home....I went through all the items he brought back from Moms place in Florida. Wow....they brought back everything except for the large furniture and appliances. We got it all done and now I will have the granddaughters out to see if there is anything they would like.

Today I ran into the grocery store. It's been so long since I've been in with Dae Lynn usually picking up the groceries. Amy stopped by to get Dean and take him on a 4-wheeler ride so she ended up keeping him until I got back. It was so nice to get out for a while by myself!!!

Later this afternoon I canned some candied cucumber rings that the girls had made. They made them with Splenda and cinnamon oil and they do have a kick!!! I'm glad to get them canned and out of the kitchen!!! I made some jelly out of the juice that was left because I thought that it would be good with cream cheese but I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. The cinnamon oil may cause the jelly to do something funny.......we'll see!!!

I'm so ready to do something besides clean!!! I just checked and there's a 100 mile garage sale a little ways from me on Sept. 9th and 10th. I think that I'll make plans to do that!! Anyway that's something to look forward to.

It sounds wonderful Diana...so fun. Right now Rossville ( where Mom was in the NH) is having their Summers End Festival and it is so nice with a lot of flea markets booths. Gonna have to miss it this year, but it's a nice one.

I'm sure that there will be other things to do later on. Your festival sounds like fun!!!

busy busy week, hope the next one is better.

The painter came yesterday. I thought the estimate was high, but he came HIGHLY recommended AND he does cabinet renewing also. He is going to test the product he uses to brighten up and refresh cabinets, to see how it will do on our cabinets. If it works well, then we'll just have him do that also. It will be good to NOT have to connect with another contractor. He also has a general handyman business and we like that too, since we need a handy man now and then. Another plus is that English is his native language. Much of our construction work here is Texas is accomplished by non-native speakers. I am so thankful that we have such excellent craftsmen and handymen/women from Mexico to do such a wonderful job in so many way. But for a non-Spanish speaker like me, it is sometimes very difficult to convey your wants/needs/desires regarding a project. The painter/handyman guy is very personable and easy to speak with and has been in this business for a long time. We need someone to hang the cabinets (in the garage) that we removed from the kitchen and he will be able to do this also. I expect that price will be higher than I want to pay - but oh well, it will be nice to just get it done.

I think I have told you that Gary and I are going to Colorado the 3rd or 4th week in September so he can go elk hunting. No, he shouldn't be up there in that altitude and yes, it will be very hard on him, but this is a bucket list thing, and he said if he dies up there, that's where he'd want to be anyway. He won't die up there, but it will be very stressful for him and me. We will drive because we have to take all his portable oxygen bottles that can't be taken on a plane. He'll have to wear his oxygen 24/7, and that is OK, except he won't want to. :rolleyes: It will take us a day and a half to drive it and then he has 5 days to hunt. This hunt is for persons with disabilities, so the outfitters will take him out and move him around as needed. All he has to do is sit and watch for elk. They will clean the elk and pack it for transport (if he shoots one - which he BETTER!). He has 5 days to get one and if he gets one on the first day (keep your fingers crossed), we can come home on day 2. Anyway, this is all to say that we have a dog sitter coming this morning. She sits for friends of mine and I hope we like her becasue it will save me an hour and a half trip taking the boys to meet Brooke half way between Austin and Houston and then doing it again when we get back.

The weekend after Labor Day, I think I will go to Houston to see Abi play v-ball. She has a game that Friday night and then a tournament on Saturday so I'll get to see several games. The following weekend is when I am taking my mom to Oklahoma to her school class reunion. That will be a quick trip up on a Friday and back on Sunday. It's ONLY an 8 hour drive :rolleyes: Then a couple of days later we will leave for Colorado - although there is a possibility we will wait till the next week to go, if the elk are not moving around well that first week. I'll be glad to get all this traveling over, although I really like all the places that I will be traveling!

You are such a traveler, Gayle!!!! How nice that Gary has hooked up with a hunting trip for people with disabilities!! I can't imagine how hard it would be to give up hunting if I were an avid hunter!! I hope that the trip goes well with his health and all......the best part is that he'll be taking his #1 nurse with him!!! Ha Ha!!!.....and I know that she takes the best care of him than anyone else could ever do!!! I hope he realizes how blessed he is to have you!!!!

Do you remember the joke where a doctor calls the wife in to talk to her privately after examining her husband? He tells her that she's going to have to wait on him hand and foot and do all kinds of special things for him and etc. After they leave her husband wanted to know what the doctor said and she told him "You're goina' die!!" LOL!!! That's what I'd tell my husband too!!! Every once in a while something will come up and I'll say "You're goina' die!!" and he knows exactly what I'm talking about!!! So your husband is in pretty good hands with you!!!!

Have a good time in OK with your Mom. While she's at her reunion maybe you could go to some flea markets and find some goodies for your new kitchen!!!

Oh Yes Diana! I remember that joke!!! Sometimes that's the way I feel too! LOL!

Gary will readily tell anyone that I have kept him alive these past 8 years. Of course, that is not entirely true, I've had a lot of help from lots of great doctors and nurses. My only real worry is that this will put a strain on his heart and of course, he doesn't need that. Hopefully, he will get his elk quickly and we can get out of there as soon as possible. Conversely, being in Colorado is one of our very favorite places and we can't wait to get up there, even though Gary should never travel to such high altitudes. We are so ready to be out of the heat for a few days. It's supposed to be 109 today and tomorrow. It was 104 at 2:00PM, so we we may make it. I think the high today where we will be in CO is 70. What a change!

Dang it Gayle! This is exactly the kind of hunting trip Mike has been wanting to take! I wish we had known...we could meet you up there and the boys could hunt together while WE played together! Grrrr!!

Hi Everybody! I have been keeping up with you all, but haven't had much time to post. Michael, Rachel and the Grandkids left my house last Saturday. They have been living here since the end of April! They stayed with Rachel's parents in Dallas this week, and they leave to begin their lives in France on Sunday afternoon. Dustin and Joy were able to fly here to visit them, too. We have had a busy, crazy, fun summer with lots of time for grandkid (and big kid) lovin'!!

My house is clean now, but I had a million times rather have it a mess than this EMPTY!!

I spent all day at the hospital yesterday. My brothers were there most the day too. I did spend the night again last night and slept pretty decent compared to the night before. Mom's breathing is much more shallow....3-4 breaths per minute. The rattle has gotten a little bit louder and is hard to listen to. They could suction her, but it would probably be more uncomfortable for her than the rattling. I so want to go home but I won't leave her.

Today I will check in from time to time here and see what is happening. Hope you all have a great Sunday.

Don't leave Janet. It probably won't be long now. Remember that Jesus has his arms wrapped around you:)

Betsi, I had Clear Springs Friday night!

Has anybody heard from Judy?

I went to Jeff's but didn't see much of him because he's got so much animal stuff to do. Kept Katey in my room friday night so her parents could get sleep. Abby and I went to do a little shopping. Then, I watched the girls so Jeff and Em could go out to eat. Drove back mid day ... Nice trip.

I did close on the house on Friday, went to my insurance agent to get it insured, and spent about 10 minutes in it walking around and touching my house. With no power, i was drenched in sweat. Stopped to buy some cleaning stuff for the house. I'll work real hard to get moved on the 16th.

How exciting Sandy! You have a HOUSE, and it is all yours!

We found a deer lease today. YAY! It's only a couple of hours away with an easy drive getting there. There's not a camp house so we will have to take our trailer out there for deer season. Theres no water or electricity, but we have a generator and a big water tank on the trailer so we will be OK. We saw deer today and saw lots of tracks so hopefully it will be good.

Congrats on the new house Sandy! I love Clear Springs. We should meet there sometime!
Glad ya'll found a deer lease, Gayle. It's so important to the hubbies. We'll be at the ranch near Bee Cave the week after Labor Day. Gotta do some deep house cleaning while the guys work on the roof. Yucko! Plan to go to Hamilton Pool to take a dip! http://www.texasoutside.com/hamiltonpool.htm

You know, I thought about letting you know before we booked it. I should have. Maybe there's room for one more!!!

I sure hope it cools down some for you all. It's too hot to work on the roof in this heat. Come to think of it, it's too hot to do any deep cleaning either! :D

Yep, you are so right. Last year was the first year Gary did not have a deer lease in about 10-12 years. He was a pitiful sight. Even though he had a place to hunt, they rarely saw any deer and you could only shoot 1, I think. He is very excited about this place, and it looks really good! I think a lot of the deer population has died during this drought, so I don't know how successful the season will be - but I think it's more about HAVING a place, than it is about shooting a deer. :)

Gayle, we really need to get together this fall! What town is Gary's deer lease near?

It's near Goldthwaite, about 30 miles north of Lampasses. How long will you be at the ranch in Bee Cave? Gary is going to Oklahoma Sept 2-9 and I'll be gone the 9th and 10th. If you are still in Bee Caves after the 10th, maybe we can arrange to meet for dinner somewhere west of Austin.

I'm fine Sandy! Thanks. I live on top of a mountain, so I got no damage. My friend had a tree land on her house up here, with no real damage. The hurricane caused a lot of wind, and rain, but the real damage is from flooding. The town I shop in, and go to for everything, Margaretville, had a terrible flood. Our Freshtown and CVS were wiped out. I hope they rebuild! A lot of other stores were flooded out too. It is heartbreaking to see your town wash away! Two nearby towns, Fleischmans and Arkville were evacuated. Fleischmans is destroyed so I hear, and one woman died. I posted pix on fb.

A lot of roads are closed, bridges are out, I think parts of the Thruway is closed (the main road to NY). The losses up here are devestating, and I am so sad for everyone. There are a lot of people who are poor up here, and flood insurance is out of the question. I am also sad because of Martgaretville. It's a great town, and I don't know what will happen now. It is even more awful because I know these people. This county ad Broome County, next to us, sustained enormous flood damage. Many towns were flooded out. The Catskills need prayers please.

How are your kids? I know they went to a hotel, are they OK. How is their town? Did it sustain flooding? I guessing their home is OK too. It is just terrible, I feel so badly for everyone.

Wishing I could be with Janet. Judy, glad you're safe. I worked a regular day then drove out to the house.

I thought that you lived on a mountain, Judy, and was out of the flood waters. I'm so sorry about your town and neighboring towns. A flood is really hard to come back from. I'm so relieved that you're alright!!! I hope your kids are having a good time on vacation in spite of the hurricane.

My kids came home yesterday. It seemed that they weren't going to be able to go back to their Cape Hatteras rental any time soon. There was no electricity, etc., etc.

They were in a hotel in Virginia Beach. I think my daughter and the kids would have stayed and enjoyed themselves. But, my idiot SIL decided that he had enough and drove straight through to home. 12 hours in the car because he wasn't stopping! What an a**hole! I am so mad at him right now I could spit, so I will keep away for a day or two until I can keep my mouth shut. I have to bring their dog home tonight, but I won't stay long. I have to get groceries over that way anyway. I cannot stand such self indulgence:(:(:(:(:(

I'm going to drive into town this morning to see what it looks like.

Betsey - it's good to see you back, although I know you must be so sad that the kids are leaving.

Sandy - congrats on the house! This is so exciting!

Gayle - I hope Gary has a wonderful hunting experience! It sounds great. How good that the group does this for people with disabilities. Everyone should be able to do things that they want to do, and when people help out like this, it is proof that there is so much good in the world.

Are you going to mount the antlers if he gets an elk with them?

Diana, you have such a good time with your family! Slipping and sliding! What fun?

I am so sad for Janet.

Awwww........Judy, that's too bad that the kids had to come back early. I know some guys that are like that......very self centered. It makes it really hard on the rest of the family. At least they got a few days of vacationing. Can they get a refund on their rental house? I would think that they could since they didn't get to stay.

Gayle, that's so exciting that Gary found a deer lease!! He certainly has a hunter's heart!!! You are such a sweetie to let him do the things he loves even though his health is not good!!! He might as well enjoy his life as much as he can!!!

Dean and I are home alone. He is such a cutie!!! He's getting into watching Mickey Mouse cartoons in the morning and is so cute sitting glued to the tv!!! He doesn't watch much at all but this one has really caught his attention!

He's also talking so much!! He's starting to repeat everything......not always very plain but some of it you can make out!!! Glen told me this morning that we should be paying Dae Lynn to stay here and let us take care of Dean!!! He's enjoying him as much as I am!!!

Things are going pretty well with them living here. Privacy is pretty much zero.......Karlie pretty much walks in where ever she wants to. I get aggravated at Dae Lynn not helping to keep things picked up or clean......but she doesn't do a good job at that even when she lives in her own home. She's grouchy sometimes but she usually realizes it. I DO enjoy having Dae Lynn here to visit with. Sometimes things get a little overwhelming but it all passes in a short time. I know that when they get ready to move out it's going to be really hard!!!!

I am so glad you're safe Judy. With all I'm going through I thought of you during that whole storm.

Gayle...it's great that Gary has a deer lease! I love hearing your stories about him and his love of fishing and hunting.

Sandy...thank you....I would love to have you here...would love to have all of you.

I'm really glad that you can post more Betsi...you're always missed ya know!


Today.....my brothers and I went to the funeral home to make the arrangements. It was awful...picking a casket, setting visitation, picking out everything. We then went to the cemetary to sign a paper so they can open the grave on Friday. I just don't know if I can do this.....I want my Mom, I miss her so much already. I'm so worried how she'll look when we first go in. I want her to look the same so I took in some really good pictures of her.

I also had to go to Mom's lawyer so they can file her Will. I know it will all be over soon, but my heart aches so bad that it feels like it will always be this way.