DOES THIS CARTOON REMIND YOU OF YOURSELF?

That's my twin daughters, Leigh and Anne, on the rock in the cartoon. Leigh sent this to me this morning in an e-mail with the subject line, "the story of my life"!

I thought it was hilarious because I could picture them in some kind of situation just like this.

The funny thing is that I am the exact opposite.

I am always early for appointments. I seldom ever procrastinate or put things off.

The girls say I am a neat freak! I think I am far from it.

We drive each other crazy but at least we can laugh about it and know that this kind of thing is trivial compared to being there for each other and having a great relationship.

Are you always running late for appointments or putting things off till another day?

JUST ONE YEAR TO MEDICARE!

Today, I turned 64 years of age. I don't feel any older than I did 10 years ago for which I am very thankful.

I have been thinking all day about that Paul McCartney song, "When I'm 64". It says: "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?"

Age has never bothered me except when I went from 29 to 30. I sure did not want to leave my twenties for some reason.

Now, at 64, I am older and wiser and more comfortable with myself. I don't worry about what others think. I know what I like and don't like. I think I have mellowed and I am more accepting of life.

I have finally realized that I will not live forever and I need to do the things I enjoy now.

I have found that I can be silly with my grandson and make a fool of myself and people think it is just my age! If I don't answer right away it is my hearing. If I give a stupid answer or can't remember or talk about the weather too much that just comes with getting older. I get the senior discount at Kroger and they carry out my groceries. Most of the time, I get doors opened for me. I don't worry so much about eating that dessert as I once did. Once I started thinking about the good things I could go on and on.

I am so thankful that at my age I do not take any kind of medicine and as far as I know I am in good health.

I had a great birthday with cards and calls from friends and family here and on facebook and in the blog world.

In the words of the columnist, Ellen Goodman, "These are my good days and not-quite-yet old days".

How do you feel about your age?

THANK YOU BLOGGERS AND AN UPDATE ON BALISHA'S SURGERY

Just a quick note to thank everyone that did such a great job of praying for Balisha and visiting her site. I am sure she is going to appreciate all the wonderful comments left by you for her.

Balisha's surgery went well and the neurosurgeon told them he was successful in removing all the tumor. Joe, her husband, says she is progressing nicely and had two tasks to complete today before she could be moved to a stepdown medical surgical unit from ICU. She was able to complete the tasks and has been moved. A CT scan was done early this morning and showed no bleeding or clot formation on the brain and the tumor was completely removed. Joe says she talked with family and went for a walk down the hall today. The surgeon says if she continues to recuperate at this pace, she may get to come home this weekend!

Please continue to pray for her total recovery. It is amazing to me to see bloggers from all parts of the world come to the aid of someone in need and send well wishes and prayers.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I know Balisha and Joe thanks you, too. Love and Hugs, Judy

DO YOU NEED WASHING?

A friend of mine sent me this. I love it. This is something we all need to stop and think about.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall.. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom let's run through the rain," she said."What?" Mom asked."Lets run through the rain!" She repeated."No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,""We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said."No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!

"The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes..Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith."Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said..Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars..And yes, I did. I ran.. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday..To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

This brought back memories of one rainy afternoon about fifteen years ago when a friend and I walked about three miles in a warm, summer afternoon's rain. We were soaked to the skin but it was one of the most exhilarating and fun things I have ever done.

Do you have memories of walking in the rain???

MY 100th BLOG POST!

Today's post marks 100 entries I have made on this site! It is amazing how fast they add up. My first post was in April 2008. I have enjoyed blogging so much and have made so many friends out there in blog land from Scotland to Australia to the United Kingdom, India, Canada, and right here in the United States.

I appreciate each and every blogging friend and all the great comments you leave here. This has been a place to laugh, cry, vent, play, and express love for friends and family and get to know some wonderful people far and wide.

I thought for this post, I would show you my blogging place where I spend a lot of time reading your comments, writing comments on your blogs and just generally hang out when I am on the computer. We post pictures of flowers, trips, birds, and a zillion other things but this is where I am actually coming from! It is just a small room in my home that I use for my computer and my monster.

I hate the computer desk but it does the job for now. I plan to replace it in the future. I have all my cookbooks, recipes, and files in this room.

My "monster" is my pilates that looks like some kind of torture machine but actually works very well if I use it often. It keeps my arthritis from acting up and keeps me limber.

I have a small t.v. mounted up in one corner of the room so that I can keep up with my shows and be on the computer at the same time.

The shelves hold my cookbooks and family pictures.

These black and white framed pictures of my grandson, Thomas Wyatt, on the wall are some of my favorites.

Bob made me this little cherry table and I love it!

The picture below is a collage my son did for me. The girl is me when I was in grade school.

Now, you have some idea or thought in your head of where I am coming from when I write or comment.

I challenge all my blogging friends out there to do a post on their blog site! This has been fun to do and a great year for me just getting to know you all. Thanks again and hugs to you from me. I tried to make these pictures so they would blow up if you clicked on them but for some reason it would not let me do it this time. Does anyone else have problems with pictures on blogger?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!

I remember so well 41 years ago, April 14, 1968. I went into labor about 3 a.m. in the morning. Your dad and I called your grandmother to go with us to the hospital. My pains were coming but not bad enough to leave yet. She arrived at our place with her dress unzipped all the way down the back! I guess she was in such a hurry she completely forgot. We left for the hospital about 5:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday morning.

I was in hard labor for hours and kept sending your dad out to ask the nurse if I could have something for pain. They gave me a shot but I wanted more. You were my first child and I had no idea what to expect.

I would get mad at your father and I remember telling him that he did not feel a "damned" thing and I was "dying". You were born at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon weighing 8lbs.10 ounces. Once I saw that big "shock" of black hair all the pain suddenly disappeared and was forgotten.

You were such a good baby and I loved dressing you up in all the new outfits and showing you off to all my friends and relatives.

Your artistic ability began to show itself at an early age and we gave you art lessons when you were about eight years old. Little did we know that you would continue with your drawing and even major in art in college. You also loved G.I. Joe and I remember your dad having to climb upon top of the house to throw G.I. Joe off the roof with his parachute!

Your love of motorcycles began when you got a dirt bike at an early age and a broken collar bone did not discourage you in the least.

We were so proud when you graduated college. Our little boy was all grown up!

In college you discovered you had acting skills and took off to California where you acted in several movies before deciding to give it all up and move back to Kentucky.

Then, you married that wonderful woman, Sarah! The days of being a gypsy, tramping around Europe, living in Florida, New York, and California. The days of acting in movies, riding across country on a motorcycle, and working as a comic book artist all took a back seat to beautiful Sarah! A girl you knew in college and did not even like became your sweet, darling wife and the mother of the cutest little boy on earth when you fell head over heels in love.

You have always made me so proud of you.

Now, I am proud of you and your family. Sarah and Thomas Wyatt complete you.

Happy Birthday, son. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I love you so much.

PEARLS OF WISDOM!

This was sent to me in an e-mail but it holds such a message I wanted to put it on here. I know some of you have seen it. It is long but worth the read.

THE AWAKENING
A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change...or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon.

You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily everafter" must begin with you...and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK.

They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself...and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself...and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties..and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.

And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.

And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with ... and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive.

And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love.

How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK....and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want ... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is your temple.

And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect.

You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul.

So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people.

On these occasions you learn not to personalize things.

You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers.

It's just life happening.

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.-- Author Unknown

WHAT'S IN A NAME?????

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

The first week in March is Name Pride Week. Today, March 4, is Learn What Your Name Means Day and the Friday of the first full week of March is Middle Name Pride Day. Many sources mistakenly think that Middle Name Pride Day falls on the same day every year but that is not the case. This year it falls on March 6.

A parent often selects a name to honor a friend or relative. That person may have possessed certain characteristics that they wanted you to inherit.

Until the Civil War, middle names simply were not that common in the United States. Sometimes, a mother will have all her children's first names starting with the same letter of the alphabet. In the past, hurricanes have been named for women. There are hundreds of websites that help you to find a name for your children, dogs, cats, horses, and even boats! I found funny names, celebrity names, happy names and unique names. There are many websites that tell you the meaning of names. Here is one you might want to check out: http://www.behindthename.com/

Many people don't like their names and some go so far as to have them changed. A lot of people never reveal their middle names to anyone and often just use the first letter of their middle name when signing a check, etc.

This week we should all take pride in our first and middle given names. Supposedly, one way to celebrate is to reveal your middle name to at least three other people.

My middle name is "Ann". There used to be a potato salad out called, " Judy Ann Potato Salad".

Several times, I had people ask me if I was connected with the company when they found out my middle name. I went to school with a girl named Clara Bell. She was teased to death because there was a clown on the Howdy Doody Show by that name.

Do you have any hangups about your name? Do you dislike it? Are you named after someone you know or a relative? Do you know any really funny names?

RECESSION OR DEPRESSION, A MATTER OF OPINION!

My parents went through the Great Depression and so did my older sister. I can remember my mother telling me stories about how my father could not get work. My sister was born in 1932 and was a baby during this time. It was a terrible time for families and people that survived never forgot the hardship.

My mother saved everything she ever came in contact with from then on and my sister is almost as bad!

The Great Depression was the worst economic slump ever in U.S. history. The cause is still a matter of debate today. Some believe the collapse of the stock market in October 1929 played a major role. Two months later, stockholders had lost more than $40 billion dollars. Some of the nation's largest banks were failing to maintain adequate reserves and were investing heavily in the stock market or making risky loans. Bank deposits were uninsured and when the banks failed, people lost their savings.
People from all classes stopped buying. This caused less items to be produced which led to a reduction in the workforce and less jobs. Millions of Americans were jobless, homeless, and penniless. The number of commercial banks failing between 1929 and 1933 was 10,763.

America had lent large amounts of money to Europe and UK, to help rebuild after the first world war. Therefore, the U.S. economy spread to the rest of the world as America called in loans.

Some say the end of the Great Depression came in December 1941 when America became involved in World War II and nations increased their productions of war materials. This provided jobs and put money back into circulation. The government under Franklin Roosevelt took over the responsibility for the elderly with the creation of Social Security. Unemployment compensation was created for those involuntarily unemployed. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) helped to restore confidence in banks. Several other bills provided mortgage relief for homeowners. This changed the relationship between the government and the people as they came to expect and accept a larger federal role in their lives and the economy.

The more I read about the Great Depression the more our situation seems to coincide with the events of that time in our history. The 1920s "boom" and then the stock market crash.
President Herbert Hoover supposedly did nothing about the Depression. George W. Bush did nothing to prepare the American people for what we are going through today.

The definition of recession is: a period of reduced economic activity. The definition of depression is: a severe economic downturn that lasts several years.

What do you think about the situation the American people are facing? Are we in a recession or a depression? Do you think things are going to get worse before they get better? What are your thoughts about the bailout?

On a lighter note, two famous songs during the Depression: Brother, Can You Spare Me A Dime and Mr. President Have Pity On The Working Man.

QUE SERA SERA - WHAT EVER WILL BE, WILL BE

Years ago, Doris Day, had a song out called Que Sera Sera. Here is one verse of that song:

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

That kind of sums up my life. Sometimes I think it should be a song that was sung by country artist Pam Tillis called, Mi Vida Loca, which means my crazy life. There has been many ups and downs in my life, many hurts and many wonderful experiences and I would not change one thing if I had to go back and do it all over. I have a wonderful family, my health as far as I know, friends, stability, a great partner, and I try to enjoy every moment that I have left on this good earth.

My girlfriend is always saying, "if I could only live my life over and know what I know now". I can't go along with that because I think I would make bigger mistakes than the ones I made before.

There are so many quotes and sayings by famous people about life. For instance: Everything happens for a reason or if it was meant to be, it will be. I have used these expressions to rationalize many things.

I always liked this one: Every ending is a new beginning! That makes good sense to me.
Have you heard this one? Life is what you make it. Here's another. It was God's plan or when God closes a door, He opens a window. Also, every cloud has a silver lining.

Grandma Moses said: Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. Martin Fischer said Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth.

I think this one pertaining to love is probably true: If you love something set it free. If it was meant to be it will come back to you.

It appears we want to believe that the things we have happen in our life have meaning and that good things come out of the bad that happens. I believe life's happenings help us to become better people and stronger people so that ultimately we discover who we were meant to be.

I like this one: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!

My philosophy is kind of measured by a poem I have loved ever since the first time I heard it many years ago. It was written by James Henry Leigh. You can read my favorite poem below.

ABOU BEN ADHEM

Abou ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight of his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

an angel, writing in a book of of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the Prescence in the room he said: "What writest thou?"

The vision raised its head,

And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord.

" "And is mine one?"said Abou,

"Nay, not so," Replied the angel.

Abou spoke more low,

But cheerily still, and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one who loves his fellow men."

The angel wrote, and vanished.

The next night It came again, with a great awakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

Do you have a favorite quote or a favorite poem about life or just an opinion. If so, leave me a comment.

Kentucky and Her Veterans

I thought this was appropriate since we just celebrated the Fourth of July.







The picture at the left is of the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Frankfort.







There are 1,100 names of Kentuckians on the memorial including 23 missing in action.



The design is of a large sundial that cast its shadow on the name of each man on the anniversary of his death. Thus, each fallen veteran has a personal Memorial Day.



The memorial is located in Frankfort, the capital city of Kentucky. Here is a link to the website where you can read more about this amazing place: http://www.kyvietnammemorial.net/index.html



Now, I want to tell you about PFC Franklin R. Sousley, born in 1925 in Hilltop, Kentucky. He answered his country's call and became a United States Marine and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.







Franklin Sousley's father died when he was nine years of age. Franklin helped his mother survive the Great Depression and left Kentucky to work in a factory in Dayton, Ohio. He joined the Marines in January 1944 and landed on Iwo Jima on 2/19/45. On 2/23/45, Franklin Sousley, of Fleming County, Kentucky was immortalized in one of the most beloved images of the twentieth century, the flag raising on Mt Suribachi. Franklin is second from left in the picture.


Franklin did not survive the battle, but was killed in action on March 21st by a sniper's bullet two days before the end of the battle.



To most Americans Franklin Sousley was and remains an anonymous hero. He was the youngest of the five men in the picture and is buried in the Elizaville Cemetary in Elizaville, Kentucky. Franklin Sousley was only 19 years old.

Where Are You From?

If you don't know where you're from, you'll have a hard time saying where you're going. Wendell Berry, among others, has voiced this idea that we need to understand our roots to know our place in the world. There is a poem by George Ella Lyons called "Where I"m From". Below is a copy of this poem I took from the internet: Where I'm From

by George Ella Lyons

I am from clothespins, from Clorox

and carbon-tetrachloride.

I am from the dirt under the black porch.

(Black, glistening

it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush,

the Dutch elm

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I'm from fudge and eyeglasses,

from Imogene and Alafair.

I'm from the know-it-alls

and the pass-it-ons,

from perk up and pipe down.

I'm from He restoreth my soul

with a cottonball lamb

and ten verses I can say myself.

I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch,

fried corn and strong coffee.

From the finger my grandfather lost

to the auger

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures,

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments

-snapped before I budded

-leaf-fall from the family tree.

Here is a template so that you can make this poem your own if you would like. Just copy and paste the template into e-mail or word perfect or whatever program you want to use and get to work creating something about yourself that you can use in the "About Me" section of blogger or keep or just post on your blog as a poem about you! You can read my "poem about me" on my blog in the right column.

The WHERE I'M FROM Template

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.
I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).
I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)
I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).
I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).
From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).
I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.
I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).
From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).
I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

Have fun and good luck composing your poem. You don't have to follow the guidelines exactly, just use it as something to go by for your own creation. If you have fun with this and post it on your blog, leave me a comment and let me know, so that I can read it. Thanks.

Bob's Dilemma

Bob came over last Thursday and said he had not been feeling well. He said he did not sleep good the night before but was insistent that we work in the yard. We went to Home Depot and got some stones and top soil in bags and he loaded it into his truck. This seemed to make him weak and when we got home, I unloaded it by myself and made him sit on the little bench outside and rest. Nothing would do him but to pick up a couple rocks and move them around back. He did not feel good the rest of that day and I tried to get him to postpone our trip to Indiana. He would not hear of this. He wanted to go and play in a poker tournament there so we ended up going. Bob felt bad the entire time we were gone and when we returned on Saturday, he went home and called his doctor. He, evidently, according to a blood test taken in the doctor's office has acquired some kind of bacterial infection and was given a shot of antibiotics to get him started and then a prescription for antibiotics to take twice daily. His appetite must have gone totally away because he quit eating and drinking. Yesterday, he said he felt better and came back to my house. He looked awful and so haggard. He says he has lost 18 lbs. in a week.

I started pouring the liquids into him in the form of juice, and water. Then, made him eat fruit, applesauce, scrambled eggs, and some muffins I had made. He was gradually feeling much better, slept well last night and said he was on the road to recovery this morning and he was sure the food and liquids made the difference.

Next thing I know he has taken a fluid pill and a blood pressure pill and his blood pressure drops down very low. I could not believe he took a fluid pill when he was already dehydrated. We start the liquids again and his blood pressure started coming back up. He said he felt so much better and left for home with a big glass of orange juice in the car.

I guess he goes home and goes to bed and gets up and falls and bloodies his nose. His daughter, Ruth, is now on the way to either take him to the doctor or hospital.

I got a call from daughter Ruth a little bit ago and it seems she has called 911 to take Bob to Central Baptist Hospital since he has fallen and hit his head.

Ruth has continued to call and let me know what is happening and it seems Bob is very dehydrated, is in the emergency room, and they are giving him glucose and running some tests.

He talked with me on the phone and they have already given him 2 bags of glucose and they are waiting to see what the tests tell them. Ruth, Susan, and Michelle are all at the hospital with him at this time. He seems in very good spirits and says he is feeling 100 percent better. He will call me later to let me know whether or not he needs me to come over and stay with him tonight and whether or not they keep him or let him return home.

Now, it seems they are going to keep Bob in the hospital for a few days to run some tests. His blood pressure seems to drop whenever he stands and he had some kidney problems according to the tests they ran in the emergency room.

Ruth has gone to Bob's house to get his stuff and they will call me later if they find out anymore.

She will also call in the morning and let me know if I should come to Lexington.

Ruth called me at seven this morning and said they had done a catscan and it had been good. She was on her way to work and would take off this afternoon. She said Bob's kidneys were showing some problems because all the medicine he was on had side effects that could affect your kidneys. They are doing a scope this morning to check out his stomach. I talked to him and told him I would go clean his house but he does not want me to do that. He says it is in too much of a mess and he does not want me to see it! Ruth said he did not want her or the other girls to see it either! He has been sick for several days and I guess it is a mess but that does not bother me. Anyway, he wants me to wait and see if they let him go home tomorrow. If they do I will suggest he come here so I can take care of him and the girls won't have to miss work.

The doctor thinks the kidney problems can be reversed.

I have talked with Bob three times today by phone and he is still undergoing tests. It seems his blood pressure is still low but they have determined he has pancreatitis.

He will remain in the hospital at least until tomorrow. His appetite is good and he is feeling better. I am going to Lexington tomorrow to visit him in the hospital and if he is able to come home, I will bring him back with me as soon as he is out of the hospital and feels like traveling.

Today is Saturday and I left for Lexington this morning around 8 a.m. I packed a suitcase since I might have to stay over until Bob got out of the hospital. I went to his house and started doing some cleaning to add to what his girls had already done. The doorbell rang and it was Ruth and Susan, two of his daughters, on the way to the hospital. I went with them to Central Baptist and when we got there Bob, his son, was with him and he had been told he could go home today.

Bob waiting to leave the hospital.

They lowered his blood pressure medicine and took him off the fluid pills he had been taking and the arthritis pill. He will go to see his regular doctor and also make an appointment with the internal medicine doctor and he needs to schedule a colonoscopy. He was so anxious to get out of the place and could not wait till the gave him his dismissal papers. The picture below is Bob waiting at the door with suitcase in hand for the nurse to bring him his papers.

Susan and Ruth dropped us off at Bob's house and I finished folding some laundry and

vacuumed the floors. We left there for my house, stopped at Kroger in Lawrenceburg and picked up some baked chicken. I fixed him a welcome home meal with chicken, baked potato, green beans, rolls and tea. He has to watch his diet but says he is feeling so much better and so glad to be out of the hospital. He looks a lot better but thinner. I am glad he is doing so much better and out of the hospital, also.

My Son Turns Forty, Lordy, Lordy

Sarah and Rob

I can't believe that my son, Charles, turned 40 on April 14. It seems like it was just a few years ago that he was a toddler like his son, Thomas Wyatt. Robbie (that is my name for Charles since his full name is Charles Robert) was born on Easter Sunday. He weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. and had this big shock of black hair. Everyone in the hospital was talking about that hair.

I could not ask for a better son. He is one of the apples of my eye since I also have twin daughters, a daughter-in-law, and this little grandson that has stolen all our hearts. Robbie is so talented. He is the most wonderful artist and can draw anything. His paintings are just fascinating to anyone that has the pleasure of seeing them. TW is only ten months old and is captivated by his father's work. He constantly stares at the one I have on my living room wall and the ones at his house.

Thomas Wyatt

(Tater)

Besides working a fulltime job, Robbie, babysits TW every day since he works nights. That way the baby does not have to go to a sitter.

Robbie is also very smart and well read. He graduated from Eastern University and has traveled extensively in Europe and moved from Florida, to New York, to California. I am so very proud of my only son.

Being a father at 40 seems to agree with Rob. He loves TW so much and so does his wife, Sarah. They are both just wonderful parents. TW is a lucky little boy.

I babysat the "Tater" overnight this weekend. He is cutting teeth and was a little cranky but did not let that get in the way of having fun and inspecting everything at Nanna JuJu's house while mom and dad enjoyed a weekend away in Cincy visiting the art museum, shopping, relaxing, and eating at a nice restaurant.

He knows his Nanna loves him so much and we have great fun together.

Nanna sure does feel old though when she realizes her son just turned 40!

This morning Bob and I had our coffee, he took the trash out for me and left to go work on Vicky's bookcase he is building for her.

I made myself a wonderful smoothie in the blender for breakfast consisting of :

1 ripe banana

1 cup of orange juice

1 small cup of strawberry yogurt

Some frozen strawberries

This is such a cool and refreshing and healthy drink

My twins, Anne and Leigh, are the healthiest people I know. They are always eating right, exercising, running races, going to the organic foods store, dieting and basically just loving their work and life on the farm with their horses and dogs.

Leigh and Anne

Today, I plan to move all my plants and flowers back outside from their place in my kitchen where they have been waiting for frostless mornings.

I will piddle around outside with my flowers, do a little housework, and some more planting.

Bob will be back tomorrow with his truck to help me move some rocks, lay some stones to my storage building, and work on our garden.

We are planning a trip to Indiana on Friday.

A Little Bit About Me

I am retired from State Government and a person that enjoys life, family, traveling, and just being alive! When you get my age (62), every day is an adventure and something to look forward to. During my early years I used to think how awful it would be to get old and have nothing to look forward too or to live for but now that I am on "The Other Side of the Hill", I find my life to be wonderful. I enjoy my family and friends so much more than I did when I was working. I have time for myself. I enjoy working in my yard. I love my home and enjoy working on it. I have a wonderful man in my life that is a great friend and companion and is there for me whenever I need a shoulder to lean on. My children, my daughter-in-law, and my grandchild all live within driving distance and I enjoy their company, e-mails, pictures, and the sharing of their lives.

I am very fortunate to be in good health as far as I know. I feel great, exercise, try to eat healthy (most of the time).

I plan to just write when I feel like it. Post whatever I want to say about what is going on in my life and how I spend my days with friends and family.

If I am home during the day, I usually watch "The View", sometimes Dr. Phil and sometimes, Oprah on tv. If it is pretty outside, I am usually out there digging in the dirt, working with my flowers, or picking up sticks out of the yard or raking leaves. I have approximately 22 large pin oak trees in my yard that drop their leaves late in the fall, so when spring comes I am still raking leaves. I love to cook and I especially love to make cakes and cookies. I collect lots of recipes
from friends, family, and the internet.

I am a nut about reality shows! Especially, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, and The Biggest Loser.

Bob, the man in my life, and I love to visit the casinos in Indiana. He likes to play poker at the tables and I usually play the slots some but we never spend a lot of money. It is a great get-a-way for us and the motels are great as is the food and pools and spas. We meet friends there and enjoy visiting as well as eating great food and just hanging out with them.

Basically, this blog will be a place to just write about my day, my week, or whatever.

Today, I have slept late, made cinnamon toast for breakfast (cinnamon is good for your cholesterol), watched The View and some of Fox News, received my order from L.L. Bean of a new pair of navy walking shorts and a lime green, plaid, seersucker, camp shirt, set up this blog, talked with Leigh (my daughter) on the phone, e-mailed Anne (my other daughter), read my son, Robbie's blog, and commented on it. Now, I am waiting for Bob to come over so we can watch out favorite shows together tonight. I think we will probably have pizza and beer for dinner.

Not being obligated to do anything is something I totally love about my life at this stage.