Blogging on the Block in June

Long time no blog. I thought once school was out I would slow down some. No such luck. Things seem to have picked up, at least until this week.

The week after school was out we went on a week long college tour. Going to NC and all over east TN. It was an awesome trip. My son has 6 favorite colleges now; and since he still has 2 years to decide where he wants to go, then he still has plenty of time to decide.

We were home for a week, but George had to get ready to go to ETSU. We spent the whole week getting things caught up at home and packed up for him to leave again. He left on Sunday, and I spent the next 2 days at the hospital with my MIL.

Monday my MIL had surgery on the artery in her neck. It all went well and she's home driving me nuts again. I thought I would loose my mind sitting at the hospital by myself. Oh, Fred and 2 of his brothers were there until after her surgery and they got to see her. But after that I was by myself (except for an hour when my best friend came by), and my cell doesn't work in the hospital, no ones seemed to. I sat in a corner of the ICU waiting room and waited for visiting in the ICU every 2 hours. I did meet some nice people, and some hateful ones too. All the nurses were extremely nice and they all did what they could to help ease my MIL's nervousness. They all told me they didn't know how I managed at home by myself. LOL, if they only knew. I seriously would not recommend my situation to anyone.

Two of the families that sat near me were very nice, one family didn't talk much, not even to each other. The other family were from the same county as we live in originally but now live in Knox. We even have some kin in common.

Oh, and on Sunday before George left, some kind hearted soul brought me a cat and 4 kittens. They dropped them off at the bottom of my drive way even. The mommy cat spends her days dodging the dogs and hunting mice and stuff for the kittens. The kittens have taken up residence in our feed barn. Cute little things, weaned and playful. One is solid gray, one is gray and white, one is solid black, and the 4th one is black and white. Now if I can just keep the yard dogs from eating them, or just used to the fact that they are here. We have 4 cats down at the big barn and the garage, down at my MIL's house. The dogs know they're there and don't bother them, but these are here in their territory. Life on a farm, always something.

George got home today from ETSU. It hasn't done anything but rain today. He didn't mind so much, even went to bed at 9 pm. He had to check out the direct TV that we got tuesday or he would have gone to bed at 3 when we got home. He said he had fun, but he didn't sleep much on the trip. Tomorrow I can look forward to him eating everything he can find, so glad he's home. No...really, I am!!!

Goodnight, blessings and hugs to all!

Blogging on the block 5-9-09

Things are always crazy here. Today is no different. This week has been no different. LOL!

Yesterday, the old spruce tree that was at the corner of the old house fell across the road. I got a frantic call from my MIL not to come home that way. At almost dark the local fire department finally got it out of the road. Of course by that time she was fit to be tied and nothing would calm her down. She really got peeved when the hubby took me out to dinner for mother's day. She wouldn't go with us and she didn't think we should go either. We went, and had a wonderful time!!!

So, today we decided to go to the mall. That's a big deal around here, we rarely ever go except for special shopping trips or around Christmas. We all went, even the MIL. She didn't really want to go, but did anyway. We went to Belk and got her a new outfit for Mother's day, and I got something too. We walked around the mall and then went to Target to get a wedding gift for a cousin getting married the end of the month. The boy and my MIL sat in a corner of Starbucks while we shopped with the registry. All was fairly calm, so we went to the bread store.

As we were heading for home the water pump went out on the car. So....we sat on the side of the road until the wrecker got there, trying to get a hold of someone to come and get us. One of my brother inlaws was at the race track with his son who races, another brother inlaw was 3 counties away, my youngest brother inlaw (who is happily older than I am) was in Myrtle Beach (lucky X!#%*$^), and the oldest of the 5 was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, my bestfriend came and got us.

So...I will have another crazy week. I'll have to get up and take Fred to work every morning and then go back and get him until the car is fixed. I just love getting up at 4 am, yeah right!

Hope everyone else is having better crazy days than I am. Hugs and Blessings!!!!

Blogging on the blog, back again

Been here, been there and back again. LOL. So much and nothing has happened here. One trip to the lakehouse, 2 trips to SC, and working almost full time. Yes, the MIL is pouting her buns off.

The boy got pink eye this week, so no school for him. He was glad, but Fred had to work on fence all by his self this week.

The MIL had a doctor's appt this week too, and her artery test came back bad. So now she has to have the dye test, of course she told everyone she was dying. You can guess the calls I got from my brother inlaws and her sister. LOL, all is fine now.

I haven't been able to post for a while, my desktop blocks me from posting. Hopefully my laptop will let me.

It was good to talk to you tonight on FB Jody! Hope you're doing well on your diet. I made it to the 35 pound mark, still have some to go though.

Planning a trip to SC the end of the month. Another dog hunting trip, hunting for a dog not hunting. That means George gets to stay home with the MIL, he's so excited.

I've read 12 books since my last blog. Mostly Ramsey Campbell's, but 2 Patricia MacDonald's, and 3 scary short stories books. Started a new one today. "Something Wicked" by Jennifer Rowe. I haven't read anything by her before, but thought I'd try a new author. Most of my book shelves have Dean Koontz, John Saul, Ramsey Campbell, Bently Little, Patricia MacDonald, Brian Lumley, Richard Laymon, Frank Peretti, and Robert McCammon on them. So I've been trading for some new authors, just to spice it up. I've read all of Sharyn McCrumb's Appalachian books and I couldn't get into her new series. I love scary, spooky, mysteries. I used to read all science fiction, then I got hooked on gothics, never really liked the romance stuff.

Movies, I haven't gotten to watch many lately. I dropped my subscription to the blockbuster online thing. Thought I'd save myself some money for my summer trips with George. We're going on 2 week long college trips. Appalachian State in NC, the rest are in TN - King College, Tusculum, Carson Newman, UTK, Pellissippi State, then MTSU. The second week will be at ETSU. I'm looking forward to it. The big trip this year is to California, but George doesn't want to go. Mostly because he doesn't want to fly out there.

Well, I've run out of things to write about for now. Hope everyone is doing well and I wish you blessings and hugs. Later!

Blogging on the Block 3/243/09

Everytime I think things are getting better they seem to get worse. Stress is a nasty little thing, just as nasty as the disease that takes my MIL's sanity and robs her of dignity. I hate to feel so helpless, so stressed, I feel her pain when she has a bad day, and that frustrates me beyond belief. I constantly await the moments I can escape and breath my own thoughts in, but sadly they have become fewer and fewer these days.

This weekend Fred took me away for a night, and it was nice to get away. But the dread filled me when we got back into town, before we ever got home. I felt quilty for leaving my son with my MIL. He said it wasn't so bad, but she made up for it with me this week already.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the mountains I took as we took the parkway thru NC on the way back from SC.

Fred at one of the overlooks.

Well, goodnight, blessings and hugs, always!

Another Day on the Blog Block 2-23-09

It's hard to believe February is almost over. My days seem to drag by with the same thing day in and day out, but when I look at the calendar it seems to just fly by. My days have become so depressing that I just want to scream, although I don't really think that would help. Sometimes I question my own sanity, but in reality it isn't my sanity that's slipping.

Dealing with my MIL and all her issues is taking a toll on me though. I seriously need a break. My husband is feeling it too, so...this weekend we are going out of town. Just the 2 of us, and I'm so excited. We're not doing anything really exciting, but just getting away, just the 2 of us will be great. There's a hunting thing the hubby wants to go to in SC, but I'll take anything to just get away.

I understand my MIL has issues, I knew that 4 years ago. But, dealing with her flare ups is not easy on any of us. Being bipolar, manic depressive, suffering from anxiety, chronic pain, dementia and alzheimers really makes things difficult. I hear the complaining all the time, but when she gets the whinnies and squawlies I'm at my wits end. I can't sit all day with a 74 year old woman in my lap rocking her like a little kid who feels bad. For one thing she's too big and for the other she expects to be petted all the time and stubs up like a spoiled child when she doesn't get her way.

She has fits when my husband comes home and doesn't speak to her first. She has fits when the phone rings and she doesn't get to talk to whoever it is, doesn't matter if its a telemarketer or the family. She has a fit if I go to my mothers or the store, and she has a fit if I make her go with me or if I leave her at home. She has a fit if I buy something for George and don't get her something too. Example: She wants a cellphone because I got a new one.....I got her one, she doesn't know how to use it and now she wants a new one, says the one I got her isn't any good - how would she know if she can't even turn it on.

Then we have the bad attitude days as I call them, this is where she is constantly making snide remarks to me. Like, "I just don't understand how you can be so stupid and do all that for the school when they don't even pay you. You shouldn't let people use you, and you can't be here when I need you if you're always gone." She doesn't like it when I do things with the booster club for the sports programs at school, mainly because I'm not sitting here with her.

So, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. And......Then, the 2nd week of March I'll be going to the lakehouse for spring break. I've told my son if he has to practice all week he'll have to stay home and get his uncle to take him and pick him up.

Well, time to get a move on. I have to take the MIL to the doctor today. Regular check up, but I dread the sitting and waiting. And of course she's nervous about going out in public, and excited to get out, and talking about what she's going to make the doctor do. Yeah, it's gonna be a blast.

I hope you're doing well, in whatever you're doing! Blessings and hugs!

Blogging on the Block 2/15/09

It's been a crazy time around here. In more than one way. The MIL has had quite a few episodes, and I feel like I'm loosing my mind with her. We've been to 3 different dentist and Monday we go to a specialist. I hope he can make a special denture to give her some relief. Then maybe I'll get a break.

On the bright side, she does keep me on my toes. She tried to help on Friday while I worked, since my brother inlaw who sits with her was MIA, she decided to clean house for me. The diswasher really confuses her for some reason. She can't tell if the dishes are clean or dirty. Anyway, she loaded it for me, but she didn't know if it washed the dishes or not, so she took them all back out and put them on the kitchen table. They were dirty, because she couldn't remember how to start it.

Then she tried to mop the kitchen floor, but she didn't know which cleaner I used on the floor, so she used Tide. Yes, it was a mess.

She tried to sweep the carpets for me, with a broom, not the vacuum cleaner. It didn't work so well.

To top it all off, I didn't come home til about 11 pm, the boy had 3 ballgames to film, and I worked the gate and concessions. So, when I got home, I had to finish cleaning up her messes where she helped me. Hubby tried to clean up, but with her trying to help him he gave up. He now has a better understanding of what I go threw everyday.

I hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day. I worked 2 more ballgames, and the hubby got me a big ole box of chocolates (I haven't even opened them) and a very sweet card. Then he took me out to dinner at a nice place. I had an awesome house salad, ribeye steak, and a huge baked potato. And it was just the 2 of us. The boy stayed home and watch my MIL. He's a good kid, even if he did stay on the phone for 4 hours with a girl.

Well, since it is now 1 am Monday morning, I need to go to bed. Blessing and hugs!

Blogging on the Block Way Late 2/5/09

Ok, so I've been fighting with my computer for over a week now. My internet provider said I needed to update my browser, yeah right. So after tweaking and fiddling, comes down to the internet provider was having issues with some of their relays. Did I mention I really hate dialup. I still can't upload videos, and it is so slow....ugh!

Anyway, last week I tried not to focus on my internet issues so much, and the boy had tons of ballgames to go to and I worked all of them. This week, snow, snow, and snow all meant no school, and the days I was scheduled to work at the school were all null and void. So, with the boy bored, me bored, and the crazy MIL driving me even more nuts....the internet issue has bobbed to the top of my to do list. It is a little faster, but I sure wish we could get dsl or cable. Sadly, no one offers it in our area. If we could get directTV to come out, then maybe I could sign up for wildblue, but no promises. I guess that's what I get for living out in the middle of no-where, but I wouldn't trade it really. I love the privacy and the open space.

Well, I hope everyone is wonderful and happy! I'm off to check some email and read some blogs. While the internet is working. Hugs and blessings!

Blogging on the Block 1-27-09 Tuesday!

It's only Tuesday, but its been quite a week already. I still can't upload my videos. I guess its because I have dial up, figures. I finally get a decent camera and can take decent video and I can't upload it. I even tried on gather. Oh well.

Monday I didn't really do much. I took the MIL to pick up her perscriptions, and took movies back to the video store for exchange. Then took my cell to the boy so he could call me after football practice. Then I came home and fixed dinner and waited on the boy to call.

Today, however, was a different story. I went with the hubby and the MIL to her therapist appointment and then to the diner for brunch. When we got home I called the secretary at the high school, we go to church together (when I get my lazy buns up on Sunday mornings). She's also the one who calls me in to work at the high school. Anyway, I called to see if she needed me to help work the door or concessions at the basketball game tonight. She said please, so I went. Wasn't so bad, we weren't all that busy, but I'm sure tired after spending all that time on my feet. I even get to go back and do it all again Friday night. Yeah for me, its not so bad. I actually enjoy it.

You'd be proud of me Jody, I only ate 1 hotdog and a coffee cup full of popcorn. I didn't go nuts and eat the candy, the nachos, or any of the other treats they had for sale. I behaved and thought of my caloric intack. I was proud of me for not munching on everything.

Well, looks like I get to work tomorrow, so I better get to reading email! Hope you've all had a wonderful day! I hate to mention it, but it was a rainy nasty day here. I did get a break, I spent time with adults who make sense, well for the most part, this evening. Blessings and hugs to all!

Betty Blogging on the Block 1-26-09

I put the book down. I got off my OCD high stool. I kicked the scales under the bar, and I went out side, after grabbing my camera. (Lesson Learned - I need a bigger SD Card.) So.....now I have what I did yesterday and today. Which one do you want to see first?????? How about yesterday and then today. Works for me.

So..................for some reason I can't post my video. Probably because I haved dang dail up. Ugh.

I'll keep working at it til I get it right.

Later! Hugs and blessings. Hope all is well with you and yours!

Blogging on the Block 1-24-09

Well, I missed a few days blogging. Most of it had to with the MIL being a pouty. I won't go into, living thru it was enough.

The other reason is I've had my nose in a book. Actually 2 books. Otherworld by Barbara Michaels and Lost Inocents by Patricia MacDonald.

Also, on Friday night I was on Facebook chatting with my best friend from high school. I haven't seen her but once in 20 years, so when I found her on Facebook I just had to get in touch with her. We chatted for a long time, and it was nice to catch up with her. I set her and her husband up our senior year of high school, and I was bridesmaid at her wedding. Then they moved away and we lost touch. So it was really cool to find her. She told me that she'd been looking for me, and so had another friend of ours. What would we do without the internet?

Anyway, we're all in the living room tonight watching movies. All except the MIL, she went to bed pouting, normal for around here, so its all good. Fred and George are watching the Max Pain movie, I'm listening while I do my thing online.

I really hate dial up. It has kicked me off all evening when I've signed on. I really wish the new world would reach into our little corner and bring high speed and cable TV. Down between these 2 ridges we feel kind of cut off from the world. The phone guy keeps telling me in a year or two we'll be able to get high speed, he's been telling me this for 3 years......yeah, I'm still waiting. We wanted to do direct TV, but doesn't look like it'll work here either. The things we do to live out in the country. I don't really mind for the most part, I like the wide open space and the privacy.

Ok, so I'm out of here for tonight, gotta go delete and read some of my 496 emails. (That's just on one account. I've already taken care of the other 4 accounts. I know, why do I need so many accounts. Work email, survey email, family & friends email, the MIL's email (that she doesn't use) and festival email.)

Hope you're having a great weekend! I'm trying! Blessings and hugs!

Blogging on the block 1-21-09

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:
Men Are Just Happier People--
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks and engines.
A ten-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
Send this to the women who can handle it and to the men who will enjoy reading it

Ok, that's my copied and pasted email of the day.

Been a long one. Hope everyone had a wonderful day! Blessings to all!

Yes Jody! I know this means I'm cheating. I'll make up for it later, I promise!

Blogging on the Block 1-20-09

Oh what a day, oh what a week. Run, Run, Run, and not in a fun, fun, fun way.

I don't have much time, too much to do. Not enough hands, and my toes are so cold.

Dishes and laundry, floors and shoes.

I'm majorly OCD, the cold nasty day.

The MIL is hateful, I smiled instead of snapping,

Now pouty bottom is off to bed.

The girl keeps calling, knocking me offline. The boy is sound a sleep, and I hang him by his toes.

The old man is snoring, a book on his nose.


OK! I know it doesn't really rhyme, but I'm in a totally exhausted mood. When, on when will school start back, and can I send my MIL with him.

I did escape, I went to the ballgame, the boys won 40 to 38, very close.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely day. I had a.......... a normal day around here. I think my body would go into shock if someone didn't lay in my floor pitching a fit at least 2 times a day. Man, I'm getting tired of doing it myself. I got little bruises everywhere, like somebody kicked me. But she didn't, just stepped on me a time or two. I think she wanted the floor and I wouldn't move. She told me I wasn't funny today. I told her she wasn't very happy either. Her therapist thinks she should sell her house and we should build a bigger one. Hell-0 did it freeze over? We're not even going to go there. That's half the freaking problem, they put ideas in her head and I have to live with them.

Anyway, I'm out of here for a while. Hope you've had a better day than I did. She caused me to start drinking again. I was doing so good too. I was down to one Diet DP a day, and I had 3 today. Stress and crazy MIL's drive me nuts. Hey........I wouldn't have either one if she went ....... no, no, if I went on vacation. OH, alright, but I can dream too! Darn it!

Hugs and Blessings!!!

Blogging on the Block 1-19-09

We got snow! I don't mind snow, as long as I don't have to drive in it. I think its a lot prettier to look at than rain. Rain just makes everything look nasty, snow makes it look clean and fresh. Kind of like spring when everything starts turning green.

The field out back.

I got shots of the dogs last night before it snowed. They were all fighting over who was going to sleep in front of the back door.

Bliss (black) and Lizzard (black and white)

Lizzard, Scooby, and Comet in the background. Lizzard is Scooby's dad, he got all his markings in the wrong color. Must have come from his mother's side.

This morning when I got up nobody was the back door, and the porch was all covered with snow.

I did have some good news today. I didn't kick and scream at the scales quite as loud as I usually do. I lost 2 more pounds. WoooWhoo!

Anyway, I'm gonna go check my email. I have 346 emails to read. Blessings and Hugs! Hope you had a great day!

Blogging on the Block 1-18-09

Today has been a crazy day. I had to run to town this morning and pick up a print cartridge so I could copy stuff on my all in one printer. Then it didn't want to work half way thru copying. And I still have 3 notebooks to do. Oh well, nothing like trying to do work at home and not having everything you need. I guess I end up scanning it in and printing it on the laser printer. Slower, but done at any rate.

So, I went to the booster meeting, only one book, the one I'll use with me. No letters. Still have to print those, but since I created them I can do it at home. Jody you'd like the preacher on the board for the boosters. He's a nut, seriously, if you didn't know he was a preacher you'd flip when he told you. He keeps things interesting. The group that comes to all the meetings are great. Really fun to work with.

I played with the camera some today. Caught the hubby trying to snooze this evening. I'll post one of his better ones where his mouth isn't hanging open. I'm sure he'll appreciate that.

The man of my dreams, the hubby! He's a keeper!

Well, I have tons of letters to print, stuff, and get ready to ship. So I'm out of here! How everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was pretty good. Blessings and Hugs!

Blogging on the Block 1-17-09

Here is a picture of a hawk we saw today while getting gas at the little country store near us. He flew up there and perched and I grabbed my camera and took a few shots. I saw him Friday on my way to town, he was flying over the field to the left of the pole. He must be claiming the area for himself.

Saturday has been a pretty good day. Cold, but good. Hubby and I got out of the house for a while. We went to the flea market. Didn't buy anything but books, but I didn't see anything I couldn't live with out. Unless you count my Daddy. We ran into him there. He was just getting out of the house for a while. Mom didn't go with him, she told him it was too DAMN cold for her old bones. I think that means she was in a bad mood too and he didn't want to hear it, so he left.

When we came out of the building, I noticed a big change in the weather, the sky had turned really gray. Like the 4 letter word - SNOW. Thankfully we haven't gotten any. I like to see it, just not have to get out in it.

I had to run back out to town and pick up meds for the MIL. We forgot her checkbook earlier, so while hubby headed north to the feed store, I headed south to the drug store. I also took movies back and picked up a few. I took back MIRRORS and Babylon AD. I like Vin Diesel, but to me this wasn't one of his better movies. It was good, but had some slow spots. MIRRORS was good freaky and scary movie. Not the greatest, but good. I picked up Bangkok Dangerous, we haven't watched it yet. I also got an older one, Ghost Boat. It was ok, about a sub that disappeared in the Triangle during Hitler era and retruned in 1980 and they took it out to test it. The crew became possed by the ghost crew. Ah...it was a movie.

Well, I've still got a box full of booster stuff to do. I better get to it! Good night! Hope you've had a lovely Saturday and stayed warm! Blessings and hugs!

Blog on the Block 1-16-09

Because the temps were so cold today the boy didn't have school. He did however have a basketball game to go to. I wasn't planning on letting him go, or leaving the house today. Just goes to show, plans can be broken. I agreed to let him go, and I took him to meet the coach at the mall. I figured since the coached called and asked him to ride to the game with him I'd be nice at let him. Boy was it cold out there.


On the way to take the boy to meet the coach we saw 17 wild turkeys. They were in the lower field heading towards the bluff. I was surprised our dogs hadn't gotten after them.

Snowball finally had her calf. Its brown, not sure if its a he or a she yet. Big Red keeps sneaking off from the other cows, I figure she's getting ready to hatch too. We're up to six calves so far.

Snowball and her calf, with Denny's calf.

I got lucky and about 10 pm the coach dropped the boy off at home. I asked him how he got so lucky, and he said the coach needed to go by the high school to pick up some work to grade. So since our house was between where they were, and where he was going, he just dropped him off on the way. Cool for me, I didn't have to get out in the cold.

I'm trying to empty one of my email inboxes, but it seems like for every 1 I do I get 5 in return. Very slow going. Ugh!

On the bright side, I'm drinking lots of water these days. Not too much, but enough. I put it in the freezer til it starts freezing, then it stays good and cold. I don't like hot water. I have my Diet DP in the mornings and then water the rest of the day. That and walking more should help, I hope. I haven't attempted to get on the scale lately, I don't like it when it tells me to get my fat aXX off. Hubby just rolls his eyes at me and says well you're all mine and I don't mind.

Anyway, I'm out of here for now! Hope you've had a wonderful Friday!!!!

Blogging on the Block 1-15-09

This morning when I headed out to my mothers I got a treat just past the old barn. Just as I was approaching 40 wild turkeys crossed the road in front of me. I stopped and counted each one in line at they crossed. There was one who kinda stood in the middle like a crossing guard and the others all went behind him. They are so funny to watch.

So still smiling from that I head on down the road, watching for the icy spots. After I got thru town and hit the other country road, 6 deer crossed infront of me. One of which was a 10 point buck. He's crossed in front of me before, almost becoming a hood ornament once.

I figured it must be animal crossing day.

I got to my mom's and fought off the boys so I could sit down while she finished getting ready. They decided they both had to sit in my lap, didn't work so well since they kept throwing each other off. I finally had to get the fly swat after them.

At UT, I couldn't remember which floor her doctor was on. I checked the wall TOC, and it said C350, ok. There is no C floor, so we went to 3, it wasn't there either. I asked a lady in another office and she told me it was the 5th floor. The last time we were there I had to get an escort to bring mom up in wheel chair, because of her newly pinned hip. So I didn't pay much attention to which way we went. Anyway, we got there on time and they even did her blood work up there instead of us having to go back downstairs and do it in the lab.

Mom decided we were eating at Shoney's today, and it was ok. I got a large salad, and 1 spoonful of green beans, cabbage, and an ice cream scoop of meatloaf. I ate more salad and greenbeans and cabbage than the meatloaf.

I did my mom's to do list when we got home and she rested. She said she was wore out, she doesn't get out much because of her hip and new knee.

I headed home and the boy called just as I got into town, to be picked up from football practice. Which saved me a trip back out to town. He went on and on about what they did. He's got his first real girlfriend, and he wanted to know if he could use the phone when we got home. He ended up using his cellphone, which is ok too. They're not serious, yet, and hopefully won't. I know he's been crazy about another girl for 2 years, and went on one date with her. This one he just started talking to during Christmas break. They talk everyday, but I don't think its that big of a deal yet. I know, he's at that age. Everywhere we go the girls come up and hug him and talk to him. Even the ones he just meets hug him before we leave. Fred says he's a smooth talker, ok - Me thinks that's WTMI4M (way too much information for mom) to deal with.

Anyway, got dinner to cook, a kitchen to clean, and laundry to do. So, I'll catch you tomorrow.

Hope you had a wonderful day.

Jody, smoke break would not work with the MIL, if she can't sneak and smoke, she doesn't want to. She just wants to fuss with me, that's the only reason she does it. So....I'm ignoring it and she hasn't smoked any since Tuesday. Hopefully she get over it. I wouldn't care, but her COPD and dragging an oxygen tank around just doesn't sound like fun to me.

Hugs and blessings!

Blogging on the Block 1-14-09

Ok, I'm in a better mood tonight. I got a few of my do's list done tonight. Only because my MIL went to bed at 8:30. She's upset with me. She doesn't like it because I'm going to my mother's tomorrow. Oh well.

We went my MIL's appointments today. She got mad at her head quack (I really have issues with that office). For once she didn't give my MIL something new to try. Thank goodness. My MIL wanted something else, but since she is communicating with the family doctor (who I think is awesome) she didn't mess with anything. Physically my MIL is in good condition, its the other issues that cause problems. If you sneeze she's thinks she caught whatever you may have and is sick. If you say your throat hurts, hers does too and she just knows she has strepthroat. That's life on the funny farm. Her therapist, though an hour late, did get her to open up some.

Normally when we go to see the therapist, my MIL and I sit on the love seat. And we did today, but my MIL sat on the edge, turned towards the window, with her back to me. So, the therapist notices right off and ask her why she's so agitated today. She ignored her, would speak to her for a few minutes. And when she did all she would say is that her jaw hurt and she wanted to go home. So, she asked me what was up. Before I could say anything my MIL said we didn't come for you to talk to her, this is my session and if you're gonna talk then talk to me. So, she asked her what she was mad at me about. Anyway, what it came down to was that I caught her smoking. She kept trying to avoid the feelings questions and change the subject, but she did get her to talking.

So, this whole diet thing came crashing down today. We ate at that great little diner again. Instead of ordering the chef salad I order a fresh ground cheese burger with the works and onion rings. It was a special. I've been so stressed out and watching what I eat since Thanksgiving, I thought I deserved a day off. That was the only meal I cheated on. And I ended up eating fewer calories today than I have all week. How, I don't know. Spark says cheating is normal, as long as you admit it and don't make a habit of it. Everyone needs a break occassionally. Tomorrow its back to the grind stone. On the bright side, I am down to one soda a day. I've found if I put my bottle of water in the freezer and let it start to turn to ice, I can drink it better. Its nice and cold.

Speaking of cold, its horrible outside. I dread the drive in the morning. I'll have to watch for black ice. I was gonna ride with the hubby, but he's only working 5 hours tomorrow and I won't be back before he leaves. So, looks like I'm driving too.

My oldest son and daughter inlaw came by tonight. She started her new job today, just the training, so they came out to see us after work. She's upset that she hasn't started to show yet. She isn't even 3 months yet, and she wants to start showing. Oh my, that would be one way for her parents to find out. I can't believe they haven't told them yet. But after loosing the first one, I can understand.

I'm going to be now. Hope everyone had a lovely day. Especially you Jody! Goodnight! Blessings and hugs!

Blog 1-13-09

We went to the therapist today, and she never showed up. So I sent her a text, but still nothing. So, we went to eat, at that nice little diner we like. MIL informs us she has to go back to the therapist office tomorrow to see her head doctor. Ok, I look at my calendar and I have it down for the 21st. Long story short, it was the 14th, and she was also rescheduled to see the therapist after the other. This was all done in December when she went. Since my brother in law took her to her last appointment in Dec. I had no idea of the changes, and my MIL did't bother to tell me. This seems to be a trend lately. When she gets mad at me she doesn't tell about things. Maybe I should start pulling her hair out instead of my own.

Anyway, on to other things.

We had a booster club meeting for my son's football team. What a headache the next season is going to be. Because our club is chartered it will be in violation if we turn over funds to the school systems athletic fund. Which is what the new head of the athletic department wants us to do in accordance with the new laws that went into effect last year. So...we're pulling our hair out on that too. He wants the booster club for the football team to become an all sports booster club and to support all the teams. Because under the new laws if money is spent on one sport it should be spent on all sorta thing. But considering none of the other sports have a booster club, how are we supposed to get parents to join when we only have a handful now. I have a whole box of stuff to organize and file, and copy for the secretary position I am half of. Another woman and I share the seat, so it seems. I hadn't intended to, but...sometimes when you open your mouth and put your foot in it......oh well.

Oh, the things I volunteer myself into, I must be asking for punishment.

Well, the festival was over in September, and I still haven't gotten all the stuff I need to update it. I need pictures and additional sponsor ads to post, the names of all the princesses and the queen. Not to mention to other little details. And who has that info, and the pictures.....my brother inlaw who is staying with my other brother inlaw because.........I really don't want to go into it, so let's just skip it.

Since I'm pulling my hair out, I think I'll skip on out of here. Hope you've had a better day than I have. Blessings and hugs!

PS: You know, if I would hit the post button instead of the save now button it works a whole lot better.

Blog for 1-12-09

My mother inlaw (MIL) was born on Christmas Day in 1934. Her sister was born 2 years later, and her uncle travel to Detroit to get them and bring them back to Tennessee (TN) with their mother. She grew up in the home of her grandparents, her aunt, and a cousin. Her mother worked in a factory in Knoxville and stayed all week with her brother and only came home on weekends.

Her father was a hobo, he never held a job very long. He hopped a train from town to town. She heard rumors growing up that after her sister was born and still small, her father came home drunk one night and stabbed her mother several times. Her mother was in the hospital for some time, and when she was released her uncle brought them back to TN. She has no memories of this, and doesn’t remember much about her father except that he would come to town from time to time on the train.

When she was a teenager, she and her mother traveled to Indiana when her father sent them tickets for the bus. They stayed with his half sister and visited with him for a few days. After she was married she and her mother went to see him again, he was staying with a family on a farm. A young woman about her sisters age was there, and her father sent them to town with her and had her buy them new dresses. He was very ill at the time. She always wondered if the woman was a half sister, but no one ever told.

When her father died she and her mother went to his funeral, the woman and her mother were there, but it was never discussed. Her aunt told her that he had lived with them several times over the years and that they had taken care of him.

Her parents never divorced, and her mother never spoke ill of him. She loved him until her death and kept her vows.

My MIL worked in an elected position in the court house for 20 years. Papa worked with her the last 4 years she was in office. When he became ill she retired and they had almost 3 years together before he passed away.

My MIL has lived with us for the past 4 years. She had a condition called Hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication. Some side effects can cause brain damage and heart failure. We thought she was having a heart attack or a stroke when it started. She was in the hospital 30 days, and had to learn to walk, talk, and feed herself again. When she was released we brought her home with us. She was later diagnosed with dementia, alzheimers, chronic pain, and she also suffers from depression, anxiety, and is bipolar.

She and papa had 5 boys, and up until 2001 when he passed away, from cancer, she was a strongly independent woman. My brother in-laws all live here on the farm or very close by, although you can’t tell it.

The oldest lives next door, I can’t see his house from mine, but they live up on the hill out from us. He was given an acre to build his house on as a wedding present. They are our only neighbors between the bridges. They don’t come see her. They have 3 children living at home, all over 18, 2 boys and a girl. The girl is married and has a 4-year-old son. She does bring him out about once a month.

The #2 son is not married, and lives with the youngest son. He has a farm up the road that belonged to his grandparents, and is building a cabin. The old farmhouse is still there, but does not have heat or a bathroom. He comes and stays with my MIL from time to time so I can work or run errands. Not all the time, but sometimes. That helps.

The #3 son is married and he has his hands full, and I understand why he can’t help out. His wife had a brain tumor/cancer the size of a grapefruit 5 years ago. Now she has permanent short-term memory loss. They have 2 sons, one of which is autistic. He is the same age as my youngest son (16). She talks to him once a week and he comes by every other weekend. His farm is down the road from us.

I’m married to #4. She sees him everyday and complains that I don’t listen. He knows better, and I know she just needs something to complain about. What she’s really bothered by is being bored, and I can’t get her out of the house much.

Son #5 is the youngest. He and his wife live on the farm too, but farther away from us, near the old store. Sometimes she calls them, but they rarely call her. His MIL lives with them, and she has a brain tumor.

I’ve been by her side since papa passed away. I was with her when her mother passed, through her hospitalization, through the deaths of her aunt and uncle, and I’ve suffered her frustrations. When she has a good day, I have a good day. When she has a bad day, I have a bad day.

I won’t go into all the issues within my husband’s family. I chalk a lot of their distancing themselves to my MIL to the fact they don’t want to accept her conditions. I think in the long run it will hurt them more. She was always such a strong willed woman, and she always gave so much to others. She’s different now, and I’m sure that’s part of the reason they don’t come around.