Easter 2013

Got up this morning and went to Nana's for breakfast just as I do every Sunday that I'm home. We had the usual gravy and biscuit eggs bacon and sausage. It sure was good. Doug and Donita were there and Greg finally made it. Told him he missed Nana's birthday last weekend and family dinner last night. He misses one more family gathering and he's out if the family. He acted like he didn't believe me. Imagine that! He will find out. That's all I have to say about that. Doug and his family should be pretty close to getting back home by the time I'm writing this.

We had church today. I decided I would stay home. Not really feeling good. Probably going to bed early tonight too. I heard they had a good service. Glad of that!

Nick went to Janna's. I'm here alone. Val posted lots of pics of her babies enjoying the Easter bunny this morning. Enjoyed looking at them! I miss my babies.

Getting my lists together. Nick and Janna's wedding will be here before we know it!

I think this is all.
I love all y'all! ❤
To be continued.....🐇🌷

Easter 2013

Tomorrow is Easter. Tomorrow is the day that represents the day Jesus rose from death. He died on that cross so we may have eternal life. What a sacrifice! Had He not made that long walk and sacrificed Himself for us, I don't know where I'd be! Tomorrow is also a fifth Sunday and Miller Hill will be having church tomorrow at 11. Y'all are welcome!

My baby brother lives in Ohio. He and his family are here only for the weekend. It's been a while since I've seen him. We had supper at moms tonight. It was fun to get together. The picture at the end is Doug, Jacob, Heather and Jonas. Britty couldn't come with them, she is in nursing school and had a test yesterday she couldn't take early or make up. Hopefully she will get to come with them next time. My sister-in-laws parents also came for supper. We had a lot if fun. Didn't get to take pictures though.

I made this most awesome orange thing with orange jello vanilla pudding and cool whip. Recipe is posted on my FB wall. There was none in my bowl when I left.

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

Coffee time

It has been somewhat of a restless night. I am really unsure why. CPAP was working fine; I have a new pillow for it so the leaks I had the past few nights aren't happening now. I don't feel bad so I don't have a clue. I did have dreams last night- silly dreams but nothing that should keep me from sleeping. I have also cut back on the caffeine/cola since I quit the aspartame. So I don't think that's the problem either. I will blame it on hormones. Definitely time for many cups of coffee!!

Did you see that full moon last night? It was beautiful. It had a bit if a red or pink tint to it when it was first visible. I was reminded of what the Bible has to say about the end times. I just read the sixth Chapter of Revelations. It is scary in a way. It predicts a great falling away but the time is not yet. Do you see a falling away? While God is still coming by and souls are still being saved, it seems many just believe it to be a fairy tale. I know nothing I say or write will change that. I do feel for them though. It's so not a fairy tale. Just look around. Read Facebook if someone even mentions "equal rights" and/or is against same sex marriage in their comments they are labeled as a bigot or worse.

I was raised to believe marriage was a man to a woman. I was raised to believe what the Bible says about anything else. I'm not trying to convince or condemn anyone or judge anyone. That is NOT my place to do that. What people do is between them and God. I will have plenty to answer for on my own. Many people I love have an "alternate lifestyle" as some call it. I still love them. I know many of them know what I mean about how I was raised. They were raised the same way. And their lifestyle is between them and God. If you read this and feel the need to make a negative comment, you may not make it here on this blog or on my Facebook link to this post. You may, however, make it on your own Facebook page all you want. I will respect your right to your view and you should respect mine.

Read the sixth Chapter of the Book of Revelations. I am not sure if the verse number- maybe sixth where it speaks to the moon being like blood. Last nights moon was similar to the pic below which is a stock pic from the Internet.

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

Woke to a lil snow on the ground!

Here we are well into what is supposed to be spring. It's as cold as it was all winter. Know what's falling from the sky? No, silly not rain. It's KY. It rains in winter and snows in spring evidently! At least the roads are clear! I really wish that groundhog had seen his shadow- it's usually warmer sooner when he does. Oh, well. That's living in KY!

I am hoping the stomach bug bypasses this house. It's in Wingfield- several of my friends have (or recently have had) it. I understand its miserable. Being unable to throw up would likely make a very miserable experience- not that puking is pleasant mind you or having the virus. I was afraid I was getting it Thursday - I was so nauseous. But it was just my nerves. Got a lot going on.

Y'all have a blessed day. I'm gonna try to find a way to get warm. Guess I will turn up the heat some more.

Remember your friends in your prayers.

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

It's Spring!

I just wish the weather would cooperate! We just had a mild thundershower, expecting snow flurries the next two days and I'm sitting here freezing! Must be the Easter Squall.

Speaking of Easter its almost here! I love this time of year. This is the Easter Season. While "Good Friday" marks the death of our Lord on the cross; Easter marks His resurrection!! Had it not been for a Man called Jesus, then forever my soul would be lost! I love that song! I love to hear Brother Denzil Bullock sing it. He sings it with such feeling.

There are several movies out there depicting the life, death and resurrection of The Lord. One is "Jesus" with Jeremy Sisto as Jesus and Jeroen Krabbe' (he played Danielle's father in Ever After) as Satan. It's a good movie. Another is "King of Kings" which stars Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus. Excellent movie. It is reported that while they were making this movie, the cast and crew were very quiet around Mr Hunter when he was in make up as he looked the part he was playing. Another was "The Passion if the Christ." This movie was excellent though I couldn't understand a word of it except for the subtitles, I understood at the same time. Makes no sense I know but it's true. It was a bit graphically violent; but, we do not know how it really was. I mean, look up flogging and crucifixion. Those are violent! And they were both done to Our Lord.

However you plan to celebrate this season, please take a moment to remember the Reason for the Season! He died a cruel death for us! Pleasant Grove (Miller Hill) has church at 11 on Easter. It's also a fifth Sunday.

Remember each other in your prayers! Remember those who are sick. Remember my friend just diagnosed with breast cancer. Her blog is one I follow on the left side of this blog. Lighthousegal is the name of her blog. Also Rose (co-worker and friend) also has cancer out of remission. Please remember them in your prayers. Please remember those who have lost loved ones in your prayers.

Congratulations to neighbors Buck and Donna Simmons on their Fifty Year wedding anniversary!

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

It's been five years

Five years ago last night I took my turn staying with my father-in-law at the hospital. He'd been diagnosed with lung cancer and there was nothing to be done. He went down hill seemingly overnight. By morning, he couldn't walk unassisted. Decisions were made by him and his kids- all of them. He wanted to go home. Arrangements were made for hospice and equipment that would be needed. By the time of this posting, he was home. Beverly and Melinda would stay the first night with him, I believe and they stayed until I relieved them around 4 pm on Saturday and Nick would come stay Saturday night with him. On Saturday His sisters Inez and Delta came for a long visit. He sat up and drank coffee and they talked for a long time. He had a great day. I got there somewhere around 4. He was leaned against the head of the bed still sitting on the side. He was sleeping. He'd been asleep just a short time. Nick got there about 5 and we had to lift him back in the bed, he was sleeping so soundly. He woke briefly but couldn't help us. He went back to sleep. Rick was in Owensboro at a conference. He called to check on him. About 7, his breathing changed. Nick noticed it first. I called the hospice nurse. There wasn't anything she felt to do. About another hour his breathing became what we call agonal- very shallow and slower. I decided to call the girls and Rick and Lester. Of course, I'm not able to predict the future and only God knows the hour of death but from my nursing experience I felt his time was near. I do this several times a year. (Have to tell families the time may be near). I know they felt I was over reacting and I told them I could be wrong but I really felt he wouldn't last much longer. I prayed Rick would have time to get there from Owensboro. He did. Most of the girls came too. Everyone who wanted to be there was and he slipped away around 10:30 pm Saturday night March 22. The next day would be Easter. And my moms birthday. He didn't have as much pain his last few days as he'd been having. He only took one pain pill right after the ambulance ride home. He didn't need anything to help him sleep, he didn't even need any extra breathing treatments. He was comfortable and we were all blessed that in his last hours there was no suffering. And we didn't know that in less than 2 years his firstborn would join him.
RIP Carlos and Rick. You can sip your coffee and talk gardens together in Heaven for an eternity! ❤

Do you have a bucket list?

From the time I met him almost 30 years ago, Rick had things he always wanted to do. One of those things was for us to retire and travel. he wanted to go west and just spend weeks seeing the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam and other places way out there. Time ran out and we never got to go. Another of those things more recent to his death was to know for sure his brother and sisters had a home in heaven. Most, if not all his sisters did come to church with him- especially after the tumor was found. I hope they know how much that meant to him to see them at church. It meant the world to him when Teresa Bev and Sue there together one Sunday especially. He cherished that day. He would have loved to have seen his only brother there too. Please remember his family in your prayers. We are coming up on the anniversary of their dads death. March 22 will be 5 years since he passed away. I know they miss him. Actually both of them.

Do you have a bucket list? It was mentioned on Blue Bloods tonight. Made me think.

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

Dallas! Gotta love it!!

So the second season of Dallas is in full swing. If you watched and loved every episode of the original series, you will love the 'new' Dallas too! It has just enough of the old mixed in with the new and it's addicting! You watch every second with great anticipation of the next scene! Last nights episode was totally dedicated to JR and Larry Hagman. Gary, Lucy, Mandy and Callie were at his memorial. Of course, Cliff Barnes showed up and made a scene. I can't wait for next week! Sly wasn't there and neither was Valene. But she was in the preview for Monday. I can't wait for what's next and I am anxious to learn 'Who Killed JR?'  He was, after all almost like family. We have 'known' JR 35 + years!!

John Ross is his fathers son. 'Tip to tail' as JR said to John Ross- one of his last words!

Watch if you dare!! You won't regret one second of it!!

On a different note; please remember Jeremy Priddy's family in your prayers. Today would have been his birthday. Their first birthday 'anniversary of' since he was taken from them! Please remember them!

I love all y'all!! ❤
To be continued!

Dragging!

This time change is so hard to get used to! Haha I had to wake Nick this morning- 0630 and he wasn't up yet! It was still dark and he had plenty if time. Yesterday morning I was so afraid I would oversleep and be late for work that I woke around 4 am. I was up drinking coffee posting on Facebook.

There's not a lot going on with me- working on my Clinical Ladder portfolio. It's about done; just last minute stuff to take care of. That's about all.

I have a favor to ask. Please remember Jeremy Priddy's family in your prayers. Tomorrow would have been his birthday. It will be a bittersweet day for them- especially this one- one of those first 'anniversary of's'

The picture is my cousins. It's of his grandma and great uncle. They are my aunt and uncle- one of moms sisters and brother. Aunt Pauline & Uncle Owen. Oh, the stories I could tell! Maybe later!

I love all y'all!❤
To be continued...

Beautiful day part 2

Had my appointment at corp care today. Dr agreed with me. Things are getting better. I just answered those questions honestly. Got myself a trip out there. I will be rescheduling my fit test first of next week. Yay! No further referrals!

The sun has been out all day. It's warm, bright and beautiful! My son took me to lunch after my appointment. I went to Michael's and looked around. Found some interesting stuff. I have ideas for Nick and Janna's shower. Hopefully it will be around June 8. I can't believe it's almost here! I also stopped by Milk and Honey Bakery and checked out cake prices for the shower. Their stuff is good.

Sometimes I feel so tired and depressed. Then I look around and see how very blessed I really am and I thank God for all He has allowed me to experience. I have my kids. I have reasonably good health. My parents are reasonably healthy as well and I have those 3 precious babies who call me Gamma! I have precious friends that I may not see for weeks at a time; but if I need them I KNOW without a doubt they are only a phone call or text away. Any hour of the day at that. I hope they know I'm here for them the same way. Day or night!

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

Beautiful Day!

It's such a beautiful day today! The sun is shinning. It should warm up nicely. I am so ready for spring though we really haven't had a bad winter. We certainly have seen worse- we've seen better too though! Also, we have seen ice storms into April a time or two. 35 years ago when I was in nursing school, January was quite a winter! Spent many days staying over in the nursing lab with several classmates. It was a cold walk over to the hospital for clinicals!

I went for my fit test yesterday. Did my tb questionnaire. Did my other questionnaire. Now I gotta go to corp care before I can fit test. So much for accurate answers. It will be fine. I will get my fit test next week.

The pictures are of the fit test equipment and of the main building where I went to nursing school. Memories!

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

Week 4 Aspartame free!

I think today is Thursday. Haha! That means its week 4 free of the artificial sweetener known as aspartame or anything like it. I do still use sweet and low in my coffee but its saccharine not aspartame!

I continue to feel better daily. My hair isn't falling out as much. Like hardly any! And it was by the handfuls previously. I've lost a couple more pounds like 23 now! It's so much easier to walk! Wish I'd stopped YEARS ago!

I love all y'all!
To be continued!

Sitting here thinking about Rick.

I worked today. It was good and not good. First thing I needed to transfer someone to CRSH. I didn't want to go up there today. It's difficult to go there any day but especially today. I don't mean to be a baby about it; it's just difficult.

By this time 3 years ago the end was near. Family and dear friends were there. The room held as many as it could. The hallway was lined with others. Still others were at home waiting for word because of other obligations they couldn't be with us. The vent was gone. He just had oxygen to his trach. He appeared more comfortable than he had the entire 6 weeks prior.

It was so hard to sit there. I held his hand. Val held the other. Noots sang his song for him. "I'm a winner either way" and he was and there was not a dry eye in the room or hallway as Noots sang. I later found out the nurses all cried to.

It's been 3 years. I miss him like it was yesterday. He was everything to me.

I know lots of people miss him too. But he was my husband. I still hear him at night.

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

Three years ago today

Three years ago today I stayed home later to go by and get a hair cut. First time in almost 6 weeks that I didn't get to the hospital by 6. About 7:50 or so Teresa called me. He'd had quite a restless night and was having a bad morning. I called my nurse friend Sally and asked her to go stay with them until I could get there. He was having lots of trouble breathing and was struggling for every breath. We lost all the ground we had gained the previous days. Vent pressures and oxygen were maxed out as high as possible. Sedation was back on to help him breathe. My heart sank. Sandy and Tonya felt the need to stop by and stayed with us a while. It was good to have them with us! Didn't even have to post that he was worse. they just knew we needed support! It was heart breaking to lose all we had gained. Little did we know the next day would be his last.

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

It's been 3 years

I can't help but think of you today. Three years ago today. We were in 619. All your sedation was completely off. It had been almost 6 weeks since you went in the hospital. We started off the day very active and had the best day in almost 2 months really. I pulled my chair up beside you on your right side. You held my hand a lot that day. Around noon we took a nap. You turned up on your right side, looked at me with such life in your eyes and said "take me home!" I told you I would just as soon as we possible could. Little did I know then that in two days you would go to your real home. I had hope for the first time since that day in November just over 3 months earlier when we heard those dreaded words "you have a mass in your brain". It was such a great day! I miss you still like it was yesterday.

The picture I chose today shows you in your favorite place- your garden. If you were still here we'd be working out there every day we could!

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

Just my opinion!

This can be somewhat controversial! Just a warning! Remember, my blog, my thoughts. Your comments are welcome, but be nice!

The shooting in Bowling Green this past week was very tragic. A well loved father of 3 little boys is now gone. His side of this tragedy will never be fully known. Sadder, his youngest will never know his father. It was obvious by the pictures that were posted he was a loving father and a very good man. It was also obvious he was very loved.

I hope he was on the phone with 911 before he pulled into that parking lot. We will never know why he pulled in there instead of trying to get away. His family needs our prayers for peace and comfort.

Now for the other side. I AM NOT taking either side in this. Please know that. Back 30+ years ago there was a bunch of us who used to hang out together after work around midnight for a couple hours. One was Tommy Brown. Others included Marie, Donna, Deb, Linda Sue, Jenny, Janet when she was in, Jamie, others occasionally joined us. Sometimes we drove around. Sometimes we hung out at Taco Bell. Tommy worked at Kirby's. He was very nice, a caring person. His girlfriend (now wife of many years) was in nursing school. His mom owned Betty's Flowers on Broadway. I can not imagine the guy we knew back then shooting someone for any reason. I do not know (because I haven't seen that Tommy since the early 80's) if this is the same man or not. If it is, I just can't imagine him doing this. Period. Obviously, it was done. The shooters' attorney says self-defense plain and simple. From the side we saw in the news it's very difficult to see self-defense. There was a post and picture on twitter with the shooter holding a gun on the young man and no movement from the truck. With this happening the time of day that it did, knowing how busy the bypass is, surely, surely someone saw something that can help. Hopefully Brandon was on the phone with 911 and his side is recorded. Hopefully the shooter is not the man we knew but another Tommy Brown. Twitter and Topix (I hate Topix- anonymous slander site) are in favor of the shooter being guilty of murder. We must wait for as much as can be known to be known before judgement is passed. Law may need a grand jury to decide.

Please pray for both families. Surely the shooter and his family are heart broken. I know the shooting victims family is heart broken and confused. Wondering why this had to happen. Prayer is key for their peace. If it is deemed self-defense, we will likely not be given details. It seems so unfair. Had I been the shooter, would I be sitting in a cell right now while the investigation continues or would I be free until the investigation is complete? I'm betting jail. I could be wrong but when I was a first responder I responded to a shooting - shooter claimed self defense and was taken to jail that night while the state police investigated. They may have had reasons I am unaware of. I was grateful that we were kept out of the law side of that one!

I think this may be enough for today. Remember if you comment here or on Facebook, be nice. No guilt or innocent judgements either place. No slander of either person. The shooting victim was obviously a good man. If its the Tommy we knew back when, back then he was a good man too. Hopefully the law will be just and certain with enough evidence of guilt or self-defense as claimed. Hopefully the evidence will be indisputable! Either way!

I love all y'all!❤
To be continued!

Aspartame-free update!

I'm still doing well without my Coke Zero. It's been 3 weeks and 2 days since I've ingested anything containing aspartame! There was a time I thought I couldn't live without it. I've had no withdrawal problems either. I worried I might, but there's been no issues. And the symptoms I had prior to quitting have continued to improve. I'm down 21 pounds in 3 weeks. The majority of that was the swelling. I have ankles. It's amazing! The shortness of breath has continued to improve. There is absolutely no chest tightness/pressure. Both were daily issues. I can stand easily from sitting without assistance. I just can't tell you how much better I feel. Can't explain it well enough!

Next item! Please continue to remember Aunt Bonita in your prayers. It's been a week now. Her most difficult days still lie ahead.

There is sickness in the neighborhood. Please remember them too.

Sitting here watching the snow fall. I am so ready for spring!

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