Memorial weekend.

All the kiddos and grand kiddos were here over the weekend. It was really good and I enjoyed listening to the laughter and noise of it all. I had cooked two boston butts in my roaster and we ate on that plus baked beans and cole slaw all weekend. DIL, Alyssa, made a great cup cake birthday cake and we celebrated Tucker's #10 birthday, too!

That Tucker. He is a good egg. I am so hoping that he and his granddad get to fish some this summer. He has asked several times about going fishing.

Mr. Macho and the kids made a visit to see their grandaddy in the nursing home Saturday morning. He slept most of the time. Last week was rough and simply wore him out.

I am happy to report today that he was awake and alert when I was there visiting. He ate a small amount of lunch and participated, as much as he possibly could, in his physical therapy. Which wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. I am feeling some hope after seeing him today, that he will improve. Mr. Macho has been most concerned by the amount of sleep his dad has been getting. I hope a corner is being turned and he will be more "with us" in the future.

Tonight we dine on veggies and grilled sausage as we remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to insure our freedom.

God bless the United States of America.
Peace.

Save the date.

Yesterday I had a FaceTime visit with my Mom. She is 95 1/2 years old.

Mom said to me that she had Dad's wallet on her dresser. She had gone through it yesterday to clean it out. More than three years since his death she finally decides to clean out his wallet.
In the wallet she found $3, which she promptly hid in a drawer. Dad would be so proud of her. Saving that $3.

Before Dad had shipped out for Okinawa during WWII, Mom had handed him a pocket calendar. On the calendar she had written a dear little message. Something like, "No matter the date, I will always love you!" Dad carried the calendar with him all during the war. And for years after. Mom knew he carried it. It had faded with water damage during a storm on Okinawa. Mom called it a tsunami. I had never heard this story. I knew nothing of the love note carried for decades.

The calendar was still in Dad's wallet yesterday. Mom was pleased and just the little bit teary to find it after all these years. I said to her, "That's my Dad!" Sentimental and sweet. To the end of time.

Forever love. It is real.

Surgery day.

Father-in-law's surgery is done. The doctor said it went as well as it could have. That sounds like good news. The leg was amputated well above the knee. Right leg.

Mr. Macho is on his way home. His sisters will bring their dad back to the nursing home in a few days.

Peace.

All quiet on the western front.

The Tuscaloosa grands spent the night last night. The house was full of noise. It is hard to get used to, but when it's gone - it is so so quiet. Too quiet. 

***

This week has passed with it's share of bad news. Father-in-law had a follow up with his surgeon. The foot wounds refuse to heal and so. Monday will be amputation day. I don't believe we yet have our minds wrapped around the news. Even though it was what we had expected. Especially after the amputation of the little toe. Still. 

He has had a rough two weeks. Dehydration added to the meds he has had to take have wreaked havoc on his mental health. With the release of the primary care doctor he has received more immediate care from the medical staff at the nursing home. Administration of fluids has greatly improved his color and his cognitive skills. 

*****

Daughter had a fun night out with her girlies at a '90s concert last night. Thus the grands spending the night here. I added chocolate pancakes to the breakfast menu this morning. I think they were a hit. Some didn't think that wanted any. But everyone ended up eating and enjoying. Except for Mr. Macho. He is not the adventurous kind. So sad. 

The hardest thing about having all three here at the same time is the listening. It is hard to make your ears go in three directions. Impossible. Other than that, easy. It is getting a little boring at Nanny's house for the older two. If there isn't something special or exciting to do. Ah well. That makes going home even better. 

I am going to attempt to steam mop the kitchen now. 

Birthday party tonight.

And.

There will be dancing!

Namaste, Fred and Ginger. 

School is almost over...

Every year I can remember the graduation song has been played on the radio this time of year. Over. And over. You know, "School is almost over, graduation's near. Though we try to hide it, we will shed a tear. Happy days are over..."

We have had fun graduations this week. Daughter earned her master's degree! Woot woot! It was a gorgeous day. The kids love picking their Mom out of the crowd and waving to her - and her waving back!  

Daughter and family on the momentous occasion of the conferring of her Master's Degree! 

Proud parents. 

Monday I traveled south to attend another graduation. Much less formal. It was a graduation of the preschool variety!

It was perfect. Cap and gown. Then cute songs. My grandchild was the cutest. She knew the songs the best. I heard her voice above the others. Then it was over. Perfect. 

Sweet Pea and me. 

While on the Coast I got to spend three days with my Mom. She is 95 1/2 years old. She is doing great. For the first time every she used a motorized scooter at the store. She loved it! She said she just might get her sitters to drive her over so she can ride around the Walmart just for fun. I said, "Do it!" We visited three grocery stores so she could  get all the sales. And bought five books at the library to read. She is pretty amazing.

I got to visit with sister, Mimi and Marsha, while I was there. That was great. I am proud of Marsha as she starts another career -this time in the plant industry. Go Marsha! 

Mimi is always the best hostess. I probably feel that way 'cause I have been to her house so many times and am comfortable there. The firs night I was there she made the most delicious seafood stuffed eggplant that I have ever eaten. (I never had it before, but that is inconsequential.) 

The weather was warm and lovely while I was there. I even got to celebrate the birthday of my coast DIL. Her parents had also traveled for the preschool graduation and her Dad treated us all to a birthday meal! The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Her parents are very lovely people. 

***

On my way home Mr. Macho called to tell me his Dad was being taken by ambulance to the hospital. After I got home and he got off work we went to the ER to check on him. The diagnosis was dehydration. They gave him an intravenous bag of fluid and sent him back to the nursing home. He isn't well. Not eating much, and drinking very little. Witnessing our loved ones suffer is grueling. 

*****

Today we attended the funeral of a church friend. He died suddenly and unexpectedly. His wife is a friend but she is a very dear friends with my sister. Two children. One grandchild. Two grandchildren on the way. They will live with happy memories, I hope. 

Congrats to nephew, Emmett, on his Master's Degree. Bestowed upon him this very day. 

Tomorrow is an exciting day. My Dad would have been 96. Our Cecilia is being baptized. I'll try to share pictures soon.

Until then. 

Namaste.

Coming back to life.

It is a slow process but I am rebuilding my technology connections a step at a time. I am happy to report that I am updated and have all kinds of safety nets I am working on learning to use. Clouds and externals and such.

New computer with updated everything is going to be wonderful. It will take me a few days to learn to navigate but I can do hard things. This one isn't so hard. And. I have support! Why first thing this afternoon I made a phone call to one of my new friends, Ciera. She walked me right through setting up my email. So I'm all, "You're my new bestie, Ciera!" She giggled. I think she was 12. I liked her. A lot.

I have paid dearly for an entire army of new friends. For 3 years. I might just call them to see how their day is going. Because, I have PAID for it. That's why. I bet they will love just hearing my voice. Now that we are friends. I even have new geek friends at the Best Buy.

Anyway. I am trying hard to not grieve the loss of my plethora of photos that were lost in the crash of '16.

New photos will soon fill up my computer cloud.
I will probably have sweet tech dreams tonight.
Namaste.