Category Archives: Life as we know it

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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“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………….

Mom and the Matchmaker……

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?How do we make this long story short? I’m afraid it will still be a mini-novel. We’ll do our best to keep it interesting. Here goes:

First of all, my mom and dad are divorced and have been for a very long time. They managed to live in the same town and be civil to each other in public for years. Together, they just did not work. Trust me!

Six-years ago, mom’s health was making it hard for her to take care of her home alone. My sister, that lived close-by, was doing double shifts between mom and dad. She and her husband were wearing out quick. Dad purchased the house next to my baby sister, which made life a little easier.

My other sister and I did what we could, but most everything fell on our baby sister. She decided not to run away from Winder, when she was old enough. I, for one, was glad she was close by. But it wasn’t fair, they needed help. By they, I mean mom, dad and my sister and we needed to contribute. After all, that is my mommie and daddy.

Barry and I were in the process of designing our home with an architect and with mom not being able to manage on her own, it was decided that we would design room enough for her. In 2006, my mother moved into our new home with my new husband and I. 

The home was designed as a business  (a Personal Care Home) off the back. June 2006, we moved in and opened the business in October 2006. Within 1 month, we had our first resident. 

Mom did not adjust well to being away from Winder or feeling like her independence was disappearing. She just was not happy.

I thought I would help and try to get her out to meet people. This was not tolerated well at all. She wouldn’t even go out to church. At 66 years old, she didn’t feel like she fit in with the local Woman’s Club. She felt like she needed to take care of everyone. 

One day, while leaving Kroger, I saw a sign saying something about local singles with a phone number. I called and left a message. Mom received a call the next day and scheduled an appointment with the lady for the next day. 

When she arrived home, I was mortified to find out that I was the cause of my mother joining a match-making service. I could not believe she actually fell for the hooey that salesperson was slinging. 

Little did I know that mom was so miserable not being on her own, she was willing to look for another husband. She proceeded to fill out the paperwork and started receiving email from the matchmaker. She went out with a few lemons before she found her peach, Mr. D.

Mr. D. Was the cutest little thing and treated mom like a queen. It wasn’t long until we received the news of their impending marriage. They wanted to get married on the cruise ship, while in Mexico, but when they discovered that could not happen….off to the courthouse they went. We received a call the night before their departure to let us know they would be cruising as Mr. and Mrs. D. This was 2008.

The funny thing to end this story with, is that in the email from the matchmaker, it said that Mr. D. was at that time, 79 years old. Mom later found out that he was actually 8 years older.

He is still the cutest little thing on earth, but mom has moved back in with us. She is a big help to have around. Barry feels better knowing I am not home alone.

INR confusion

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Okay, now…..we are a week away from the one year anniversary of Barry’s stroke, yet his INR remains in an uproar. I just do not get it, Barry and I are eating exactly the way the want him to on coumadin, getting his blood work done  exactly how we are supposed to. His INR swings back and forth more than my mothers moods. I’m terrified he’ll have another stroke and we won’t be as lucky as we were last time, but I realize that is in God’s hands and I shouldn’t worry.   

What are we doing wrong? Is his body still healing and will regulate when it’s ready?  Is this in God’s plan and we just need the wisdom and patience to deal with it? I feel at times like it is my fault because I haven’t planned a meal correctly. Then I remember i can’t make him eat. I think I just need to relax and enjoy each precious moment we have together. We both have our own health worries and we are in the Lord’s hands. He is in control and I need to figure out how to kick worry to the curb.

More good news…..

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After 3 rounds of treatment for thyroid cancer, it is nice to get a good report from blood work and the endocrinologist, thyroglobulin level has remained non-existent for  6 months now. Can we say yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yet or do I need to weight a year? I’m choosing yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for now. I’ll worry about it again in 3 months.

Someone make me sleepy, please!!!

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Here I sit, wide unable to turn my head off again. Barry is sound asleep in his recliner, Miss Maggie is wiped out on the sofa,  while I sit here envious of the two of them. I guess I’m just so worn out from the holiday. Go figure….

Guess what? If I do not get this rest thing figured out soon, I’m gonna be out of luck. The Christmas rush, of running around, starts Saturday. We’ll be off and running again. By the time Christmas actually gets here, I won’t be able to function. My number one resolution for the New Year is going to be:

1.Get appropriate sleep!

2. Listen to my body.

I’ll finish that list when I am not exhausted. One good thing that happened today, we got the exercise equipment set up and I was able to start my routine again. That will perk me up and help with sleeping, hopefully. Everyone get a good nights sleep and have a great day tomorrow. I intend too. Exhausted or not, every day is a precious gift not to be squandered.

Treasure Hunt

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Barry and I have turned into treasure hunters for our churches Christmas Program. Our program involves a civil war hospital  battlefield hospital scene, so……we have been pestering  civil war re-enactors and combing through every antique shop with-in driving range for usable props. I have to admit, I love the antique shops.(this comment is from Jill only) I do not believe Barry enjoys it as much as I do. He does enjoy the hunt!

Several people have been extremely helpful and even given us a lead or two, but others have just been flat out, UN-NICE! This is for a church program and we will take good care of any item loaned to us. I  understand that these items are part of history and we both have a great respect for that, surely out there somewhere is someone that will trust us with the care of their antiques.

We both have trusting faces. We didn’t think it would be this difficult, but here we are….2 weeks till the program and things are finally rolling in. I’ll feel better when we find the uniform and clothing we need. It feels good to be able to help with the program, just wish we could do more. God is shining his grace on us leading us in the right direction. Thank you! 

Our bodies are screaming at us!

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When you have been through the wringer, as Barry and I have, you have to  listen to your body. After the past week; running around getting ready for company, the clean-up, the company, doctor’s appointments and all of our other weekly obligations; Barry and I are both ready to crawl under the bed. He is dozing in his chair at this very moment and I will not be far behind him.

I skipped the Women’s Bible Study Group tonight because I wasn’t sure I could stay in an upright position for the entire program. I’m sure God will understand. Mom took the peach cobbler we made. It  smelled heavenly! I hate to miss anything at church, but I just couldn’t do it. My hair even hurts. I had to patch my left eye for awhile today because my eyes are even fighting with me. I don’t walk well when I am tired.The next question my body is screaming is “Why are you blogging when you should be resting?”……..Well…..Good Night everyone! Sleep well!

Flashback

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There are a  few things that I have to do to ensure I function properly during the day.

1. Get my rest. Most important.

2. Do my exercises daily.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. To flush my system.

Number one  tends to be the most important of all, due to the fact that my body goes haywire without it. If I am tired, my eyes do not work correctly; I have trouble walking; I’m grumpy and a bit hard to live with. Last night proved my point. Thanksgiving really did me in.

On the drive home last night, I experienced an extremely unpleasant side effect, from the craniotomy, that I haven’t had to deal with since May 2009.  I was a passenger in the front seat of the van, watching the Christmas lights go by that people have managed to get up already.

Suddenly the car in front of us appeared to drive onto the sidewalk and up a telephone pole. I then realized that every car in front of us was doing the same thing. I told Barry what was happening and he suggested laying my head back and closing my eyes for a few minutes. His suggestion worked, after a 10 minute power nap, my eyes were able to focus and I got back to enjoying the scenery.

Double vision is not a fun to deal with, but I have to admit, seeing the cars go bonkers and driving up the sidewalks was a bit amusing. Remembering wearing an eye patch for 6 months, brought me quickly back to reality. That was NOT fun to deal with. An eye patch adds absolutely nothing for the way you look, unless you are Jonny Depp.

Although the holiday season is upon us, I have to make myself listen to my body. I do not like backtracking. I think I’ll increase my eye exercises a bit to ward off any weakness popping up. I will not give my eyesight up willingly. If it is meant to go, I’ll deal with it. Otherwise, I’ll be fighting it every step of the way!!!