Lance's Dad is home with Hospice care...

Well, this hasn't been the best week. 

Tuesday Lance's dad was sent home from one hospital, but was very weak and unable to stand on his own, so Tuesday evening he was taken to another hospital's ER and he was admitted there.  Tests were ordered and it was found that the cancer has moved around and there is another spot on his brain.  

The Dr determined that radiation probably wouldn't be very beneficial for him at this point.  If they focus the radiaiton on the cancer in his brain area (which they think is causing his symptoms...he's not comprehending things), then the cancer on his lungs or liver could start giving him problems (in the time radiation was being done).  The radiation takes a week or two and then another week or two to take affect.  If the radiation wasn't going to be beneficial and it's side-effects HORRIBLE, it was determined that no other radiation or chemo would be done and he would be able to rest more peacefully at home.

We are extremely blessed to have two relatives who work for/with Hospice.  Lance's cousin (and aunt) have been extremely helpful in getting Hospice set up and running in their home.  It was decided Wednesday morning while his dad was in the hospital, and by 3PM Hospice was at their house with paperwork and a bed with oxygen being set up.  His dad was transported by ambulance and arrived home that evening to a bed that was already made and waiting for him.  He seems to be resting peacefully whenever I've seen him.

He wasn't swallowing on Wednesday, but started swallowing again Wednesday night, so he could take his meds and even eat a tiny bit.  (they do have soluble meds)

He seems to recognize people briefly and speaks occasionally.

We've been spending as much time as possible there, Lance took Wed and Thur off but plans to work tomorrow and then take the weekend off to spend there.

Lance's brother and his wife are staying there, day and night, (with his dad and stepmom) and that makes us feel better as we know he's being watched closely and getting the care he needs. 

Prayers are appreciated as this is a very difficult time for the family :(

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Tuesday we went to our tax guy about our tax audit.  We have everything in order, and we should be fine unless the auditor (how do you spell that??) says that Lance's work mileage isn't deductible, then we are in trouble.  It's normal in his profession to deduct mileage, as he's considered a 'self contractor'.  The miles from home to his shop and shop to home are considered his commute, but the miles from his shop to his job site are considered tax deductible.  The tax man said that it depends on the auditor on whether or not they raise a fuss over it.  We just have to wait and see.  Lance has all his log books and they contain the mileage from the shop to each jobsite, so hopefully it will all be fine.

Wednesday we met with H+R Block, as we bought the audit guarantee for the year 2006, so they represent us for free at an audit.  We did NOT buy that guarantee for 2005, so we have to pay them to represent us for that year ($120).  That's not a bad fee and may be worth it I guess.  I honestly feel like I can represent us myself, but everybody keeps telling me that is a bad idea.  I seriously have everything in order so I don't see a problem, but I guess I'll just pay H+R Block to come along too.

I called the auditor on Wednesday to make our audit appt.  She set it for June 4 and seemed quite nice on the phone.  Then I went to HRBlock and they made me reschedule it for a later date.  I did NOT want to do this and the auditor was not impressed.  HRBlock kept saying we need more time...more time for WHAT?  I can't imagine what we need MORE time for, I have everything we could possibly need.  ??  Sigh.

So our big audit appt is NOW set on June 13, the very same day as Lilli's recital.  Double sigh.  Lance and I will drive separately so I can leave early from the audit if possible, because I really should be here to get Lilli dolled up for her recital.  It's just a mom thing and it's pretty technical.  'Hair must be parted on the left side in the center of the eyebrow'.  'Hair must be combed through with gel and placed in a low pony tail'.  'Bobby pins must be used if bangs or flyaways are a problem'.  The make-up instructions are even more in-depth.  I really need to be here to get her ready.  Hopefully the audit will go smoothly and we'll be out of there in an hour or two instead of the normal 4! hours. 

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On the menu...I haven't cooked at all since I posted it.  Huge sigh.  I just haven't been home.  I am hoping to cook beef stroganoff tomorrow though.

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Our critters are all doing well, our little Buckeye the buckling is doing great and I hope to get him out to play with the girls a bit this weekend.

The chicks are all doing great and the bronze turkey poults are really getting big.  The guinea keets are all doing well and they are definitely the more wild ones of the bunch.  Anytime we open the cage they run to and fro.  They are so cute though...and FAST!  LOL

Our new chickens are laying pretty good.  We get 5 or 6 eggs per day now.  We were already getting one or two with just our one little hen we had.  I think the new chickens are either young or stressed from the move.  They don't seem stressed, so I'm thinking young.  Some of them are laying medium white eggs and some are laying large brown ones.  They all lay in the same nest, so I'm not sure which hens are laying which eggs.

I plan to let them out to free-range tomorrow afternoon/evening.  We'll see how it goes and if they go back in the coop to roost.  If they do well, then we'll start letting them out each morning for a day of free-range before locking them in again at night.

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Lilli had her first T-ball practice last night.  It was so much fun to watch.  One little girl hit the ball and ran straight to second base...right over the pitcher's mound!  LOL.  It was not Lilli.  Lilli was worried about that.  She didn't think she'd know which way to run.  :)

Lilli did great and had a wonderful time!  She didn't want to leave when we were all done!  She was so tired though.  Practice goes from 6-7:30 on Wed nights and then again from 1-2 on Saturdays.  Her coach was awesome with the kids and they all seemed to have a great time.

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Today was Lilli's field trip to the zoo.  We had a great time but both of us were pretty tired afterwards.  I had 4 girls to watch over while we walked around, and that's just a lot for the zoo.  Each girl had their own ideas about where to go and what to see and how much time to spend at each exhibit.  One girl wanted to run to everything and one girl couldn't keep up no matter how slow we walked.  LOL.  Leashes.  They should give leashes to the parents attending field trips.  HA!

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Tomorrow we are pretty open.  I need to call and schedule Lauren's VCUG for June (to check her kidney reflux).  Lilli has school and then we'll head over to Bangor for a visit in the early evening.

Lance is spending Saturday and Sunday at his dad's. 

Lilli has a couple things going on Saturday and we'll visit Lance's dad as much as we can.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, I'll post updates when I can.

Hugs,
Lisa

11 Free Clothespin Bag Patterns

11 Free Clothespin Bag Patterns

Free Laundry Bag Pattern - Vintage (1944)..from tipnut

Free Laundry Bag Pattern - Vintage (1944)

Homemade Chalk

Best for ages 4 and up

Materials

• Toilet tissue tube (or an ice cube tray to create smaller chunks for younger hands)
• Duct tape
• Aluminum foil if you are using a toilet paper tube (or petroleum jelly if you're using an ice cube tray)
• Disposable plastic container
• Plaster of Paris (Playbox plaster of Paris, about $4 for 4 1/2 pounds, dickblick.com)
• Water
• Liquid tempera paint (Prang Ready-To-Use tempera paint, about $5 for six colors, dickblick.com)
• Spoon

Instructions

Step 1
Cover one end of the toilet paper tube with duct tape. Loosely roll an 8- by-41/2-inch piece of aluminum foil and slip it into the tube so that it lines the inside, fitting snugly. (Or coat the inside of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly.)

Step 2
Set tube upright (duct tape side down) on protected surface.

Step 3
In a disposable plastic container, help your child mix 1 cup plaster of Paris with 1/2 cup water. Stir slowly and thoroughly until plaster is dissolved, about 1 minute.

Step 4
Immediately add 2 tablespoons paint (or more for brighter chalk color, but be careful it can stain). Mix thoroughly.

Step 5
Spoon into the tube (or ice cube tray). Tap gently so mixture settles to the bottom.

Step 6
Let dry overnight before using.

Bubba and Jeffie with pictures

It has been such a blessing having the grand-babies back down here.  They have been with us for a few days because Michelle ended up in the hospital er for very bad head aches and her head swelled.  But Jeffie has been with us most of the time because he doesn't want to leave here.  But they both left today until Saturday night or ??.

Jeffie has a favorite place to sit when he is here.  It is on Bubba's (my hubby, he is called Bubba because he is carring on the family tradition of male grandpa being called Bubba, I named my grandfather Bubba, my girls called my dad Bubba and the torch has been past on to my hubby)  shoulder  Jeffie will crawl up on his shoulder they will talk and watch fishing and hunting shows.

Here is a picture of Bubba and Jeffie hunting deer 2 nights ago:

They look so cute .

Here is my sleepy deer hunter :

Here is Bubba with Maddie:

Here is Bubba with Maddie and Jeffie who is hiding from his mom Michelle so he wont have to leave, it worked she let him stay:

Well that is all for today.

God Bless, mj

Wishing I could post something positive.....sigh

I feel like all I am posting is bad news but that seems to be all I have right now.

My brother was kept in the hospital for a few more days. It seems that his "hh" levels have dropped. Now I don't know what that is but my bosses wife(bossman is a dr.) said if the "hh" levels get to six or below he could go into a coma....his is at 8 right now. The have started giving him blood this morning and are going to do the exploratory surgury tomorrow morning to see if they can find the bleeding and see if it can be stopped. I guess he is still having internal bleeding somewhere.

He is in good spirits most of the time and that is a good thing, we joke back and forth all day through texting and phone calls. He is on a soft food diet and I like to tease him about that. Mom has went up to be with him. And I guess it is a wait and see what the surgury finds tomorrow morning.

I guess I do have some good news after all, you all know through previous post that I am studying the bible more and trying to learn more about GOD and all that intails. Well this morning I went to my back porch, got down on my knees and asked GOD for forgiveness for my sins and that he help me accept him into my life. I asked him to help me live how he wants me to live and show me his ways.

I have to say that I was shaking for like 10 minutes afterward and I kept tearing up. Not sure why, maybe worried about a big change or something....I don't do well with change.LOL  But I do know I will be communication more with the LORD and giving everything over to him so that he can lead the way for me from now on.

Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to post some positive news.

Keep on praying!

Nancy

organizing

Well I finally packed up last year's school and got most of this year's put away. I'm debating on printing off the botany stuff yet or not. They will both do that this summer so I need to get their notebooks ready.

It took Mat all fo 15 minutes to do both of his root word pages (which he says he enjoys) and his 2 LA sheets. I'm using easy grammar as a supplement for this summer. It's not a writing program and I think this way he can focus on grammar. He knows the rules, it's just implementing them!LOL I'm xeroxing the pages for 2 reasons. One the answer key is directly across from his worksheet!LOL and  two, I can reuse the book w/Joey if need be and eventually sell it.

Other than that, I've mopped, worked out and vacuumed and almost done w/laundry. I even showered.;) Supper will be bacon and eggs and probably biscuits (I need to get them made).

Todays quote...Theodore Roosevelt

Be Prepared for Storms...from Mother Earth News

So many bad storms already this year. It pays to be ready.

Grandma Rosie 

Be Prepared for Storms

By Heidi Hunt

Lightning and wind and rain – oh my! Severe storms, plus the blackouts and flooding that accompany them, can be life-threatening. But, with a bit of advanced planning, you can weather them with relative comfort and minimal anxiety.

Food and Water

For most short-term emergencies, when the power goes out, experts recommend that you have on hand 1 gallon of water for drinking and sanitation per person per day for at least three days.

Here’s how to do this: When storms threaten, fill jugs with drinking water and fill your bath tub to have water to flush the toilet. (If water pressure fails, you can still flush by pouring water into the tank and flipping the lever.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has information on disinfecting water for drinking and cooking.

Keep on hand some foods that can be eaten without being cooked and can be easily carried if you need to evacuate your home. Energy bars, jerky, dried fruit and nuts keep a long time, are easy to store and carry, and contain concentrated energy and protein.

If you have pets, you also will want to develop a plan for their care and safety, especially if you have to evacuate. Add water for pets to your stored supply and sealable bags of dry food, plus leashes, crates and bowls to eat and drink from, if you have to evacuate. It’s good to have your animals’ shots up to date and their records handy to take with you.

Some folks keep an evacuation backpack ready to go in case of an emergency. If you and your family have to leave the house in a hurry, having just the basic supplies listed below will make the situation more comfortable. Store the backpack in a location that is easily accessible and known by all members of the household. Ready America, a government Web site, has more information about emergency supplies.

Emergency Kit

Weather radio
Flashlight
Old cell phone
Cell phone car charger
First aid kit
Water bottles
Hand sanitizer
Sealable plastic bags for food
A rain parka for each member of the family
Spare batteries
Cash, including some change
Addresses and phone numbers of family members and emergency services
Local map
Deck of cards

Stay Informed

If the power goes out, you won’t have TV, radio or the Internet to provide you with up-to-date information. Battery-powered or crank weather radios, available from $9 to $90, will keep you informed of conditions during a weather emergency.

Even if the power goes out, a landline, non-electric phone may still work, so keep one around. And you can use your car to charge your cell phone using a cell phone car charger, which plugs into the 12 volt DC car power socket (cigarette lighter). And any charged cell phone that can receive a signal, even one without an active service account, can dial 911.

Have a Plan

Know where to go in case a tornado or high water threatens your home. If you don’t have a basement, go to the most interior room or go to the nearest storm shelter. In cases of high water threatening your property, you should know the safest escape route to high ground that will not take you through the flood waters. Practice these strategies with your family so everyone knows where to go in case of a weather emergency.

Unless your house has been damaged by high winds or is being threatened by flood waters, the safest place to be during a weather emergency is your own home. We all cope best during times of stress when we are in familiar surroundings. This is especially true for children, the elderly and pets.

First Aid

Having first aid knowledge is another valuable resource for your family and your community. The Red Cross and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) offer first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes. The time to take these classes is now, before you need to use the skills.

Ready America also has a list of first aid kit supplies that includes the following, plus special supplies for at risk situations:

Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex)
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid
Laxative

With preparation and planning, you can make a short-term power outage relatively easy to deal with. You and your family might even be able to make it a fun experience, similar to camping out

Grandma Rosie

Tribute to Dottie Rambo

Follow this link for a lovely tribute to Dottie Rambo.

Dottie Rambo