Foreseeing a long day ahead....

I need to get ready for work....actually a retreat.  An all day retreat, which I am not looking forward to for two reasons. I heard it wasn't going to be fun or motivational...more about budget cuts. Fun. Second is this cold. I start coughing and I cannot stop until I spit. That should be pure entertainment. The past couple days I have been taking Nyquil....but I cannot do it today.  More embarrassing than spitting would be snoring during the meeting!

Got some log jams moved yesterday!  Lanny had his cataract surgery yesterday morning. While he was in there I went to visit mom. She was pretty down.  They give her breakfast way too early and she cannot eat that early.  I asked the nurse to come in. I looked at the medicine list she is on, which is close to what she was on before she went to the hospital. We talked about mom speaking up!!! Mom wants a pain killer....she has never asked.  She would like rails on the bed to help her roll over....she has never asked for them.  She wants to eat a later breakfast....well, just say so mom! They are very accommodating there!  I also put a call into her doctor (doctor Connie). Her nurse called me back and said she was going to see mom later that day.  She was good to her word and called me while she visited mom. We discussed her meds, how she feels, what's ahead, etc.... and keeping mom in the loop!  I think mom feels better but I know she wanted me there.  I just feel so sick and I had to be with Lanny 24 hours after his surgery....I felt torn! I can't do it all. Lois and Libby are going in today.  Tara and the girls might too. Mom has to go get another cat scan this week (still has a headache) and go see Dr. Vasin soon.... Libby will take her to that one.

I get how mom is feeling. I do....and I feel sad for her.  We want her to recover more than she wants to. Mom is alive....but not really living. We all know she wants to be with dad and Jesus...and we can't take it personally.  It isn't that she doesn't want to be with us or doesn't appreciate us...she is just tired!!!!  I saw it happen with Virginia and more so with Mary.  She loves her family so much! Her health is just so bad. Her spirit seems to have given up before her body.  But she knows it is the Lord's time. 

Well.... best close and go get ready for this LONG day!  Keep on praying! :D

Let's get past this!!!!

It is 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon.

Lanny is done with his cataract surgery. Check. That is over.  I am glad it is over.  He may have to do his other eye in a month or so.  He sees his eye doctor in September.  It is like everything else he goes through....he bounces back like a trouper. He slept a few hours when we got home and is returning phone calls right now.

While he was in surgery, I ran to see mom in Silverdale.  She isn't happy.  She feels like she is out of the loop. Like she has no idea about what is going on. She is in pain and all they are giving her is Tylenol. The nurses are telling her nothing. So.... I got her nurse to come into her room....I looked at her medication list and she is basically on the same stuff....except amoxicillin.  She vomited yesterday after lunch. It could be the meds. I believe today was her last day on it anyway.  The nurse also told mom to ask for anything she wanted and she would get it for her!  Mom wants bars on her bed to grab on to so she can roll over.  She wants pain medication. She wants breakfast later and less of it.  Mission accomplished.  Also, I got ahold of Dr. Connie and she is going to see mom tonight after clinic. She is going to find out why no one contacted her about mom vomiting or if they contacted Dr. Vasin.  They need to be on the same page.   Lots of stuff going on makes mom uneasy.  Plus she found out today that if Medicare does not see an improvement in mom's health...they can cut her off and she will have to leave!!!!  That frightened her.  She took a drink of water after the nurse left. lol!

Tara went and visited mom yesterday! That was so sweet of her and the girls.  It made mom's day!  They brought her a pillow pet.....ladybug.  Thank you, sweetie!

I have been feeling like doo doo. The cold hit me again on Sunday afternoon and won't leave. I stayed home from work yesterday and got a different, stronger antibiotic.  I've been taking quite a bit of Nyquil lately so I can sleep without coughing!!!!  It is horrible!

Tomorrow I have a "retreat" for work to go to. It's not suppose to be a fun one....but a pretty serious one.  I pray I don't cough through the whole thing!!!!!

I tell ya, I am tired of recovery rooms, nursing homes and feeling bad.  Let's get past all of it! 

That's about it!  Hope you all have a great afternoon and week! Thanks for your prayers! xoxo

fair is done....check

Good morning. Or is it?  I started coughing last night.... residual from this long lasting cold, I guess. It was actually in the late afternoon. I couldn't stop coughing. I took Nyquil and fell asleep off and on the rest of the night. Papa took Maddie home because she decided not to stay.... she wanted to sleep in her own bed.  Lauren got bored to death. I felt bad for her but I was so out of it and I couldn't walk on my foot.

Earlier in the day I was great! Karla dropped Maddie and Dylan off to go to the Kitsap County Fair with us....and we picked up Lauren and Andrew!  It was fun!  We over ate.  Between us we had: Corndogs, funnel cake, curly fries, turkey legs and deep fried cookie dough and pbj sandwich, ice cream, cotton candy, snow cones, and lots of water!  It was a hot one yesterday. I got burnt. Shocker.  The kids went on lots of rides.  Of course the graviton. Lauren knows no fear....until she met the thing that took you up and dropped you down....see below. You can't see her face but she was a bit scared!!!!

And more rides...

Maddie, Andrew and Lauren on right.

I wish you could see the pictures better but the rides were fast! By the time it took the picture...they were gone! lol!


I have more pictures but I have to get a doctors appointment this morning before work.  xoxo

bad news .... it is Sunday.

The bad news? It is already Sunday.

The good news?  Mama is at Northwoods Lodge resting comfortably! Rita and Vicky ran her some clothes to travel in and then she rode by cabulance or ambucab or whatever it was. They drove around through Tacoma and brought her up to Silverdale! She said it was a nice ride...hardly any traffic. The room is big and private. She has a end table, dresser, two huge closets, tv, bed and a nice high back wing chair. She also has windows that look out into the courtyard. Very nice room she is so happy with. Lois packed her stuff at home while I went and got her flowers from Albertson's, a vase from Hallmark, balloons from the dollar store and some puzzle books. Lois grabbed a tablet for guests to sign....we are hoping people to go over there!  We stayed through dinner and she liked the food alot! She had baked fish, sliced potato wedges, beets, chicken broth, and peaches. She ate really well and drank all her milk. So proud of her!!!!  Then we asked for a pain pill for her and said good night while they got her ready for bed (just past 6 pm). She was very tired by that time! I hope she slept good last night!

More good news?  We are going to the fair today!  I haven't been there for years....since Lauren was a baby!  We are taking Lauren, Andrew, Maddie and Dylan.  Going to call and see what Jo and Riley are doing today.  They usually have plans. :( 

I hope you all have a great day today!  Love to all!!!!

Some Good News

Talked to mama last night.... she will be coming over to this side today or tomorrow. For some reason she has to be in the hospital 3 days before going to a nursing facility.  After talking with her, she has decided to go into Northwoods in Silverdale.  It is new to her and she has no negative feelings toward it like she does at Martha & Mary.  M & M is awesome (I work for them) but so did she... for over 20 years and she was critical of the care, the room, the food, almost everything when she was there before.  She expects more. And she really isn't THAT picky.  Plus working there and then staying there are two different things.  Maybe a whole new scene is what she will need to recover.  It shouldn't take too long. She just needs her strength back and that is what they will be doing with her....getting her up and moving again...then she can come home.  She asked me what she was going to do with her furniture.... I said "What are you talking about? This is short term! You'll need your furniture when you go home!" 
Douglas was in Wyoming last night.  Not sure when they will get home but I am praying they miss the effects from that hurricane.
Worked all day yesterday. Work today too. At 5:30 a.m.!  So I am up early.  Gotta get ready. Good news is... I get off at 1:30!  Hope you have a great day!  xoxo

Update on mom and pictures...not of mom.

Yesterday was another strange day. Not as I planned.  I dressed and went to work and they sent me home.  Said they had it covered and to get some rest.  That was so sweet of them. I couldn't decide what to do with myself. I went up and let Karla borrow my camera for the fair. Then I went to Walmart and talked with Lanny. I did some therapy shopping and got 2 shirts, 2 pants, and a pair of jama's.  Now I feel better. lol!

Doug and Betty decided to head for home yesterday morning. He talked with mom's nurse, took a walk, watched the news and made a decision. It was very tough for him. It was their original plan until this happened with mom. Then they thought they would stay another day. Then he is watching what is going on with the hurricane and he doesn't want to get caught in the after effects (rains etc that hit). So he headed home yesterday.  I miss them already. :(

Now for the update on mom:  She is still in Harborview. They have run every test known to man. Everything is looking pretty good and the talk is that they may be sending her home (or to a nursing facility for rehab to build up her strength again).  So I am happy about that!  Mentally she is better, not slurring and making sense when she talks.  She didn't have a stroke...she just was so tired etc the other night. Still freaks me out to think about it.  I got to talk to her for a while. I didn't get over to see her. I was exhausted and Libby, Kevin, Rita, Vicky and Rick were all going over. 

I got lots of phone calls and did phone calling and texting. We went to bed at 8.  I just called and talked to mom's nurse. She slept most of the night and did have some pain in her left arm and leg and she gave her med's for it....but she is still stable.  Praise God! And thank you all for your prayers!!!!

I have to work to day..... I imagine Libby is going over to see mom. Not sure how they will release her or bring her home or any of the specifics. I need to drop off her walker at her house today.

I took pictures of our trip home from Seattle because I was stressed, tired, and wanting to do something.  So I will share those with you. Have a great day.

Doug on the ferry

Doug and Lois being bugged by my picture taking.

This was me in the waiting room.

Kept staring at this picture while thinking about mom.

Waiting for the cab to leave I was amazed and a bit freaked out how the hospital connects over the street like this. I've seen walkways etc.... but 6 stories? Just doesn't seem strong enough.

Waiting for our cab

The birds are fatter here at Ivar's Fish House than they are at home. Because people feed them french fries all the time. The birds swoop down and take them out of your hand.

Another picture at Ivar's. I was so disappointed. I got a 5 piece fish to share with Doug... the pieces were maybe 2 inches long.... for $9.75!!!!  The clam chowder wasn't as good either... it had so many green onions in it...tasted more like onion soup than clam chowder. I am sad.

Taken from the ferry... Karla used to work in the tall black one on the right. It is the Columbia Tower.

Even though I am mad at them...here is a picture of Ivar's.

Space Needle

A bit windy outside on the ferry!!!!

I'm bugging them.

Someones feet.

Doug giving me the sign....some of you know what that means!

Harborview? Are you kidding me?

Ok....been a crazy 24 hours.  Mama is over at Harborview (which has the best trauma center in the Northwest) Hospital.  She was air lifted from Harrison Hospital in Bremerton to Seattle.  Let me back up:
1. Monday morning mama had a fall when she was alone. She had to crawl with her arms to a phone because she couldn't get up.
2. She called Don & Lois who went and helped her.
3. She said she was fine all day but slept most of the day. Or sort of slept. She said she had really weird dreams and she was talking to people all day. She said I was putting a purple vase on the top shelf and she asked me why I was doing that. Just weird, random things. Sharon and family checked on her all day. I came and checked on her but she was sleeping. I called a few times too.
4. Monday night I told her "you are going to the doctor tomorrow."....she was coughing up stuff with her cold.
5. Monday I got her a 10:00 appointment and took her to it. There mama told Dr. Connie about hitting her head and how she has had a headache. They checked her INR (coumadin levels...to see how thin her blood was) and it was off the chart. Bad.
6. Dr. Connie wanted her to go to the hospital and get a Catscan on her head and a chest xray for her lungs....although they sounded good.
7. Took mama to Harrison emergency. Doug and Lois arrived. They ran all these tests and the doctor said she had blood going on in her head. A small amount, but with her coumadin levels soooo high they thought it was better to send her to the trauma unit of Harborview....where the best Neurosurgeons are.... just in case.  They were flying her over in an airvac chopper!  Freaked us all out a bit.  They doped up mom so she was ok with it. A little scared. Everything was happening so fast!
8. I called mom's fav nephew Bob and his wife Linda to see if they could meet mom there. They did....that way mama wasn't alone.  For us to get there is a drive to Bainbridge Island.. finding parking....then a 35 ferry ride (which luckily Lois and I caught in time) into Seattle... then a cab ride up to 9th street.  It takes some time.
9. Got to the emergency room and it was tough. Really tough.  Mom was hallucinating. She saw Halloween up past where Doug and I were standing.  She saw a dog that looked like Snowball (her old dog) on the curtain.  She was sleeping with her eyes open and smiling and then scowling. So weird. She bled in her left eye bad...so it looked creepy.  The eye doctor came and checked it and said it was fine. The neuro people came in and checked her....and did a second scan on her and it wasn't getting worse.  They gave her platelets to reverse the coumadin and got her level down to a normal level of 2.5.  Now they are concerned about her kidneys...and are monitoring them very closely.  They are concerned that she may be bleeding somewhere else so were going to do a cat scan on her abdomen. They are concerned with all that is happening.  So much going on! I am so concerned. I have to work today and cannot go over today.
10. Mom is up in a room in the Acute Care Unit....which isn't Intensive Care....which sounds good. Doug has a call into them....waiting to here how she is doing and how her night was.  Taking forever for them to call back!
11. Doug thinks they will send her back to Bremerton today.  I hope he is right!
12. I may have forgotten some things....I am a bit cloudy this morning. It helps handing things over to Doug! I am so glad he is here!!!!  He was suppose to leave today....but he is waiting until tomorrow. Til mom is more stable. This vacation has sucked big time for him. This....and Betty's brother died the other day!!!!

I don't even have to ask for you all to pray! I know you will as soon as you read this! I am going to go sit on the porch with my bro.  Just wanted to update!

family

Great weekend so far!  Thursday we had a spaghetti dinner at mom's. Friday we chilled. Doug & Betty just came here and had hot turkey sandwiches for dinner. Oh wait....Douglas was in bed when I got home from work at 6:15 and didn't get up til morning.  So Betty, Lanny and I ate. Saturday after showers and waffles....we all went to mom's. Then we loaded up to go to Maple Valley where my cousin lives.  They had a big family gathering. The 3 sisters were my Aunt Clarice, mom, and my Aunt Lorraine.  Bob (host) is Clarice's oldest son and her son's Larry, Michael, and Dale were all there too! (Daughter Holly was missing) Clarice passed away years ago....she sure raised some amazing men that all love their aunties alot!

Mom with nephews Dale, Larry, Bob and Michael! They all walked her all the way to the van when we were leaving.  Such special guys!!!

Then there was mom and her kids Rick, Doug, Lois and Joyce (Libby and David were missing). And then my Aunt Lorriane had her grand daughter Lindsay and grandson Landon (from Oregon)and his sweet wife Erica.

Tuff's...Lindsay, Erica, Landon, Aunt Lorraine

The party being in August prevents her 3 kids: Don, June and Kathy from coming as two of them work in the school system and school has started in South Dakota already.)

I put my Aunt Lorraine in the back seat with me and mom in the front with Papa.

Lindsay, Betty and Doug rode together. Don, Lois and Denise rode together.  Rick and Connie made it too!  It was a nice gathering.

My brother actually woke up early.... so I am gonna go.  Have a great Sunday!

Bring on the weekend!

I canceled my physical again today.  I am just too busy.  I will do it in September. I want to spend some morning time with Papa, Doug and Betty.  This is like the 3rd time I have canceled since April! Simmer down. I will get there. lol!

Work was work yesterday.  The new teacher, Sara, is starting to redo her room.  Talked with Marcey about who and what is going to happen soon.  We need another teacher.  So tired of the turnover. Since I've been there this will be 4 teachers we will have lost....2 to furthering their education, 2 to other jobs in Martha and Mary.  I will just keep praying. God has the right person to replace Hailley.

Today we are having a talent show at school!  I hope it is wonderful!  I will be video taping and parents are coming!

After work I called Veronica and she came to mom's and met Lindsay.  The two went out for a little bit last night.  I haven't heard how it went yet.  At mom's we had spaghetti dinner! Num! Lanny made such good spaghetti...and we had garlic bread.  It was all so tasty.  There was me, Lanny, Veronica, mom, Doug, Betty, Aunt Lorraine and Lindsay!  Then Veronica and I played against Aunt Lorraine and Lindsay in Skip-Bo.  We lost twice.  Oh well. Losses happen, right?  It was fun.

Thought about going to the casino tonight for all you can eat Seafood.... but I don't think they are all on board. Plus tomorrow we need to drive all the way to Bob & Linda's for a family gathering. So maybe it's better that they rest tonight. We will leave Lorraine and Lindsay at the gathering because they catch their flight early Sunday. We have 3 cars going over there! Crazy! We should just rent a bus! lol!  It will be fun. I heard Libby is going with Don & Lois!  That leaves trying to get David to go with us and we will all be together!!! Mom wants all of us kids there.  I just sent David a text... maybe he will ride with Doug. I hope so. This means so much to mom!!!! I haven't taken one picture yet!  I sure will tomorrow!

Well..... best go. Have a great Friday!

family is home!!!!

Everyone arrived safe and sound and accounted for!  Betty is sitting on the couch talking to Sandy. Douglas is getting up. Lanny is still asleep. I am showered and dressed. I need to take mom to her hair appointment at 8:00.  That is our morning!  I won't have much time to write on here in the morning for about a week. My brother is an early riser too....and no offense....but I'd rather spend time with him than on the computer. :D  He is home.

Yesterday was Wet Wednesday at the school....and we had a movie..... Oh, did I tell you Hailley is quitting? Last day is the 26th. :(

Here are pictures from yesterday!  Have a great day!

the kids i had left before closing time giving the Christian salute

watching a movie....very rare treat but the theme is "lights, camera, action" and we are talking about movies, performing, etc!!!!!

water fight!!!!

quick update!

I am so excited this morning!!! Betty Lou called at 6:00 and they were just leaving my brother, Rick's place in Cle Elum (about 150 miles from here) so.... Doug and Betty are almost here!!!!! So excited! I can't wait!  Talked to Doug and he sounds pretty happy!  Lanny is making a turkey dinner tonight. That will be good! And I think we will take spaghetti tomorrow or Friday night. It will be a great week!
My Aunt Lorraine and her grand daughter Lindsey arrived yesterday!!!! This picture was taken last year of them:

great pic of lindsey... terrible of my aunt!

I went up and saw them after work! Wonderful to see them again! They will be staying at mom's until Saturday!!!!

memory picture taken 10 years ago...Dylan, Kevon, Denise and Emerson!

Just talked to Doug again and they will be dropping their stuff off here around 10:30 - 11:00!  So I best get the room done!  Lanny is such a nag!!!

lions and tigers and bears....oh my!

The sun is out on the water this morning.  It is after 6 a.m. Maddie is already awake. She slept with me all night and we talked until 10:30. Sorry Karla. We love laying in bed talking! I used to do it with her, too. Now Madelyn is going back and forth between watching Loonie Tunes and petting Sandy. This was taken just a few minutes ago.

Last night we took showers and watched Big Brother.  I don't know who talks more during the show... Maddie or Dylan.  lol!  I just keep pausing it. We eventually get to the end of the show. It is amazing how parents influence the childs way of thinking.  Maddie and I were at odds over last nights episode.  It was a good one!

I am praying for papa. He is going to the doctor this morning.  This cough is making him crazy. He has COPD anyway so a cold is bad for him.  And I feel bad because he caught it from me. :(

I was talking to the neighbor guy, Rich, yesterday. He said we have a cougar that cruises through here every once in awhile. He comes down Andy Cooper Road and wanders the neighborhood. I knew we had Coyote's....and we used to have a Fox family... and of course Raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, bear, etc... but cougar. oh my.

Well... best go so I can play on facebook. I need to get the spare room ready for Doug and Betty! I am not putting them in the trailer because 1. Betty would have to come in to use the bathroom. 2. She would be afraid...especially when she hears about the wildlife in the area.

I hope you have a wonderful day and week!!!!!

sunday.....lazy sunday

Cannot write too much because Maddie wants me to play a game with her.  She came over today and is spending the night!  She makes me happy!  I took mama grocery shopping today!  NEVER have I seen so many groceries in my van! Between all the ones I bought and what she bought... we were packed.  She usually only gets a few bags....but she is so excited about company coming and having food in the house!  They have a cart in the hall that you can use to take your groceries to your apartment....we used it!!! This is how full it was with just mom's stuff!!!!

She was tired. I put her groceries away.  That is the life of the queen. lol!

Best go... that is my weekend. Peaceful and easy!

I also wanted to post these beautiful pictures of grand daughters Riley and Jordy with their parents Brad and Tara!!!  I stole them off Tara's facebook. Hope she didn't mind.  :D They are gorgeous!

Jo and her daddy!

13 year old jo

wedding cake...num

riley

riley and her mama

tara and her girls!

 Have a great week!!!!