I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS, AND SOME SAD NEWS

FIRST THE GOOD NEWS (OF COURSE).  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAD THE GARAGE SALE FOR ALZHEIMER'S THIS PAST SAT., AND IT WENT VERY WELL DESPITE THE DOWN POUR AROUND 1PM..  WE MADE A TOTAL OF ABOUT $1,000 ALL GOING TO THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION!!  NOT BAD FOR TWO OLD LADIES HUH???  ACTUALLY THERE WERE A LOT OF KIND PEOPLE WHO LENT US A HAND, AND GAVE US DONATIONS OF CLOTHES AND OTHER MISC. STUFF FOR WHICH WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL..  MANY PEOPLE DONATED MONEY EVEN WHEN THEY DID NOT FIND ANY THING THEY WANTED TO BUY.  SEVERAL PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE SOMEONE DOING SOMETHING FOR ALZHEIMER'S.  THERE IS LOTS OF STUFF DONE FOR CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES, SO THEY WERE SO GLAD WE WERE DOING SOMETHING TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR THE TERRIBLE DISEASE OF ALZHEIMER'S .  AS TIRED AS WE WERE AT THE END OF THE DAY-WE BOTH FELT GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.  SO MUCH FOR THE GOOD NEWS.  NOW FOR WHAT MAY SEEM LIKE SAD NEWS TO SOME, BUT AS FOR ME,  I THINK THE TIME HAS COME TO CLOSE MY BLOG..  I HAVE LOVED BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS MY FEELINGS AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR LIVES BEFORE AND AFTER MY DEAR HUSBAND MIKE PASSED.    NOW THOUGH, I WANT TO CONCENTRATE ON MAKING UP FOR ALL THE LOST TIME OUT IN SERVICE.  I OF COURSE WILL ANSWER ANY AND ALL E-MAILS AS ALWAYS, AND IN CASE YOU LOST MY E-MAIL ADDRESS, HERE IT IS AGAIN. 
hayesnet17@gmail.com.  I HAVE TRULY LOVED GETTING YOUR FEEDBACK AND ENCOURAGEMENT DURING THE VERY WORST TIME OF MY LIFE, AND HOPE I WILL CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM EACH OF YOU IN THE FUTURE. MAY GOD TRULY BLESS AND KEEP YOU IN HIS LOVING CARE-JUST ME

SWEAT MY BEHIND OFF WORKING ON GARAGE SALE!

BOTH MY SISTER VICKIE, DAWN (HER DAUGHTER) FONDA (MY DAUGHER) AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE THIS GARAGE SALE A SUCCESS.  YESTERDAY WE  WORKED TO GET EVERY THING ORGANIZED, AND THEN LAST NIGHT ONE CUSTOMER CAME AND MESSED IT ALL UP.  HE WAS LOOKING FOR SIZE 2T CLOTHES FOR BOYS, BUT EVEN WHEN WE TOLD HIM WHAT WAS IN EACH BASKET HE STILL THREW CLOTHES AROUND LOOKIN FOR MORE.  ON TOP OF THAT IT WAS ABOUT 200 DEGREES IN THE GARAGE AND WE HAD TO WATCH HIS LITTLE BOY WHO WAS TRYING TO GET INTO BOXES HIMSELF!!  STILL, THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT-WE SOLD HIM $40. WORTH OF STUFF, SO I GUESS IT WAS WORTH IT.  THERE  ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL DRESSY OUTFITS, WITH LEGGINGS FOR 12 MONTH OLD GIRLS.  I WOULD LOVE TO GET THEM FOR MINKA, BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SIZE SHE IS NOW. IT IS A SHAME TO LET ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL OUTFITS GO TO STRANGERS, BUT THAT IS NOT MY CALL. IF MY GRAND DAUGHTER WANTS TO SEE THEM BEFORE THE SALE ON SAT. SHE IS MOST WELCOME TO-I HOPE SHE WILL. ON A DIFFERENT NOTE,  I THINK I MENTIONED THAT THE DR. PUT ME ON ANTIBIOTICS YESTERAY, AND NOW TODAY I WILL NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY P.C.P..  I'M NOT A HAPPY CAMPER WITH THEM ANY LONGER.  IT WAS LIKE HE WAS ON AUTOMATIC PILOT-COLD SYMPTOMS-I'LL GIVE YOU A PRESCRIPTION FOR ANTIBIOTICS.  NOT MY KIND OF DR. OR WHAT EVER HE IS.  I THINK A NURSE WOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB, BUT MAYBE IT WAS JUST AN OFF DAY FOR HIM.  MY FRIEND EM IS SUPPOSE TO BE HERE TODAY TO DROP OFF SOME STUFF FOR THE GARAGE SALE.  SHE SAID HER DAD WAS HAPPY TO PART WITH SOME THINGS THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO PART WITH BEFORE BECAUSE IT WAS ALL GOING TO HELP CURE THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (HIS WIFE HAS IT NOW). SHE AND I WILL THEN GO HAVE A BITE OF LUNCH TOGETHER.  VICKIE WILL BE AT DAWNS, OR SHE WOULD JOIN US.   I AM STILL NOT FEELING MY BEST, BUT I AM TRYING TO DO WHAT EVER I CAN TO GET OVER THIS COLD, OR WHATEVER I HAVE.  BTW, THE BONELLI/HAYES TEAM WON THE FIRST CONTEST OF THE WALK.  IT WAS SO COOL TO GET THE ANNOUNCEMENT.  I GUESS HARD WORK, AND THE RIGHT MOTIVATION PAYS OFF!!  WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER THINGS PLANNED UP UNTIL THE WALK, I JUST HOPE THIS OLE BODY IS UP FOR THEM.  I THINK VICKIE AND I ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO N.C. IN NOV., OUR VERY FIRST OUTING ALONE.  I'M A LITTLE SCARED, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD FOR BOTH OF US-AT LEAST I SURE HOPE SO.  WE NEED TO MOVE INTO OUR NEW SINGLE LIFE STATUS LIKE IT OR NOT!!  WELL GUESS I SHOULD GET DRESSED BEFORE EM GETS HERE, SO TILL MONDAY-HOPE YOUR WEEK END WILL BE FILLED WITH BLESSINGS.!! JUST ME

NOW I AM ON ANTIBIOTICS AGAIN

I WENT TO THE DR. YESTERDAY, AND HE PUT ME ON ANTIBIOTICS.  DR.'S SURE AREN'T WHAT THEY USE TO BE.  I STARTED TELLING HIM ABOUT MY BACK PAIN AND THE SHOT PROBLEMS AND HE INTERRUPTED ME AND SAID "I DON'T KNOW ANY THING ABOUT THAT.  ALL IT SAYS HERE IN THE NOTES IS THAT YOU ARE HAVING COLD LIKE SYMPTOMS.  YOU WILL HAVE TO CALL DR. CHRISTIANSEN AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH HER TO DISCUSS THAT".  UNBELIEVABLE!!!  I GUESS NOW IF I HAVE A HEADACHE AND A BACK ACHE I WILL HAVE TO SET TWO APPOINTMENTS!!  I'M THINKING  IT MAY BE TIME TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PCP.   ANY HOW, IT SEEMS THAT THE OTHER TWO FRIENDS I WENT TO THE DC WITH ALSO ARE SICK.  WE MUST HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A SICK PERSON AND NOT KNOWN IT.  WE WERE VERY CAREFUL TO WASH OUR HANDS, AND USE THE LIQUID SANITIZERS, BUT THAT BUILDING IS USED CONSTANTLY FOR CONCERTS, AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER EVENTS, AND THE BUG MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN LINGERING AROUND WAITING FOR US.  WHO KNOWS??  WHO CARES??  IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND I AM SURE WE WILL ALL BE BETTER SOON.  I DO FEEL REALLY BAD FOR MY SISTER VICKIE, AS SHE HAS BEEN WORKING SO HARD ORGANIZING STUFF FOR THE GARAGE SALE ON SAT.  SHE ALSO MADE A POT OF SOUP YESTERDAY AND GAVE ME SOME FOR DINNER.  SHE SURE IS GOOD TO ME!!  TODAY I HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND WHO WILL BE BRINGING SOME MORE THINGS FOR THE GARAGE SALE.  WE HAVE HAD MANY KIND HEARTED PEOPLE-SOME WE HAD NEVER MET BEFORE, BRINGING US DONATIONS FOR THE SALE.  I THINK MIKE WOULD BE VERY PROUD TO SEE HOW HARD WE ARE TRYING TO END THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE THAT MADE HIS LAST YEARS VERY HARD FOR HIM.  HE COULD NOT EVEN READ ANY LONGER-SOMETHING HE ENJOYED SO MUCH IN YEARS PAST.  PEOPLE JUST HAVE NO IDEA UNLESS THEY HAVE LIVED THROUGH IT THEMSELVES AS A CAREGIVER,CARING CHILD,  OR THE PATIENT.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT NO MATTER WHAT MIKE WAS DEALING WITH HE ALWAYS KNEW WE LOVED HIM.  WELL, I STILL AM NOT FEELING SO HOT, AND I NEED TO TAKE MY PILLS AND HAVE SOME YUMMY CAFE' CON LECHE', SO TILL LATER-THINK ABOUT SOMEONE IN NEED TODAY, AND DO A KINDNESS.  EVEN A CALL CAN PERK UP THE DOWN HEARTED.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

YELP, I DID GET SOMETING FROM SOMEWHERE

I AM NOT SURE IF I GOT WHAT I GOT FROM THE ASSEMBLE, BUT I GOT SOMETHING FROM SOMEWHERE!!   I AM STILL SUPER TIRED, AND YESTERDAY I WAS RUNNING A FEVER AND HAD A HEAD ACHE AND CHILLS.  NOT GOOD!!  I DID MANAGE TO SELL MY STEREO AND THAT MONEY WENT RIGHT INTO THE KETTLE FOR ALZHEIMER'S.  WE HAVE ALREADY MADE ABOUT $85. AND THE GARAGE SALE IS NOT UNTIL SAT..  PRETTY GOOD HUH???  WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS.  I WILL BE VERY HAPPY WHEN IT IS ALL OVER AND WE CAN SEE HOW MUCH WE MADE.  FONDA WANTED TO HELP US WITH THE SALE, AS IT IS HARD FOR TWO PEOPLE TO RUN IT, BUT SHE WILL BE LEAVING FOR N.Y. THAT MORNING.  BAD TIMING.  MARTHA WILL BE HELPING VICKIE SAID. SHE CAN JUST SIT AT A TABLE AND COLLECT MONEY.  SHE WANTS TO HELP, AND THAT IS SO NICE OF HER.  YESTERDAY I GOT A PRICE ON HAVING MY COUNTER TOPS REDONE IN GRANITE.  THEY HAVE FADED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND LEAK AROUND THE SINK, SO THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED.  IF ANY OF YOU KNOW WHO PUTS IN GRANITE COUNTERS CHEAP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. MY GROOMER LADY WAS SUPPOSE TO COME OVER YESTERDAY TO SHAVE THE DOGS, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN FEELING SO GREAT-I DID NOT CALL AND REMIND HER.  EM MY TRUCK DRIVING FRIEND WILL BE HERE TODAY TO DROP OFF SOME THINGS FOR THE GARAGE SALE.  PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO KIND TO DONATE THINGS TO MAKE THE SALE SUCCESSFUL.  EVEN STRANGERS-I AM REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS AWFUL DISEASE.  I BELIEVE THE OFFICIAL NUMBER IS ONE OUT OF EVERY SEVEN PEOPLE WILL BE TOUCHED IN SOME WAY BY THIS DISEASE.  AND EVERY YEAR THE NUMBER GROWS, AS THERE IS STILL NO WAY TO SLOW IT DOWN OR CURE IT.  I THINK SOMETIMES HOW AWFUL IT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR MIKE (MY HUBBY).  ONCE SUCH AN INTELLIGENT MAN, HE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH. THEN AFTER THE DISEASE STRUCK, HE WOULD SAY IT WAS AS IF HE HAD COBWEBS IN HIS BRAIN.  I AM SO THANKFUL THAT HE KNEW ALL OF US UNTIL HE PASSED, BUT SO MANY OTHERS ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE.  THANKS FOR LISTENING, SHOW LOVE, TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

UT OH-I THINK I MAY HAVE CAUGHT A BUG

NOT FEELING GREAT THE PAST COUPLE DAYS.  A BIT OF A HEAD ACHE SINCE I FELL BACKWARDS IN THE BATHROOM, AND A LITTLE DIZZY TOO.  I ALSO ACHE ALL OVER, SO I SURE HOPE WHAT EVER THIS IS IT WILL HIT THE ROAD SOON!!  I MOSTLY RESTED YESTERDAY.  VICKIE AND I WENT TO THE GYM, JUST TO HAVE THE INSTRUCTOR SHOW US WHICH MACHINES WERE OK FOR HER AND WHICH WERE OK FOR ME TO USE WITHOUT HURTING OUR ALREADY INJURRED BODIES.  WE WROTE EVERYTHING DOWN, AND THEN CAME HOME. I RESTED THE REST OF THE DAY.  VICKIE AND I HAD PLANS TO GO PICK UP SOME DONATIONS, BUT I JUST WASN'T UP TO IT, SO MAYBE LATER TODAY IF I AM FEELING BETTER.  THE GROOMER IS SUPPOSE TO COME TODAY AND SHAVE THE DOGS AGAIN.  THEY LOOK SO CUTE WHEN THEY ARE SHAVED, AND THEY DON'T SHED NEARLY AS MUCH.  I HAD THE BEST SURPRISE LAST NIGHT JUST AS I WAS GETTING READY TO GO TO BED.  MY SON MIKE JR. CALLED TO SKYPE ME.  OF COURSE I COULD NOT REFUSE, AND THOSE LITTLE GIRLS MADE MY DAY.  THEY SHOWED ME WHAT THEY MADE IN SCHOOL, AND LILLY PLAYED THE PIANO FOR ME.  THEY ARE SO SMART, AND SO LOVABLE I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE THEM IN MY LIFE.   I WILL BE SO GLAD WHEN THE GARAGE SALE IS OVER.  IT WILL BE A LOT OF WORK, AND I'M NOT SURE VICKIE AND I ARE ABLE TO HANDLE IT ON OUR OWN.  CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE STEAL FROM GARAGE SALES??  THEY DO, SO YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE EYES EVERYWHERE. SINCE WE WILL BE SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS, AND TAKING DONATIONS FOR ALZHEIMER'S THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE MORE CASH AROUND THAN USUAL TOO.  I JUST HOPE ALL GOES WELL AS IT IS FOR SUCH A WORTHY CAUSE.  WELL, THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR ME TODAY.  NOW I NEED TO GET DRESSED AND DO MY STUDYING FOR THURS. NIGHTS MEETING.  I ALSO NEED TO ADD MORE THINGS ON CRAIGS LIST AND MAYBE I CAN SELL SOME STUFF BEFORE THE SALE BEGINS!!  THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS, TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

HAPPY TO WAKE UP AT 7 A.M. AGAIN!!

MY POOR BODY JUST COULD NOT ADJUST TO THE EARLY HOUR GET UP TIME.  I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP, BUT THURS. NIGHT I WAS WATCHING THE CLOCK EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR AS I DID NOT WANT TO OVER SLEEP.  THEN I WAS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING MY EYES OPEN DURING THE PROGRAM ON FRIDAY.  ON FRIDAY NIGHT, I DID SLEEP, BUT HAD THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY HEAVY EYE LIDS.  IT WAS THE SAME ON SUNDAY.  I NEVER DID FALL ASLEEP DURING THE PROGRAM, BUT FELT VERY TIRED-NOT SURE WHY.  THE DRAMA ON SUNDAY WAS GREAT (AS USUAL), AND IRMA'S BIBLE STUDY WAS THERE AND LOVED IT.  WE HAD GREAT SEATS EVERY DAY.  FRONT ROW RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE-IT WAS GREAT. I SAW LOTS OF OLD FRIENDS, AND SOME WANTED TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH ME.  THAT WAS VERY SPECIAL. THEN,  ON SUNDAY, WE DECIDED TO GO TO THE CRACKER BARREL FOR DINNER, AND SAW MANY OF THE FRIENDS THERE TOO.  GUESS WE KNOW WHERE THE GOOD EATS ARE!!  I HAD CATFISH WITH GRITS AND FRIED APPLES.  IT WAS ALL YUMMY!!  ANY HOW THIS WEEK MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE MUCH TO DO FOR THE GARAGE SALE ON SAT.  WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE DONATE STUFF WHICH IS WONDERFUL.  ALL THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, SO I SURE HOPE WE DO WELL.  TODAY IT'S BACK TO THE GYM. WE HAVE A 9AM APT. WITH A TRAINER TO SHOW US WHAT EXERCISES ARE BEST WITH OUR HEALTH CONDITIONS.  I PREFER THE POOL, AS NOTHING HURTS AFTER MY WORKOUT IN THE POOL.  WE WILL SEE WHAT THE TRAINER RECOMMENDS.  THIS MORNING I AUTOMATICALLY WOKE UP BEFORE 5AM, BUT I LOOKED AT THE CLOCK, AND WENT RIGHT BACK TO SLEEP.  I HAVE TO PICK MY SISTER VICKIE UP A LITTLE BEFORE 9AM, BUT I CAN TAKE IT EASY THIS AM, AND STAY IN MY NIGHTGOWN UNTIL AT LEAST 8AM-WHAT A TREAT!!  I MISSED HEARING FROM MY SON, AND MY BEAUTIFUL GRAND BABIES THIS WEEK END.  MAYBE THEY WILL SKYPE ME LATER TODAY OR TOMORROW.  I HOPE THEY WILL NEVER OUT GROW THE LOVE OF THEIR GRANDMOTHER OR THE DESIRE TO CALL OR SKYPE ME.  THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT GETTING OLDER.  WELL, I GUESS THAT IS IT FOR ME THIS AM.. IF I CAN MAKE IT PAST SAT. I WILL BE ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!  HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

WENT TO SLEEP IN A STORM

WOKE UP TO DRIZZLE.  IT LOOKS LIKE THE RAIN IS NOT DONE WITH US JUST YET.  I AM HOPING TO HEAR FROM MY PAIN DR. TODAY, AS MY BACK AND THIS WEATHER DO NOT GET ALONG VERY WELL.  I DID GO TO THE GYM YESTERDAY WITH MY SISTER VICKIE, AND TO ALDI'S GROCERY STORE AS WELL AS TO MARTHA (OUR NEIGHBORS) AGAIN.  SHE WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE HER SISTER (89 YEARS OLD) FELL AND BROKE HER HIP.  HER SISTER SAID SHE WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE SURGERY BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO OLD, AND WOULD DIE ON THE OPERATING TABLE.  MARTHA WAS SO UP SET, BUT WHEN SHE CALLED ME LATER SHE SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO THE SURGERY ON HER SISTER, SO SHE FELT BETTER ABOUT THAT.  SHE SAID IF SHE CAN HAVE HIP SURGERY AT 81, THE THERE WAS NO REASON WHY HER SISTER COULD NOT HAVE IT AT 89!!  MARTHA IS A HOOT!!  ANY HOW, I SPENT SOME TIME STUDYING FOR THE CONVENTION THIS WEEK END, AND I TRIED TO LOAD ALL MY BOOKS ONTO MY TABLET, BUT FOUND OUT THAT IT WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE I AM NOT WIRELESS.  I CALLED BRIGHT HOUSE, AND THEY WILL COME TODAY AND SWITCH OUT MY ROUTER TO A WIRELESS, AND THEN I SHOULD BE O.K..  THEY WERE VERY NICE, AND IT WILL ONLY COAT $4. MORE A MONTH, AND NO CHARGE FOR COMING OUT OR THE INSTALLATION.  YOU SURE COULD NOT DO THAT WITH DIRECT T.V.!!! 
MONDAY MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE ARRANGED TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE GYM HELP US KNOW WHAT EXERCISES ARE BEST FOR HER (WITH A BUM KNEE), AND ME (WITH A BUM EVERYTHING ELSE).  I HOPE I CAN LAST THE WHOLE HOUR. I STILL THINK THAT THE POOL IS THE BEST THING RIGHT NOW FOR BOTH OF US, BUT I GUESS WE WILL GO WITH WHATEVER THE THERAPIST SAYS.   I SURE WILL MISS DOING MY BLOG FOR THREE DAYS IN A ROW, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET UP AT 5:30AM JUST TO HAVE TIME TO FEED THE DOGS, TAKE MY SYNTHROID, WAIT ONE HOUR BEFORE I CAN EAT ANYTHING, GET MY LUNCH PACKED AND GET MYSELF DRESSED.  IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT, AS I HAVE MISSED GOING TO THE D.C. FOR A VERY LONG TIME-SINCE DAD (MIKE) GOT SO SICK I COULD NOT LEAVE HIM ALONE ALL DAY-OR EVEN FOR A FEW HOURS.  I WOULD JUST BE WORRIED SICK, SO WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF GOING?  NOW I HOPE I WILL BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE PROGRAM.  I'VE HEARD IT IS THE BEST ONE YET!! I WILL BE BACK HERE (JAH.WILLING) ON MONDAY. HOPE YOUR WEEK END WILL BE FILLED WITH LOVE & APPRECIATION-JUST ME

BUSY BUSY DAY!!

YESTERDAY I WAS ON THE GO FROM MORNING UNTIL BED TIME!!  FIRST MY SISTER VICKIE CAME OVER AND ASKED IF I COULD TAKE MARTHA TO THE DR.'S TODAY, AS SHE FINALLY AGREED TO GO.  I OF COURSE SAID YES, BUT FIRST, I HAD TO DO SOME STUDYING, AND THEN TAKE MY DOGIES TO THE VET. FOR THEIR SHOTS.  THAT WAS OK, AS MARTHA'S APT. WAS NOT UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY.. THE DOGIES WERE SO BRAVE, NEITHER OF THEM CRIED AFTER HAVING THREE SHOTS!! AND, THEY BOTH HAVE LOST OVER A POUND!!  SO NOW I HAVE PROOF I AM REALLY TRYING TO GET THEIR WEIGHT DOWN..IT WAS A LONG DAY FOR ME, BUT I MADE IT OK.  I WENT TO THE STORE WITH VICKIE AGAIN YESTERDAY, AND THEN IT WAS ALMOST TIME TO TAKE MARTHA.  WE DIDN'T GET BACK HOME UNTIL ABOUT 5:30, BUT WE JUST DROPPED OFF HER PRESCRIPTIONS, AND I TOOK HER HOME, AND THEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE MEDS. WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE READY.  IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STORM, SO I WAS KINDA IN A HURRY TO GET BACK HOME TO MY DOGIES, AND REST A BIT.  TODAY I AM GOING TO DO SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.  I WILL TRY AND DOWN LOAD MY BIBLE AND SEVERAL OF MY STUDY BOOKS INTO MY TABLET.  I REALLY FEEL THAT IT WILL SAVE MY BACK NOT HAVING TO CARRY ALL THOSE HEAVY BOOKS TO EACH MEETING.  I SURE HOPE I CAN DO IT, BUT IF NOT, MAYBE WHEN MY SON GETS HERE FROM C.A. HE WILL TRY TO DO IT FOR ME.  I WILL BE THRILLED IF I CAN GET THAT DONE TODAY.  I FEEL SO COMPUTER ILLITERATE.  WELL, DON'T FORGET I WILL BE GONE ALL DAY FRIDAY, SAT., AND SUNDAY AT THE CONVENTION IN KISSISSIMME.  IT WILL BE THE FIRST ONE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO TO IN A WHILE.  I DID GET TO GO TO ONE SUNDAY WITH MIKE, AND WE WERE BOTH SO HAPPY THAT DAY.  I GUESS WE WILL HAVE MANY MORE HAPPY DAYS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND THAT IS WHAT I FOCUS ON TO KEEP ME GOING.  MANY DAYS I STILL COULD CRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT, BUT I AM TOLD THAT IS NORMAL.  I TRY AND REMEMBER THAT WE WILL ONLY BE SHEDDING  TEARS OF JOY IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.  WELL, I NEED TO GET DRESSED AS VICKIE WILL BE PICKING ME UP SOON TO GO TO THE GYM.  WE ARE GETTING BACK ON TRACK (NO PUN INTENDED), AND I SURE HOPE WE CAN KEEP IT UP THIS TIME.  TILL TOMORROW MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE TO BE HAPPY -JUST ME

NOW THE DOGS NEED SHOTS!!

IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME HOW MANY UNEXPECTED BILLS COME IN ON A REGULAR BASIS.  GUESS WE CAN NO LONGER CALL THEM UNEXPECTED.  I AM OVER DUE FOR TAKING THE DOGS IN FOR THEIR YEARLY SHOTS, AND HAVE BEEN PRICING AROUND FOR THE BEST DEAL.  NATURALLY IT IS STILL COLLEGE PARK VET.. WHICH IS A LITTLE FAR FROM MY HOUSE, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN, I REALLY HATE GOING THAT FAR BY MYSELF JUST IN CASE.  BUT A GIRL HAS TO DO WHAT A GIRL HAS TO DO, SO I WILL BE TAKING THEM TODAY.  THE WEEK END WAS MOSTLY GOOD, WITH JUST A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING NEW, BUT NOTHING I DID NOT EXPECT.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF OUR DEAR NEIGHBOR WHO HAD THAT HIP SURGERY NOT LONG AGO.  SHE HAD WHAT WE WERE AFRAID OF WAS PNEUMONIA, BUT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A BAD COLD, AS SHE NOW SEEMS TO BE DOING MUCH BETTER.  VICKIE AND I ARE NOW BUSY GETTING READY FOR THE GARAGE SALE TO BENEFIT THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION.  ALL THE PROCEEDS WILL BE GOING TOWARDS THAT.  ONE TOTAL STRANGER CALLED US AND OFFERED TO DONATE SOME VALUABLE ANTICS FOR OUR SALE, AS HER BROTHER JUST DIED FROM ALZHEIMER'S, AND HER SISTER NOW HAS IT.  SO MANY SAD STORIES OUT THERE. MY HUSBAND MIKE AND VICKIE'S HUSBAND GEORGE WERE TWO OF THEM.  TODAY IS MY STUDY DAY, I WILL DO THAT FIRST AND THEN TAKE THE DOGS.  I ALSO WILL TRY SOMETHING NEW.  I PURCHASED A TABLET, AND I AM GOING TO TRY TO DOWN LOAD ALL THE SOCIETIES BOOKS INCLUDING THE BIBLE AND SONGBOOK ON IT.  WITH ALL THE BACK PROBLEMS I HAVE IT WILL BE SO MUCH LIGHTER TO JUST CARRY THE TABLET TO THE MEETINGS INSTEAD OF ALL THE ACTUAL BOOKS.  OF COURSE I MUCH PREFER TO HOLD THE BIBLE IN MY HAND, BUT I AM TRYING TO KEEP MY BACK FROM GETTING ANY WORSE.  ALSO MY UPPER BACK.  THE PAIN DR. WAS SUPPOSE TO GET ME THE EPIDURAL IN MY UPPER BACK, BUT WHEN I CAME BACK FROM C.A. I DECIDED MY LOW BACK STILL HURT MORE. SO WE WILL DO ANOTHER SHOT IN MY LOW BACK AND THEN MOVE UP TO THE NECK AREAL.  YES, I KNOW I AM A MESS.  BUT I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON GETTING BETTER, OR MY PLAN TO PIONEER IN DEC.!!  I LOVE TALKING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THE RESURRECTION PROMISE-IT KEEPS ME GOING.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

PROBLEMS PROBLEMS PROBLEMS ALL DAY LONG

IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME HOW MUCH DAMAGE CAN BE DONE TO FAMILIES ON FACE BOOK.  I HAVE HERD SOME PRETTY CRAZY STUFF LATELY, AND THAT'S WHY I NEVER GO ON IT.  IT HAS A GOOD AND USEFUL PURPOSE TOO I AM SURE, BUT REAL OR EVEN IMAGINED COMMENTS ON THERE CAN HURT OR BE TAKEN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT. AND CAN DO SOME REAL DAMAGE.  ANY HOW, IT CAN ALSO BE USED AS AN EXCUSE FOR GETTING  OUT OF DOING SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T WANT TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.  I GUESS IT CAN BE USED IN MANY MANY WAYS, THAT'S WHY I NO LONGER USE IT.  I HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW AFTER JUST LOSING MY LIFELONG MATE TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND CANCER.  I TRULY DO FEEL SORRY THOUGH FOR ANY ONE WHO GETS SUCKED INTO SUCH NONSENSE.  LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SPEND ON SUCH THINGS.  I PREFER TO SPEND TIME WITH THOSE WHO TRULY CARE ABOUT ME, COME VISIT ME, CALL ME, ASK HOW I AM DOING, AND IF I NEED ANYTHING.  WHEN SOMEONE LOSES A LIFE LONG MATE, THEY NEED ALL THE SUPPORT THEY CAN GET-NOT DRAMA.  I AM SO TRULY GRATEFUL FOR HAVING MY SISTER ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME.  SHE AND I ARE SPENDING TIME TOGETHER, WORKING TO MAKE THIS YEARS MEMORY WALK AS SUCCESSFUL AS WE CAN-BOTH OUT OF LOVE AND RESPECT FOR OUR HUSBANDS, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE DISEASE IS UNSTOPPABLE RIGHT NOW AND EVERY YEAR MORE AND MORE FAMILIES WILL BE DEALING WITH ALL ASPECTS OF IT.  I DON'T WANT ANY OF MY CHILDREN TO SUFFER WITH IT, OR HAVE A MATE WHO WINDS UP SUFFERING WITH IT.  I HAVE SEEN FIRST HAND HOW IT SLOWLY ROBS YOU OF THE ONE YOU LOVE. MORE AND MORE CASES ARE BEING DIAGNOSED EVERY DAY, AND THERE IS STILL NO WAY TO SLOW IT DOWN OR CURE IT.  I AM BLESSED TO HAVE TWO LEGS, AND I WILL USE THEM ALONG WITH HOPEFULLY All OF MY FAMILY THIS OCT. 27TH TO TRY AND END THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE.    I'M VERY HAPPY THIS YEAR AS MY SON FROM C.A. AND HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER AUTUMN (CUTE AS SHE CAN BE)WILL BE HERE FOR THE WALK, AND MY DAUGHTER FONDA AND HER HUSBAND ART WILL BE DOING THE WALK WITH ME AS WELL.  I'M SURE I WILL NEED ALL THE SUPPORT I CAN GET, AS THIS WALK WILL BE THE FIRST WITHOUT MIKE, AND WILL BE ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT FOR ME.  FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE WALK, PLEASE GO TO :  act.alz.org/goto/lindahayes12.  WELL, THAT'S IT FOR TODAY-SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW JAH. WILLING-JUST ME

FOGGY TODAY-NOT ME-THE WEATHER!!

I WOKE UP TO LOTS OF FOG.  FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED.  I KNOW AS SOON AS THE SUN COMES OUT, THE FOG WILL HAVE TO GO.  I GOT UP SUPER EARLY WITH MY DOGIES, BUT AFTER I LET THEM OUT, I WENT BACK TO BED, AND SLEPT FOR 2 MORE HOURS!!  GOT UP FOR GOOD A LITTLE BEFORE 8A.M..  YESTERDAY WE WORKED A LITTLE MORE ON GETTING SOME GIFT CARDS FOR THE RAFFLE BASKET, AND I GOT A $25. GIFT CARD PLUS 2 FREE MOVIE TICKETS AT THE ALOMA DRAFT HOUSE AND CINEMA.  THE OWNER WAS SUPER NICE, AND EVEN ASKED HOW I WAS DOING SINCE MIKE PASSED.  TODAY I WILL TRY AND GET MY DOGIES TO THE VET, AS THEY ARE NOW OVER DUE FOR ALL THEIR SHOTS.  I TRIED PRICING AROUND YESTERDAY TO SEE WHO WOULD GIVE ME THE BEST PRICE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE COLLEGE PARK VET. WINS AGAIN.  I JUST REALLY HATE DRIVING THAT FAR WITH THE DOGS IN THE CAR.  PRESLEY WHINES WHEN HE'S HAPPY, OR WHEN HE'S UPSET, OR JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER TIME.  HE'S A VERY SWEET DOG, BUT HE IS A WHINER!!  WE WENT TO THE KICK OFF MEETING FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK LAST NIGHT, AND 2 PEOPLE IN OUR GROUP WON PRIZES-I WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.  IT WAS NICE, AND EVERYTHING WAS DONATED.  THE FOOD, DRINKS, AS WELL AS THE GIFTS THAT WERE GIVEN AWAY AS PRIZES.  I AM FINDING OUT THAT SO MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE THAN I FIRST THOUGHT.  ALSO THERE IS STILL NO PROVEN TREATMENT TO STOP IT, REVERSE IT, OR CURE IT.  ONE YOUNG WOMAN TALKED ABOUT LOSING HER MOTHER TO IT, AND FONDA CRIED.  SHE DID NOT THINK I KNEW IT, BUT I DID.  WE ARE ALL STILL TOO CLOSE TO THIS DISEASE, AND WHAT IT DOES TO THE FAMILY-IT STILL HURTS DEEPLY.  TODAY IS FRIDAY, AND NORMALLY I WOULD BE OUT CHASING GARAGE SALES, BUT I AM STILL TIRED, AND HAVE NO AMBITION THIS MORNING.  MY SISTER VICKIE IS AT A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT THIS A.M., BUT WHEN SHE GETS BACK HOME WE WILL TRY AND DO A LITTLE MORE WITH THE GIFT BASKET.  WE STILL HAVE TWO OR THREE COMPANIES THAT TOLD US TO COME BACK AS THE OWNER OR MANAGER WAS NOT IN YET.  ALSO TODAY I WILL HAVE MASSEY COMING, AS THERE IS A WASP NEXT ON ONE OF MY EVES, AND I DON'T LIKE THAT.  WELL, I GUESS I SHOULD GET DRESSED AND EAT A LITTLE YOGURT, BEFORE THE GUY FROM MASSEY GETS HERE.  HOPE YOUR WEEK END WILL BE FABULOUS-TILL MONDAY-JUST ME

KICK OFF IS TONIGHT!!

TONIGHT IS THE KICK OFF FOR THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S 2012 . VICKIE AND I WERE BUSY CONTACTING STORES, AND RESTAURANTS TRYING TO GET SOME GIFT CARDS FOR THE RAFFLE BASKET.  WE DID PRETTY GOOD TOO.  WE WILL WORK A LITTLE MORE ON THAT TODAY BEFORE THE KICK OFF.  IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR ME AND I THINK VICKIE TOO, AS IT HITS US BOTH SO CLOSE TO HOME.  MY LOSS IS MORE RECENT THAN HERS, BUT I KNOW SHE IS STILL HAVING THOSE DARK DAYS .  YOU CAN'T HELP IT WHEN YOU HAVE SHARED SO MANY YEARS, AND SO MANY MEMORIES WITH ONE PERSON, AND THEN THAT ONE PERSON IS GONE.  I THINK THAT OUR BEST FRIEND RIGHT NOW IS STAYING BUSY.  WE BOTH TRY TO DO A LITTLE SOMETHING TOGETHER EACH DAY, AND WE ARE GETTING READY TO START UP OUR EXERCISES AGAIN.  OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA IS NOT DOING SO WELL RIGHT NOW.  WE WERE OVER THERE YESTERDAY, AND SHE WAS HARDLY ABLE TO SPEAK.  SHE SAID SHE HAS BEEN SPITTING UP STUFF, AND FEELING CLAMMY AND TIRED.  SHE LOOKED DRAINED, SO VICKIE AND I INSISTED THAT SHE CALL HER DOCTOR AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY (THE OFFICE WAS ALREADY CLOSED YESTERDAY).  SHE DID, AND WILL BE GOING AT 10:30 THIS MORNING.  VICKIE AND I ARE BOTH AFRAID SHE MAY HAVE DEVELOPED PNEUMONIA.  WE SURE HOPE NOT.  SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TO GET THAT NOW.  WELL, YESTERDAY I HAD A LOVELY LUNCH WITH A DEAR FRIEND.  HER MOM ALSO HAS ALZHEIMER'S, AND HER DAD IS HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME ABOUT IT.  I TRULY FEEL SO BAD FOR HER AND HER PARENTS.  BEING THE ONLY CHILD NOW PUTS SO MANY ADDED BURDENS ON HER.  I KEEP THEM ALL IN MY PRAYERS.  I SLEPT PRETTY GOOD AGAIN LAST NIGHT, THANKS TO PILLS.  I HATE TO RELY ON PILLS TO SLEEP, BUT THE PAIN IN MY LOW BACK AND THOUGHTS ABOUT MY KIDS AND LIFE ITSELF, MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO FALL ASLEEP ON MY OWN.  I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS.  WE ALL SHARE THE SAME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, AND DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE WEAK.  I GUESS THAT'S ME RIGHT NOW.  I KNOW I WILL BOUNCE BACK IN TIME, BUT TILL THEN I JUST KEEP PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER.  I REMEMBER THAT MIKE WAS HAPPY EVERY DAY, AND WOULD ASK ME IF I WAS HAPPY TOO.  I DO MY BEST TO SEE THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE AND I AM HAPPY TO STILL BE HERE TO ENJOY THEM.  SO TILL TOMORROW-DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!!  JUST ME
P.S.  MY HANDSOME GRANDSON CANYON TURNS 16 TODAY!!!  WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE???

LOOKS LIKE THE RAIN HAS LEFT US!!

WOKE UP TO WHAT LOOKS LIKE A DRY MORNING-FINALLY.  THE SKY IS NO LONGER GRAY BUT BLUE, OH HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU!!  NOW WE CAN GET SOME THINGS DONE THAT HAVE BEEN ON OUR LIST FOR DAYS.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WANTED TO GO TO SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS AROUND US AND TRY AND GET SOME GIFT CARDS FOR THE BASKET THAT HER DAUGHTER DAWN IS MAKING.  WE WILL THEN SELL RAFFLE TICKETS FOR THE BASKET, TO BENEFIT THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION AND THE 2012 WALK IN OCT..  IT'S ALMOST 8A.M., BUT I AM STILL SLEEPY.  I SLEPT PRETTY WELL LAST NIGHT, BUT I THINK BECAUSE THE WEATHER HAS BEEN SO BAD MY ARTHRITIS IS ACTING UP, AND I AM IN MORE PAIN THAN USUAL LATELY.  I HAVE TO CALL MY PAIN DR. TODAY, AND SEE IF MY NEXT EPIDURAL HAS BEEN SCHEDULED YET.  I WENT OVER TO MY SISTER VICKIE'S YESTERDAY FOR LUNCH.  I MADE US SOME AVOCADO SANDWICHES, THAT WE BOTH LOVE ON CUBAN BREAD.  EARLIER IN THE DAY WE WENT TO PUBLIX AND ALDI'S FOR SOME OF THEIR SPECIALS BEFORE THE NEW SPECIALS COME OUT TODAY.  WE HAVE BEEN DOING SOMETHING THAT SAVES US BOTH SOME MONEY ON OUR GROCERY BILLS.  WHEN WE GET THE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ITEMS, WE SPLIT THE COST, AND EACH OF US GETS ONE.  WITH ONLY ME IN THE HOUSE, IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER TO GO THROUGH TWO BOTTLES OF MAYONNAISE OR OLIVE OIL WHICH THEY OFTEN HAVE ON SALE.  WE EVEN SHARE THE NEWS PAPER COST.  I GET IT, AND THEN AFTER I LOOK AT IT, I TAKE IT TO HER.  WE TRY AND COME UP WITH ALL KINDS OF CREATIVE WAYS TO SAVE A BUCK HERE AND THERE.  TODAY WE PLAN ON GOING TO THE Y AGAIN TO START UP ON OUR EXERCISES.  THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE IT EASY SO NO ONE GETS INJURED AND THEN HAS TO STOP AGAIN.  MARTHA OUR NEIGHBOR WANTS TO GO WITH US.  SHE HAS BOUNCED BACK SO WELL FROM HER HIP SURGERY.  WE ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY FOR HER.  WELL, I DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY RIGHT NOW, SO I WILL JUST SAY HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

STRANGE THING HAPPENED THIS MORNING

WHEN I FIRST WOKE UP, I LOOKED OVER TO MIKE'S SIDE OF THE BED, AND FOR A MOMENT I WONDERED WHERE HE WAS SO EARLY IN THE MORNING.  THEN I REMEMBERED.  MIKE USE TO GET UP VERY EARLY SOMETIMES, AND I WOULD GET THIS FEELING OF PANIC JUST WONDERING IF HE HAD WONDERED OFF SOMEWHERE.   THEN I WAS  REMINDED OF HOW AWFUL THIS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS, AND WHAT IT DOES TO THE CAREGIVERS.  ANY HOW, THIS IS ANOTHER DAY, AND ANOTHER LIFE CHANGE FOR ME.  RIGHT NOW, I AM WORKING ON MY TEETH.  THIS A.M. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DENTIST.  FINALLY MY BRIDGE CAME IN, AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON.  THAT STUPID TOOTH THAT KEEPS FALLING OUT FELL OUT AGAIN!!  ANYHOW, TODAY HAS STARTED OUT DRY, BUT I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL STAY THAT WAY WITH THE STORM STILL LINGERING OVER US.  I SURE FEEL BAD FOR WHO EVER GETS THE FULL HIT.  I HOPE LOUISIANA IS SPARED-THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH.  TO THINK, WE USE TO LIVE THERE, AND ONLY 5 MIN. FROM THE SUPER DOME!!  GUESS WE DODGED THAT BULLET!!  WELL THIS MORNING I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MY BRIDGE IN, AND THEN MAYBE IF IT STAYS DRY FOR A LITTLE LONGER, MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WILL GO OFF TO SEE ABOUT GETTING SOME GIFT CARDS.  I FEEL SURE SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS AROUND HERE WILL GIVE US SOMETHING.  WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD ON RAISING FUNDS, AND COMING UP WITH UNIQUE IDEAS, THAT THE COORDINATOR OF THE EVENT WANTS US TO SHARE WITH THE WHOLE GROUP AT THE KICK OFF SOME OF THEM.  NOT SURE IF I OR VICKIE ARE UP TO IT, BUT WE MAY TRY.  SPEAKING IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF STRANGERS IS NOT REALLY UP MY ALLY.  I'M MORE OF AN IDEA KIND OF PERSON.  I LIKE COMING UP WITH IDEAS, BUT THEN I LET SOMEONE ELSE DESCRIBE THEM OR SHOW THEM OFF.  BTW, I SLEPT LIKE A LOG LAST NIGHT.  I HAVE BEEN GOING TO BED EARLIER AND EARLIER LATELY.  I JUST RUN OUT OF JUICE BY 7:30 OR 8 P.M..  MAYBE IT'S THE WEATHER, I TRULY DON'T KNOW.  MY SISTER VICKIE SAYS SHE GETS TIRED A LOT LATELY TOO, SO MAYBE IT'S JUST OUR AGE??  WELL, TIME FOR ME TO GET DRESSED, AND READY TO GO GET THAT BRIDGE I HAVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR.  HAVE A HAPPY STRESS FREE DAY-JUST ME

SOGGY SOGGY DAY!

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO THE POURING RAIN.  I AM THRILLED THAT THE STORM MISSED US, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK OUR YARD COULD HANDLE MUCH MORE RAIN.   MY POOR PRISKA WENT OUTSIDE IN THIS DOWN POUR-I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT.  SHE MUST HAVE REALLY NEEDED TO GO!! NORMALLY SHE WON'T GO OUTSIDE IF IT EVEN LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT RAIN!!  ANY HOW, I AM UP EARLY, AND READY TO FACE THE DAY.  IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE SOGGY ALL DAY LONG, SO I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH I WILL GET DONE OF THE THINGS I HAD PLANNED.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WERE GOING TO GO TO A FEW PLACES AND TRY AND GET SOME GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR THE BASKET DAWN (MY NIECE) IS MAKING TO RAFFLE TICKETS AND RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.  WE HAVE ALREADY RAISED OVER $2,000. DOLLARS FOR OUR TEAM, AND THE KICK OFF IS NOT UNTIL THIS THURSDAY!! ALSO I CAME UP WITH AN IDEA FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION TO HELP ALL THE TEAMS GET MORE DONORS, AND THEY ARE GOING TO ANNOUNCE IT (AND SHOW IT) AT THE KICK OFF PARTY.  NOW, ABOUT MY WEEK END.  ACTUALLY ON FRIDAY NIGHT, OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA THAT HAD HIP SURGERY INVITED MY SISTER VICKIE AND MYSELF OVER FOR DINNER.  I WAS SURPRISED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO COOK SUCH A LOVELY MEAL ALL BY HERSELF!!  IT WAS REALLY GOOD.  THEN WE JUST SAT AROUND AN TALKED FOR A BIT.  SHE SAID SHE WAS HOPING THAT I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY TWO DOGIES WITH ME, AS SHE NEEDED A DOGIE FIX.  SO CUTE!!  THEN ON SAT. I WENT OUT IN SERVICE AS USUAL, AND HAD A VERY NICE MORNING.  WENT TO AN ESTATE SALE, AND A GARAGE SALE OR TWO.  WENT WITH MY SISTER TO COSTCO TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH GAS, AND THEN TO THE STORE.  LASTLY I TOOK MY DOGIES AND WENT TO MY SISTER VICKIE'S HOUSE FOR DINNER. THEN CAME SUNDAY.  I HAD MY MEETING THEN I CAME HOME AND RELAXED WITH MY TWO FAITHFUL COMPANIONS.  THE WEATHER WAS YUCKY, SO I PUT MY P.J.'S ON AND WATCHED A LITTLE T.V. WITH BOTH MY DOGIES AT MY SIDE.  I THINK THEY ARE AFRAID I WILL GO OFF AND LEAVE THEM AGAIN, AS THEY FOLLOW ME EVERYWHERE I GO.  RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. PRESLEY TO MY RIGHT, AND PRISKA TO MY LEFT.  DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITH OUT THEM.  THEY HAVE SEEN ME THROUGH SOME PRETTY ROUGH DAYS AND NIGHTS SINCE MIKE PASSED.  SOME OF THE SIMPLEST THINGS CAN BRING ON THE TEARS, LIKE FILLING OUT PAPER WORK.  WHEN I GET TO THE PLACE WHERE IT ASKS FOR MARITAL STATUS, IT IS SO HARD TO CHECK WIDOW.  SO MANY NEW THINGS TO DEAL WITH, BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE CHILDREN WHO LOVE AND TAKE SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME.  FIRST FONDA CALLED TO LET ME KNOW HER PLANE HAD LANDED AND SHE AND ART MADE IT BACK SAFE AND SOUND.  ALSO THAT THEY HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH OUR FRIEND CREOLA WHO NOW LIVES IN NASHVILLE.  THEN MY DEAR SON MIKE JR. CALLED TWICE YESTERDAY AND I GOT TO END MY DAY WITH A WONDERFUL SIGHT-MY TWO GRAND BABIES, MY SON, AND LAURA (WORKING HARD IN THE KITCHEN GETTING DINNER READY).  THAT WAS SUCH A NICE WAY TO END THE NIGHT AND THE WEEK END.  SO TILL TOMORROW-BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THE RAINBOW!! JUST ME

DENTIST AREN'T ALL BAD

YESTERDAY MY DAUGHTER FONDA CAME OVER AND READ ME THE RIOT ACT FOR USING GORILLA GLUE TO FIX THE TOOTH THAT KEEPS FALLING OFF OF MY TEMPORARY BRIDGE.  SHE READ THE BACK OF THE BOTTLE, AND DECIDED IT WAS TOXIC AND I SHOULD GET IT OUT OF MY MOUTH.  SO, I CALLED UP THE DENTIST, CONFESSED MY MISTAKE, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 4:30pm TO HAVE THEM FIX ME UP.  HE TOOK THE BAD BAD GLUE OUT, AND THEN BONDED MY TOOTH BACK IN.  IT FEELS PRETTY STRONG NOW-LOOKS LIKE CRAP-BUT I THINK IT WILL HOLD UP UNTIL THE PERMANENT BRIDGE GETS HERE ON TUES. OR WEDS.-YEAH!!!
IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE IN FOR MORE STORMY WEATHER-AS IS MOST OF THE STATE FROM WHAT THE WEATHER MAN IS SAYING.  I GUESS THE RAIN SERVES MANY PURPOSES, SO I WON'T COMPLAIN.  JUST FEEL BAD FOR PRISKA MY LITTLE FRAIDY CAT DOG.  ANY HOW, YESTERDAY WAS A PRETTY GOOD DAY CONSIDERING.  WE VISITED OUR OLDER NEIGHBOR (MY SISTER VICKIE AND I), I DID SOME WORK ON THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK, THEN MY DAUGHTER FONDA STOPPED BY.  YESTERDAY WAS HER BIRTHDAY, AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND ART LEFT FOR NASHVILLE TO SEE A LONG TIME FRIEND OF THE FAMILY (CREOLA).  THEN IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GET READY FOR MY MEETING.  I SURE WISH MY MIND WOULD WORK LIKE IT USE TO, BUT THEN, DON'T WE ALL??  I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST I FORGET STUFF.  IMPORTANT STUFF SOMETIMES TOO.  MY ELDEST DAUGHTER (FELINA) HAD LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY HOME PHONE, THE DAY WE WENT TO TAMPA.  SHE SEEMED TO THINK WE WERE SUPPOSE TO BE GOING THERE TOGETHER.  I FELT TERRIBLE, (STILL DO), BUT TRUTHFULLY I HAD NO MEMORY OF SUCH A CONVERSATION!!  IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL DAYS SINCE I LAST SPOKE WITH HER, AND IF WE DISCUSSED IT-IT MUST BE ONE OF THOSE IMPORTANT THINGS I WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT I COMPLETELY FORGET. I SURE HOPE SHE WAS ABLE TO GO WITH JAKKI, AS I KNOW ALL THERE REALLY WANTED TO SEE HER AND LITTLE BABY MINKA QUINN.  THEY SAID SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL (FROM THE PICTURES), AND YES, SHE IS THAT.  A LITTLE BUNDLE OF LOVE.  I KNOW FELINA IS REALLY ENJOYING HER FIRST GRAND BABY AS MUCH AS I DID WITH JAKKI.  FONDA AND I JUST COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF HER WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE-STILL WISH SHE AND JUDAH WOULD VISIT MORE, BUT I KNOW HOW BUSY LIFE CAN KEEP YOU-ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG!!!  WELL I NOW NEED TO FINISH MY YUMMY CAFE' CON LECHE' AND GET DRESSED FOR THE DAY AHEAD.  HOPE YOURS IS FILLED WITH CHOCOLATE AND OTHER GOOD THINGS-JUST ME

TOOK A TRIP TO TAMPA-MANY MEMORIES THERE

WE (MY SISTER HER DAUGHTER DAWN AND MYSELF) LEFT FOR TAMPA AROUND 9AM YESTERDAY.  IT WAS REALLY BAD WEATHER GOING AND COMING, BUT DAWN IS A GREAT DRIVER, AND GOT US THERE AND BACK SAFELY.  IT WAS SO NICE TO SEE OUR OLDER SISTER MELA, HER HUSBAND DANNY, AND TRACI, (OUR NIECE). WE HAD A REALLY NICE VISIT-THOUGH SHORT.  ALL THE WAY THERE AND BACK MY MIND WAS RACING THROUGH MEMORIES OF THE MANY TIMES MIKE AND I HAD TAKEN THAT TRIP.  OFTEN WITH MY SISTER VICKIE AND HER HUSBAND-BOTH OUR HUSBANDS NOW GONE.  WE LEARNED THAT AN AUNT WE HAD NOT SEEN IN SEVERAL YEARS HAD ALSO PASSED AWAY AFTER 71 YEARS OF MARRIAGE!!!  WE THOUGHT MANY PEOPLE DON'T EVEN LIVE THAT LONG, BUT THAT'S HOW LONG THEY WERE MARRIED.   ON THE WAY HOME WE PASSED AN EYE GLASS PLACE THAT MIKE WOULD ALWAYS TELL ME THE STORY BEHIND THE OWNER AND HIM.  HE HAD SOLD THE OWNER SOME KIND OF HOME IMPROVEMENT MANY YEARS AGO, AND HE WAS SO PROUD OF HOW HE CLOSED THE DEAL.  NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HEARD HIM TELL THE STORY, I ALWAYS ACTED SURPRISED.  EVEN THOUGH WE WERE ONLY MARRIED FOR ALMOST 43 YEARS, I CAN TRULY IMAGINE HOW MY POOR UNCLE MUST FEEL AT THE LOSS OF HIS WIFE OF 71YEARS.  I DID MANAGE A SMILE AS WE PASSED THAT EYE GLASS PLACE, WHICH WAS NEW.  NORMALLY I WOULD HAVE TEARED UP-MAYBE THAT IS A GOOD SIGN.  ANY HOW, IT TRULY WAS A LOVELY TRIP, AND MY DOGIES WERE SO HAPPY WHEN I GOT BACK HOME.  NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE THEY LOVE AND MISSED ME-I THINK IT WAS MORE ABOUT HEY, SHE'S  BACK, NOW WE CAN EAT!!  THEY GET VERY EXCITED WHEN IT'S TIME TO EAT.  IF THEY HAD THEIR WAY IT WOULD BE 4 OR 5 TIMES A DAY.  I DO THINK THEY ARE FINALLY STARTING TO LOSE A LITTLE WEIGHT NOW.  THEY NO LONGER LOOK LIKE STUFFED SAUSAGES LIKE FONDA ALWAYS SAYS.  WELL, TIME FOR ME TO GET DRESSED AND EAT A LITTLE SOMETHING.  MAYBE MUSH, AS I STILL CAN NOT USE MY FRONT TEETH AS THE TEMPORARY BRIDGE KEEPS LOSING TEETH!!  OH HOW WE NEED THE NEW SYSTEM!!  GIVE A BIG HUG TO SOMEONE TODAY-I COULD SURE USE ONE-JUST ME

LINDA DID A BAD BAD THING

YES, I AM GUILTY.  MY TOOTH FELL OUT AGAIN SO I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO GLUE IT BACK IT WITH GORILLA GLUE!!  IT IS STILL IN PLACE, BUT NOW EVERYONE THAT I TOLD THINK I COULD BE POISONING MY SELF OR THAT THE DENTIST WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE TOOTH ONCE THE REAL BRIDGE GETS IN.  ALL I CAN SAY IS I CHECKED THE BOTTLE FOR ANY WARNINGS, AND THE ONLY THING IT SAID WAS IF SWALLOWED IT COULD BLOCK THE COLON.  THAT IS BECAUSE IT EXPANDS 10 TIMES IT'S SIZE WHEN IT DRIES.  I KNEW THAT ALREADY AS I HAVE USED IT MANY TIMES.  SO, I JUST USED THE TINIEST BIT AND I KNEW IT WOULD HOLD. PLUS, IT DRIES WHITE, JUST LIKE MY TEETH-A WIN WIN IN MY BOOKS!!  WELL, AS FOR THIS MORNING, MY SISTER, DAWN (HER DAUGHTER), AND MY SELF, WILL ALL BE GOING TO TAMPA TO SEE MY OTHER SISTER MELA WHO LIVES FAR AWAY, AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN QUITE A WHILE.  IT SHOULD BE A NICE DAY, BUT THAT MEANS I MUST KEEP THIS SHORT, AS I HAVE MUCH TO DO BEFORE THEY COME TO PICK ME UP.  IT REALLY STORMED YESTERDAY, AND MORE RAIN IS FORECAST FOR TODAY, BUT WE ARE GOING TO CHANCE IT ANY WAY.  WELL, HOPE YOU ARE ALL NICE AND DRY, AND IN A GREAT PLACE THIS A.M.-JUST ME

MORE TOOTH DRAMA!

I WOKE UP AFTER A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP IN A PRETTY GOOD MOOD.  STILL THINKING ABOUT MY SON'S CALL, AND THOSE TWO ADORABLE GRAND DAUGHTERS OF MINE.  THE DAY STARTED PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER DAY.  I FED THE DOGS, TOOK MY MORNING PILLS, AND THEN STARTED TO EAT MY BREAKFAST.  AFTER JUST A FEW BITES, I FELT SOMETHING HARD IN MY MOUTH-IT WAS A TOOTH FROM MY TEMPORARY BRIDGE.  I CALLED THE DENTIST OFFICE AND THEY TOOK ME RIGHT AWAY.  THEY ASKED ME HOW THIS HAPPENED AND I TOLD THEM EATING A BANANA!!  THEY FIXED IT (WITH GLUE I THINK) AND THEN I CAME BACK HOME.  MY SISTER VICKIE DID NOT HAVE A VERY GOOD START TO HER MORNING EITHER-SHE HAD A DR.'S APPOINTMENT ABOUT HER KNEE.  THEY GAVE HER TWO CHOICES, AND NEITHER OF THEM WERE GOOD.  IT SEEMS SHE HAS A TORN MENISCUS IN HER KNEE, AND SHE WILL MOST LIKELY NEED A FULL KNEE REPLACEMENT.  WE WERE BOTH BUMMED OUT OVER THAT BIT OF NEWS.  SOME DAYS IT JUST DON'T PAY TO GET OUT OF BED!!!  OH, ONLY MY KIDS WILL GET THIS.  I SAID THE WORD AIN'T THE OTHER DAY LOOKED AROUND BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE HERE, SO I HIT MYSELF ON THE HEAD-JUST FOR DADDY.  MIKE WAS A STICKLER FOR PROPER ENGLISH, AND THERE WAS ONE WORD NONE OF US WERE ALLOWED TO USE-YELP, IT WAS AIN'T.  I JUST HIT MYSELF ON THE HEAD AGAIN.  THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT MIKE THAT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WILL EVER FORGET.  NEXT TIME WE ARE ALL TOGETHER WE WILL READ SOME OF THE LETTERS HE WROTE US OVER THE YEARS.  HE TRAVELED MUCH OF THE TIME, BUT ALWAYS MANAGED TO WRITE HOME ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS, AND CALLED-EVERY NIGHT.  WELL, NOT SURE YET WHAT THIS DAY WILL BRING.  I WILL DO MY BIBLE READING AND STUDYING FOR MY THURS. NIGHT MEETING FIRST.  THEN I KNOW I NEED A FEW THINGS FROM THE STORE, SO I WILL MOST LIKELY GO WITH MY SISTER VICKIE TO THE STORE.  THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF DISTURBANCE OUT THERE AS WE ARE GETTING RAIN EVERY DAY. THE WEATHER MAN SAID RAIN AGAIN ALL THIS WEEK.  THE ONLY REASON I HATE THE RAIN DURING THE DAY IS THAT IS ALWAYS SEEMS TO COME WITH LIGHTNING, AND PRISKA GOES CRAZY WHEN SHE HEARS IT.  SHE GETS ONE OF THOSE DEER IN THE HEAD LIGHTS LOOK ON HER FACE, AND RUNS TO GET ON MY LAP.  LAST NIGHT IT WAS STORMING, AND SHE WOKE ME UP LAYING ACROSS MY NECK.  I WAS SO HOT SHE IS WARMER THAN A BLANKET!! WELL, THAT'S IT FROM ME FOR NOW.  I WILL GET SOMETHING TO EAT, GET DRESSED, AND GET GOING ON MY DAY.  THIS IS JUST FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER LILLY (?COMO PASE SU PREMEDO DIA EN ESQUELLA?) I'M SURE I SPELLED EVERY THING WRONG, BUT I HOPE SHE WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I SAID-IF NOT, HELP HER OUT DADDY.  I'M LEARNING HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE-WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE TODAY?-JUST ME

GOOD NEWS I HOPE!!

YESTERDAY AT MY MEETING I HEARD FROM A FRIEND THAT THERE IS A DENTAL SCHOOL IN TAMPA THAT WILL EVEN DO CROWNS AND IMPLANTS!!  THIS WAS SUCH GOOD NEWS FOR ME, AS THE DENTAL SCHOOL HERE WILL ONLY FILL OR PULL TEETH.  I THINK THE TEETH ON THE TOP OF MY MOUTH ARE PRETTY MUCH DONE, BUT THE BOTTOM PARTIAL WILL NOT STAY DOWN NO MATTER WHAT I TRY WHEN EVER I TRY AND EAT.  IT WILL STAY DOWN AS LONG AS I JUST DRINK, SO MAYBE I WILL START A LIQUID DIET IF THINGS DON'T WORK OUT WITH THE DENTIST IN TAMPA.  ACTUALLY I WAS GOING TO HAVE A LIQUID DINNER YESTERDAY-I WAS JUST IN ONE OF THOSE DEPRESSED MOODS.  SO I GRABBED THE BOTTLE OF ASTI SPUMANTE THAT I BOUGHT AT A GARAGE SALE FOR $2. (WHAT A BARGAIN-RIGHT?). THEN THE FIRST BAD THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE CORK BROKE OFF.  NEXT AFTER I GOT THE REST OF THE CORK OUT I POURED ME A GLASS IN THE FINEST WINE GLASS I OWN-IT IS FROM WATERFORD CRYSTAL (FONDA GOT IT FOR US.  I WAS ALL SET TO FINISH THE BOTTLE TOO, BUT THEN ONCE I TOOK A WHIFF I KNEW THE SAD TRUTH-I HAD BEEN TAKEN FOR $2. AT THAT GARAGE SALE.  THE ASTI SPUMANTE HAD TURNED TO VINEGAR!!!  IT MUST HAVE BEEN SEVERAL YEARS OLD.  OH WELL, THANKFULLY I HAD A BOTTLE OF SANGRIA, WHICH WAS ALMOST AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT THE ASTI WOULD BE.  MY WEEK END STARTED OUT GOOD. I WENT OUT IN SERVICE AND THEN I WENT WITH MY SISTER VICKIE TO MARTHA'S (OUR OLDER NEIGHBOR WHO JUST HAD HIP SURGERY). I SPENT SOME QUALITY TIME WITH MY TWO LOVABLE COMPANIONS PRISKA AND PRESLEY, AND THEN MY DAUGHTER FONDA BROUGHT OVER SOME DINNER, AND THAT WAS VERY YUMMY. WE THEN WATCHED A PSYCH EPISODE OR TWO AND AFTER FONDA LEFT-OFF TO BED I WENT.  SUNDAY STARTED OFF EQUALLY NICE.  I GOT UP AT MY LEISURE, TOOK A NICE SHOWER, STUDIED FOR MY MEETING, AND GOT DRESSED.  I PICKED UP A FRIEND WHO NEEDED A RIDE, AND THEN ENJOYED MY MEETING.  SOMETHING I SAW MADE ME SAD, THEN IT REMINDED ME OF OTHER THINGS (SIMILAR THINGS) THAT KEPT ME SAD FOR MOST OF THE EVENING.  I WAS SUPPOSE TO GO TO JAKKI'S FOR OUR SUNDAY BOOK STUDY, BUT DIDN'T, ALSO MY SISTER VICKIE HAD INVITED ME OVER TO HER PLACE FOR DINNER, BUT I JUST WASN'T IN THE MOOD TO GO ANY WHERE, SO I STAYED HOME WITH MY TWO BABIES (PRISKA & PRESLEY).  THEN SOMETHING WONDERFUL HAPPENED.  MY SON CALLED TO SKYPE ME, AND I GOT TO SEE HIM AND MY TWO BEAUTIFUL GRAND BABIES!!  I FELT SO HAPPY THEY ARE ALL SO SWEET.  THEY SURE LOVE THEIR DADDY, AND IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY.  HE IS A GREAT FATHER, AND THEY ARE A RARITY.  SO I AM BACK IN MY NORMAL CHEERY MOOD THIS MORNING. I SLEPT WELL, AND AM READY TO FACE THE DAY.  HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS FILLED WITH SMILES-JUST ME

REMEMBERED TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO MAZDA

IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE BATTERY, SO I PAID THEM FOR IT.  TOTAL OF $174. UNEXPECTED DOLLARS FOR IT.  BUT IT HAS A GREAT GUARANTEE I AM TOLD.  FULL REPLACEMENT FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS, THEN THEY PRORATE AFTER THAT.  I'M JUST GLAD THAT IT CRANKS UP EACH TIME I GET IN IT, SO FOR NOW, THAT SHOULD DO IT.  I HAVE THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT OF COURSE IT DOES NOT COVER BATTERIES.  OH WELL, NO BIGGIE-IF THAT'S THE WORST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK I WILL BE THRILLED.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I ARE GOING TO GO TO A FEW GARAGE SALES THIS AM.  WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR NEW STUFF CHEAP, SO WE CAN RAFFLE IT AT THE GARAGE SALE WE ARE HAVING FOR ALZHEIMER'S SOON.  YOU CAN'T FAULT US FOR TRYING, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS.  WE HAVE A WHILE TILL THE WALK, SO I HOPE WE CAN AT LEAST DO HALF AS GOOD AS OUR KIDS DID LAST YEAR.  I SLEPT WELL LAST NIGHT, AND THAT WAS A BIG IMPROVEMENT.  I GOT ONE OF THOSE HEATING BELTS THAT ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 8 HOURS OR SO, BUT IT KEPT MY BACK WARM, WHICH I THINK KEPT THE LEGS IN CHECK.  TOO BAD MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES WON'T PAY FOR THINGS THAT REALLY HELP BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER THE COUNTER AND CHEAP.  BTW.  I CALLED MY PAIN DR. YESTERDAY, AND THEY ARE GOING TO SET UP ANOTHER EPIDURAL FOR ME FOR MY BACK AGAIN.  THEY SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO THREE BEFORE YOU SEE ANY REAL RESULTS.  I WILL TRY JUST ABOUT ANYTHING (EXCEPT SURGERY) AT THIS POINT.   ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, I THINK MY GIRL PRISKA IS HAVING SOME KIND OF PROBLEM WITH HER FRONT LEG.  SHE HAS BEEN LIMPING SO I KNOW IT IS GIVING HER SOME TROUBLE, BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY THING THAT WOULD CAUSE HER TO LIMP.  I THINK IT COULD BE ARTHRITIS.  DOES ANY BODY KNOW IF DOGS CAN GET ARTHRITIS??  SHE IS STILL PRETTY YOUNG TO HAVE ANY SUCH PROBLEMS, ONLY 7 YEARS OLD, BUT WHO KNOWS-THAT'S 49 YEARS OLD IN DOGIE TIME.  STILL I THINK THAT IS PRETTY YOUNG TO ALREADY HAVE ARTHRITIS.  IF SHE CONTINUES TO LIMP, I WILL HAVE TO TAKE HER TO THE VET NEXT.  WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SUNNY FLORIDA.  IT HAS BEEN RAINING MOSTLY AT NIGHT, WHICH IS THE BEST TIME FOR IT (IN MY OPINION).  I LOVE TO FALL ASLEEP BY THE SOUND OF RAIN.  IT IS SO SOOTHING.  WELL, THAT'S IT FROM ME FOR TODAY, I MISS MY BABIES IN C.A. AND THEIR PARENTS TOO, BUT I WILL GET TO SEE AT LEAST HALF OF THEM SOON FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK IN OCT..  TILL MONDAY-JUST ME

I FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO MAZDA

YESTERDAY I WAS SUPPOSE TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO MAZDA, AND PAY FOR THE BATTERY THEY LET ME USE.  I FELT SO BAD THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN, THAT I WROTE A BIG NOTE FOR MYSELF, AND PUT IT ON THE TABLE SO I WOULD BE SURE TO GO THERE TODAY.  IT IS ODD THAT A NEW BATTERY WOULD FIX MY CAR WHEN MY OLD ONE REGISTERED GOOD-THREE TIMES.  ONCE BY THE POP A LOCK GUY, AND TWICE BY THE MAZDA MANAGER.  ANY HOW, I MUST HAVE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, AS IT HAS CRANKED UP EVERY TIME SINCE IT WAS PUT IN.  IT'S CRAZY TO ME THAT A BATTERY CAN GO BAD WITH ONLY 10 OR 11,OOO MILES ON MY CAR, BUT I GUESS IT IS SO.  ANY HOW, YESTERDAY WAS A GOOD DAY. DID NOT DO VERY MUCH BUT RAN SOME ERRANDS WITH MY SISTER VICKIE, ALSO VISITED OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA WHO HAD THAT HIP SURGERY.  SHE IS SO AMAZING!!  YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT SHE HAS JUST BEEN THROUGH.  A FRIEND OF OURS WHO OWNS A BEAUTY SALON, GAVE US A WONDERFUL GIFT CERT. FOR OUR BASKET THAT WE WILL BE RAFFLING OFF FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S  ASSOC.. AND HAS PUT ONE OF OUR DONATION BUCKETS IN HER SALON.  I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE!!!  AS SOON AS I AM A LITTLE BETTER, I WILL GO WITH MY SISTER TO DIFFERENT STORES, AND TRY AND GET SOME KIND OF GIFT CARDS FOR THE BASKET.  I JUST REALLY WISH MY BACK AND LEGS WERE DOING BETTER.  I WILL CALL MY PAIN DR. TODAY AND SEE IF HE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PAIN.  I NEED TO GET BACK TO THE GYM, AND LOSE SOME OF THIS WEIGHT.  ALL I DO ANY MORE IS SLEEP AND EAT-BOTH ARE CAUSED BY DEPRESSION-ACCORDING TO MY P.C.P., BUT SHE ALSO DID SOME BLOOD WORK, SO WE WILL SEE IF ANY THING ELSE SHOWS UP THAT COULD BE CAUSING MY CONSTANT TIREDNESS.  I SPENT A LOT OF TIME YESTERDAY THINKING ABOUT MIKE.  ALMOST EVERYTHING I DID, AND EVERY PLACE I WENT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING WE HAD DONE TOGETHER.  I SAW AN OLDER COUPLE WALKING HOLDING HANDS, AND THAT REMINDED ME OF MIKE AND HOW WE ALWAYS WALKED HAND IN HAND.  WHO EVER SAID "PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW" MUST HAVE BEEN ON SOMETHING ILLIGAL AT THE TIME!!  I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS DOING BETTER, BUT THE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE PROVEN ME WRONG.  I WILL KEEP ON GOING AND TRY TO FIND POSITIVE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN I GET SAD.  I DO HAVE SO MUCH TO BE GREATFUL FOR.  I HAVE THREE GREAT KIDS, FOUR WONDERFUL AND TALENTED GRAND KIDS, AND ONE VERY BEAUTIFUL GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER-MINKA.  ALL OF THE ABOVE BRING SMILES TO MY FACE,  NOT TO MENTION MY TWO CONSTANT COMPANIONS PRISKA & PRESLEY!!!  I KNOW THIS SADNESS WILL PASS IN TIME, I WILL DO MY BEST TO MOVE IT ALONG AS BEST I CAN.  LIFE IS TOO PRECIOUS TO WASTE DWELLING ON THE PAST WHICH WE CAN NOT CHANGE.. TILL TOMORROW, THANKS FOR LISTENING!!  JUST ME

SLEEPING A LITTLE BETTER-BACK STILL HURTS

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE EPIDURAL DID NOT WORK AS WELL FOR ME AS THE LAST ONES.  I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO TRY AGAIN, OR JUST LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.  I GET THE SHOTS BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE HAVING TO TAKE ANY KIND OF DRUGS FOR PAIN.  I KNOW HOW EASY THEY ARE TO BECOME ADDICTED TO AND I DON'T WANT THAT FOR ME.  I WILL CALL MY DR. IN A DAY OR TWO, AND SEE WHAT HE SUGGEST.  IN THE MEAN TIME I AM TRYING TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT PEOPLE I LOVE WHO ARE  GOING THROUGH SOME HARD TIMES THEMSELVES.  WE OFTEN GET INTO THIS COCOON WHERE WE JUST THINK ABOUT OUR PAIN, OUR SADNESS, OUR LOSSES, WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ALL AROUND US ARE DEALING WITH SO MUCH MORE.  I REALLY WANT TO TRY HARDER TO BE THE ONE WHO OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT-AND NOT THE ONE NEEDING IT ALL THE TIME.  I DID GET TO MY P.C.P. DR. YESTERDAY AND SHE DREW SOME BLOOD, AND WILL CHECK THINGS LIKE MY THYROID LEVEL, AND VIT. B LEVEL TO SEE IF THAT IS WHAT HAS ME IN A BIT OF A SLUMP.  I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN DOING SO WELL, BUT I GUESS MY GRIEVING FOR MIKE IS STILL IN PROGRESS.  I DO NEED TO GET BUSY TRYING TO GET DONATIONS FOR THE GIFT BASKET THAT WE RAFFLE OFF FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK  IN OCT..  MY DAUGHTER FONDA WAS ABLE TO GET A FANTASTIC SALON TO DONATE A HAIR COLOR, CUT, AND STYLE FOR THE GIFT BASKET.  WE TRY AND GET AS MANY NICE GIFTS AS WE CAN, SO PEOPLE WILL WANT TO BUY THE RAFFLE TICKETS AND HOPE TO WIN IT.  LAST YEAR IT WAS WORTH OVER $3,000.!!  DESPITE THE FACT THAT FONDA STILL MISSES HER DAD SO MUCH-AS DO WE ALL,  I FEEL SINCE SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH HIM THAT IT IS A LITTLE HARDER ON HER.THAN THE REST OF US.  YESTERDAY SHE SAID SHE NEEDED ONE OF DADDY'S HUGS, SO I TOLD HER TO CLOSE HER EYES, AND STAND UP, AND I PUT ON MIKE'S FAVORITE JACKET AND HUGGED HER AS BEST I COULD-WE BOTH CRIED.  MIKE HAD THE BEST HUGS, AND NOW, HIS SON DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THAT TOO.  WELL, THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR ME TODAY.  I DO HAVE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT SO I NEED TO GET A MOVE ON FOR THAT. SURE HOPE YOUR DAY IS FILLED WITH HUGS AND LOVE-JUST ME

THEY SAID IT WAS DEPRESSION

MY DR. TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT ALL MY SYMPTOMS SOUND LIKE DEPRESSION TO HER, SO SHE INCREASED MY CYMBALTA.  SHE ALSO TOOK OUT MORE BLOOD TO MAKE SURE THAT MY THYROID LEVELS AND VIT. B LEVELS WERE STILL O.K. SINCE MY LAST BLOOD DRAW.  I DO FEEL THAT I AM SAD A LOT LATELY.  JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING MAKES ME MISS MIKE MORE.  EVEN THE TRIP I JUST TOOK TO C.A., HE WANTED TO GO THERE SO BADLY BEFORE HE PASSED, BUT WAS PHYSICALLY NOT ABLE.  ALSO THE 2ND OF THIS MONTHE WAS OUR 43RD. ANNIVERSARY, MY FIRST WITH OUT HIM.  AND JUST SO MANY OTHER THINGS EVERYWHERE I LOOK REMIND ME OF HIM.  I HAVE EVEN BEEN HAVING DREAMS ABOUT HIM, AND SOME SEEM SO REAL.  I WAS TELLING MY DR. YESTERDAY THAT THIS YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT BOTH MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WILL DO THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S WITH OUT EITHER OF OUR HUSBANDS.  I JUST STARTED CRYING.  I DID NOT WANT TO-BUT THE TEARS JUST STARTED FLOWING ALL BY THEM SELVES.  JUST LIKE NOW.  I GUESS I NEED TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.  OH, CHECK THIS OUT, I JUST GOT MY OWN PAGE ADDRESS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S ORG.. HERE IT IS-------------  http://act.alz.org/goto/lindahayes12. WE ALSO HAVE ONE THAT IS FOR THE TEAM (VICKIE & :LINDA), AND VICKIE HAS ONE OF HER OWN TOO.  ONE MORE THING THAT MADE ME VERY UPSET AT MY DR.'S OFFICE YESTERDAY (NOT REALLY-THEY ARE BOTH VERY GOOD CAUSES).  THEY HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER THIS YEAR.  I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD PUT UP ALL THE STUFF FOR ALZHEIMER'S THIS YEAR AS THEY DID THE CANCER DRIVE LAST YEAR, BUT THE CANCER PEOPLE BEAT US TO IT.  I GUESS THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!! I DID SELL ONE BRACELET THERE-TO A NURSE.  OH A HAPPIER NOTE, MIKE JR.. CALLED ME YESTERDAY-I SURE DO MISS MY BOY.  NO MATTER HOW OLD OUR CHILDREN GET-THEY WILL ALWAYS BE OUR BABIES!!!  WELL, SO FAR, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE IN ORLANDO.  I KNOW IT IS LESS HUMID IN C.A., BUT I'M HAPPY WITH DAYS LIKE TODAY.  WELL, TIME FOR ME TO ENJOY MY CUP OF DELISH!!  YES, I DID BUY MORE  OF MY BRAND-THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!!  SO TILL TOMORROW-TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT MY SISTER VICKIE AND I CAN DO TO RAISE MORE FUNDS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK-WE NEED ALL THE IDEAS AND HELP WE CAN GET.  E-MAIL ME IF YOU CAN THINK OF ANYTHING-PLEASE!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH-JUST ME

SLEEPY SLEEPY WEEK END!

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY, BUT ALL I HAVE WANTED TO DO OR HAVE DONE THIS WHOLE WEEK END IS SLEEP!!  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I DID SIT OUT IN FRONT OF PUBLIX ON SAT. AND WERE ABLE TO MAKE $100. FOR ALZHEIMER'S.  WE WERE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.  THEN WE HAD THE NEIGHBORHOOD ICE CREAM SOCIAL SAT. NIGHT, BUT IT SORT OF GOT RAINED OUT.  WE SET UP OUR AREA ANY WAY, BUT I THINK WE ONLY GOT ABOUT $5..  WE DO PUBLIX AGAIN IN OCT., AND ARE TRYING TO GET TO DO THE OTHER PUBLIX IN BALDWIN PARK IN SEPT.. WE SHALL SEE.  WELL, MY TRIP TO C.A.  WAS GREAT!!  MY LITTLE GRAND BABIES WERE AS SWEET AND LOVABLE AS THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE.  I LOVED HEARING LILLY ON HER PIANO, AND AUTUMN WAS GREAT AT GYMNASTICS!!!  CANYON WAS A SUPER BIG HELPER FOR ME-HE IS A GREAT KID WHO WILL BE 16 IN JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!  AUTUMN WILL BE THREE, AND LILLY JUST TURNED FIVE.  WHERE OH WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?????  WHEN I GOT BACK HOME, MY CAR WOULD NOT START.  I CALLED THE SERVICE MY INS. CO. GIVES ME FREE, (POP A LOCK), AND THEY WERE HERE PRACTIALLY BEFORE I HUNG UP THE PHONE!!  THEY JUMPED MY BATTERY AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE.  WRONG!!  I HAD TO CALL THEM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, AND AGAIN THEY WERE HERE SUPER FAST.  THIS TIME I DROVE THE CAR DOWN TO MAZDA.  THEY WERE GETTING READY TO CLOSE, BUT THE MGR. SAID HE WOULD WAIT FOR ME TO GET THERE.  HE DID, AND THEY ALSO CHECKED OUT MY BATTERY WHICH CHECKED OUT FINE.  THE MANAGER PUT IN A NEW BATTERY ANY WAY, AND DID NOT CHARGE ME.  HE SAID TO USE IT FOR A FEW DAYS, AND IT THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM I CAN COME IN AND PAY FOR THE BATTERY.  IF NOT, THEN I CAN BRING THE CAR BACK IN AND THEY WILL PUT IT ON THEIR SPECIAL MACHINE TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IT NEEDS.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY THAT I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.  MY CAR JUST WENT OUT OF THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILES ONE WEEK AGO!!!!  I WONDER HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO TIME THINGS SO WELL.  ANY HOW, IT WILL BE FIXED ON WAY OR ANOTHER.  AT LEAST FOR NOW, I HAVE A WORKING CAR.  WELL, THAT IS ABOUT IT FOR NOW, I WILL BE BACK TOMORROW-HOPEFULLY FEELING LESS TIRED AND SLEEPY.  OH, VERY IMPT. NEWS.  THEY FINALLY FIXED OUR WEB PAGE SO NOW IF YOU GO TO HTTP://ACT.ALZ.ORG/GOTO/VICKIELINDA.  YOU WILL FIND OUR WEB PAGE FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK!!  YIPPEE-IT'S FIXED!!!  JUST ME

YESTERDAY WAS A TOTALLY OFF DAY FOR ME

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIT ME, BUT I WAS LIKE A BIG FAT VEGETABLE YESTERDAY!!  I HAD LOTS OF STUFF THAT NEEDED DOING, BUT MY GET UP AND GO GOT UP AND LEFT, AND ALL I COULD DO WAS LAY ON THE SOFA, AND WATCH MY DOGIES.  THEY WERE BOTH ON TOP OF ME, WHICH WAS NICE, AS I WAS A LITTLE COLD, AND THEY ARE LIKE TWO ELECTRIC BLANKETS!!  SO FAR, I HAVE CANCELLED MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT, AND MY APT. WITH MY P.C.P.., AS I WAS NOT UP TO GOING FOR ONE THING, AND FOR ANOTHER, I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR STARTED.  IF I CAN, I WILL TRY AND TAKE CARE OF THAT TODAY-IF NOT-THERE IS ALWAYS MONDAY.  FONDA BROUGHT ME SOME CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP YESTERDAY, AND THAT WAS ABOUT ALL I COULD EAT.  I HAVE NO APPETITE RIGHT NOW, BUT I'M SURE THAT WILL SOON CHANGE.  I AM MORE SLEEPY THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, AND THAT IS AFTER I HAD A REALLY GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.  I REALLY DO NEED TO GET TO THE STORE, AS MY CAFE' CON LECHE' DOES NOT TASTE RIGHT-I NEED TO PICK UP MY FAVORITE BRAND "NAVARRO" OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.  IT IS STRONGER, AND TASTE MUCH BETTER.  I AM STILL NOT DRESSED YET, AND I'M NOT SURE I WILL GET OUT OF THESE COMFY P.J.'S AT ALL AGAIN TODAY.  I WANT TO FEEL BETTER, BUT MY BODY IS SAYING "GO LAY DOWN".  I THINK I WILL FOR NOW, I WAS HOPING I WOULD BE FEELING MORE LIKE MY OLE SELF THIS AM, BUT I AM STILL SLEEPY.  I HAD TO GET A NAUSEA PILL LAST NIGHT, AS I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO BARF UP THE SOUP.  WELL, I HOPE THIS LITTLE BUG WILL BUG OFF SOON, AS I HATE BEING SICK-DON'T YOU???  TILL MONDAY-I SURE HOPE I WILL BE ALL BETTER BY THEN!!  JUST ME

HELLO, I'M BACK!!!

HI ALL!!  I AM BACK FROM C.A., AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL TRIP FOR BOTH CANYON AND I.  I HAD A FEW HICK CUPS IN THE BEGINNING WITH MY LEG CRAMPS, BUT THEN WITH A GOOD SUGGESTION FROM MY SISTER VICKIE, AND A LITTLE TRICK I HAD UP MY SLEEVE, IT ALL WORKED OUT WELL.  IT WAS GREAT SEEING MY SON, LAURA, AND THOSE ADORABLE GIRLS OF THEIRS.  I SEE A BIG BASE BALL BAT IN MY SON'S HAND DOWN THE ROAD!!  I DID COME HOME TO A SLIGHT PROBLEM-MY CAR WON'T START.  I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE THE BATTERY, AS THE LIGHTS ALL WORK.  I WILL SEE IF I CAN GET IT TO MAZDA LATER TODAY AND THEN THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT FOR ME.  MY DOGS SURE MISSED ME, AND I SURE DID MISS THEM.  WHILE IN C.A. WE WENT TO THE ZOO, SOME COOL RESTAURANTS, AND GET THIS-A DRIVE IN MOVIE!!  ANY ONE REMEMBER THOSE???  I'M SO GLAD WE WILL GET TO SEE ONE OF THE GIRLS WITH MIKE JR. IN OCT. FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S MEMORY WALK.  I MUST SAY THE WEATHER IN C.A. HAS OURS BEAT!!  NO HUMIDITY DURING THE DAY, AND IN THE 60'S AT NIGHT-PERFECT!!!  I HAVE A BAZILLION THINGS TO DO THIS A.M. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO START ON FIRST.  I GUESS THE CAR, AS ALL ELSE REVOLVES AROUND THE CAR.  MY COFFEE TASTE FUNNY THIS A.M.- NO MATTER HOW MUCH COFFEE I PUT IN-IT STILL TASTES AND LOOKS AMERICAN. I GUESS I AM SPOILED, BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO THINK STRAIGHT UNTIL I HAVE HAD MY CUP OF CUBAN COFFEE!! I ALSO NEED TO CONTACT MY DENTIST TO SEE IF MY BRIDGE IS READY YET.  I SURE HOPE SO, I THINK THEY COULD HAVE BUILT THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE IN THIS AMOUNT OF TIME!!  WELL, I KNOW THIS IS SHORT, BUT I NEED TO GET ON THE PHONE AND SEE WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT MY CAR.  I WILL DO BETTER TOMORROW-JUST ME

TODAY'S THE DAY!!

HI ALL, AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO COME BACK AND LOOK FOR MY BLOG ON AUG. 9TH WHEN I GET BACK FROM C.A.!!  YOU CAN CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK PAGE BY GOING TO http://bit.ly/BonelliHayesWALK2012.  MY SISTER VICKIE IS SICK, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE SHE WILL MAKE IT THIS TRIP.  SHE AND MY DAUGHTER FONDA WILL BE DOING THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL FOR OUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH ALL THE ALZHEIMER'S FUND RAISING ITEMS, WHILE I AM GONE.  PLEASE DON'T FORGET, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT COULD GO INTO OUR RAFFLE BASKET OR IF YOU CAN THINK OF SOMETHING GOOD THAT WE SHOULD TRY AND GET DONATED, LET ME KNOW!!! THANKS SO MUCH, AND I'LL BE BACK SOON!!  JUST ME

JUST ONE MORE DAY AND IT'S C.A. HERE WE COME!!

IT IS GOING TO BE JUST WONDERFUL GETTING TO SEE MY SON AND HIS FAMILY AGAIN.  LAURA IS SUCH A SWEET HEART, AND THE GIRLS ARE REALLY ADORABLE.  I HEAR CANYON (MY GRANDSON) IS GETTING VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE TRIP TOO.  HIS DAD JUST GOT HIM SOME NEW CLOTHES, AND A FLORIDA ID CARD FOR THE TRIP.  I AM TAKING A COUPLE GAMES FOR US TO PLAY, BUT I KNOW HE WILL BE TEXTING MOST OF THE WAY (IF THAT IS ALLOWED ON THE PLANE).  WHEN I GET BACK HOME, I WILL BE BUSIER THAN EVER, AS VICKIE AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE A TABLE OUT IN FRONT OF PUBLIX TO RAISE SOME FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER'S, AS WELL AS WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE LOVELY ARTICLE THAT WAS PRINTED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS LETTER ABOUT MY SISTER'S HUSBAND GEORGE, MY MIKE, AND THE UPCOMING WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S.  WE WILL ALSO BE TRYING TO RAISE SOME DONATED GIFTS FOR THE GIFT BASKET WHICH WE RAFFLE OFF TO RAISE MORE FUNDS.  IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT WHAT WE COULD PUT IN THE BASKET  OR IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUT INTO THE BASKET, PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH THAT INFO.  WE ARE LOOKING FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.  HAIR TREATMENT, NAIL CARE, SPA TREATMENTS, GOLF GAME, RESTAURANT GIFT CARDS, YOU NAME IT-WE CAN SURE USE IT!!  WE ARE EVEN GOING TO HAVE A GARAGE SALE TO RAISE FUNDS, SO IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE US TO SELL FOR A GREAT CAUSE-THAT TOO WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!  ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, I MAY HAVE TO TAKE PRESLEY BACK TO THE VET TODAY.  HE HAS BEEN EATING, AND DRINKING WATER, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS BEFORE.  HE ALSO HAS NOT HAD A FULL POOP LIKE BEFORE, AND YOU CAN SEE HIM PUSHING SO HARD TRYING TO.  I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THE VET SAID TO DO, BUT I GUESS THIS WILL BE NIGHTMARE PART 11 FOR PRESLEY.  POOR DOGIE, HE IS THE MOST GENTLE LOVING DOG I HAVE EVER SEEN.  EVEN THE VET SAID SHE REALLY WAS IMPRESSED WITH HOW GENTLE HE IS AND HIS SWEETNESS.  WELL, TODAY IT'S GET ALL THE REST OF MY PACKING DONE.  MAKE SURE I TAKE EVERYTHING ON MY LIST.  I ALSO HAVE SOME LAUNDRY THAT NEEDS DOING BEFORE I GO,  AND A LITTLE HOUSE WORK.  I SURE DON'T WANT TO OVER DO IT AND MESS UP MY BACK BEFORE THE TRIP!!  I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY YESTERDAY THANKS IN PART TO MY DEAR FRIEND IRMA.  SHE MADE A DELICIOUS LUPPER (A CROSS BETWEEN LUNCH AND SUPPER)  MEAL FOR ME THAT I DID NOT EXPECT.  WE HAD A LOVELY VISIT, AND SHE ASKED ME TO GIVE MY SON MIKE A WARM HUG FROM HER AND HER LOVE.  SHE SAID WHEN MIKE (MY HUSBAND) PASSED,  SHE GAVE HIM A HUG, AND HE GAVE HER SUCH A WARM HUG IN RETURN-SHE REALLY LIKED HIM AND SAID YOU CAN SEE HE HAS A KIND HEART.  HE DOES.  WELL, IF I AM GOING TO GET ANY THING DONE TODAY I MUST GET STARTED ON IT NOW!!  SO TILL THE 9TH (THE MORNING AFTER I GET BACK IN TOWN), I WILL SAY SO LONG-I WILL MISS ALL MY DEAR BLOG FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND I HOPE THEY ALL MISS ME TOO!! JUST ME

GETTING READY FOR MY TRIP!!

MY TRIP TO C.A. IS NOW JUST 4 SHORT DAYS AWAY, AND I AM REALLY GETTING EXCITED!!  AFTER THE MEETING LAST NIGHT A FEW FRIENDS AND I WENT TO JEREMIAH'S FOR SOME ITALIAN ICE.  I HAD THE SUGAR FREE CHERRY, AND IT WAS YUMMY!!  THEN I CAME HOME, PUT MY DOGIES OUT SIDE FOR THE LAST TIME OF THE NIGHT, AND THEN OFF TO BED I WENT.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE EARLY MORNING PLANS, AFTER ALL,  IT IS FRIDAY-GARAGE SALES!!  WE WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE DINNER TOGETHER LATER AS WELL.  IT IS SO NICE TO HAVE HER SO CLOSE BY.  PRESLEY IS STILL ON STOOL SOFTENERS, PUMPKIN, AND VERY LITTLE DOG FOOD.  PRISKA IS NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT THE NEW MENU, BUT SHE IS A TROOPER, AND WILL PRETTY MUCH EAT ANYTHING I GIVE HER.  MY BACK IS DOING MUCH BETTER, BUT IT IS NOT PERFECT AS I HAD HOPED IT WOULD BE.  I AM STILL HAVING SOME LEG PAIN, BUT NOTHING LIKE BEFORE.  I KNOW THE MEDS KEEP WORKING FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, SO I AM HOPING IT WILL KEEP GETTING BETTER.  I FIND THAT LATELY WHEN EVER I SPEAK OF MIKE I AM MORE LIKELY TO SMILE THEN TO CRY.  WHEN I THINK OF HIM, I TRY AND REMEMBER SOME OF THE FUNNY THINGS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS.  THINGS THAT MADE US LAUGH THEN-STILL MAKE ME LAUGH NOW.  I'M SURE A COUPLE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS (TERRY AND DAR S.) ARE ALSO REMEMBERING THE GOOD OLE DAYS WITH MIKE AS WELL.  HE WAS TRULY ONE OF A KIND!!  I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO TODAY STILL TO GET READY FOR MY TRIP.  I HAVE DONE PRECIOUS LITTLE  UNTIL NOW BECAUSE OF MY BACK AND PRESLEY.  NOW I HAVE TO GET BUSY, AND PACK!!  I HATE TO WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE, AS THEN I ALWAYS FORGET SOMETHING IMPORTANT.  LAST TIME I FORGOT MY PHONE CHARGER!!  THIS TIME I HAVE A CHECK LIST, AND I SURE HOPE I REMEMBERED TO PUT EVERYTHING ON IT.WELL, I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR THIS FRIDAY MORNING.  I HOPE EVERYONES WEEK END WILL BE GREAT. ON A VERY SAD NOTE-FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNEW KINDRA AND MICHAEL JACKSON-SHE PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY AFTER OPEN HEART SURGERY.  PLEASE KEEP BOTH HER HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER IN YOUR PRAYERS.  SHE WAS SO YOUNG, BUT WAS A TRUE AND FAITHFUL WITNESS SO WE KNOW WE WILL BE SEEING HER AGAIN SOON......  JUST ME

NEW DAY, AND WE ARE BOTH BETTER!!

PRESLEY IS NOW EATING AND DRINKING AGAIN, AND I HAD MY EPIDURAL SHOT YESTERDAY. MY SISTER VICKIE TOOK ME, AND THEN THEY CALLED HER A COUPLE HOURS LATER WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR HER TO COME PICK ME UP.  I CAN ALREADY TELL THE DIFFERENCE, BUT IT USUALLY TAKES 2 OR EVEN 3 DAYS FOR THE FULL EFFECT.  I TRULY DID NOTHING YESTERDAY BUT FOLLOW THE DOCTOR'S ORDERS TO A T.  ICE ON EVERY 20 MINUTES TO THE INJECTION SITE. ONCE I GET BACK FROM C.A. THE SAME DR. WILL GIVE ME AN EPIDURAL IN MY NECK AREA.  WITH A LOT OF WELL WISHES AND SOME PRAYERS, I AM HOPING THE NECK WILL ALSO BE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE AFTER THAT.  BTW,  I  FOUND A NEW WAY TO GIVE PRESLEY HIS MEDS.  HE LIKES PEANUT BUTTER (JUST LIKE HIS DADDY-MIKE).  PRISKA WON'T EVEN TASTE IT, BUT I CAN GIVE PRESLEY A SLICE OF LEMON COVERED IN PEANUT BUTTER, AND HE WILL LAP IT UP!!  I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS.  NOW I FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT LEAVING MY FURRY LITTLE BABIES TO GO TO C.A. FOR A WEEK.  I KNOW THEY ARE DOGS, BUT THEY ARE NOT REGULAR DOGS-THEY ARE TERRIFIC DOGS, AND I LOVE THEM!!  WELL NOT SURE WHAT I HAVE ON MY AGENDA FOR TODAY.  I WANT AND NEED TO PACK, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD BE DOING TOO MUCH STRAINING TODAY-I SURE DON'T WANT TO MESS ANY THING UP IN MY BACK AGAIN.  I DID GET TO STUDY FOR MY MEETING TONIGHT, AND I (DEPENDING ON HOW I FEEL) MAY GO OVER TO MY NEIGHBOR MARTHA'S FOR A SHORT VISIT.  SHE IS DOING SO WELL FROM HER HIP SURGERY, BUT I ALSO WANT TO  GIVE HER DAUGHTER IN LAW THE BIBLE AND BOOK SHE REQUESTED.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MIKE (SLEEPING IN DEATH) IS THE ONE THAT GOT HER INTERESTED IN WHAT WE BELIEVE.  SHE READ THE CARD A DEAR FRIEND (JOAN R.) MADE FOR HIS SERVICE, AND IT CAUSED HER TO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE.  THAT IS ONE MORE GOOD THING MIKE (DADDY) HAS DONE.  IT REALLY MADE ME WISH I COULD TELL HIM RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LITTLE WHILE. WELL, I AM HOPING EVERYONE IS FEELING WELL TODAY, AND HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE OF SOME KIND YESTERDAY.   MIKE, LAURA, LILLY, AND AUTUMN-ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TILL GRANDMA, CANYON, AND AUNT VICKIE ARRIVE IN YOUR CITY, AND IN YOUR HOME!!  LOVE YOU ALL AND CAN HARDLY WAIT!!  JUST ME

VERY EXPENSIVE CURE!!

I TOOK PRESLEY TO THE VET AGAIN YESTERDAY, AND THEY HAD TO GIVE HIM SOME FLUIDS, GIVE HIM ANESTHESIA, AND FLUSH OUT HIS COLON.  HE WAS A MESS!!  HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GO A LITTLE BIT SINCE THAT.  I AM STILL PRETTY WORRIED ABOUT THE LITTLE GUY.  AS FOR ME, I GOT SOME PRETTY GOOD NEWS YESTERDAY.  THEY GOT THE APPROVAL, AND WILL BE DOING THE EPIDURAL ON ME TODAY-THIS MORNING.  MY SISTER VICKIE WILL TAKE ME AND BRING ME HOME, AS I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE (EVEN THOUGH IT IS JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME).  I AM HAPPY ABOUT THAT, AND I JUST HOPE AND PRAY I GET THE SAME RESULTS I GOT LAST TIME.  IT LASTED ME NEARLY TWO YEARS!!  WHEN I GET BACK FROM C.A. THE DR. WILL DO MY NECK, AS IT IS ALSO A MESS, AND PAINFUL.  I CAN'T GET THEM BOTH DONE AT THE SAME TIME, AS IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH MEDICINE IN MY SYSTEM AT ONE TIME.  I ONLY HAVE SIX MORE DAYS BEFORE MY TRIP, AND I AM SUPER EXCITED.  I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MY SON AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.  THEN WHEN I GET BACK HOME, MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WILL GET BUSY WORKING ON THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.  WE HAVE LOTS OF PLANS IN THAT DEPARTMENT!!  IT WAS A HARD DAY YESTERDAY, AND THE DAY BEFORE WITH PRESLEY.  I JUST HOPE HE IS TRULY OK NOW.  HE STILL DOES NOT WANT TO EAT OR DRINK, AND THE DRINKING BOTHERS ME MORE THAN HIS NOT EATING.  I HAVE EVEN TRIED ICE CHIPS, BUT HE WON'T GO FOR THAT EITHER.  WELL, I KNOW THIS IS SHORT, BUT I HAVE TO GET READY AS MY SISTER WILL BE HERE TO PICK ME UP SHORTLY.  I SURE HOPE ALL GOES WELL WITH THE DR., IF YOU WILL, PLEASE SAY A LITTLE  PRAYER FOR ME, AND I WILL MUCH APPRECIATE IT.  THANKS-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

NO SOLUTION YET FOR PRESLEY OR ME!!

I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET FROM MY PAIN DR. AS TO WHEN HE CAN GIVE ME THE EPIDURAL.  I DID CALL MY P.C.P. YESTERDAY, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TRY AND SPEED UP THE PROCESS.  AS FOR PRESLEY, HE HAS STILL NOT GONE POOP.  I TOOK HIM TO ONE VET YESTERDAY, AND CALLED ANOTHER.  THEY BOTH HAD DIFFERENT ADVICE, EXCEPT FOR THE X-RAY PART.  THEY BOTH WANTED TO DO BLOOD WORK AND X-RAYS TO THE TUNE OF $400.!!  I HAVE GIVEN HIM EVERY THING I CAN THINK OF TO HELP HIM GO-EVEN BOUGHT SOME MINERAL OIL AND SQUIRTED TWO SYRINGES FULL DOWN HIS THROAT.  I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TRY.  I DID GET HIM TO EAT A LITTLE PUMPKIN FOR ME THIS A.M. SO I THINK THAT MAY BE A GOOD SIGN-NOT EVEN SURE ABOUT THAT.  MY SISTER VICKIE HAD A BAD DAY YESTERDAY-SHE WENT DOWN TO THE FUNEREAL HOME TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY FINGER PRINTS OF GEORGE (HER LATE HUSBAND).  HER DAUGHTER DEBBIE WANTS A NECKLACE LIKE THE ONE THAT FONDA GOT ME WITH MIKE'S FINGERPRINT ON THE BACK AND "MY LOVE" ON THE FRONT WITH HIS D.O.B. & D.O.D. .  IT IS VERY SWEET, AND I WEAR IT ALL THE TIME NOW.  I GOT A LITTLE CREATIVE A FEW DAYS AGO, AND ADDED MIKE AND I TO THE LARGE PICTURE OF A BEACH SCENE IN OUR BED ROOM.  IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS MADE THAT WAY, AND I LOVE LOOKING AT IT, AS IT REMINDS ME OF ALL THE TIMES WE WALKED ALONG THE BEACH AND PICKED UP SHELLS.  I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MY SISTER VICKIE ON FINDING WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE "WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S" IN OCT.., AND WE GOT PUBLIX TO ALLOW US TO SIT OUT IN FRONT OF THEIR STORE (LIKE THE GIRL SCOUTS DO), TWO TIMES BEFORE THE WALK.  ALSO WE GOT THE AUTHOR OF THE  NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS LETTER TO WRITE A NICE ARTICLE IN THERE ABOUT MIKE AND GEORGE WITH A PICTURE OF THEM IN THE WALK FROM A COUPLE YEARS BACK.  VICKIE AND I WILL WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THAT ARTICLE AND TRY AND COLLECT MORE FUNDS.  WE HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS THAT WE WILL BE WORKING ON WHEN WE GET BACK FROM C.A. TO VISIT MY DEAR SON AND HIS TERRIFIC WIFE AND TWO ADORABLE TALENTED GIRLS.  I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!  BTW THAT REMINDS ME, YOU MAY NOT HEAR FROM ME FROM 7/31 TO 8/9 WHEN I GET BACK.  I WILL NOT BE TAKING MY COMPUTER WITH ME ON THIS TRIP.  WELL, TIME FOR ME TO GET SOME CLOTHES ON , AND MAYBE DO A LITTLE PACKING TODAY, SO TILL TOMORROW-BE WELL-JUST ME

CONSTIPATION PROBLEM-NOT ME-PRESLEY!!

FOR TWO DAYS NOW HE HAS BEEN STRAINING HIMSELF TO GO EVERY FEW MINUTES, BUT NOTHING IS COMING OUT.  I GAVE HIM SOME PUMPKIN AS I READ THAT WOULD HELP, BUT SO FAR NADA.  I'VE ALSO HAVE GIVEN HIM 3 OR 4 SUPPOSITORIES, BUT ALSO WITH ZERO EFFECT.  I PLAN TO CALL THE VET THIS A.M. AND SEE IF I CAN GIVE HIM A FLEET ENEMA.  IF NOT, IT IS OFF TO THE VETS WE GO.  I CAN NOT STAND TO SEE HIM STRAINING AND PUSHING SO HARD ALMOST ON A CONSTANT BASIS WITH ZERO RESULTS.  HE MUST BE IN PAIN TOO. POOR LITTLE GUY.  IF HE KEEPS THIS UP HE COULD EASILY WIND UP WITH A HERNIA!!  I'M DOING OK, STILL HAVING MY BACK ISSUES WHICH I HOPE TO SOMEHOW GET RESOLVED THIS WEEK.  NOTHING IS EVER EASY.  LIKE MY WISE OLE PAPA USE TO SAY "EVERYTHING IS WORKING AGAINST ME".  SOME DAYS I FEEL THAT WAY TOO. THEN I COME BACK TO MY SENSES AND REALIZE THAT WE ARE ALL HAVING ONE PROBLEM OR ANOTHER.  IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE DAY SO FAR TODAY, SO I HOPE I WILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE PRESLEY TO THE VET WITH OUT RUNNING INTO A THUNDER STORM.  WE SEEM TO STILL BE GETTING THEM ALMOST DAILY.  WELL, I TRULY HATE TO CUT THIS SHORT, BUT IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GET DRESSED AND SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR PRESLEY.  I WILL FILL YOU IN TOMORROW ABOUT MY EPIDURAL (WHEN I CAN GET IT) AND WHAT THE VET HAD TO SAY/DO FOR PRESLEY.  TILL THEN, HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS JUST PERFECT, AND IT WILL CONTINUE ON THROUGH THIS DAY!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

TWO SICK DOGIES THIS MORNING

IT IS TOTALLY MY FAULT TOO.  I GAVE THEM THE HAM BONES I USED IN MY RED BEANS YESTERDAY, AND THEY BOTH GOT SICK DURING THE NIGHT.  I THINK THEY ACTUALLY ATE THE BONES, AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY COULD OR WOULD.  I JUST GAVE IT TO THEM TO CLEAN AND SHARPEN THEIR TEETH, SINCE I DON'T GIVE THEM RAW HIDE BONES TO CHEW ON. OF COURSE NOTHING WILL STOP PRISKA FROM EATING HER BREAKFAST, BUT PRESLEY HAS JUST BEEN LOOKING AT HIS.  I REALLY DO FEEL PRETTY BAD ABOUT IT-LESSON LEARNED.  WELL, THIS MORNING LIKE IT OR NOT I HAVE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT.  THIS TIME IT IS MY FRONT TOOTH THAT THEY SAY HAS TO GO.  HE DID PROMISE ME THAT I WILL NOT LEAVE HIS OFFICE WITH A HOLE IN MY FACE-HE WILL GIVE ME A TEMPORARY TOOTH TILL THEY CAN MAKE ME A PERMANENT BRIDGE IN THE FRONT.  I STILL THINK I SHOULD HAVE THE WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM PULLED OUT AND JUST GET FALSE ONES, BUT MY KIDS ARE TOTALLY AGAINST THAT IDEA-SO IS THE DENTIST.  SO I GUESS FOR NOW I WILL HOPE THIS IS THE LAST FIX I WILL NEED DONE AT LEAST UNTIL ARMAGEDDON!!  WELL, I DID SLEEP PRETTY GOOD AGAIN LAST NIGHT.  I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR PILLS.  I DON'T TAKE AS MANY AS THE DOCTORS TELL ME TO, BUT JUST ENOUGH SO THAT THEY WILL WORK WHEN I NEED THEM.  I WILL TRY MY PAIN DR. AGAIN TODAY TO SEE IF THEY GOT THE APPROVAL FOR MY EPIDURAL.  THAT IS DEPENDING ON HOW I FEEL AFTER THE TRIP TO THE DENTIST.  I MAY JUST WANT TO LAY IN BED THE REST OF THE DAY-WHO KNOWS??  OH, SOME EXCITING NEWS-I THINK.  I ORDERED AN IPAD YESTERDAY.  IT WAS ON SALE AT 78 PERCENT OFF!!  I ONLY PAID $69. FOR IT!!  I THINK IT WILL BE A BIG HELP FOR MY BACK, AS SOON AS I GET OUR BIBLE AND SONG BOOK LOADED INTO IT.  THAT WILL BE TWO BOOKS I WON'T HAVE TO CARRY TO THE MEETINGS, AND BELIEVE ME MY BOOKS CAN GET PRETTY HEAVY.  I AM THINKING ABOUT MY BACK-I HAVE ALREADY SWITCHED TO A TINY LITTLE PURSE WITH ONLY THE BARE ESSENTIALS.  I PLAN ON DOING THE SAME THING WITH MY MEETING BAG.  WELL, THAT IS IT FOR ME TODAY, I SURE HOPE YOUR DAY YESTERDAY WAS A HAPPY ONE-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

GOOD NEWS FROM MY ONCOLOGIST!!

YESTERDAY I WENT TO SEE MY ONCOLOGIST, AND TRUTHFULLY WAS NOT EXPECTING A VERY GOOD REPORT.  I DID NOT TAKE CARE OF MY SELF FOR A LONG TIME WHILE I WAS TAKING CARE OF MIKE.  BUT THE PAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE GOTTEN BACK ON TRACK WITH MY MEDS, AND MY NUMBERS HAD ONLY RISEN A LITTLE.  THE DOCTOR SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT, SO NOW THAT I AM BACK ON ALL MY HERBS AND SPECIAL VITAMINS, I EXPECT IT WILL GO BACK DOWN BY MY NEXT VISIT.  TODAY WE (VICKIE AND I) WILL GO SEE OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA AGAIN.  SHE IS DOING GREAT, BUT GETS A LITTLE LONELY FOR COMPANY.  I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE TOO LONG BEFORE WE CAN ALL BE BACK AT THE GYM DOING OUR WATER EXERCISES.  TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DENTIST APPOINTMENT AND ANOTHER TOOTH MUST BE PULLED.  I AM PRAYING IT WILL BE MY LAST!!!  THIS WILL MAKE NUMBER FOUR IN LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH!!!  EVERY ONE KEEPS SAYING YOU ARE BETTER OFF KEEPING AS MANY TEETH OF YOUR OWN AS YOU CAN, BUT I AM STARTING TO HAVE SERIOUS DOUBTS!!  WELL, I SLEPT PRETTY GOOD LAST NIGHT FOR A CHANGE.  I HAVE BEEN SUPER TIRED LATELY AND IT IS MOST LIKELY FROM THE MEDS I HAVE TO TAKE FOR MY BACK PAIN.  I WILL CALL THE PAIN DOCTOR AS SOON AS I GET OFF THE COMPUTER, AND SEE IF THEY HAVE GOTTEN THE REFERRAL YET FOR MY EPIDURAL.  I HAVE TO SAY I AM VERY EXCITED THAT MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE ALREADY RAISED NEARLY $2,000. FOR ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH.  I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY DISEASES OUT THERE BUT THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE CRUELEST.  ALSO IT AFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE,  ALL THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE ONE WHO HAS IT, PLUS THE PAIN AND CONFUSION IT CAUSES THE ONE WHO IS DEALING WITH IT.  IT IS VERY SAD.. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ALL I WILL BE DOING TODAY BEFORE MY MEETING, BUT I AM SURE I WILL BE KEPT BUSY.  THAT SEEMS TO BE THE SECRET TO NOT THINKING TOO MUCH ABOUT YOUR SELF, YOUR LOSS, AND EVEN YOUR ACHES AND PAINS.  IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR ME.  WHEN I HIT THE SACK I AM PRETTY TIRED-I CAN HARDLY STAY AWAKE LONG ENOUGH TO SAY MY NIGHT TIME PRAYERS!!  THANKS FOR LISTENING, AND LETTING ME VENT.  HOPE YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST DAY YET-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

UP BEFORE 6 A.M. BUT NOT AWAKE!!

I AM STILL SO SLEEPY THAT I STARTED TAKING MY P.M. PILLS INSTEAD OF MY MORNING ONES.  THEN WHEN I TRIED TO REPLACE THE P.M. ONES THAT I HAD ALREADY TAKEN-I COULD NOT FIND MY BOTTLE OF PROMETHAZINE WHICH I KNOW I HAD BEFORE.  I GUESS THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS THAT I SHOULD NEITHER TAKE STUFF OR LOOK FOR STUFF WHEN I AM ONLY SEMI AWAKE!!  AND YES, OF COURSE I BLAME IT ALL ON MY DOGIES!!  I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY ARE AT FAULT JUST YET, BUT I WILL FIGURE THAT OUT LATER.  I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY BIG PLANS FOR TODAY, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE MY SISTER VICKIE WILL.  SHE TRIES TO KEEP ME BUSY MOST DAYS, AND IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE HER SO CLOSE BY.  SHE AND I WENT TO PUBLIX YESTERDAY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET ON THEIR CALENDAR FOR AUG. 11TH AND OCT. 20TH TO PUT A TABLE OUT IN FRONT OF THEIR STORE AND TRY AND RAISE FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER'S.  WE PLAN TO TAKE PRESLEY IN AN ALZHEIMER'S SHIRT TO DRAW PEOPLE'S ATTENTION OVER TO OUR TABLE.  I SURE HOPE IT WORKS, AND WE CAN GET SOME DONATIONS, AND MAYBE A FEW MORE PEOPLE WHO WILL SIGN UP TO WALK WITH US.  ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, I TRIED TO SEE IF MY PAIN DR. HAD GOTTEN THE REFERRAL HE NEEDS TO GIVE ME MY EPIDURAL SHOT, BUT HE HAD NOT GOTTEN IT YET.  I SURE HOPE IT WON'T BE MUCH LONGER, AS MY TRIP TO C.A. IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER NOW.  NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY THESE DAYS-AT LEAST IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.  I WILL START PACKING UP THINGS TODAY FOR MY TRIP.  I HAVE MOST OF WHAT I WILL BE TAKING LAYING ON THE SPARE BED, BUT I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY PACKED ANY THING YET.  I AM TRYING TO GIVE MY BACK A REST TO SEE IF IT WILL GET A LITTLE BETTER ON IT'S OWN.  NO MATTER WHAT I SEEM TO DO OR NOT DO IT IS STILL GIVING ME A FIT.  THE PAIN EVEN GOES DOWN BOTH LEGS NOW, AND I DO NOT WANT TO SHOW UP IN C.A. HALF ASLEEP WITH PAIN PILLS.  I KNOW I WILL BE OK IF I CAN JUST GET THE EPIDURAL SOON.  NOT MUCH ELSE GOING ON HERE TODAY, JUST MORE RAIN IN THE WEATHER FORECAST.  THAT IS PROBABLY NOT GOOD FOR MY BACK EITHER-NOT SURE.  WELL, ENOUGH COMPLAINING OR VENTING AS SOME CALL IT. IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY BECAUSE I WILL CHOOSE IT TO BE.  I HOPE YOU WILL MAKE THE SAME CHOICE-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

LEG CRAMPS LEG CRAMPS GO AWAY!!

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY LEGS AND THOSE DARN LEG CRAMPS AT NIGHT.  THEY WAKE ME UP FROM A SOUND SLEEP, AND I HAVE TO TAKE SOME PAIN OR MUSCLE PILLS, AND GRAB MY BED BUDDY.  IT IS NOT A FUN WAY TO SPEND THE NIGHT, BUT MAYBE AFTER I GET MY EPIDURAL SHOT IT WILL ALL STOP.  I SURE HOPE SO-THE LAST ONE LASTED ME NEARLY TWO YEARS.  WELL ENOUGH ABOUT THAT, YESTERDAY WAS A GOOD DAY.  I THINK MIKE WOULD BE PROUD THAT I AM NO LONGER CURLED UP IN A BALL HOLDING HIS JACKET IN BED.  IT IS STILL HARD TO GET BY EACH DAY, BUT I TRY AND BE WHAT MIKE WOULD HAVE WANTED-HAPPY OR AT LEAST TRYING HARD TO GET THERE.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE BEEN BUSY TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS AND SUPPORTERS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK IN OCT.  WE WERE ABLE TO GET PUBLIX TO LET US PUT UP A TABLE OUTSIDE THEIR STORE, AND SELL THE ALZHEIMER'S PINS, AND BRACELETS TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS.  OUR HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO AGREED TO PUT A NICE ARTICLE AND PICTURE ( OF OUR LAST YEARS WALK)  IN THE NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS LETTER THAT COMES OUT THIS MONTH.  WE HAVE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TOO, SO I SURE HOPE OUR  TIME AS CO. CAPTAINS OF THE WALK WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.  IF NOT-IT WILL NOT BE FOR LACK OF TRYING!!!  TODAY I HAVE MY VISIT WITH MY ONCOLOGIST.  I AM HOPING THAT MY BLOOD LEVELS HAVE NOT CHANGED TOO MUCH.  I NORMALLY TAKE QUITE A FEW HERBS AND VITAMINS FOR MY LEUKEMIA, BUT DURING THE TIME WHEN MIKE WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN, I KINDA FORGOT TO TAKE CARE OF ME AND DID NOT TAKE ALL MY PILLS AS I SHOULD HAVE.  I HAVE BEEN DOING MUCH BETTER LATELY, SO I HOPE I WILL GET A GOOD REPORT.  TODAY I WILL BE GOING TO COSTCO WITH MY SISTER VICKIE.  I WANT TO GET SOME TREATS FOR MY DOGIES, AND SOME GREEK YOGURT FOR ME.  THAT'S ABOUT THE BEST PLACE TO DO BOTH.  WELL, I NEED TO HEAT UP MY CAFE' CON LECHE' AS I HATE COOL OR WORSE YET COLD COFFEE!! SO TILL TOMORROW-BE HAPPY-IT'S A CHOICE!!  JUST ME

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!!

YESTERDAY WAS ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN ORLANDO.  I DON'T EVEN MIND THE RAIN SO MUCH, BUT THE THUNDER AND  LIGHTNING SCARES POOR PRISKA ABOUT HALF TO DEATH. ALSO, DOES ANY BODY KNOW WHY SOME PEOPLE WOULD BE DOING FIREWORKS ON SAT. NIGHT??  PRISKA THOUGHT IT WAS THUNDER AND WOULD NOT GO POTTY FOR ANY THING!!  AS SOON AS I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET HER ON TO THE GRASS-THEY WOULD SET OFF ANOTHER ROUND OF FIRE WORKS!!  PRESLEY COULD CARE LESS-HE IS A TRUE BLUE BOY (DOG)!!  HE'S A LOVER, AND HE IS ALWAYS UP FOR ANY THING!!  WELL, MY WEEK END WAS VERY GOOD.  I REALLY ENJOYED BEING SKYPED BY MY SON MIKE JR., LAURA, AND THE GIRLS.  THEY ALL LOOKED GREAT, AND I REALLY ENJOYED SEEING THEM.  IN JUST TWO SHORT WEEKS, I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THEM FOR REAL-IN PERSON!!  I CAN HARDLY WAIT.  I ALSO GOT TO HOLD MY LITTLE MINKA YESTERDAY.  WE HAD OUR FAMILY BIBLE/BOOK STUDY AT MY HOUSE LAST NIGHT, AND I GOT TO HOLD THAT LITTLE BUNDLE OF SWEETNESS!!  I MADE DINNER LAST NIGHT (CARNE CON PAPAS), WHICH EVERYONE SEEMED TO ENJOY. HOWEVER, LAST NIGHT I HAD THOSE AWFUL LEG CRAMPS AGAIN.  HAD TO GET UP AND HEAT MY BED BUDDY.  I HAVE THE HEATING PAD IN BED WITH ME, AND PLUGGED IN FOR JUST SUCH EMERGENCIES, BUT IT JUST WAS NOT ENOUGH.  I HAD TO TAKE SOME PAIN MEDICATION TOO.  I SEEM TO BE BETTER THIS A.M., SO THAT'S A GOOD THING.  SAT. ART (SON IN LAW) AND FONDA (YOUNGEST DAUGHTER) WERE HERE, AND THEY GOT MY SUITCASE DOWN FROM THE RAFTERS IN THE GARAGE, AND ALSO PACKED UP MY BATH TUB LIFT TO MAIL TO THE LADY WHO BOUGHT IT.  I ACTUALLY SOLD SOMETHING ON E-BAY!!!  DAWN (MY SISTER VICKIE'S DAUGHTER) SAID SHE WAS GOING TO SHOW MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HOW TO DOWN LOAD PICTURES OF STUFF SO WE COULD SELL MORE THINGS ON E-BAY.  WE BOTH HAVE THINGS WE'D LIKE TO SELL, BUT WE MAY NEED A LITTLE HELP AT FIRST LEARNING HOW TO GET PICTURES UP.  TODAY MAY BE A BUSY ONE FOR ME AGAIN.  VICKIE WANTS ME TO GO WITH HER TO PICK UP HER EYE GLASSES, AND THEN TO COSTCO.  WE ALSO PLAN TO GO SEE OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA WHO HAD HER HIP REPLACED JUST A MONTH AGO, AND IS HOME AND IS DOING REMARKABLY WELL!!  I MAY EVEN START PACKING SOME THINGS TODAY FOR MY TRIP-IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO GET STARTED DOING THAT.  I ALSO HAVE A LIST GOING SO I DON'T FORGET TO TAKE ANY THING THAT IS IMPORTANT (LIKE MY MEDS.)..  WELL, THAT'S IT FOR ME THIS MONDAY.  I HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS MINE.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST TAKE ONE DAY ON AT A TIME-IT WORKS FOR ME.  JUST ME

ANOTHER NIGHT OF LEG CRAMPS-YUCK

IT IS FRIDAY MORNING ALREADY, AND I AM SO TIRED I COULD GO RIGHT BACK TO BED.  MY DOGIES WOULDN'T LET ME.  I GUESS THEY WERE HUNGRY, AND NEEDED TO GO POTTY.  I LOCK THE HOUSE UP TIGHT AT NIGHT, SO THERE IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO GET OUTSIDE UNLESS I GET UP AND LET THEM.  SO OF COURSE I DID. TODAY I GET TO GO TO MY PAIN DOCTOR AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY BACK.  MY CARRY ON BAG (FOR MY TRIP TO C.A.) HAS ALL MY PAIN MEDS. AND HEATING PADS AND INSTANT ICE TOO, SO SOMEHOW I WILL BE OK ON MY TRIP.  I JUST HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING THE DOCTOR CAN DO SO I WON'T NEED ALL THAT STUFF.  NEVER THE LESS, I AM NOTHING IF NOT PREPARED!!  I GOT SOME NOT SO GREAT NEWS FROM THE NEW DENTIST I WENT TO YESTERDAY, AS I GET FREE CLEANING FROM THEM AND A FEW OTHER THINGS FREE UP TO $500, WORTH.  THE CLEANING WAS VERY NICE, THEY USE A HIGH SPEED WATER SYSTEM-I FOR GET WHAT IT IS CALLED, BUT IT DOES A GREAT JOB, AND DOES NOT HURT LIKE THE OTHER WAY.  THE BAD OR NOT SO GOOD NEWS IS, THAT I STILL HAVE ONE MORE TOOTH THAT HAS TO BE PULLED, AND THEN THEY WILL MAKE A 4 TOOTH BRIDGE USING A DUMMY TOOTH FOR THE ONE THEY HAVE TO PULL.  IT IS MY FRONT TOOTH, SO I AM NEITHER HAPPY ABOUT THAT NOR THE FACT THAT EVEN WITH MY TWO DENTIST PLANS, IT WILL COST A WHOPPING $2,000!!!  I SURE HOPE AFTER THAT IS DONE-I WILL BE DONE WITH MY TEETH FOR A VERY VERY LONG TIME.  VICKIE HAS SOME ERRANDS TO RUN THIS AM, AND SHE HAS ASKED ME TO GO WITH HER, AND THEN WE WILL CHECK OUT A COUPLE GARAGE SALES ALONG THE WAY.  MY FRIEND THAT HAS THAT BIG SALE AT THE ASSISTED LIVING PLACE IS HAVING IT AGAIN THIS SAT.. I HOPE SHE HAS A LOT OF STUFF SO THAT THEY DON'T BUY HER OUT BEFORE I GET THERE.  PEOPLE COME WITH HUGE BOXES, AND JUST PUT WHAT EVER THEY CAN FIT IN IT.  SHE HAS GREAT PRICES ON ALL NEW STUFF, SO I ALWAYS TRY AND GO WHEN SHE IS HAVING HER SALE-VICKIE DOES TOO.  WELL, I AM ENJOYING MY YUMMY CAFE' CON LECHE' RIGHT NOW, NOT DRESSED YET, BUT I NEED TO GET THAT WAY REAL SOON.  EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN GETTING LOTS OF RAIN AGAIN, I HAVE MANAGED TO STAY DRY.  I LOVE THE RAIN-WHEN I AM HOME AND WHEN I AM IN BED.  I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A NEW LAW THAT PEOPLE HAVE OFF ON ALL DAY RAINY DAYS (LIKE WHAT THEY DO WHEN IT SNOWS A LOT).  IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN, PLUS YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL SLEEPY BEHIND THE WHEEL.  OH WELL, JUST A THOUGHT.  I DID FIND SOMETHING THAT HELPS WITH MY BOTTOM PARTIAL-IT KEEPS IT IN PLACE EVEN WHEN I AM EATING-HURRAY!!! WELL THAT'S IT FROM ME FOR THIS WEEK-I'LL BE BACK ON MON. JAH. WILLING.  STAY WELL-JUST  ME

STILL NO REPORT ON MY MRI'S

I WILL HAVE TO CALL BOTH MY PCP AND MY PAIN DR.'S AGAIN TODAY TO SEE IF THEY HAVE GOTTEN MY RESULTS YET.  IF NOT, I WILL GO DOWN TO DREW MEDICAL AND SEE WHY NOT AND IF I CAN JUST PICK UP A COPY.  IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKING THIS LONG-AT LEAST IMPATIENT  ME DOES NOT THINK SO.  I STARTED OFF THE NIGHT WITH PAIN IN MY LEGS AND HIP AREA, SO I GOT UP HEATED MY BED BUDDY, TOOK A COUPLE PILLS, AND SLEPT WELL.  I WAS JUST AFRAID OF A REPEAT FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO I TRIED TO BE PREPARED.  VICKIE AND I WENT A COUPLE PLACES TOGETHER YESTERDAY-NOTHING MAJOR, JUST TO THE FRUIT STAND, AND A THRIFT STORE.  IT RAINED AGAIN YESTERDAY, AND I HAD JUST HAD THE DOGS GROOMED AND SHAVED FOR THE SUMMER.  THEY LOOK REALLY CUTE AND FEEL SO SOFT!! I AM GOING TO MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY FOR THE WEEK I AM IN C.A., BUT I KNOW THEY WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS, AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY AT HOME WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.  MY SON AND I DID FINALLY GET TO TALK YESTERDAY, AND IT WAS VERY NICE.  I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET A MIKEY (SORRY SON) HUG, HE LEARNED FROM THE BEST, AND IS ALMOST AS GOOD AT IT AS MIKE WAS!!  IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAY I HAVE MULTIPLE THINGS GOING ON.  TODAY I HAVE ANOTHER DENTIST APPOINTMENT, AND OF COURSE MY MEETING TONIGHT.  VICKIE AND I ARE GOING TO TRY AND WORK ON GETTING SOME DONATIONS FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK TOO.  I ALSO NEED TO BE GETTING SOME THINGS PACKED SO IT ALL DOES NOT FALL ON ME AT THE LAST MINUTE.  I HAVE NOT ASKED MIKE B. YET, BUT I AM HOPING HE CAN PICK US UP FROM THE AIR PORT WHEN WE GET BACK HOME, AS IT WILL BE AT 11:05PM, AND I KNOW MY SISTER HATES TO DRIVE IN THE DARK, AND I HATE TO BOTHER FONDA FOR EVERYTHING I NEED TOO.  SHE WILL BE HELPING ME ON SAT. PACK UP THE BATH TUB LIFT AND SEND IT OFF.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I FIGURED OUT HOW TO SELL IT ON E-BAY!!!  HURRAY FOR ME!!  WELL, THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR TODAY, I AM STILL HALF ASLEEP, AS IT IS NOT EVEN 7AM YET.  I HOPE I WILL HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT MY MRI'S TO REPORT TOMORROW-THAT WOULD BE NICE.  ANY HOW, MY BACK IS SLOWLY STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE BETTER ON IT'S OWN, SO MAYBE IT WILL BE A QUICK FIX.  TILL TOMORROW- FORGIVE AND FORGET-GOD DOES-JUST ME

FROM GREAT NIGHT TO NIGHT SPASAMS

I HAD A NICE DAY YESTERDAY, BUT   MAYBE DID A LITTLE MORE WALKING THAN I SHOULD HAVE, SO I PAID FOR IT LAST NIGHT.  I PRACTICALLY HAD TO CRAWL TO THE KITCHEN TO HEAT MY BED BUDDY, AND TAKE MY PAIN MEDS..  I DID GET BACK TO SLEEP AFTER THAT, SO I AM VERY GRATEFUL.  THOSE CRAMPS CAN BE SO STRONG THAT I CAN'T EVEN MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION WITHOUT CAUSING EVEN MORE PAIN.  I AM GLAD IT WAS NOT THAT BAD LAST NIGHT.  WELL, I PICKED UP MY BOTTOM PARTIAL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, AND THEY LOOK OK, AND FIT OK, BUT ONE BIG PROBLEM-I STILL CAN'T EAT WITH THEM.  SINCE THEY HAVE NO BACK TEETH TO HOLD ON TO THEY JUST FLOP OR GET FOOD UNDER THEM (WHICH BTW IS VERY PAINFUL).  SO I WILL TRY TO FIND SOME STUFF THAT WILL KEEP THEM ON MY GUMS TODAY AND HOPE THERE IS SUCH A THING OUT THERE.  MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE BOTH DECIDED THAT IN THE "NEW SYSTEM" WE WANT A NEW SET OF TEETH!!  WE BOTH INHERITED BAD ONES FROM BOTH OF OUR PARENTS!!  WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY, THE SUN IS SHINING, AND THE FLOWERS ARE IN BLOOM.  I HAVE ONE MEDIUM SIZED LEMON ON MY LEMON TREE (IT'S A SMALL TREE-MORE LIKE A BUSH RIGHT NOW.  I HAVE DECIDED THAT GARDENING IS NOT FOR ME.  ALL MY TOMATOES AND OTHER THINGS WERE RAVISHED BY BUGS, SQUIRRELS, OR HEAT.  THE MONEY SPENT TO START IT UP, AND BUY FOOD FOR IT, AND ORGANIC SPRAY FOR THE BUGS COULD HAVE BOUGHT ME ORGANIC VEGETABLES ALL SUMMER LONG WITH CHANGE LEFT OVER!!  I GUESS MIKE HAD THE GREEN THUMB IN THIS FAMILY.  FARMING IS JUST NOT MY THING-BUT EATING SURE IS..STILL NO WORD FROM EITHER DOCTOR ON MY MRI RESULTS.  I TRIED CONTACTING BOTH MY DOCTOR AND DREW MEDICAL WHICH TOOK THE MRI'S, TO SEE IF I COULD SPEED THINGS UP A BIT.  THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT READY YET, AND AS SOON AS THEY WERE THE DOCTOR WOULD CALL ME.  I WILL TRY AGAIN TODAY-MAYBE IF I KEEP SQUEAKING-THEY WILL GREASE THIS OLE WHEEL!!  WELL, I DID NOT GET TO TALK WITH MY SON AGAIN YESTERDAY DOG ON IT.  HE CALLED RIGHT WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT THE DOOR TO GO TO THE DENTIST.  I HOPE HE WILL TRY AGAIN TODAY-I THINK I WILL BE HOME ALL OR MOST OF THE DAY TODAY.  WELL, THAT IS IT FROM ME FOR NOW-I WILL WRITE MORE AGAIN TOMORROW.  I SO MISSED MIKE LAST NIGHT-HE WOULD ALWAYS HEAT UP MY BED BUDDY WHEN I HAD THOSE BAD LEG CRAMPS.  AT LEAST THIS TIME I DID NOT CRY WHEN I REMEMBERED THAT.  VICKIE AND I ARE WORKING ON RAISING SOME FUNDS AND OR SPONSORSHIPS TODAY FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK IN OCT..  HOPE WE CAN DO AS WELL AS DAWN, AND FONDA DID LAST YEAR!!  TILL TOMORROW-MAKE A MEMORY TODAY-JUST ME

IT FEELS SO GOOD-A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!!

I SLEPT LIKE A LOG LAST NIGHT, AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT I DID THAT WAS DIFFERENT, BUT I WOKE UP REFRESHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY VERY LONG TIME.  I SURE WISH I KNEW WHAT I DID THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE, SO I COULD DO THAT EVERY NIGHT!!  WELL IT IS MORNING, AND THE DOGIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN FED.  I AM ENJOYING MY CUP OF YUMMY CAFE' CON LECHE', AND DOWNING MY A.M. PILLS.  I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET MY BOTTOM PARTIAL BACK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, BUT I WON'T GET IT BACK UNTIL TODAY.  I SURE HOPE IT FITS WELL, AND THAT I CAN EAT WITH IT.  IT IS SO HARD TRYING TO EAT FOOD WITH ONLY TEETH ON TOP!!  HOPE YOU NEVER HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT.  ANY HOW, THEY SAID IT WOULD RAIN HERE YESTERDAY, AND EVEN THOUGH MANY PLACES DID SEE SOME-WE WERE KEPT DRY.  IT LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL DAY FROM WHERE I SIT.  THE SUN IS SHINNING, AND THE TREES HAVE FLOWERS.  I LOVE LOOKING AT NATURE.  I WAS INVITED TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION THIS YEAR-OF ALL PLACES, IT IS IN IRELAND.  I DON'T THINK I CAN EVER GO BACK THERE.  IT WAS THE NICEST TRIP MIKE AND I EVER TOOK.  OUR SON MIKE JR. AND DAUGHTER FONDA PAID OUR WAY AS AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT. IT WAS MADE ALL THE MORE ENJOYABLE HAVING OUR KIDS THERE TO SHARE IT WITH US. MIKE AND I LOVED IT THERE.  I REMEMBER HIM SAYING THAT HE WOULD LOVE TO RETIRED THERE, BUT AFTER WE SAW THE PRICES OF HOMES THERE HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO GET A JOB IF WE WANTED TO LIVE THERE.  IT WAS EXPENSIVE, BUT ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!  THE PLACES WE WENT TOGETHER ARE APPARENTLY OFF LIMITS FOR MY HEART RIGHT NOW-MAYBE FOREVER.  IT IS TOO PAINFUL AND WOULD BRING UP TOO MANY MEMORIES.  I WILL WAIT (JOHN 5:28) AND THEN WHO KNOWS!!  I AM DOING BETTER I THINK FOR THE MOST PART.  I TRY AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE, NOT THE PAST OR EVEN THE PRESENT.  IT HELPS.  WELL, I HAVE A TRIP COMING UP IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, AND IT IS A LONG ONE.  CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!  ONLY A COUPLE MORE WEEKS, AND WE WILL BE THERE.  MY SISTER VICKIE IS GOING AND MY GRAND SON CANYON IS FLYING WITH ME.  WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE GIRLS (ALL THREE), AND OF COURSE MY SON MIKE JR. . WELL, I NEED TO EAT SOME FOOD NOW, SO TILL TOMORROW-SMILE IT MAKES YOU HAPPY-JUST ME

GOOD DAY YESTERDAY/NOT SO GOOD NIGHT

STILL HAVING A HARD TIME WITH MY BACK.  I HAD LEG CRAMPS LAST NIGHT TOO.  GOT UP AGAIN BEFORE 6AM.  I DO HAVE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT AT 8AM TODAY, SO I WILL HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR BEING LATE!!  MY SON MIKE JR. CALLED YESTERDAY, BUT I WAS NOT HOME.  I SURE HATE TO HAVE MISSED HIS CALL, AND HIS SKYPE!!  MAYBE HE WILL TRY ME AGAIN TODAY.  WITH THE TIME DIFFERENCE, IT IS SO HARD TO FIND BOTH OF US HOME AT THE SAME TIME.  THIS AFTERNOON, I AM SUPPOSE TO HAVE LUNCH WITH MY SISTER-AN AVOCADO SANDWICH ON CUBAN BREAD.  THEY ARE THE BEST!!!  I SURE HOPE THAT THE DR.'S GET THE MRI REPORT SOON, AND CAN GIVE ME SOMETHING TO HELP MY BACK.  ALL THE SHOTS I HAD IN MY NECK DID NOTHING AT ALL.  IN FACT, I THINK THEY MAY HAVE MADE MATTERS WORSE.  I GUESS MY ENTIRE BACK IS JUST OLD-LIKE THE OWNER.  MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING NEW THAT CAN HELP-I SURE HOPE SO.  I WANT TO GET TO CA. READY TO HUG MY BABIES, NOT HOLDING MY BACK.  I AM ENJOYING MY CUP OF CAFE' CON LECHE' NOW, AND LOOKING AT THE BEAUTIFUL TREE OUTSIDE IN  MY NEIGHBORS YARD.  IT HAS BEAUTIFUL PINK FLOWERS ALL OVER IT.  I HEAR WE ARE IN FOR MORE RAIN THIS WEEK.  I HOPE I WON'T HAVE TO BE DRIVING IN IT.  TODAY IS THE ONLY DAY THIS WEEK THAT I HAVE APPOINTMENTS, SO MAYBE I WILL BE INSIDE FOR THE DOWN POURS.  I DO LOVE THE RAIN, BUT I CAN NOT DRIVE IN IT, AND EVEN IF SOMEONE TAKES ME WHERE I NEED TO GO, I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES SHUT THE WHOLE WHILE WHICH IS NOT SO MUCH FUN.  ANY HOW, I THINK I NOW HAVE EVERY THING I NEED FOR MY TRIP, SO I JUST NEED TO PACK IT.  DEPENDING ON HOW I FEEL WHEN I GET BACK FROM THE DENTIST, I WILL AT LEAST BRING MY SUITCASE IN FROM THE GARAGE.  BABY STEPS RIGHT NOW.  MY WEEKEND WAS OK, BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER HAD I NOT ALMOST FALLEN BACKWARDS AND BURNED MY HAND.  I MUST BE A FAST HEALER, AS YOU CAN HARDLY TELL WHERE IT WAS BURNED NOW, AND IT HURT LIKE THE BLAZES WHEN IT HAPPENED.  AGAIN, I HAVE ART AND FONDA TO THANK FOR THAT (THE HEALING-NOT THE BURN)..  CANYON HAD HIS FIRST B.B. GAME ON SAT.-I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE, BUT I'M SURE HE DID GREAT!!  WELL, MY HEART IS STILL HEALING, BUT I MOVE FORWARD EVERY DAY TRYING TO DO THE BEST I CAN, AS I KNOW THAT IS WHAT MIKE WOULD HAVE WANTED.  HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS WONDERFUL-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

STILL DARK OUTSIDE BUT I AM UP

YESTERDAY WAS ANOTHER EASY DAY FOR ME.  I PRETTY MUCH DID NOTHING THAT COULD FURTHER INJURE MY BACK.  TODAY I WILL BE GOING FOR THE MRI OF MY BACK, AS THE REGULAR EX RAYS DID SHOW SOME PROBLEM WITH MY DISKS.  I AM  TRYING TO RUSH THIS THING ALONG, SO I WILL BE FEELING MUCH BETTER BY THE TIME I HEAD FOR C.A..  THIS WEEK HAS BEEN THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOT GONE TO THE GYM THREE TIMES.  I FEEL BAD FOR VICKIE, AND FOR MYSELF, AS WE WERE DOING SO WELL WITH THAT.  I KNOW AS SOON AS MY BACK IS OK WE WILL BE GOING STRONG AGAIN.  LAST NIGHT WAS MY MEETING, AND IT WAS A GOOD ONE.  IT MAKES ME VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE SUCH A WARM PLACE TO GO.  I CARRY MIKE'S PICTURE WITH ME TO EVERY MEETING AS WELL.  I JUST LIKE LOOKING AT IT SOMETIMES DURING THE MEETING.  HOW I MISS THAT GUY!!   ONCE AGAIN IT WAS MY DOGIES THAT GOT ME UP SO EARLY.  NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE DOING THAT.  I LET THEM OUT AT AROUND 10PM LAST NIGHT, SO THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINE UNTIL 8 OR EVEN 9 IF I WAS ABLE TO SLEEP IN.  NOT IN THE CARDS IT SEEMS.  ANY HOW, MY SISTER  VICKIE CALLED OUR OTHER SISTER YESTERDAY (SHE LIVES IN MONTANA).  IT SEEMS THAT SHE WILL BE COMING TO  TAMPA TO VISIT HER DAUGHTER IN AUG., AND HAS INVITED VICKIE AND I TO COME VISIT HER.  I THINK WE WILL AS IT IS AFTER WE GET BACK FROM OUR TRIP TO C.A.. ALSO MELA (OUR OTHER SISTER'S NAME) WILL BE STAYING AT THE BEACH CONDO, AND VICKIE AND I HAVE BEEN WANTED TO GO STAY AT A BEACH CONDO FOR A WHILE NOW.  GUESS THIS WILL BE OUR CHANCE FOR BOTH!!  SEEING OUR OTHER SISTER AND STAYING AT A CONDO ON THE BEACH!!  WELL,  I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT TODAY IS THREE MONTHS SINCE MIKE PASSED.  I GUESS IT IS TRUE WHAT THEY SAY "LIFE GOES ON". PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND, I AM TRULY GLAD TO STILL BE HERE AMONG THE LIVING.  AS I TOLD THE BANK TELLER THE OTHER DAY WHEN SHE SAID IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE ME.  I SAID "I'D RATHER BE SEEN THEN BE VIEWED". THAT WAS THE TRUTH TOO. I DO ENJOY BEING ABLE TO SEE AND HOLD LITTLE MINKA (OUR FIRST GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER), AND VISIT WITH MY DAUGHTERS WHO ARE LOCAL, AND I AM TRULY LOOKING FORWARD TO MY TRIP TO C.A. TO SEE MY SON AND ALL THREE OF HIS GIRLS (WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN).  IT IS JUST AN ADJUSTMENT, AND SOONER OR LATER, I WILL GET USE TO IT.  I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER LIKE IT, BUT I WILL GET USE TO IT.  WELL, THAT'S IT FROM ME FOR THIS WEEK.  I'LL BE BACK ON MONDAY-JAH. WILLING-JUST ME