Monthly Archives: December 2012

Christmas Programs everywhere……

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The holidays are here and they are hitting like a runaway locomotive. Barry and I missed everything last year, he was in rehab after his stroke. We wanted to get in on as many programs as we could this year.

December 1, will strolled through Loganville Baptist Church’s version of “Journey to Bethlehem”. They did a wonderful job.

December 2, we got to see our great niece, in her churches kid’s Christmas program. We learned she is quite a little entertainer and loves a microphone. Absolutely adorable 3 year old.

December 6, we went to another nephew’s band concert. I was amazed by the change in music or a better way to put it is, the way the band put together their performance. Absolutely amazing.

December 7, we will helping set up for our church’s Christmas program. Barry and I have been on a treasure hunt the last few weeks for this program. It is exciting watching it come together.

December 8, we will be attending a Christmas Play with my oldest sister’s church and some of our family.

December 9, will be the program at our church, with a possible encore the following Sunday morning.

December 15 is the Christmas Party for the ladies group at our church. Mom and I are responsible for decorating a table. Busy making plans for that.

On a yet to be determined date and time, our family will be celebrating the holiday! Along with a few more stops on the Christmas Express, but Barry and I will survive…….God will get us through it all, after all…it is His season!Snowman

Things I can’t do anything about

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Sticking with the roller coaster theme, I guess it is time for another ride. Life appears to slow down and let you relax and then you remember or life smacks you with something else you have no control over:

1. having a brain tumor

2. having a rare genetic disorder that wrecks havoc on your body daily.

2. what is going to happen next.

3. your social life involves more medical professionals than actual friends.

4. With Cowden’s Syndrome, you never know what body part will go nuts next.

5. what doctors do with the list of medication they take from you at every visit. Do they ever look at it?

5. What reaction to the new medication the doctor puts you on

6. which doctor’s office your reaction to medicine will land you in

7. where you’ll end up after having a test to determine the cause of a new issue

8. what will come out of your husbands mouth at any time

9. what your mother will lose next

10. when your family will realize you are still inside a body that does not function properly

11. when your mother will stop looking at you as if it is the last time she’ll see you

12. whether your eyes will function properly when you wake up

This list could go on and on, these are just the ones that have frustrated me, beyond my limits, lately. I’m hoping the tides turn soon.

Brain Tumor Support Group

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The first Thursday of every month is good for our spirits, and has truly helped Barry in finding the “New” him. The fellowship with people, who are dealing with more than any one person should ever have to. It is a great relief to not feel alone in this battle we are trekking through.

The staff that run the group are kind, loving and compassionate. They do a fabulous job to keep us informed on new research and news out there about research. They plan very informative programs for us on everything from sex to legal issues. They have focused on Holiday Stress the last few meetings, very helpful.

Wacky Wednesday Fashion Watch

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I know this is totally off my usual posts, but after today, it had to be said. I grew up in Winder where someone has approved proper attire for going to town as bedroom slippers, pajamas and curlers. I never did this, but today some 30 years later, it still happens regularly.

Where have the days gone when people used to care about how they look in public and what is appropriate to wear outside of your home? What happened to modesty? 

It isn’t just kids out there dressing crazy, it is also people our age? Growing up, we were taught that dressing appropriately leaves something to the imagination. You don’t want to show too many of your goodies off, you want to keep that special person interested.  If you put everything out there, what is left to discover when you do meet that special someone. 

Today’s fashions, or how some people wear today’s fashions is just wrong. In the south, when a man doesn’t wear a belt and his shirt is too short, it is called “plumber’s crack”. My question is…..what do you call it when a woman does it? I’m sorry, call me old fashioned or just old, but a whale tail is just wrong!

What next, part 2……..

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Well, echo scheduled for next week. Had blood work drawn at office. Hopefully, all is well, my heart just doesn’t like what my neurologist is doing to my body. My body doesn’t like taking a bunch of pills, I always manage some form of adverse reaction to medication changes. Life goes on, time will tell (and the tests too, of course). One day at a time, the only way to go….It’s in God’s hands

What next….

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Life gets calm, but busy……then my heart heads into the haywire department again. I have too much going on for this to start happening now. It’s Christmastime, I wanna enjoy it, but we are getting ready to head to the cardiologist. My life is a never ending roller coaster that doesn’t want to let me off………

Things not to discuss in the car………

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There are certain things you do not need to talk about in front of your son-in-law, especially on a car ride. You know, when he can’t get out and run far far away…..

  • What you remove with a pumice stone.
  • The fact that you couldn’t find matching hose for church
  • What your supper did to your stomach
  • Discuss the type of underclothes you wear
  • Have a list of what is wrong with the house that needs to be repaired immediately
  • What you wish we had done differently to the house when it was built
  • What type bra you would like Santa Claus to bring

My Christmas List

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Last night, my great niece asked what Santa Claus was bringing me and what did I have on my Christmas List. Being close to 50, this is a question I have not heard or thought about in years. Would I be on the Naughty or Nice List? So many questions popped into my head. Since the brain surgery, my childhood memories are not what they used to be. I had my mother confirm that I had written Santa a letter or two. It’s been a long time, but I think I’ll give it a shot.

Dear Santa,

How are you? I hope this letter finds everyone at the northpole feeling good! I’m having a good day, so far. Feeling a little tired after last night. There is nothing sweeter than watching children sing and performing the Christmas Story. They did such a good job! My great niece was in the children’s choir. She was adorable. There was a mirophone in front of her. she kept stepping out from her spot in line uo to the microphone and singing  her little heart out. Just precious. So Santa, I think my first wish has been granted. I got to see that little girl sing and spend time with family. Nothing sweeter than my our nieces and nephews. Of course Barry, mom, my sister and hubby are always entertaining.

My next wish was granted when Barry and I found our church home this year. Victory Baptist Church welcomed us with open arms and has never made us feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. I have learned more about the bible, in our time at Victory,  than in all the years growing up in church. The pastor is incredible and the church family is gracious and loving. I thank the Lord everyday for leading us to Victory.

My next Chritmas wish would have to be to continue increasing faith in Christ. I cherish each ounce of knowledge I gain through study and attending classes at church. I enjoy the time Barry and I spend together studying. We have really enjoyed working with the choir director on the music program. Looking for Civil War items to use as props has been like a giant treasure hunt. So much fun! 

I thank the Lord everyday for bringing Barry into my life. I do not know what I did to deserve him, but I’m glad I did it. Barry is the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate. With the health issues I’ve gone through since 2009, he hassn’t batted an eye. He has been there every second I’ve needed him, just as I will be for him.

My next and final wish is for the coming year and for my sisters. Sandy, the oldest, is absolutely stretched to her limits. She is dealing with a lot of stress, as well as being a new grandmother. She tries to do everything for everyone and I do not believe she knows how to say no. Along with everything else in her life, she worries herself silly about her disabled, highly independent husband being home alone. Dennis is the type of person that if you tell him he can’t do something, he will find a way to do it.

My wish for Sandy, is to find time for herself and a job that fits her situation better than the one she has. I know she enjoys her work, but something closer to home would give her more time to enjoy life and her family. I’d like to see her smiling again.

Now to my sweet, baby sister Kris! Sandy, of course, is sweet too! Kris worked her tail off and finished her college degree in less time than it should have taken. Now, for over a year, she has been searching for a teaching position without success. She is an incredible Math teacher and some school system would be lucky to get her. She is taking care a husband, raising 2 boys, 14 and 6 and attemping a job hunt. She also takes care of our father as much as he will let her and her home.

My wish for Mrs. Kris is to find that job she is looking for or something compariable. I’d like to see a smile on her face too! But I’d also like her to find a little peace in her life and time for herself. I have 2 sisters that I love dearly and will do anything in the world for either of them, they just have to let me. I’d also love to see the three of us spending a little time together. We might even take mom with us!

Thanks for your time! What kind of cookies would you like this year?

Love,

Jill

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Secret Agent Man

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Snowman2rudolph-th-1Parts of this story and others are totally fiction.

Recently, our nephew was asking about the blog and we attempted to explain the reason we write. We also said we haven’t written about him yet and asked what he’d like for us to say.

He wants us to tell you all he is CIA Agent and lives in secret life in Winder. Well truth be told, he’d fit in better as an MIB agent on the movie screen. He’s good with gadgets and fixing things, he’d love to get his hands on a reverberating carbonizer. Not sure what he’d do with it, but we are sure he’d love it.

He’d have to be Agent Jay Two. Of course, with his little brother, he’d always have a partner/sidekick….Agent M and 1/2. That would be quite a movie remake. There would have to be a Ninetendo Wii or some other form of gaming system. The truth is that both of my baby sister’s boys are tech gurus. They love anything like that.

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I accidently deleted half of this post somehow when I hit publish, so please forgive me and I’ll finish quickly.

Both of my sisters did an incredible job in the kid department. Barry and I have an amazing group of niece and nephews ranging in age from 30 to 6. We also have a great niece and nephew. My entire family has accepted Barry as Uncle Barry without question. I have enjoyed watching Barry get excited as his relationship grows with each of them.

 My older sisters kids are successful adults and starting their own lives. We even have a professional dancer, a pastor (and husband) and an incredible, super mom in the family. Barry and  I are proud of each and every one of them.

Agent Jay 2  is an amazing kid that hasn’t realized to full potential yet. He’ll get there, I have no doubt. He is incredibly intelligent. At 14 he towers over me and Barry. I believe his feet get bigger weekly. I have had the pleasure of watching him grow into a handsome young man. Look out girl, heartbreaker in town!

I remember him as a child, locking himself in my car and giggling at me as I go window to window attempting to get the little rascal to unlock the door. I didn’t need an alarm clock when he was younger. He’d beat me in the head with his bottle when he thought I needed to get up. He was such a good baby and a challenge at the same time!

I wrote a previous post about Agent M and 1/2. He remains amazing and we love each of them dearly. We’d like to thank each of them for letting us be part of their lives. It has been a pleasure!

Snowman

“New” Barry Moments

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1. While at a training session, the discussion was how to get a blog to send out an email to a smart phone when new topic has been posted, Barry commented to a colleague “I guess he needs to get a smarter phone.”

2. On the ride home from this session, he saw a semi- truck with “air-equipped ride” on the side, he said the more he looked around, he realized that all cars are “air-equipped”. The tires are full of air, technically making all rides “air-equipped”.

The brain is a strange and mysterious organ………….