Well, the first day is behind me, and it went well. I am a bit tired from walking across campus 4 times for things, and I found that my chair is really uncomfortable, but I think that is because people adjusted it while I was gone. Tomorrow it is going to be tweaked back. I am headed to get some plants at my cousin's house before the bulldozers make an end to them all. It could be there already for all I know.

Thanks Hop and Fabianna for the gift of heart and roses, much appreciated.

 

Update later Monday evening:

We got there in time, and my truck bed was full of flowers and plants from George and Cindy's house.  JoAnn and I will divide them tomorrow after work, it was all we could do to get them dug and on the truck!  We unloaded them at her house and put them in the shade until tomorrow.  Even though the temp went down, we were still both dripping from the effort, but it is worth it as we have some beautiful plants that were lovingly cared for for years, and now we will carry on the growing of them.  I am going to put mine in a special garden area, kind of a tribute to Cindy.  There were literally thousands of plants dug up by people before we dug ours, and there are some left.  Cindy had a triple green thumb, and was the talk of the neighborhood for her growing ability.  Don't worry, we used small boxes and did not lift more than 15 or so pounds at a time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just spoke to Joan and she said the shooting range / raffles / bake sale fundraiser that they had Saturday evening brought in over $1700, so it went very well!  Most of the people who attended were family, friends, and coworkers, but there were others that participated as well.  They were really happy with the results.  Thanks to those that came (a few of the participants read this space for updates).

 

The lady who was taking my piano is no longer doing so. It is three inches too long for the spot they have in their home, and it is the only place it would have worked for them.  That made both them and me feel a bit sad, as I know the little girl would have loved it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clayton is still here!  We have been having a lot of fun. So far a few things we have managed to fit in (well Clayton has mostly): baking cookies for Chris's fundraiser on Saturday night (we made snickerdoodles), playing in the pool, watching Sky High 5 times, Toy Story 3 times and Roger Rabbit once, more playing in the pool, watching the crew across the street replace a sewer line, driving the little car around my truck in the driveway, even more playing in the pool, playing Old Maid, Fuzzy Puppies, Fluttery Butterflies and a few other games, and gosh - would you believe even more pool playing?  The little girl next door came over several times and the place got a bit wild as she chases after Clayton for the occasional kiss even at 4 years old.  He runs away like crazy at those times, both of them squealing and giggling, until she gives up and decides to play without kisses until she gets the urge once more.  Then off they go again all over the place.  I have a feeling he will have to get used to running a lot until he figures out kissing is not so bad after all.  Somehow those cooties will not seem so yucky... heehee.  Christopher is at the hospital getting more platelets today.  He has gotten at least one whole blood transfusion and platelets unit every other day for over a week now.  (a couple of times it has been more than one).  He is quite shaky and weak, and his platelet count was only at 42 after the last one on Wednesday, so he is not making his own at this point.  Hopefully they will kick in soon.  I am off to play with the fisher price castle awhile. 

 

John and Clayton are now out mowing our front lawn.  Pics have been added of the two of them, and also of Clayton watching the sewer crew yesterday.

 

Chris is going back to the hospital today to be checked out and will probably be getting more platelets and whole blood - he may be re-admitted as well, we are not sure.  He is still intermittently bleeding from his mouth, and he is also developing bruises on his scalp and elsewhere, a sign that his veins are having problems holding the blood in due to lack of platelets again and the escaping blood is pooling near the surface.  I will know more later when Joan lets me know how things went.  He also stubbed his toe a little while back, and that is getting more infected despite the heavy doses of antibiotics being pumped into him every 8 hours.

 

We just got home and are exhausted!  John and I were with Marty and Christopher this evening - Joan had to go into work.  We picked up the refrigerator that we bought for them yesterday as theirs is limping and on its last breath as we speak.  (I went over with the "big blue truck" and picked up Marty and Chris earlier - about 4:30 or so, and John met us at the appliance place straight from work).  On the way back to Marty's I drove very carefully as I had 2 precious cargoes on board - Chris and the new fridge.  After we got there, the fridge was easy to unload, as the neighborhood association president met us with a bobcat and took the fridge from the truck bed straight to right inside the patio doors.  It would have been treacherous otherwise down a very uneven steep hill or else down lots of wooden stairs - and no one was looking forward to it the hard way with the dolly.  I guess it pays to be friends with the president of the neighborhood association.  After the fridge was moved to the kitchen, the men drilled some small holes, prepared the filter lines and then got things all set up, while I actually got to cuddle with Chris!  It was a blissful 3 hours.  He wanted to snuggle, and I was allowed to do so.  (We have not been allowed to do that for awhile because of his lack of immunity and his vulnerability to infections, but the doctor okayed it again after his levels went up a bit).  He finally fell asleep on me after eating some pudding and then relaxing with me.  He had gone to the hospital today and did receive platelets and whole blood, and will get the same again probably on Wednesday.  The bruises are popping up here and there, little ones all over his head mostly.  The doctor said they will lessen once the platelet problem is taken care of.   Oh, my nephew's wife has a relative who is a helicopter medic, and he is going to take Chris up in the helicopter!  They don't normally do that, but because of what he is going through, they are allowing it.  I am not sure when it will be, depending upon scheduling and how fast he improves, but it should be a fabulous adventure for a 2 year old!  (or anyone else for that matter who has not been up in one before).  Chris turns 3 this August btw. 

Every year since the 1960's, there has been a parade on the first Saturday of June for the parochial school a few blocks away.  As this is technically a parish subdivision (it used to be 98% catholic, but has changed just a bit over the decades, still remaining over 85%), the school parade goes through it and our street is one that is on the route.  After the parade there is a picnic on site, but this year I did not attend.  Usually I go up, play a few games, ride at least one ride, and play a bit of bingo, then take home some really delicious food.  Next year I will be back on track, but this year I was content to just sit in my usual spot on the driveway and wave at the kids as they paraded by.  I have always had a dog sitting with me, first Melody our Springer Spaniel, and then Petie our current dog.  This year I decided not to do that.  Instead, Christine came over and watched the parade with me, and I left Petie inside to watch through the door.  Several kids came by and gave me dog treats for her!  They know where the good dogs live.  We got lots of candy thrown to us as well, and I saved about 10 pieces for the grandsons and gave the rest to Christine for hers.  The parade was a bit puny this year - no band, no drum and bugle corps, and very few convertibles.  Usually we have a few other treats as well - sombreros from Chevy's Tex Mex restaurant, balloons, clowns, floats, lots more vehicles, and at least one sometimes two bands and a drum and bugle corps.  Usually there are Kindergarten through 8th grade class groups, a day care, the dare / drug free program group in which the kids who attend public school but are in the church can join, the parent organizations, the local service people such as our fire department and our police officer (yes we have one police officer assigned to our tiny 4th class municipality -Officer McKelvey - a great guy that everyone knows - he is aware of who lives where like Andy Griffith!), the mayor, the head priest, and other groups.  I would say most of the kids were there (I did not take pics of every class group) so that is good.  We have the biggest hill in the subdivision to walk up and are the half way point of the parade (and the hill) so we give them encouragement "You are half done!  This is the biggest hill, it is easy from here!"  lol.  They love us, surely they do.  Anyway, that is the entry for today! 

Thanks Gaylene, you do great graphics!

Chris is at home now, and the worst is over - again, after several transfusions of whole blood and also platelets.  I won't go into detail on the latest horrid stuff; let's just say it was the worst yet and was pretty bad.  Glad it is past now.  He is now on IV syringes every 8 hours - each huge hypodermic is supposed to be timed at 4 minutes to empty so Joan has to put it in very slowly.  (this is changed from the IV bag they were going to have.)  They contain heavy dose antibiotics.  Joan has been taught how to administer the meds through the IV port in his chest.  A special needs nurse comes by and checks periodically and administers other care and meds.  They feel more comfortable at home, less stress, so that is good.  He is entering the maintenance stage of the treatment (they said his levels are such that it is time), so as long as his levels stay within the desired range it will be maintenance stage until 6 1/2 years old.  Wow, the time went by quickly so far.  Thanks to all who have offered thoughts, comments, prayers, focusing, positive energy.  Continue it please.

I am still on my path to recovery and things seem to be going smoothly.  I still get really tired and have been stressed out quite a bit lately - am trying to not have the stress affect me per doctor's orders.

All others in the family are doing well.