Finally!!

Finally, I can get back to blogging!!  Our computer had a virus and was so slow I couldn't hardly do anything on it, let alone blog.  So I bought a cheap lap top today.
Today started out early as Dwayne had a colonoscopy done.  Ate a later breakfast at Steak n Shake but not so good.  Not all their help showed up today; we did get a $6.00 discount off our ticket for the inconvenience.
On the way home we drove down by Osage City as we've never been there before.  I wish now we would have drove farther down than we did so we could see where the Osage flows into the Missouri River.
Home ten minutes and Dwayne decided we were going to Rolla to get his "toys".  We went to Family Center and he bought a Stihl Trimmer and a Stihl Weed Eater.  I bought a $5.99 bird for my shelf.  The guy checking us out asked if that was all I was getting out of the deal.  Told him no, I get to write a check.  He said, looks like you're getting the bird-litteraly.  lol   Not to be out done, we then went to Wal-Mart to buy me a cheap lap top.  No where near as expensive as the Stihl toys!  Oh, well, Dwayne works hard and doesn't buy himself anything.
I've missed blogging and keeping up with friends.  Now I'm back!!!!!!!!  Scarey, isn't it?  lol 

May:

It's hard to imagine how fast the month of May went.  March and April were so consumed with helping out with Mom and Dad, I felt like I missed those months.  Deeply appreciate how much better they are doing.  I don't have to go up everyday like I used to.  (every other day-gives me some "me" time0

Mother's Day:
Mom orderd chicken and the rest of us brought side dishes.  My brother, Russ was here from Walnut Grove.  So nice to have all of us there and most of the nieces and nephews.

Doctor's Appointments:
Springfield
Lebanon
Rolla (twice)
Mom is getting so much better.  She can now get up out of her chair and walk a little bit with a walker.  I need to be sure and speak to each person I see pushing a wheelchair.  It is alot of work putting the wheel chair in and out of the vehicle and getting Mom loaded up.  Russ met us at the Springfield appointment to help out.  It was so great not having all the responsibility.

Cash Time:
We still go to St. Elizabeth every Wednesday evening for a visit.  While there, Cash is totally a Grandpa's boy but when we keep him at our house, he tends to want to be with Grandma more.
Especially the night we kept him and he started running a temperature.  It was hands off to Grandpa, he only wanted Grandma.  We got in a lot of cuddle time.

Memorial Weekend:
Saturday I went to the Williams Reunion.  They are my Mom's side of the family and Williams was her maiden name.  Not as many people as I expected but it was nice seeing the ones there.
Saturday night was the fish fry at our lake in Vichy.  The kids have so much fun and it's just good old fashion playing; swinging on the rope swing, playing tag, bubbles, glow sticks and free time.  Not one tech game played and they survived.  lol
Sunday was the pig roast.  We continued to keep the tradition alive after my father-in-law passed away.  So miss all the original people and their families.  We just lost a dear friend, Buck Love this week.  Buck was quite a jokester.  You could find him singing 'John Brown' every year.  I was so happy to have a girl after the two boys.  I always dressed April cute in frilly clothes and a ribbon taped onto her non-existent hair.  We were at Emmett and Imogene Bullock's 50th Anniversary party and Buck called her a boy.  I was so aggravated.  She was all dressed in pink and a ribbon in her hair and he still called her a boy.  It took me a few minutes to realize he was joking.  Lots of great memories of years past on the pig roast.
Dwayne and the boys (men) put the hog on Saturday and cook til Sunday.  Very good tender meat.
Everyone brings in a covered dish and spend the afternoon visiting, playing games or just doing nothing.  Great times.

I am so blessed with my family and friends.

April:

I don't know why I  haven't been blogging.  Maybe just too much to think about and write down.  I wish I would have kept up along the way, rereading my emotions and maybe after seeing it all wrote down, it wouldn't seem as overwhelming as I've been feeling.

The first three weeks of April were daily visits with Mom at the nursing home.  What started out as afternoon visits became morning, lunch and then afternoon.  I cherish the time I spent taking Dad back and forth and the lunches and grocery shopping.  I also cherish the time spent with Mom.  I never thought it would be as hard emotionally as it was.

Chad and Todd picked up Mom on Easter Sunday to come to the annual Elrod/Feeler Easter Dinner.
Everyone was so happy to see Mom out of the nursing home, if only for a few hours.

We brought Mom home on Friday, April 17th (which happened to be Todd's 34th birthday).  We did manage to get our little Elrod family to go out to eat for mine (April 19th) and Todd's birthday at Randy's Road Kill.  Don't let the name fool you, it's a very good barbecue restaurant.

Mom went back into the hospital on April 26th for pneumonia and COPD.  She was having a hard time breathing.  Luckily she was better soon and back home.  Along with being in the nursing home or at home, there are still doctor visits to take Mom to.

We continued with our weekly visits to visit Cash.  He's quite the little character and we enjoy him so much.  He certainly loves his Grandpa.  We watched him one weekend and he started running a low temp.  He was definitely Grandma's boy that weekend.  We spent a lot of time rocking and cuddling.  Hey, I'll take the Grandma attention any way I can get it.  lol

I'm sorry to be such a downer this month.  I think the emotions of my job ending due to the company selling out hit me hard along with the daily trips back and forth.

I am truly grateful for my family and friends.

Visiting:

Monday:
One of the benefits of Chad working for himself is he sometimes has the freedom to stop by for a visit during the day.  Around 11 a.m. was one of those visits.  I cherish this time with my oldest son. And as always, it ends with a hug and a I love you.  Both Chad and Todd always hug me before they leave.
It's funny that April was always attached at the hip and our bond is very close, but she never hugs us good bye.  She's a little more reserved now like her Grandma Dodie.  But we know she loves us very much and shows it in numerous ways.
My afternoon consisted of taking Dad to the nursing home to see Mom.  It's so much easier now that she is in a brand new facility and more care given.
The evening visitors were Nathan and Liz.  I think I'm pretty boring, but they come and visit us one night a week.  Lizzy is my little side-kick now that April is grown.


The rest of the week continued with afternoon visits to see Mom.  Dad and I usually take a drive on the way home and on back roads we haven't been on in years.

Friday:
Took Mom to the doctor for an x-ray.  Mom was so certain she was going to get to go home that day.  I didn't see how it was possible as she's not suppose to put any weight on her left foot for another two weeks.
I am definitely not as strong as I used to be.  The aide loaded Mom into the car and then a very nice man unloaded her at the doctor's office.  I don't know what I would have done without them.
The x-ray showed the bones are healing great and the doctor said she could come home in a couple weeks.  She is so thrilled.
I worry about what it will be like when she comes home.  She has been falling a lot the past year and now with this setback I'm not sure how well she'll be able to walk.  I just hope she doesn't continue to fall.

Although I feel stressed at times and it breaks my day up every day, I am thankful for this time spent with Mom and Dad.  For those that know my Dad, he tells stories of his life (over and over again) he still comes up with some new ones now and then.  People say I don't know how lucky I am to still have my parents.  I do know and I very much appreciate them.  I'm grateful for loving parents.

Weekend Update;

Friday:
Dad and I moved Mom to a new facility today.  With not much to move, I don't know why it exhausts you.  Maybe emotions.
Dwayne has been sick and home a few days.  For those of you who know Dwayne, it's very rare he ever takes a day off.  He went back to work today and was worn out when he got home so he went straight to bed.  (with no supper-not good for him)
Saturday:
A quick trip to the bank and to MFA to buy feed.  Then on up to pick up Dad to go see Mom.
Dwayne asked me when he got home where I wanted to eat out at.  I said Gordoz.  (a little expensive, but not too high)  He said he didn't want to go there we should go to Sput's.  Which is a good place to eat, I just felt like something different.  So why did he ask me?  lol
We went to see Mom and she was glad to see Dwayne.  Since he has been sick off and on for the whole month of March, she hadn't got to see him.
We then went to Sput's.  Saw a few people we knew and the food was good.
Sunday:
Since Sunday is Dwayne's only day off work, I stayed home from church to spend time with him.  We went to Vichy to feed and then drove a few back roads.  Things change fast when you haven't been down a road in awhile
April had bought a Little Tyke's picnic table and a swing for Cash.  They were delivered to our house as they have a PO Box and no one is at home to sign for them.  In the evening, we took the stuff over.  April had fixed supper of chicken breasts and side dishes; very good.  As you can see from the following pictures, we had a good time.  There is a lot of pictures but wanted to capture the joy and love we have for Cash.  (no different than other grandparents, it's just our first one after all these years)  I have no idea why Cash thought it was so funny to grab my nose but he would laugh hysterically.

 

I am grateful for life and family.

Silverstone:

Dad and I moved Mom from the facility she was in to a brand new Nursing Home called Silverstone.
The care she was getting at the last one wasn't the greatest.  Luckily, my sister, Katie knew of this new facility.  They only had three residents so far.  She had to pull some strings but we got Mom admitted.  She now has her own room, own bathroom and better nursing care.

I am grateful for Kate finding and helping Mom to get into the new facility.

Technology:

Cash

Cash was quietly playing in April and Mike's bedroom when she went to check on him.  He had the cell phone charger and was trying to plug it in to his toy cell phone!  Kids certainly learn technology quick anymore!!

I am so grateful for this little guy; love him more each day.