Home sweet home,12-30-2008-1-13-09

Hi all,
I know it's been awhile since I've blogged,but I've been rather busy.
All through Nov.and Dec.I was really busy catching up around home.The trip put every thing behind.Fall got here way too early.I raked leaves and burned leaves almost every week.In between I was getting ready for Christmas.I made up my mind to do all of my own stuff this year because I haven't been able to for the last 4yrs.
Thank God for Marion Chris Derek and Brad.I don't know what I would have done with out them.They did all the Christmas stuff for me when Papa was sick and then me.Thank you.
This was the yr. for everyone to be at my house.
The day after Thanksgiving I started putting up decorations outside the house.I had Derek bring my tree and ornaments out of the atic so they would be out when I wanted to put them up.I did have some help from Marion on the Santa on the roof,but I did all the rest.{I WAS SO PROUD OF ME}
Then I had all my cards sent out by Thanksgiving Day and almost all my shopping done.Igot my shopping done the first week of Dec.Packages wrapped before the 10th.{IT WAS GREAT!!I'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE}Then it dawned on me that with my luck SOMEONE WOULD CANCLE CHRISTMAS.
They sort of did.My dad had a stroke on Dec.17th.So I went to be with him and my mom.I stayed 4days until he was stable and then I went home.Planning to come back mid Jan. when he came home from rehab.
We had a subdued Christmas ,but fun just the same.It was great to have my kids home and be able to love on the little boys.DEREK AND BRAD ARE TOO BIG FOR THAT NOW.
But my plans changed when my brother called and said "mom had broken her foot."I drove the mohome down onJan.1st.I brought Hershey with me because she got very upset when I left her at home on the first trip.When I Got here moms foot was much better.
Since moms foot was better and I didn't have to take care of her,I was able to concentrate on being sick.It seems I got a virus over the Holiday.Mom got sick 2days after I got here.It wasn't the same thing I had.Hers' came from being run down,mine came from Redding.Anyway neither of us could go to the rehab to see my dad.He started getting weak and not doing very well.It was 6 days before mom could be with him.The rehab had to admit him to the hospital because he had a bladder and colon infection.They gave him IV antibiotics and 2 units of blood.That's all it took and he was a slightly weakened form of his old self.
He's doing GREAT!!! now.He's being tranfered to a rehab. in Hemet today.This is great because mom can be with him much more every day.She can also take Cocoa{their DOG}to see him every day.This will also perk him up.
You must admit,this has been a strange Holiday season.
But for all the bad stuff there is soo much to be thankful for.I was able to get down to be with my folks when needed.My sisters and brothers were able to be with them and help them and just be there for moral support.My dads stroke was not nearly as severe as it could have been and he's already talking much better and he's starting to get some movement in his right arm and leg.He's a hard worker and very determined to get better.I'm soo thankful that moms foot was a slight sprain and not something much worse.
My brothers built a wheelchair ramp just in case he had to come home in a chair.But the way it looks he won't.Maybe a walker.So he'll still need the ramp.
I think the most important thing that we have all learned from this is that we're all mortal.
We don't ever think that death will happen to our parents,but it does and so we need to pay much more attention to them every day and thank God every day that we still have them,because so many of my friends don't have their parents any more.
So,SEE every thing here is doing much better,and I can leave for home tomorrow,if every thing is ok.
Take care and I promise to keep everyone up to date on my
Jan