More Snow days!

I cannot move pictures on this laptop! Grrrrrr...and on my PC it won't read my scandisk card...so no pictures! Clyde has said we need to get another card....yes, we should!

Today is Thursday, and another snow day. I stayed home Mon. & Tues. to get my back better and see how the muscle relaxer made me feel, so I have worked one day this week. Actually, although I hate being in school in June, today was good for me. Until now, I have been on a heating pad most of the day. I got hungry! I just fixed a great grilled cheese sandwich...WW bread, Colby Jack cheese (1 slice) and a thinly sliced Gala apple. Yummy....

I know this needs to be fast, as sitting aggravates my back muscle....don't know if I should be walking on the treadmill or letting it rest????

OK, well last night after our weekly dinner with my favorite son (btw, did anyone see the commercial on the new Green's Toyota collision center....Jason is in it twice!) we went over to visit papaw. His nurse told him on Monday that the fluid is building back up too quickly. So each visit is priceless. Daddy got his new bed from Hospice yesterday. Jason and I went back to see it, and Jason raised it for dad so that it doesn't take a lot for him to stand up. I know this will help mom get more sleep, so again, we are thankful to Hospice. Dad has kept his humor, as when he told us about the bed he said "after 64 years she's kicking me out" and pointed to mom. Mom said she would miss cuddling! Funny.

Whenever I have a future donation opportunity, I will remember Hospice. There really are NO words to say how they have helped dad's quality of life. I have written it before, so don't need to keep repeating, but he does say so much that I want to pass it on anytime I can. With tears in his eyes, he says that they saved his life back in December. For the pass two months, he really has lived much better. Although he is ready for Heaven, I know he has appreciated having this time for sweet goodbyes.

Update Monday

When waking up on Friday and working all day, I didn't expect to finish the day at the ER. However, my back had been hurting a little more than normal, and by the time I got home, it was screaming. I was alone and thinking I may pass out and then what. So, I called Clyde and his phone was out of range. Thank goodness for family...I called Martha & Bev. and they decided Martha would come and take me to the hospital. It was a hard decision for me, but I was in so much pain I couldn't imagine it was JUST my back....I was thinking it may have been a kidney stone. Hard to know how much to write...hmmm...they did find a little blood in my little "cup" and you know what was in there. So, they really thought it was the kidneys. The scan did not show a stone, so I am guessing it is my back. Stayed in bed most of Sat. and Sun. on a heating pad, off school today, and this is the most I have sat up in a chair. Mostly I lay or stand...getting up still is not easy or rolling over, putting on pants, etc. I have a doctor appt. today at 3:45.

I am actually blogging to write about dad. I called mom a few minutes ago to find he is really not doing well. Over the night, he asked her to get him oxygen, his nitro pills, and just had a rough night. That means she had a rough night. She said, since his fluid was removed on Thursday, he has not been back up. She has been rolling him around in his wheelchair, he has not been strong enough for his walker (which rolls but he has to push it along). His wonderful nurse aide, Debbie, came this morning to shave him and change his PJ's and mom feels like she will have his nurse or doctor come to check on him. A hospital bed is to arrive this week. Mom said daddy thanks her for the help often, and she said he told her recently "it won't be long". He feels he is going downhill fast. We have been given an extra two months due to Hospice. They came on Dec. 18th and now it is Feb. 22nd....he has had a great two months. We have played Rook again and he has been able to do it well! He has smiled more, eaten better and enjoyed his food. He has had wonderful pies brought from friends at church (and family!) Fudge, all kinds of sweets that he has enjoyed fully. So, we are very thankful for this time. However, when the time comes he gets any worse, I know he will be ready to go. Thank you all for any prayers for my mom. She needs to be extra strong to be able to handle this time as he may go during the night or when no one is there with her. I know God will be and He will carry her along when she can't walk alone. I know He is with my dad as well. I was there last on Thursday and kissed him on the head as usual with a "I love you dad" and he always says "I love you baby".

End of Valentine's Weekend

Maggie on her scooter that Santa brought.

Nana and pap bought a dress for Maggie and sweatsuits for the boys. Austin's had a baseball player and Matthew's had a soccer player. (for Valentine's Day)

We (heart) bags for each kid from their mom & dad.
They found them with red tissue so pretty as they woke up today in Louisville. They went there with all the Keith family. Spaghetti Factory for lunch yesterday, a Children's Science Museum and more! Fun times.

Money for Matthew from mamaw and papaw.

We started, as I said in the post below, on Friday night at Murray's. Sat. was laid back and relaxing. Sunday (today), we ate a quick lunch at Cane's and came home to watch the Daytona 500. I baked a cake for my son-in-law and after the race (a long track delay) we took it over with gifts for the kids for Valentine's Day. Sweet end of the day! I love those kids!

Valentine's Day early

We all can say what we want about our husbands, for me, I can't ever say enough good things about him. He really does "go out of his way" to make me happy. To bless me, to keep our marriage alive and fun. He plans trips for months, he likes "last minute" drives to a fun destination, he does the dishes (dishwasher), he helps vacuum, does 90% of the laundry, most all the lawnmowing (10% me), and keeps up with his picture framing (does a totally awesome job at that!). He plans date nights and we watch a favorite TV show (he prefers me off the computer!), he plans going out to movies/dinner dates as well.
He has been "fretting" over Valentine's Day (although he would not say that). He has felt pressure for sure. With the Daytona 500 being Sunday, we both know he LOVES Nascar and especially that race. So, I came home yesterday (Friday) and he had called ahead for dinner at Murray's. We sat near the front door in a corner by the fireplace. It was nice...he had a big, juicy steak and I had grilled Talipia. After a nice dinner, we went to the dollar movie (well, I didn't say he doesn't like to save a buck!) Since we go to the movie most weekends, we see some at the "real" theater and most at Lexington Green. Their popcorn is really good, so that is OK with me...plus, we go much more often.
He handed me a card he had drawn the best sketch of two "fists" bumps (our thing with Maggie) and a message about our "road trip". He is planning our summer trip to Mackinac Island. After last year's trip out West, I so look forward to all he is planning. He's the best ever. I love you CB and can hardly wait for spring break and cruising to Florida in our little red car.

Snow Day

Sat. night Maggie wasn't feeling great, so we cuddled on the sofa with a push up!

Matthew in a quiet moment!

Daniel brought them both new remote controlled cars!

Everyone that doesn't get to stay home on a snow day wishes they did. Each of us that actually do get the day off loves it the night before, we love sleeping in for a short while (although we have to wake up as normal and it's not so easy to get back to sleep!) but I sure don't get a lot done! However, as my daughter just informed me, that's OK...just what we need to do! Rest, blog, and for her, a run to the doctor without having to take a sick day to do it. With three kiddos, she is always at the doctor, dentist or whatever. She just took them in for Maggie who they diagnosed with Bronchitis. She left the prescription and had 25 min. to wait...not easy in the car, even with dual DVD players! So, I volunteered to go pick up the meds for MJ and take them by the house. Good thing we live so close, not a big deal at all. I don't do enough for them as it is. I used to keep Austin several days a week while Becky was getting her masters. Now, I keep them for date night or when they need to (like today) go to the dentist herself.

Change of plans, she had a dental appt. for two of the three and needed to reschedule as it was made long ago on a day that now is a snow make up day! Never a dull moment. When she called to reschedule, appt. is now today! So, MJ to the doctor, dentist for the kids, then Becky has her own dental appt! Her day off is VERY productive...not so restful, but she rarely has a down moment!

We both hosted super bowl parties at our houses this year. Becky had a "souper" bowl party with hot soups and she made these buffalo chicken sandwiches that I want the recipe for. She cooked a chicken and pulled all the meat from the bone. Not sure how she mixed the chicken with sauce to make them "buffalo" but on top she made a great dressing to top it off. Yummy. Every guest brought their favorite Super Bowl snack, so I'm sure they ate well.

I made her meatball recipe for hoagies toasted with mozzarella cheese slices, or the meatballs were good to eat alone. My friends brought hot cheese dips, vegies & dip, cookies, and more so we grazed all night. I made chocolate dipped strawberries and a turtle cake to end the night. The guys watched the game and the girls chatted, watched the commercials, and watched enough to see a few good plays. Mostly we stayed out of the guys way!