An Over-Lapping Day

I remembered to take a picture of Jessie's fireworks picture she did in Art yesterday. I just might have it framed.

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Usually I complain when events are back to back, but today's events over-lapped! The day didn't begin well, either. Apparently I neglected to set any alarms to get up. I woke to Rachel coming in my bedroom calling me. So embarrasing!

My friend Andrea came at 10:00 to borrow books from my library. We visited until Jessie's case worker, Vicki, came for our meeting. Before she left I got a call from the surgeon's office that Jessie's surgery will be next Thursday, July 7. 

After Vicki left I began cancelling appointments that were already on my calendar for that day and several days after. Rachel took Jessie to Meijer's. I made arrangements to meet Brenda and her daughter, Sarah, for lunch at 1:30 p.m. Rachel brought a sick Jessie home early from shopping. Either too many kids or her side hurt her. I wasn't sure. At 12:50, the doorbell rang and it was Jessie's State Case Worker, who we see every 6 months. I was surprised as I had not had a letter telling me she was coming. Apparently, all her letters to clients did not arrive in their home before hand. We had our meeting anyway.

Rachel left at 1:00 because she wasn't feeling well. Before we could finish our meeting, the hospital called with instructions about Jessie's surgery and questions about medication. Amber had to let herself out the door!

By now it's 1:30 and I couldn't call Brenda to tell her we were going to be late. Then I got a text while on the phone with the nurse from Doreen wanting to know if we were home. I couldn't answer her either. Just as I got off the phone she dropped by to pick up camping stuff. Jessie and I finally made lunch at 1:50 p.m.

We shopped at Vince and Joe's, went to the bank and post office before coming home. I put away the groceries and decided I wanted to just sit and read. I managed a couple hours. I had just begun preparing dinner when Julie called and before I was finished with her call, Doreen came again to pick up something else. I ended the call with Julie and visited Doreen for about an hour. Jon came home, they left and we ate dinner around 8:30 p.m.

Like I said, it was an over-lapping day!

No Chance To Rest

My morning began quickly with Bible Study from 10:00 - 12:20 p.m. When I got home I had just enough time to make a sandwich before Jon, Jess and I went to see a surgeon regarding Jessie's gall bladder. Yes, she will have it out sometime in July. I don't have a date yet. According to Jessie, though, she's "all better!". This will not be a good time for any of us. I have requested that she stay in the hospital over night to monitor her pain, as it is hard for me to guess how she feels and what to give her. The doctor agreed. I remember when Jon had his out when he was 16 and he was in terrible pain and discomfort. He could tell me how he felt, though.

After the doctor's appointment we shopped at a store called At Home where I purchased a few outdoor seating arrangements. One for the front porch and one for my backyard patio (notice Jon in the garden?) that Diane made us last year. Now I just need someone to paint my front porch so it'll look really nice. Each nail hole has a rust stain. There's always something needing done around here that needs a handyman. Bill took care of EVERYTHING that needed doing.

We came home and put out the new furniture, I began to straighten the kitchen when Jon got a call that his jeep was ready, so back in the van and out to Richmond. Since it was dinner time I called Joyce and John to see if they were in town (they were) and they met us at Papou's for dinner. We finally got home to stay at 7:30 p.m.

Jessie had a good morning at Art and made a super painting of fireworks. I'll take a picture and post it tomorrow. The morning was the last time she was happy. It went down hill from there.

She didn't want to go to the doctor's office and every time someone mentioned surgery she went spastic. (I really can't blame her.) Shopping with her at the At Home store was awful. She had worked herself up to a no-return behavior. I ended up by giving her a double dose (which I can do) of her anxiety medicine. It didn't take effect until 3 hours later !!!!!! By then we were in the van on the way to Richmond and she went to sleep - for about 15 minutes. Right now she's still aggitated and hollering. I can't wait until she goes to bed and sleep, except I know she's just recharging for tomorrow!

And Today ...

I'm finally caught up with my blog. I could have posted on Sunday and Monday night but I was just not up to it. Jon took his jeep in to Richmond Chrysler to have it serviced and Jess and I took the van and picked him up. Rachel was supposed to come but she has a sore throat. Probably from too much laughing the past 4 days!

I have to share this with you ... I'm warning you, though, it is pretty gross. 

We stopped at Ken's in Richmond for breakfast after leaving Jon's jeep and we were about half way done when we could hear an older gentleman behind us coughing up wet sounding stuff then spitting it out. It continued and finally I looked at Jon's face and he wasn't looking so good. "Jon!", I said. "You deal with this every day at work!" He gave me THE look and said, "Yah, but not while I'm eating!"  True. 

Unfortunately, it was getting worse and my stomach couldn't handle it, eiher. I didn't finish my breakfast, neither did Jon. Jessie stopped and she grabbed my hand and said, "PRAY!", which we did. She didn't finish her breakfast either. She pushed her plate to me and said, DONE!

We got out of there as quickly as we could. I felt sorry for the gentleman who was having a hard time.  He should have gotten up and left rather than just sit there and continue spitting. Jon said he probably had an upper respiratory infection and was bringing up a lot of pflem (sp?) A LOT! 

OK. So, we get in the van and I'm trying not to laugh. Just before we pulled away from the curb, Jessie sneezed and part of the sneeze (gooey glob) flew in to the front seat and landed on Jon's arm!!!!!!!!! Now I'm hysterical !!! Jon was not happy. It took us several miles to gain control of ourselves. 

Catching Up ... Monday, June 27

Jessie has a new aide, Angie, and she came and spent the morning and early afternoon with her. It was just a morning of learning and getting to know one another with my help, as I didn't go anywhere. My back was absolutely horrible. That's what happened last time we traveled. Sitting in one spot for a long time is no good for me.

I forgot to mention that Jessie didn't feel real well while we were gone. Not as bad as last time, with her gall bladder. This time she had a fever off and on and her left ear had drainage. The ear doctor saw her in the afternoon and gave her some ear drops.

I finished putting everything away and did about 6 loads of wash!

Catching Up ... Sunday, June 26

We were on the road and headed to Michigan by 10:00 a.m. and arrived home at 3:30 p.m. We drove a total of 668.1 miles It was a nice 4 days. Rachel was a big help with Jessie and I so appreciated her being with us so I could go to the Ordination Service, too. Jon helped me unpack the van and I put away the necessary items and left the rest for Monday.

Catching Up ... Saturday, June 25

After breakfast and repacking the van, we left and drove to Shipshewana, Indiana. We shopped in several stores and Jessie was excited to see so many horses, and carriages, too. "Horse! Big poop!" she kept saying. To be honest I don't know if she was interested in the horses or their poop!

We had a very nice lunch at the Blue Inn, where Bill, Jon, Jessie and I had eaten years ago. Jon didn't remember the place, but as soon as he had some of the Amish peanut butter on their hot bread, he remembered that! It does have a distinctive taste.

We spent quite a while at a store where there was Amish made furniture and houses. We picked out our special vacation home. (Wouldn't that be nice!) Rachel tried to get up to the loft, and Jessie made herself at home in a small playhouse, too.

After we were finished shopping we left and went to Middlebury, Indiana and spent the night there at another Hampton Inn.  We were all very tired because it was almost 90 degrees. We were all in bed early.

Catching Up ... Friday, June 24

We had breakfast at the hotel, rested then went to a couple area stores. We had lunch at Culver's, which is going to be my new best fast food restaurant. We had planned on swimming in the pool but the pool had been emptied to be fixed. Jessie wasn't happy. 

Around 4:30 p.m. we left Rachel and Jessie at the hotel and Jon and I met Jacob's parents, Hannah's parents and Jacob and Hannah for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. 

Then we went to the College Wesleyan Church on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University for the Service of Ordination. There were 16 men and women being ordained. It was what I'd call a "high service". 

 I thought the inside of the church was really beautiful.

Each person being ordained came forward with their spouse, knelt and received an individualized prayer on their life and ministry. That was very special.

Jacob's parents

Hannah's parents

When Jon was pinned as an RN, he had to ask someone he knew that was already an RN. He chose our friend, Roxanne. The same went for the people being ordained. Hannah's dad is a Baptist Pastor and he stood behind Jacob as he was ordained. How special was that!