Friday:

Went to visit Dad at the house and then on into Rolla to visit Mom for awhile.  She was in the activity room working on a sun-ray to hang in the window.  It was good to see her up.  I had planned on going to buy groceries but apparently I forgot as I turned left on E and headed on home.

When Dwayne got home he was sick and ached all over.  In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, his back hurt.  We don't have a heating pad anymore so off to town I go to do the dreaded grocery shopping trip.  Poor Dwayne was so sick all night and the next morning.  I slept upstairs as Dwayne didn't want me to get the flu.

This picture is from last Wednesday night.  Dad's room was next door to Mom's, so the nurses wheeled Mom into Dad's room so they could eat supper together.  Mom looks worse than she is because of not having her teeth in.

 

Saturday:

April and Cash came over to spend the day.  Dwayne was so disappointed he was sick as he had planned a Grandpa and Cash day.  They were going to feed the cows, go visit Uncle Todd and then go to Uncle Chad's.  It's so cute when he comes over, he goes to the patio door and holds his hands out like where is Chad and Todd?  He says their names but he won't say Grandma or Grandpa.

Our girls day out + Cash started by visiting Grandpa.  Cash loves playing with a cow toy someone gave Mom.  He LOVES throwing things.  He threw it at the bird cage and the bird got all upset.  He thought it was hilarious as the bird was moving all around.  He tried it again and found out he was in big trouble second time around. He pouted but soon got over it. Good thing Mom wasn't there as she is very protective of her bird.

We left and went to see Mom.  She was sitting up in her chair and was in good spirits.  She has pneumonia again and needs to be up and moving around.  (A little hard to do when you're not steady on your feet and then have a broken ankle)

We went shopping to a few stores and then ate lunch at Panera's.  Cash was getting so tired, we were sure he'd take a long nap when we got home.  No luck, he was wound up.  We watched TV and just relaxed for the afternoon.  I made chicken 'n dumplings for supper.  April cleaned the kitchen as I was on the phone with a friend of the family and he talked forever.  Which is nice of him and I like visiting with him and his wife; I just wasn't in the mood to discuss my parents declining health.  Any other time would be fine but I was feeling extremely stressed over Mom and Dad.  Speaking of Dad, I don't think I've posted that he had to go into the hospital, too as he was very sick last week with the flu.  They had to pump his stomach.  A few rough days but we got through it.

Sunday:

I didn't go to church.  Dwayne was still sick and I needed to go visit with Dad and Mom.  Went to Mom's and Katie, her son, Tyler and his little boy, Liam were there.  Liam is such a doll .

Liam Birdsong, now is that a cute kid or what?

 

 I then went on to the hospital and spent the afternoon.  My brother, Russell came up from Springfield and brought Dad to the hospital.  First time he had seen Mom in several days.  Mom said they're like two old work horses; one can't do anything without the other.

Mom and Dad

 We had left over chicken 'n dumplings for supper and then I ate an ice cream bar I had seen advertised on TV.  Will never eat one of those again!!  Later that night I got sick and by sick I mean constant vomiting (yucko!!) and diarrhea.  I was sick all night, all day, Tuesday and I think today is Wednesday.  I've lost track of time.  I did keep my food down this morning.  What a nasty flu bug!
                                                                          Monday:
Finally, we receive good news.  My sister Judy's bone scan only showed the cancer in two of her ribs and the brain scan was clear.  We were all so worried about it being spread everywhere.  She started treatment yesterday.  I pray all turns out well.
                                                                 
       Well, enough of all this gloom and doom, how about this picture to brighten anyone's day?

I am so grateful to have grown up with the loving parents I have.

Weekend Update;

Friday:

Started off the weekend with eating out at Sput's.  A lot of people there but too many we knew.  Had a great evening.

Saturday:

Started out the day with a phone call from my sister, Kate.  Mom had fell and they took her to the ER.  She had broke her left ankle in two places and would need surgery.  It was a long day at the hospital.  We were also experiencing a winter storm.  First sleet, then snowing all day.  Late afternoon there was a huge pile-up on the interstate involving a Grey Hound bus, nine semi's and about twenty cars.  Thankfully, there wasn't any fatalities but the hospital was on overload.  They asked my sister, Kate for help down in the ER.  One of the patients she took care of was Ike Turner, Jr. son of Ike and Tina (step-mother) Turner.

I didn't trust driving home so Dwayne, Chad and Chris came to get me and Chad drove my car home.  I might have been able to make it but didn't want to chance it.

Sunday:

Up early and on to the hospital.  Mom's surgery went well.  She had broken the ankle in two places and needed a plate put in and several screws and one bone was broke in pieces.  She came through okay.  We stayed until she got to her room and then left to go to Colleen Elrod's funeral.  Colleen was a vibrant and outspoken person who everyone loved.  She was known for ringing cow bells at her son, Jason's football games.  Her husband, Claude is a distant relative but also a good friend.  He worked for us when we were in construction.

Back to the hospital for a visit with Mom.

Monday:

Kate called that dad was very sick and her husband was going to stay with him and I was to go on to the hospital to stay with Mom.  Stopped by to check on Dad and then to the hospital. She slept the whole morning.  Around one, she said I should go on and check on Daddy as all she was doing was sleeping.  Dad looked pretty weak and had been vomiting more.  Paul was staying there so I ran an errand for Dad and then went home to rest for awhile.  Mid-afternoon I get a call and Paul had taken Dad to the ER.  Went to the ER to stay with Dad.  Kate had to work and my sister, Judy could not go as she found out last week she has lung cancer.  More on that later.  The ER Doctor diagnosed Dad with a small obstruction of the ileum.  He had a small obstruction and wasn't able to digest his food properly.  They took him to a room (by Mom's) and put a tube down his throat to clear out the excess.

Talked to Judy this morning and they didn't have to do surgery.  Thank goodness.

Tuesday:

April, Mike and Cash all have the flu really bad.  Cash can't keep anything down.  Poor baby.

That's a wrap up of what's been going on around here.  It's my turn to go sit with Mom and Dad so signing off.

 

I am grateful for all the prayers and thoughts people extended on Facebook.  Much appreciated.

Weekend Update;

Friday:

One of the joys of staying at home is the ability to visit family and friends.  Thursday, I went to visit my good friend, Susan.

Friday, my cousin, Ron York and his wife Martha, came to visit Mom and Dad.  They live in Oregon.  We have visited back and forth with them throughout the years.  Ron brought lunch and we had a good afternoon of visiting.

Saturday:

Pretty much a boring winter day.  We spent the day doing absolutely nothing but watching TV.  This is good for Dwayne as he works hard all week and is on the road for 3 1/2 to 4 hours a day.  Now that I'm staying at home, a long day of being cooped up on a Saturday is pretty boring.

Sunday:

After my morning coffee break, I put a chicken on to cook as I was making chicken pot pie for supper.  Went to church; had a good sermon.  Nancy Ragan and I were the ushers for the month of February.  Ushers at our church also includes passing the offering plate.  I kind of like being an usher as you get to see more people.  I think it is to be a solemn activity but I can't help but smile and whisper hi to people along the way.

The kids came over for the afternoon to watch the races.  It was exciting to see a young newcomer win the race.

Cash is in the phase of hiding under furniture.  He loved playing under the kitchen table.  April said when she was vacuuming Saturday, Cash pulled out the bar stools and hid behind them.  For some reason, he is now afraid of the vacuum.  But when she shampooed the carpet, he was just fine.  The shampooer is much louder than the vacuum.

I love the Sundays when we all get together for a meal and visit.  I want it to be a tradition the same as my mom and mother-in-law did for years.  I wish my cooking skills were the same as when the kids were growing up.  Now I find it hard to put together a meal.  Must be getting lazy.  lol

I am grateful for our family time.

Finally, I am back to blogging.

A lot has happened since I blogged last.
Tuesday, December 14th we received new Black Gold jackets at work.  We thought it was a pre-Christmas gift. (Little did we know!!)
 Wednesday, December 15th I was called into the office and told they had sold the business and Friday would be my last day.  What?  Two day notice!  What a shock!  Silly me, I said I can work to the end of the year to get the taxes done.  I was taught when you start a job, you finish it.  But no, Friday was to be my last day.  I felt bad about the taxes and work that need finished.  It took me a couple days to think, "Connie, it's not your responsibility anymore, don't worry about it".
I took losing my job in stride, upset but not overly so.  Until yesterday!  Now I feel great sorrow as I loved my job and the pay and benefits were good.  Now, I am thinking of all I lost.  I always was a slow learner!  lol

I have missed blogging.  I had to get a new computer for home and hook up to the internet.  Needless to say that was a long process with a few hitches along the way.  At least now, I'm up and running.

I always thought things happen for a reason, but I haven't found a glimmer of hope in my situation yet.

I need to get caught up on blogging my life after unemployment.  Lots of family time and good memories.  Speaking of good times, my dad just called and invited me up for lunch.  Spontaneity, haven't had that in a long time.

So grateful for all I have and a loving family.

Weekly Visit:

Chad's Birthday Barbecue:

Dwayne, Connie & Chad

Dwayne, Connie, Chad, Todd, Cash, April & Mike

Mom, Me & Dad

 

We celebrated Chad's birthday Sunday with a barbecue.  The day was extra special as Mom and Dad were able to come down.  Momma hasn't been able to get in my house for months.  Dwayne and Chad had a ramp for her wheelchair and she's now able to walk some on her own.  Very happy for that.

Todd barbecued and Michael, my nephew, helped set everything out.  Desmon was with Chad and happy to see Mom and Dad there.

My 90 year old Father washing dishes!

 
After eating, my dad started rinsing off the dishes.  Mom said he was just showing off so we would all brag on him.  I told Dwayne what she said and he said she's probably right.  Which she was, but no matter, how precious it is that your dad is helping clean the kitchen at the age of 90?
We had a nice evening visiting and I'm sorry to say, I accidentally deleted the picture of the family with Desmon in it. 

I am grateful for my son's birthday and the celebration with family.

Chad Anthony:

December 12, 1978
I have so many favorite pictures of Chad. Here is just a few of them.
First day home from the hospital.

People used to tell me I looked too young to have a baby. I would get so mad, thinking I was not young, I was 21 years old!! Now when I look at this picture of me holding Chad on the horse, I think I look around 14 years old. Funny how time changes your perception of how you look or how old you feel.

First Christmas Card:

Picture at Grandma & Grandpa Elrod's and Chad's 1st Birthday:

Chad and Dwayne.

We were so excited at the birth of our first child. Chad was due on December 12th and promptly arrived on his due date. When Chad was born his hair looked platinum instead of blonde, it was a really pretty color. I worked for Dr. Stricker at the time of Chad's birth and he came to see us in the hospital. (Quite a first for Dr. Stricker as he normally didn't remember any of his help's first names) He looked at Chad and said, "Well, Snookims you have the same color of hair as mine". Dr. Stricker had more of a silver color of hair than gray. That was probably one of the longest conversations I've had with Dr. Stricker. I feel honored that he came by to see us.
Chad was an easy baby to care for. He loved being around people and would reach out to most anyone. We joke now that that is still a trait of Chad's, never meets a stranger and is always reaching out to someone. Chad was very obedient. He minded very well and usually just a strong word or a "look" would be all it took to make him behave. Chad has always been a little grownup. We went camping at Moreland's Resort when they boys were small and Chad would go out with Dwayne at midnight to check the trot lines. He was only 3 1/2, we never thought anything about him going. He just always seemed older than his age and we treated him as such. Chad loved helping Dwayne work, anything his Dad was doing, he was right there beside him. That is one think I miss most about us having our own construction business; Chad at a young age running the backhoe, helping Dwayne with any job, big or small.
Chad is a very caring person. He still gives hugs to his grandparents and even today I never see Chad without him giving me a hug. Chad has the biggest heart, anyone in need, he is there to help them. Chad is exceedingly protective of his brother and sister and I am very proud of him for his loyalty to his siblings and family.
It is so hard to believe my first born child is now 36 years old.
Happy Birthday, Chad!!