Three years ago today

Three years ago today Rick was moved from the ICU to 619 in the Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital after one day shy of 5 weeks in ICU. In just a few days we would share his best day in almost 6 weeks.

The staff on CRSH took excellent care of him. His body just couldn't recover from all the blood clots to his lungs.

I'm ok. Just remembering my husband on one of those anniversary of's.

I ask you to continue to remember Aunt Bonita as she begins this journey of her own. There is no way to describe how it feels to lose your spouse. To look around your home and have a memory of something he did or said or how he sat or stood in a particular spot - sometimes hearing him walk through the house or drop the remote... Dreaming about him- still after almost 3 years. I'm certain the memory of their last few moments and the memory of him falling over and of the resuscitation attempt will be in her mind for quite a while. She may wonder 'what if I had noticed something was wrong' or even 'why didn't I notice' when there likely wasn't anything she could have noticed. Aunt Bonita is a worrier- more so than me!
Please continue to remember her in your prayers. Pray for peace and comfort. You may think one prayer won't make any difference- but it does! She needs your prayers! She was there for us. I want to be there for her!

I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued......

Sad day

It's been a few days since my last post and a lot has happened. Ricks Uncle Danny Elmore passed away suddenly without warning Friday night. They were at a birthday dinner for Aunt Erma sitting at the table. He just fell over without a sound. Without a word. No time for good bye. Nothing! Chris and Charity were there and immediately began CPR. It was already too late. He was gone. They worked on him until EMS got there and EMS took him to the ER. He did not make it. It does serve to remind us that life can be so short- gone in an instant and we would be well served to be ready for that moment. We say we haven't a promise of tomorrow, and while that statement is true, in actuality our next breath could very well be our last. Uncle Danny was a good man. He would try to help anyone. I can see him at his table with his tea grinning. I know exactly how Aunt Bonita feels except I had a few weeks to prepare though I still wasn't ready. She had no warning. He was there having supper then he was gone in the blink of an eye. That quickly. Please remember her and her family in your prayers. They will need the strength from prayer in the coming days. I've said it before- they were always like "parents" in law to me rather than uncle and aunt since I never knew Ricks mom. (Aunt Bonita was her baby sister.) Rick loved his aunts and uncle with all his heart and they were all there for him right through the end and are still here for the kids and me. My grand babies love Aunt Bonita. Tobi asked just a few days ago when she would see her again. Again, please keep them in your prayers.

Also I ask you to remember my step son in your prayers. Greg isn't feeling well and his doctors are working on figuring out what's wrong.

I think this is all for tonight.
I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued......

Feeling better

Finally feeling better except for the cough. Took the last antibiotic pill this morning and only one more day of the steroids. I have to say I'm a believer in the dose pack for steroids- I believe they help us and everyone needs a good dose pack from time to time. Just my opinion as always! I do still have quite a cough but hey I can handle that!

It's been a good weekend as weekends go. Went to church yesterday, came home and fixed lunch with Nick. Didn't know friends were fixing dinner after church and didn't cook because I didn't know so I just came on home. Nick went to Janna's after lunch and I chilled. It was a nice afternoon! Didn't really feel up to going anywhere anyway after being sick.

I have to update on my no aspartame containing anything. It's going well and absolutely no withdrawals. Pretty sure at this point there wont be any. It's amazing to look down and see ankles. It's awesome to walk and not feel pain. It's even more awesome to get up and down without pushing myself up. No hanging onto rails to walk. And though I'm sure it's all the swelling, I've lost 11 pounds. I'm excited! The chest pressure that was constant is gone. The breathlessness feeling at rest is so much improved. Can't say 100% gone yet but so much better you wouldn't believe it. And cutting out aspartame is the ONLY change I've made. I'm a believer!

Got a message from Becky. She's Brandon's mom- Miss Livvys other grandma- Miss Livvy used the potty yesterday! Yay! She's not 2 until May 6!!

Please continue to remember your friends in your prayers!

I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued.....

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to everyone! It's difficult sometimes when our spouse isn't here anymore. This is the third Valentines Day without Rick. I can't say it's easier but it is different. I took myself to lunch and thought about him and tried to console a friend who is also missing her husband. I'm not sitting here feeling sorry for myself either. Yes, I'm home watching TV but its because I've been sick. Went to the dr today and got some meds, I will be fine now!

Please remember all those who have lost their spouse or significant other in your prayers.

I love all y'all!❤
To be continued....

The bear is cherished. It was a Valentine from Rick several years ago.

Today I'm thankful for my friends

I couldn't begin to say who it was that posted the thing about aspartame. If it was you and you are reading this, I thank you. Your post prompted me to research aspartame and immediately stop using it. You may have added a few years to my life. Seriously. Thank you! I can breathe easier, I can walk easier, the constant chest heaviness is better. I have had ankle bones since Monday! its Wednesday! Still having vision issues but that may be related to this sinus infection or cold or whatever I have. I expect to keep seeing improvements! Thank you!! God does work in very mysterious ways AND sometimes I overlook His message because I'd rather not see it. He gave us free will as well so He may prompt us a time or three or warn us but if we keep overriding His message to us, He won't push Himself upon us if we don't want Him. The great part is- we can always go to Him and repent to His satisfaction and He is right there with open arms like we never left!

I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued......

The picture of Miss Luna climbing the wall after a laser light.... Makes her crazy!

Update on no Coke Zero progress!

I can honestly say its been almost 72 hours since I've had Coke Zero and knowing the potential harm I think has made me really try. The first day I had a dull headache that was quite annoying. I first attributed it to withdrawal. In retrospect, I believe it was from this flu-like illness I came down with. My coworkers made me leave yesterday and pretty much threatened my safety if I showed up today. Rest assured, though they were teasing me, there was no way I could have worked today. I had my flu shot early in the season so I'm relatively sure it's not the flu but just an aggressive cold. If it is, I should be better in a couple of days.

Remember the Logsdon family in your prayers. They have been through the loss of two in the past few weeks. Also continue to remember the Wolfs and Priddys as well as others who have had recent losses.

I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued....

I have to try this

Yesterday it was brought to my attention that many of the symptoms I've been experiencing the past several months can be explained by too much aspartame. Those symptoms include: joint and muscle pain, vision problems, and more importantly shortness of breath, heart palpitations, leg/ankle swelling, insomnia, the low blood sugar episodes.... the list does go on. I've read this before in the PDR (a drug reference book) but never really attributed it to me. Maybe denial? I seriously really drink 2+ liters of diet coke/coke zero daily. It's now been 12 hours since I've had a drop. My head is killing me. This aspartame is addictive, so I expect withdrawals which I'm not looking forward to. Please bear with me during this transition. I have sweet tea in the fridge for later. Hope it helps!

I shall need your prayers for me to get past this to regain some freedom from these symptoms.

Nick said: "I've been trying to tell you this" and he has!! I just wouldn't listen!

I love all y'all!!❤
To be continued.....

He will be missed

Another good man, neighbor, friend died this week. He and his wife provided child care for many years in this community. When we moved here, we were looking for babysitting. Someone told us to check with them. They kept our kids until they were big enough to stay home alone. While we were building our house we lived in Gary Wilson's house (it was Ricks grandparents house) And just up the road from them. I had to leave for work by 4:30 am back then. Lilly Mae would turn on the porch light when she was ready for them. They went in their pj's and back to bed. She got them ready and sent them to school. They loved and respected them both.

When they were told about Raymond's death, they each cried. Val posted on Facebook about it and about how they helped raise them. When she got saved, she had to stop and tell them on the way home. When we stopped at Kim's yesterday to order our flowers for the service, Nick said how much Raymond meant to him and how he "practically raised" him. It made my heart smile to see the impression he had made on my kids. RIP Raymond Logsdon. You are missed but I know it's all in His plan. You have a better place to go!

I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued.....

A sad day

Today one of the first people I met when we moved to Wingfield passed away. He and his wife kept our kids when they were little. They were a big influence on many kids in Wingfield and he will be missed! Rest in peace with Lillie May until that day when the trumpet sounds. Your kids and grandchildren and everyone who knew you will miss you! I know you are resting and have a much better place to go.