Wow July was a very stressful month for my family. I was sick the first week of July and then the next week my dad had a heart attack. He had complications from the surgery like his heart not wanting to work on its own and come off bypass. He spent 2 weeks in ICU and during that time he developed "ARDS"-acute respiratory distress syndrome. Thanks to the Good Lord and all the prayers he is home now and has been for about 10 days. But what a roller coaster ride. He is now dealing with weakness and depression which everyone including the doctors said is normal. We are just so thankful he is alive. The first week we weren't sure he would survive it. You know the funny thing other than smoking (which is a biggie) his cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure were excellent. He exercised and ate fairly healthy so no real trigger warnings. The drs said his is severe hereditary artery disease. That is sure a mouthful! My dad is only 61!

Feeling Better

The last few weeks have been a complete blur. Mom was suddenly sick and in the hospital, then had to have surgery. She had a place to raise up on her hip and was in a lot of pain. She went to the walk in clinic and they tried to lance it but had no luck. She was prescribed antibiotic and then that night she got so sick.

Two days later she was severely dehydrated so was taken to the ER. They said it was the flu and sent her home after giving her an IV. (did not even look at her hip) Two more days later she was still really sick so we took her to see her doctor. She tried inserting a needle into the place but could get no fluid. She admitted her into the hospital.

A surgeon looked at it the next day and said she needed to have surgery because the center of it was black and the dead tissue needed to be removed. She had surgery the following day and they sent the bacteria to the lab to grow to see what it was. It turned out to be MRSA.

She was sent home a couple of days later with an open wound because it has to heal from the inside. They said it was very deep. She has to go three times a week to get the packing out of it and have it re-bandaged. When they sent her home, they told her to go back on the antibiotic that was given to her at the walk in clinic. That night she got very sick again and the next day, I called her doctor and told her that I thought that was what was making her sick so she said for her to stop taking it.

She is still really weak and is on a special diet to help the healing process along because they are concerned about the healing since she is a diabetic. I guess all of the running to the hospital and everywhere was too much for me because I got sick and am just now starting to feel better.

Hopefully, we are all back on track to wellness now. :-)

Spring!!

Finally Spring is on its way! The trees are budding out, March flowers are blooming, my daylillies are starting to peak out from under the leaves. I can hardly wait. Summer is my favorite time of the year because I love to be outdoors, but Spring is wonderful and lifts my spirits.

After the long cold winter, Spring is like a ray of hope that roses will bloom again. Rebirth and knowing that life does go on and renew itself. Winter is something I endure because I have no choice but by this time of year I am sick of Winter and starting to get really depressed thinking Spring will never get here. This weekend I walked outside in the sunny warm breeze, 60's temps and ahhhhhh it is glorious. Ahhhh Spring!!!!!!!!!

Spring is in the air?

I love snow! Growing up Mom would make snow cream. Delicious! We always had to wait until the second time it snowed before she would make it. I'm not sure what the theory was for that, seems funny now though.

Even though we just received almost 6 inches of snow this past weekend, it's obvious that it's almost Spring. The Daffodils are blooming and the temperature will probably be back to the upper 60's starting tomorrow. It's hard to believe that it's already time for Daylight Savings Time to begin. It will be nice to have more daylight at the end of the day.

I love all of the seasons but the bright colors of Spring are so beautiful after such a dreary winter. But I'm sure that after the dog days of Summer, I will ready to see some more snow. :-)

Life changing

Well it appears at age 40, my 4 year old grandson will be coming to live with me and my husband fulltime. This is going to be a wild experience. My children are 25 and 17 and well, as you can imagine it has been a few years since I had small children about.

I am on my second marriage -first marriage for my husband. He has no children (and of course we didnt plan to have any) and never been married before so he is kind of in shock nonetheless. He is handling it pretty well and very supportive and helpful with the little one. Of course it is still not set in stone and the father could change his mind and decide no. We are scared of getting too attached to the little fellow and we know we will still see him but when they are yours fulltime it just is a different feeling. But I must admit when I was taking him to daycare this morning and he was singing "she's a brick house"- well I thought he was just the cutest. (Dont worry it is a song from a kids movie) But it is moments like that that make me say I can do this!

Mom

The kids and I went to see Mom today. We don't seem to have time to visit as often as we should but we talk on the phone almost every day.

I worry about her a lot. She works in a daycare and is going to school also. She's 68 and the oldest student that her teacher has ever had. I am so proud of her. I was concerned when Dad passed away so unexpectedly that she might just sit down and not get out and do things. That was a wasted worry, thank goodness. Of course, she works because she has to in order to make ends meet but I think for the most part she enjoys working with the kids.

My mom and I are very close. We have a very special relationship and I hope that I am half as good of a mom as she is. If so, maybe my kids will always feel as close to me as I do to her.

Time sure flies........

she said sheepishly........ I can't believe it's been so long since I've had a chance to write. There are still people throughout the area who are without electricity. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, as well as to all of the out of state linemen who have flooded the area to help get things back on track. It wouldn't have been possible, if not for them being willing to leave their families behind and help complete strangers.

My car is being repaired as I type. The limb that fell on it could have caused much more damage so I am thankful that it wasn't more extensive.

My new refrigerator arrived last night, so we finally can have cold drinks and ice again!! The power surge took out the old one.

February is almost gone and spring is just around the corner. (hopefully) I think that we are all ready for that. :-)