My Date With Lynzee

A couple weeks ago I had a date with my friend, Kylee.  Today her sister, Lynzee, and I went out.  First we had brunch (Z had breakfast, I had lunch) then we went to the show and saw Ice Age, which was very good.  The show was the busiest I've seen it in a long time.  Maybe the fact that it was free popcorn day had something to do with it!  Next we went to Meijer's to look around and see what I could buy for her.  She chose slippers and earrings.  Then we went to McDonald's and had a McFlurry.  I had a very nice date day with my special friend, Lynzee.

Since Debbie is in Georgia visiting her parents, Rachel worked with Jessie today and they, too, had a good day.  Rachel kept Jess busy and the only time she didn't want to do anything was when she had to clean up her room.  Can't blame her.

Mon-day, Mon-day ... Again!

Jess had a doctor's appointment at 11:45 and when we were finished in Rochester we went to Target for a few things.  A delicious Wendy's lunch was enjoyed in Lowe's parking lot.  Kohl's greeted us next.  Our last stop was the post office.  Jess did pretty good.  Just loud.  We need to work on her quiet voice, that's for sure.

Not much else.  Read a little, surfed the web, facebook, iPad game and made dinner.  Speaking of dinner, I was disappointed.  The baked loin chop was good but I put a little too much spices on it.  The yellow squash and corn casserole was delicious.  The green beans were undercooked.  The cottage cheese had gone bad.  Tomatoes were too ripe.  At least the Death By Chocolate ice cream hadn't melted.   

A Tribute To My Husband

Alot of you will never be able to visit the cemetery where Bill was buried.  This week the boulder that I had orderded and inscribed was placed on the plot and I wanted to share it with you. 

Congratulations, Rachel

Jessie and I went to Rachel's Graduation Open House. 

We were 10 minutes early so that we'd have a good chance of not too many people being there yet.

Jess had a good time and we were able to stay for about an hour. 

Jane was Jessie's Aide at church so many years ago.  I think at least 10 or 12 years.  Rachel and Jessie have been good friends since then, and now that Rachel is 18, I've hired her to be one of Jessie's aides.  It sure is nice to have good friends. 

Thursday and Friday

Thursday began with a trip to the lab at TBH to drop off my 24-hour urine specimen for a special test, plus blood work.  What a way to start a day!  Breakfast with my friend, Rox, then home.  Bill's sister, Ruth, drove down for a visit and after she had a quick lunch the two of us visited Aunt Etta (Grandma's sister).  We had a Dairy Queen on the way back and even stopped in and had a pedicure!   

Ruth and I joined Debbie and Jessie for breakfast today.  Jessie's case worker, Kelly, also had breakfast with us.  Unfortunately, it was a disaster.  For the first time ever, the place was packed with people, which wouldn't have been a problem except for the women that sat behind us had 2 toddlers and an infant who only was quiet if someone was up walking around holding her.  The girl toddler was great, the boy toddler not.  Poor Jess had a panic attack.  She even turned around and screamed at them: "SHUT UP!"  To be honest, a half hour into them crying and fussing and being so loud, I wished I could have turned around and said, "SHUT UP, will ya!!"  Jess was so tramatized that I called Jon to bring us one of her anti-anxiety break-through pills.  That made a big difference for her.  Not a nice breakfast out, that's for sure. 

Ruth left from the restaurant for home and Jess and Debbie came home to do some odds and ends.  I went to Meijer's to pick up a few things I needed then came home and rested for a bit since the headache I woke up with wasn't any better.  Jacob came home for the weekend to surprise his dad for his birthday and he was able to spend the day with Jon.  They had a great time together. 

Going For A Walk

Yesterday Jessie had a melt down because she didn't want to go to a dance/exercise class.  Today she put up a stink in not wanting to go for a walk.  She refused.  So, I took Debbie and Jessie to the post office and bank, then on the way home dropped both of them off up the road from our house.  She walked home.  Bad, aren't I?

A Fun Day

My friend Chris and her son TJ, Jon and I spent the morning together.  We went to the range and did some target shooting.  Chris had never shot before and did really great.  TJ had shot a little and did well, too.  Jon, as always, did fantastic.  I did OK, too.  (Both hands should be placed on the gun in the proper position, but my gun is so small that it is easier, and I shoot better using  just use one hand.)

We then went to the American Pie place for lunch and great conversation.  We continued talking when we got home while Jon cleaned all the guns - ready for the next time.  He's very particular about a clean gun.  Too bad that doesn't carry over to his bedroom.  (Oops - guess I shouldn't have said that.  Oh, well, he doesn't always read my blog. )

Debbie and I tried to get Jessie to go to a (Down Syndrome) adult dance class tonight.  While getting ready, Jess had a total meltdown and was getting hysterical.  She just didn't want to go.  Since we've never been, she was imagining that it would be awful.  Anyway, I made her go.  I promised her that if we got there and we met some of the other girls and she didn't like it, we'd come home.  We got her out of the van, up to the church where it was held, opened the door and she turned around and bolted - STAIRS!  Jess does NOT do stairs.  Never has and I'm sure never will.  We waited around a bit because we heard that they might come outside to dance/exercise.  Sure enough, they did, but Jess absolutely refused to get out of the van.  I decided that we had pushed her far enough.  I was pleased that we had gotten her there and she even got out of the van.  I think that was pretty major.

You Could Have Blown Me Over With A Feather !!!

I am very pleased with the amount of paperwork that I accomplished this morning, plus a couple loads of wash.  Jon went to a dental appointment, tried to eat oatmeal with a numb mouth and throat then went to see the Batman movie again.  Debbie went with us for lunch at Bellacino's and Jess, although a little loud, did very well.  When we finished, Debbie went to a dental appointment and Jess and I went to Target.

When we arrived at Target, I got out my door and Jess got out hers.  She came bounding over to me and said a word.  I knew what she said but I was so shocked I could only stare at her with my mouth open.  "FUN?  You're having FUN?", I asked.  "YES", she replied.  My heart swelled and I almost started crying.  We've been working so hard on getting her out in public and hoping that she would enjoy herself.  Today she had FUN!!!  And, with me!  As Jess would say ... "THANK YOU, JESUS!"

A Restful Day

Jon has the weekend off so we both got to go to church.  Jess has enjoyed her day playing on her iPad, watching videos, playing with her cards, and petting Memphis.  I've played on the iPad, washed the dog's beds, washed out the innerds of the vacuum cleaner, began a book and even took a short nap. 

Speaking of naps, I remember going over to my friend Janet's house many years ago after work.  I knocked on the door and she was laying down on the couch.  I was so worried that she had gotten sick (we worked together).  She just laughed and said, "No, I just wanted to lay down.  I bet you never do."  She was right.  Bill often laid down on the couch, but laying down on the couch for me was unheard of.  I did today, though, and I'm not even sick!  It felt good.

I received my 6th hardcover blog book this week.  After 3 months of posting daily blogs, I have them put into a book.  Sort of like a printed diary.  I'm hoping that by my continuing to blog each day that these books will be a constant reminder to me in years to come what we've gone through, how far we've come, and that we are never alone.  I want my life to count for something important.  I want my life to count for Jesus. 

Friends Are Taking Care Of Me

I neglected to mention yesterday that when I went to Richmond to have the running boards taken off, my friend Ruth (of 35+ years!) picked me up and treated me to lunch.  We went to a tiny restaurant at the corner of Main and 32 Mile Road ... Village something ... it was really nice!  Best of all, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Ruth.  Thanks, Ruth!

The night before last, my air conditioner was so loud I had a hard time sleeping and it didn't cool off my bedroom.  I should never have bought it from Target.  If  you want a good appliance, go to Home Depot or Sears.  That's what Bill always did and I should have.  I called up Dorene yesterday morning and asked her how much she loved me.  To make a long story short, I bought another air conditioner from Home Depot in Chesterfield and Dorene came this morning and we worked together in taking out the other one and putting this one in.  Oh, so much cooler.  So much more quiet.  THANK YOU, Dorene!

Tonight Debbie and her husband, Bob, came and cut my grass, watered my flowers and pulled some weeds.  Their son, Mike, usually cuts the grass but he is in NC visiting friends.  Thank you, Bob!  Thank you, Debbie.

I am thankful for my friends who help me out in so many ways.  I am truly blessed. 

No Air On Tonight!

For the first time in I don't know how long, we're not sleeping with the sound of an air conditioner running.  It's nice outside, and it's going down to 59 degrees tonight.  Or, at least that's what the Weather Channel says. 

Debbie took Jessie to breakfast and then to Meijer's and she did REALLY well.  She was quite aggitated prior to getting there but handled shopping and the kids without any problems.  A+ for today. 

I went to Richmond and had the running boards taken off the van and the rocker panels put back on.  Much, much nicer.  I also ate breakfast on the deck and was able to sit out side for a bit tonight.  Very nice. 

A New Air Conditioner

The air conditioner in our bedroom was placed in the window when we put the addition on the house - say - well, if Bill were here, he'd snap off the date.  Not me.  I'd have to go look it up in my calendars/diaries.  Almost 20 years ago?  Anyway, I thought it was time to get a newer, more efficient air conditioner that would cool off my bedroom quicker, and be quieter.

A job that should have taken only a couple hours - take one out, put one in - took almost all day for Dorene and her sidekick, me.  It never fails.  You start one job and it leads to another.  The boards that Bill had made for the air conditioner to sit on were rotten and had to be remade and replaced.  Batteries were dead in the drills.  The directions didn't make sense.  Poor Dorene.  Up stairs, down stairs.  Up stairs, down stairs.  Out the bedroom window on the roof, back in again.  Repeat 3x.  She deserves a medal, if not then a nice dinner out. 

"Well, Good Luck!"

This morning Jon went with me to see what was up with my iPhone.  We began at Radio Shack where I purchased it a year ago.  Because I have Apple Care, he told me just to call them and they would set up an appointment with the Apple Store to have it looked at.  Did I do that?  No.  I drove down there in the pouring rain and was "attacked" at the Apple store door.  Three workers were right there to help me. 

I told one of them that my phone was dead.  "DEAD?" she exclaimed, like phones never die.  "Let me see it", she said.  I handed it to her and I said, "Well, good luck!"  Before I could put down my folder I looked at her and my iPhone had the apple logo on the screen.  Right.  Ok, then.  Well.  Really?

According to the young girl who knows EVERYTHING about my iPhone that I don't, sometimes the phones shut themselves off to upgrade and that is what probably happened to mine.  So.  If yours should become DEAD, or what may appear as dead, simply push down the top button on the top right of the phone at the same time you push the middle bottom button to reboot your iphone. 

Whatever.  At least I have my iPhone back. 

Tonight ...

dinner is served in the pool!  Too funny.  That's what a friend wrote on Facebook this afternoon.  How appropriate for a 100 degree plus day. 

I had a nice visit with my friend, Chris K, then we went to Family Christian Stores near Great Lakes Crossing and of course, spent too much money.  That store, along with the one by Oakland Mall, is so much nicer than ours on Hall Road.  It's all their fault that I spent money today.  Oh, well. 

I am at a loss tonight because my iPhone died.  It won't turn on, it won't charge, it won't do anything.  I've kept it in my pocket and I keep reaching for it to check the weather, an app, a game or text.  I hope I can get it taken care of in the morning. 

Puzzles

For the past several days Jessie has been doing puzzles.  She is very good at them, too.  And, she doesn't want any help in putting them together, no matter how long it takes her. 

Today I had a book club gathering so Jon took Jess out for "Girls Day Out."  He drove her through McDonald's and they had a picnic in Target's parking lot.  I think they both had a nice time.   

Congratulations, Caity!

Rachel came and took care of Jessie while I went to Caity's graduation party.  Caity is my brother, Ed's, youngest daughter.  Denise, Sara and Caity are standing by the awesome and as-always delicious cake that Denise made.  Just before we left we got a picture of Diane, Randie, Denise and me.  Jon had to work.  Jess had a great time with Rachel.

Jessie Is Better

Jess woke up this morning looking and sounding much better.  She's had a good day out with Jane and Rachel.  They went to a couple stores, a nature center and had a picnic lunch.  Jane said that Jess told her it was "Girls Day Out!"

I did a little of this and a little of that and actually sat down and began another book.  Also spent time at storage, which is now empty.  My garage itsn't though.  That will take much longer to clean up.

Jon worked.  He had the whole floor to himself again - all 46 residents.  "All meds., all charting, all treatments for 12 1/2 very long hours."  (In Jon's own words!).

I Ate Too Much Today

Just what you needed to know, didn't you?  My friend, Andrea, and I went to American Pie for lunch before we went to a couple stores.  It is an all-you-can eat soup, salad bar, potato bar, pasta bar, and any kind of pizza you may think of.  The pizzas are very good, too.  The salad is fresh and there are lots of vegetables to go on top.  If you don't see the type of pizza you want, just ask, and they will make it for you.  I didn't see a coney dog pizza, asked for it, then enjoyed a piece.  I also had a mac and cheese piece of pizza which was, surprisingly, very good.  Like I said, I ate too much. 

Jess is still not herself.  Her voice is hoarse and she's choked a couple of times today on drainage.  I hope she'll be better soon for her sake.  I hate seeing her sick.  Thankfully, it is not very often. 


I had a nice date day with my friend, Kylee, today.  We went to the show and saw Madagascar 3 then went to breakfast/lunch.  From there we did grocery shopping at Meijer's and Kroger's.  We definitely enjoyed a blizzard at Dairy Queen before I took her home.  It's always a treat for me to spend time with her.  She is definitely one special young lady.  I love you, Kylee!!!

A Different Nap Time

The other day I related to you about a nap time that didn't go well.  Today's nap time was totally different.  Jess kept telling me from the moment she got up that she was sick.  By lunch time it was evident she needed to sleep.  She went right out and slept for 2 hours.  She still sounds hoarse and she seemed to have a fever.  Tonight she acts better again. 

Jon and I went to storage for the second time this week to bring home all the stuff we've stored since my mom died.  It's time to go through it all and get rid of things I will never use.  Which includes what's in my cupboards and drawers.  This should keep me busy for weeks, if not months!  Well, I did need a project.

My Mom's Lift Chair

After my mom fell several years ago we encouraged her to buy a lift chair that would help her get up from a sitting position easier.  She used it all the time.  When she passed away, I didn't want it but Diane said that I should take it because I'd use it because of my back and knees.  I put it in our bedroom.  After Bill was unable to lay down, he slept in this chair for months.  I use it each evening as my special reading chair.  Last night, Jessie kept choking when laying down so I encouraged her to sleep in the chair.  She slept in it all night long, sitting up, as she didn't want it reclined. 

Our family doctor is on vacation for this month - he's gone to Greece.  (Boy, some people have all the traveling luck.)  Anyway, we saw his nurse practicioner and got Jess started on an antibiotic.  Hopefully, she'll be better in a couple days.  She doesn't act sick, that is for sure.

Nap Time

Since Jess hasn't felt well the past couple days, I thought that after we had our lunch out today I'd have her lay down and take a nap.  I had a headach so I sat in the chair with a hot mask on my eyes.  I had to promise her that as soon as she woke up she could watch a video.  For some reason she was wound up and wouldn't be quiet or settle down.  Here's part of our conversation:

Jess:   Mom.
Mom:   What
Jess:   Better now.
Mom:  That's good, Jess, but you still need a nap.

Jess:  Mom!
Mom:  What, Jess.
Jess:  Nap, video, iPad, snack.
Mom:  Yes, Jess, as soon as you wake up you can have a snack and watch a video and play on your iPad. 

Jess:  M-o-m!
Mom:  JESSIE!  Lay down and close your eyes!
Jess:  Like this?  (She lays flat on her back and spreads out her arms and legs.)
Mom:  Whatever!

Jess:  Mom.
Jess:  Mom.
Jess:  Mom.
Jess:  MOM!  (I'm trying to ignore her, which doesn't work.)
Mom:  Yes, Jess.
Jess:  Better now!
Mom:  Great, Jess, now close your eyes and go to sleep.

Jon enters the bedroom.
Jon:  Jessie, you are supposed to be quiet and go to sleep.
Jess:  All better now!
Jon:  I'm glad, Jess, but you need a nap and so does Mom.  She has a headache.
Jon exits.

Read and repeat each segment above at least 3 times each.  And, I am not kidding.

Did she finally go to sleep?  Beats me, but I did!

Faith

Jon has this weekend off so we were both able to attend church.  He went to the first service and I went to the second.  Both of us thoroughly enjoyed our pastor's sermon on Faith.  It was awesome. 

When I got home the kids and I drove through McDonald's and had a picnic in the van.  Jon and I watched a 3D "Under The Sea" DVD and Jess spent the day playing on her iPad, watching home videos, playing with her Apples to Apples cards and Bingo cards and chips.  She's had a good day, except that she has a cold.  I hope it doesn't turn into anything serious, as she says her throat hurts and has wanted hot tea all day.  I'd appreciate your prayers for her. 

Chris stopped by and had dinner with us then we spent the next several hours just chatting.  Another good day. 

Thursday ... Friday ... Saturday

Thursday, July 5
Jess and I left the house at 8:15 a.m., went and picked up Debbie and we headed to church camp in Vassar.  We had breakfast at Tim Horton's in Imlay City and saw a friend's daughter, her husband, one son and a new baby.  (They have 7 children.) Jess was pretty excited about that!  Just before we reached camp, we ran into a rain storm but it stopped before we got there, only to start up again just as soon as we parked!  We picked up my friend, Doreen T, and took her to Frankenmuth for her birthday.  (Her husband, Ed, was the Teen Speaker this week.  They live in NJ.)  We ate lunch at Zehnder's, and Jess did pretty well.  From there we went to Bronner's.  Debbie had the most fun and was awestruck, as she's never been to Frankenmuth.  We checked in at our hotel - The Springhill Suites by Marriott.  Never stayed there before, but will again.  It was really nice.  Visited with Doreen before I took her back to camp. We have such wonderful memories of years spent at family camp.  I think we did it 4 years in a row.  We had one of the best sites - right on the river with a bit of shade.  I miss it.

Friday, July 6
After we had a late breakfast in the hotel's breakfast room, we hung out in the hotel til almost noon.  We drove around town so Debbie could see what was there, went to a leather store, and back to Bronner's.  I was surprised that Jess wanted to go in again, as the day before she had a melt down and ended up crying alot before we left.  Too many kids.  We weren't there too long this time, so that helped.  After lunch at McDonald's, we headed back home.  Stopped at a couple RV places to look at small motor homes.  At our first stop, the man behind the counter commented on how hot it was outside.  I said, "Well, it's cooled down a bit!"  He looked at me as if I was nuts.  "It was 100 degrees in Frankenmuth - it's only 96 here!" I replied.  He still looked at me like I was nuts.  Oh, well.  We also took a drive through Hadley-Metamora State Park to show Debbie where we camped for several years.  Our special camp site.  We dropped Debbie off and we arrived home around 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 7
I took the day off. I decided I wasn't going to do anything.  So I began and read half of a book, played on the iPad, played with Jessie and just rested.  Well, I didn't take the entire day off.  I did vacuum the living room because it was turning white (with dog hair) and folded a basket of towels.  Made lunch and dinner.  That's about it.  I have enjoyed myself, but I have felt guilty all day.  I'm sure I'll get over it. 

Everything's Fine

More Tomorrow

Happy 4th of July

Jess has had a good day.  We finished cleaning up her room (began yesterday) then she spent several hours in there watching videos and playing with stuff she hasn't seen in awhile.  She was quite happy being in her room.  She hasn't spent much time in there since Bill passed away, for whatever reason. For dinner I cooked up pork loin chops, an ear of corn and opened the carton of potato salad from Meijer's!  Plus, delicious watermelon. Jon worked again.  It was very uncomfortable in the nursing home in the hallways.  Especially because they changed their uniforms from thin scrubs to a hot polo shirt!

Yesterday Jess and I went to the post office, bank, Walgreen's, McDonald's and Meijer's.  I was only going to get a few things but ended up with a full cart.  We went in between storms.  The first one was at 7:00 a.m. and I brought Jess downstairs in case we needed to go in the closet.  It was pretty bad.  However, I'm not sure which storm was the worst since we had one storm after the other.  I think it was around 5:00 that I took Jess and Memphis in the closet because it was so dark and windy.  We were doing good until all of a sudden Memphis got up and left.  Jess said, "Eeuw!"  Yup, Memphis let off gas then took off.  It was bad.  We came out of the closet.

Frankly, I'm pretty tired of super hot days, no rain, then weeks worth of rain in a couple hours.  I'm sure everyone else is, too.  Especially Bob, Debby's husband, who came over this afternoon and took off my flat tire, took it to Walmart and had it fixed, then put it back on.  Thank you, Bob!  It was 97 degrees when he was here.  Another nice thing, my basement is 98% dry.  The gutters have helped tremendously. 

My Yucca Plant Has Bloomed !!!

Probably about 5 years ago, I brought a Yucca plant home from my mom's house.  She had several on the north side of her house, and they never bloomed.  The neighbor across the street had one in the front of her house and the bell shaped flowers bloomed every year.  It was beautiful.  Mine has never bloomed either.  Until this year!  I was pretty excited when I noticed its blooms earlier last week.

My cousin, Karen, flew in from Florida last weekend and is staying with her sister, Linda.  They came for lunch today.  It was very nice to have them here and visit.  Unfortunately, Jessie kept asking if they were leaving soon!  That was a little embarassing. 

I had a 4:30 appointment at the Chrysler Dealer because the alarm system/tire display showed that my right front tire was down to 20 pounds.  After checking it with a hand held, old-fashioned tire gauge, it read 35#.  So, most likely an electrical problem.  I also checked out all the other tires, too.  One hour and 45 minutes later, the mechanic said it was low on the back left and there wasn't anything wrong with the tire or electrical system. He said that sometimes the system has to reset itself.  Right.  Like I believe that one. 

A Surprise Visitor

Jess and I went out to breakfast today for something different, and to get her out today.  The restaurant we chose even had a family there with a little girl and a baby.  Jess did very well.  We talked about the baby and how they can't talk so they make all kinds of noises.  I was pleased at how well she did. 

Unfortunately, my tire pressure gauge indicated that one tire was down to 24 pounds of pressure, so we had to come home, rather than go to a store like I had planned.  It doesn't look low, but we'll see in the morning.

Just as we got home, I put the water on the sod in the front, came back in, and the door bell rang.  Jess says, "Who's that?"  I wasn't expecting anyone, and to my surprise it was Doreen, Shiloh and Peter!  They had driven to Vassar from NJ for Family Camp yesterday and Doreen came and spent a couple hours with me to visit.  It was nice catching up.