03/31/09 At Moms

It's me again,

Well I arrived at mom and dads on Sun 3/22/09. Dad was doing well enough that they took him back to Manor Care,from Hemet hospital,on the same day I got down here.He's been doing great walking with help.He's also talking very clear and understandably and his vocabulary is much better then a few weeks ago.He still tries to eat his dessert first but mom is doing that "mom thing and making him take 1 or 2more bites first."

The day I got here mom was complaining about a sore spot on her head.I looked and thought it looked like a spider bite.It was hurting down onto her forehead only on the right side.By Tue. morning she had a couple of red blotches on her forehead and the pain was getting unbearable so I took her to the ER.SHE HAS SHINGLES,of all things.By now all she wants is something for pain.Gave her that!Now she can't go see dad because she's contagious.So I take COCOA to see him.He's sort of ok with that but not really.He really wants to see mom.OH WELL WE'LL JUST HAVE TO DO.By Fri. moms getting worse.Can't hold anything on her stomach and has the back door trots.I thought it was her meds. but NOPE,[that's 2 times I thought and 2 times I was wrong]I started throwing up and had the trots.Hers started around 4 in the afternoon and mine started about 9pm.

Okay.My brother Ed,has been remodeling their master bath so we can use a wheel chair for dad when he comes home.Mom tells me we can't use that bath because Ed said not to use it.We have one bathroom and 2 women with stomach and major bowel trouble.BOY,am I glad I brought my mohome this trip.This could have been a disaster.Anyway Mon.I had to take her back to ER.because she can't hold anything on her stomach.She was getting very dehydrated and needed some kind of meds.to stop the vomiting.They oh so helped her.She's about a day behind my recovery now and finally able to eat very small amounts of food.She thinks she might live now.And I know I will.

IT IS SOOOO GOOD TO BE ALIVE.

In the mean time I've been trying to fix some window problems in the mohome.THEY'RE TRYING TO FALL OFF.I keep losing the nuts that hold the crank arm in place.I HAVEN"T BEEN ABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS ANYWHERE.

4/07/09 Moms

Sorry I lag so bad.I've been busy trying to get dad back home.All of us kids talked and decided it was time to bring dad home.We all feel he's making himself sick because he's worried about mom .

I talked to him and found out he thought he had to be able to walk in order to come home.NOT TRUE. We just want him to be happy for the rest of his life.We don't care if he comes home in a wheel chair or walker or gurney.We just want him to be where he belongs,and that's at home with mom and Coco.

Well long story short ,with the help of his DR.we were able to get him home on Sunday.He couldn't believe he was coming home so soon.

He's doing great,eating like a horse and trying his best to get stronger every day.Being home has been very good for both he and mom.Coco is very happy to have her dad home too.

Now is the work part for mom and me.I'm teaching mom how to transfer him from place to place.It's not too hard for me because I out weigh him by 75#.Mom is having some trouble because they weigh the same amount and he's alot taller then she is.So she's afraid she'll drop him.She really can do it she just needs to practice.She's doing much better every time she tries and he's getting stronger every time we get him up.So between the two of them they are doing great.

I won't go home until she can get him in and out of their van,so she can take him to appointments and to church.I might be here along time but it's necessary.

I did finally come up with a solution for the windows in the mohome,and it's working.

Well that's about it for now.

I'll talk to you all later.

Take care.

Jan

Home 3/21/09

Hi all, it's me again.
I've been very busy since I got home.I was able to get my garden in and most of my flower bed done.Marion and the boys will have to do the rest after I leave.I'm going to take off for moms in the morning.I'm feeling like I really need to be there for mom.Every thing with my dad was going great and all of a sudden he started getting weak and showing signs of internal bleeding again.He's in the hospital again and they did find a large ulcer in his esophagus.The Dr. cauterized it to stop the bleeding.They're not sure if it worked or not because his hemoglobin is still low after 2 units of blood.So he's staying in the hospital because along with every thing else his heart isn't working right and they may have to put in a pace maker.I really think I should be there to help out if I can.
I promise to write more after I get down there.I'll talk to you later.
Take care.
Jan

Moms House 2/20/09

Hi all,

Well this has been a very productive couple weeks.Mom's doing pretty good on the pacemaker.She's having a little trouble with her meds.The pacemaker has an internal chip with memory.When the tec. downloaded the memory it showed a couple of irregular heart beats.Her heart was doing the rapid beats again.Not as fast as before,and not stopping like it did before.Just some speeding up,so the Dr. gave her some new medication.

March 6th

Boy have I been gone awhile.I came home on Feb.28Mom and dad are doing very well.Mom was a little scared to be alone until the tec told her that the pace maker was working great.Then she told me to go home.My only problem with leaving was moms arm.It had been hurting her for 10 days or so.I tryed to get her to call the Dr.I didn't want to go until she was checked.If she couldn't drive she'd need me to stay.She finally called the Dr.on Wed. and saw the Dr. on Thur.The Dr.said it was a pinched nerve in her shoulder,but she would be able to drive and do all normal stuff.So I left on Fri.

My dad is doing great.His therapy is going soo well.He's trying sooo hard.His therapists are working even harder then he is.They really care and do everything they can to help him take care of himself.When I left they were teaching him how to get out of bed and how to get into his wheel chair.

When he's ready to come home I'll go back down and help them get into some sort of routine.

When I got home every thing was good.Some cats were happy to see me and others wouldn't come to me for three days.

Marion is so good at taking care of things around here.She keeps my house running so well I think she wants to take over all the time.

On Sat. Derek called to tell me I'm going to be a GREAT NANA.He and Sassy are expecting some time in Oct.I've got very mixed emotions.I think the kids are too young to be bring a baby into the world but I also feel that I have to think back to when I got married.I to was 18yrs.Derek will be 19yrs. in May ans Sassy will be 18yrs.in Aug.

I wish for them, that they had waited a little until they're married, but then many ,many of us didn't wait and we got the best that life has to give.We got the love our spouse and a baby to go along with it.

We as parents and grand parents need to give them the best support and love and understanding we can.

Some of us didn't have that support and had to go it alone.That has to be toughest thing in the world.I don't know if I could have done it.

I think I've given enough talk for now.

Take care

Jan

From moms 2/10/09

Hi all,

I made it to my mom and dads house on Fri.We've been alittle busy so I haven't been able to write.

The first pict. is of my mom and dad.The sec. is of the weird side of my family.

Like I said before mom and dad are both doing very well.dad is coming along good on his physical therapy.He's able to move his right upper thigh some and they're teaching him how to use his right arm.This is going to take some time but we're all in it for the long haul.

If I haven't told you before my dad Jess is my step dad.He and my mom have been married for 14yrs.She couldn't have fallen for a better man.He is the kindest gentlest man I've ever met.He's the DAD that we've always wanted.[my 2 brothers ,my sister and I]There is no way we could ever love anyone any more.

Mom is doing great.She's actually doing what the Dr. told her to because she doesn't want to be away from dad.It upsets him too much and he falls behind on his therapy.

She has an appointment with the cardiologist 23rd. so I'm staying at least that long maybe until the 1st. of Mar.We'll see.

I got here on Fri and my brother Frank asked mom if he could fix dinner Sat.nite for his son John and grandson Aiden? Mom told him he'd have to do it all because she couldn't and I'm rotten and wouldn't.He said that was fine.That was dinner for4.Mom told him how to make braised beef and noodles.By the time everyone called we had 12 coming for an impromtue party.There were 8 adults 4 kids and 4 dogs.IT WAS GREAT.

We haven't all 4 been together in a long time.Franks dinner was great,Peggys salad was great and Pegs dessert was great too.

While we were eating dinner my daughter Stella decided to take picts.So we gave her the see food version of our family.Photo 2.

Any way they stayed to clean up and everyone was gone by 9:00.It was a GREAT EVENING

That's about all for now.

Take care.

Jan

I'm still home 2/06/09

Hi all,

Well I thought I'd be on my way to moms house this morning,but that's not happenen.I'm still not feeling up to par so I decided to wait one more day.I'm sure I can leave in the morning.The one thing I don't want to do is give mom and dad what ever I've had.The Dr. said it was bronchitis.I think that's how you spell it.It just means I cough alot.The cough is much better and I really do feel better just not quite good enough.

At least I'm all packed for Hershey and me.Her suitcase is almost as full as mine.After all I only have clothes.She has food,toys, snacks and chewies.These are the things every good traveling dog has to take with them.This doesn't include the stuff she'll share with Coco.

Mom and dad are both doing pretty good.Moms doing great and dad is good now that moms ok.

Frank will leave on the 14th.so I need to get to moms so he's free to do some other stuff before he has to go.

My eye problem was sort of like looking thru a dirty screen door.My eye Dr. said it might be the start of an infection. So he gave me antibiotics and so other drops.Any way they seemed to work.My screen door got washed and the lines are starting to smooth out.I AM OH SO HAPPY!!

Well that's about all for now.Hope to talk to you from moms tomorrw.

Take care

Jan

Home 2/1/09

Hi all it's me again.
My mom came through the procedure with flying colors.She's doing well and I guess they'll do more tests later to see if there are any blockages any where.
So we're good for now.
My brother Frank is down from Portland and is going to stay an extra weed so he can help mom out.I'll see both of my Drs. tomorrow to get my eye checked out and my GP for something for this stupid cold or virus that I've had since the beginning of the year.I don't like not being available when I'm needed.
Fore right now everyone is doing good.My sisters and brothers are doing really good.
Most of all is a BIG Thank you to God.AMAN.

Take care
Jan

Home 2/1/09

Hi all,
Today is a pins and needles kind of day.My mom,who has always been the strength of our family,is having a pacemaker attached to her heart.
I told you in my last blog that I wouldn't be able to go down for the birthday party for my dad because I didn't have the money.Well ,I was and am still sick too.
Yesterday afternoon my sister Peggy called to say mom was dizzy and light headed while they were having the party for dad.The nurse at the rehab.told Peg and my brothers Ed and Frank to take her to the ER.My mom,being My MOM wanted to see her Dr.instead.Her Dr.was at the hospital seeing patients,so they sent them to the ER anyway.Moms heart was very erratic and stopping and flat lining for 10 to 15 sec.at a time.DA!!No wonder she was dizzy and light headed!!
They wanted to keep her to have tests and get her ready for pacemaker today.
Mom told Peg to be sure and pick up their beloved Coco from home and take her to Pegs house.She told Peg to call Janett and have her go be with dad today so he wouldn't be alone.It sounds like she has it all handled to me.That's how my mom is and we all love her for it.
Dads doing good the last I heard and I'm waiting to hear from Peg so I know how mom's doing.
That's about all for now.I'll more when I know more.
Take care.
Jan

Home in the Winter 1/27/09&1/28/09

Hi all,

My dad is doing GREAT.His infection is gone again,hopefully for good this time.He will be 90 yrs. young tomorrow.I so wish I could be there for it.But sometimes I can't always do what I want.

Mom says his therapy is going very well and he's getting stronger everyday.He called me today to say thank you for his Christmas present and I was able to understand every thing he said.That is so good,because when I left down there on the 19th.I still had some trouble understanding him.

1/28/09

Mom had a b-day party for dad and invited the people that go to weekday mass.I guess they had a good time and he was surprised.He told me about it when I talked to him this afternoon.It was good to here him sound happy.

On Sat.my neighbor,Alfredo,installed my doggy door for me.

I spent part of Sat. and most of Sun.trying to teach my dog and cats how to use the door.The cats are easy.You just roll them in a ball and shove em through.Goldie learned real quick but the other 3 haven't got it yet and they won't come too close to me.I really don't know why.

Hershey took a couple days to figure it out but she has it now.The only problem is she goes outside to piddle and then runs in the house and poops in my bedroom and then runs outside thru the dog door.At least she's half trained.OH WELL SOMEDAY.

I'm still having some trouble with my left eye.Actually I thought it was doing good but my Dr.said it's not as good as last visit.He did say that the shots he gives me may take away the wiggly lines in the bottom 1/2 of my eye.I'm stoked.Even if they don't go away completely I can still see very well.

I guess that's about all for now.Take care.

Jan

Honey,I'm Home! 1-19-09 - 1-23-09

Hi everyone,
I'm home!!
My dad is doing much better so I came home on Mon.Hershey and I had a good trip with little traffic and good weather.
Poor Hershey ate to much breakfast and got sick on the rubber mat under my feet in the mohome the first hour we were on the road.We stopped and I cleaned it up and just left the mat in the back of the mohome.She did real good after that.
She wants to ride down by my feet all the time.That's ok in the mohome but it doesn't work well in the car.In the mohome she winds up under the drivers seat clear out of the way.
I was alittle concerned about taking Hershey with me to my folks house because of Cocoa.
Cocoa is an only dog and so is Hershey.They both want to be boss and it was Cocoas house.Cocoa is a very sweet loving dog who is sure she is human.
Mom and dad got her about 6yrs.ago from the pound.They were told that she had been spayed before they got her.Just a few weeks later they were told by their vet. that she would be having pups in a couple of weeks.She had 6 pups.Me being me,I gave Cocoa the nickname of"Pound Slut"So now whenever I want to get a rise out of mom,I just call Cocoa "pound Slut" and my mom answers with"she was rapped"It works for us.
I really shouldn't have worried because after the first couple days they got along fine.In fact they played and chased each other all the time.
Cocoa taught Hershey how to use a doggie door.That's great because I plan on putting one in very soon.
It was good to get home and see all 4 of my cats.You see they only let me stay here cause I feed them and when I'm gone I make sure they have only the best sitters.In this case it was my daughter, Marion.She takes care of them better then I do.She takes great care of me too.When I got home she had dinner all made for me.It was so great.
I was really glad I was able to get home on Mon.evening because I wanted to watch the Inauguration on Tues.It was GREAT.I so enjoyed the entire ceremony.I watched all day and into the evening.
It made me very proud to be an American.
On Wed.I took the mohome into the mohome hospital.She is in desperate need of repair.Some of the stuff from the trip with the boys didn't get fixed before I left for moms,and then I had to add some more to the list.
My coach batteries went dead when I got home from moms.
The furnace didn't work while we were gone.
The mirror on the passenger side [the one that hit the tunnel sign in Yosemite]was trying to come off on the way home.
Exhaust manifolds [still left over from trip with boys]Mohome sounds like a logging truck when you accelerate and like I have a 'jake brake' when I slow down.It was so bad it scared Hershey, all the way home.
I had to buy food for my house cause there was nothing to eat here.I had none of my favorite stuff. but I do now!!
I was able to go to my exercise class on Thurs.morning.I do so enjoy that class.The women are great ,and they're fun too.They really are cool people.They care about each other and there are no strangers in the class.I miss them sooo much when I can't be there.
Well,it's about time to say good nite.
Take care
Jan

Home sweet home ALMOST 1-16-09

Hi all,
Well I didn't make it home on Thurs.When dad was brought out to Hemet, I figured I wasn't needed any more.But I was mistaken.On Wed.I told mom I'd be going home on Thurs.She seemed disappointed.So when I was in the mohome that night I decided to see if she wanted me to stay a few days longer ,just for company.She said she'd like that.So here I am.I'm leaving for home on Mon.
My dad is doing GREAT. They,ve started his physical therapy,and he's very determined to get better.
Strokes are a devastating illness.They take a very active ,intelligent person and make them unable to do anything for themselves.
My dads stroke paralyzed his entire right side.His speech was very slurred,he couldn't use or move his right leg or arm.He had trouble with his bowels.Also ,because of not being able to swallow right he would choke on any food or water.Because of that he aspirated some food and got pneumonia.
Once they taught him to put his chin down when he eats or drinks,he's able to eat and drink without choking.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY THINGS HE HAS TO RELEARN.
I'm so proud of mom and dad,because they're both fighting to get him better.
He will be 90 years young on the 28th.of this month.
It's been very hard for all of us kids because we've never seen him down or sick before.He's always been the strong one.
But we're all doing as much as we can to help and let him know just how much we love him.
Well that's about all for now.
Take care.
Jan

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

My house 10/29/08

Hi all,it's me.

The top pict.is Grandson Tanner in front,from left to right Mandie and Micheal Derek and Sassy.This was taken at the pizza parlor were we had Tanners B-day dinner.

Next picts. are 2 of my cats.Black and white cat is Tuffy.Orange cat is Baby.Baby thinks he's the boss of all the cats.Little does he know.

I got a bug up my ear the other day and decided to redo a flower bed in my front yard.With the help of Marion I was able to make a beautiful flower bed next to my porch. After looking at it and then seeing the flower bed on the other side of my porch, I figured I better do something to that one.Luckily Derek came over yesterday so I had his muscle to help move a bench into the flower bed.Then Marion did her part by doing the design and Derek and I did the tilling and planting.Between the 3 of us we did a great job.Now both sides of my porch look great.

I think I'm done now until Spring.Then it starts over again.

I want to thank all of you for reading my blog.There are at least 3 of you out there.My 2 daughters and my mom.

Love ya all.

Take care.

Jan

My house 10/24/08

Hi all,it's still me.
This has been sort of a strange week.Last Fri. I had to see an eye specialist because I've been having trouble with blurry vision in my left eye.He told me I had had an "eye stroke".I don't exactly know what that is but it sure sounded scary.At least it scared me.He told me there wasn't anything to do but come back in a month.If it got any worse I was to call them and go in for some laser treatment to stop the bleeding in my eye.
Ok, I don't wait very well under the best circumstances, so after thinking on it and talking to some friends ,I decided to call for a second opinion.I got into see Dr Sumsion first thing today.GEE!There is something to try.I don't know if it'll work but I'm willing to try.Trying is almost always better then doing nothing.
On to some other stuff.Today is my grandson Tanners'7th birthday.I think I'll get to see him tomorrow.He's so cute and such a boy.He's really big for his age and trys to do all the stuff his big brothers do.I don't get to see him nearly enough.We went to pizza for Tanners B-day on Sat.He was all about his toys.[Why do kids never change]He ate his pizza and then we had cake.Man was it ever good.
I brought Derek and his friend Micheal home with me.They stayed in the tent out in the yard.They are both looking for work and trying to be grown up at the same time.Both of them are broke so they're saving money by staying in the tent at my house, Dereks house,Micheals house and their girl friends house.They are no longer asking for rides.Now they ride their bikes everywhere.
W it's Oct.28 and I've been in to see Dr.Sumion.they put some florescent stuff in my veins and took about 100 picts. of the inside of my eyes.It was very cool.The picts. showed there was;Branch Retinal vein Occlusion, in the left eye.That's good cause it might be fixable.He put steroids in my eye.It didn't hurt and I didn't flinch.Going in I was afraid of having a shot in the eye.No problem.I couldn't feel the shot and he put it in my eye off center so I couldn't see it coming so I didn't jump or close my eye or anything.
It's really amazing what we can learn every day.I now know that there really isn't anything to worry about.
My eye is a little burny tonight but not even bad enough to make tears.My vision seems to be getting back to my normal blurriness,so at least I'm used to that.
Derek and Micheal are still looking for work and they re starting to get some responses.Hopefully they'll both have jobs soon.
Well that's about all for now.
Take care.
Jan

My house 10/19/08

What's up?

Well every thing here is pretty good.I've been raking those pretty leaves I talked about last time.They're really starting to come down now.That's ok,I still think they're pretty to look at.
Hershey still thinks she's the biggest badest person around here.Ya, she doesn't know she's a dog. We have that discussion every day.So far I'm still second to her.She was trying to convince Legend[the horse]that she's bigger then he is.NOT!

She tryes to chase Babie[1 of my cats]all over the house.The other day Babie turned around and chased Hershey rite back were they came from.Now they chase each other all the time.

My animals keep me laughing most the time.This second pict. is Goldie setting on the curb in my front yard.Goldie is my cat that gets into every thing.He jumps on anything high.He tends to knock things off of shelves. So far he's broken a couple of coffee cups that I keep on a shelf that runs around the 8ft. ceiling in my kitchen.He got one of my hurricane lamps that was on my mantel.My poor house sitter didn't know exactly what to do.She cleaned it up and moved the other lamp.My loving cat climbs up the ladder I keep by my shed.He gets on the roof of the house and then when I go outside he meows at me and wants me to get him down.I make him get down on his own.It is one of his favorite games.Goldie thinks he's a dog.He follows me everywhere.If I'm in the garden ,he shows up in just a couple minutes.If I'm working out in the pasture,he's out there helping me.

In case you haven't guessed I like animals.I have 4 neutered male cats and 2 spayed female dogs.I love them all most as much as they love me.They can get into just as much trouble as my grandkids can,maybe more.

In order of age I have Lady 15 yrs. My Toughy 11yrs .Goldy 7rs.Papas Tuffy 5rs.Next is Babie 3yrs and last but not least is Hershey 1yr.

We do have a good time. They keep me busy just letting them in and out of the house.I don't have to take a walk for exercise I get enough from them.

I try and find picts. of them all for my next blog.

That's about all for now.

Take care.

Jan

At Home 10/12/08

Ben Lady

Marion

Hi all it's just me again,

Ben got out of his cast 10days ago,which was a Fri.on Sat. he had a sleep over at his friends house.I guess the boys mother told both boys several times to stop playing on the top bunk or they would fall off.Well Ben did.He landed on the draw that slides out from under the bed. Both Ben and the draw were broken.Bens' Dr. wasn't surprised.It seems that boys that break bones almost always repeat.They couldn't cast his arm last week because there was still to much swelling.So his new cast is being put on as we speak.He's not going to like this one. The last one was a soft cast because he had poison oak on his arm.This time he gets a hard cast. Hershey is finally all house broke.NO ACCIDENTS FOR 5 DAYS.She's doing really good around here.Her personality has started to come out.She's super funny.She plays by herself if non of the cats are around to pester.She throws her toys up in the air and chases them.She also trys to get Lady to play and it's actually starting to work.Lady has been mourning for Simba since I had to have him put down just before we went on the trip.I was hoping that getting Hershey would help her out of it a little.And it seems to be working.Lady has been more active this past week, then she's been since I got home.Mostly she barks and trys to nip Hershey.She doesn't try to hurt her she just nips at her with her tail wagging. I don't expect Lady to run and chase Hershey,but it's nice to see a little life back in her eyes. I've had more good news on the home front.My oldest daughter Stella[Bens' mom]got a clean bill of health from her oncologist yesterday.NO CANCER ANY WHERE. It's been 2yrs.and for the kind of cancer she had that's GREAT. THANK YOU LORD!!!! Next in my silly little life:My youngest daughter Marion[Dereks' mom] had to have her appendix out on the 9th. She was in the hospital for 3 nights all together.She got to come home on Sat. She's doing GREAT!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!We are in a great Fall weather pattern.The days are in the 80's and the nights are in the 40's and 50's.The leaves are changing colors and falling.But the trees are beautiful right now.In a few weeks we won't be able to have the doors open during the day to smell the fresh air because it will be too cold.I think I'll start thinking about Christmas.The things I want to put in the yard for decoration and the new things I want to make for my yard.Every one is coming to my house for Christmas this year so I try to decorate a little more. Well all that's about all for now.

Take care.

Jan

My house,Anderson 10/01/08

Hi all,just me again.

Every thing here is moving right along. We got the parts for the pick up today and we actually got it on and it works.I test drove the pick up after we put the light collar on it and it works and runs great.The only problem was the hood.Derek forgot to close it.I was going along at 60mph.and the the hood started to bounce up and down.Luckily I was able to get stopped before it flew up.So once closed tight,the pick up ran great again.NOW WE HAVE TO GO TO THE DUMP.

As you may have noticed I put in a couple of picts. from Yellowstone National Park.The first one is OLD FAITHFUL,and the second is from the MUD POTS.

It's really so cool.I can look at these picts.and remember just what we were doing and talking about when we took them.

Then there was Hershey.I'm afraid she hasn't impressed Toughy very much.He thinks she's quite the bother.He is a very shy and reserved cat and he'll take alot but I think he's had enough of Hershey.

It seems like Hershey gets chased by a new cat every day.First it was my Tuffy,then Goldy, then Toughy, and today was Lady[my 15yr.old dog].I do have to say Hershey learns pretty quick.She only had to be hissed at,growled at,smacked at and snarled at by each of the other animals once,and then she sort of leaves them alone,all but Baby.Baby is my youngest cat that is just as dumb as Hershey.They seem to have this thing going on.First one chases then the other does.At least it keeps them both busy.

Well .that's it for tonight.

Take care.

Jan

Anderson,Ca 9/29/08

Hi all,it's me again.

Well,last week was very busy .My pick up truck head lights decided not to work right.They stayed on when you shut them off.If they were in the low beam position they stayed on,if you put the hi beams on they shut off but still ran the battery down.Derek and I tryed to figure it out. the best we could come up with was to replace the switch collar.So I ordered the part.Then I found out I needed a steering wheel puller.The one I bought wouldn't work,of course.I found out later that I could rent the puller,so I did. It worked really easy,after I figured out I had to take off the nut in the middle of the steering wheel.So I learned something else.When I tryed to put the light collar on it,it wouldn't go.After much cussing and talking it over with Marion,we decided the problem was the hole for the steering wheel was to small.I took the collar back and ordered the right one.I hope it will be here on Tues.I'd like to use the pick up to take some stuff to the dump.

During all the pick up problems,my new pup[Hershey]was coughing really bad.I took her to the vet and found out she has "kennel cough".She caught it at Haven before I got her.The problem with kennel cough is it's very contagious to other dogs.Now I have 2 dogs with it.I'm giving both dogs meds 3 times a day.The pills aren't any trouble,but they want me to give them Robitussin DM2 or 3 times a day.Have you ever tasted that stuff?I can't get them too take it willingly.I'm using a syringe .I get some in them,most on me.This too will pass.

In the mean time Marion came over Fri. and helped me clean the rain gutters and I tightened the screws on my metal roof.It took most of the morning.After she went home I raked the leaves and acorns [from last year]into piles for Derek to pick up Sat.before he mowed the lawn.Marion and Derek both came over Sat.Derek did the lawn and Marion and I did a bunch of clean up all over the yard.We even cleaned one of my open sheds.Now I really have to go to the dump.The yard is starting to look much better.It's been several years since I've been able to do this stuff.It really does feel good to be able to do it.

That's about all for now.

Take care.

Jan

Anderson,Ca 9/24/08

Hi all,it's me again.

The final tally on the trip with the boys was slightly over $10,000.Most was gas ,of course.Gas was close to $5000,lodging was was next with $2900 then food.We did really well with that one cause Ben hardly ate very much ,but Derek made up for all the rest of us.Food was only about $2200.The rest was all the fun stuff and that doesn't have a price tag.This also doesn't include repairs.

All in all I think the price was pretty good for 9 weeks.There is no measurement on the fun and memories we have.I know I'll never forget it, and I hope the boys won't either.

Now on to the present.Derek,Brad,Dad and friends were in the pool the week before we closed the pool for the winter.I'll try to upload some picts.of them running from Dad.He likes to throw them in the water,and he does a very good job of it.

Derek is looking for a job and going to school.He also has a new girlfriend,so his time is pretty well taken up.He and his friend Mike and Brad have been doing some work around here for me. They fixed the fences for the new dog.The next weekend they helped cover the pool and clean the yard.I'm hoping to give them some time off,but you know how that goes. We'll see if we can get the pick-up fixed this week so it doesn't have to be messed with over the weekend.

The mohome is in the shop getting it's poor little body fixed, after all the stuff I did to it on the trip. I'm not sure how long it'll take,but I'm not taking any trips until just before Christmas.

Well that's about all for now.Take care .

Jan

Anderson,Ca 9/18/08

Hi everyone,it's me again.
Well I picked up my baby yesterday.I got her at the Humane Society.She's really a sweet little girl.Her name is Hershey.My moms dog is coco, my sisters dog is Brownie.So since my little girl is dark brown ,it seemed like a natural to me.Yesterday was a little upsetting for her and I. After I cleaned up 3 puddles and 3 poops,I was a little worried that she wasn't house broken.But at least she was consistent,puddles in the kitchen, poop in the bathroom.This morning she went running in the kitchen and was running in a big circle.When she got to the center of the circle she squatted to pee.I told her no and she stopped.I put her outside,she didn't go that time,but she did the next time I put her out.Waalaa!Pees outside.Poop works the same.She ran for the bathroom ,I told her to come and I put her outside and Waalaa! again.She's had a couple accidents but is doing much better.Enough about Hershey for now.
I'm back to getting things caught up around here.It's fall, so the leaves are coming down.Their only coming down in small buckets right now.In a few weeks they'll be coming down in barrels.I'm trying to get a head start on them this year.Also there are still alot of acorns from last year in the flower beds and along the fences.So I'm trying to get them cleaned up and piled for burning later in the Fall.
It's also time to cover the pool.Our temperatures have dropped to the 80's day time and the low 50's over night.Water temp. in the pool gets really cold really fast.So the time has come to cover it.Derek and his friend Mike and Marion,Brad and Chris are coming over to help with the pool and the yard.
That's about all for now.
Take care.
Jan
PS Hershey has already gotten very comfy here.

Anderson 9/15/08

Hi all.

Well ,the getting caught up is getting closer.

I took the mohome into Anderson Campers yesterday. I hope they can fix her,I'd hate to have to shoot her, she's really been good to me.She hung in when most mohomes would have given up.I'm sure David or Chris can fix her. They've been keeping her going for years.I mess her up and they fix her.We're a team, and we all work well together.

More on the mohome when I know more.

As some of you know we had to have our beloved dog ,Simba put down just before we left on the trip.

Poor Lady ,my other [still living]14 year old dog was lost with Simba gone and we were gone too.Shes just sort of moopped around since I've been home.It's also very quite.I've thought alot about weather to get another dog or not.So I decided if I could find one that was small and short haired, I might think about it.

I sorta started looking at the humane society 2 weeks ago.They didn't have anything that fit my bill.Well last week I found my baby.She's small and short haired and shes won my heart.

I get her on Wed. this week.I've named her Hershey.

I'm going to try and upload her pict.

That's about it for now. Take care.

Jan