I feel like I am physically falling apart. My knee is continuing to be so very weak and unable to bear my weight. The walker only enables me to get from one point to another with a great deal of pain each time I rise to take a step and also with every step I take. This must improve, for I am of little help to this situation in this condition. On the chance that the boys' mother determines that she is unable to take care of them, I must be able to be counted on. In this condition, I am the one who appears to have the need to be ministered to.
If I could just stay off of the knee for one complete day, I feel it would stop hurting. Yesterday some people came over for a visit. Michael was in his room and in no way able to be out to visit with them. I tried to remain seated while visiting, but had to, on occasion, get up to move somewhere. This is all it took to keep my knee in its state of uselessness. The guests said they would "See you tomorrow" They bring chileren, so the boys are overjoyed. If I could just remain seated, then my knee would be better off. Today, I will tell them that I have to ramain seated for my knee to heal, and I will remain seated. Right now I will return to bed.
Thank you for praying for this situation.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
This is my second post of the day, the first was in the wee hours of this morning and this one is occurring at 8:23a.m.
Michael took the boys for donuts this morning. This is something they do from time to time, although now that I think about it , I believe this is the first time they have done this since I arrived here in July. Michael sr has just not been in a place health-wise where a trip to the donut shop was something they could do. They went in the van, of course, and they took Zulu with them.
Zulu is like a new, more energetic dog now that Snowball has gone. Snowball's departure has really had a positive impact on everyone of us. I trust that Snowball is enjoying her new home and that she is appreciated and that she is not using the inside of the home for a toilet. Zulu has more energy and is receiving all of our attention and so much of it from all of us. She is so happy. I hadnt realized the negative impact of Snowball's presence on her and how Snowball's presence had caused Zulu's life to be deminished. She appears to be so much happier.
This morning Michael sr. doesnt look rested at all . In fact he looks so very tired and "spent", just as he has looked most of this time since I have been here. I have not been able to talk to him, but right now he is in his room with the door open and is lying on the bed with his eyes closed. I do not know if he is awake with his eyes closed or if he is sleeping. When they returned from the donut bank, he said he needed to lie down for a while .
I cleaned up the kitchen counters and the dishes. I had not cleaned up the kitchen in a few days. My knee is killing me. I am again using the walker.
Michael has just called the boys into his room and is talking to them. Earlier this morning, Michael sr. told me I have no responsibilty today other than to just be here. He is wanting to do all of the "taking care of the boys". I know the few days that remain of the boys' time living with their dad are slipping away and there is such poignancy in the air. While I was talking to Michael sr on Friday morning in the hospital, he was remarking of how he had so hoped that his time with his boys would have been so different, but he has really been sick the entire time. I sensed a huge bit of regret along with the resignation that there was nothing he could do about that. I believe he is wanting to have these last days be the very best they can possibly be. He is wanting to be the one they turn to for joy as well as discipline and "tending to". I will honor Michael's request. Pray for him and his sons for his love for them to beam through to them during these last days together. Please pray for his health to hold up for this time with them.
My concern has returned regarding Michael's health due to the drained look he exhibited this morning and continues to exhibit.. There was such hope yesterday. I/we must trust completely on our Father and God to guide these days. Actually, you realize that I feel we must trust God for guidance for all of our days, but I am just meaning especially these last few days with Michael and his boys. Precious precious boys (all four of them).
The boys are playing their WII game machine on the TV. I am praying that Michael sr finds sweet rest and recuperation. The boys are periodically going into their dad's room to give him updates on the game they are playimg on the WII, so there is really little chance that Michael will find rest. He is in pain.
Precious and dear Lord God, my Rock and Redeemer and Lover of my soul, I praise your grandour, your awesomeness, power, might and Your everlasting love and attention to all of your creation. You alone are to be praised and adored. Holy, Holy, Holy. All praise and honor are your's. In the name of my Lord and Savior this prayer of praise is lifted to You, my Father.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Michael took the boys for donuts this morning. This is something they do from time to time, although now that I think about it , I believe this is the first time they have done this since I arrived here in July. Michael sr has just not been in a place health-wise where a trip to the donut shop was something they could do. They went in the van, of course, and they took Zulu with them.
Zulu is like a new, more energetic dog now that Snowball has gone. Snowball's departure has really had a positive impact on everyone of us. I trust that Snowball is enjoying her new home and that she is appreciated and that she is not using the inside of the home for a toilet. Zulu has more energy and is receiving all of our attention and so much of it from all of us. She is so happy. I hadnt realized the negative impact of Snowball's presence on her and how Snowball's presence had caused Zulu's life to be deminished. She appears to be so much happier.
This morning Michael sr. doesnt look rested at all . In fact he looks so very tired and "spent", just as he has looked most of this time since I have been here. I have not been able to talk to him, but right now he is in his room with the door open and is lying on the bed with his eyes closed. I do not know if he is awake with his eyes closed or if he is sleeping. When they returned from the donut bank, he said he needed to lie down for a while .
I cleaned up the kitchen counters and the dishes. I had not cleaned up the kitchen in a few days. My knee is killing me. I am again using the walker.
Michael has just called the boys into his room and is talking to them. Earlier this morning, Michael sr. told me I have no responsibilty today other than to just be here. He is wanting to do all of the "taking care of the boys". I know the few days that remain of the boys' time living with their dad are slipping away and there is such poignancy in the air. While I was talking to Michael sr on Friday morning in the hospital, he was remarking of how he had so hoped that his time with his boys would have been so different, but he has really been sick the entire time. I sensed a huge bit of regret along with the resignation that there was nothing he could do about that. I believe he is wanting to have these last days be the very best they can possibly be. He is wanting to be the one they turn to for joy as well as discipline and "tending to". I will honor Michael's request. Pray for him and his sons for his love for them to beam through to them during these last days together. Please pray for his health to hold up for this time with them.
My concern has returned regarding Michael's health due to the drained look he exhibited this morning and continues to exhibit.. There was such hope yesterday. I/we must trust completely on our Father and God to guide these days. Actually, you realize that I feel we must trust God for guidance for all of our days, but I am just meaning especially these last few days with Michael and his boys. Precious precious boys (all four of them).
The boys are playing their WII game machine on the TV. I am praying that Michael sr finds sweet rest and recuperation. The boys are periodically going into their dad's room to give him updates on the game they are playimg on the WII, so there is really little chance that Michael will find rest. He is in pain.
Precious and dear Lord God, my Rock and Redeemer and Lover of my soul, I praise your grandour, your awesomeness, power, might and Your everlasting love and attention to all of your creation. You alone are to be praised and adored. Holy, Holy, Holy. All praise and honor are your's. In the name of my Lord and Savior this prayer of praise is lifted to You, my Father.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Yesterday--Friday, December 11--was a day, I tell you.
Michael came home from the hospital with a bandage on his back. No stitches and completely ambulatory. He drove himself home from the hospital. He got home around 5, greeted the household, gave and received hugs, and then went to bed for a very short respite. He arose about thirty minutes later and took charge of the boys. I fixed dinner for the family, but Michael and the boys had their first time of "family fun with their daddy" that they have been able to have in a long while. Presently, Brendan and Aidan are all asleep in their daddy's room. The lights are out, so I am assuming that Michael sr. is sleeping too. Michael jr is in his own bed. Last night I sat with Michael jr as he drifted off to Sleepy Town. Brendan and Aidan came in the bedroom with Michael jr and me for our songs and prayers before sleep. Then B & A left to go to their daddy's room for the night. Michael jr was so tired that he wanted to get to sleep rather than have the extra play time with their daddy. This is the first time since I have been up here that Michael sr has acted like he felt good. He was like his old fun-loving self. What a blessing!
Thank you so much for your prayers.
The Kelley boys--all four of them-- are gearing down for their last week together. They have finished the chapter book that Michael sr has been reading to them just before bed. They already have their new book selected for night-time reading together, with the plan being to finish it by Thursday, their last night together. Michael sr had been battling one health issue after another the entire time the boys have been here. Five surgeries since July. Two, actually three, of them emergencies, They have done things together, but always at a lower level than than usual because of Michael sr' s physical condition. They all were so excited about the fun they were having last night with their healthy daddy . Squeals and laughter reigned. Please continue to take Michael sr's name before our Father's throne. Thank you. The plan continues to be that the boys will leave on Friday. As I have mentioned before, this plan is subject to change by their mother.
My knee was good enough yesterday afternoon that I was walking with a cane only. While this was exciting to be at this level of agility, I paid the price later by having my knee back to the "walker stage" by evening. I should be able to rest the knee all day today since Michael sr has requested that my only duty be the cooking of the meals as he plans to take care of all the other needs of the boys until the time he has to return to work. I believe the doctor has said Michael sr needs to rest for 10 days. He will probably not be going to work until the boys have left with their mother.
Right now i have been up in the middle of the night to let you all know what is going on up here. I thank God that I have been in a position to be able to be here and to help Michael sr and the boys. Blessings, blessings, some trials, but mostly blessings. Our God is so faithful and so very good. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Michael came home from the hospital with a bandage on his back. No stitches and completely ambulatory. He drove himself home from the hospital. He got home around 5, greeted the household, gave and received hugs, and then went to bed for a very short respite. He arose about thirty minutes later and took charge of the boys. I fixed dinner for the family, but Michael and the boys had their first time of "family fun with their daddy" that they have been able to have in a long while. Presently, Brendan and Aidan are all asleep in their daddy's room. The lights are out, so I am assuming that Michael sr. is sleeping too. Michael jr is in his own bed. Last night I sat with Michael jr as he drifted off to Sleepy Town. Brendan and Aidan came in the bedroom with Michael jr and me for our songs and prayers before sleep. Then B & A left to go to their daddy's room for the night. Michael jr was so tired that he wanted to get to sleep rather than have the extra play time with their daddy. This is the first time since I have been up here that Michael sr has acted like he felt good. He was like his old fun-loving self. What a blessing!
Thank you so much for your prayers.
The Kelley boys--all four of them-- are gearing down for their last week together. They have finished the chapter book that Michael sr has been reading to them just before bed. They already have their new book selected for night-time reading together, with the plan being to finish it by Thursday, their last night together. Michael sr had been battling one health issue after another the entire time the boys have been here. Five surgeries since July. Two, actually three, of them emergencies, They have done things together, but always at a lower level than than usual because of Michael sr' s physical condition. They all were so excited about the fun they were having last night with their healthy daddy . Squeals and laughter reigned. Please continue to take Michael sr's name before our Father's throne. Thank you. The plan continues to be that the boys will leave on Friday. As I have mentioned before, this plan is subject to change by their mother.
My knee was good enough yesterday afternoon that I was walking with a cane only. While this was exciting to be at this level of agility, I paid the price later by having my knee back to the "walker stage" by evening. I should be able to rest the knee all day today since Michael sr has requested that my only duty be the cooking of the meals as he plans to take care of all the other needs of the boys until the time he has to return to work. I believe the doctor has said Michael sr needs to rest for 10 days. He will probably not be going to work until the boys have left with their mother.
Right now i have been up in the middle of the night to let you all know what is going on up here. I thank God that I have been in a position to be able to be here and to help Michael sr and the boys. Blessings, blessings, some trials, but mostly blessings. Our God is so faithful and so very good. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Thursday, December 11, 2008
i am unable to walk on my knee and i am not going to theth hospital until after I pick up the boys. Michael's surgery is scheduled for 1:30 and I am to wait until he calls me after surgery to enable us to see him when he is in a situatio where he will be presentable to the boys. Right now i am going to bed to elevate the leg and hopefully be better able to get around this afternoon. jk
I am on my way to the hospital to be with Michael sr He awaits His fourth surgery which is scheduled for him today at 1:30P.M. He drove himself to the Er this morning as I was taking the boys to school. The swelling had returned larger -as big as a tennis ball-- this time with a excruciating pain and a great deal of redness encircling the wound. Please pray. I am using the walker right now.
My continued prayer for you: May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
My continued prayer for you: May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Boy has this been a couple of days of events.
Tuesday afternoon I went to school to pick up Michael jr to take him to the podiatrist, while Michael sr was to pick up Brendan and Aidan at their bus stop to take Aidan to get a flu shot. Fortunately I got lost looking for the podiatrist's office. This enabled me to get the call from the bus driver telling me that no one was at the bus stop to pick up the children. (Great concern gripped me at this point wondering where in the world Michael sr. was. He had still been feeling badly, but he needed to pick up the boys for the flu shot) The bus driver said she was unable to get Michael sr on the phone and she was letting me know that she still had B and A on the bus with her and wanted to know what she was supposed to do. I arranged with her to pick B and A up at the junior high when she finished her junior high run. I returned to the junior high, after not being able to reach Michael sr on his phone and picked up B and A and went home. All the time worrying, praying and wondering what in the world had happened with Michael sr. When we got home I found Michael sr. phone on his phone jack in his bedroom so I knew he had not received any of the calls because his phone was not with hom. This answered the question of why I received no answer from him, but my concern now grew because I knew he had no way to summon help if something had happened to him. He had not been feeling all that good, but he was better.
At about 5 o'clock he came into the house so glad the boys were here but stripping off his shirt and getting out an alcohol swab and a needle and telling me I was going to have to help him. I needed to swab his wound and puncture the large lump at the surgery site and releave the pressure of the build-up of fluid. He gave me a towel because he said a lot of fluid would gush out when I punctured the lump. When I punctured the wound (Can you believe I did that? There was no time to balk, because he was in extreme pain and it had to be done.) When I punctured the lump at the surgery site, nothing came out. He got up immediately put on his shirt, and said he had to get to the ER. The concern was that since no fluid came out when I punctured the wound, the lump was caused by either pus,indicating an infection, or blood,indicating a normal collection of blood in the bruise caused by the surgery. The hospital got 5cc of blood from the lump. Then Michael sr returned home. He said he had missed the bus (he got to the bus stop by 2:40 but the bus had been by at 2:30 which was very early for the bus. Michael had missed it nonetheless. Because Michael sr, unlike me, is not in the habit of missing the bus, he didnt realize he could trace the bus route, locate the bus, and pick up the boys. He had returned to school and, unable to locate them, was in a panic, but the pain at his ound site was getting so great he returned home hoping we would be there. He was greatly releaved that we were there, but then his emergency situation took precedence.
Right now he is in a lot of pain. His chills and sweats have vanished and he is left with just the pain. His original arm pain has returned. He said that was to be expected since the steriods he had been given after surgery had kept the muscles from swelling from the surgery trauma. Since the steriods have now worn off, the pain would return for period of time. He says he just has to be patient. he also said he has not been able to get any sleep because of the pain. This, of course, has been the story for the months I have been here.
This afternoon he picked up the boys. I fixed dinner for all of us and put the children to bed after he read them a chapter from their on-going book-before-bedtime.
this mornig i took the boys to school and then went to the Lexus dealership so my car could be checked out: dashboard indicator lights and the battery and stuff. I received a free loaner car--one of the blessings that comes with taking your lexus to a delership with an appointment for service. Then I went to Borders books and ordered a Christmas book Vicki had recomended. I also got my nails done. I went to the butcher and returned home and fixed dinner for the boys as I mentioned before.
I will return the rental car after driving the boys to school Thursday morning.
Presently Brendan is on the hard wood floors beside my bed and Aidan is in the bed with me. My mercy. The bed is a single bed with some stuff on it so we haredly have any room, but Aidan is fast asleep now and he wasnt before he got in my bed. These boys do bring me joy, although the joy does not always mean a good night's rest. I will take a nap tomorrow. Right now it is 2a.m so i guess I mean later today I will take a nap.
My left knee is really really bad. I am unable to walk without a cane and even with a cane, I have a very difficult time. I probably need to be walking with the walker, but as I have mentioned before I am too embarrassed to use the walker.
I will attempt to get back in the bed and sleep a bit prior to arising for another day with the Indiana Kelley men.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Tuesday afternoon I went to school to pick up Michael jr to take him to the podiatrist, while Michael sr was to pick up Brendan and Aidan at their bus stop to take Aidan to get a flu shot. Fortunately I got lost looking for the podiatrist's office. This enabled me to get the call from the bus driver telling me that no one was at the bus stop to pick up the children. (Great concern gripped me at this point wondering where in the world Michael sr. was. He had still been feeling badly, but he needed to pick up the boys for the flu shot) The bus driver said she was unable to get Michael sr on the phone and she was letting me know that she still had B and A on the bus with her and wanted to know what she was supposed to do. I arranged with her to pick B and A up at the junior high when she finished her junior high run. I returned to the junior high, after not being able to reach Michael sr on his phone and picked up B and A and went home. All the time worrying, praying and wondering what in the world had happened with Michael sr. When we got home I found Michael sr. phone on his phone jack in his bedroom so I knew he had not received any of the calls because his phone was not with hom. This answered the question of why I received no answer from him, but my concern now grew because I knew he had no way to summon help if something had happened to him. He had not been feeling all that good, but he was better.
At about 5 o'clock he came into the house so glad the boys were here but stripping off his shirt and getting out an alcohol swab and a needle and telling me I was going to have to help him. I needed to swab his wound and puncture the large lump at the surgery site and releave the pressure of the build-up of fluid. He gave me a towel because he said a lot of fluid would gush out when I punctured the lump. When I punctured the wound (Can you believe I did that? There was no time to balk, because he was in extreme pain and it had to be done.) When I punctured the lump at the surgery site, nothing came out. He got up immediately put on his shirt, and said he had to get to the ER. The concern was that since no fluid came out when I punctured the wound, the lump was caused by either pus,indicating an infection, or blood,indicating a normal collection of blood in the bruise caused by the surgery. The hospital got 5cc of blood from the lump. Then Michael sr returned home. He said he had missed the bus (he got to the bus stop by 2:40 but the bus had been by at 2:30 which was very early for the bus. Michael had missed it nonetheless. Because Michael sr, unlike me, is not in the habit of missing the bus, he didnt realize he could trace the bus route, locate the bus, and pick up the boys. He had returned to school and, unable to locate them, was in a panic, but the pain at his ound site was getting so great he returned home hoping we would be there. He was greatly releaved that we were there, but then his emergency situation took precedence.
Right now he is in a lot of pain. His chills and sweats have vanished and he is left with just the pain. His original arm pain has returned. He said that was to be expected since the steriods he had been given after surgery had kept the muscles from swelling from the surgery trauma. Since the steriods have now worn off, the pain would return for period of time. He says he just has to be patient. he also said he has not been able to get any sleep because of the pain. This, of course, has been the story for the months I have been here.
This afternoon he picked up the boys. I fixed dinner for all of us and put the children to bed after he read them a chapter from their on-going book-before-bedtime.
this mornig i took the boys to school and then went to the Lexus dealership so my car could be checked out: dashboard indicator lights and the battery and stuff. I received a free loaner car--one of the blessings that comes with taking your lexus to a delership with an appointment for service. Then I went to Borders books and ordered a Christmas book Vicki had recomended. I also got my nails done. I went to the butcher and returned home and fixed dinner for the boys as I mentioned before.
I will return the rental car after driving the boys to school Thursday morning.
Presently Brendan is on the hard wood floors beside my bed and Aidan is in the bed with me. My mercy. The bed is a single bed with some stuff on it so we haredly have any room, but Aidan is fast asleep now and he wasnt before he got in my bed. These boys do bring me joy, although the joy does not always mean a good night's rest. I will take a nap tomorrow. Right now it is 2a.m so i guess I mean later today I will take a nap.
My left knee is really really bad. I am unable to walk without a cane and even with a cane, I have a very difficult time. I probably need to be walking with the walker, but as I have mentioned before I am too embarrassed to use the walker.
I will attempt to get back in the bed and sleep a bit prior to arising for another day with the Indiana Kelley men.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Precious God Almighty, Jehovah, Yaweh, Creator, and Hearer of our prayers. Thank you for my friends. Please allow them to realize that their prayers on my behalf have been heard. Please help them to feel your presence in their lives today and every day. You alone are to be praised. The word "awesome" belongs to you and to you alone. Through Christ this request and prayer of thanksgiving is made. Amen
This has been a glorious morning. It is raining. Michael jr, came into my room this morning and woke me up with "Grammy, Its 6:20 and we need to get up." I had planned to get up around 6:30 since we no longer have to get to school early due to Brendan's choir practice. Choir is over. Michael jr was so proud of the fact that he got up first. (He wanted to be sure I mentioned it in my blog.) I told him that he is taking care of all of us. Brendan had come in during the night to sleep in the room with me. He was sleeping like a log on the hardwood floors on top of his sheet with his comforter on top of him. He said he just couldnt get to sleep in his room. Alas, it never occurred to me that when I told him to go back to bed because the only place he could sleep was on the floor, that he would actually sleep on the floor, but he did just that. We all got ready for school and we left at 6:55a.m. It was raining, but there was break in the rain when we exited the house so we were high and dry in the car. At one point this morning while we were all getting ready, there were three of us in the tiny bathroom. Precious memories. Michael jr was ready by 6:25. Brendan was brushing his teeth with his coat and gloves on. It was a sight to behold watching him sitting fully dressed(gloves included) on the closed toilet seat brushing his teeth. We were on the road at 7:05. Yesterday we discoved that Hardee's is the place for breakfast in the early morning. So today we drove through the drive-thru and got breakfast for the boys with orange juice. (I get a medium black coffee.) Then we had a grand drive in the rain, with them eating breakfast and us talking and laughing about the funny times we have had together. I told them some things that I wanted them to continue after I am gone; like doing their homework and always trying to do their best in their work Not burping and not saying cr-- and bu-- or fa--. Then they started talking about how they were going to be free when Grammy is gone. We laughed and Brendan and Michael jr got into a fight and I had to pull over to the shoulder to allow Brendan time to apologize to Michaeljr. for hitting him in the back of the head and for Michael jr to decide if he was going to forgive Brendan. Such a morning. We got to school with time to spare and I wrote the note for Michael jr to be a car rider today at the end of the day. I am taking him to the podiatrist and Michael sr. is taking Aidan to get a flu shot. Both appts are at 3 so Michael sr. and I are doing "split shift". In the car I was reviewing for the boys the things that I want them to continue when they are living in Indianapolis. I think I will make a list for them when I leave.
I want to make a list of the thnigs I have taught them here so I can have a review and feel good about the possible impact I have had on their lives:
-the hand towel in the bathroom is to wipe clean wet hands, it is not for your mouth.
-use approx 4 sheets of TP instead of the whole roll so the toilet will not overflow.
-if the toilet gets stopped up, do not keep flusing it
-use soap when you shower
-remember the 3 Ds every morning: Deodorant, Dental (brush teeth & floss) Dress
-wear underwear everyday.
-use soap all over your body.
-wash your hair everyday.
-teachers want to help you when you smell clean, when you stink, it is hard for
teachers to get close enough to you to be able to help you.
-try to eat without getting food all over your face
-use utncils when you eat
-wait until everyone is at the table before you start to eat
-chew your food It is not "chomp, chomp, swallow"
-do not eat during the blessing
-start the drying process after your shower while the water is turned off and you
are still in the shower so you dont get water all over the floor.
-help set the table
-a napiin is part of setting the table
-if you dont have a napkin, use a paper towel.
-Take you clothes off and put them in the laundry room in front of the washer prior
to taking your shower.
-dont throw you clothes in the floor anywhere else but the laundry room
-ensure the night before that you have the clean clothes you need for school. Dont
wait until the morning to discover you dont have any clean socks,underwear,shirt...
-be kind to your brothers
-be kind to everyone
-obey Grammy
-always try to forgive even if the person that has wronged you doesnt ask for
forgiveness. Pray for people who do you wrong, because they do not feel loved,
because when you feel loved, you want to be kind.
-always love the Lord. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you throughout
your life.
-dont laugh at someone's pain or embarrassent
-clean up after yourself, someone has to do it and if you made the mess, then you
should be the one to clean it up
-clean up after others if they dont clean up because we are all a family and we want
our place clean
-Grammy is not your maid
-Grammy knows that God has blessed her life since she was a little girl
-say thank you
-be thanful for whatever food is set before you
-thank the cook
-take at least a bite for every year you are old
-the car is not a play area
-use your quiet voice when you are close enough for someone to hear you and always
in the house or car
-keep your shoes off of the couch, the car seats, the walls, Grammy's legs and head
-clean your nose before you leave the house everyday and
-use a kleenex
-obey Grammy
-when you hear one person being told not to do something, that means you too
-when you accidently hurt someone, say your are sorry immeditely & check to be sure
they are ok
-throw away all of your trash in a trash can..never on the floor
-when you get out of Grammy's car,clean out all of your "stuff" or any "stuff"
-leave all of the gadgets alone in Grammy's car
-be certain your door is shut when you get out of Grammy's car
-when you get out of any car, shut the door
-remember the meaning of "inane noise" and dont do it
-inane noise drives Grammy nutty and probably most other people too
-open the door for ladies
-walk behind Grammy when we go into stores
-obey Grammy
-look at people when you talk to them
-look at people when they talk to you
-your daddy is my son
-you have been with your daddy during one of the most difficult times of his life
-your daddy loves you
-pray for your daddy
-Grammy loves you too much to let you do everything you want to do
-obey Grammy
-dont write in the dirt on Grammy's car
-do not open your car door until Grammy opens hers.
-cut your fingernails every week
-be a leader for good
-show respect to your bosses
-obey the Lord
This pretty much sums it up. This has been one of the greatest joys of my life. God is so good.
May He richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
This has been a glorious morning. It is raining. Michael jr, came into my room this morning and woke me up with "Grammy, Its 6:20 and we need to get up." I had planned to get up around 6:30 since we no longer have to get to school early due to Brendan's choir practice. Choir is over. Michael jr was so proud of the fact that he got up first. (He wanted to be sure I mentioned it in my blog.) I told him that he is taking care of all of us. Brendan had come in during the night to sleep in the room with me. He was sleeping like a log on the hardwood floors on top of his sheet with his comforter on top of him. He said he just couldnt get to sleep in his room. Alas, it never occurred to me that when I told him to go back to bed because the only place he could sleep was on the floor, that he would actually sleep on the floor, but he did just that. We all got ready for school and we left at 6:55a.m. It was raining, but there was break in the rain when we exited the house so we were high and dry in the car. At one point this morning while we were all getting ready, there were three of us in the tiny bathroom. Precious memories. Michael jr was ready by 6:25. Brendan was brushing his teeth with his coat and gloves on. It was a sight to behold watching him sitting fully dressed(gloves included) on the closed toilet seat brushing his teeth. We were on the road at 7:05. Yesterday we discoved that Hardee's is the place for breakfast in the early morning. So today we drove through the drive-thru and got breakfast for the boys with orange juice. (I get a medium black coffee.) Then we had a grand drive in the rain, with them eating breakfast and us talking and laughing about the funny times we have had together. I told them some things that I wanted them to continue after I am gone; like doing their homework and always trying to do their best in their work Not burping and not saying cr-- and bu-- or fa--. Then they started talking about how they were going to be free when Grammy is gone. We laughed and Brendan and Michael jr got into a fight and I had to pull over to the shoulder to allow Brendan time to apologize to Michaeljr. for hitting him in the back of the head and for Michael jr to decide if he was going to forgive Brendan. Such a morning. We got to school with time to spare and I wrote the note for Michael jr to be a car rider today at the end of the day. I am taking him to the podiatrist and Michael sr. is taking Aidan to get a flu shot. Both appts are at 3 so Michael sr. and I are doing "split shift". In the car I was reviewing for the boys the things that I want them to continue when they are living in Indianapolis. I think I will make a list for them when I leave.
I want to make a list of the thnigs I have taught them here so I can have a review and feel good about the possible impact I have had on their lives:
-the hand towel in the bathroom is to wipe clean wet hands, it is not for your mouth.
-use approx 4 sheets of TP instead of the whole roll so the toilet will not overflow.
-if the toilet gets stopped up, do not keep flusing it
-use soap when you shower
-remember the 3 Ds every morning: Deodorant, Dental (brush teeth & floss) Dress
-wear underwear everyday.
-use soap all over your body.
-wash your hair everyday.
-teachers want to help you when you smell clean, when you stink, it is hard for
teachers to get close enough to you to be able to help you.
-try to eat without getting food all over your face
-use utncils when you eat
-wait until everyone is at the table before you start to eat
-chew your food It is not "chomp, chomp, swallow"
-do not eat during the blessing
-start the drying process after your shower while the water is turned off and you
are still in the shower so you dont get water all over the floor.
-help set the table
-a napiin is part of setting the table
-if you dont have a napkin, use a paper towel.
-Take you clothes off and put them in the laundry room in front of the washer prior
to taking your shower.
-dont throw you clothes in the floor anywhere else but the laundry room
-ensure the night before that you have the clean clothes you need for school. Dont
wait until the morning to discover you dont have any clean socks,underwear,shirt...
-be kind to your brothers
-be kind to everyone
-obey Grammy
-always try to forgive even if the person that has wronged you doesnt ask for
forgiveness. Pray for people who do you wrong, because they do not feel loved,
because when you feel loved, you want to be kind.
-always love the Lord. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you throughout
your life.
-dont laugh at someone's pain or embarrassent
-clean up after yourself, someone has to do it and if you made the mess, then you
should be the one to clean it up
-clean up after others if they dont clean up because we are all a family and we want
our place clean
-Grammy is not your maid
-Grammy knows that God has blessed her life since she was a little girl
-say thank you
-be thanful for whatever food is set before you
-thank the cook
-take at least a bite for every year you are old
-the car is not a play area
-use your quiet voice when you are close enough for someone to hear you and always
in the house or car
-keep your shoes off of the couch, the car seats, the walls, Grammy's legs and head
-clean your nose before you leave the house everyday and
-use a kleenex
-obey Grammy
-when you hear one person being told not to do something, that means you too
-when you accidently hurt someone, say your are sorry immeditely & check to be sure
they are ok
-throw away all of your trash in a trash can..never on the floor
-when you get out of Grammy's car,clean out all of your "stuff" or any "stuff"
-leave all of the gadgets alone in Grammy's car
-be certain your door is shut when you get out of Grammy's car
-when you get out of any car, shut the door
-remember the meaning of "inane noise" and dont do it
-inane noise drives Grammy nutty and probably most other people too
-open the door for ladies
-walk behind Grammy when we go into stores
-obey Grammy
-look at people when you talk to them
-look at people when they talk to you
-your daddy is my son
-you have been with your daddy during one of the most difficult times of his life
-your daddy loves you
-pray for your daddy
-Grammy loves you too much to let you do everything you want to do
-obey Grammy
-dont write in the dirt on Grammy's car
-do not open your car door until Grammy opens hers.
-cut your fingernails every week
-be a leader for good
-show respect to your bosses
-obey the Lord
This pretty much sums it up. This has been one of the greatest joys of my life. God is so good.
May He richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Monday, December 08, 2008
I will be leaving one week from today.
The worker men, or felons as Vicki prefers to call them and this cannot be denied, left today. They have assigned the flim flam man to get the plumber to return to set the toilet and the sink and hook up the shower downstairs. He is also to clean up the debris outside left from the job. Today a cleaning lady is to come and clean up the rooms and clean up the air hockey table and all of the equipment Michael sr has downstairs. The felons will return to power wash the mats that go under the weight lifting equipment and set them under the equipment. If the flim flam man does not follow through with the plumber and the clean up, I am to call Tony, one of the felons, and he will get the plumber and he will be back to clean up the mess outside. I am to pay the flim flam man nothing more. These guys have really been wonderful for me. The flim flam man had decided to leave me high and dry, but these guys knew that was wrong and they have come here to complete the job. They are really good guys.
Michael sr. is continuing to heal. He was supposed to go to have a "wound check" with the doctor this morning but he didnt feel like going. He had me remove the bandage that covers the wound. He saw that there was no seepage on the bandage and the would looks clean so he probably will not make another appointment. I believe the worst time for him was Friday night and all day Saturday. Right now he is just dealing with the soreness that comes from having surgery on one's neck. His throat actually looks a bit swollen to me, but he is breathing just fine.
We are both sort of tense these days. As I said yesterday, I feel the time is drawing nigh for me, and I am sure he realizes that his boys are getting ready to go to Indianapolis and he will no longer have them under his watch. He will see them every other week end and all week of spring break and supposedly all summer long. We will have to wait and see how this goes. While the boys have been under Michael's watch their grades have been great. Brendan made straight fAs for the first time in his life. I see a more positive side of Brendan now. Instead of " all is lost" being his mantra , he now looks and mentions the good things first any time someone mentions something that has gone awry. This has been such a grand time for Michaelsr. and his boys even though all I ever spoke of was the grand time I was having. This is going to be a huge adjustment for all of them. Sadness is included in the emotions of the day. Michael sr. does not discuss his feelings with me, but I feel the tension. It is almost like if we dont talk, things will be better. So we dont talk much at all. Pray for him. Pray for the boys. Pray for all of us. Pray for an order in these last few days and a peace on all sides.
Precious times that become "memories" ...very difficult passage to navigate.
Right now my car doesnt start without a jump. I have an appointment on Wednesday at the Lexus dealership for some maintenance and some "fix its". I will receive a free loaner car for the time the dealership has my car. I am driving the van today. I plan to make a trip to Rawlgreens prior to picking up the boys, but I will leave early enough to have time to burn as I await the bus to drop them off.
I will leave now.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
The worker men, or felons as Vicki prefers to call them and this cannot be denied, left today. They have assigned the flim flam man to get the plumber to return to set the toilet and the sink and hook up the shower downstairs. He is also to clean up the debris outside left from the job. Today a cleaning lady is to come and clean up the rooms and clean up the air hockey table and all of the equipment Michael sr has downstairs. The felons will return to power wash the mats that go under the weight lifting equipment and set them under the equipment. If the flim flam man does not follow through with the plumber and the clean up, I am to call Tony, one of the felons, and he will get the plumber and he will be back to clean up the mess outside. I am to pay the flim flam man nothing more. These guys have really been wonderful for me. The flim flam man had decided to leave me high and dry, but these guys knew that was wrong and they have come here to complete the job. They are really good guys.
Michael sr. is continuing to heal. He was supposed to go to have a "wound check" with the doctor this morning but he didnt feel like going. He had me remove the bandage that covers the wound. He saw that there was no seepage on the bandage and the would looks clean so he probably will not make another appointment. I believe the worst time for him was Friday night and all day Saturday. Right now he is just dealing with the soreness that comes from having surgery on one's neck. His throat actually looks a bit swollen to me, but he is breathing just fine.
We are both sort of tense these days. As I said yesterday, I feel the time is drawing nigh for me, and I am sure he realizes that his boys are getting ready to go to Indianapolis and he will no longer have them under his watch. He will see them every other week end and all week of spring break and supposedly all summer long. We will have to wait and see how this goes. While the boys have been under Michael's watch their grades have been great. Brendan made straight fAs for the first time in his life. I see a more positive side of Brendan now. Instead of " all is lost" being his mantra , he now looks and mentions the good things first any time someone mentions something that has gone awry. This has been such a grand time for Michaelsr. and his boys even though all I ever spoke of was the grand time I was having. This is going to be a huge adjustment for all of them. Sadness is included in the emotions of the day. Michael sr. does not discuss his feelings with me, but I feel the tension. It is almost like if we dont talk, things will be better. So we dont talk much at all. Pray for him. Pray for the boys. Pray for all of us. Pray for an order in these last few days and a peace on all sides.
Precious times that become "memories" ...very difficult passage to navigate.
Right now my car doesnt start without a jump. I have an appointment on Wednesday at the Lexus dealership for some maintenance and some "fix its". I will receive a free loaner car for the time the dealership has my car. I am driving the van today. I plan to make a trip to Rawlgreens prior to picking up the boys, but I will leave early enough to have time to burn as I await the bus to drop them off.
I will leave now.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Today has been a great day and an exhausting and a day of rejuvination and deflation all in one day that the Lord made.
Brendan's choir perfomance was incredible. As I told you earlier, it was presented in a church auditorium. This was a large church auditorium with three sections and two floor levels and a blacony all around. This place was almost packed with people. It seems that this is a big deal for the citizens of Evansville. They allshow up for this event. I was stunned by the amount of people that were gathering when I arrived at the church at a bit after 1:30 for the 2:00 performance. Old people, young people, families and individuals. The program was wonderful. the choir enuciated so clearly that one could understand every word of the songs. This, in and of itself, is praise-worthy for an elementary choir director. He has a choir of about a hundred fourth and fifth graders. The select shoir, of which Brendan is a part--Tiger Tuners--is a group of about forty fourth and fifth graders. Parts are sung by the entire choir and parts were sung by the Tiger Tuners. When the Tiger Tuners sang, the others sat on the floor on either side of the risers. Brendan had one line to say and he did it well. I coud tell he was so excited waiting for his turn to say it. I was so happy for him. He had wanted to be in the choir so badly and he had made it. He had wanted a speaking part badly too, and he received the part. This was a year of accomplishments for him. I remember at the beginning of the school year, that he prayed for friends, because he didnt have any. Now he has several and he even gets invited to birthday parties. He went to one on Saturday. I am so happy for him. Please pray for strength and courage in the Lord for him. He asks God for strength and courage in his life every night in his prayers. Tonight was no exception. He is a tender boy and needs guidelines and structure. He has had that for the last six months. Please pray for all three boys. They all need structure. They can be manipulated so easily. And they are manipulated. Not Brendan so much any more (i have no idea what i punched to get this bold), but he is an anxious child. I believe this is because of the events in his life. Michael jr and Aidan are like putty at this point. Michael jr. is getting stronger, but Aidan is getting weaker in the putty area. I leave in two weeks and they return to live in indianapolis with their mother.
Michael sr. is getting better, but I can tell he is not back to where he should be. I believe the pain in his arm is gone, but the back pain around his shouder area is still bad. I believe he is very fruatrated with the difficulty of getting over the pain. Please pray for him.
Pray for all of us as the tensions seem to be getting sort of raw with the grown people in this house (Michael sr. and his mother) Michael does not talk about his feelings to me and so I believe he does not talk about them to anyone. I feel he wishes he could keep the boys, but he knows he cant unless I can help and he sees my physical condition that is greatly impaired by my wieght. He is frustrated, I believe, with me because I am not losing any weight and I am having more difficulty getting around now than I did at the beginning of my visit in June. He learned today that I was late getting the boys last Friday. I guess he learned this from the boys' mother. He is very very very upset with me about this. I got to the house in key Stone about a miute late, and the bus had already passsed the house. I followed the route and got behind the bus and the boys saw me and the bus driver let them get out and get in my car. I am thinking that the boysd' mother told Michael that I missed the bus and that Aidan was scared. Michael sr. is so frustrated with me. I can understand.
He said, "Mother, I depend on you and i told you that you must never be late picking up the boys. You have done this several times and you always tell me it is not going to happen again, but it keeps happening. It is selfish of you to be late picking them up."
Of course, I have no argument to give. All I do is feel very badly about it and only imagine how the boys' mother uses this to show that I ( and in turn Michael sr. )am not capable of taking care of the boys. Aidan being scared is stressed and exagerated. When I picked up the chidren last Friday, I asked them what they thought when I wasnt there. Aidan said he was scared and Michael jr said he wondered where I was and Brendan didnt say anything. I didnt even address Aidan saying he was scared because he seemed fine and I didnt give it any thought. I thought he was saying that for attention.(When I went to pick up the children this evening, a phone call came for Aidan from his mother before he even got into the car. he had just reached the car and was saying it was his turn to sit in the front. He had been laughing and he immediately went into the sad and whining of "I dont want to go" and "I want to stay with you." This lasts until the phone conversation is over and then all is well. This behavior is encouraged and my being late to pick them up is only fodder for the manipulator. ) This is a tough situation.
Well, I am tired and will get in the bed and hope for a better day tomorrow. Please, please pray for us all.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Brendan's choir perfomance was incredible. As I told you earlier, it was presented in a church auditorium. This was a large church auditorium with three sections and two floor levels and a blacony all around. This place was almost packed with people. It seems that this is a big deal for the citizens of Evansville. They allshow up for this event. I was stunned by the amount of people that were gathering when I arrived at the church at a bit after 1:30 for the 2:00 performance. Old people, young people, families and individuals. The program was wonderful. the choir enuciated so clearly that one could understand every word of the songs. This, in and of itself, is praise-worthy for an elementary choir director. He has a choir of about a hundred fourth and fifth graders. The select shoir, of which Brendan is a part--Tiger Tuners--is a group of about forty fourth and fifth graders. Parts are sung by the entire choir and parts were sung by the Tiger Tuners. When the Tiger Tuners sang, the others sat on the floor on either side of the risers. Brendan had one line to say and he did it well. I coud tell he was so excited waiting for his turn to say it. I was so happy for him. He had wanted to be in the choir so badly and he had made it. He had wanted a speaking part badly too, and he received the part. This was a year of accomplishments for him. I remember at the beginning of the school year, that he prayed for friends, because he didnt have any. Now he has several and he even gets invited to birthday parties. He went to one on Saturday. I am so happy for him. Please pray for strength and courage in the Lord for him. He asks God for strength and courage in his life every night in his prayers. Tonight was no exception. He is a tender boy and needs guidelines and structure. He has had that for the last six months. Please pray for all three boys. They all need structure. They can be manipulated so easily. And they are manipulated. Not Brendan so much any more (i have no idea what i punched to get this bold), but he is an anxious child. I believe this is because of the events in his life. Michael jr and Aidan are like putty at this point. Michael jr. is getting stronger, but Aidan is getting weaker in the putty area. I leave in two weeks and they return to live in indianapolis with their mother.
Michael sr. is getting better, but I can tell he is not back to where he should be. I believe the pain in his arm is gone, but the back pain around his shouder area is still bad. I believe he is very fruatrated with the difficulty of getting over the pain. Please pray for him.
Pray for all of us as the tensions seem to be getting sort of raw with the grown people in this house (Michael sr. and his mother) Michael does not talk about his feelings to me and so I believe he does not talk about them to anyone. I feel he wishes he could keep the boys, but he knows he cant unless I can help and he sees my physical condition that is greatly impaired by my wieght. He is frustrated, I believe, with me because I am not losing any weight and I am having more difficulty getting around now than I did at the beginning of my visit in June. He learned today that I was late getting the boys last Friday. I guess he learned this from the boys' mother. He is very very very upset with me about this. I got to the house in key Stone about a miute late, and the bus had already passsed the house. I followed the route and got behind the bus and the boys saw me and the bus driver let them get out and get in my car. I am thinking that the boysd' mother told Michael that I missed the bus and that Aidan was scared. Michael sr. is so frustrated with me. I can understand.
He said, "Mother, I depend on you and i told you that you must never be late picking up the boys. You have done this several times and you always tell me it is not going to happen again, but it keeps happening. It is selfish of you to be late picking them up."
Of course, I have no argument to give. All I do is feel very badly about it and only imagine how the boys' mother uses this to show that I ( and in turn Michael sr. )am not capable of taking care of the boys. Aidan being scared is stressed and exagerated. When I picked up the chidren last Friday, I asked them what they thought when I wasnt there. Aidan said he was scared and Michael jr said he wondered where I was and Brendan didnt say anything. I didnt even address Aidan saying he was scared because he seemed fine and I didnt give it any thought. I thought he was saying that for attention.(When I went to pick up the children this evening, a phone call came for Aidan from his mother before he even got into the car. he had just reached the car and was saying it was his turn to sit in the front. He had been laughing and he immediately went into the sad and whining of "I dont want to go" and "I want to stay with you." This lasts until the phone conversation is over and then all is well. This behavior is encouraged and my being late to pick them up is only fodder for the manipulator. ) This is a tough situation.
Well, I am tired and will get in the bed and hope for a better day tomorrow. Please, please pray for us all.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
I wonder if the odor that is usually so strong on Zulu is there to protect her from the cold. Then during the heat of the summer, when it is not cold, the odor is too strong on all of those who live around her. In the extremely cold weather---18 to 34 degees that we have been having--her odor is being used for its purpose and we do not smell it. Someone told me that New Foundlands secrete an oil to protect their skin and that is a characteristic of the breed. I consider remarks from this "know -it-all" person as fallderall, since he seems to have an answer for every question known to man. But, perhaps this time, he was correct. Ther is no smell at all around Zulu and she appears to have had a bath, when Michael says he has not bathed her. Her hair is so clean and luxurious and shiny and beautiful. There is no odor and she loves being out in this cold weather. At thia moment in time, she has no flaws in my eyes.....oh..except for her slobbering. Now that I ponder on that, I believe the slobbering is down dramatically too. Ah ha! She is supposed to live in the snow areas. She was bred to be a rescue dog, like the ..whatever that dog is that is always pictured with a keg around its neck. She likes the water too in the summer. She is a natural swimmer. I really do enjoy her and she really does adore me. And I mean "adore". She is always going wherever I go. I just figured it out. She can see that I am a bit awkward with my walking and she wants to be there if I fall. Not really, she loves me because I always pet her and ensure that she has clean water (when the boys are gone) and sometimes I give her a bite of the meat I am preparing for our dinners.
Michael is slowing getting over his sickness. Obviously, he did not make the trip to New Harmony. He was in the bed all day yesterday. He got up twice to lie on the huge foof chair and watch tv for a bit. Then back to bed. He appears to be getting the color back in his face and to gain more strength, although he is still needing to recuperate to get back his old self. Please continue to pray.
I am continuing to be anticipating the feelings of missing being here, I am wanting to soak up everything around me. Even the worker men. Just think. They have been working here since July and I have gotten to know them a bit. They are brothers and they are good men. 29 and 32. They work for the flim flam man. They are the ones who have decided to return here to finish this job. The flim flam man wanted them to go do other projects since he had already gotten the money out of me for this work. But these guys told him that it just wasnt right to treat us this way. Oh, and Michael sr. had a "chat" with the flim flam man. The workers are now working almost independent of the flim flam man. They have been here everyday since the week before Thanksgiving. They may not finish until Monday. It is really looking so good down there. And remember, we got the lowest bid you can imagine. Anyway, I am going to miss these worker men --Tony Mann and Jerimiah Mann--when they leave. Tony is married and has three daughters. He lives in Madison, Indiana. Jerimiah is d-i-v-o-r-c-e-d (for about three or four years) and. being fresh out of the slammer, is between residences and is staying wherever their jobs are. They have been through every incident that has occurred here this last six months. In spite of the "slammer" experience, they are good men.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Michael is slowing getting over his sickness. Obviously, he did not make the trip to New Harmony. He was in the bed all day yesterday. He got up twice to lie on the huge foof chair and watch tv for a bit. Then back to bed. He appears to be getting the color back in his face and to gain more strength, although he is still needing to recuperate to get back his old self. Please continue to pray.
I am continuing to be anticipating the feelings of missing being here, I am wanting to soak up everything around me. Even the worker men. Just think. They have been working here since July and I have gotten to know them a bit. They are brothers and they are good men. 29 and 32. They work for the flim flam man. They are the ones who have decided to return here to finish this job. The flim flam man wanted them to go do other projects since he had already gotten the money out of me for this work. But these guys told him that it just wasnt right to treat us this way. Oh, and Michael sr. had a "chat" with the flim flam man. The workers are now working almost independent of the flim flam man. They have been here everyday since the week before Thanksgiving. They may not finish until Monday. It is really looking so good down there. And remember, we got the lowest bid you can imagine. Anyway, I am going to miss these worker men --Tony Mann and Jerimiah Mann--when they leave. Tony is married and has three daughters. He lives in Madison, Indiana. Jerimiah is d-i-v-o-r-c-e-d (for about three or four years) and. being fresh out of the slammer, is between residences and is staying wherever their jobs are. They have been through every incident that has occurred here this last six months. In spite of the "slammer" experience, they are good men.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Saturday, December 06, 2008
I am thinking that the cold weather may be the reason my joints are taking so long to stop hurting. I know my weight is the major factor in my joint pain, but I am wondering if the extreme cold is a strong contributing factor too, to the continuing pain in my knees and ankles. I just read about the impact of cold weather on arthritic joints and I think this is why I am having such a difficult time getting my knees back in line. Oh well. I love cold weather, but not if this is what happens with my knees. I have noticed that I am the only fat person in Newburgh. Honestly. There are no fat people here. Ah ha. They either never get fat here, or the weather hurt their joints to such an extent that they packed up and left.
It is hard to believe that, if all goes as planned, that I only have two weeks left to live up here in Newburgh. This is an event that comes with mixed feelings. The first feeling is joy to be going back home. The second feeling is of sadness in that I probably will never have this opportunity to feel this needed by Michael again. The fear is that I will not ever be able to spend any length of time with him and will not be able to be a part of his life to the extent I have been able to be for the last six months. I realize that I am having to cut the apron strings all over again just like when he left for college. I must treasure this time I have had with him to be a part of his life. Most mothers do not have this type of opportunity and I must be thankful for the time I had to again be an integral part of Michael's life. He is an adult and he lives in Indiana. I am his mother and I live in Houston. There is a sadness, because I know that Michael will not be calling me regularly or even often. Oh well. It is what it is. I must look at this as a "gift of time" and move on down the track. Gladness mixed with sadness. Grandsons and my older son.
Thank you, my Lord, for this gift. jk
It is hard to believe that, if all goes as planned, that I only have two weeks left to live up here in Newburgh. This is an event that comes with mixed feelings. The first feeling is joy to be going back home. The second feeling is of sadness in that I probably will never have this opportunity to feel this needed by Michael again. The fear is that I will not ever be able to spend any length of time with him and will not be able to be a part of his life to the extent I have been able to be for the last six months. I realize that I am having to cut the apron strings all over again just like when he left for college. I must treasure this time I have had with him to be a part of his life. Most mothers do not have this type of opportunity and I must be thankful for the time I had to again be an integral part of Michael's life. He is an adult and he lives in Indiana. I am his mother and I live in Houston. There is a sadness, because I know that Michael will not be calling me regularly or even often. Oh well. It is what it is. I must look at this as a "gift of time" and move on down the track. Gladness mixed with sadness. Grandsons and my older son.
Thank you, my Lord, for this gift. jk
Michael remains at home in his bed. One can easily tell that michael is sick. He said, himself, that he is sick with something. He had chills last night and he looks like he is sweating right now. He said he has no fever, although he has been taking his temperature to be sure he does not have a fever because if he did, he would need to get to the hospital ASAP at the first sign of fever. He said, fever indicates an infection. He said this sickness does not have anything to do with the surgery. I asked if he wanted anything from Starbuck's and he said,"Yes, I would like an iced, be sure it is iced, venti non-fat, caramel macchiatta with three splendas. Dont forget to make it iced. " When i gave the drink to him. he took it in his hands and just held it. He looks so sick. Exhausted.
When i was getting the Starbuck's drinks, it was snowing. Here in Newburgh, I have seen the big flakes,but this snow is in the form of minute snowballs that bounce on the car like ping pong balls as they land on the car. Teeny, tiny , silent little balls. so cute and so very cold. Cold with capital letters. I wonder if the cold weather has anything to do with the difficult time I am having with my knees and my ankles.
I will probably post again sometime today with an update on Michael. He was planning to go to a little peaceful town, New Harmony, Indiana, for this week end, but now this plan is off I imagine. Some huge change will need to occur for Michael to be able to even think about leaving his bed, much less the house.
The worker men plan to finish the basement today and then possibly return tomorrow to do final cleanup. I still do not know when the plumber will arrive to install the toilet and sink.
I will lie down for a nap.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
When i was getting the Starbuck's drinks, it was snowing. Here in Newburgh, I have seen the big flakes,but this snow is in the form of minute snowballs that bounce on the car like ping pong balls as they land on the car. Teeny, tiny , silent little balls. so cute and so very cold. Cold with capital letters. I wonder if the cold weather has anything to do with the difficult time I am having with my knees and my ankles.
I will probably post again sometime today with an update on Michael. He was planning to go to a little peaceful town, New Harmony, Indiana, for this week end, but now this plan is off I imagine. Some huge change will need to occur for Michael to be able to even think about leaving his bed, much less the house.
The worker men plan to finish the basement today and then possibly return tomorrow to do final cleanup. I still do not know when the plumber will arrive to install the toilet and sink.
I will lie down for a nap.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Friday, December 05, 2008
This has been a hectic, but very rewarding day, with no rest as I accomplished the things I needed to and did complete today.
The boys mother asked me if she sould come later to pick up the boys since she was having to leave late from Indianapolis. She said she would come get them at around 9 pm rather than having me drop them off at the Cobble Field address in Evansville. I had the boys fed, bathed and in their pajamas when she came at 9 to get them. They were all gone by 9:35p.m. The quiet that invaded this home at that point was almost deafening. They each took two play-outfits to wear and two pair of underwear and two pair of socks. Aidan, of course, went minus one pair of underwear. He will be fine. Brendan has a birthday party to attend on Saturday from 11a.m. to 12:30p.m. and he has his choir performance on Sunday at Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville. This perfomance is at 2 on Sunday. I sent him with his costume, fresh from the cleaners.
The boys were all lying around their daddy in his room as they awaited the arrival of their mother. She is with her friend, Troy, and his children this weekend, too, in Evansville. She only had the little 7 year old girl, Gabby, in the car with her, but Garrett, Gabby's 10 year old brother, was supposed to be at the Cobble Field residence when the boys and their mother reached their final expressed destination after leaving the boys' Newburgh home, which they share with their dad.
Michael sr. had a pretty rough time today. He was concerned enough to have me get him a thermometer to determne if he had a fever. He didnt, but he said he felt like he did. Prior to taking his temp, he said that if he, in fact, had a fever, he needed to get back to the hospital. I could tell he was worried about himself. He felt nausiated, but nothing came of it today. He was in the bed all afternoon after he came home for the hospital today at noon. He is trying to tough it out. The doctor said the posterior incision surgery is much more painful to overcome than the anterior incision he had this July. My understanding is the pain across his upper shoulders and back is very painful. He looked like it was really hurting him. It is something. When one of your children is sick, no matter their age, they appear so vulnerable and one reverts immediately to the care-taker.
Because I had no opportunity to rest today, my leg, knees and ankles were really putting in the extra duty from me. Being as large as I am, makes getting around difficult and more difficult as I use the only knees, ankles, legs and back I was given. They were intended to support a much smaller body. The ankles and knees and back are doing the best they can for belonging to a good woman who has not taken care of the body her Lord has given her. The process is so slow. I am so weak. I do have long periods of strength and self-control. The problem is, that I am in a situationm that requires continual self-control. I wont even ask for your prayers on this behalf. I must honor my words to my Lord and Savior and my Sustainer and be continual in my efforts to rid my body of the ramification of my over-indulgence and total selfishness in my lack of self-control. Alas.
Tomorrow I plan to rest all day and stay off of my feet so my feet, knees, and ankles can have an opportunity to restore themselves. I plan to go to Brendan's choir performance on Sunday after I attend my church. The boys are supposed to return to Newburgh sometime Sunday afternoon or evening.
Michael sr. has planned to go to a little town close to Newburgh called New Harmony, Indiana, for the week end. I dont know yet, if he will feel like going tomorrow. Supposedly the first day pre-op is the worst and things should be better for him on Saturday. Right now his door is closed and the light appears to be out, so I am hoping he is sleeping. Michael sr plans to return to see Brendan's choir perfomance on Sunday. He and I will be going in separate cars since he will be arriving from New Harmony.
The boys were so loving to their Daddy. Michael jr. took a plate of food in to him after the boys and I ate. This was uncsolicited. Aidan wantde to take Michael sr his medicine when I returned with it from Walgreens. Michael jr. said he wanted to go home to see his daddy as soon as I picked them up from school today. He said, "I want to be there for Daddy." My plan had been to pick them up and stop by Rawlgreens to pick up perscriptions and then take the boys home. Because of Michael jr.'s request, I took them home first. They all dashed into the house and only Brendan returned to go to Rawlgreens with me.
I am so glad I am here. It is so wonderful to see God's hand is in my life to enable me to be here at a time that Michael sr. really needs to have me here. He thanks me over and over as he reminds me that I must lose weight. And I must. Blessed be the name of our Lord.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
The boys mother asked me if she sould come later to pick up the boys since she was having to leave late from Indianapolis. She said she would come get them at around 9 pm rather than having me drop them off at the Cobble Field address in Evansville. I had the boys fed, bathed and in their pajamas when she came at 9 to get them. They were all gone by 9:35p.m. The quiet that invaded this home at that point was almost deafening. They each took two play-outfits to wear and two pair of underwear and two pair of socks. Aidan, of course, went minus one pair of underwear. He will be fine. Brendan has a birthday party to attend on Saturday from 11a.m. to 12:30p.m. and he has his choir performance on Sunday at Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville. This perfomance is at 2 on Sunday. I sent him with his costume, fresh from the cleaners.
The boys were all lying around their daddy in his room as they awaited the arrival of their mother. She is with her friend, Troy, and his children this weekend, too, in Evansville. She only had the little 7 year old girl, Gabby, in the car with her, but Garrett, Gabby's 10 year old brother, was supposed to be at the Cobble Field residence when the boys and their mother reached their final expressed destination after leaving the boys' Newburgh home, which they share with their dad.
Michael sr. had a pretty rough time today. He was concerned enough to have me get him a thermometer to determne if he had a fever. He didnt, but he said he felt like he did. Prior to taking his temp, he said that if he, in fact, had a fever, he needed to get back to the hospital. I could tell he was worried about himself. He felt nausiated, but nothing came of it today. He was in the bed all afternoon after he came home for the hospital today at noon. He is trying to tough it out. The doctor said the posterior incision surgery is much more painful to overcome than the anterior incision he had this July. My understanding is the pain across his upper shoulders and back is very painful. He looked like it was really hurting him. It is something. When one of your children is sick, no matter their age, they appear so vulnerable and one reverts immediately to the care-taker.
Because I had no opportunity to rest today, my leg, knees and ankles were really putting in the extra duty from me. Being as large as I am, makes getting around difficult and more difficult as I use the only knees, ankles, legs and back I was given. They were intended to support a much smaller body. The ankles and knees and back are doing the best they can for belonging to a good woman who has not taken care of the body her Lord has given her. The process is so slow. I am so weak. I do have long periods of strength and self-control. The problem is, that I am in a situationm that requires continual self-control. I wont even ask for your prayers on this behalf. I must honor my words to my Lord and Savior and my Sustainer and be continual in my efforts to rid my body of the ramification of my over-indulgence and total selfishness in my lack of self-control. Alas.
Tomorrow I plan to rest all day and stay off of my feet so my feet, knees, and ankles can have an opportunity to restore themselves. I plan to go to Brendan's choir performance on Sunday after I attend my church. The boys are supposed to return to Newburgh sometime Sunday afternoon or evening.
Michael sr. has planned to go to a little town close to Newburgh called New Harmony, Indiana, for the week end. I dont know yet, if he will feel like going tomorrow. Supposedly the first day pre-op is the worst and things should be better for him on Saturday. Right now his door is closed and the light appears to be out, so I am hoping he is sleeping. Michael sr plans to return to see Brendan's choir perfomance on Sunday. He and I will be going in separate cars since he will be arriving from New Harmony.
The boys were so loving to their Daddy. Michael jr. took a plate of food in to him after the boys and I ate. This was uncsolicited. Aidan wantde to take Michael sr his medicine when I returned with it from Walgreens. Michael jr. said he wanted to go home to see his daddy as soon as I picked them up from school today. He said, "I want to be there for Daddy." My plan had been to pick them up and stop by Rawlgreens to pick up perscriptions and then take the boys home. Because of Michael jr.'s request, I took them home first. They all dashed into the house and only Brendan returned to go to Rawlgreens with me.
I am so glad I am here. It is so wonderful to see God's hand is in my life to enable me to be here at a time that Michael sr. really needs to have me here. He thanks me over and over as he reminds me that I must lose weight. And I must. Blessed be the name of our Lord.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Michael came through the surgery in fine fashion. The neurologist told me that Michael should not have any more pain. This operation was on a bulging joint in the rear of his spine and the surgery took place in the center of the back of his neck. The doctor told me that the anesthesiologist took 15 seconds to intubate Michael as opposed the the twenty minutes it took for the last surgery. He said there shoud be less trauma to his air way. We left Michael sr. tonight resting and not knowing when they will release him. Either tomorrow( I cant imagine this) or on Saturday mroning. I hope they hold him until Saturday morning to be on the safe side. I will let you know.
The day begain at 4:30 a.m. as planned when I arose and got ready for the day. Then I got Brendan up and as he dressed I got Aidan and Michael jr. up. We left the house at 6:15a.m. with Michael sr and his bag and took him to the hospital. Then the boys and I went to IHOP for breakfast and then I took them to school. I returned to the hospital where I waited with Michael in his room until they took him for surgery at 10a.m. The surgery lasted about an hour or so and I rejoined Michael sr. in his room at 12:30. He looked better than I have seen him since I have been down her in June. The pain was gone and he looked strong. He got up immediately and walked about ten laps around the hall of the sixth floor with the nurse. He was walking at a good clip as he was attempting to get the effects of the anesthesia to wear off more quickly. Tonight when the boys and I returned for our night visit at 7p.m., he was visable tired and he was ready to say good night pretty quickly after we arrived. We were probably there in his room for about 20 minutes max.
Pleae continue to pray for him. For his spiritual healing as well as his physical healing. I do love him so much. This time with him in the hopital is the most intimate time we have shared. It is not all that intimate, but it is a time what we talk and share a bit. He continues to be such a love in my life and so dear to me.
Right now I am so tired. I walked the hall ways of the hospital eight times and that is not easy for me. The last two trips were in a wheelchair we swiped from the foyer of the hospital. The boys wheeled me to Michael's room. That is probably the only way I would have made it up. My knee conintues to be a bit of a problem and this "bit" grows to a "lot" as I walk on it. So, today, it had a real workout.
I am getting ready to get into the bed and hopefully recuperate by morning. I plan to take the boys to the hospital after I pick them up from school tomorrow. I may not go to the hospital unless my knee is a whole lot better. It just takes too much out of me and I am not what I need to be for the boys. Michael suggested that I not come to the hospital tomorrow morning so I can be better able to take care of the boys at the end of the day.
I am supposed to take them to their mother at their old home at 8 tomorrow night. Then she will hae them for the week end. We will probably get them back when we go to the choir perfomance on Sunday at 2 in the local Christian church in Evansville.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
The day begain at 4:30 a.m. as planned when I arose and got ready for the day. Then I got Brendan up and as he dressed I got Aidan and Michael jr. up. We left the house at 6:15a.m. with Michael sr and his bag and took him to the hospital. Then the boys and I went to IHOP for breakfast and then I took them to school. I returned to the hospital where I waited with Michael in his room until they took him for surgery at 10a.m. The surgery lasted about an hour or so and I rejoined Michael sr. in his room at 12:30. He looked better than I have seen him since I have been down her in June. The pain was gone and he looked strong. He got up immediately and walked about ten laps around the hall of the sixth floor with the nurse. He was walking at a good clip as he was attempting to get the effects of the anesthesia to wear off more quickly. Tonight when the boys and I returned for our night visit at 7p.m., he was visable tired and he was ready to say good night pretty quickly after we arrived. We were probably there in his room for about 20 minutes max.
Pleae continue to pray for him. For his spiritual healing as well as his physical healing. I do love him so much. This time with him in the hopital is the most intimate time we have shared. It is not all that intimate, but it is a time what we talk and share a bit. He continues to be such a love in my life and so dear to me.
Right now I am so tired. I walked the hall ways of the hospital eight times and that is not easy for me. The last two trips were in a wheelchair we swiped from the foyer of the hospital. The boys wheeled me to Michael's room. That is probably the only way I would have made it up. My knee conintues to be a bit of a problem and this "bit" grows to a "lot" as I walk on it. So, today, it had a real workout.
I am getting ready to get into the bed and hopefully recuperate by morning. I plan to take the boys to the hospital after I pick them up from school tomorrow. I may not go to the hospital unless my knee is a whole lot better. It just takes too much out of me and I am not what I need to be for the boys. Michael suggested that I not come to the hospital tomorrow morning so I can be better able to take care of the boys at the end of the day.
I am supposed to take them to their mother at their old home at 8 tomorrow night. Then she will hae them for the week end. We will probably get them back when we go to the choir perfomance on Sunday at 2 in the local Christian church in Evansville.
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Kathryn, what a thrill to hear from you.
Kathryn is one of my dearest friends in Houston. She is the first person I met when I brecame the principal at Lowery elementary. We hit it off immediately. She is a jewel of a person and she is so honest and straight forward. A pleasure to have for a friend. She is my confidant. She is also retired from teaching first grade. She is the best teacher I ever worked with. She can teach anyone how to read. She retired the year I retired. We are sort of soul mates and we continue to grow closer with the passing of time. We are a lot alike and we understand each other' idiosyncracies so well. I love you, Kathryn.
Well, Michael sr. is having his surgery tomorrow morning. The plan is for me to drop him off at 6:15a.m. and then take the boys to school. Right now the boys are in bed and Michael sr. is at work. Can you believe it? He is at work. Anyway. I will return to the hopital after delivering the boys to school. They wanted to stay with their dad, but Brendan has a program he is in at school tomorrow and Michael jr. has a test (and the school cafeteria is serving spaghetti and meatballs for lunch) and Aidan decided to stay at school because his brothers are going to be there. I think this is best. This way I do not worry about them while I am waiting for their daddy to get out of surgery. I will go to pick them up at 2 and return to the hospital aruond 3 or 3:30p.m.
I know I dont need to ask you to pray for this situation, but I am asking you to pray. Michael has not returned to God. He has not fully returned to the level of arogance he had prior to the incident in July, but he is getting a bit more arrogant reagarding God as the days pass.
Please be patient with him, Heavenly Father. I pray for the Holy Spirit to be quickened in him, if It is still in Michael sr. Oh, dear Lord, I dont know the words to say. Please hear me. Put people in his life that can help him se the error of his ways and the might of our Father.
I fixed grilled pork steaks for dinner with rice and asparagas. The boys all said I had promised to never fix asparagas again. So I did not make them eat it. Brendan requested another plate because he was unable to get all of the green from the asparagas off of his plate. So the only way to enjoy the rest of the dinner was to get another clean plate. They drank their milk out of one of the Christmans mugs I brought back from my Thanksgiving visit to Houston. I brought back four migs. One for each of them and one for me. They do enjoy drinking out of the mugs.
I was a bit harsh with them this evening. I think they might have been wound up because they know their daddy is having surgery tomorrow. Either that or I just was bothered by their constant activity/noise tonight. I started their showers at 6:30 and we were in bed at 7:30. Of course, the "sleep" actually comes a bit after that because of the song each of them sings and the prayer Brendan prays. That child can pray a long, long, long prayer and it is difficult for me to not tell him to cut the prayer short. I want him to want to talk to the Lord, but my mercy, he can go on. Then I pray and they all go to sleep. I stay in the room with them until I feel they are all asleep and then I leave. Tonight, as often happens, Brendan is still awake when I leave. He puts his hand out of the bed (he is in the top bunk) and I kiss it and he leans over the bed rail and kisses me and says good night. It is sweet, just between the two of us. They really are so sweet. Brendan is the one that I mostly am griping to and yet he is always so penitent sand loving afterward. Of course, he shoud be penitent...usually.
Well, i am calling it a post and will hit the hay. I have an early start tomorrow. I plan to get up at 4:30 to begin my getting ready process. I will get the boys up at 5:30 (Brendan) and 5:50(Michael jr and Aidan).
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Kathryn is one of my dearest friends in Houston. She is the first person I met when I brecame the principal at Lowery elementary. We hit it off immediately. She is a jewel of a person and she is so honest and straight forward. A pleasure to have for a friend. She is my confidant. She is also retired from teaching first grade. She is the best teacher I ever worked with. She can teach anyone how to read. She retired the year I retired. We are sort of soul mates and we continue to grow closer with the passing of time. We are a lot alike and we understand each other' idiosyncracies so well. I love you, Kathryn.
Well, Michael sr. is having his surgery tomorrow morning. The plan is for me to drop him off at 6:15a.m. and then take the boys to school. Right now the boys are in bed and Michael sr. is at work. Can you believe it? He is at work. Anyway. I will return to the hopital after delivering the boys to school. They wanted to stay with their dad, but Brendan has a program he is in at school tomorrow and Michael jr. has a test (and the school cafeteria is serving spaghetti and meatballs for lunch) and Aidan decided to stay at school because his brothers are going to be there. I think this is best. This way I do not worry about them while I am waiting for their daddy to get out of surgery. I will go to pick them up at 2 and return to the hospital aruond 3 or 3:30p.m.
I know I dont need to ask you to pray for this situation, but I am asking you to pray. Michael has not returned to God. He has not fully returned to the level of arogance he had prior to the incident in July, but he is getting a bit more arrogant reagarding God as the days pass.
Please be patient with him, Heavenly Father. I pray for the Holy Spirit to be quickened in him, if It is still in Michael sr. Oh, dear Lord, I dont know the words to say. Please hear me. Put people in his life that can help him se the error of his ways and the might of our Father.
I fixed grilled pork steaks for dinner with rice and asparagas. The boys all said I had promised to never fix asparagas again. So I did not make them eat it. Brendan requested another plate because he was unable to get all of the green from the asparagas off of his plate. So the only way to enjoy the rest of the dinner was to get another clean plate. They drank their milk out of one of the Christmans mugs I brought back from my Thanksgiving visit to Houston. I brought back four migs. One for each of them and one for me. They do enjoy drinking out of the mugs.
I was a bit harsh with them this evening. I think they might have been wound up because they know their daddy is having surgery tomorrow. Either that or I just was bothered by their constant activity/noise tonight. I started their showers at 6:30 and we were in bed at 7:30. Of course, the "sleep" actually comes a bit after that because of the song each of them sings and the prayer Brendan prays. That child can pray a long, long, long prayer and it is difficult for me to not tell him to cut the prayer short. I want him to want to talk to the Lord, but my mercy, he can go on. Then I pray and they all go to sleep. I stay in the room with them until I feel they are all asleep and then I leave. Tonight, as often happens, Brendan is still awake when I leave. He puts his hand out of the bed (he is in the top bunk) and I kiss it and he leans over the bed rail and kisses me and says good night. It is sweet, just between the two of us. They really are so sweet. Brendan is the one that I mostly am griping to and yet he is always so penitent sand loving afterward. Of course, he shoud be penitent...usually.
Well, i am calling it a post and will hit the hay. I have an early start tomorrow. I plan to get up at 4:30 to begin my getting ready process. I will get the boys up at 5:30 (Brendan) and 5:50(Michael jr and Aidan).
May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
I made it to Rawlgreens just fine. Vicki, I did not fall down by the Ibuprofene display, thank goodness. I did get the sympathy of the store personnel as they asked me at every turn if there was anything they could get for me. I made it out to the car just fine and put the stuff into the trunk and left the cart beside the handicapped post by the parking place. Victory without a walker. Although, Vicki, I must agree, using the walker is better than any of the scenes that you so alby described in your comment to me.
Dearest Bill, I really did not have time to go see anyone while I was in Houston. I trust that Walker had a ball and that you waited on Robin hand-and-foot throughout the holiday. I look forward to returning permanently to Houston and Champions church and the felowship of those I hold dear there. Pastor Bill and Sister Cassandra, to name two. Jeanie too.
Last night I delivered Brendan on time to his first choir performanc. It was for a school district secretaries' Christmas dinner. This morning I delivered the boys to school and before I got home, I received a call from the school that Michael jr. was in the nurse's office with a queezy stomach. Instead of telling them to "Tell him to suck it up and get back to class", I told the nurse that I would be out to get him as soon as I could. I picked him up and as soon as he got in the car, he said he was feeling better. Alas, I knew it. I told him that he should not be having fun with me as we drove home, and if he felt himself enjoying anything, that he was to think of something to get him feeling rotten again. We stopped by the butcher on the way home so we have some food for our evening meal. Right now he is on the couch watching tv. I dont know if that is the right thing to do, but that is what's happnin.
I will go get the load out of the washer and put it in the dryer prior to putting anther load in the washer and getting the dry load out of the dryer. Alas, it never ends. Although, since Ihave been back in Newburgh from Thanksgiving, I am concentrating on just taking care of the needs of the boys and not keeping the washing machine going all of the time. The only problen is like this morning when Brendan and Aidan told me they had no pants to wear to school. Great. It is 6a.m. and we need to leave at 6:3o and you tell me you have no pants to wear. Brendan found a pair that were barely worn and Aidan found a pair of camoflage pants that had a rip on both knees. I told him if anyone said anyting about the rips, to tell them he is a veteran and it happened in conflict.
I am enjoying these boys.
My knee is so much better today, As I walk on it, it is getting sorer, but I have not needed a cane yet today. Thanks for your prayers. I thanked God for the improvement this morning. It is so exciting when one sees such improvement and one realizes that there are folks praying for me. Love to all of you.
I will close now and get about the things i am getting paid to "get about". (just kidding about any pay)
May God richly bless you my loved ones. jk
Dearest Bill, I really did not have time to go see anyone while I was in Houston. I trust that Walker had a ball and that you waited on Robin hand-and-foot throughout the holiday. I look forward to returning permanently to Houston and Champions church and the felowship of those I hold dear there. Pastor Bill and Sister Cassandra, to name two. Jeanie too.
Last night I delivered Brendan on time to his first choir performanc. It was for a school district secretaries' Christmas dinner. This morning I delivered the boys to school and before I got home, I received a call from the school that Michael jr. was in the nurse's office with a queezy stomach. Instead of telling them to "Tell him to suck it up and get back to class", I told the nurse that I would be out to get him as soon as I could. I picked him up and as soon as he got in the car, he said he was feeling better. Alas, I knew it. I told him that he should not be having fun with me as we drove home, and if he felt himself enjoying anything, that he was to think of something to get him feeling rotten again. We stopped by the butcher on the way home so we have some food for our evening meal. Right now he is on the couch watching tv. I dont know if that is the right thing to do, but that is what's happnin.
I will go get the load out of the washer and put it in the dryer prior to putting anther load in the washer and getting the dry load out of the dryer. Alas, it never ends. Although, since Ihave been back in Newburgh from Thanksgiving, I am concentrating on just taking care of the needs of the boys and not keeping the washing machine going all of the time. The only problen is like this morning when Brendan and Aidan told me they had no pants to wear to school. Great. It is 6a.m. and we need to leave at 6:3o and you tell me you have no pants to wear. Brendan found a pair that were barely worn and Aidan found a pair of camoflage pants that had a rip on both knees. I told him if anyone said anyting about the rips, to tell them he is a veteran and it happened in conflict.
I am enjoying these boys.
My knee is so much better today, As I walk on it, it is getting sorer, but I have not needed a cane yet today. Thanks for your prayers. I thanked God for the improvement this morning. It is so exciting when one sees such improvement and one realizes that there are folks praying for me. Love to all of you.
I will close now and get about the things i am getting paid to "get about". (just kidding about any pay)
May God richly bless you my loved ones. jk
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Michael sr. said his arm is hurting him worse than it ever has. He said he will go to see Dr. Eggers, his neurologist, on Wednesday to determine what the next step is. I will let you know when I know. He has asked me to take over everything regarding the children every day. He is still going to work because he has to make a living. Please pray for him and his doctor as they make the decision for what is needed for Michael sr. at this time.
Also, pray for me and my knee. It contnues to be so very weak and sore. I must use the cane to walk. I probably shoud be using the walker, but I am too embrrassed to use it in public.
Right now I am getting ready to go to Rawlgreens to pick up a few things. I am wondering how I will get around in the store. When I get the cart, I will be ok, but it is the getting in and out of the store that will be the biggest challenge. I will let you know how it went in my next post.
Brendan has a choir performance this evening. I need to have him there by 5 and pickeded up by 6:30p.m.
This will conclude this post. May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Also, pray for me and my knee. It contnues to be so very weak and sore. I must use the cane to walk. I probably shoud be using the walker, but I am too embrrassed to use it in public.
Right now I am getting ready to go to Rawlgreens to pick up a few things. I am wondering how I will get around in the store. When I get the cart, I will be ok, but it is the getting in and out of the store that will be the biggest challenge. I will let you know how it went in my next post.
Brendan has a choir performance this evening. I need to have him there by 5 and pickeded up by 6:30p.m.
This will conclude this post. May God richly bless you, my loved ones. jk
Monday, December 01, 2008
Michael sr. did go to work today. His arm has more of its feeling returned, but pain is the problem now. He spoke with his neurologist and they are thinking about having surgery next week. This is not defintie, but probable. This will be another major put-you-to-sleep -with -an -intubtion-tube-down -your -throat surgery. " This time they will work on the "other thing" that is working along with the first "thing" to cause the numbness and pain. Michael sr. doesnt go into near enough, or really any detail , regarding this procedure or the problem, for that matter, to satisfy me. I am just left with the "probable" surgery next week. Evidently there are two nerves that are affected and the first one was taken care of in the first surgery. The second did not respond to the in-the-office surgery about two weeks ago, and so now we are at the point of needing a second major surgery to fix the second nerve .
Anyway, I fixed grilled hamburger steaks and mashed potatoes and carrots for dinner. All seemed satisfied.
My knee quickly goes bad when I put any weight on it at all. I am in hopes that another night of sleep with no pressure on the knee will be what it takes to get the knee back to fulfilling its usual purpose-filled life. Right now it is sort of tough to walk around the house with a cane and the pain of a bad knee.
Michsael sr. taught me how to steam vegetables in his steamer and they are smelling so good right now. It is time for the boys to shower and begin the process of getting in the mood for a night's rest.
May God richly bless you my loved ones. jk
Anyway, I fixed grilled hamburger steaks and mashed potatoes and carrots for dinner. All seemed satisfied.
My knee quickly goes bad when I put any weight on it at all. I am in hopes that another night of sleep with no pressure on the knee will be what it takes to get the knee back to fulfilling its usual purpose-filled life. Right now it is sort of tough to walk around the house with a cane and the pain of a bad knee.
Michsael sr. taught me how to steam vegetables in his steamer and they are smelling so good right now. It is time for the boys to shower and begin the process of getting in the mood for a night's rest.
May God richly bless you my loved ones. jk
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