It's cold as can be here this morning - the temp is 39 but the wind is about 25 mph, so it feels REALLY cold, especially for this thin-blooded Texas gal.

It's cold, it's windy, but oh my goodness, the sunshine is just beautiful.

Lol, Gayle you know it will be back up to 80 in a couple of days:rolleyes: I do hate that it's nasty weather for Spring Break.

Mike and I went to dinner and then to an auction with Jim and Teresa, my brother and sil. We didn't get much, but we always have fun together.

My bad cold is finally getting better. It's really all of this blooming SPRINGness around here:p The doc also started me on Arthrotec, which is an anti inflammatory for arthritis. Hopefully it will help my achy self! I also started shots in my knees. I get one in each knee every week for 5 weeks. By the time I get to Paris, I intend to be in the best shape I can. I'm also walking every day. Those crazy France people WALK everywhere they go, so I'm gonna have to get with it:eek:

It was so pretty out today. The sun was shining so bright that I decided to get out and enjoy it. I cleaned out my garage, it was an absolute mess, but no....I didn't lift anything. Ricky was here and helped me. Now I have a little more room to get the van in. I decided to do that because the other day I was backing out of the garage and turning at the same time. Well, I hit the blade on the front of the lawnmower and put a long scrape on the bumper of my van. It's starting to look so bad and I know it will never get fixed.

It's starting to cloud up now, rain is suppose to be moving in after midnight, but it just may come a little early.

I have my bus back and ready to go for tomorrow. Finally....back to driving again.

My laptop broke :(

Have to find one quick.

Jessica, I hope that you're able to find one at a good price!!

We've got rain here too and cooler temps but it's suppose to warm up all of this week.

Last week was such a busy week!! Thursday evening I went to Kera, Karley, and Kiley's music program at school. Glen ended up staying home with Karlie and Dean so I could have a little break from the kids. Oh...and Thursday morning I went to a funeral for a dear friend.....but I think that I mentioned that. And Damon got out of jail so he and Dae Lynn went to Wichita.

Friday.....I had to get Karlie around for school and down to the bus. I was sure glad that I don't have to be responsible for doing that every morning! On Friday evening I went to the Edge (which is a converted movie theater that we use for our youth group) to help watch kids for a children's church kid movie. The kids were awful but I guess that's what you get when you feed them a candy bar and can of pop before the movie starts!!

Saturday, Glen and I took the kids to Wichita to be with Dae Lynn and Damon. I was so glad to turn them over!! Trying to get them ready and out the door was so fustrating!! Glen and I went to an antique mall, Catherine's clothing store, Menard's (which is like Lowe's but much larger), and Sam's Club. Glen also went to a couple of scuba shops!! I came home so tired and my knee and hip were hurting so bad. I did get some glucosimine and started taking it.

Time change......hate it!!! I was so tired this morning and NOT ready to get up!! Mornings are NOT my best time......especially when the time changes......unless it's fall!! LOL It was nice though because I only had 4 kids in Sunday School instead of the 9 or 10 that I usually have!!

I picked up a little and straighted some of the kitchen......Dae Lynn and Damon will be home soon. I'm not sure how things will go with Damon and Glen. I'm praying for peace.

You all know that Ricky is planning to move out. It will be alittle while yet, because they have to build a wall. Anyway, I got to go over and see the inside for the first time this evening.......I hate it. I don't see why he would lower his standards to move into this place with his friend. I don't think the place has been cleaned since Chris bought it. Don't think he even has a clue what
hangers are, clothes everywhere and every room.

Ricky won't be able to take his two dogs because the hyper lab mix that Chris has would trample them to death. Ricky's room will be big enough for a small bed if he can get one up the stairs and into his room and maybe his TV. I'm so disgusted that he would even think of wasting money on this place.

Guess I should have posted this in the Vent section huh? I just don't know why he would want to live like that.

It's not so much as "where" he's moving to.......it's the fact that he "can" move out. He just wants to be grown up and making his own decisions. At least he'll still be close by. Maybe Ricky will have a good influence on Chris and he'll get things cleaned up a bit. Just consider it a good learning lesson for Ricky.

Dae Lynn and Damon got home last night. I'm not sure what went on before they got here but Karlie came running in the house crying and slammed the door to her room. Dae Lynn and Damon went into their room and talked for some time. So I went in to find out what was going on with Karlie and she got in trouble because Damon did something and she threatened to tell her Papa!! Hmmmm........makes me wonder what happened.

Damon had a court date in another town over some past child support owed for Karlie so he spent the night with his sister. Things seemed alright between him and Glen but I know that there will be some uncomfortable conversations in the future. Life will be different with him here......that's for sure!!

I need to work in the greenhouse this week. I bought some storage containers to keep my pots in and I need to wash them up before I can use them again. That's recommended so that diseases and fungus doesn't spread. Wow!! I have so much to learn!! It's suppose to really warm up this week so I'm going to try and get some more things planted. Such fun!!

Will Dae Lynn and Damon still be looking for a place of their own?

I have been SO BUSY! On the weekend, we started our wedding registry (so much fun!) shopped for some new glasses for me (didn't buy any but have some places to go back to!), and bought some supplies to make our own backdrop for the head table. We got all of our invitations and RSVP's printed, but not put together yet. I got all of the table numbers put together and ready to set up on the tables :) And Scott put together one panel of the backdrop and it looks awesome! It was a very wedding-filled weekend.

We also got a call on Friday I think, about Layla. The results are back from her culture and sensitivity, and her urinalysis. There is no bacteria, and no crystals. We are going to stay on this course of antibiotics to make sure it's gone completely, and then just have her checked more often to make sure there's no infection coming back. I am starting to think our local vet may have been wrong about the crystals. It's funny that they would just go away immediately when we switched to her prescription diet (that we had to buy from her) but now that we've switched back to her normal food, the other vets don't see any sort of crystals at all. Our local vet was absolutely sure there were tons of crystals that were a huge health hazard and we had to switch her food asap because her other food was causing it! It makes me wonder!

It would make me wonder too , Lindsey. I do know that Science Diet gives lots of money to vet schools in the U.S. that is why you see LOTS ofmScience Diet for sale in vet offices. It's not a bad food, but there are better foods. So I'm thinking that the local vet may get a percentage of sales from the RX foods. Of course that is just my opinion, but I too, would be suscipious.

Diana, I hope Dae Lynn and Damon are able to find a place of their own soon. I know you want to help them, but they need to make it on their own. You've done so much for them and I hope they can make it on their own soon.

Janet, Diana is right, Ricky just wants to be out on his own. Oh My Goodness, if you could have seen the dump I rented with a couple of girls one summer in college. It was awful, but we didn't have to go home for the summer and we were cool. It makes my stomach turn now, to think about that awful apartment. I didn't end up living there very long though cuz my stepdad had a heart attack and I needed to go home. I was secretly relieved to get out of that apartment! LOL!

Janet.... I can really see where you are coming from with Ricky, i understand he thinks he wants to be independant, but i think he will end up regretting it and coming home to Mum with his tail between his legs. I know we all see things differently, and maybe he and his friend dont see the living conditions as an issue at all.

I cant understand these kids wanting independance, when they have a perfectly good home already, they should be enjoying their youth and spending their money on enjoying life - plenty of time for responsibility when older. Maybe it is me that is wrong though, i hate the thought of my daughter leaving home, but we only spend half the week together, as we have a holiday home we use every weekend... so we all get our own space too.

Diana, I wish you lots of good wishes, with your family, I agree with the others, they are a family and need their own space, to live their own lives, and take responsibility for their family and each other now. Damon needs to grow up and be responsible for his family, I understand he has been through a tough time, but so have you all, i really hope he gets his life together and they can move on and be a happy family.

I hope my posts dont cause any offence.... i do have a bit of a mouth at times, but i feel i know some of you so well, and i hate that you are going through difficult times.

Just feel free to tell me to shut up......... i wont be offended - honest:D

Don't you ever feel you need to shut up...not with me anyway. I really can see both sides. I would love to keep him home and he wants to be independent. It's just that if he moves, I want him to be happy and I don't think it would last long. If he goes, I'd like to put the dogs in his room. Right now I have 4 crates and 1 x-pen in my family room...it's so annoying. Then if he moves back, then I'll have to move the dogs back to the family room again.

I'd probably keep his room the same for awhile. Then if he wants to come back home he can. It will be good for him and help him learn independence and responsibility.

Diane.....we're good enough friends that you can say what you want without stepping on toes!! I enjoy hearing your opinion about things!

Dae Lynn and Damon have had a rough day. They haven't gotten along very well. It's hard since Damon's been gone for 10 months and now has to come back and fit into the family. Plus he's dealing with his own family problems.......his mother died before Christmas and now his Dad is planning on getting married soon and moving his new wife into the home he shared with Damon's Mom. The family has all known that he was having an affair before Margaret died and there are some hard feelings over this. Damon has a lot to deal with now that he's out of jail.

It will be nice when they move out but I don't think that will be any time soon. I'm sure that if they move out Dae Lynn's going to make sure that their marriage is better. She doesn't want to uproot the kids and be left with bills should Damon end up in jail again.

Diana, the problem is that with an alcoholic, you can never ever be sure that "things are going to be better" especially in this situation where Damon really didn't get the help he needed with him alcohol problem. I see this as almost a no win situation. If Damon makes it through all this stress without drinking, it will be a miracle. The cards are stacked against him, unfortunately. I'm afraid he will end up back in jail for a long long time. He won't do well with all these stressful situations in his life.

I know, Gayle. Sigh......To look at things realistically you're right and we all know it. Dae Lynn and I have talked about the fact that she'll probably be in the situation again of having a husband in jail. He's talked about getting help but when it comes time to actually do it he finds excuses or blames the other person for why he can't do it. I've recently learned the term "triangulation"........which is when there are three that are involved and blame is placed but there isn't any communication, or limited communication, between two of those involved. Damon has used this on us several times.

Thank you Janet, its only when i read back i sometimes think i maybe said too much there???
I know what you mean Janet.... if he was moving to a nice place, that he could settle in and comfortably afford, then maybe it would feel different?
I agree maybe dont change the rooms around for a while yet... just to see that he does settle. I only have Harvey (my little Yorkie), and he is enough for me to keep up with, dont know how you manage your dogs, they must be hard work for you.
Never mind..... what will be will be, i think it is hard to allow our kids to make decisions that we feel are not right, or will make their life harder.

It is so tough at times, I do feel for Dae Lynn, we all want the best in life for our kids, and it is hard when we have to watch them suffer, i am hoping everything works out, without too much stress for everyone.
Gayle is right, i think the first step is for him to accept he has a problem and be willing to get the help he needs for his sake and that of his family too - I really hope he can do it, or if not Dae Lynn has the strength to move on with her life, without him, I would hate for her to live allowing him chance after chance. He has the problem, nobody else.

You're all right. It wouldn't bother me so much if it was a nice place, but it's an absolute dump and Ricky will have a bedroom so small that he can only fit in a bed and his TV. No dresser, no nothing. His closet will be outside of his bedroom. He'll just have to see for himself, but it still bothers me. I only want the best for him and this sure isn't it.

Diana, I wish I had a magic wand to make Damon's dependency disappear. I hope it doesn't happen again, but like the others and you.....unless he gets the help, it's going to happen over and over. Dae Lynn is so sweet, I wish she didn't have to go through all this.

Today was so beautiful!! It was all sunshine and so warm. I came home from the bus route this afternoon and immediately started in cleaning out the dog area outside. Instead of using a rake so soon, I used the leaf blower and the rake for just getting it picked up. It looks so nice. Then I moved my operation to the front yard and blew out all the debris arount the shrubs. So many sticks to pick up but I'm leaving it to another day. It just wore me out. I need to get some exercise so I can have the stamina to do more.

My 10 year od grandson, Brandon, has been in the hospital for about 2 weeks now. He has those terrible rashes, which progressed to terrible stomach pains. They have not found the cause yet, but the pain just got worse and worse. They have him on morphine which doesn't help for long enough.

He had his appendix out yesterday. It had a calcification in it, and would have had to come out at some time anyway. They are hoping this is the cause of the pain. Actually, the surgeon was not too hopeful, but you never know, she said.

They couldn't tell after the surgery because he was sleeping, and there is pain from the appendectomy. I haven't spoken to Jessie today, but I am praying that the pain is gone.

I have been with the girls every day after school, so have been really busy. Jessie has been at the hospital, and Steve is back and forth. The girls are not happy when it's just him with them. They need a woman's touch, and they miss their mama.

I have to go into the city today to get my dentist to write up some things so that I can finally collect from my insurance company.

I just wanted to say hi, let you know why I haven't been on here, and ask for prayers for Brandon.

I miss you all!

Oh, Poor Brandon!!! I'll be praying! I hope that the surgery helps but I can't imagine that an appendix would cause a rash. Keep us posted.

It's been so nice here too. Yesterday I spent a lot of time in the greenhouse. The tomatoes that I planted earlier either got too cold or hot. It could have been either one......anyway I lost about half of what was up so I replanted them and planted some other stuff.

Tension has been building with Damon here with Glen. This morning after Damon left for awhile I got to hear all about it......It's the same thing over and over. It makes it difficult that I don't support Glen in his thinking. I'm not willing to be used but I am willing to give Damon another chance. I had a talk with Damon this morning, trying to smooth things over. He understands about how Glen feels but I know that he's hurt by it. However, that's part of what he has to deal with the trouble he got into.

Glen is not like he used to be. He used to be so optimistic and he's not anymore. Some of that I blame on his Mother because she was always so pessimestic. She left that wonderful (not) legacy for her family.....and it does cause problems. He's so grumpy and hard to get along with. Do men go through this with male menopause? That's the only explaination I can think of. I need a "Calgon, take me away" week!!!!!!

Judy...how horrible for Brandon to have to go through all this. Bless his heart...I just want to hug him. I will keep him in my prayers too, that he starts feeling better and that the Drs. can find out just what is going on.

I'm so envious of your greenhouse Diana...I am so anxious to get some flowers (at least) planted. Haven't planted any for a couple years and I'm so ready.

I don't envy what's going on at your place. I do hope Glenn can give Damon the benefit of the doubt and then if he screws up one more time...THEN he can say "no more". Has Damon been out trying to find any kind of job? He may need to humble himself and take whatever job he can find. Hugs to you!!

Judy, I'm so sorry Brandon is sick. I hope they can find out just what's wrong with him, and will be able to find a safe easy cure. The girls are so lucky to have you nearby, and I'm sure it puts Jessie's mind at ease knowing you are there with them.

Diana, I heard somebody on TV say that they were only as happy as their saddest child. This is true for me, and probably all of us. I pray that things work out for Dae Lynn and you all.

Judy, I'm so sorry about Brandon. I'm thinking about an autoimmune problem. Since Jessie has MS and it is related to an autoimmune problem, and since Brandon has had allergic reactions (hives), I'm thinking something may be wrong with his immune system too. I sure hope they find out what is wrong, very soon!

Diana, I don't know how you do it - you are a saint. I know I would be like a much more grumpy Glen, if I were in your situation. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. I agree with Janet, Damon needs to get a job, ANY job possible.

Judy and Diana, My prayer are going up for both of your families.
Hope all gets better soon.
Today I took a 2 + mile walk after work with one of my best buds. We had
lots to talk about. As we were walking I got a call from the Nursing home about my
dad. I posted that elsewhere.
Then I came home mopped the Kitchen and bathroom floors. Now I am pooped.
Enjoy the weather everyone.

Hi All! I've been reading everyday and posting a little bit. I've been out at the lake (only 30 miles from our home) with Gary all week and he has not been feeling well, to say the least. We had a doctor's appointment last Friday and he was feeling OK (for him). But by Friday night, he couldn't breath, so I came in and got his prednisone to start him back up - but that really didn't help much. Then I noticed his feet were swelling (a common heart failure symptom, but Gary never has it), so I suspected his heart was causing the breathing problems (fluid gets accumulated and backs up into the lungs). So by yesterday, he was really feeling badly so I called the doc and we got in today. He had so much fluid accumulation he was TEN POUNDS HEAVIER! They gave his Lasix (medicine to get rid of the water) in his vein. He takes this everyday by mouth, but it is much more powerful by the vein. They also gave him a medicine by mouth that makes the Lasix even more powerful. He was not able to lay down in the bed last night to sleep, but 4 hours after the IV Lasix (and much peeing) he was able to lay down and take a 2 hour nap. He feels much better, but is still very short of breath on exertion. Also, they drew blood work and the nurse called to say his kidney function is really bad - but it may get better after getting the fluid off, or it may be worse (hope not). He goes back in next Wednesday and they will do the blood work again.

I didn't intend to stay out at the lake all week, but I just have not been able to leave Gary. He loves this time fishing with his aunt and uncle so much, but I'm not sure he'll be able to do it for a month, as planned. I will have to go back to work next week, but I can go out in the evenings (I don't want to do that every evening, but will if I need to). I'm thinking though, that his aunt and uncle know how much he is struggling, so they may go ahead and go home next week, rather than staying another couple of weeks. Guess we'll see how it goes.

I've been keeping up with everyone and hope all gets better for those having troubles, and stays stable for all that are doing OK.

Oh Gayle I am so sorry. I will keep you and Gary in my prayers too.
I hope he feels better soon and can enjoy the rest of the week at the lake.
I loved getting up this morning. Had the windows open and heard the birds chirpping.
I love spring. Just another day of work to be thankful for.

The springtime is just glorious, isn't it. It has been wonderful during the day and cool enough in the evenings to have a campfire at the lake. We've been under a burn bad in Texas for so long, but we've had rain this winter and spring, so now we can have campfires. I got stuff to make s'mores, but we haven't made them yet. Hopefully tomorrow!

Linda' thanks for the kind words about Gary. He's feeling much better this evening. I hope I can keep him going for a few more days of fishing. He made jug lines this evening for cat fishing. All he has to do is put them out and then check them later in the day. Hopefully they will catch some big cats. He loves to fish so much, it feeds his soul, so anything I can do to keep him going, is all worth it.

I sure have been enjoying these beautiful warm days. Forecast calls for high temps but rain almost every day for the next week.

I'm so glad to read that Gary is feeling better. You are such a good wife Gayle, but it has to be exhausting. When it's for someone you love, it doesn't matter though does it.

I've tried to get some things done like laundry, sweeping and dusting before the weekend gets here. On Saturdayi plan to shave the dogs down and bathe them. Ricky has to work and Rick will be at one of those cowboy shoot things so I won't beinterruptedand should get them done in no time.....I hope... lol.

Gayle, I sure hate to hear that. I know he wants to stay and fish, and you will do everything possible to make that happen for as long as you can, but it gets scary sometimes. Did I tell you that my 31 year old son Dustin has CHF? It's the result of all the health problems he's had in the last year. He's still on oxygen most of the time.

Mike has gone to an NRA banquet tonight. It's kind of nice to have a little alone time:p I've been trying to get the shutters painted to match our new roof. The roof is brown metal, our siding trim and garage door is tan and white, and our other shutters were black...and the brick is just ugly! I painted 1 shutter green and just stopped because it was so ugly. So now the shutters will be brown to match the roof. I painted 2 today, and they look so much better. Except that now I have black, brown and green shutters on the front of the house, lol. Guess I'll get busy tomorrow:rolleyes:

Oh My Gosh NO, Betsi, you didn't tell me Dustin has CHF. It's a wicked condition and I am so sorry he has to deal with it. If I remember correctly his wife is a nurse, so that will help him keep on top of it. I'm so sorry that he is so young to be dealing with this, but at the same time with meds, diet and exercise, young people can often overcome it and lead a good life with minimal symptoms. It takes discipline though. Gary doesn't do all of what he could do to manage it, and yet, his heart function has improved in the past couple of years. Go figure. I hope Dustin takes care of himself and does what he can to over come it.

LOL at your house. I know exactly what you mean. I still have things that need to be done to this house and yard, and we've been here a YEAR! I wish we had a metal roof, maybe someday.

Betsi, I am so sorry that Dustin has CHF! I will keep him in my prayers. The advances in medicine will, hopefully, make his life much easier in the future.

Gayle, how is Gary doing now? I hope he can have his fishing time!

Brandon is at home, finally! They found a canceroid tumor in his appendix through a CAT scan. The appendix was removed a couple of days ago, and his pain is gone!!! I read a little about canceroid tumors, and flushing of the skin is a symptom, so I am praying that the rashes are gone too. The tumor was sent for a biopsy, but the surgeon was not concerned that it metastiized. I want to see the results very soon because, as positive as I am trying to be, I am worried.

I have Kassidy's dance recital today, and then I am taking the weekend for myself! I haven't emptied my dishwasher in 3 days!

Jessie's Japanese Chin had an unexpected litter, and I am considerimg taking the little female. She is the cutest little sweet thing! Chins do shed though, and I am not sure how Annie would take to another little female puppy. I may try it for a week.

I'm so glad that they found something that took away the pain. Yes, I would be concerned until the results come back too. That waiting is just awful. We have been told twice that Gary had lung cancer and had to wait for the biopsy results. It can be a long wait. It is so wonderful though, that the pain is gone and hopefully, the rashes too! It sounds like you need a looooong weekend (or maybe week) to yourself. I hope everything continues to go smoothly.

On Betsi, I'm sad to read that your son has CHF. He's so young! I hope he will follow Drs. orders and does everything he can to make his life easier and longer.

Gary doing better Gayle? I hope he is still enjoying his fishing.

Judy it's good to read that Brandon is home. I am praying so hard for him for good results. How frightening for all of you.

JChins are so darn cute. 3 dogs are a lot of work Judy, house training again. I just keep asking myself...what was I thinking getting 5. I must be nuts..lol

Gary is better today. He peed out about 10 lbs of water so while he is breathing better, he's a bit wrung out. But of course he went fishing this afternoon. I don't think they will stay out long. They are going to set out some jug lines and fish a little for catfish, but I think they'll be in early. We are going to fix hobo dinners and s'mores over the campfire tonight.

I'm glad to hear that Gary's feeling better. Ten pounds of water.....WOW!! You do such a good job of staying on top of his health!! I hope he can catch a whopper!!! Wouldn't that make his day?

Oh, Betsi, I'm so sorry to hear about your son. Doesn't it seem like all of our families are dealing with so much? I hope he takes good care of himself!!

Judy, Big Sigh.......finally, hopefully, they've found out what Brandon's problem is. Let us know what the results are.

I'm not going to go into detail about what's been going on here but let me put it this way........I'm so ready to leave!! It's not Damon.....it's Glen.

Oh.....and Glen's brother, Mark, is hiring Damon to go back to work for him. Dae Lynn and Damon are pleased about that. Personally, I wish that he would go to work in a normal workplace.......but then again, he might not be able to stay with a day to day job.

Well now....you need to get away huh...I know a dear friend of yours that will be on spring break the last week of March and I'm so positive she would love to see you!!

I would love to come but I don't think that this is the time to do it. Thanks so much for the offer though. I do know that I'm welcome any time and I will take you up on it sometime.

Yesterday was better. I think that Glen had time to think over his attitude and was much better. They all went down to the garden and got it planted yesterday. I didn't go down......I stayed up here at the house and watched kids and had supper ready when they finished.

I bought one of those Shark steamers for floors and I tried it yesterday......I loved it!! The one I got will also come apart and is a hand held steamer as well. The floors felt so clean when I was done!! However.....today I am so sore!!

Today I have some time to myself.....Dae Lynn, Damon, and the kids went over to see Damon's Dad and pick up some things that Damon wants to keep. Damon's Dad is getting married soon (he was having an affair before Margaret passed away and they hadn't gotten along for years) and Damon wants to get what he wants before the "new" woman moves in. Their family is having some big problems over all of this and I can understand. Damon's had a lot to deal with since he's gotten out of jail.

I have a jewelry party to go to this afternoon. Love jewelry!!!