5/31/04 memorial day

Monday, May 31, 2004

memorial day

Last Friday when I went to visit with S, she expressed the desire to visit her son's grave. She hadn't been there since becoming ill, and having to move to an assisted living facility. That means it has been at least 9 years. Add to the mix that she is blind in one eye and almost blind in the other. I had to work today, so I told her that I would be by to get her on Sunday afternoon and we would go to the cemetery to do what we could.

I arrived at the nursing home at 1:30, and we left there about 2pm. The cemetery is quite a distance away from where S is residing now. Finally got there about 2:45, and followed her instructions as best as she could remember them. She kept saying there is a curve as we pull in, and I would stop on the curve. There is a mausoleum and his grave is fairly close to it, to the right side. I got her in her wheelchair and off we went. We searched everything in that area, until S was beginning to get upset. I finally took her back to the car, left her there and went to the office. Thankfully, there was someone there on a Sunday afternoon. He looked D up on their computer, and then proceeded to try to find it on a map. Couldn't locate the grave. None of his maps showed where it was. D passed away in May of 1985, and I find it hard to believe they have lost him.

The person from the office drove us around where we thought it was in his golf cart, but no luck. S was getting more and more upset and nervous. He finally let us off at my car, and went back to the office to meet some people there. I looked a little more, and as we began to leave, he came back up, and directed me to another area, across from where we had originally searched. I left S in the air conditioning of the car, and did another search of that area, but failed to find D's grave.

I called the cemetery this morning, but there was no one in the office. I told S that I would call them, and have someone actually find the grave and stone, then mark it on a map for me, and mail it to me. Then she and I would make another trip for her to visit him, and lay flowers for him. I cannot imagine what it must be like for her, to have buried her only child, and not be able to go to his grave when she wanted to.

lab2401 at 9:47:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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5/25/04 small explanation

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

small explanation

The oil shortage explained:

A lot of folks can't understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in America.

Well, there's a very simple answer......Nobody bothered to check the oil.

We just didn't know we were getting low.

The reason for that is purely geographical.

Our oil is in Alaska, Texas, California, and Oklahoma.

And all our dipsticks are in Washington DC!

lab2401 at 10:01:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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thumbs up!

most excellent!

LOL, and all that jazz.
Comment from haikulike - 6/4/04 1:03 AM

5/11/04 this and that

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

this and that

Thought is was about time that I updated this journal. I've been pretty busy since last week, as my dad fell a week ago today, and suffered 3 compression fractures in his low back, 2 of which are greater than 50%. My mom is limited in how much help she can offer him, as she is post polio, and is now almost 75% wheelchair confined. She can walk on 2 crutches short distances in the house, but she is still recovering from rotator cuff surgery she had in the fall of last year. Saturday morning I went to mom's to take her grocery shopping and a trip to Sam's Club. My sis and brother/law came in and helped to clean the house and yard, as well as my niece D, her husband and 2 kids. It was decided when we got daddy home from the ER on Wed. nite that Mother's day would be at their house this year. I had decided that mom and daddy needed a combination Mother's/Father's Day gift, and my sis and I decided to get them the stove and microwave that they have needed to get, but kept putting off. Of course we got the "you shouln't have spent that much money on us" and my comeback was "think of it as an investment. when you are both gone, it will only add to the value of the house!" I did get a call Monday evening from my mom, "do you know how I am supposed to run this microwave. it won't do what the instructions tell me to do." Well, got her thru that crisis, and she was able to heat some leftovers for dinner that night.

Saturday would have been Bob's 56th birthday. My niece remembered, and as we sat around the dinner table we all were telling stories about Bob and how he did this or that, what made him unique in each of our lives when my sister's cell phone rang. It was a call from my cell phone which was in my purse, on the back of the chair I was sitting in. I couldn't believe it, but when I pulled the phone out, sure enough it was connected to hers. I locked the keys and put the phone back into my purse, and then about 30 mins later, another call to her cell phone from mine, sure enough the keys were still locked but the connection was there. My sister and niece are convinced that Bob was somehow involved...maybe he was, I will never know for sure.

S is having some difficulties with her thyroid, so she had an appointment with her Doctor today. Her friend, E took her for the visit. I haven't talked to her tonight, so not sure what all went on there. S has been doing so well lately. Mentally she is right on target. She is eating now, soft foods, and is able to drink thickened liquids. Every once in a while, she will have a soda, or glass of water, but generally she is following the rules. If she keeps this up we can look into getting the feeding tube pulled later this summer. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

I have decided to quit watching the news. Between the war, Iraqi prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, and then the local "man's inhumanity to man" reports, I have had enough. Tonight on the news, a mother pleads guilty to killing her 3 babies and folding their bodies in a sofa bed and leaving town. They have been there at least 3 days now. She and her husband are in a difficult divorce and child custody issue, and her only way out was to murder her babies? What is wrong with this picture? Then also today, a report of a behedding of an American in Iraq in retaliation to the abuse of prisoners by American servicemen. Earlier this past week, we had 2 deputy sheriffs shot in a home invasion/hostage situation. One of the bad guys was killed instantly, one is essentially brain dead, and the other is in custody charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, etc. The two deputies are at home now recovering from their wounds. Well to finish the story off, today the Mother, who was being kidnapped, turned herself into the police. Seems that when the whole thing came down, there were huge ammounts of pot, and other drugs, guns and cash in the home, and that is what the 3 bad guys were after. She and her husband apparently had dealings with these three guys. She is now being held at the same jail as one of her abductors on $250,000 bail. What is this world coming to? I have a sign over my desk where I sit and write on this computer. At times it means more to me than others. Today, it is difficult to believe, but I have faith that it is the truth.

"The darker things become, the more God shines!"

I am waiting for God to shine.

lab2401 at 11:49:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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Well, though this entry reported some gloomy stuff-- look at your whimsical graphics! (duly stolen, of course!) I needed that bubble-blowing one to illustrate a horoscope I just loved the other day! And speaking of graphics, I THINK the pictures are back in ku=blog. Picture of 1-year old Bob is adorable!
heart,
~~mumsy
Comment from merelyp - 5/18/04 1:41 AM

I`m so sorry for your parents...My prayers are with them.
Vince
Comment from deabvt - 5/14/04 8:51 AM

5/8/04 b'day wishes

Saturday, May 8, 2004

b'day wishes

Picture of Bob and his sister on his first birthday,
May 8, 1949.

Happy Birthday my sweetie!

Diamond Girl

lab2401 at 12:38:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own) Love the feeling that a black & white photo invokes...I happened across your journal through my Mumsy's haiku blog. Your feelings of loss are evident, & are shared by all of us who visit. Happy thoughts to you...
http://journals.aol.com/babymae1966/Neverland/
Comment from babymae1966 - 5/11/04 4:33 PM

5/8/04 homework #4

Saturday, May 8, 2004

homework #4

From John Scalzi:: Weekend Assignment #4: Share the most memorable birthday present you've ever gotten -- or given (extra credit for both).

Note that the operative word here is "memorable" -- it doesn't have to be the best present you've ever gotten or given, or the worst, just the one you remember the most vibrantly. I think that opens the field a bit.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Most Memorable Gift Received:
One of the most memorable gifts I ever received was in 1965. My great gandmother had passed away June 2, and my parents had gone up to Conneticut to her funeral, and to see the family. My birthday was fast approaching, and I feared that they would forget it in the more pressing things that were going on. They returned home on the 11th, and I didn't see anything large enough set aside for my gift in the car. I had wanted a guitar, and had hinted for it since shortly before Christmas. The next morning was my birthday, and when I awoke, there was my guitar leaning against my bed with a big red bow on it. My mom and dad were standing at the door to my room, and began singing "Happy Birthday" to me. I will never forget how I felt at that point. (They had bought the guitar way earlier and had hid it at the neighbors house for safe keeping. They knew what they were doing, as I had searched our house top to bottom looking for my gift while they were gone.)

Most Memorable Gift Given:
I think the best gift I ever gave was when I bought Bob the Mag Wheels he was wanting for his 1967 Ford Galaxy 500. He couldn't justify spending the money on the wheels, and had bought some nice looking hubcaps for it instead. After all he had replaced the motor, and had painted it black lacquer just that year. But I had been saving my change since his birthday the past year (83), and would take it every month and put it in a savings account. When his birthday came around that next year in 1984, I had enough to buy them without taking anything out of the checking account, and even had enough to pay to have them installed. I put them on the driveway where he would normally park, so when he came in from work, they were the first thing he saw. The look of total surprise and wonder was worth every cent that they took.

when originally bought Nov. 1978

Just after paint and motor job Aug 1983 (can't find a decent picture of the mags yet)

lab2401 at 12:07:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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ku-ul!

~~hai'leigh
Comment from haikulike - 5/9/04 12:07 PM

5/4/04 what kind of tree?

Tuesday, May 4, 2004

what kind of tree?

Found this 'what is your inner tree' by way of John Scalzi's journal: By The Way .
I hadn't seen this one before and thought I would post it also.

A little haiku for the picture... hanging heavily
her boughs guard all who come near...
where is her willow?

WILLOW

You are compassionate and independent. You're the kind of tree who wants to help other trees find themselves in a crazy world you know all too well. You love the gentler side of nature and like things simple and elegant. A night owl, you like things peaceful all the time and are often vexed when others invade your solitude. You love the water as much as the land, feeling at home in both. Often shy, you always want to do things right, and crave attention every now and then. You fear that what you love most may one day turn on you, but it doesn't stop you from getting close to others. You are a good listener and other trees often come to you for advice or someone to talk to. You admire others who freely share themselves. When you leave the world, you want others to remember your example and follow it.
What's Your Inner Tree?
brought to you by Quizilla

lab2401 at 10:11:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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I took the quiz and turned out to be a Pine! Of all things. You have a nice journal. And I like what you said in the sidebar. It's good to be able to lay down at night and sleep with a clear conscious.
Comment from wildflower121764 - 5/6/04 6:09 PM

I shoulda known we'd have the same tree, huh? I'm so glad you posted the link here--Scalzi's didn't work for me.
Comment from merelyp - 5/5/04 12:05 AM

5/4/04 untitled

Tuesday, May 4, 2004

I was sent this cute little test today and thought I would post it here. I am 57% Dixie according to the test. I was born in the south, raised by New England parents, married a Yankee... guess that's not too bad all in all.

Be sure and let us know how much Yankee or Dixie are you?

lab2401 at 1:04:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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I grew up in KY and I'm 60% Dixie. I guess that's about right--in the middle somewhere between north and south.
Comment from wildflower121764 - 5/6/04 6:15 PM

37% (Yankee). A definitive Yankee.

man, I guess I've been in the Midwest long enough to take the edge off my Yankee-ness! I thought it would be twice that high!

Fun, Auntie Lyn (which I pronounce "awn-tee")!
Comment from merelyp - 5/5/04 12:15 AM

5/3/04 meandering thoughts

Monday, May 3, 2004

meandering thoughts

Today started out like most any other day. Except, I am back on my diet, trying to get this old body back into shape. I am not on any specific diet, but am following the old rule of moderation, and exercise. I read Dr. Phil's book, and it makes sense, so I am more or less following his advice. I have actually eaten more since I started this diet last Saturday, than I was eating in the past. Well, maybe not actually more, but more often. I am eating 3 meals a day, and 2 snacks. Prior to this diet, I would eat something around 11 am somedays, and then supper at 6:30 or 7pm, and then graze all evening until I went to bed. Now, I am having breakfast around 8:30am, and then a snack at 10:30am, lunch at 1:30pm, then a snack of fruit to sastisfy that sweet urge around 3:30 or 4pm, and then supper at 6:30 or 7pm. Hopefully I will lose some weight doing this. The last diet I went on was Atkins and I did well until I started going off to have bread, or fruit, of some other treat. I also went back to not eating first thing in the morning, and that stalled the weight loss. I did lose some weight at first, and I felt wonderful on Atkins. If this idea of mine doesn't work after 3 or 4 weeks, I will go back to Atkins and do it correctly.

Well, I went to see S this afternoon/evening. She is doing so well, was laying down sleeping when I arrived. A little confused when she first awakened, but she came around pretty quickly. It is such a blessing to have her mentally with it. I pray that this is the way it will continue to be. The nursing home has been bought, the new company took over the last week. Not sure what kind of changes are going to be made tho. When I was visiting on Friday afternoon, a young child of about 22 to 25, came into the room to introduce herself. "Hi there, my name is Melissa M, and I'm the new administrator here now! Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you, ok? Ok, bye."

Is it me, or are they getting younger and younger? I remember when I was the 'youngster' on the block. All the doctors and most of the nurses were way older than me. Then there came this shift in the sands, and the doctors were the same age, the majority of the nurses younger. Hell, now they are all younger than me!

Guess I need to get this closed now and get ready to hit the hay. The owl has been out of the garage since they started all that garage sale stuff. I am hoping that he comes back now that it's all cleared out, I miss my little friend.

lab2401 at 11:12:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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5/1/04 weekend assingments? yikes

Saturday, May 1, 2004

weekend assignments? yikes

Here is #3 of weekend assignments from John Scalzi, and I never did get #2 completed . Oh well, for week #3 we are to discuss "Bad Advice".

The worst advice I have ever been given: Probably the worst advice that I was given was when Bob and I were trying to adopt a child. We had been waiting over 3 years for a baby to come our way, when we began having a difficult time with money/business. It was decided to move from that state to my home state where we each had better chances for jobs. The business was left with Bob's sister and mom to run until it was sold. I was very torn about leaving at the time, as I felt we were so close to getting a baby and would be passing up my chance. Mrs. G. at the adoption agency said, "Don't worry about it, you do what you have to. When you get to where you're going and get yourselves settled, contact our sister agency there and tell them how far you were here, that you have paid your fees and that you had been evaluated and was found to be competent family material. I will send a letter if need be or speak to whom ever." So we moved, and we both had jobs after 2 weeks, and 2 months later we were purchasing a VA repossesed home with minimal down payment needed. Once we were in the home 3 months, I contacted the adoption agency here and told them the story. I offered to contact Mrs. G and have them speak with her. Their response... sorry, none of that matters, you start at the bottom just like anyone else in this state. It doesn't matter how long you have been waiting, or how much you paid, if you were evaluated or not. Besides, there is at least a 5plus year wait, and the cost here in this state is 12,000 to 17,000 dollars. My heart had told me to wait, but I trusted the advice that I got from Mrs. G.

The worst advice that I have given: When my niece came to me and my husband asking our advice about marrying her boyfriend, I told her to do what her heart was telling her. I did not tell her what I was really thinking, believing that she would figure it all out at her young age of 19. (I did not think he was good for her, and he would bring alot of baggage along from his family, and I felt that they were both too immature at the time.) I should have realized that her youngheart was full of hope that she could change him into what she was looking for, and that her life would be "happily ever after", which it wasn't. Less than 18 months later she was divorced from him, thinking that she had somehow failed. I regret that I did not speak my mind up front, and give her better advice to look at all the angles including his family life, and then support her in her decision.

Just for the fun of it, one of the best pieces of advice that I have ever been given:
From my grandma when I decided I wanted to go into Physical Therapy: "Lynda, not everyone is going to like you, and you're not going to like everyone, so just get over it and move along!" I take that with me when I meet each and every person, and I must admit, it relieves the pressure.

lab2401 at 12:55:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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