"The Other Shoe Dropped" or Joe's Luxury Vacation In The Hospital

Waiting for an announcement or event to occur after an initial announcement or situation. When waiting for the other shoe to drop, one expects a pending situation to occur that is dependent upon an initial event.

This definition describes the Weaver household. I had a conversation with Dad a couple of weeks ago, and I've even stated in one of my earlier blogs, that life has been great for Joe and me in the last few weeks. I even went further and said that I wondered how long this would last - "when would the other shop drop"? Well, the other shoe dropped. It began last week... Thursday, June 26 - I came home from work and found Joe asleep in the bed. That wasn't unusual as he had become quite fatigued in the last few weeks with little energy to do much of anything. I had even tried to contact his doctor that morning thinking Joe might be coming down with the summer cold I'd been nursing. What was frightening to me was the way Joe looked. His entire face was severely swollen, as well as his eyes. His breathing was extremely labored and he could hardly move. I wound up calling Dad and asking him to find someone to come out and give Joe a blessing. Glen Ritchey and Dennis Thibault came and gave Joe a wonderful priesthood blessing. I am convinced that that blessing allowed both Joe and I to have our best night's sleep in a very long time. It was as though his body went into hibernation and,therefore, his breathing was not a problem during the night.

Friday, June 27 - I called the for an appointment. Found out the doctor was swamped and no way to see him. Took him to the walk-in clinic where he was seen in less than five minutes after arriving. After stepping on the scales, it was discovered Joe had gained 24 pounds in 4 weeks. The doctor perceived almost immediately that Joe was in trouble with congenital heart failure brought on by possible kidney failure. He started paperwork for hospital admission and we were off to the hospital. After receiving a catheter and an IV in his hand, Joe was eventually moved upstairs for an extended few days stay. Originally, there was another person sharing his room, but within 30 minutes that person was moved to a private room. So, Joe had his own room for the night. Yeah!!!

Saturday, June 28 - Due to drugs and the catheter, Joe eliminated massive quantities of fluid. (Did I say massive as in a bajillion bunch of fluid)? He gets another roommate - this guy has heart troubles and is brought in by EMT's from Nashville. He has a long ponytail and is wearing dark blue "whitie tighties" complete with his very short, very small blue hospital gown. I saw it more times that I wanted since he had to pass through our side of the room on his way to the little boy's room. (Come to think of it, I've seen waaaay too many men's backsides in the last few days). We were also paid a visit by the hospital dietitian. She discussed the Diabetic Diet, the Low Sodium Diet and the Renal Diet. What it amounts to is that Joe will never get to eat his favorite "good" food again such as ice cream, pizza, bacon, bran cereals, etc. Come to think of it, Joe may never eat again other than green beans and jello.

Sunday, June 29 - Spent part of the morning with Joe and then slipped into Sacrament meeting, taking Mom and Dad home afterwards. That's when Joe called me and life began to change for us. He had just been told that he was going to have to begin having dialysis as soon as possible. That's when "the other shoe dropped". Life was no longer going to be the same for either Joe or me.

Monday, June 30 - Joe and I got to watch an Oscar nominated video about the different types of dialysis. Bring on the popcorn and the soda water and where was the red carpet? At the conclusion of the film, Joe got to pick from a veritable smorgasbord of fantastic dialysis options. After discussing the various options and asking any questions we had, he opted for the peritoneal method. This is done through a catheter implanted near his belly button and hooking up a couple of bags. This is done while sleeping at night. Cool, huh? He is going to look so cool wearing his Darth Vader breathing mask and having his tummy tuned up while sleeping. I can hardly wait to hear the symphony of sound that will be emitted from his side of the bed. Later on the doctor came in and told Joe that next Wednesday his surgery will take place. Did I hear someone say it was time for Joe to pack up and leave? Not yet. Bummer! By the way, his roommate left for open heart surgery in Albany this afternoon. I commented that it looked like he'd be sleeping alone. Not 30 seconds later, they brought in a new patient. Forget any sleep for Joe tonight unless they dope him up multiple times. The new old guy came in from ICU and was somewhat confused (that would be an understatement) in his mind. He kept asking me to tell him when the ambulance arrived to pick him up. If they didn't show up soon, he wanted me to call the police or the Sheriff's Office. He kept moaning and groaning and tried climbing out of his bed. Not a good idea since he had lots of tubes. He wound up being restrained and given some type of painkiller which knocked him out for a while. Yeah!!! Maybe Joe will sleep tonight after all especially since he was given multiple sleep aids. Good night darling. Maybe you'll be home tomorrow night.

Tuesday, July 1st - Stopped by the hospital about 6:30 a.m. to drop off clothes and shoes for Joe just in case he got to come home today. While there, Dr. Graham stopped by and it appears that Joe would finally be cut loose. Waahoo! I went on to work and received a call later on from Joe saying that he was trying to get dressed. Unfortunately, someone brought a pair of shorts that was way toooo big considering Joe has lost 30 lbs. in four days with no belt to hold them up and oh no, there was no undersquare either! What was a man to do? Just stay in the hospital? Borrow the gown promising to return it when he returns next Wednesday? Put on the shorts sans undersquare and just stuff your shirt inside hoping you can escape the hospital without a wedgie and/or plumbers butt? Bingo!!! So, Nancy came to Joe's rescue and spirited him away to Mom and Dad's house where it is reported that he take a very, very, very, very l-o-n-g nap.

So, it's more excitement for Joe when he returns as an outpatient next Wednesday to have his catheter implanted near his belly button. Yuk!

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Disclaimer: No person named Joe was harmed while photographing took place by unknown patient paparazzi. The purpose of the pictures was to show that Joe tried to maintain a hygiene regime even while incarcerated, oops meant vacationed, at Tift Regional Medical Center. The photographs also document the exuberance and excitement Joe felt while a gues of TRMC.

Joe would also like to thank his many fans and friends for their candlelight vigils held on his behalf and all those who made the long trek from the parking lot to his room number 352 in the heat or rain. He would also like to thank the excellent staff who continually cared for him at ALL times of the day AND night.

The Naked Cowboy

I was watching CNN News today and all of the sudden my ears perked up and I recognized an old "friend" being talked about on TV. Apparently he'd won a suit again Mars, Inc. who makes M&M's. It was The Naked Cowboy. He was upset that M&M's had been using a likeness of him in their ads and he didn't like it.

In November of 2002, I went to New York City to do a childcare provider training. While exploring Times Square, I saw people running towards something and there was a big commotion. Though I tried to pretend to not be curious, I slowly raced to where the group of people came to a dead stop. Then I saw him - The Naked Cowboy. Here was a guy standing in the middle of Times Square in his whitie tighties with snowflakes falling down around him. There he was wearing his cowboy hat and boots and playing the guitar in his underwear. And the police were driving around watching him, but not arresting him. He would pose for pictures and people would drop money into his boots which meant you had to bend down to donate money. Talk about up close and personal! Only in New York!!

Did I mention that I LOVE covered bridges? I have been known to ride back and forth across one multiple times. I have been known to drive miles out of my way to be able to see one. I always roll down the windows and drive very slowly across the bridge and no one is allowed to speak while doing so.

Good News

A few blogs ago, I wrote about my latest mammogram. Today I came home and discovered a letter addressed to me from Tift Regional Medical Center - Women's Imaging. The letter began...

Your spot compression bilateral performed on June 18, 2008, appears to be normal. However, we would like you to return in 6 months for a bilateral follow-up diagnostic mammogram to do a short term evaluation and to confirm that nothing has changed.

Wahoo and Bummer! So, it looks like "the girls" and I have an appointment with the "crepe maker" again in December.

Dear Diary (excepts from my old diaries)

January 26, 1966

Dear Diary, I wore hoses for the first time. In the end I had a run in one.

(Boy have times changed. Pantyhose was one of the greatest inventions since sliced bread. No more having to wear a garter belt and attach the nylons while bent over in some grotesque shape, sweating cause we had no air conditioning. Now even pantyhose hardly get worn anymore).

March 4, 1969

Dear Diary, So many things happened today. Most important is that I got my driver's license. The test was really easy but boy was I scared.

March 9, 1969

Dear Diary, Elder Sterling W. Sill was at conference today to dedicate the chapel in Pensacola. He is really a good speaker. The poor man though, he was feeling sick today and had a case of nausea. He had to excuse himself when talking in the first session and in second session, he didn't even come back he was so sick. The thing about it is that he was going to Birmingham, Alabama to a conference later this afternoon. I got his autograph, shook his hand and talked to him.

...And How Was Your Weekend?

I always love going back to work on Monday mornings. My desk sits in front of the door where EVERYBODY has to come in and so I sometimes feel like a Wal-Mart door greeter. "Good morning! How was your weekend? Really? Well, that's great! Yes, I know exactly what you mean!"

Why is it that the older I get the shorter the weekends seem to be? And, does anyone really care what anybody did during the two day span when we were all separated? You say you care? Great! Then I'll tell you what Joe and I did...

I slept in late - late being about 8:30 a.m. I had to climb up in the attic to look for things that I wanted to ship out to Utah and I had to do it before it became 500 degrees up there. I didn't quite know what I was looking for, but I knew that I'd know what it was when I saw it. And, I did. I will not be going back up there until sometime this fall when frost is on the pumpkins. I'm sure there will be an attic story for another blog, so stay tuned.

Anyway, I digress from my running weekend commentary...

Joe and I showered, separately I'll add. I'm all for conserving water, but, well never mind. We drove to Moultrie. We were on a mission. We needed to get to UPS Pack and Ship before they closed since Saturday is the only day we could make it there. We wanted to mail off Corey's wooden high chair that Derek will one day sit his cute little derriere in. Anyway, that took until after 2:00 p.m.!!! and we won't mention the amount. Our lips are super glued shut. Then it was off to Tifton where we went for a late lunch or early dinner and found a great cheap special for senior citizens. Thanks Joe for saving us that couple of dollars.

After being sufficiently sufficed and stuffed, we went window shopping for a king sized bed. OH MY GOSH!!! Did I say sticker shock?!?!? I'm still sleeping in the same bed I've had for 30 years. The solid oak Paul Bunyan, four postered bed is still great, but Joe and I need and want our space. Thus the reason for the window shopping. We hit about every furniture in store and the cheapest and least expensive bed, including the mattress and box spring, was $1500.00. That's almost the equivalent of spending 20 nights in a motel with a king-sized bed. That's about 100 great meals at Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, Chili's, etc. I don't know what we're going to do. Wait for a great mattress and boxspring sale and then sleep on the floor? Oh, we could buy a king-sized frame and set them on that, I suppose and then I'll be chasing my pillows between the wall and the bed. Well, we won't be doing anything really soon since even the bedding is a fortune.

We then decided to head out to the Brookfield area and went to visit with Aunt Rachel. She looked marvelous and it was a great visit. Then it was on to see Aunt Alice. We drove up to her home and she was doing some serious jammin with her Jesus music! We had a wonderful visit with her too. She misses Uncle Calvin alot. And, we saw Helen before leaving Brookfield.

Then it was back to Tifton stopping at Wal-Mart and picking up necessary stuff and on home. I was starting to feel really bad - sore throat, runny nose, coughing, etc. I was beginning to sound like a Nyquil commercial. Especially after I took a good swig of Nyquil to knock myself out.
I did manage to get up when the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., drop Joe off at the church for his Bishopric Meeting and then went and crashed on Mom and Dad's couch until it was time to head to Church. I was never so glad for Church to be over and to make it home. Once there, I headed into lala land after taking two, yes two, Benydryl. I made sure I set the alarm before going to bed so I would be sure to arise for work this morning. Did I mention I wanted to sleep? How about almost 16 hours straight!!!

So I did make it to work this morning after my wonderful diverse weekend...complete with my roll of soft toilet paper. And the morning started out with "Good morning. How was your weekend"? (BTW...my doctor decided to take pity on me and phoned in a presciptoin for a Z-pack without an appointment. So hopefully, it's goodbye cold and soon)! Just think, it's only five more days until another weekend rolls around. Waahoo!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Bodies By Joe

Joe has taken up a new venture. He's becoming in his words "a lean, mean, fighting machine"! (That's his "lean, mean, fighting machine pose complete with his bag of gym goodies). I've been taking him to the gym ususally twice a week. I drop him off on my way into work and then Nancy picks him up when he's ready to leave. Then he goes and spends the day with Mom and Dad. The thing hanging around his neck is his own handy, dandy personal access key to the gym - 24 hours a day if he wished.

On the way home, he entertains me with his exploits while at the gym. There's the sauna that melts away the pounds and after about a hour and half in 100+ degrees, he emerges as a giant prune. He's also described the day when a female type person walked in on him while he was in the shower - oops! Or the time another dudette tried to carry on a conversation with him when he was sitting in the sauna with just his friend, the towel, drapped across his lap. So, who said going to the gym while the rest of the world is hard at work behind a desk is boring? Not Joe!

Keep up the work Joey! At this rate we won't have to buy that king-sized bed we've been wanting, huh?

Dad and Going To The Movies

Though my mom really loved going to the movies, my dad hardly never, ever went to the movies. In fact, I can only remember going to the movies with him three times in my entire life. The first movie was "Darby O'Gill and The Little People"in 1959 when I was 7 years old and it was at a drive-in theater. Drive-ins were always fun to go to as a child. The theater that I remember as a child had a playground up under the large painted screen. It has several different rides such a merry-go-round, swings and other playground equipment. It was primarily used by children during the intermission of the movie. I also remember some type of announcement letting you know how much longer the playground would be open. And, at the beginning of the intermission some short little film would come up and tempt your tastebuds with all kinds of pictures of goodies being sold at the refreshment center. One example is shown below:

There were some unique features and rituals that took place when you went to the drive-in. One of them was purchasing the mosquito killer. It was a coiled thingy that you lit, sat it on the dash of your car and smoke came out of it and it was supposed to keep the mosquitoes from bothering you. Check out the little film below. Maybe that will help explain it for those of you who never had this experience.

There was also the way you parked your car. You pulled up onto a little hilly area so that your car faced toward the screen and it tipped up the front of the car so that you could sit back, relax and see the screen. You drove up next to a post that had a speaker on it and you attached it to your car by rolling up your window a little and attaching it to the glass.










Tifton also had a drive-in theater years ago. I can remember going to that theater on occasions when the family came to visit with Grandmother and Granddaddy McGhee.

The other two movies seen with Dad were in regular walk-in theaters. Mom and Dad had gone to see "The Sound of Music" with another couple on a date night. Dad was so impressed with the movie that he took us kids to see the movie on January 13, 1969(how do I know the date - I found it written in an old diary of mine). I don't remember what the occasion was when we went to see "To Sir, With Love". I just know these are the only movies I remember attending with Dad. Mom, on the other hand, is avid fan of movies such as I am and we've seen many, many together. We have even been known to sit through three in a row occasionally.

There was something to be said for the old drive-ins. I think it helped bring families together. You got to sit together in the car or spread a blanket on the ground next to you. You could partake of food that wasn't regular fare at home. You could participate in the whole experience together - as a family. Yep, that's something to wish for in these days and times.

How To Prepare For a Mammogram

I know, I know. You may think this a little too personal to be placing on my blog, but hey, it's my blog and I'll put whatever I want on it. If you are under a certain age and have to ask someone "what is a mammogram?" or a squimish female or an uninterested male, just sign off now and move on.

I think I had my first mammogram when I was about 40. I've pretty much averaged one about every year with a few not done because of no insurance or fear of returning. So, I figure I've definitely had at least three dozen or more. Just because I'm an old pro at it though doesn't make it anymore pleasurable, fun or thrilling.

This morning I had to return to the hospital for a followup to one I had done a couple of weeks ago. According to "them", I apparently have some increase in my tissue mass from my last mammo done in December of 2006. So, I had to go back for more detailed xrays. It's always so fun for me and "my girls". You go into the outer office, fill and sign paperwork. There is always some idiot man sitting in there with his wife although there is a sign that says "Friends and family members are asked to wait out in the hall. NO EXCEPTIONS"! Yeah, right. And, the man ALWAYS wants to have conversation about anything and everything. Why can't he just shut his mouth and watch the Regis and Kelly on the TV or whisper sweet nothings in his wife's ear?!?!?

Then you are brought into the inner office where you are presented with a wonderful white robe - one size fits all and it does - with pink ribbons embroidered on it. You are also handed a black plastic bag and then ushered into your own private dressing room with mammo cartoons hanging on the wall. This helps to relieve your nervousness I suppose. After you have freed "the girls" and placed your "over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder" in your little black bag, you then leave your private changing room, hang your blouse and bag on a rod and then sit down with other women dressed in their wonderful white robes. Someone always make some kind of joke about letting it all hang out, the lack of perkiness as we grow older, etc. And, there always seems to be some lady that I offer to assist tying her sash before someone pops out.

It's loads of fun. What woman doesn't love going into an office, undressing, and taking turns sticking your "girls" between two, cold, hard pieces of plastic and metal. Then having the only "girls" you've ever had get pinched and flattened until you get tears in your eyes from the pain.

I can’t believe that I had to go back and go repeat this sadistic ritual again. And, this time it was using the special, super duper, small plastic thingy that puts more psi on your girls than the clipboard sized plastic thingy a couple of weeks ago. But, I am serious about having my mammagrom yearly. I was just running six months behind - remember the lack of insurance explantion from above? So, today was the big day for me to return for a repeat performance! Lucky me! My "girls" are just the right size for the flattening ritual, I thought. Big enough to have some good padding but not too small to have to stretch them all over the plastic thingy. Let me just say here and now...it don't matter what size your "girls" are, this second round of tests with the small plastic thingy hurts. I wouldn't be surprised if I wake up tomorrow with strange looking bruises all over my chest.

So, for those of you who have never had this experience, I thought I'd share some things that might help you prepare for that upcoming boob test...

Many women are afraid of their first mammogram, but there is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test. And best of all, you can do these simple exercises right in your home.

EXERCISE ONE:

Open your refrigerator door and insert one breast in door. Shut as hard as possible and lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat again in case the first time wasn't effective enough.

EXERCISE TWO:

Visit your garage at 3 AM when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor with one breast wedged under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Turn over and repeat with the other breast.

EXERCISE THREE:

Freeze two metal bookends over night. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Press the bookends against one of your breasts. Smash the bookends together as hard as you can. Set up an appointment with the stranger to meet next year and do it again.

YOU ARE NOW TOTALLY PREPARED! You will wonder what you were so worried or scared about.

I also ran across this little poem, I'd like to share:

The Mammogram By Julia Napier

For years and years they told me,
Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever squeeze or bruise them.
And give them monthly tests.

So I heeded all their warnings,
And protected them by law.
Guarded them very carefully,
And I always wore my bra.

After 30 years of astute care,
My gyno, Dr. Pruitt,
Said I should get a Mammogram.
"O.K." I said, 'let's do it."

"Stand up here real close" she said,
(She got my boob in line),
"And tell me when it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine."

She stepped upon a pedal,
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate came slamming down,
My hooter's in a vise!

My skin was stretched and mangled,
From underneath my chin.
My poor boob was being squashed,
To Swedish Pancake thin.

Excruciating pain I felt,
Within it's vise-like grip.
A prisoner in this vicious thing,
My poor defenseless tit!

"Take a deep breath" she said to me,
Who does she think she's kidding?!?
My chest is mashed in her machine,
And woozy I am getting.

"There, that's good," I heard her say,
(The room was slowly swaying.)
"Now, let's have a go at the other one."
Have mercy, I was praying.

It squeezed me from both up and down,
It squeezed me from both sides.
I'll bet SHE'S never had this done,
To HER tender little hide.

Next time that they make me do this,
I will request a blindfold.
I have no wish to see again,
My knockers getting steam rolled.

If I had no problem when I came in,
I surely have one now.
If there had been a cyst in there,
It would have gone "ker-pow!"

This machine was created by a man,
Of this, I have no doubt.
I'd like to stick his balls in there,
And see how THEY come out!

Seriously, mammograms are not a bad thing. Every woman needs to get one and get it done every year. I guess this last one kinda bothered me though as I wonder how long before the odds catch up to me. After all, I've already been biopsied four years ago and it seems that I never have a "normal" mammogram. But, no matter what I will continue to get them yearly and hope and pray that though my "girls" have to be squished, it's all good. I will have a very long life with my husband, my children, my grandchildren and my family. Here's to continued good health and a good report in the next few days and years!

Behold! Art Thou Romeo and Juliet?

While attending Tift County High School, both Helen and Corey were in chorus together. One of the things the chorus did was a medival banquet with singing and dancing in costumes. Don't you just love Corey's sexy legs in his black tights?

Out of the Mouth of Babes About Babes

Corey called tonight to talk. It was one of his more chatty nights in a long while. Don't get me wrong, I loved it! I wound up putting the phone on speaker mode and just setting it down on my desk. He called primarily to let Joe and me hear Derek "talking". He (Derek) was doing a great amount of cooing , gurgling and "talking". Corey was doing a great deal of gushing and bragging with a great deal of pride in his son. All this causes my heart to melt listening to the both of them. My son with his son. I am gaining a better respect and love for modern technology with every phone call and instant cell phone picture or video. Though far away, it does help me to feel a little more connected to this little person that I've barely been able to know in person.

I love listening to Corey's colorful descriptions of life with Derek and how it has made living a very interesting part of Corey and Nikki's lives. For example, tonight Corey was talking about how Derek is really starting to drool. In his words..."Derek drools like a St. Bernard". Or, he's learning to bounce around in a new standing toy, but because he legs don't quite touch the floor, he leans over to one side and then bounces around "like a pogo stick".

Corey was also describing how he had gotten his Utah fishing license for a Father's Day gift and how he can't wait to take Derek fishing. (Remember he's only a little over four months old at this time). He's got the spot picked out and he's ready when Derek is ready. I think this would be the appropriate time to post a picture I found of Les and Corey when he was just a few months old. Les too had plans for taking Corey fishing and was going to give him as much practice as possible as shown in the picture.

So Corey, you come by it honestly. Just give Derek a little more time and one day you'll be having your picture made just like you and your dad did.

Oh No...I've Been Tagged!!!

Thanks alot Vickie!!!

The rules are: list (3) joys; (3) fears; (3) goals; (3) current obsessions/collections; (3) random surprising facts about yourself. Then you tag five more unsuspecting people at the end of your blog by leaving their names at the end. (Do I even know five unsuspecting people, hmmmm)?

So here goes -

3 joys: (1) Joe with his sweet spirit, loving heart and rosy cheeks; (2) music - good, loud, soft, emotional, dancing; and (3) my family with all their weirdness and craziness and the stability that Mom and Dad bring to it.

3 fears: (1) violent thunderstorms; (2) bugs crawling on me when I'm asleep; and (3) losing Mom and Dad sometime in the future.

3 goals: (1) losing 100 lbs.; (2) be debt free; (3) move out west to be near Corey, Nikki and all my grandbabies (with Joe, of course and probably to Wyoming).

3 current obsessions/collections: (1) primitive angels, preferably wooden; (2) work; and (3) blogging!

3 random surprising facts about yourself: (1) I would LOVE a Mustang GT convertible with dual pipes, five speed transmission, chrome rims; and black with a fantastic stereo system; (2) I'd like to start/run a childcare program on an Indian reservation; (3) At one time I suffered from severe depression - but not anymore!!! Life is good - I am in a happy place in my life!

So, now the five people (three couples) I tag are:

Doug and Erin
Michael and Michelle
Corey and Nikki

My Graduation

With all the graduations taking place in the last few weeks, I decided to bite the bullet and tell a little something about my own graduation. I can describe it in three words "I HATED IT"! But, one of the greatest things about my graduation was that Mr. Bill and his wife, Carol, came from South Carolina to attend my graduation.

I may have said it in an earlier blog, but it bears repeating...I hated high school. I went to two high schools since Dad was in the Air Force - one in Niceville, Florida (Eglin AFB) and Valdosta, Georgia (Moody AFB). I never got to know anyone real well so I had no high school friends. I was the poster child of "Wall Flowers". I was invisible, I doubt anyone would remember me. I was never so happy to see my night of graduation come so that I could move on to bigger and better things beyond high school and Valdosta, Georgia. And I did...I got friends, I went places, people definitely got to know who I was and I wasn't shy anymore!

You may have forgotten, but I haven't. Filed away in my memory to be kept forever, are the loving, encouraging words you spoke so many times when I needed them...and now at times I am reminded of your words and I am lifted up once more.

For My Dad, Jim

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I've thought about what I would say on this blog for some time. What could I say to explain the love and admiration I have with my dad? He has always been the rock and the foundation of our family. I've always believed and respected everything he said. I may not have always liked what he said, but I always knew he had my best interest at heart.

I've been going through old pictures and papers that I've had stored away and ran across this poem that I wrote to Dad for Father's Day back in 1962. (Click on it and it will enlarge if you really want to read it).

I think I've had a more bonding relationship with my dad probably in the last ten years. That's when my life started making such drastic changes after my first marriage ended. My dad gave me the stability I needed and wanted and he also was a good example of what being a honest, devoted and loving man was and should be. Without his help, guidance and advice, I don't know where or what I would have done.

My two favorite times that I've spent with my dad that come immediately to my mind are:

- When I was a senior in high school I was having a hard time with my classes. There was a lot of pressure being put on me for my graduation requirements since I'd moved from a Florida high school to my new Georgia high school. State requirements were different and, therefore, I was required to take certain classes in order to graduate. I felt I was having a great deal of stress and during one of my conversations with Dad about all this he took me out for a talk. He took me to a nearby Dairy Queen, bought us an ice cream cone and we proceeded to discuss my problems. I don't remember the conversation, but I do remember how that time alone with him made me able to get through my senior year. In fact, I was on the Honor Roll the entire year.

- In early 2008, I had the opportunity of playing chauffeur to Dad when he needed to go to Atlanta for some extensive eye tests. We started off in Macon, came home that day and then left at 3:30 a.m. the next morning to be in Atlanta by 8:00 a.m. We arrived with absolutely no problems on the other side of Atlanta. In fact, we had to wait for about a hour and a half until his appointment and it was a very, very cold day. Anyway, we found out that we were going to have to spend the night so other tests could be run. We figured that might be a possibility, so we'd packed overnight bags. We found us a hotel room and then went to dinner. Next morning we went back to Dad's appointment and then headed home.

I loved the opportunity of doing this for Dad. I always felt it was meant for me to have this time with him. I was still unemployed, so taking time from work was not a problem; I knew Atlanta very well after living there for awhile. In fact, the doctor's office was located in the area I used to live and work. So, we never got lost and made all appointments on time.

This was also the first time in many, many years that I'd spent alone with my dad for a period of time. In fact, I can't remember the last time I'd eaten dinner alone with Dad. What a wonderful experience it was for me.

I've known that my dad always loved my mother. He was never an affectionate man, but he always kissed my mother hello and goodbye. (I remember he used to ask her to remove her hand from his knee when driving). But I'd never heard him tell her he loved her. In fact, he'd never told any of us he loved us. I think it was that strong Quaker upbringing he had growing up. I pointed that fact out to him a few years ago and he now tells us he loves us. I always knew he did, but it's nice to hear it from his lips.

My dad has been a righteous priesthood bearer. I'm grateful for the many blessings he has given me during my life time whether it's been a healing blessing, a blessing given at the beginning of each and every school year, a blessing given on my wedding day, blessings when I needed comfort, etc. He's been an example to my own child when he needed a good father figure and comfort and advice.

I've never heard an unkind thing said about my dad - wish the same were true for me. He seems to know everyone and everyone seems to know him. I've always said that if you look in the dictionary under the word "patriarch", his picture would be there. And, that is the way it should be. In the words of Corey "Granddad is the glue that holds this family together". I love you Dad!

My One and Only Prom

That's what I said...My one and only prom and it wasn't even my own high school prom and I was no longer in high school.

My date was Clayton Freeman. I attended Valdosta High School and he attended Lowndes County High School. Rival high school, too. Anyway, Clayton and I started dating each other when I had graduated from high school. He was a member of the Church and I had the biggest crush on him. I never considered that I was in love with him although we had a relationship that lasted for more than two years. When he left to go on his mission to Fiji, we continued to write to each other. And, the night that he was released as a missionary, he called me and said he wanted to see me the first night he got back in Valdosta. We did see each other, he wanted to get married and I didn't. I considered myself still too young and there was a big world out there to explore without being married. So, I broke his heart and I later moved to New Jersey with the family.

Clayton was a wonderful person. He is the first guy that I ever dated. I remember he took me to see "Love Story" with Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw. It was a great chick flick and I admire him for taking me. He gave me a bracelet that had my name engraved on the top and his underneath. (I think I still have that bracelet in my jewelry box). I have nothing but fond memories of Clayton other than the time he hurt my feelings at a summer Youth Conference in Tallahassee, but we got over that. The last I heard about Clayton was that he'd married a girl I knew and they later divorced. Wonder what he's doing now? Just curious.

But, back to the prom...I made the dress I'm wearing. I used to design and make all my own clothes - I loved doing that. And, I was standing on the bottom step as Clayton was much taller than me. He gave me an orchid coursage, we went to the prom and had a wonderful time. So, that was my one and only prom.

This is my heartthrob picture of Clayton all dressed up in his 1970's attire. He was good-looking. The other picture was taken at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel in either 1970 or 1971. It was while Dad was in Vietnam and this was a family outing that Mom allowed Clayton to be a part of. That's Nancy sitting on the kiddie ride.

Do You Remember? I Do!

It took five minutes for the TV warm up? (I think my Mom and Dad said they bought their first television in 1952).

Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school? (I remember my mom being home everyday waiting to hear about our day. And, there was always some kind of afternoon snack).

Nobody owned a purebred dog? (I only remember mutts or strays. The only exception I recall was Velvet who was a purebred black female Schnauzer we got in New Jersey and was a member of our family for many years).

That's me on the left with Velvet and Cotton while living in Brookfield, Georgia. And, then me above in the wheelbarrow with Velvet at the same home. Why I was sitting in the wheelbarrow in my houseshoes, I don't seem to remember. When Velvet died she was buried on the property.

When a quarter was a decent allowance? (I think my allowance finally made it to fifty cents).

Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces? (Forget Mom...I wore nylons that came in two pieces as well as a garter belt).

All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels? (Maybe that's why I had a crush on Mr. Calvin Cowles in the 6th grade)?

You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot? (Yep, I remember all that).

Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box? (Wow, I had forgotten about all that. That's how Mom collected our drinking glass sets).

It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents? (I remember most of all the NCO Club in Japan. We used to go there every Sunday after church, if I remember, and I always had the fried rice. The best I remember ever eating).

When a 57 Chevy was everyone's dream car...to cruise, peel out, lay rubber or watch submarine races, and people went steady? (Well, we had the 57 Chevy stationwagon named Betsy - everything else I don't remember).

No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?

Lying on your back in the grass with your friends and saying things like, "That cloud looks like a " and playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game? (I remember the cloud thing with my mom as one of my favorite memories. I even did the same thing with Corey and my daycare kids).

Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?

And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once, you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace,and share it with the children of today? (I certainly do. I remember coming home from school, changing into my "play clothes" and then heading outside to play. We always came running home though when we heard Mom ring the brass bell Dad brought back from Morocco)

(About the bell...it is now in the possession of Aunt Nancy since she had more children and now has more grandchildren).

Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat. (Amen)!

I remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Howdy Doody and the Peanut Gallery, Sky King (I had a crush on him), the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Trigger and Buttermilk and the original Bonanza when it wasn't reruns.
I remember Hula Hoops, mixing Kool-Aid powder with sugar containing Red Dye #40 and cyclamates and double dog dares. I remember candy cigarettes, wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside, soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles, diners with tableside jukeboxes, Clove and Teaberry chewing gum.

Newsreels before the movie, telephone numbers with a word prefix...(PARK 35496 - the first telephone number I every memorized). Party lines, Hi-Fi's, 45 RPM records and 78 RPM records! Green Stamps, metal ice cubes trays with levers, Mimeograph paper, Roller-skate keys, cowgirl outfits, drive-in movies, washtub wringers and Reel-To-Reel tape recorders.

Also, Tinkertoys, Erector Sets, Lincoln Logs, 15 cent McDonald hamburgers (and a full meal with change from your dollar bill), Barbie dolls, 5 cent packs of baseball cards with that awful pink slab of bubble gum. penny candy, 27 cent a gallon gasoline, Jiffy Pop popcorn and decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-moe". (That's me (on the left) on Christmas Day about 1961 with my new Barbie Doll. You can't see her very well since she was dressed in her delicate pink peignoir robe and gown. I still have her and many of her clothes).

Remember mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do Over!", catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening, the worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was "cooties", having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot and Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures.

I also remember "Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense, spinning around getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles and the worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team. War was a card game, baseball cards in your bicycle spokes transformed it into a motorcycle, taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin and water balloons were the ultimate weapon.

What else do you remember?

Losin' My Religion

Did I mention that last Sunday while sitting in church my cell phone went off? Did I also mention that it was during Fast and Testimony meeting when it was totally quiet? And, of course, people started looking around trying to find out what idiot had a ringing cell phone. My purse was on the pew next to my right butt cheek and since that wasn't helping muffle the sound, I quickly put my purse on the floor and stepped on top of it. I know you're probably wondering why I just didn't open up my purse and turn it off. You try picking up your purse, scrounging around for your cell phone while trying to not look conspicuous. Not something I wanted to try and do. But the funny part of the whole thing, if there is a funny part, was what my cell phone played...It played "Losin' My Religon" by R.E.M. Quite coincidently, some of the words in the song go as follows "that's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight". I was sitting in the back corner pew and did feel like I was in the spotlight when people turned around. And, in case your curious, it was Corey calling. Thanks Corey!

Random Acts of Kindness

Don't you just love it when someone does something unexpected for you? And it's done "just because" - it's not your birthday, your anniversary, no special occasion - it's just because someone thinks you're special.

Nancy called me yesterday afternoon and told me that she had a bouquet for me at Mom and Dad's house. Nancy has a green thumb (or an entire green hand) and grows incredibly beautiful roses of every color and size. She knows I love pink roses and so she had some placed in a vase, along with some Queen Anne's lace for me to take to my office. The picture shows the flowers she had picked especially for me and no one else. I added some of my world famous gardenias in the bouquet this morning before taking it to work with me. I was so in love with the arrangement that I had to go back into the house, get my camera and take a picture to remember them. All day long I received comments about my lovely flower arrangement. (The general manager even threatened to "steal them" and take them home to his wife. So, if my flowers are missing when I return in the morning, guess who I'll be "suspicioning" right away. So, Nancy's gift to me has become my gift to everyone who walks past my desk all day long after they've stopped and admired and smelled my flowers.

And...A couple of weeks ago I was in Tifton before heading to work. I decided to stop by McDonald's to pick up something for breakfast for both myself and my boss lady. I NEVER get a chance to eat breakfast from a fast food place and there are some new things out there for me to try. Anyway, I drove up behind a white minivan and realized it was Susan in the car. I yelled out my window to her and she yelled something back before driving up to the takeout window. When it was my turn to pay for my breakfast, the girl at the window asked me if I knew the lady in the car in front of me. I said that I certainly did and it was my sister as I was handing her my money. She said she couldn't take my money 'cause that woman had already paid for me breakfast. Wow, how cool was that! Totally unexpected, totally loved and totally enjoyed by both me and Tami. So my good deed to buy breakfast for someone else was rewarded by a random act of kindness by my other sister. Don't it just do your heart good?!

So, Jimmy now it's your turn.

Remembering RFK and the Bambi Motel - 40 Years Later

Bambi Motel
Originally uploaded by lespaceplie

The news reports today are reflecting back 40 years ago to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Sometimes things happen in our lives and it's easy to remember where you were at that time and what you were doing. And, RFK's assassination is one of them for me.

On June 5, 1968, our family was heading out on the first real family vacation we'd ever been on. It wasn't like our family had never traveled together before, but primarily it had been connected to moving in conjunction with Dad's job in the Air Force. This was going to be a real, genuine family vacation. We were living at Eglin AFB, Florida near Ft. Walton Beach and we were heading to central Florida to visit Busch Gardens and some of the surrounding attractions. (DisneyWorld, SeaWorld and the majority of the theme parks and attractions operating today were not even in business at that time).

I think the highlight(?) of our entire, life-long sleeping accomodations was the hotel we stayed in the first night. I'll never forget the Bambi Motel - wow! Located at 1829 U.S. Highway 19 in Perry, Florida, it was one of those roadside, non-chain motels that you drove right up to your room door. It was the kind of motel that you reached into the door first and turned the light on before entering. It was one of those kind of motels that you didn't want to get up in the middle of the night for fear that you might step on something that you could squish under your feet. If I remember correctly, the shower was pink tile accented with a green mold/slime border. Would you believe that according to the internet, the Bambi Motel is still in business? Holy Moly!!! Well,just remember, every vacation needs a high point and the Bambi Motel was ours

It's All About Me

One of the advantages of being the firstborn is that my mother at least began a "baby book". I discovered it the other day and decided to post the pictures and words she personally wrote. So in my mother's own words...

This is a part of your life as remembered by your mother. Don't forget she is not perfect so, take all mistakes as love.

You arrived at 4:50 a.m., Monday, July 28, 1952 at MacDill A.F.B. Florida, Hillsborough County. MacDill A.F.B. is just outside Tampa, Florida.

I will start by saying you started giving me trouble almost from the moment you were conceived and have been doing so ever since. You arrived in this world on your dads and my anniversary. At the time I had been in the hospital one week and had to stay another one after you were born. This was due to high blood pressure and toxemia. Oh yes, you weighed seven pounds, but I can't remember how many ounces. Sorry about that. 5 oz. I think.

Most of this story is gonna be in pictures. We were living about a block off Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa when you were born. At the moment I can't think of the name of the street. Maybe I will later. I wasn't quite eighteen when you were born. As I've said many times, we've sorta grown up together. As I think back over the years, maybe we haven't done too bad together.

Of course your daddy was in the Air Force at the time you were born. He was a boom operator and flew in a KC-97. When we were married, he was a B-29 gunner.

Well, I think it is time to start with the pictures.

This is your mother and daddy on their way to be married. They were married July 28, 1951 - 1:55 p.m. on a Saturday at the parsonage of the First Baptist Church in Tifton, Georgia. Rev. Davis M. Sanders performed the ceremony. Calvin and Alice Padgett were best man and matron of honor. We left the next day for MacDill A.F.B., Florida.

Before you were born your Dad had to go T.D.Y. to England, Norway, etc. So I went home to Georgia for those three months. Upon your Dad's return, your grandmother, granddaddy and Aunt Ruth brought me back home. Thinking you would be arriving soon, they stayed. The were with us for a month. Needless to say, Granddaddy got in lots of fishing, which he enjoyed very much. But, Aunt Ruth got tired of waiting.




(Mom's captions for the pictures read "Here I am waiting for you. This is the Gandy Bridge between Tampa and St. Pete". Also, "Granddaddy's big catch off Davis Island Bridge". Look at the size of those fish!)



You were born in a barracks type hospital. The only ones to have private rooms were the fussy officer's wives. This was my very first stay in a hospital. I don't even remember visiting anyone before. So I was pretty scared and ready to get out when they did decide to let me go.

This was taken in Hyde Park. You and I used to take long walks. Lots of times I would park the stroller in the theater lobby while I'd watched the movie. I had lots of free time then.

On the front porch of your first home. Your daddy made your seat you're sitting in. He was smart even then!! Besides, he married me, didn't he?

Front yard of the house we lived in when you were born.

Address: 209 Verne Street, Tampa, Florida



This is a card from friends. They sent roses in the pink shoe you have. This is the florist I bought the green frogs from. It was just up the street from Dad's and my first apartment.

This is a bench along Bayshore Boulevard.

A park on Davis' Island. I don't remember how old you were in any of these. That's me holding you. As you can see, you were bald-headed as an onion until almost a year old. So were your sisters and brother. Well, there was some fuzz.

(Take a look at my stroller)

When you were about eight months old, your great granddaddy Cattell and your great Uncle John Cattell came for a visit. Then we drove back to Michigan with then. This was the first time I had ever been there too. It was lots of fun even if I did get teased for my Southern accent.

We came back by way of Missouri on the train. (That was also a first for me). After our visit there with your grandparents, aunts and uncles, we went back to Tampa by train. So you had quite a long trip.

These were all made at Cypress Gardens when we went one Sunday while Granddad was visiting. You were about eight months old.

These are of your first visit to your grandparents home in Mountain View, Missouri. The first time I went there, there was nine inches of snow on the ground; I almost froze. After all, I was a Georgia Peach.

I don't think you liked Aunt Patty very much. You don't look very happy. Safe at last!! Back in Daddy's arms.

It sure looks like you are having fun. These were all made when we lived in a garage apartment for a few months between your dad's T.D.Y.'s. I think you were 10 or 11 months old. When your dad left this time, I believe it was to England and Norway.

I wish I could remember the address. But all I know for sure, it was somewhere in Tampa.

I just remembered the first T.D.Y. was to Africa, not Norway and England.

(I found a notation of "eight months old" on the back of the bottom picture.)

The morning you were born, your dad was home in bed sleeping. They called from the hospital but couldn't wake him up. Your grandmother said she heard the phone when it rang. The hospital called later and told your dad he was a father. This clipping came from some moments your Grandmother Cattell gave me.

This is at your grandparents house in Tifton.

The great concert artist. You and Grandmother McGhee about one year old.

I should have given you this bit of history before. But I said I wasn't perfect. I have to write as I remember.

As I said, your dad was a B-29 gunner when we got married. Well he transferred to the 306th Air Refueling Sqdn, August 24, 1951. He become a boom operator on a KC-97. That is he became a boom operator later. At first he I believe was a "cargo master".

He went on a lot of T.D.Y.'s. Before you were born he was over most of the U.S. He went to school in Mass., Texas, Seattle, Washing. (I think it must have been right after he returned from Westover, Mass., after two weeks that I got pregnant with you). He also went to Puerto Rico. He was very impressed with it.

The first and last stock car race I've ever been to was at Tampa State Fair in February 1952.

Oh, I almost forgot!! Your dad brought back some Puerto Rican cigars for your Grandad Cattell. When we went to Missouri in November (my first visit) we took the to him. I stayed there while he was gone to school in Texas. You Uncle Dave and I decided to try a couple of cigars out one afternoon. It wasn't as if I had never smoked a cigar before. I had some of your dad's. Of course, I was expecting you too. Needless to say we were two very, very sick, green people. We told Dad Cattell he could have the rest of them. He sure did laugh at us, but I think maybe he felt just a little sorry for us.

Your dad wrote his folks, "when I get hooked up like the picture shows, I'm boss of two airplanes worth over $5 million and 10 other men, some of them colonels. A big boss aren't I?" That's all for now on your dad.

From old letters he wrote May 5, 1952. We had just moved to the house where you were born. He said "it had a big orange tree beside it". (This I don't remember). It was upstairs.

We had just purchased a toaster a few days before and that just about completed our appliances. (Oh well, we didn't need much then).

It was while he was in French Morroco in June before you were born in July, that he bought my hand-woven bedspread. He returned to the states July 6th and you were born July 28th.

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P.S. by me...Thank you Mom for all the information. I really learned some things about you, Dad and myself. I guess the picture and information that made the biggest impact on me was the visit of my great grandfather. It boggles my mind to realize that Corey can see a picture of his great great grandfather with his mother and grandparents. But even more so is that one day Derek can see a picture of his great great great grandfather with a picture of his Grandma Carol as a baby.

Also, don't forget that you can click on the pictures and they will become enlarged for a better look.