Monday, January 30, 2012

Back in Texas

Friday night after work we loaded up the truck and hit the road for the big city of Poteau, Oklahoma to see our not so baby boy.  We knew we would be getting in late so we told Blake to feel free to go out with his friends Friday night. We didn't know he would be going out with Ms. Carl Albert.  She actually just handed off her crown to a new Ms. Carl Albert.  So of course I had to give him a hard time for going out with her.


Jackie, Blake, Michael.  This was taken after Saturdays game.

Saturday we got up and took Blake out to breakfast.  It was more brunch then anything.  After we ate Blake headed back to his dorm room to get ready for the first inner squad game of the weekend.  We went up to the school to watch the game. Oh my word the head coach had me cracking up. He had all kinds of one liners. When the game was finally over we went back to Blake's room and he got cleaned up.  We drove to Fort Smith, AR to have dinner.  We were hoping to catch a movie but, the baseball team has a mid night curfew.  After we ate we went back to our hotel room to just relax and visit and watch TV a bit. Michael took Blake back to the dorm by 11:30.







Sunday we had planned on taking Blake to breakfast again but, he told us he was going to church instead. So Blake went to church. Michael and I went to the laundry mat to do Blake's laundry so we would have something to do after we had to check out of our hotel room.  The boys had another inner squad game at 1:30.  So after the laundry was finished we ate and then head up to the field.  It was a beautiful day.  As the day went on it got more windy but not as bad as it had been on Saturday.



After the game we went back to the dorm and said goodbye to the boys.  I was tired and fell asleep almost as soon we got on the road.  I didn't wake up until we were in Texas.  This trip was to fast.  I wish we could have really gotten to visit with Blake more.  We will only get to see him briefly after games until May. This mama is very sad about that.  I guess I should be thankful that he even wants to spend time with us.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Jackie

Friday, January 27, 2012

Blaker Doodel

Were going to see Blake tonight.  We leave just as soon as we get off work, get home and get the truck loaded up.  I'm so excited to see my baby boy I can't stand it!  What I'm NOT looking forward to is the drive.

This will be the last weekend we will get the chance to actually visit with Blake before baseball games and school take over his life completely.  We will get to go to some games but, we will only get to see him through the fence.  We might get a hug goodbye.  This will happen until May. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle that. I have to keep reminding myself he is 20.  I was married and had him when I was 20.

As much as I love my life and family, I am thankful Blake has chosen a different route.  For a very long time Blake didn't even know that college was an option. Blake was brought up to think it was just the next thing you did after high school. I am so thankful he hasn't changed his mind about going to school.  Blake has changed his mind again about what he wants to major in.  I think this is a normal thing for young people.  Heck, I'm almost 41 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.

Well I have to get busy.  I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I might actually have something to write about next week.  There might even be a picture or to of 1000 taken this weekend that I might want to share with all of you.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jackie

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Slow start

I'm sorry.  I just can't seem to get back in the swing of blogging again.  Honestly it's not like I have the most exciting life but, I have enjoyed writing.  I am getting to the point I would like to write about dad but, both laptops at home are going in the shop and I'm sure not going to be able to write it at the office.  So if you will hang in there I promise to write about it soon. 

I hope you have had a better start to 2012 than we have.  Have you done anything exciting?  Any anniversaries or birthdays?

Have a wonderful day!
Jackie

Monday, January 23, 2012

Things we did for our 22nd Anniversary weekend

Friday was Michael's and my 22nd wedding anniversary.  When you are with the perfect person it doesn't seem that long.  Well until you think of ALL the things you have gone through together to bring us closer. March 1 we will be together 26 years.

Friday we went to dinner we thought early.  Well apparently everyone and their mother thought going to Red Lobster was the perfect thing to do on Friday.  So we skipped that and tried at couple of other places. I guess we are old and for got that Friday is just not the best night to go out and NOT expect a wait of some kind.  We finally stopped at Best Buy on our travels so we could buy a cover for the Kindle Fire they bought me.  We finally found a place to eat.  If you have not had Red Hot and Blue Bar-B-Q then you have NOT had bar-b-q. We always forget about it.  I have no idea why.  I think I associate it with wine and rib days at the office.  But, it's been a while even for that. 

Saturday we went to see my granny Howard.  That is my dad's mom.  She is 90 years old and is as tiny as they come.  She would always say she was 4 feet 11 1/2 inches.  That half inch was ALWAYS important to her.  My uncle and his wife had to put granny in the nursing home last week.  For her safety and theirs.  They have had her in their home for the last 15 years and she has just gotten to where it is dangerous for all of them. When we first got to the nursing home she was well rested and remembered us and was happy to see us and insisted on hugs from everyone. It was precious.  After a bit our uncle wanted to take us to a late lunch.  If anyone is in or the Copperas Cove are they have to go to Mel's.  They have the best burgers I have ever put in my mouth. It was the wheat bun.  It was sweet.  I literally said ummm for the first 15 bites and had to make myself stop because it had to be annoying!  As the day went on granny started getting confused Michael made her nervous because she thought he was someone else.  So he went to the waiting area while I visited with granny.  She was tired but didn't want me to leave.  She was confused and scared and kept asking when she would get to go home. We just went down for the day.  I was afraid I might not get to see her again before she passes.  It was 3 hours down and 3 hours back.  But, worth it!  The pain in my back and legs will go away or at least can be managed. Getting to see my granny and take her pink roses and a burger and fries because she wanted them and was starving! Can never be replaced or regretted.

Sunday we were supposed to go have dinner with Amy and her family and let the guys watch the game.  She new we might need to rest after the round trip and that is exactly what ended up happening.

Next weekend we are going to Poteau, OK to see Blake before the baseball games start. Blake will have practice but, this is the last chance we will have to really visit with him before the games start.  Once they do we plan on going to see as many games as we are able but will not get to really visit with Blake.  We will get to say hi (maybe) and bye before he heads to the bus.  That will go on until at least May.  On the upside.  The day we had dad's funeral Blake received a call from his coach telling him he got a scholarship for this semester.  Everything will be paid for.  They only thing we have to do is put down a $75 book deposit.  THANK YOU JESUS! It was nice for something good to come of all of the sad.  I hope to write about all of what happened soon.  It is still a very raw subject.

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!
Jackie

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Not quite ready to write about it.

My dad passed away on January 6, 2012 at 2:44 AM.  I'm not quite ready to write about it. But will be back when I can.

Thank you for your understanding.
Jackie

Monday, January 2, 2012

Not So Happy New Year

We have all been sick for at least a week.  I know that if my dad gets sick he could literally die.  So I picked him up antibiotics last Monday and as the week progressed I would as him if he was feeling better and he would always say yes.  Dad fell late Friday night and I asked him if he needed to go to the ER and he said no.  The next after noon he finally decided he needs to go to the ER.   The problem is the ER we have to take him to is 3 hours away in Temple.   As I was getting his stuff packed for the 3 hour trip to Temple to the ER and his Dr.'s I grab all of his pills and get his pill box that I fill each week.  That is when I found out he had NOT been taking ANY of his medications.  No antibiotics, heart medication, nothing. I freaked out and called my sister to let her know it was going to be more serious than we first thought.

We finally get to the ER and find that he is having a moderate heart attack, his blood pressure is supper low, he has pneumonia in the bottom of both lungs, is dehydrated and his kidneys have shut down. I have never seen a Dr. panic like the ER Dr. did.  The huge problem is dad has a DNR  so their hands are tied. They can give him medications to help but they can not put a tube in or use paddle's or preform mouth to mouth.  So the next 36 hours are crucial.    If he did not have a DNR he would be in the ICU.  

It is the strangest thing.  My sister and I are at peace.  This has never happened before.  Normally we are in full panic mode.  But, if you could see the poor guy on a day to day basis it would break your heart.  He is just existing.  He isn't living.  He is miserable.  Don't get me wrong we do not want to lose him but, we can't stand to see him suffer either.  He has been ready to pass since my brother passed away.  We are torn in two.  Who wouldn't be.

Any thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Jackie