As Willie says: "On the Road Again"

Hey, Y'all,

She blew into town like a breath of Spring, a mission on her heart to take care of her Mama, (and maybe boss her around a little bit) and now she is back on the road to her home, mission accomplished. Thank God for caring daughters! Carol loves but could not come (sister gave orders that Carol was not to, that she was up to the job, thank you very much). Now, now, girls, no arguing... I feel blessed that I am so loved.

Not every mother has children that vie for the opportunity to take care of her.

Teresa left this morning, and of course, there were tears, we each admonishing the other to stop it! She cleaned house, did laundry, worked at her job, did meals, took time to have fun with us, and instructed me to walk Gramps some every day, to keep him walking (and me, too, of course).

She bought me a new computer to use, set it up for me, walked me through the use of it (and I know that I will probably forget some of the instructions), but she left me notes to follow.

Well, Gramps is up and has had breakfast of ham and eggs with toast, so he is happy. We will take our walk in a few minutes.

I took some pictures this morning of some flowers in my yard and on my porch. The roses are getting ready to burst forth and the flower bed is half wild flowers and half pansies that I planted last fall. It looks a little scruffy, but that is okay. Along the side of the yard are some white hawthorns blooming. They are kind of like a hedge, but they smell wonderfully sweet and the fragrance wafts over to my windows and to the front porch. For someone who can't take the smell of hedges, it would be most offensive, because I am sure there are those who would be sneezing the head off. (Ew, how awful would that be to see? One sneezing one's head off... I know it feels awful, too, having done so many times. ha.)

I am feeling quite well these days, and, of course, will be driving into Knoxville tomorrow for our Movie Day. We will either be watching Ratatouille, or Night at the Museum. Both are really good movies, previewed by yours truly yesterday with Teresa also watching off and on. She brought them with her along with a bunch more, and had already seen them. I talked to Imazo this morning and we are planning on going in around eleven a.m. so that I can take her to do some shopping beforehand.

Teresa should be arrinving home in about 2 and 1/2 hours from now. She has promised to call me when she gets there. I am planning on having our neighbors up next door to come for supper on Monday. I am also planning on having our neighbors, Jim and Kelly, over to have supper with us one day soon. He is taking some tests today for a further diagnosis on his MS. He will begin taking treatment for it in May.

Well, I hear Gramps has just about finished hanging up his clean clothes that were just finished drying. Teresa's bed clothing is in the dryer right now. The first hint that she was leaving today instead of tomorrow was seeing her put them in the washer this morning. We really hated to see her leaving, but understand she is anxious to get back home to her sweetiepie, Tom, and her work, and their cat, Shadow.

Time for our walk, so this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Thanks again for all the well-wishes and prayers for us. We love you all. Bye for now.

A Wonderful Dream

Hey, Y'all,
Well, this morning I had a wonderful dream and I'd like to share it with you. As you know, yesterday was Hannah's birthday, and I guess it influenced my dreams because I was thinking of her all day yesterday.

I got up about 4 this morning for my regular nighttime visit to the John. I went back to bed and back to sleep. I dreamed that my grands0n, Daniel, (Hannah's dad) and his family lived just about 30 minutes away from us. I drove over to their house and went in and hugged them all, and just had a really great time visiting with them. I took his wife, Whitney, onto my lap and hugged her. I had some really neat pens and gave those to them. Their children were running around having a good time, too. Then it was time to go, and I left to go on my way back home. It was really a great dream.

Yesterday, Teresa took Gramps out for a walk and walked down to the house I used to live in (and my girls had lived in it, too). I lived there when I first met Gramps and he was very familiar with the house and property. In fact, he helped my brother, John, add on to the house. She told me that I need to get him out and walk every day some. So today, he and I took a walk in tbe same direction, and we visited the neighbors who now live in that house. They came out when we got down to the fence and invited us to come in and visit. So we did. Well, we visited with them for about 25 or 30 minutes. They are Jim and his daughter, Amber. His wife, Kelly, was at work. Jim has just recently been diagnosed with MS, and I know they would appreciate your prayers in their behalf. Anyway, we stayed down there so long that when we were walking back up, we saw her outside looking for us and wondering if she should start driving around to find us.

Later today, I made fried peach pies for our dessert (or anytime we wanted them). I had already cooked the dried peaches this morning, drained them, and mashed them, adding the seasonings and sugar. Hmmm, they are really good!

I am planning to have our Friday movie day this Friday. Teresa is leaving for home on Friday morning, and I will get my keys back into my hands. No, she did not take them, but I have not attempted to use them. It is really nice to have someone take me places when I am not up to driving. We have really appreciated having her here and doing all the things she has been doing for us. Besides that, it has been wonderful to have her company. She is a real joy.

Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. That is about all I have to say for now. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Happy Birthday, Hannah

Hey, Y'all,

Holy Moley, What a day! We went to Knoxville late this morning with the intention of looking at computers. Well, we found one that we really liked and Teresa purchased it for me for Mother's Day. What a lovely gift, and what's more, she has spent the last seven hours downloading files and pics from my old computer and uploading them on the new one.

My computer room has no fan in it (the other 3 rooms have a ceiling fan) and it got up to about 100 degrees in this room. Poor girl, sweat was just a'rollin' off her and no relief was in sight. She has dealt with desk helpers online this evening, who did not seem to understand the problems she was dealing with. There was one really nice person that helped her tremendously.

About 7:30 we took a root beer float break and rested in the cool air on the front porch. Believe me, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty this day. I think she is very like her mother in the fact that she loves to overcome challenges. (Carol is very much the same, too). As the old saying goes, "the apples never fall very far from the tree". I now have some challenging to learn about my new computer.

Monday, the 27th of April is our Hannah's eighth birthday. Happy birthday, little darlin' Hannah! She is our oldest grandson's firstborn, and our daughter, Carol's, first grandchild. She is a lovely little girl and a joy to those who know her. I just wish we could celebrate her birthday in person with her, but we hope to see her sometime soon.

Tomorrow is a work day for Teresa and I am hoping it will be cooler in here for her. Well, it is time for me to fold my tent and silently steal away to bed. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for tonight. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Successful Movie Day

Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy it so much! Teresa so willingly drove us to Knoxville, where we stopped first at Mae's and left Gramps while we continued on to Imazo's and switched cars. We came back to Mae's and the five of us were discussing whether to eat out first and then watch the movie or vice versa. Gramps then suggested we order a pizza and just stay there and start watching the movie. Great idea, Gramps!

That is exactly what we did...When the pizzas came, we stopped the movie and Mae, Imazo and Teresa got the pizza and drinks set up in the kitchen and we brought the plates and drinks in and ate while we finished watching "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith and his little boy. It was a really great movie!

We decided after the movie was over to carry out the promise I had made to Mae and Imazo to take them to Lowe's so they could purchase flowers and dirt to plant them in. We left Gramps to enjoy watching television while we went in our "pursuit of flowers".

It is not very far to go to Lowe's out near Knoxville Center Mall from Mae's house (or from Imazo's either). So here we went, three little old senior citizens and one younger person driving us. When we got out there and parked, we kind of divided up into two pairs (after searching for one of those divided carts and only finding the regular kinds) Imazo and Teresa with a buggy and Mae and me with another buggy.
Mae was looking for a bag of rocks to use in the bottom of her planting pots, and we were just pushing our buggy all around looking for the bags of rocks. We were getting very tired (she being 89 and I just recovering from my surgery) when I finally discovered an employee and asked him to get a bag for us. When he told us a small bag cost disproportionately more than a big one, Mae decided to get a big bag. Mae and I sat down and waited while Teresa went to get a big bag of rocks.

Soon we had all the plants, dirt and rocks that we needed and after we got them all loaded into the trunk of the car, we went back to Mae's house and unloaded hers. Teresa went into the house and checked on Gramps, brought him out to sit with us on the back patio of Mae's house and we sat there in the shade, sipping mint juleps (well, no not really, just water, tea, and diet cola), and just talked and had a good time. A neighbor's cat kept winding in and out around our feet and looking for petting, which of course, we obliged.

About 6 p.m. or so, we decided it was time to hit the road, so we got Gramps back into Imazo's car, and after hugs all around with Mae, we got back into the car, and left Mae at her house and continued on to Imazo's, where we unloaded her purchases, and transferred our into Teresa's convertible and hugged Imazo and left her at her home. She watched for cars coming our way until we could get out of her driveway. Both she and Mae live on very busy streets, and traffic zips continually up and down them.

We got home and unloaded the flowers that I had bought (yes, I needed more. ha). We came in and had scrambled egg sandwiches for supper and Gramps watched some television, and Teresa and I came into the computer room to spend some time on our computers. It was not long before Gramps headed for bed (he had gotten up early- around 8 a.m.) which makes a long day for him. Teresa and I decided to watch a couple of movies and then the day was over at midnight. End of day. End of this morning's posting. (I did have a really good night's sleep last night).

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Love to you all. Bye for now.

A Real Cooker Due Today

Hey, Y'all,
Today is going to be really warm (or as Teresa says, 'A Real Cooker'). It is supposed to be up to 83 degrees today, and yesterday it was 75. Whoo - hoo! Wonderful! I love it.

I was able yesterday to walk down to the mailbox and back twice. I also walked up to my neighbor's house and visited with them for a while. The kids were doing a twenty questions game and we sat there and talked for about 30 minutes or so. Their new puppies are doing well. They are a part lab, part collie and are black with just a little white on them. They are adorable, of course, as all puppies are. Pictures to come later.
They are sister and brother, Violet and Bear.

We spent quite a bit of yesterday doing laundry and cleaning house (I say, we, but it was of course, Teresa) She was doing the majority of it, along with working at her computer online with her work. Isn't the age of technology wonderful?

We also went to Lowe's and purchased some flowers for my front porch flower pots. The roses in my front yard are about to burst into bloom and that is always thrilling to see. We also cleaned out the hummingbird feeders and filled them with fresh liquid. Gramps even ventured out onto the front porch and sat in the rocker, waiting to see if the hummingbirds would fly in to feast. No luck, we didn't see any, but it was wonderful to see him sitting out there. I have yet to clean out the birdbath, and fill it with nice clean water.

We opened all the windows we could yesterday to air out the house, and we left them up last night and it was wonderful! Of course, Gramps complained a little about it being cool this morning, but it will warm up by the time he is ready to get up for today.

A tenderloin pork roast is in the crock pot with a wonderful seasoning marinade to cook in. I lined the crock pot with heavy aluminum foil and sliced the loin into 1 and 1/2 inch slices and laid them flat in the foil, then mixed in a bowl the following ingredients: half an onion (chopped), dashes of dry mustard, rosemary, oregano, basil, paprika; an ounce or so of soy sauce, an ounce or so of worcestershire sauce, half a can of diet root beer, and a teaspoon of minced garlic. I then poured the marinade over the meat, folded the aluminum foil down over the whole thing, then turned the crock pot on high. After it cooks that way for an hour or so, I will turn it down to low and cook the rest of the day. We will have baked sweet potatoes and some spinach with it for supper tonight.

We have a woodpecker outside our window who apparently thinks our house is a tree, and continues to come and "visit" us at odd times during the day. I have had him wake me up sometimes. I guess he may be asking me to come out and play? ha.

Well, I have not had my breakfast yet, so that is next on my agenda. After while I plan to go out and do my flower transfers from the pots I bought them in to the ones on my porch. I will do it slowly (believe me, with very little exertion), till they are done.
Tomorrow, we are planning to go into Knoxville for our Movie Day. This time, Teresa will be doing the driving, and switching cars with Imazo's, so that all us "old folks" can ride comfortably.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Better 'n Better

Hey, Y'all,
Well, as my post heading says today, I am getting better by the day. I am now able to walk upright as a biped should without holding my midsection. I can cough without holding on to a pillow while I do so (just with my hand holding the sore area).

I have been getting lots of rest and also TLC from our daughter, Teresa, and she is cooking some mighty good meals, along with working a full day on her computer. What a gal! We may not let her go back home. (smile inserted here).

My good friends and sisters-in-law, Imazo and Mae, call me to see how I am doing, and are keeping up to date on my recovery.

The weather is getting a little better each day. Yesterday was quite windy and cool. Nothing like Spring should be, I think. Today is going to be up to the low sixties, and tomorrow is promising to be best by reaching 75 degrees. YES!

This evening, Jennifer is coming over to visit and have pizza with us. I am going to be making the pizza sauce after I have breakfast and then storing it in the fridge until time to make the pizza this afternoon. It is easy to make and requires no real energy or effort on my part. The stove does most of the work. I gotta keep my hand in, don't you know?

So far this week, we have had roast beef with new potatoes, and spaghetti and meat balls. Plus, we have lots of left overs. Yum! Not a lot that only three people can make away with. We are doing pork tenderloin for supper tomorrow. I believe we may get out to the Walmart some time today, too. I get bad withdrawal symptoms if I don't get out to that wonderful place once in awhile. Ha.

Well, I think breakfast is calling my name....Yes! I hear it now. It is saying, "come on and eat before your stomach thinks your throat has been cut!".

I may begin working again on my quilt, doing some of the handwork on it. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. Much love to all of you. Bye for now.

Hello Out There

Hey, Y'all,
I feel like I am back in the Land of the Living...I was able to take a shower this morning, and rejoin life. I feel better now that I did, and am sure that those around me are going to appreciate my shower about as much as I.

Teresa is a wonderful help to me and has just kind of taken charge (which I truly appreciate). She has put a roast into the crock pot for our supper and has been up since at least 6 a.m. this morning. We are both sitting in my computer/craft/sewing/workroom and she is doing her work using her laptop. Isn't technology wonderful? She can sit here in my room, using a laptop that is hooked up through my internet modem, which is connected to a satellite, and the laptop material is from her workplace in Alabama. Amazing!

My incisions are doing well (she tells me). I haven't looked at them and really don't think I want to.

I talked to Carol and she seems to be feeling better, but not really out of the woods yet.

I have not yet had my breakfast and my stomach is calling me an idiot and says, "Where's the food?" I did want to get online and let you all know that I am much improved and can now walk upright, instead of bent over, clutching at my stomach.
My night's sleep last night was really good and I only awakened once about 3:30 for my early morning visit to the john. Went back to bed then, grasped my extra pillow and tucked it under my stomach, and went back to sleep.

Well, that is about it for right now. I'd like to thank Carol and Teresa for filling in for me on my blog. Aren't they just the best?

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Thank you again for all the prayers and well-wishes. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Feeling a Little Better Each Day

Hey, Y'all,
It is Sunday morning and we are just sitting here doing computer type stuff. (Teresa and I) Gramps is still snoozing. I am feeling somewhat better today than I did yesterday. I'm still not out of the woods yet as far as running around and jumping up and down, but better.

I appreciate so much the encouraging words and prayers of everyone. We had a really good supper last night and I actually felt like eating something. Teresa bought some groceries yesterday and fixed some pierogis (which I had never had) and also some creamed spinach (which I absolutely love the taste of. I enjoyed both of those items. I burned the fool out of my tongue with the pierogi. (so now, maybe I won't be saying foolish things with my tongue? nah...not a chance).

Our neighbors came down last night for a brief visit to see how I was doing. It was really nice to have them visit with us.

I think Jennifer will probably be visiting today some time, and we may have a few others to visit.

Our family has been checking on us, too. I think I talked a lot on the phone yesterday. It is always good to talk to friends and family. I never get too much of that. Well, it is about time to go have a bit of breakfast and then I may take a nap some time this morning. My eyelids feel droopy right now. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to you all. Bye for now.

More Fuzzy Stuff Please....

Hi Everyone -

This is Teresa...Mom asked me to post telling everyone my perspective of yesterday. Hmmm...I made a quick trip up (90 miles an hour is sooooooo easy to do when the traffic is light like it was yesterday!) and then went to the hospital and waited for Mom to arrive. Mark brought her because I wouldn't have time to come all the way to her house and then make it to the hospital in time for the admittance for surgery. I made it in enough time to run to the cafeteria, grab a sandwich and wolf down half of it before she arrived.

We sat in the waiting area for about 30 minutes and then it was time to be taken back to be prepped for the surgery. My Aunt Mae and Aunt Imazo were there but they would only allow one person to go back with her prior to the surgery. (Bless their hearts, they stayed there for the entire surgery and refused to leave until they knew she was going to be ok.) I went back with her and was amused at the astonishment of the nurses as she told them all in great detail about what the doctor was going to do to her. They said that usually people come in and don't even understand what was going to happen to them. HA! They didn't know my mother. It's funny how they think old means dumb...not so!!

Once they had asked all the questions, they gave her some medicine to help her relax (her BP was pretty high so I was glad they were already doing that). She said she loved the 'fuzzy' feeling. When they asked if she need more later she said, "Yes, could I have some more fuzzy medicine please" and then they gave her a third dose in just a little while. She would get this little happy smile on her face and close her eyes and I would watch as her BP dropped to normal and her pulse slowed down to a more normal level. Of course, she would continue to talk which made the 'fuzz' wear off and just kept being happy that they would give her more. She was back there waiting to go into surgery from 1:30 until 5:00. She got a LOT of fuzzy medicine. We have both decided that we understand how addictions happen...I mean...it feels so good, why wouldn't someone want to enjoy it?

They gave me a phone to allow them to call me as soon as the surgery started (they kicked me out around 4:30) and at 5:00 the phone rang and they said they had started and that she went to sleep with no problems and at 5:35 they called and said that it was over and they didn't have to do any exploratory surgery! WHOO WHOO...much rejoicing was going on in the waiting area between the aunts and I. I went back and consulted with the Doctor (very nice man!) and he explained that it was a large cyst with hundreds of cysts inside it which made it look like it was a tumor (solid) instead of a cyst.

It took us from 5:45 to 9:00 to get resolve her nausea and wake her up enough to take her home. They really shove you out of hospitals when you are a 1 day surgery but the nurse was very nice and helped me in every possible way to get her ready to leave. We stopped on the way home and got her medicine at Walgreen's and they headed home. It was about 11:00 before the house settled down to the usual post-surgery partial sleep. I think tonight everyone will be sleeping deeply!

That's about it in a nutshell...Thanks to everyone for their prayers as our family went through this scary ordeal. I think we all realized that Mom is the glue that holds us together and we couldn't bear the thought of anything being seriously wrong with her. A special thanks to J.W., Mom's pastor, who came and prayed over her just before the surgery. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!

Teresa

Hey, Y;all! I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

Hey, Y'all,
Well, I now have a new experience in my bag of memories. I also am singing Praises to our Lord in addition to those I was singing before the surgery.

I am going to ask Teresa to add her viewpoints to yesterday's events. This one will be short and sweet (kind of). Last night was a little difficult sleeping because I was clearing my throat off and on from about 2 a.m. on.

Yesterday morning I was up early so I could drink some fluids before 6 a.m. I was also checking my e-mails to see if Teresa had left me any before she hit the road to Tennessee. Instead I got a call from her as she was on the road. Her statement of how fast she was going certainly didn't make me feel calm, but she assured me she was being careful.

Anyway, she made it up here to Knoxville in four hours where it should have taken 5 and 1/2 hours. But she said the traffic was really light. And of course, I believe her. (hmmmm)

My neighbors up on the hill came and prayed with me around 11 a.m. (did I tell you this already?) and I appreciated that.

I made Gramps (aka Dub) some lunch and about noontime, Mark came and picked me up to take me to Knoxville. Teresa was already there at the hospital, eating a chicken salad sandwich that she had gotten in the hospital cafeteria. Soon after, Mae and Imazo came into the waiting room, so we sat there and visited awhile. Then I checked in and Teresa and I went with the nurse who took us back to the little cubicle where I undressed and put on my gown, treaded hoodies, and blue nightcap. Say, I matched and didn't even realize it. The footies were blue and so was the nightcap to cover my hair. Cooool!

Well, I am going to let Teresa finish the blog later. She can give her viewpoint on the rest of the experience.

PRAISE GOD!!!!

This is Carol, filling in for Blabbin' Grammy, who should be coming out of the recovery room pretty soon.


The surgery went well. I talked to my sister, Teresa, a bit ago, and they took out a tumor that sounded to be about the size of a softball. It was filled with little cysts. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE CANCEROUS!! PRAISE GOD!!! Of course, they'll do tests on it to be sure, but at this time, the doc did not feel any cancer was present.

I'm sure Mom will blog soon and give you all the interesting details!

Our thanks (Me, Teresa, and Dub) for all your prayers, kindnesses, looking out for them, and being there.

~Carol

Friday

Hey, Y'all,
Up this morning at 5:30 a.m. so that I could drink some liquids before shut-off time at 6:00 a.m. I had some water with my pills and a cup of coffee. Yuk. I would rather have had my cereal and banana, but, oh, well, I can do that tomorrow.

Gramps is up and had his breakfast. We are going to get him a shower and then I can do mine. I have already had a call from neice, Donna, wishing me well and praying for us. I really appreciate all the prayers (can't have too many of those, you know).

My pastor called me last night and prayed with me over the phone. We all know in whose hands we all are. Those who belong to Him are held in the hollow of His hand, safe and secure from all alarms.

I am expecting my neighbors on the hill to come down and pray with us before Mark takes me to the hospital. I haven't heard from Teresa, but I know she is on her way by now. I talked to Carol and she is feeling better. Thank you, Lord, for my family and friends.

Well, I have things to do, but I just wanted to say that all is well with me. I love you all. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement. Bye for now. Catch you later.

Liquid Diet Day

Hey, Y'all,
Well, here it is the day before surgery and a day of living on liquids and cleansing the digestive system. Ugh! I have been up since 6 a.m. and have so far swept and mopped the kitchen floor, watched some television, done a little sewing, have been on the computer for about an hour, and had my first morning capsule. It is about 8:15 right now. I am heading into the kitchen in a few minutes and having a cup of hot tea.

Yesterday, I was out and in the house four times before I was finally able to just sit and not do a lot. I went out early (before breakfast) to Wal-mart and after getting the things I needed there, I stopped and got a hair cut. I got back home and had my cereal and banana. I had settled down and folded clothes that I had washed that morning. when Mark called and asked if I could run him to pick up his van. I said, sure.

Mark came back and visited with us for a while and we had some coffee and cheese and crackers. While he was here, he asked me to look at something on the internet that he had seen. What he wanted me to see was a contestant on the television show called 'Britain's Got Talent'. If you haven't seen it yet, go to UTube and type in Susan Boyle. She is a fantastic lady and what a singer she is! She has become an international celebrity since her appearance.

A little later, Mark had prayer with me for my upcoming surgery. I appreciated that so very much, just as I appreciate all those that are offered up in our behalf (mine and Gramps')

My daughter, Carol, is also down with pneumonia. I didn't know it until yesterday. She usually calls me a couple of times a week, and I had not heard from her. So I called her. I appreciate prayers on her behalf, and also on behalf of my daughter, Teresa, who is driving up on Friday for my surgery. Most usually, traffic is really heavy on Fridays.

Yesterday afternoon, I carried off the trash and then came back and made some little apple dumplings for our dessert last night. My last trip out was to go down to our church and pick up supper for Gramps and myself. The kitchen ladies prepare meals for those who want to eat before church on Wednesday evenings for a very small nominal charge. This is done only during the school year so that parents can bring the whole family and then stay for church and related activities for the young ones. Since my husband is basically a shut-in most of the time, I can run down and get our supper on nights that they serve.

Well, I still have a lot that I want to do today. I have yet to start drinking my meals today. More later. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Preregistration

Hey, Y'all,
Did you ever preregister for surgery? My goodness, gracious! What a procedure that is! Today, I went to Knoxville to St. Mary's to preregister for my upcoming ovarian cyst surgery (to be performed on this Friday afternoon around 2:30 or 3:00 p.m.).

I stopped by Imazo's house so that she could go with me and kind of keep me company while I went through that arduous process. By the time we were finished, the surgery had certainly become more real to me. Before that, it was just kind of out in the future and not yet to be.

We arrived and had the valet service to park our car. We went in and I signed in at the desk, and it was only a few minutes before we were called back to one of those little cubicle offices by one of the personnel. I gave her a copy of my living will, and a list of my medications, my allergies, and my past surgeries. Also I tendered my insurance cards, my personal ID, and my card with my pacemaker identification numbers. Then I began answering questions and asked a few of my own. I found out that my doctor would be removing my ovary as well as the cyst. Also confirmed that if the cyst were cancerous, he would be doing exploratory surgery as well. She told me the surgery would be anywhere from 30minutes to an hour if it were just the laparoscopic, and up to 3 hours if it became exploratory.

Then we went back to another section and talked to another person and answered a lot of the same questions, then I went to get my presurgery bloodwork done. One of the lab ladies was reluctant to do my bloodwork because I have those difficult veins and so another patient was in there and the other lab lady did mine, and the one that started with me did the other patient. Go figure...ha.

Imazo and I left around 2:30 after having begun the process at 1:00 p.m. and went by Mae's house and picked her up. I really appreciated Imazo's being with me, she was really sweet to accompany me to that ordeal.

I talked to our neice, Terri, this evening. She went to the hospital last week with a heart attack (drove herself there, in fact). At first they couldn't find anything wrong with her and were going to send her home, but she refused until they found the problem. They finally did a heart cath and discovered that she had 100 % blockage of the largest artery to the heart. They inserted a stint, and kept her for several days. She is taking it easy for a few days and just doing a little more each day. We are so glad that she is still with us! We love you, Terri!

After we picked up Mae, the three of us proceeded to Applebee's and had a very late lunch, and really enjoyed it! After we finished I dropped off the two of them at their respective homes and headed back here to my home. I got home around 5 p.m. to find that Gramps had gotten up a while after I left for Knoxville and had his cereal. I got home and fixed him some left over chicken pot pie from last evening's supper and made coffee and we shared coffee and some fudgy brownies for dessert.

I stopped at the church before I came on home to speak to my friend, Judy, and to offer my condolences on the recent passing of her little dog, Spike. Spike had been a virtual member of their family for the past 13 or 14 years. He was a feisty little Shetzu, (don't know if I spelled that right or not) and just the cutest little fellow you every saw. Judy trained him well, and she could feed him from a fork. He thought he was the boss of the family. She and Gene are just so devastated by his death, and our heart goes out to them.

Well, folks, I have a lot to do tomorrow. I want to go into Jefferson City and get a few things, and also get a hair cut. A lady has to look good to go to the hospital, doesn't she? I have been doing a little cleaning around here today, and will do some more tomorrow, kind of straightening up things and putting them in order.

Our neighbor brought his special coffee maker down last night and I shared some caffeine with him. It was really good, but Unfortunately, it really charged me up so that at midnight I was still trying to find my sleep zone, and I was slowly counting sheep (or something) to put myself to sleep. I don't know what time it was that I finally went to sleep, but I felt rested when I got up anyway. I reckon I won't be drinking any of that again anytime soon. ha.

Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the evening. More tomorrow. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Busy Day Monday

Hey, Y'all,
Today has been one of those busy, happy days. Happy because I have been busy doing things I wanted to do. I was up early this morning, had breakfast, got breakfast ready for Gramps and headed in to Knoxville. I was there by 9:20 at Mae's house to get her and headed on to Imazo's house and we switched cars (mine being a little two-door and hers being a midsize 4-door and much easier for them to get in and out of.)

We headed out of town then toward Jefferson City, and went to Jefferson Memorial Hospital where Imazo's grandson, Thomas, was involved in selling jewelry as a fund-raiser for the hospital. He works for a company that does fundraising and the hospitals get a percentage of the money from the sales, by providing a place for the sales. Needless to say, we bought some really pretty jewelry, and I bought more probably than I should have, but it makes great gifts, don't you know!

After we had finished shopping, (and hugged Thomas a couple of times) we left and went to The Gondolier Restaurant for lunch. We each ordered a grilled chicken salad that had a lot of greens, cucumbers, feta cheese, green peppers, tomato wedges, olives, banana peppers, along with strips of chicken. Yum! It was really good. Mae and I couldn't eat all of ours, so we got togo boxes.

When we left, we headed for my house and Gramps was just getting ready to eat a cheese sandwich when we got here. He was happy to get the rest of my salad. After a few minutes, Mae, Imazo and I headed back to Knoxville, where we stopped at a grocery so they could get some milk. Then we dropped Mae at her home, and went on to take Imazo to the bank for some business there. We then headed on to Imazo's and after I switched cars, I headed on home. No matter what the three of us do, we have a great time together!

I got home about 2:30 and began preparing the supper for tonight. It didn't take me long to get the chicken pot pie ready and into the oven. I had already baked the brownies last night for tonight's dessert. Everything was ready, the table was set, and dirty pots and pans had been washed and put away when the neighbors arrived at 5 p.m. We had a great time eating supper and then we cleared off the table, loaded the dishwasher and began our game of dominoes.

Around 7 p.m. we stopped for our dessert, and added ice cream to the brownies. Yum! Too soon, it was time for them to leave and go home. I really love having them come to eat with us. I guess I am just a good-time girl (using the term 'girl' loosely. ha).

Tomorrow, I go back into Knoxville to preregister for my surgery scheduled on Friday. I called my eye doctor today to find out if I am supposed to be still using the steroid/antibiotic eye drops. The nurse called back and told me not to use them anymore. I told her my eye is still seeing blurry, and she said when I get new glasses that will improve. I have my doubts on that, but we shall see (I hope I do, ha ha).

That is about it for tonight. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off. More tomorrow. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

A Blessed Easter!

Hey, Y'all,
Today is a beautiful blue sky day. We were able to get up and go to church this morning. The air was a little cool but warmed up a little by the time we were out of church. We really enjoyed seeing all the people there. Many of them asked about our health and told me they were praying for me in my upcoming surgery. How blessed we are to have such good friends!

Mark will be taking me to the hospital on Friday for my surgery, which I am hoping will be outpatient surgery. I go on Tuesday to do the pretesting and preregistration.
Teresa won't be able to come until Friday morning, but will be here for my surgery, just not in time to take me.

Tomorrow, I am going to Knoxville to pick up Mae and Imazo to bring them here to Jefferson City for the morning. Imazo's grandson, Tom, works for a jewelry company that does fundraising for hospitals. They will be at Jefferson Memorial tomorrow, and that is why we are going. They have some really neat costume jewelry, and we always enjoy looking at it. After we get through there, we will be going to a really nice restaurant in Jefferson City for lunch. Then I will take them back to Knoxville and be back home by 2 or 2:30 p.m. in time to prepare supper for our neighbors. Yes, it will be a busy day tomorrow, but that is the way I like it.

We went to Shoney's for lunch today, and enjoyed it as we usually do. I can't decide if I want to take a nap this afternoon or not. I may just do that. Waiting for awhile since eating lunch before napping is always a good idea.

Well, not much else doing right here for the time being. I hope each of you were able to worship this morning with fellow Christians. I wish each of you a blessed Easter. CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! Because He is risen, we have a blessed assurance of a bright tomorrow with Him if we have taken Him as our personal savior!

Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. Bye for now.

A Quiet Saturday (again)

Hey, Y'all,
Yeah, it has been quiet here today, and I have worked almost all day on Will's quilt. Up at 8 a.m., I took my before breakfast pill and began working on the quilt. Finally, about 9:30, I came to a stopping place and went into the kitchen, had my breakfast, and cleaned the kitchen.

Then I went back to the quilt, and worked on it until around 1 p.m. when I stopped and had a snack for lunch. Some time today, both Mae and Imazo called me to see how I was doing. Imazo told me her sister, Lois, who lives in Ohio is in the hospital with an infection but is doing better and will no doubt soon be back in her assisted living apartment.

Gramps finally got up around 3:30 this afternoon and got dressed. I asked if he would like to go to the Cracker Barrel and have a breakfast there. He said that sounded really good. I knew that would be his only meal today, so I wanted it to be a good one. I had a dinner plate meal of spicy grilled fish, carrots and hashbrown casserole.

After we got back home, I went up to my neighbor's house and saw they had brought home the new pups they have been talking about getting. The pups are black water spaniels, and are adorable. I know it means a lot of work for the children (probably parents, too) to take care of them.

Later this evening, Gramps and I went down to our church to do the drive-through live presentation called "The Trail to the Empty Tomb". It was beautiful, as usual. Our church has been doing this presentation for about ten years now. It is a wonderful way to witness to others. It involves about a hundred people (at least).

We got Gramps' shower done tonight so that it won't take a long time for us to get ready for church in the morning. He has forgotten how to tie a tie, so I looked up directions on the internet, and we watched a couple of "how-to" videos on tying a Windsor knot, and I printed off directions as well. We practiced tying a tie, and then he went into his bedroom and came back wearing one he had just tied. I gave him a lot of praise, and he said, "I better go take this one off". He just now came in here wearing his shirt, suit jacket, and tie, with his sweat pants (pajamas) and asked, "Is this where the Young's live?" Ha, he is so funny. I said, yes, and he said, "I'm going to bed".

So he will probably be in bed in just a few minutes after he takes off the dress clothes. I have yet to decide what I will wear tomorrow. I usually don't decide until about an hour before we leave. I have to know what I am in the mood to wear before I decide. ha.

Well, folks, that is about all I got to say right now. I hope each of you has a blessed Easter tomorrow. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for tonight. Love to each of you. More tomorrow. Bye for now.

Stormy Weather

Hey, Y'all,
We woke up to thunderstorms and rain this morning, and I didn't know if I wanted to hazard a trip to Knoxville today, until it cleared up about 10 a.m. Then I thought, "why not?". By that time, Gramps and I were already dressed for the day, and had breakfast. So, I called Mae and Imazo and told them we would be there.

I cooked the chicken for the chicken pot pie I am making for Monday's evening meal, and put it in the fridge before we left for Knoxville.

We got into Knoxville in time for me to take Mae for her hair appointment and she didn't have to drive herself. I know her children would love for her to give up driving, and any time I can, I take her where she needs to go. She will be 90 in November, and is still driving locally when she can.

We had lunch at Imazo's. She had sandwich fixings for us, and we ate. Then we repaired to the back of the house where she has her television, and we watched the movie I had brought with me. It was a movie called "Johnny and Clyde", about a boy and his family and the dog they adopted (or actually who adopted them). It was really funny and we all laughed and enjoyed the movie.

Mae borrowed it to show to her great grandchildren on Easter Sunday when they are going to be at her house to have Easter dinner and hunt for Easter Eggs. I am so glad that I thought of our having a Friday Movie afternoon. I just wish I had thought of it while Hugh was still living. I know how much he would have enjoyed it, too.

I was able to take Imazo to get her prescriptions filled this afternoon while Mae was getting her hair done, then I picked up Mae at the beauty shop, and we had our lunch, then watched the movie.

We got home about 5 p.m., after driving through the rainstorm,which wasn't too bad. I thought about taking a nap, and decided it was the thing to do. So i did.

I have been thinking about my upcoming surgery, (naturally) and so far, I am feeling quite calm about it. I hope I can continue to feel this calm, and just trusting that it will turn out okay. I appreciate all the prayers that are being offered up for me. Thank you all so very much.

Tomorrow will probably be spent working on the next row of the quilt I am making for Will. I have yet to balance my bank account for the month, so I guess I will do that as well.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. More tomorrow. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Hey, Y'all,
Our grandson, Andrew, has a birthday on Friday, April 10. Andrew and his lovely wife, Julia, live in Texas and have a beautiful little girl, Alyssa, who is about 7 months old. We love them all so very much and have not yet seen Alyssa. We are hoping to see them some time this summer. Happy Birthday, Andrew! If you would like to see pictures of them, go to the link on my blog that is in Julia's name.

Yesterday, we had a wonderful time when Mark, Allie, and Jennifer came to eat with us. We had vegetable beef soup, cornbread, and apple dumplings with ice cream. A very simple meal it was, but very enjoyable. After supper, we cleared off the table, put the dishes in the dishwasher and played Aggravation. We laughed a lot and just generally relaxed.

I watched the last few minutes of American Idol after they left and saw one of my favorites (Scott) get kicked off the show. He was such a sweet boy and has such a beautiful voice.

Today, I spent some time on Will's quilt and got the first row finished and am ready to put the second row on. I will probably get the second row stitched on tomorrow. We are also going in to Knoxville for lunch and our Friday movie. I already have it picked out and in my purse.

Not much else shakin' around here. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Still Cool Outside

Hey, Y'all,
Well, it is still wintery outside and I have been up since 7 a.m. this morning. I hear a helicopter flying over right now, either on its way to pick up someone or carrying someone to be helped medically. We are in the path of the Lifestar helicopters when they travel to upper East Tennessee to pick up emergency patients.

Vegetable beef soup is cooking in my crockpot in preparation for supper tonight. We are having Mark and Allie and Jennifer coming for supper this evening. It has been a while since we have seen Jennifer. She called last night checking on me because she had heard from Judy about my illness. We look forward to seeing all three of them this evening. I'll be making apple dumplings for dessert tonight.

I have the house to vacuum sometime today and the kitchen to clean in a little while.
I spent a while this morning cleaning out and rearranging the freezer and refrigerator.
Yesterday was spent sitting on the couch, watching television and doing handstitching on Will's quilt. Of course, I took time to do lunch and supper for Gramps and me.

It is going on ten a.m. now, and I need to get a few things done (like get dressed and carry off the trash). I plan to do some more working on the quilt this afternoon. I may also run in to the grocery when I carry off the trash. My refrigerator is beginning to look like Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard. There is also my bank statement to balance sometime today. I just never run out of things to do. Some are fun, some are not.

Imazo is improving and I am glad to report that. Her sister, Barbara, is great grandma for a second time. The new baby is a boy, and I'm sure he is beautiful. Mae is still shook up over the way she was robbed (scammed) and there are still repercussions from that. I know they are both having some difficulty dealing with my upcoming surgery, but I am sure it will all come out the way it is supposed to...

Well, gotta go now, and get things done. We are still planning on having our Movie day this Friday afternoon. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you and thank you for the prayers. Bye for now.

Spring, Anybody?

Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday afternoon was so beautiful that I could sit out on my front porch and chat with my neighbor, Kelly, who came up to visit. We did have a lovely chat and got to know each other a little better. She and her husband, Jim, live in the house that used to belong to my family and they live just a stone's throw from Gramps and me. You will be hearing more about Jim and Kelly in the days to come. They are delightful people and good to know.

Then, a few hours later, it was turning cool and last night was cold. I had an appointment this morning with my cardiologist and had to wear my winter coat, and glad to have it. I believe the high for today was 46 and tonight it is supposed to be in the 30's. Spring, where are you?

My appointment with the heart doctor today turned out well. He told me my condition remains unchanged over the last year and I should be okay to have the surgery on the 17th. I found out from talking to the surgeon's nurse this afternoon that my surgery will be somewhere around 2:30 or 3:00 p.m.

This evening, our neighbors on the hill came for supper and we had a really great time. I had sliced a couple of tenderloins last night and made a marinade for them. The marinade was composed of some soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, garlic powder, rosemary, a dash of hot sauce, dry basil and a half can of diet A&W root beer. Last night I placed some heavy aluminum foil in the crock pot, added the tenderloin and the marinade, folded the foil over the whole thing, covered the crock pot container and stored it all overnight in the fridge. This morning I put the crock pot container into the crock pot cooker, set it to cook on high, and left it until about 2 p.m. today and then turned it onto low. Needless to say, it was delicious.

We had baked sweet potatoes, cooked kale greens, cooked squash (yellow and zucchini together) and toasted sliced french bread. I melted some butter, added garlic powder, and put it on the sliced bread before I toasted it under the broiler in the oven. For dessert, we had chocolate eclair dessert.

We had a lot of fun after supper playing the game "Aggravation". It was so much fun, and I completely forgot about my upcoming surgery for the whole evening.

We saw some snow flurrying around this evening, and who knows, we may get some accumulation tonight.

Tomorrow I plan to do some more on Will's quilt. It is coming along s-l-o-w-l-y..but surely.

Granps thought I was having my surgery today, and told several people who called that I was. When I came home, he said he had a lot of people praying for me today. I said, "Good, we can never have too many prayers, can we?" He was glad I hadn't had the surgery today, too.

He and I have not been sleeping too well, I guess because we realize what this surgery could mean for both of us. He told me that he knows he could not stay here alone if I did not survive the surgery and I think is okay with our plan for him to live with Tom and Teresa if that should happpen.

Well, it is getting late, and I really need to go to bed soon. It has been a long day. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the evening. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Catch Up Saturday

Hey, Y'all,
I woke up this morning feeling pretty good and knew I needed to get a lot of things done. Actually, I had gone to bed around 9 p.m. last night, and believe me, I was ready to get up at 7:30 this morning.

I started the morning by taking my pre-breakfast reflux capsule and then started doing laundry. I had trash to gather and did some cleaning out of the fridge. After an hour, I sat down and had breakfast. Then I packaged up a book to return that I had ordered on approval. By 9 a.m., I had done two loads of laundry and dried one of them. At 9:30, I was out the door on my way to the New Market Post Office and then to Jefferson City.

Stopping then at the Second Source Thrift Store to drop some things off, and then on to the bank and then to fill up the gas tank. From there, I went on to Wal-mart where I bought some groceries and saw an old friend from school, named Peggy. We stood talking for awhile and kind of caught up on things and people in common. As I left, I thought how wonderful it is to come across good friends that we haven't seen in a while.

The scene at Walmart on a Saturday morning is always something to behold. This morning was no exception. There were children who were selling tickets to some benefit, and people stopping and talking to others. People were in all kinds of clothes, and just working like ants. laughing and talking, pushing buggies full of groceries and other items. The sun shone warm on us, and happiness seemed to be in the very air. It made one feel glad to be alive. Where some would find it harrying to be in such a mixture, it enervates me.

On the way home, I called my grandson, Daniel, and chatted with him. It was good to talk to him. We often get so busy with our daily lives, we forget to reach out to those in other places.

After I got home, I carried in my groceries and other purchases, and called out to Gramps who was still in bed. I urged him to get up, but he wasn't quite ready to do so. I got the trash into the car and carried it off to the local dumpsters and when I got back, our mowers were here to mow the yard.

After I came back in, I continued on with the laundry and fixed myself a sandwich for lunch and then had some strawberries and a couple of Little Debbie cakes. Pretty soon, Gramps decided to get up, and had his breakfast and coffee.

By midafternoon, I had finished the laundry and had two laundry baskets overflowing with dry laundry to fold and put away. We watched television and I folded laundry and put it away. We had supper around 6 p.m. and then I cleaned the dishes and Gramps watched television.

I retired to my workroom and when Gramps had started to bed early, I got him to come into my workroom and watch some television with me. So now he is in bed and I am very close to following him. I talked to Imazo and Mae today and they are doing pretty well. Mae is still shook up over being robbed and the fact that I am going to have to have surgery. She is really concerned over it. Bless her heart.

Well, I guess that is about it for today. I know the relating of all this sounds kind of monotonous...but this is life as it appears in my house. I feel blessed that I have felt so good today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Report on Doctor's Visit

Hey, Y'all,
We were up early today, taking showers and getting ready to go into Knoxville. We decided to eat breakfast at Hardee's. Gramps and I shared a sausage, egg biscuit, and he had a plate of biscuits and gravy. After our coffee, we went on to Imazo's house and I left Gramps there, while Imazo and I went to St. Mary's Professional Building for our appointments.

I met the doctor who is going to be doing my laporiscopic surgery to remove a large cyst on my ovary. While I am under the anesthesia, they will take a slice of the cyst, freeze it and check it to see if it is malignant. If it is not, then the surgery will be over. If it is, then he will go back in with an incision and check the other organs to see if there are cysts on any of them, and remove the cysts. Lymph nodes will also be removed in the abdominal area. The omentum will also be removed (as I understood him to say).

I was quite impressed by the doctor, his affability and his professionalism. He took plenty of time to talk to me, and to explain everything, as though I were the only person that he had to see today. I liked that about him. He answered questions, and told me to call if I had others.

The surgery is set for two weeks from today. He wanted me to see my cardiologist and was quite pleased when I told him that I already have an appointment scheduled for Monday to see the cardiologist. I also plan to see my family doctor and let her in on what is going on in my life. I am very confident that everything that can be done will be done.

Mae, Imazo, Gramps and I had our "Friday afternoon Movie date" today, and enjoyed a very funny movie with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. We sat there and laughed and forgot about troubles and everything else. We had lunch at Shoney's before the movie.

Well, tomorrow is cleaning day here at the Young household. Laundry, cleaning out the fridge, and vacuuming and all that kind of unfun stuff that has to be done. I may get it all done, and then again, I may not. Just whatever plays out, that is what I will do. Gramps has already pulled a hamper into the kitchen with his dirty clothes to wash. He does his part. Ha.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the evening. No good television is on tonight. Bummer! Love to all of you. More tomorrow. Bye for now. Thanks for continued prayers on our behalf.

A Restless Night

Hey, Y'all,
In case you are wondering how much Gramps is aware of, he is aware that I have a serious problem with my health. I explained the situation to him on Saturday evening after having been in the emergency room most of the day. He thought I was out shopping with Judy, because that is what we wanted him to think.

I spent yesterday concerned over the fact that the medications I had been taking for pain had a not pleasant result on my digestive system. After a day of trying to remedy that, I was not sleeping well, at all. Also, Gramps was having a difficult time getting to sleep because he was concerned about my upcoming visit with the oncologist on Friday. So, between the two of us, it was a restless night.

Fortunately for me, the medications are now out of my system, mostly, and I am feeling much more like sleeping tonight. I have clothes to fold in a while and put away. In the morning, Gramps and I will be up and on the road by 8:30. I will be leaving him at Imazo's while she and I go to our respective appointments in the same building at St. Mary's in Knoxville. Hers is about an hour before mine, but I am sure she will have to wait much longer for mine to be through. I may be able to take her back home before mine.

I am planning on us having our eating out and movie afternoon tomorrow. No need to let a little old doctor's appointment dash cold water on our time together, is there?
We need to eat, after all, and we need to have some entertainment, as well. The police brought photos for Mae to try to identify the people they caught in Strawberry Plains the other day. They had been burgling a house whose occupants were gone at the time. She is hoping to at least get back her silverware and her wedding rings.

Well, this is about all for today. Thank you again for all the prayers going up to the Lord on our behalf. We appreciate them and you. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to all of you. Bye for now. I will be reporting tomorrow evening on my doctor's visit.

All Fool's Day

Hey, Y'all,

It has been a full day of not a lot of doing. I am feeling kind of sleepy, but will do my posting on the blog for you all. I was up this morning at 7:30, and decided to work on Will's quilt while waiting to eat breakfast. Then I had breakfast and read awhile.


I worked some more on the quilt and then took a shower and began drinking water for my ultrasound. The instructions were to drink between 32 and 40 ounces of water within 1 and 1/2 hours before the ultrasound test. So I split the happy medium and drank 36 ounces. While I was drinking, I was watching television and stitching quilt.


At 11: 36 I was out the door and on my way to the local hospital to face the test. It was not pleasant, but not undoable, so I made my way through it, and headed on to Jefferson City where I had to stop at the grocery store and drug store. I got back home to discover that Gramps had not eaten his breakfast because he said he was afraid he would spill the milk. I told him that if he had spilt it, what could he do? He said, clean it up. I said, yes. He had been up ready to eat (almost) when I had to leave for the hospital. I never dreamed he would not have done so.


Anyway, I got him up and fed him. This evening, Judy is going to be bringing our supper from the church. Thank goodness for great neighbors and friends! I know my girls miss being here during this time, but they give their thanks to those who are helping us out during these days before surgery (I assume I will have to have). Teresa is planning on coming up to help out during and following the surgery. Carol would love to be able to, but she has agreed to let Teresa do it this time.

Well, that is about it for today, friends. BTW, I hear that an arrest was made of two men who have been scamming seniors out of their goods, and hopefully, they are the ones who scammed my sister-in-law, Mae, out of her stuff. I will hear more of that in the days to come, I am sure.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you. Bye for now.