Hey, Y'all,
I was in the kitchen while ago, eating a baked potato (well, part of one, anyway) and was thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for. I know that lately friends and I have been focused on how I am feeling, and I think it is time to give thanks for all the good that has been happening over the past two months. Here is a list of some things I am feeling so blessed about:
1. Jesus (first and foremost)
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Beginning to get my appetite back
5. Sleeping again at night
6. Driving again
7. Support of family and friends
8. Recent visit of family from Illinois/Texas
9. Gramps and his solid support
10. Slowly regaining my strength
11. Possible removal of last tube from my body next week
12. Prayer support of church family and others
13. Neighbors (they are included in friends, of course)
14. Return of Gramps on Friday
15. Ability to care for myself
16. Support of fellow bloggers
17. LOVE
I am truly blessed.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mostly Pictures
Hey, Y'all,
Here are some pics from the past few days of the visit from daughter Carol, son-in-law Daryl, and our two oldest great grandchildren, Hannah and Austin. As you can see, they went to the Great Smoky Mountains and hiked to Cascade Falls. It was the grandchildren's first sight of a waterfall. The children played checkers at the Cracker Barrel with grandpa watching on. We ate supper with Carol's cousin, Jeff, (my nephew) and his wife, Peggy. Mae and Imazo, my sisters-in-law were also there and we all had a great time. Imazo is Jeff's mom.
Hannah and Austin helped me water my many flowers.
Yesterday, I drove up to Terrace Estates and visited with Gramps and we talked about the visit from the family and how enjoyable it was. I knew the visit with Gramps was over when he lay down to rest, so I kissed him and told him I would talk with him later. It is now Monday morning and my day has begun here. Trash is to be carried off today and maybe I can get a few more things done.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to all of you. Bye for now.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Alone Again, Naturally (Old Song Title)
Hey, Y'all,
Well, it is Sunday morning and my children/great-grands left yesterday afternoon, and the sound of children's voices is heard no more here. Isn't it funny how the house can seem so much emptier than it did before family came to visit, after they depart?
We did have a wonderful time, though. Let me back up a little bit. Carol/Daryl, and Hannah/Austin went to the mountains on Friday morning and the children got to see a waterfall for the first time. They hiked up to Cascade Falls in the Great Smokies and thoroughly enjoyed it. They took food and drink with them and got back from there some time in the midafternoon. In the meantime, I left to go pick up Gramps so we could all go to supper in Knoxville. When I got to the Terrace Estates, where he is stayed for now, he was lying down and said he didn't feel like going, but that he would do what ever I wanted him to, I told him just to rest, and I would talk to him later.
I met Carol/Daryl and the Greats at the church and rode with them to Knoxville. We arrived at the Cracker Barrel just at 6 p.m. and put our names into the pot. We were told it would be about a 30 minute wait since there would be 9 of us to seat at a table. While we waited, Imazo and Mae, and Imazo's son, Jeff and his wife, Peggy, arrived and we sat outside in the rockers and chatted. Hannah and Austin found a checkerboard handy and sat there with Daryl to play checkers. It was all very pleasant. After we were seated in the restaurant, we had our supper and visited for quite a while (probably an hour and a half or so). Carol and Jeff are first cousins, and like many of us, don't get to see each other very often.
After saying our goodbyes, we motored on home, and had a pleasant hour or so before bedtime. Yesterday morning was spent leisurely, and Carol and the children helped me water my flowers and refill my hummingbird feeders. Austin and Carol scrubbed out the birdbath and filled it with water and Austin and Hannah helped me fill the bird feeder with birdseed. It was such a relaxed and fun time. Carol/Daryl had gotten packed up and ready to go. Then we decided to let the children look at the basement. What a momentous decision that was!
Carol went down with them to look at the basement and they found the floor was filled with water. It seems the drain plug in the basement floor had disintegrated and popped up, and all kinds of water (nasty stuff) had come up through the drain and covered quite a bit of the basement floor. Daryl helped Carol sweep up the water into the drain, but then had to leave to go to the local hardware to get a new drain plug. Carol continued on cleaning up the water, and using Clorox to clean the floor. She had finished when Daryl returned with the drain plug and he put it in the drain hole. That whole mess delayed them for a couple of hours, but they were happy to have been here to take care of it for me. Just think, if they had not gone to the basement, it might have been weeks before I would have found out and every time I flushed the toilet, or used the washer or dishwasher, there would have been more stuff in the basement floor. UGH! How God does provide help when we most need it!
Later, we had prayer before they left, we shared hugs and kisses and I waved them on their way, thankful for their visit and for so many things.
Jennifer Chang came to visit me last evening, and it will be the last time I see her in a long time. She is going back home to Taiwan to work for a year. She is a lovely young lady. Jen brought me a bag of chocolates "to tempt my appetite", and a get well card. She is such a loving, caring Christian 'granddaughter' and I will miss her. We have been friends for about twelve or thirteen years. We reminisced about the visit I made to Taiwan almost ten years ago and spent two weeks with her and her family.
I am hoping to go visit Gramps this afternoon for awhile. Right now, I need to go have some kind of breakfast. I have been sitting here drinking a cup of Constant Comment tea, and composing my blog. I hope each of you will have a blessed Sunday. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to each of you. Bye for now. Pictures later.
Well, it is Sunday morning and my children/great-grands left yesterday afternoon, and the sound of children's voices is heard no more here. Isn't it funny how the house can seem so much emptier than it did before family came to visit, after they depart?
We did have a wonderful time, though. Let me back up a little bit. Carol/Daryl, and Hannah/Austin went to the mountains on Friday morning and the children got to see a waterfall for the first time. They hiked up to Cascade Falls in the Great Smokies and thoroughly enjoyed it. They took food and drink with them and got back from there some time in the midafternoon. In the meantime, I left to go pick up Gramps so we could all go to supper in Knoxville. When I got to the Terrace Estates, where he is stayed for now, he was lying down and said he didn't feel like going, but that he would do what ever I wanted him to, I told him just to rest, and I would talk to him later.
I met Carol/Daryl and the Greats at the church and rode with them to Knoxville. We arrived at the Cracker Barrel just at 6 p.m. and put our names into the pot. We were told it would be about a 30 minute wait since there would be 9 of us to seat at a table. While we waited, Imazo and Mae, and Imazo's son, Jeff and his wife, Peggy, arrived and we sat outside in the rockers and chatted. Hannah and Austin found a checkerboard handy and sat there with Daryl to play checkers. It was all very pleasant. After we were seated in the restaurant, we had our supper and visited for quite a while (probably an hour and a half or so). Carol and Jeff are first cousins, and like many of us, don't get to see each other very often.
After saying our goodbyes, we motored on home, and had a pleasant hour or so before bedtime. Yesterday morning was spent leisurely, and Carol and the children helped me water my flowers and refill my hummingbird feeders. Austin and Carol scrubbed out the birdbath and filled it with water and Austin and Hannah helped me fill the bird feeder with birdseed. It was such a relaxed and fun time. Carol/Daryl had gotten packed up and ready to go. Then we decided to let the children look at the basement. What a momentous decision that was!
Carol went down with them to look at the basement and they found the floor was filled with water. It seems the drain plug in the basement floor had disintegrated and popped up, and all kinds of water (nasty stuff) had come up through the drain and covered quite a bit of the basement floor. Daryl helped Carol sweep up the water into the drain, but then had to leave to go to the local hardware to get a new drain plug. Carol continued on cleaning up the water, and using Clorox to clean the floor. She had finished when Daryl returned with the drain plug and he put it in the drain hole. That whole mess delayed them for a couple of hours, but they were happy to have been here to take care of it for me. Just think, if they had not gone to the basement, it might have been weeks before I would have found out and every time I flushed the toilet, or used the washer or dishwasher, there would have been more stuff in the basement floor. UGH! How God does provide help when we most need it!
Later, we had prayer before they left, we shared hugs and kisses and I waved them on their way, thankful for their visit and for so many things.
Jennifer Chang came to visit me last evening, and it will be the last time I see her in a long time. She is going back home to Taiwan to work for a year. She is a lovely young lady. Jen brought me a bag of chocolates "to tempt my appetite", and a get well card. She is such a loving, caring Christian 'granddaughter' and I will miss her. We have been friends for about twelve or thirteen years. We reminisced about the visit I made to Taiwan almost ten years ago and spent two weeks with her and her family.
I am hoping to go visit Gramps this afternoon for awhile. Right now, I need to go have some kind of breakfast. I have been sitting here drinking a cup of Constant Comment tea, and composing my blog. I hope each of you will have a blessed Sunday. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to each of you. Bye for now. Pictures later.
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Few Pictures
Hey, Y'all,Our daughter/husband, and two oldest "greats" arrived yesterday afternoon and our home was filled with sounds of childrens' voices and how very nice it was! Hannah and Austin were telling us about how they had seen Lincoln's birthplace and then gone on to see the Mammoth Cave. Austin told how he asked if he could turn out the lights in the cave, and was allowed to turn some of them off, then the guard turned off the rest of them and how very dark it was.
They each had a bouncy ball and had a lot of fun bouncing and doing "tricks" with them. I had forgotten what fun children can be. They all had lunch and a few minutes later the kids were in the living room where they had placed their back packs and sleeping bags. Hannah (8) had her drawing materials, and Austin (6), had his Lincoln logs and they were soon occupied with those.
Later in the afternoon, the kids got into their swim suits and we loaded everyone up in the cars, and Daryl took the kids and headed to the Wal-mart to pick up a beach ball and fun stuff for the kids to play with. Carol and I headed up to Morristown to pick up Gramps for the afternoon. Needless to say, he was pleased to see us and ready to go do whatever. By the time we reached Cherokee Lake, Daryl, Hannah, and Austin were already there and in the water. Carol had brought our folding chairs, so Gramps and I sat in the shade and watched them play and swim. They are both on the swim team and swim like little fish. (no fins or gills though.ha)
After about an hour at the lake, we went to supper at Applebee's in Morristown, and enjoyed our time together, and then it was time to leave and I took Gramps back to the Terrace Estates and then motored on home. What a lovely day it was! They are headed to the Smoky Mountains today, and the children are excited about seeing a waterfall. I hope they have a wonderful time. They invited me along for the ride, but I said, "I reckon not". I know I will be more comfortable here.
This evening we go into Knoxville and have supper with family there. (Probably at the Cracker Barrel). Well, that is about it for right now. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off. I look forward to a visit in October from Daniel, Whitney and their four children. By that time I hope and expect to be fully recovered and back to my sassy, feisty self. That's it for now. More later. Love to all of you.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Vanderbilt update
Hey, Y'all,
My neighbor, Scott, and I left yesterday morning at 5 a.m. and had a pleasant drive to Nashville. We found the first facility without any problems (well, actually, Scott did). We were about an hour early for my first appointment, but I was able to have the appointment over sooner because of that. When I had finished with my CT scan, I asked the young man who did the test if he knew of a good place nearby where one might eat breakfast. He directed us to a place only a couple of blocks away called "The Pancake Pantry". He said it was one of the top places to eat breakfast. Wow! He was right.
Scott and I motored on over to the Pancake Pantry and were almost immediately seated at a table for two. The Pantry has one large dining room, and lots of tables.
A charming waitress came over to take our orders and we looked at the menus and were amazed at all the choices. There were a table of children seated at the next table who were having a great time. Their adults-in-charge (two moms) were seated at the next table over (wise moms). They all left and another group of adults were seated at the table vacated by the children. Pretty soon we were conversing and laughing with them.
The food, when brought to us, was delicious. I actually enjoyed eating it, and although I could only eat two of the silver dollar pancakes and the egg over easy, I was happy to say it tasted great. I am hoping that my appetite will soon return.
After we left the restaurant, we headed on over to the Vanderbilt Clinic where my surgeon sees his patients on Wednesdays. After some time, he came in and asked me a few questions and took out the 'J' tube that has been in my abdomen since June 9, and told me the hole would seal over on its own. I was sooooo glad to get that one out. He left the other drain in, but shortened it, removed "Cordy" and attached a Jackson Prewitt bulb at the end and asked me if I could live with that one for a couple of weeks. I said I reckoned I could. So I go back to see him in two weeks. He told me to finish up my antibiotics.
Well, the trip back was just fine and I bade Scott good by with many thanks. Laurie and the kids came down to see me and brought some homegrown watermelon to me.
I boiled an ear of fresh corn for my supper, which I soon sat down and enjoyed. It was good to get home because it had been a long day for me (for Scott, too, I am sure, since he was driving and had a lot of sitting and waiting, as well).
Carol, Daryl, Hannah, and Austin will be here some time this morning (before noon, I guess) and I have a lot to do. I dreamed last night that they came and the house was a shambles. (nothing new there, ha). I look forward to seeing them and they are going to be bunking with me. Isn't that neat?
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to you all. Bye for now. Thanks for your continued prayers.
My neighbor, Scott, and I left yesterday morning at 5 a.m. and had a pleasant drive to Nashville. We found the first facility without any problems (well, actually, Scott did). We were about an hour early for my first appointment, but I was able to have the appointment over sooner because of that. When I had finished with my CT scan, I asked the young man who did the test if he knew of a good place nearby where one might eat breakfast. He directed us to a place only a couple of blocks away called "The Pancake Pantry". He said it was one of the top places to eat breakfast. Wow! He was right.
Scott and I motored on over to the Pancake Pantry and were almost immediately seated at a table for two. The Pantry has one large dining room, and lots of tables.
A charming waitress came over to take our orders and we looked at the menus and were amazed at all the choices. There were a table of children seated at the next table who were having a great time. Their adults-in-charge (two moms) were seated at the next table over (wise moms). They all left and another group of adults were seated at the table vacated by the children. Pretty soon we were conversing and laughing with them.
The food, when brought to us, was delicious. I actually enjoyed eating it, and although I could only eat two of the silver dollar pancakes and the egg over easy, I was happy to say it tasted great. I am hoping that my appetite will soon return.
After we left the restaurant, we headed on over to the Vanderbilt Clinic where my surgeon sees his patients on Wednesdays. After some time, he came in and asked me a few questions and took out the 'J' tube that has been in my abdomen since June 9, and told me the hole would seal over on its own. I was sooooo glad to get that one out. He left the other drain in, but shortened it, removed "Cordy" and attached a Jackson Prewitt bulb at the end and asked me if I could live with that one for a couple of weeks. I said I reckoned I could. So I go back to see him in two weeks. He told me to finish up my antibiotics.
Well, the trip back was just fine and I bade Scott good by with many thanks. Laurie and the kids came down to see me and brought some homegrown watermelon to me.
I boiled an ear of fresh corn for my supper, which I soon sat down and enjoyed. It was good to get home because it had been a long day for me (for Scott, too, I am sure, since he was driving and had a lot of sitting and waiting, as well).
Carol, Daryl, Hannah, and Austin will be here some time this morning (before noon, I guess) and I have a lot to do. I dreamed last night that they came and the house was a shambles. (nothing new there, ha). I look forward to seeing them and they are going to be bunking with me. Isn't that neat?
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to you all. Bye for now. Thanks for your continued prayers.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Back to Vanderbilt Tomorrow
Hey, Y'all,
Tomorrow morning at 5 a.m., my neighbor, Scott, will be coming down the hill to drive me to Vanderbilt to have a CT scan and then to see my doctor, who will look at the scan and tell me if I can get the drains removed and be "drain-free". We have to leave early because my first appointment is at 9 a.m. Central time and, of course, we are on Eastern time. The clinic sent me directions and a map, plus he will have his GPS.
It has been quite an experience carrying around my little buddy, "Cordelia" attached to my clothing. I am hoping I can leave her there. My side is quite tender to the touch where the drain is inserted (you could even say sore).
Yesterday was very quiet here. I did have a friend come in and vacuum my house for me, because (I am embarrassed to say) it had not been vacuumed in nearly 2 months. What with my illness, there was no way I could do it because the vacuum is so heavy. The floor does look good again. Thank you, friend!
Do you have problems swallowing huge pills? I just got a new prescription for potassium tablets and they are huge. I may take them back and exchange them for smaller (day after tomorrow).
Today, I took my car in to Morristown to the dealer to have it serviced, and stopped and filled it up with gas, so it is ready to go when Scott gets here. Hopefully we won't run into a lot of traffic because I just got a call from the facility that is doing the scan and they said to be there 20 minutes early. How's that for a kick in the shins?
I am feeling a little stronger every day, and still dealing with some edema because they stopped my lasix when I was in the hospital and filled me with that saline drip. I am hoping to eventually get that out of my system. My appetite is improving a little and am hoping I will soon be able to eat without thinking of how the food tastes. (or doesn't).
I am looking forward to seeing my folks from Texas with their two oldest grandchildren. Carol and Daryl (daughter and son-in-law) with Hannah and Austin.
Well, that is about it from Blabbin' Grammy tonight. Love to each of you and thank you for your support. Bye for now.
Tomorrow morning at 5 a.m., my neighbor, Scott, will be coming down the hill to drive me to Vanderbilt to have a CT scan and then to see my doctor, who will look at the scan and tell me if I can get the drains removed and be "drain-free". We have to leave early because my first appointment is at 9 a.m. Central time and, of course, we are on Eastern time. The clinic sent me directions and a map, plus he will have his GPS.
It has been quite an experience carrying around my little buddy, "Cordelia" attached to my clothing. I am hoping I can leave her there. My side is quite tender to the touch where the drain is inserted (you could even say sore).
Yesterday was very quiet here. I did have a friend come in and vacuum my house for me, because (I am embarrassed to say) it had not been vacuumed in nearly 2 months. What with my illness, there was no way I could do it because the vacuum is so heavy. The floor does look good again. Thank you, friend!
Do you have problems swallowing huge pills? I just got a new prescription for potassium tablets and they are huge. I may take them back and exchange them for smaller (day after tomorrow).
Today, I took my car in to Morristown to the dealer to have it serviced, and stopped and filled it up with gas, so it is ready to go when Scott gets here. Hopefully we won't run into a lot of traffic because I just got a call from the facility that is doing the scan and they said to be there 20 minutes early. How's that for a kick in the shins?
I am feeling a little stronger every day, and still dealing with some edema because they stopped my lasix when I was in the hospital and filled me with that saline drip. I am hoping to eventually get that out of my system. My appetite is improving a little and am hoping I will soon be able to eat without thinking of how the food tastes. (or doesn't).
I am looking forward to seeing my folks from Texas with their two oldest grandchildren. Carol and Daryl (daughter and son-in-law) with Hannah and Austin.
Well, that is about it from Blabbin' Grammy tonight. Love to each of you and thank you for your support. Bye for now.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
On the Mend - Again
Hey, Y'all,
Isn't it funny how days just seem to run together so that you are not sure what happened when, but only that it happened? That is how these last few weeks have begun to seem to me. It seems like I have been in and out of Vanderbilt so many times they should install swinging doors for me. Ha
Day before yesterday, my friend, Judy, took me to visit Gramps at the assisted living facility where he will be until the end of July. Then he will be coming home with me, and we will manage together, sink or swim. We will be eternally grateful to his nieces for arranging his stay there. I don't know what we would have done otherwise. Anyway, he knew I was coming, so he was really looking spiffy. With neat pants and shirt, and his shoes shined, he was escorted down the hall to see us by one of the ladies who work there. When he hugged me, he said I don't know where to hug you without hurting something, so I hugged him.
We sat in the living room area which is a very large room tastefully decorated, with chairs and couches lining the walls and some in the center of the room. Occasional tables are placed throughout the room as well. Judy visited with us for a few minutes and then left to run some errands while Gramps and I continued our visit.
The residents had been eating some homemade ice cream just before we got there. They had some extra and brought some to Judy and me, but I opted not to eat it, and passed it over to Gramps, who of course, took it.
After a while Gramps decided to show me his room and we walked down the hallway. He was able to tell me the direction to begin with and we went on around till we found his room. Almost all the doors of the residents are decorated with wreaths of some description. Gramps' niece made him one with UT as the theme. It is gorgeous and he pointed to it quite proudly. We entered his room and sat down and began talking about the mail he has received since being there. He showed me a father's day card from grandson, Andrew, and wanted to know who he belonged to. I said, "that is Carol and Daryl's son, that you took fishing." Then he remembered. He remembers his fishing buddies.
He took out his electric razor and asked how he could clean it, and said he didn't know how to take it apart. So I took the hint, and cleaned it for him. He had a clean razor then to use. He tested it out of course. Ha. I thought, "yeah, he hasn't seen me in a month and a half and one of the first things he wants me to do is to clean his razor." Ha.
Gramps seems to be pretty content right now, and he knows I have been really sick but getting better. I showed him the drains and the scars across my belly. He said, "we should sue that doctor that made the mistakes!" I said, 'nope, we are not. Just forget it; put it out of your head."
I am hoping to maybe go see him again tomorrow, but am not sure I can.
Yesterday morning, my dear friend, Ina Ray, came to see me and brought her autoharp. She brought me breakfast, and we sat and talked and laughed. Later, we went out on the porch and she brought out her autoharp and she played and we sang. We sang blues, we sang cowboy songs, country songs and hymns. We had a lovely time and I hated to see her go. The visit was just too brief for my liking. (see picture above)
Later in the evening, my neighbors - Scott and Laurie - came down and we visited for a couple of hours. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends.
I am feeling stronger by the day, and right about now, my energy is flagging, so I need to close this down for now. Thank you again for your prayers. Love to you all. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Bye till later.
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