St. Patrick's Day

Jon went shopping this morning then worked for hours in his garden. Jess took several 2-hour naps during the day and didn't want to do anything. I went to Bible Study then met Jon at Leo's for lunch. Walgreen's and the post office were the only 2 stops after lunch then home. 

A year ago or so Joyce game me her Instant Pot that she didn't want. I was excited to have one, yet apprehensive to use it because it would be under pressure. So, it went in the basement. Until today. Jennifer showed me how to use it and we made a corned beef, Brussel sprouts, carrots, onions and potatoes meal for St. Patrick's Day. The only day of the year that I think to make this. 

Surprisingly, it was very good and both Jon and Jessie liked it, too. I couldn't use cabbage because I'm allergic to it, but Brussel sprouts I can eat. Go figure. 

Right after dinner we were watching a Dr. Oakley program and Jessie began acting like she was sick. She was moaning and I encouraged her to go in the living room with me and I'd hold her. No fever. Tylenol just because. I held her for 45 minutes until she settled down and went to sleep.

About an hour later she popped up and said, "Snack!" then "Better!" She doesn't act sick at all. Guess we'll see what the night holds for her. It's so hard to know exactly what is wrong with her most of the time.

 

Pain

The other day Jessie was saying over and over "Pain, pain!". Jennifer asked her if she was in pain. Her response? "NOT YET!" 

Well, today she WAS in pain. According to Jane, Jess sat down 3 times on the way in to the pool and said her knee hurt her. Just before dinner she started to whine a bit then started to cry. She finally admitted she was in pain and her knee hurt her. She ate part of her dinner then went to sit on the couch. I left the dishes and gave her Tylenol and rubbed in her knee with Deep Blue. Then I held her for about a half hour. Showing her pictures on my phone seemed to take her mind away from the pain for awhile. It's so difficult to know when Jess is in pain because she has a high tolerance for pain. Maybe that's why she's been so crabby the past few days.

I had Bible study this morning. Jon went shopping then spent a couple hours out in his garden preparing for planting. His dad would be so proud of him and his garden. 

Out With Jon

After our monthly face time meeting with Jessie's case worker at 10:00, Jon and I left and went to English Gardens. This was one of my mom's favorite places to shop. It's changed over the years and it is a nice place to browse. Then we picked up some produce at Nino Salvaggio's. I haven't been there in years. Jon buys his duck eggs from there when Jennifer's ducks decide to take a break!

It was Jon's choice for lunch and he picked Red Lobster. OK by me! My great tasting lunch stayed within my WW points for the day. I had Brussel sprouts as a vegetable and expected just plain ol' sprouts. Instead, they were soft yet crispy on the outside with a hint of orange teriyaki sauce and tiny pieces of French fried onions on top. They were awesome! 

Jessie and Jennifer did a lot of "homework" pages then did a craft before Jess fell asleep again. When we got home, she woke up then she put away the groceries and separated the mail. Unfortunately, she woke up in a very crappy mood. Nothing but hollering and arguing the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. Not a fun time around here, that's for sure. I'm so beyond tired of being yelled at. I wish I knew what sets her off. Besides me, of course.

A Nice Sunday

Jess and I watched church on FB while we ate breakfast. However, Jess fell asleep before it finished. When our church was done I watched Pastor Mick's service. It was really good and powerful. Since Jess was still asleep when Mick's service finished, I also closed my eyes.

I woke to Jessie crying. I listened to what she was watching and she had Pastor Chris speaking at Troy Woodside. I couldn't figure out what was making her cry. When I got up and held her, wiped her tears and tried to calm her down, I asked her why she was sad. "Daddy!", she said. "Jesus, Heaven." "Do you miss Daddy?" I asked, "YES!" She sobbed.

Some may not know that people with Down Syndrome have difficulty with time. So, an event like her Daddy passing away, even though it's been 9 years, can seem like yesterday. She was grieving all over again. It broke my heart. Made me sad, too

Thankfully, after I got her calmed down it was time to go to Marcus Grill and meet Chris for lunch. All 3 of us had great meals and good conversation. Chris went shopping then home and Jess and I came home. I watched a Hallmark movie that was surprisingly good: "Back to Christmas" with Candace Cameron Bure. 

Jon got home at 7:45 p.m. after a 12 hours shift. I bought him an omelet for his dinner tonight. Like I said earlier, this was a nice Sunday.

A Very Painful Day For Me

I haven't had a day like I had today. Ever. That I can remember, that is. My bones hurt. My knees, my entire back, my feet. It hurt to walk. To sit. Because I had to go to the post office and took Jessie to Wendy's for a drive thru lunch, I couldn't take any pain medicine until I got home in the afternoon. It helped a little. 

Even though I wasn't feeling well, I still did several loads of laundry, finished another pair of Jessie's blue jeans (that makes a total of 5!), did a bit of paperwork and was able to rest a few times. 

Jessie has been pretty good all day until 45 minutes ago. Jon went to say goodnight and she came unglued. She was so nasty to him. I said, "Are you in pain?" She responded with a no. Maybe tired. Who knows. She got her iPad taken away. 

Asking her about pain just reminded me about a conversation she had with Jennifer yesterday:

Jess:    "Pain!"  "Pain!"

Jen:    "Are you in pain?"

Jess:    "Not yet!"

Jessie's Big Day

Jess got up at 6:45 a.m. this morning. Way too early for me. She played on her iPad for about an hour then got dressed and came into the bedroom and tried to get me up. She was excited about having it "Breakfast Out Day" and she wanted to get it started. I crawled out of bed around 8 then sat in my chair for a bit. Jess laid on top of the bed and the next thing I knew she was sound asleep. 

While Jess and Jennifer waited until 10:15 to go to breakfast (Brent and his mom and aide can't get there any earlier), Jon and I went to Romeo Family for breakfast then shopped at Kroger's. By the time I got home my foot hurt so bad I sat down and iced it for awhile. I did this several times today. I also finished another pair of Jessie's pants and finished a book.

After breakfast Jessie and Jennifer, Brent, Tom, Diane and another special needs woman, Roseann, met at the bowling alley. This has now become her Friday routine. She had such a good time and when she got in the van, according to Jennifer, sat down in her seat with a huff and said, "TIRED!" 

That reminds me of the other day when I got home from somewhere and Jessie ran to me and wanted my pop, which I didn't have. I told her I didn't get a pop. She turned around, got mad and said, "OH, DARN!" She's just too funny. Sometimes. Tonight she's yelling at me because she wants to go to Wendy's tomorrow. And for some reason she wants my birthday to be now. Not sure why. 

One Year Ago Today

Apparently today was the day when the world declared an official Pandemic. Unlike a lot of people, we have managed to do well during this year. Jon had the brunt of its impact by caring for COVID residents at his work. That was a very difficult month for him when it was active. Although he's had to wear all the medical precautions on a daily basis, that month was the worse. I pray it never comes back to his building.

I thought this FB saying was appropriate for now even though some shelves of the grocery store are either running low or empty for certain things. It depends on the day. Nothing like a year ago, that's for sure. That was a bit concerning.

Jessie had speech this morning then we met Jon in Romeo for lunch before he went to work for a staff party. He didn't eat with us because he was having STEAK! He also won a very large bowl. He said it's his new snack bowl!

Joyce helped me figure out what went wrong with the needle and thread on my sewing machine, so when I got home I finished one pair of Jessie's pants and began another to be completed tomorrow.

I also took down snowmen and began bringing up Easter and Spring decorations from the basement. I could only do two trips then had to call it for the day. I sat on the deck, enjoyed the warm day and read. 

We ate dinner watching our shows Jon tapes for us. Now he's gone to bed, Jessie's on his iPad and I'm going to go back to my book. 

Tuesday and Wednesday

Yesterday, Tuesday, Jessie had her good day with Jane. They went swimming, to McDonald's for a lunch they ate at the "duck park", then shopped at Debby's Dollar. Then they played Apples 2 Apples. This is the exact Tuesday routine.

I've started a Bible Study in my home on Tuesday's from 10-12. We began yesterday with 2 other ladies. At the same time the Merry Maids came and cleaned the house. After everyone left I made lunch and then set up my sewing machine on the deck and began to shorten a pair of jeans for Jessie. About 2 house later I only had one hem 1/4 done! Talk about frustrated! Nothing was going right. I just left it, sat down and called Lois and closed my eyes for about 10 minutes. 

Today, Wednesday, was Bible Study for me. It has been an extremely good study on the Feasts of the Bible. One of our ladies has spent hours studying and bringing to us material on each feast. After Bible Study I went to lunch with April. Then I stopped at a Medical Supply place, the post office and home to drop off the packages that were in the mail. Then I went and got the van washed and got gas before coming home to stay. A long but good day.

Jessie took a couple naps, did a few crafts and went outside for a little bit, then she dusted the house.  

9 Years Ago Today

Nine years ago in the late afternoon I was working at my computer on a Memorial video for Bill's (up-coming) funeral. Diane was upstairs with Bill. Chris was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Jon was in his room and Jessie and Debbie were in her room. Mom Sutton was where she always was - in her chair in the living room. A little after 5:00 I heard Diane running down the hallway calling for Jon. Bill had stopped breathing. We all ran to the bedroom and were there for his final agonal breath. 

I remember this as if it were 9 days ago and not 9 years. I gave him a final kiss and removed his wedding band. I had put it on and I was going to be the only one to take it off. 

It was a warm week, just like it was today and predicted to be the rest of this week. It rained the day of his funeral. Bill liked rain. Luckily it had stopped before we went to the cemetery for the final prayer. No one wore coats. It was that nice.

Fast forward 9 years. We 3 are doing very well. We talk about Bill all the time and many days Jessie watches home videos and we see AND hear Bill. Some days I like to watch them. Some days not so much. 

God has been SOOO faithful in taking care of us. He has given Jon and I wisdom when we needed it regarding finances and repairs on the house. He has provided people to help me in various ways. But most importantly, He has given me peace and comfort when I needed it. He's always been there for me and I know He will always be. 

I'm thankful that I will see Bill one day again. He's alive and well. He's in Heaven with Jesus and waiting for us. When Jessie asks about Daddy and what he's doing, I always tell her that Grandma Jonas is probably chasing him and Jake. Grandma can run now. Jessie laughs when she imagines Grandma chasing her Dad. 

I'm thankful for the 28 1/2 years of marriage. I'm thankful for all the memories and especially for all the pictures I have to look at and remind me of what was a good life with Bill. I think of my life in three phases: before Bill, with Bill and after Bill. 

See you soon, Willie!

A Busy Sunday

Jess and I watched church on FB. Jon went to look around Bordine's. I baked a cake in anticipation of Diane and Randie stopping over this afternoon to pick up their birthday present. Randie's birthday is in February, Diane's is in March. They got a combined gift this year. They did drop by around 2:30 and stayed until 4:30. We had a nice visit on the deck. 

Ten minutes after they left, Chris arrived. I just made hot dogs and mac and cheese for dinner. Nothing fancy but good. 

Jessie has been very crabby this afternoon. She had a melt down earlier and is having another one right now because I coughed. This is really getting very, very old. Clearing my throat sets her off, too. We have "worked" on having her not yell or scream at anyone who coughs with little to no success. 

Jon's Work Day

While I gave Jessie a bath, cut her fingernails and put nail polish on them, Jon went to Home Depot and bought new boards (and other stuff) to replace some in his garden. Then he began cutting up old wood that has been piled behind the "shed". Just before lunch he came inside, sat down and said: "I need to go to Urgent Care." I said, "WHAT?". That statement made my heart miss a beat! He had stepped on a rusty nail that went right through his shoe and in to his foot. Since his last Tetanus shot was over 10 years ago, he just needed another shot.

Jess took a nap, I did numerous loads of wash, took all the snowman and Christmas ornaments off the deck tree and redecorated it with Easter decorations. Later in the afternoon I had a headache and my back hurt so I TRIED to rest on the couch, but Jessie kept talking to me and wanting me to answer. 

After dinner the 3 of us watched our usual taped programs that we like. It's always funny to watch Jessie's reaction to vet surgeries or police captures of "bad boys". I enjoy the time spent with my kids watching tv. I wish I had spent more time with Bill sitting on the couch with him watching his programs. He often asked me to but I was too busy. That is something I do regret. 

Another Cousins Day

Jon worked and Jennifer took Jessie to Leo's for breakfast with Brent, Tom and Diane. Then they went bowling, came home for lunch and did quite a bit of homework pages.

Karen, Linda and I went to The Three Cats for lunch in Clawson and then shopped next door at Leon & Lulu's. Two of my favorite places to be. Then we went to the Craft and Antique Mall in Sterling Heights. It's been there for years, and I haven't been there in years. 

Darla had a vet appointment at 5:00 and when we were finished I picked up dinner at Leo's. It's so tiring being out all day, shopping and having fun! LOL. 

A Blustery Day

Chris left for shopping and Jess and I left for her "speech" class around 10:30. Jessie hollered all the way in to Joyce's and all the way out to the van. Why? Wind. Jessie has a phobia with the wind. She's had this now for several years. Wearing a mask helps a bit, but today was overly windy.

After class we met Chris at Hobby Lobby and we were going to go in and shop, but Jess refused to get out of the van. So, we sat and waited until Chris came out then we went to Red Lobster for lunch. Jessie went in hollering but the desire to get chicken strips over rode her phobia. Maybe I should dangle a chicken strip in front of her and she'll be motivated to go anywhere if she can get the chicken!

Jessie was really good during lunch until a young toddler began to cry then she yelled at her and said, "BAD!" Two strikes for the day. Not too bad, I guess.

Chris sat in the van at Loves with Jessie where I quickly went in looking for a new lift chair. Nothing. Then Jessie decided she wanted to go in the next store ... Ben's Furniture store. I didn't even know it existed and they've been there for 2 years! Nothing there either. Even if I had found something I wanted, it wouldn't be available until May. Or later, thanks to the pandemic. 

Jess sat in the van while I picked up my Income Tax that our preparer finished this morning. I'm glad that's over and done with for the year. We finally got home at 3:15 pm. When Jon got home I asked him if he'd mind being on his own for dinner since Jess brought part of her lunch home and I just wanted a wrap and an apple. He's always willing to do that and I'm glad. When Bill and his mom were here I always felt it was my duty (or it was expected of me) to fix a big meal every night. I'm glad I don't always have to do that anymore. I do most nights, but it's OK if I don't. That makes a difference.

 

Crabby Jessie

While I went to Bible Study, Jennifer and Jessie had a pretty good day. Sort of. Jessie was pretty crabby most of the day. She had the option of going out to the duck park and meeting Brent but didn't want to. Instead she went outside and went swinging. She spent time on the deck again and continued painting wooden Easter eggs. She also took a nap. As soon as I walked in the house in the later afternoon, she started yelling at me for some reason. 

After Bible Study I got a sandwich from Wendy's for lunch, stopped at a medical supply store, dropped off stuff at home, and I filled Jessie's van with gas and got it washed. I went to Mr. C's and got in line at 1:40 pm and didn't come out until 2:35 pm! It took 55 minutes. It was very, very busy. 

After that I went to Kroger's and picked up some eye medicine they ordered for me, as well as a few other things. The post office was last. 

Jon worked 12 hours so I didn't plan on fixing a special dinner. Chris called late in the afternoon and said she was coming over and would bring a pizza. I didn't want to go off my WW points so I made a couple chicken salad wraps instead and Chris and Jessie ate the pizza.

Chris is spending the night. Jon and Jessie went to bed at 8:30 p.m. and Chris and I watched a movie. That was nice for a change. We haven't watched a movie together in a long time.

Now. Wasn't this an exciting day?

 

Jessie's Writing

Tuesday means ... Jane, swimming, Pita Pit, duck park, Debby's Dollar, home, Apples 2 Apples. That's what I heard for the past several days, as well as every week prior to Tuesdays. Jessie has a lot of fun in the pool and eating lunch out. That makes her day and that's what she did today!

Jon and I took Darla to have a much needed bath at 10:00. Petco, Walgreen's, Kroger's, home and back to pick up Darla is what followed. It wasn't a very good physical day for me. A lot of back pain. I was able to rest for about 45 minutes before Jon and I had to leave for another Income Tax appointment. Jon got his done. However, I still have a form or two missing and I'll have to go back. Bummer! Not my fault though, which is good.

Jessie loves to have paper and pen in her hands whenever she goes out to eat in a restaurant. She draws numerous circles next to one another on each page. Sometimes she'll take a colored pen and go over the darker ones. She's just always done this. Friday when she was at breakfast with Jennifer, this was the conversation ...

    Jennifer:    What are you writing in your book, Jessie?

    Jessie:        Jesus.

    Jennifer:    Oh, you're writing to Jesus? 

    Jessie:        Yah.

    Jennifer:    Are you writing prayers?

    Jessie:        No

    Jennifer:    Oh, you're just writing to Jesus.

    Jessie:        Yes!

That's my girl! She has a direct line to Jesus somehow as she "writes". And, she sings praise songs when she sings her "Jesus songs" outside while she swings.

Jessie Has Had Enough Of Being Inside

While Jon and I were out this morning, Jessie told Jennifer she wanted to go out side and sing Jesus songs on her swing. It wasn't too cold, but there was a strong wind. When she got out on her swing she yelled: "COLD!", put up her hood and kept swinging.

When she finished, she came in on the deck and told Jennifer "Stay here.", which meant she wanted to stay on the deck. That was a big unusual because it's hard to get her to go on the deck. Not sure why. 

Jessie LOVES her Darla. She's always trying to give her hugs. Usually she puts her arms around her neck and holds on, much to Darla's distress. Much like this picture .....