We ended up, after a short discussion, deciding it was best to go to Amarillo to check in on Jesse's dad's condition and his step-mother's well being.

Camilo's son ended up going home the day after his appendectomy and we remained in touch with that family by phone.  Obviously an appendectomy incision is painful and he is recovering at home.

JoAnn & Jesse's brother, Frank's, wife ended up NOT having "back" surgery (as she had previously discussed with me) but some hand surgery (scratching my head???).  I'm thinking maybe it was a procedure on the nerves, etc. to see if they could fix the pain/numbness in her arms and hands - rather than do spine surgery at this point.  Not a lot of details.  Like I said, Frank isn't a reliable source of information and JoAnn WAS supposed to go down there to help Sharon after surgery - but Frank never came to pick her up, nor did he call.  We learned, AFTER we went to Amarillo, that her hands and not her spine had been the surgical procedure.  Since the surgery ended up being something totally different from what we were led to believe, I think going to Amarillo was our best decision - hands down!

Jesse's & JoAnn's dad looks thinner and thinner.  I'm not sure if he knew us most of the time we visited.  At one point he definitely realized JoAnn was there and the two cried together.  He went in and out of knowing who Jesse was and was very confused about my and the girls' identity.  He IS at home - for now.  We discussed his options with my mil and she is seeking more assistance as we told her to do several months ago.  I think some of the things that are falling apart around their house will be funded by a city project that helps those in need due to medical causes.  Remember, she still has Daddy's sister to care for and she has beginning Alzheimer's.

We visited with his dad, step-mom, and aunt the in the late afternoon when we arrived the first day.  We got to see Jesse's half-sister, Elisa, before she left town for a while.

Meanwhile, the next morning, we bought roughly $500 worth of groceries, and also things that their food stamps won't buy (like soap, napkins, detergent, etc.) and surprised my mil yesterday.  She barely had storage for all we bought and we feel good that her freezer in the garage and the small refrigerator freezer are well stocked (to the gills) and there are many non-perishable items that should last several months.  We were blessed by finding wonderful deals and prayed, before we shopped, that God would direct us to the right products.  Buying groceries for someone else is difficult, not knowing their tastes preferences, etc.  We bought large packages of hamburger meat, hotdogs, and pork chops - and some freezer bags to divide the items up into smaller portions for her size of family.

She can now use her food stamps for milk, eggs, bread, (etc.), and any other things she might not have ordinarily felt she could afford to buy.  She hugged us as we carried things in and said Satan had been telling her "no one cares about her" or her situation.  Proof, HE cares more for us all than we realize and sometimes the most unlikely people are the ones to bless us.  Anyway, yesterday morning was spent shopping and then unloading stuff in some sort of order (so she could put it away later on) and me separating the meat into smaller packages.

Jesse's half sister, who is pregnant again, is having a horrible time.  The relationship with the father appears to be over and she is due next month.  She has a 15 month old son from a man who shot himself in the head in her car (in front of her) before she ever knew she was pregnant with her first child.  Prayers for her would be deeply appreciated by us and my mil.  She is young, but I don't think ANY age would be able to cope with the choices and consequences of what she is having to bear.

We boarded the pets (quickly) Tuesday morning after we decided to leave town.  We left town a little later than we wanted to.  It rained off and on all the way.  Much to my dismay, I couldn't find my camera ANYWHERE and decided, in our haste, it had been left behind at the house.  We bought a disposable camera to take some family pictures while we were there.  Guess who found the camera as we headed home????  Yep!  Me!  I found it right as we were on our way home!  It was in the console of the Suburban. I honestly don't remember putting it there, nor does anyone else. 

Maybe tomorrow I can post the humorous ride home.  The motel was great and gave us a discount due to a family medical emergency.  Can't say enough good things about them!  The restaurants we ate at . . . that's another story. 

After our last meal, my humorous photos of the Texas and Oklahoma countryside ceased.  The last meal made most of us sick and the service was rotten.  We were completely shattered when Rissy discovered a fly under her chicken.  When it was pointed out to the waiter his response was, "ok? . . . "  We asked for the manager who said, "Yeah, we try to keep flies out of here, but every time the door opens more come in."  We weren't taking issue with the flies buzzing around our table, but the fact one had been "cooked" under Rissy's chicken.   They got our steak order wrong twice.  We asked for medium rare and I knew, the second time, there would be trouble as it took a VERY long to get another steak out to us.  Medium rare just doesn't take very long to cook!!  The server felt so bad (probably brand new) and decided to avoid our table as best as he could for the remainder of our visit.  Unfortunately, we had to flag down other people to get the salad he forgot to bring, the sour cream that never arrived, the refills of ice water . . .  The list goes on and on.  The manager didn't offer to comp Rissy's meal or our inconvenience which added insult to injury.  Then on the way out, we noticed EVERY table had the rolls that were NEVER delivered to our table.  We had assumed they had stopped making them.  The place is called "Montana Mike's" and we ate there in Kansas after visiting Nikki in Denver several years ago.  It was excellent food, excellent service, and had rolls you could beg the rest of your life for!!!  It was so good and we were so excited to discover one went in about an hour from Oklahoma City.  This place was clearly NOT what we had experienced in Kansas.

Besides being given a discount on our motel rooms, which were VERY nice (as was every single one of the personnel we encountered), I realized we had failed to return a huge amount of rented movies before we left town.  I went in today and explained the circumstances and they cut the late fee in half and let us re-rent one movie at 1/2 price.  God is so good to us!  The, too, have a discount for medical emergencies! 

I went to our P.O. box, which was stuffed with checks to Jesse.  Praise God!  With all this rain, he's way behind in mowing.  You don't mow - you don't make money.

Then I went to pick up the animals at the vet.  The gal at the desk (the same one who had been so nice when we took Jesse-boy in to be put to sleep and said she'd keep him by her desk in case he had more seizures) greeted me with the question, "Did Dr. Smith happen to call you this morning about Sampson?" - our dog.  "Nooooooooo," I replied thinking something might have gone terribly wrong - like maybe we no longer HAD a dog . . .   Well, he had developed diarrhea and Dr. Smith thinks it's most likely from a schnauzer who was boarded at the same time and barked the entire two days (and nights)  Sampson was boarded.  Dr. Smith felt so bad for Sampson, he sent him home with two prescriptions - free of charge!  So, another blessing, although Sampson probably doesn't think so.

I've locked Stormy and Sampson in my bedroom (his bed - her litter box) and Chirper is running all over the front of the house.  He was upsetting the other pets because they are older and they were in no mood (whatsoever) to be playful with Chirper.  Let's just say Sampson's and Stormy's patience had worn thin!  I've washed their soiled towels from the stay at the vet's place.

I have NOTHING planned for dinner, so I guess it will be baked frozen chicken breasts with something or other!

So, as I said, I'm home - sort of. 

What a whirlwind trip and set of things to deal with in such a short time!

Jesse's good friend (Camilo) had his son in the hospital E.R. all afternoon and just returned from surgery a while ago - hot appendix.  The school his younger daughter attends called Jesse while we were out site-seeing this afternoon.  There was confusion about who was to pick her up if her parents didn't.  We didn't know if we needed to go to her school or not.  Things worked out where someone picked her up from her own family.  Jesse is with Camilo at the hospital right now, as I type.  I think the boy will be okay and the appendix didn't rupture.  From what I understand, they are already trying to get him up out of bed.  Gosh, the hospitals barely let the anesthesia wear off before they wheel you out the front door into your car, these days!

THEN, we had more news about Jesse's dad - not doing so great and some decisions needing to be made.  It looks like we will be looking for a "good" Alzheimer's home for him.  He's becoming violent toward his wife and is very confused.  She's been a constant and wonderful caregiver for 7 or 8 years now; but, I think it's come to the point that he needs to live away from home.  She still has his sister living there, who has BEGINNING Alzheimer's.  Quite a mess.  Also, her youngest daughter (Jesse's half sister) is pregnant AGAIN and, I think, due next month.  She is NOT living at home, but with her boyfriend.  Truly a lot going on in that family.

Jesse's brother (the one here in SE Oklahoma) said his wife is having surgery in the morning for collapsed discs in her thoracic spine.  I'm not sure if they are fusing her spine or putting in a rod to keep the spacing between the vertebrae.  He's not the most reliable source of information and Sharon told me, a few weeks ago, they were talking of doing one of the two procedures mentioned above on 3 of her vertebrae.  The surgery is dangerous and could result in paralysis.  She and JoAnn used to be very close friends when they were younger.

Aolani is visiting with her dad - the main reason she came with JoAnn on this visit.  She was supposed to come home tomorrow night, but JoAnn called to see if he would mind bringing her home in the morning - due to so much going on in our lives.

We don't know where we will have to be to help or who needs to stay here and man the fort.  Of course, we still have the girls' therapy appointment on Friday and foster classes on Saturday. 

It's been raining a lot off and on today - thus the reason for site-seeing (from the car!!!).  I DID have a nice lunch.  JoAnn bought again (sweet SIL!!!) and we were too full for dinner tonight.  I've really only made the bed and done lots of laundry.  So it was an enjoyable day until the phone began to ring with each person's dilemma and bad news.

Guess my quiet reprieve was short-lived!

I'll be back ASAP!

The REASON I was able to stay up and watch some of the Olympics until 11pm (which would normally feel like 100 o'clock to me!!!) was because we all snoozed in the afternoon.  Only to be awakened to the new and budding "National Enquirer" photo journalist's click, click, click from her (*my*) camera!

ANYWAY . . . that was our week-end.  Saturday classes and dinner out - Sunday church, lunch, and naps!

What an exciting life, huh? LOL!!!!

It's raining today, so Jesse is pacing the house with nothing to do.  Rain is expected all day, through the night into (at least) part of tomorrow.

We may take JoAnn downtown.  It's changed so much since she moved to Tacoma, WA  ten years ago and, although we can't get out and do much, the drive through the newly renovated areas will surprise her, I'm sure.

I've finished Jesse's bookkeeping this morning and gotten his business deposit ready.  Next it's a shower to wash my hair and all and pick up around here.  Will also try to keep up with Rissy's and my laundry when I catch a change throughout the day.

Pretty mundane stuff, I know.  But it's nice to be relaxed and leading a more dull routine for a change.  REALLY nice!

Well anyway, we survived our classes yesterday.  The sessions are broken up to cover TWO SESSIONS (yay!) and we meet from 10am - 1pm with a 15 minute break for one class credit.  We reconvene at 2pm - 5pm with a 15 minute break for the second class credit.  That means 4 days of 8 classes total and then a half day class after that, which is a potluck meal where foster children and caseworkers come to answer questions.  Last time we went through foster care classes, no one showed up to answer questions - so typical DHSish (Department of Human Services)!  I have to admit, this time the instructor was VERY honest about caseworker's overloads and how some were better than other workers and some were brand new compared to seasoned caseworkers.  She informed everyone that if we aren't satisfied with our caseworker (not returning calls, not providing info to us, etc.) we are to call their supervisor and so on up the ladder.  I didn't tell her I knew the head of the state adoption unit and the head of the state foster unit and had spoken to both men several times in the past when I wasn't satisfied with how I was being treated!  Guess you can say I don't waste time and am a "seasoned" ladder climber!!!  4 weeks of 2 classes each Saturday is our lot in life for a while.  Doable, I guess!  We were excused for lunch break waaaay early (like 40 minutes) and left about 20 minutes, or so, before 5pm.

A couple who used to attend one of the churches we currently attend was also in the class, and I was glad to know someone there.  Several others professed their Christianity and it made for a nice group.

Despite swearing I'd keep my mouth shut not making the class any longer than it had to be, I was pointed out several times by the instructor saying, "I can just tell you want to say something."  I must have that "gift of gab" look on my face; OR, it's my "big brown puppy dog" eyes that don't hide my feelings well!  Jesse enjoyed making fun of me after we got out of class!

We attended church, went to eat lunch at a buffet and will eat the chicken salad, that was intended for last night's dinner, tonight.  JoAnn took us out for Mexican food last night.  An old friend of hers (someone who we see frequently) came over and everyone watched the Olympics and caught up on gossip, while I excused myself early with Chirper and we fell asleep soon after hitting the mattress.

Since it's Sunday, I'll keep this short and write more later in the week about different things..

Have a blessed (what's left of it) week-end!

P.S.  I'm having trouble with my keyboard again and may have to drop it on the floor a few times, again!  It sure worked well for a couple of days!

He didn't know if we got a "lunch" break or not during these long classes on Saturdays, so I'm not sure if we are to bring sandwiches to class.  He said he knew they served snacks but, with the price of groceries these days, I bet none of those snacks will be meat or cheese.  I have a problem with low blood sugar and I'm thinking we better take a sandwich!

We drove all the way north to the girls therapy appointment yesterday, only to find out the entire office had left two hours earlier for a week-end retreat!  That was wasted gas.  We went to the Wal-Mart up there (by Stephanie's apartment) and did minor shopping.  My bill was still for $100 and some odd cents!  I walked out with milk, juice, eggs, a couple frozen pizzas and some salad fixings. 

I was sleepy and went to bed before 10pm last night.  Jesse woke up 30 minutes after me this morning and said he stayed up AGAIN until 11:30pm watching the Olympics!!!  My body (armpit strain and should spasm) feel almost completely healed except for some mild tingling where there used to be pain.  I'm so glad.  I think getting that extra sleep these past few nights helped.

JoAnn will stay with the girls today and I've written a list of chores to keep them halfway busy!  She doesn't mind because she knows they'll listen to her.  I hope they ARE well behaved and DO listen to her!!!

Better eat some breakfast and take a quick bath.  It will be time to leave before I know it!  It's 8:10am and we have to leave at 9am.

I'll let everyone know, later, how boring these classes end up being! 

Yesterday, I was on the sofa brushing Annamarie's hair and pulled (a horrible wrenching pain) my shoulder blade muscle or rotated a rib in my back.  Between my sore left armpit and muscle spasm in my right arm and shoulder blade, I was a couch potato!  JoAnn and I watched two movies - something I RARELY get to do.  Eventually, I'm sure from holding myself still so I wouldn't feel the spasm, I ended up with a headache  - almost migraine type.  I went to bed early on a heating pad (Jesse was concerned and could tell I was in a lot of pain) and got up in he middle of the night to take 2 headache pills.  I feel fine this morning with only traces of what was so painful, before.

Jesse had a disturbing phone call last night.  A guy he worked with a long time ago, who has a Mexican restaurant nearby, shot his wife at the restaurant and then drove to the lake, shot himself, and the car plunged into the lake - which is where the investigation started.  I barely remember hearing Jesse's phone discussion last night (I was mainly asleep) and asked him for details today.  There are no details as of this morning.  They left young children behind.  Sad story.

Okay, I'm taking back that statement about them "not singing" . . .   The "Hour of Smiles" song from Annie was just on TV and they sang their little hearts outs at the top of their lungs!!!!  JoAnn and I laughed and I had to ask her how she thought my "little orphans" sounded!

Better change the loads of laundry out, drain the water from the cooked chicken, and get MYSELF in the bathtub.  Our appointment isn't for a while, but I hate to be rushed last minute.

Instead, I'll give you thirteen pictures from yesterday and we'll call it a "Thursday Thirteen" okay???!!!!

Aolani's dad is picking her up soon and she will be missed by our girls.  We have lots of heavy thunderstorms around us and the weatherman on the news said it shouldn't reach our area; but, it sure is looking dark outside!  I know Jesse is worried about getting caught up with his mowing, especially with the commercial properties he mows.  They are predicting rain for most of the next week.  That is a good thing because it means the grass will keep growing and the mowing season will lengthen.

We have no plans for today, except to return some rented movies.  And, if it storms, we may be stuck here for another day of gabbing!

We have to decide when (and if) we are going to Amarillo to see Jesse's and JoAnn's dad.  She was here in March and could definitely see a decline in him when I showed her pictures from Jesse's recent visit to Amarillo.

I'm glad JoAnn is here.  I forget how much I really like her.  It's good to have an in-law that feels like my OWN bloodline relative!!!!  (sweet)

We stopped to get her a burger on our way home.  Aolani's father was there at the airport to meet her and took her for the rest of the evening.  So my girls were disappointed they didn't get to see her until it was almost bedtime.  JoAnn, Jesse, and I had a nice visit.  Jesse went to bed early (we've had lots o rain, so he has "catch-up" mowing to do) and JoAnn and I stayed up until 11-something watch the Olympics.  That is WAAAAY past my bedtime and I slept like a log.

JoAnn is still sleeping and I'm doing my best to keep the four little girls as quiet as possible.  Finally starvation overtook them and I heard clattering in the kitchen.  Here's what I found.

Bye, y'all.

I ended up doing the sweeping for Annamarie in the bathroom AND the kitchen areas.  She just wasn't getting up the dirt and it HAS to be done today - due to company.  Luci had to be watched like a hawk when she cleaned her room so things didn't end up under her bed or under her bean bag chairs.  They did anyway, when I wasn't looking.

I'm really supposed to not be doing much of anything in the way of "arm work" but I scrubbed the gunk behind our toilet (Annamarie left that uncleaned and dusty/cruddy) and I took a broom to the kitchen, kitchen table room, and utility room floors getting more than a dustpan full of stuff.  I don't know how you miss a napkin, plastic ring from a milk jug, pencil or crayon when you're sweeping WITH YOUR GLASSES ON . . . but, Annamarie did; not to mention the dried grass, dried pasta, and dust bunnies under the cabinets.  Once it was in a pile, I told her to use the dustpan and then get on her hands and knees to get the few dirty spots with 409 and a paper towel.  No, I wasn't a happy camper, nor was I in a good mood about having to do her work.  It took her 2 days of working on the floors and I did them in 2 minutes.  Not very conducive to being relaxed.

I recognized my stressfulness and laid down on my bed to cool off, relax, and regroup my attitude.  I noticed Stormy lying on my bed in complete relaxation.  She was so relaxed that I came out to my desk to get my camera and found Chirper also lounging on the formal sofa without a care in the world.

I made a decision . . . .

I want to be a cat!

Not just *any* cat, but (specifically) one who lives in my home!

I want to be a cat (in my house) but I'm stuck being a human being for now!!!

I washed sheets last night and they are in the dryer as I type.  Any other laundry I do will be done just because I have a few moments here and there.

Speaking of typing . . . dropping the keyboard on the floor a couple of times DID solve the sticking keys problem.  I'm having a few problems, again, this morning.  I may have to drop it each day - but who cares? . . . it's better than paying money for another new keyboard!!  Jesse watched me drop the keyboard and I was waiting for him to tell me I was crazy.  He said a friend of his, who owns a pawn shop, does that a lot with keyboards, DVD players, and even TVs!  And, he said, it works!

Last night, I almost finished a short (easy to read) book called "Just Plain People - Tales and Truths of Amish Life" by E.R. Beachy.  What a humorous book.  He writes so well, telling little stories about himself and others.  He makes you feel like you are sitting right there as he spins his tales!  I sandwiched this book in between the last one and the one I'm about to start, "The Way She Chose."

Public schools are starting back this week.  JanaLyn will start tomorrow - kindergarten.  She is excited.  I'd like to get some schooling in today for my girls before Aolani comes.  I know she will be visiting her dad a lot while here, so that gives me more opportunities to school, but it's been a while since we've covered everything in general and I don't want them to forget what they've learned (i.e. American history, Science - the 5 senses, etc.).

Rissy ran the vacuum yesterday and the light dusting needs to be done, today.  Annamarie swept the kitchen and our bathroom with a broom, but I noticed LOTS of places she missed, so she'll be doing that again today.  It's seems so much easier to just ask Rissy to do it (and she's always happy to have a chore to do and be helpful), but that wouldn't be fair to her OR to Annamarie - who needs to learn to do jobs the right way.  Luci has taken over Annamarie's old jobs and Annmarie is doing some of what Rissy used to do.  Rissy is doing a lot of cooking these days.  I think she is motivated to learn for the same reason I was motivated to learn to cook . . . we like to eat good food!

We didn't use up the last of the turkey from Saturday's "Thanksgiving dinner" because Jesse took us grocery shopping yesterday afternoon.  It was 3pm when we finished and everyone was starved.  So he stopped and bought 99 cent burgers from McDonald's.  By dinner time, no one wanted much to eat.  Jesse made Ramen noodles for the girls and I ate a bag of popcorn.  It will be a tight squeeze to pick up JoAnn AND get dinner ready on time, so I'm making turkey tetrazzini with the last of the leftover turkey.

We were thankful, again last night, that no damage was done to our Suburban when "whoever" went through it, stealing only some loose change and a penknife.   Annamarie was mortified when she heard that someone had broken into the vehicle and was worried they had taken her sweatshirt from the back seat!  I told Jesse I couldn't believe they hadn't taken my used tube of Lip Smacker chap stick!!!

My arm is still a little sore, but improving.  Ibuprofen is all I need when I think it's bad enough to need anything at all.  I'm trying to not use it, giving it a chance to heal completely.

No interesting stories to tell.  Except for maybe one . . .

When at the grocery store yesterday, I saw they had their frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for $6/bag.  That's more like what I HAD been paying before they raised the prices, so I bought six packages.  Last week when I bought a package it was $8/package at all 3 Wal-Marts.  Makes me ill to see prices climbing on every single item in the store.  Not much I can do about it, we HAVE to eat.  That turkey was a good buy as it lasted 3 meals and cost around $15.00 for the whole bird.  A little more expensive than what you pay at Thanksgiving time, but still a good purchase.