APRIL IS ENDING...MAY'S ON THE WAY!

I have enjoyed reading everyone's BLOG today! I love it especially when pictures are included. So, I have a few to show you. Check out the bottom of the BLOG.

"The Secret Garden" closed last Saturday after 6 weeks of practice and a 3-week run. Fred really enjoyed being in the show, and it was very successful. He had a chorus-type role, so he didn't have pages of dialog to memorize. But "Garden" is a musical, so he had parts in much of the music. He was exhausted, teaching all day and "playing" every evening. He plans to rest and get ready for our Anniversary (more on that below) by going through his piles of stuff and cleaning house. He is a much better cleaner than I am...so I will let him have at it!

I'm in a sewing mode, now that my beloved Singer has been repaired. Max and Ash had matching overalls for Disney at the end of March. I've not seen pictures yet, but I am told that Greg & Kelly had many comments about them and inquiries of "Where can I get some?". The photo is of Max's Mickey Mouse overalls. I wish I had taken a photo of the Tigger overalls.

I have also been making baby outfits for friend's baby showers. I had a chance to make a little girl's dress and fancy pants. I made a friend's soon-to-be-born grandson a set of overalls similar to Max's Mickey Mouse overalls. Making baby clothes is a favorite activity for me.

I used to make my boys' clothes when they were little...before the age of zippers in the pants began. I made matching outfits for us when we traveled in 1986...shorts or shirts or both. That way we could describe what a missing boy was wearing if we were ever separated. It never happened...getting separated, I mean...but the boys had the cutest shorts that summer.

I am now preparing to make matching outfits for Greg, Kelly, Max and Ash. They will be attending a Shell family reunion on July 4th. Each family tries to dress alike, with a patriotic theme. Before I left Chicago in March, Kelly and I visited JoAnn's for the right fabric and pattern. The rest is up to me. I loved the idea, and all is cut out ready to go. Now, if I can just get off this computer, I'll have them ready when they come in June.

June 7th will be our 40th wedding anniversary. We will have all our kids home, something I really look forward to. We have activities over in Eatonton on Saturday with Kelly's Dad. Bob wants Max to ride the tractor in the Dairy Festival parade. Sunday we will host a small reception here at the house; should be fun.

Now, I have a recent post on my BLOG. I am proud of myself. Hope you enjoyed reading it.

Youngest son, Jeff visited us at Easter, but he brought along his art/computer work and stayed busy.

Our spring yard has been beautiful. The Golden Native azalea bloomed for the first time this year. The purple Japanese Iris has put on a show.

Our pond survived another winter with its healthy, friendly goldfish. The heron statue sitting at the end of the pond had a lovely green visitor looking for bugs.

Busy April!

April 17, 2009

While I was in Chicago, I took a lot of baby pictures; but since I have been home, I have been recovering from penicillin allergy followed by double pneumonia. They have not been posted on the Kodak site or anywhere else. I have to put them in order and do some labeling. My how the fellas have grown.

These portraits are up close and personal so you can see my fellas' blue blue eyes. I was sitting on the couch when I took the one of Ash; he was laying on the floor looking up. Max had been in his high-chair eating. Time he hit the floor he wanted Granny to take a picture of him. There's a lot more at the bottom of this blog.

Yesterday, Thursday April 16th, I was finally able to walk the whole 2-mile Wellston Trail, located down the hill at D.L. Fountain Park. It was like walking trails in the Smokies...cool, clear, woodsy. The trees sighed gently in the breeze while the birds trilled a wonderful cacophony of music from every tree. The mockingbirds repeated their songs, establishing their territory. You could hear the "reep! reep!" of the cardinals and the sad-sweet melody of the song sparrow. The jays were out in force with their raucous "thief...thief!" Squirrels were in a hurry, rushing from tree to tree and chattering their challenges to each other. It was a wonderful time and place to walk.

I had picked Augie up earlier at the kennel where he stayed while we went to New Orleans. He seemed thrilled when I said "Park" and "Walk," two words he knows very well. I think he liked the outing as much as I did.

Fred and I had driven over to New Orleans to attend my cousin, Cyril's funeral. We actually went to support Marillyn as she buried her husband of 52 years. Cyril had been so sick for the past few years, especially since Hurricane Katrina. He and Marillyn were trapped in their 3-foot-high attic for 3 days with a can of soup and one bottle of water. Cyril was unable to get his medicines. Water from the broken levees were about 4.5 feet deep inside their home. They lost everything. It was December or so before they were able to return to NO and begin to rebuild.

When they were rescued, they were taken to a triage center, then flown immediately out to a VA hospital in Houston...or was it Dallas? That is where we finally found them and flew them to their niece, Merrilee's house in Columbia, NC. That stressful situation, no meds for the Parkinson's disease, and shortly after returning to NO, a stroke, ultimately was his downfall. He had been in a nursing home for about 1.5 years after it became impossible for Marillyn to care for him at home.

The 1000+ miles round trip is not so easy, now that Fred and I are older. We left early Monday and returned late Wednesday. Both of us are exhausted...but we are so glad we were able to be there for Marillyn. Other than a cousin in New Jersey, she has no one. We have corresponded for years; her letters are wonderful to read. I have kept them all.

The play Fred's in, The Secret Garden, closes this Saturday, after a very successful run. He is ready to not have anyone pulling at him...mentally and physically he's worn out!

We will let him rest a little while. Then, both of us must get busy as we plan and prepare for our 40th Anniversary celebration over the June 7th weekend. The house needs cleaning from top to bottom, and so does the yard. So much to do and so little time!

Now, for those promised photos:

Max had been restricted from eating spaghetti & ravioli because he makes such a mess. I took his shirt off and gave him ravioli (with Kelly's permission). He's still messy, but he had a wonderful time eating it...some with fork, some with fingers!

When Daddy Greg lays down on the couch, be becomes an instant gym-mat for the boys. They crawl all over him; all three have a ball. And, oh, what laughter!!

Ash was standing on his own next to his Dad. When he figured out what he was doing, he became very excited, giving an ear-piercing scream!

Max is not supposed to stand on the couch; he enjoyed having this photo taken: I had asked him to stand up and smile. In the second one, he gave me a great subject for a portrait...Mom said sit down so he would not smile. I love the look he did give me.

Max & Ash are dressed in their St. Patrick's Day shirts. With the two of them sitting side-by-side, one can , one see how big the 8-month old is compared to his BIG brother.

Granny & Grandpa took the boys a play tent to enjoy inside the apartment. They had so much fun playing together under the blue dome. Max loved being in itwith some of his animals or a book.

Ash just took his first ride down the slide at the park. After a frown, he gave this huge smile and wanted more. Max enjoyed this little car at the park. The car is actually one of the other children's stroller. Everyone had fun playing in it, especially Max when another little boy took his truck.

Here's two more of Ash. He is such a cutie with those big blue eyes. He is independent, unless Kelly is around, then he is definitely a mother's boy.

April 3, 2009: ALLERGIES, PNEUMONIA, & A TRIP TO CHICAGO

I thought I would give you the low down on me, my birthday, and the trip to Chicago. T’was not the best trip I have ever taken to the Windy City and Greg’s family.

I had a terrible allergic reaction to ampecillin the doctor prescribed back on March 10. When we landed in Chicago the morning of March 11, the medics and an ambulance met the plane to take me to the emergency room there in Evanston. I had swollen up terribly, and I was itching so bad I had clawed myself almost bloody. I stayed at the emergency room till about 5:00 PM. After several shots, x-rays, and IV’s, they brought the swelling down, and many of the huge whelps had begun to dissipate. They sent me home with a battery of medicines to take.

Greg has made reservation at the Field Museum for Members Night at the Field for Thursday afternoon and evening. I was feeling better, so we decided to go. The boys had a babysitter, so our evening was not stressed with taking care of the little guys. We used one of the wheel chairs the Museum provides, so we were able to go to most of the exhibits and downstairs fun. It’s the downstairs stuff that is so much fun because there is almost as much in the two lower floor as in the main Museum. Members have access to those floors on these special nights…such a privilege and very much a pleasure.

I did pretty well until I got up Friday morning (I don’t think I really slept much after about 3:00 AM Thursday night). My face was so swollen, my eyes had just about disappeared. I couldn’t bend my fingers, toes, or ankles, and those huge itchy whelps had returned.

This time we took me to the emergency room at Northwest Medical Center in Chicago. I was admitted immediately and stayed there until late Saturday afternoon when my heart behaved normally, I could swallow food, and the swelling had begun to go down again…at least you could see my eyes and I could bend my fingers. They changed the meds that were issued to go along with the ones from the other hospital.

Fred came on home Sunday, March, 15. I stayed up there until March 24 (my plane ticket was for that date), but I was not good for much. The itching continued for days (a bloody body once again), and then the joint pain that goes with this allergic reaction began. Anything below/beyond the affected joint was limp and useless. It affected every arm and leg joint at one time or another in a very random action. The joint/joints ache for about 36 hours before it quits in a matter of minutes. But, within 24 hours, I was in much pain somewhere else.

Poor Greg & Kelly had to help me through all this mess. I did enjoy the boys as much as I could. By the time for me to leave, I was doing much better (except for the roving pain which continued until the morning that I left.)

I came home on March 24 and had an appointment with Dr. Abdulla, my primary physician, the next morning at 8:30 AM. Due to an emergency, he did not see me until after 10:30. When I stood up to go into the examining room, I passed out…blood-pressure was 85 over 60. He worked with me for quite a while, apologizing all the while about giving me the penicillin product. I couldn’t fault him…I have taken penicillin products off and on all my life with not reaction. The last time was in 2002 when I had the bad lung infection. Between then and now I had become allergic. I was as surprised as he was.

I had to go back to the doctor Monday, March 30. Fred had to take me. I was so sick I couldn’t hold my head up or keep my eyes open. This time I am diagnosed with double pneumonia…shocker! (I took the pneumonia shot 2 years ago; they’re supposed to last 5 years.) He prescribed several things, and sent me home to bed. I slept all day Monday through to mid-morning Tuesday. Fred has been home for Spring Break, so he was my nurse.

Today, I made it outside for the first time since Monday. I did have a birthday, but it was not the best I have ever celebrated. Fred took me to Longhorn today for lunch. After eating, they served me an ice cream sundae as a special. I am not supposed to eat ice cream, but I ate it anyway. It was delicious!

So that is what my birthday was like. I have been able to work a few computer puzzles this week since I have my Mac laptop. It is so light and works wonderfully away from the computers on the lanai, even in my bedroom. Fred gave me the neatest computer table for use in bed…it tilts the laptop at an angle and the mouse pad is beside the computer support. I could play on the computer or watch movies…I did both. Time passed more quickly.

Today, I am not swollen, do not itch, but I am still running the low grade temperature that must GO before I can go out on my own. The pneumonia leaves you exhausted with any little exertion; I tire very quickly. My doc says that will last into next week when the pneumonia is gone.

I bet that was more than you wanted to know. I did take a bunch of pictures while in Chicago, but I have not printed any or transferred them to my Kodak page. Maybe soon, though, cause I really want to share my grandsons, Max & Ash, with everyone.