Colin graduated Thursday May 23, 2013 Memorial Day 2013

We had a great time at his graduation.  Nana, papa, Aunt Karen & Jada also attended.
Memorial Day weekend was uneventful.  Mom went down south to visit family members.
She is working on the family tree & trying to fill in some of the blanks of many great great great greats.
Mom took her small scanner to scan many of the photos those family member possessed.

Colin spend many hours of Monday with dad as he tilled the garden.  Colin went to the basketball game with Aunt Jean, Uncle Nate, Rita, Kenny, & Coweeta.  Hubby really wanted to go but it's just too much walking for him.

We need to find a wheel chair hoist for the car.  He's missing on so much because we don't have an easy way to take his wheel chair.

My favorite photo of this month

This bear was gift from my friend Erika. She hosted my baby shower. I try to take a photo of Colin with the bear every year. I also take a photo of him in front of the boys sports Christmas tree in a red plaid shirt each year. I wonder what age he will be when he says no more mom. :)

Thanks Erika!

White Christmas

We has a beautiful white Christmas. Mom & dad had 14 sleeping at their home Christmas eve.
I expected to sleep on the floor but no one had to sleep on the floor. It was cozy but nice.
I tried to get Colin to sleep on the love seat in the bedroom with us. I laid on the love seat beside him; I was going to get in the bed when he fell asleep. He told me mom this love seat is too small for 2 people; I'm getting in the bed. G started laughing because he knew what I was trying to do.
So I had knees & elbows in my back most of the night.
We opened the gifts at mom house Christmas eve. We usually open our gifts Christmas morning.
We opened them the night of Dec 26 when we got home from being snowed in for 2 days.
I did make it in to work this morning. More snow is expected tomorrow. I think 8" of snow the other day is enough until it all melts. :)

Weekend

We all had a great weekend. My parents to the grandchildren bowling Friday afternoon.
Mom said my dad threw a strike & won on the last frame. She was glad because Colin had
been leading for most of the game & was already bragging. No one would have been able to stand him if he won. Mom said next to the last frame my nephew said ok he was going to
throw a strike. He did. Colin's turn he knocked down 8 pins & has a split. He picked up the split.
I could just envision him jumping all over the place.
All 3 of the grandkids spent the night. I called Saturday & Colin was too busy to talk to me.
My nephew left but my niece was still at my parents & Colin stayed Saturday night & went to church with them. My niece went home. I called Sunday about 3 to see if he was ready to come home. He said he just got back from church. Church had been over for hours but I guess not in his mind. He told me he would think about coming home & would let me know when I called back. Hmmm In a few hours my mom called & told G Colin was ready to come home. I went & got him. He had an awesome weekend. So did we. I missed him terribly but it was good to be
childless just for a few days. Thank you Nana & Papa.

busy weekend

We had a busy weekend but a good weekend. It was good to see Fred. G's really good friend.
I also went to see Mamma Mia w/ a generous friend VK. The musical was wonderful. It was so good to get out of the house. I needed the break from the boys & football. We had family over
& played cards Sunday before Fred's flight.

Back to School

Mom took Colin to school today. We are waiting for a motor for my car. Umm this is the 3rd week so I have nothing more to say or it will be ugly.

Thank you mom for taking precious to school. Mom said he was so excited. He has a new teacher. I hope it's a fabulous year for my little darling. G said he popped right up this morning when he called to wake him. He was excited about his new backpack, lunch pail & school supplies.
He wears a uniform to school so he doesn't really get new school clothes. We buy new shorts or slacks as needed. It's been so hot; I'm sure he will wear shorts & sandals for a month.

I can't believe my baby is in the 2nd grade!

horrible news

My friend Julie that finished chemo for her colon cancer in December, received some bad news.
She went for one of her many follow ups visits & thought everything was OK. Her blood work came back fine but thankful her friend went to the Dr with her & told the Dr about her pain.
They did a pet scan & saw 2 masses. They operated last week while I was out of town.
The tumors were large. One the size of a melon the other size of a grapefruit. She's a tiny woman. The results of the tumors are not good. Both were fast growing aggressive cancer.

G had ask about her when I was on vacation & then again when I returned home.
She called him a few times when she was first diagnosed & first going through chemo.
Her husband is here at work today; her best friend is with her. I can't imagine what they
must be going through trying to deal with this new set of cancer.

Waymon Tisdale

It was floored when I read the first of a flood of emails saying Waymon Tisdale passed away this morning.
I was very sad. Everyone at work was talking about it. I got a few phone calls. The world has lost another shining star of a person. I remember his smile, his upbeat happy spirit. I would go many years without seeing him & he would give me a big hug like it was yesterday.
My heart goes out to his family. They are in my thoughts & prayers. 44 yrs old is too few on this earth in my opinion. Why does cancer strike so many beautiful humans on this earth?! It makes me mad. I guess I just don't hear of any mean or nasty people getting cancer. All of the people I personally know that have or have had cancer are/was truly awesome people; people that add something positive to this world.
I'm sure Waymon a PK (preacher's kid) is out of pain & in a better place. Rest in Peace. You will be missed.

pay it forward

My car wouldn't start when I came out of the store last night. I was buying a birthday gift.
This month I have 2 birthdays, 2 anniversary, 1 wedding, & 1 house warming gift to buy.
I was trying to be proactive & do something early. I still needed to grocery shop last night.
My car had other plans. I waited on G for almost an hour. He couldn't get it started so we
had to have it towed. We waited on the tow truck guy for almost an hour.
I was shocked that no one offered to help me while I waited on my husband. I stood outside & left the hood up. We were in G's truck, waiting on the tow truck & a woman came to the window
& asked if we were OK. I said yes we are waiting on a tow truck. She said maybe this will help
& tried to hand me money. I said oh Thank you but no thank you & handed it back. She dropped it on my lap & ran off saying just pay it forward. I'm not sure how much the car repairs
will cost but it excited me that a total stranger wanted to help. I'm want to help someone out & pay it forward. I'll be watching out for someone in need. It's funny because I rarely listen to the radio in the evening but the show was talking about paying it forward. The same show was talking about paying it forward last week on 1 of the 2 days I decided to listen. It just made me
smile & warmed my heart.
I've also had community service on my heart & mind often in the last few days. I need to find a way to serve my community. It's something I've desired for years. A few years ago I thought a scrapbook class a church for free. I'm excited to see what I come up with this time.

Happy Holidays

We had a great time during our time together for Christmas. G practically ran from the house Wednesday Christmas eve. He rarely shops before Christmas eve. The time I wasn't visiting with family or playing with Colin & his new toys; I was working on my craft room. I need to post photos. I'm so happy with how it's coming along.

We had a really good Christmas. Thanks so much to friends & family that were extra generous this year. Many know our finances were much less this year. I was pleasantly surprised with the people that showed even more generosity than normal. We are grateful for all gifts, cards, well wishes & prayers.

I was especially surprised by my husbands male co-workers. Many dropped by for visits but also brought gifts for us. Some of the guys dropped by gifts for Colin. It was such a nice & appreciated surprise. The great hearts of people continue to amaze me. Wow!
Colin has been a complete joy to watch. The bed is full of his new favorite toys every night.

Weekend trip weather

Yesterday the temperature went from 75 degree to 19 degree in a matter of hours.
We had a great time on our trip. The Christmas party was fabulous. It was good to see our friends. Colin had a great time w/ my sister, nephew & BIL. Thank you for watching our little man.

Aunt Clara

Please say a special prayer for my aunt. She had surgery yesterday. Thanks.
G had a Dr appt today. His blood work is good.

busy weekend

Thank you Karen, D & J for keeping Colin this weekend. I spent this weekend at a seminar.
G didn't feel up to going. I learned a lot & I'm already putting it into practice.

Safe

I have an aunt that lives close to the coast in Texas. She's here safe & sound. We don't know about her home. Her area was pounded pretty hard by hurricane Ike.
She took Colin & my niece to Incredible pizza yesterday. Colin was so excited.

The females went to see the movie The Family that Preys. I enjoyed the movie. Of course living in ATL for years. I've seen many Tyler Perry's plays. I think the cast in this movie was great. I love Katie Bates & Alfe Woodard; they were wonderful. Sanaa Lathan played a different type role. I think she did a great job.

It was great to get out of the house & spend a little time w/ females.

I visited Julie Friday. She looked good & was eating her first meal. Hopefully she get to go home today.

Camp is over

Camp is over & Colin is spending the days with Grover. My mom is going out of town.
I'm going out of town tomorrow. I hope they have fun. I'm not sure what G is going to do because my mom (Nana) is back up when I'm out of town. One of my sisters has moved.
Mom is taking a much needed break after caring for my great, great aunt for 7 yrs.
Colin will love it because G lets him have more sugar than I allow.
My aunt K took Colin & my niece to Chuck E Cheese. Thank you Aunt K! Colin had
a blast.
Sweet J & TJ generously gave Colin a tennis racket. He was ecstatic. He never did
get a racket from camp. I'm so glad they were able to help out. Thank you J & TJ!

G is getting a little feeling back in his hands. Now, If we could get his feet to stop hurting,
life would be much better.

Colin's feeling better

Colin had a fun day at the water park Friday. I think he got too much sun. He was congested late Friday night & having trouble breathing. He had asthma issues all weekend. He's much better now but we had a few sleepless nights. I didn't take him to gymnastics & he didn't notice.

He was upset Sunday because he couldn't jump on the trampoline w/ his cousins.
It's so hard to make him sit still but it helps his breathing.

Sunday we had a 100th birthday party for my great aunt. She's 99 & her birthday is Oct. Her kidney's are failing & she hasn't had food or water since July 11. They tried dialysis twice but
her body is not strong enough. The dialysis brought on full blown dementia. The Drs don't know how she has survived this long w/ out an IV, food or water. She can't swallow but the Dr don't want to put in a feeding tube. She's on pain medication because her back hurts.
It's sad, she walked into the hospital in her right mind, now she's sleeps all day & night because of the medication.
I believe in miracles so I'd like her to have the feeding tube. I've been told it's postponing the inevitable. I think it's interesting the medical profession won't go to extremes when you are 99 yrs old. I don't agree but it's just my opinion.

Family

We had a great day w/ family at my aunts house. There was enough food to feed an army & it was all delicious. Thank you Aunt C for hosting & Uncle R for cooking. We had a good time socializing & playing cards.
Colin loves cake & Nanna made the kind he loves. He kept asking for more cake. I let him have more than he should & he still wanted more.
Aunt K saw he wanted more, all we noticed was he was following her around the kitchen like a little puppy. G was at the table & I was standing behind him. Aunt J told us Aunt K would give Colin a taste of cake, she did before it got out of Aunt J mouth. Then she said watch her give him the hole piece of cake. Aunt K tasted the cake & said she didn't like it & handed it to Colin. We couldn't believe it. Colin took the cake, went sat down & ate it like he hadn't had cake in years.

Thank you Aunt K for taking Colin today. He didn't want to go because he would miss me. He's always a little clingy after I take a trip. It's understandable. Aunt K promised ice cream & he was ready to go. I had to call & see if she was on her way because Colin told me it had been 20 min. He was watching the clock. She came & he walked right pass me & G w/out a goodbye.
I'm sure she will he's having a great time & being spoiled rotten. I don't mind we all like to be a little spoiled & made to feel special sometimes.

Mother's Day

I had a quiet mother's day. Colin & I went to church. G is still out of town. His oldest daughter graduated college. She's going straight to graduate school. Good move; I wished I would have got my masters immediately after under grad.

I got to sb (scrapbook) Saturday. The best mother's day weekend was to spend time doing what I wanted to do. Thanks Dad & Mom for baby sitting.

first mow of 2008

I'm glad this was the back yard. Colin helped daddy mow the lawn. :) Daddy was picking up sticks from the last storm. G doesn't have the energy to do the yard work. We are very fortunate to have my dad's help. Thanks Dad!

chem/sleeping

Chemo went OK. He slept a lot in the beginning. I scrapped a couple of sb (scrapbook) pages of our cruise trip. He's sleeping quite a bit; he has a lot of fatigue.

I sb Saturday & my Aunt J kept Colin. Thank you J! Colin had a great time. They went to the zoo. I'm sure they will have some great photos. I made the mistake of saying I had zoo sb paper. Colin wanted to see it. I'll buy some sb zoo paper just for him. I have plans for the paper I already have for zoo pages. The sb store had some that was a little juvenile for my taste. It will be perfect for Colin to sb his own pages.

G slept most of Sunday. He slept more than normal in my opinion. During the Dr visit on Friday he told the Dr that he has a lot of fatigue. The Dr never says anything other than, "That's normal". Then he says call if there is a problem. G never does call. I guess he knows the answer will be that's normal. He's having issues w/ his feet tingling & cold.
We will all be so glad when chemo is over. We are almost finish!!!!!!!!!!!