When you've got nothing to do, protect something that doesn't need protecting.
Politicians are politicians everywhere, I suppose.
May 2004 Archives
A little experimentation. Looks better here if you look at it over the next few days. It's the May 29 entry.
Blogging uses and possibilities are endless, it seems.
And that means I work harder than ever. I used to be lazy and carefree. Now, I am raising lazy, carefree children. By the time I ask for help with the domestics, I am worked up and yelling at people. It's my bad, I know. Sue tried to reform me months ago. Two people divided by 7 days = 3 days of dishes for each with the odd one being my day to clean the kitchen. So far, I have assigned them each a day per week. Aaron conveniently broke his wrist. My children are clever.
I found my father-in-law on the floor this past Thursday. He had fallen a couple of times in his room during the night. It looked like a tornado was in there with all the scattered stuff since he took down a dresser and a night stand with him. He was checked out at a hospital, no damage done, but he cannot walk anymore. I don't know if that is a permanent thing or he isn't interested in walking anymore.
He is now in an in-patient hospice room that is just so lovely and spacious, and he is thriving. When he checked in Thursday pm, he looked like he was knocking at death's door. Now, he is looking more alert and sounds more lucid. He is eating heartily and you can tell they aren't used to that. He was almost skipped for breakfast until he started yelling for it he told me. The fine print says he will be re-assessed every 24 hours. This beautiful arrangement is not for the going-to-die-someday patient. Perhaps his problems stem from over-medicating himself. It wouldn't be the first time. Now that his meds are being regulated, he seems to be making improvements. Michael and I will have to look into building on to our house. He is way too conscious for a nursing home situation, but then again, he is also moody, stubborn, and opinionated (just like me). How is he going to be to live with? Maybe he'll have to share some of those meds with me. Yee ha. I want to feel peace all the time too. Pass those ativans. Actually, he told me about a week ago that I need an ativan because of my hyperness. I am not much of a sitter so I putter around his apt finding things to do while he has been sleeping a lot. Sleeping a lot? Or over-medicating? I can't say and the home health nurse who came out the day before he went down told me she's seen worse than him staying by themselves. He couldn't keep his eyes open, he seemed a little preoccupied with certain body functions. He looked like he was dying to me. She seemed to think we could limit his sodium intake to make him more ambulatory. He may just be a good actor. I look at him all the time for signs. My prognosis changes all the time. We are all going to die. Sorry to tell you all. I didn't just find that out either. Anthony is dying too. I could check out way before him, though. Reality checks all around.
Class of 2004 I hope the ceremony was nice and unusually interesting last night. And that your Aunts Katie and Christina, and cousins Lars, Amy, Jackson, and Jacob made it in time. I tried to upload your beautiful senior pictures, but the doggone computer won't recognize my scanner and when I try to re-install it, it won't give me a Canon or Other option to program in. What the heck? Forget it.
Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievements, Ms. Brianne. Your future's so bright, you need to wear shades.
Love,
Aunt Janine
New entry on the Reunion Blog.
My truck was recovered a few hours ago at the corner of Elysian Fields and Decateur. It was stolen on April 28. It had several parking tickets either in the truck or on the windshield. The person(s) using it were pigs. Cigarette ashes, peanut shells, and chip wrappers everywhere. There were also some crawfish tails in the bed. Thankfully, it doesn't smell mildewed or worse inside so it can be cleaned up without too much trouble. They stole all of my hub caps and trim rings along with two wheels and tires. I'll give more details as they come up. I think it will be fixed and I'll be about as well off with it as I was before it was stolen. As of this writing, it looks like a month of inconvenience will be the worst of it.
Ashley was confirmed last weekend (5/16) I'll try to post some pictures. My mom & dad, Dan's parents, his sister (Ashley's sponser) and her best friend Emily were in attendance that day. We had been having crummy weather, but the sun came out that morning and we were able to enjoy the warmth of the day. We went out to brunch afterwards and it was all in all a very nice day. This past weekend Dan and our brother in law, Jim took the boat to Lake Superior to launch it for the season. All went well with the launch but because of gale warnings they didn't take it out for a spin. Probably a good idea! We will head up there for the holiday weekend and hopefully this rainy weather we've been having will be gone! Only 9 more days of school! Carol
Updated (11:37AM)!!!
Just started this project today. Your "Reunion" password is required. Bookmark the site and send me any information you have. I have very limited information on Tompkins and Byes. I need all the help I can get. I think this will compile very nicely over the next few days and weeks until we have a complete picture.
The idea is to have a central and fairly well-protected repository for family contact information. It can be updated quite easily and the updated information is instantly available to everyone. Dad used to compile and distribute a card. I think this might be easier to maintain. You can print as many copies as you wish. I have a link on the side as well.
I was just reading the blog, when I heard an awful noise outside. When I stepped outside, I saw a jet circling heading west. Now that is puzzling. What on earth would a navy jet be doing way out here? Then it came to me. I had heard on the radio this morning that Pres. Bush would be at the LSU graduation ceremony tonight. Now I have to ask, Why? I know I really should read the paper, or at the very least watch the news, however I kinda like these little surprises, and I'm sure someone reading this will fill me in. Anyone?
Was that test $200? Congratulations, Christina. And on doing so well in your studies. You are to be commended for a job well done. Mom told me how well you did in your classes this semester, despite all the upheavel in your life. You deserve a big treat.
I heard about your new SUV. What dealership sold that to you? Did you give them Jacob for that vehicle? I haven't heard his voice in the background when I talk to Mom in a couple of days.
Max ferritted out a snake this morning. He is about 3 feet long, and looks like a moccasin, except I don't think it is. I studied him for the longest time, but came to no conclusion. It was grayish black, and somewhat fat (I've seen fatter moccasins), but his head (though appeared to be triangular) was quite a bit smaller in comparison to his body. Oh, and he appeared to be buffed color under his head, couldn't see the rest of him, although I tried. He was quite agitated with Max barking and me staring at him. What do ya think Rob? And no, I'm not interested in disposing of it. I'm just curious.
Amy and Lars are looking forward to the end of school. We're going to Atlanta on the day they get out. We'll be riding with Christina in her brand new SUV! Hot darn for us! Brianne's graduation is on the 27th, and we wanted to be there to see her walk across the stage. I can't believe she's graduating already! 18! My My My, funny I don't feel old at the prospect of my godchild graduating. However, one trip to the mall with a teenage daughter makes me feel ancient!
There is nothing to report, but surely there must be news elsewhere. I am kind of caught up on the Ferrara people, but what about some Tompkins?
Laura, are you going to Camp Mooseburger this year?
Carol, where are you vacationing this year?
Nancy, what is the wait time avg. at your e.r.?
Mary, are you still there? How is the lil' bambina?
Janice, do you have a Muslim name too?
Thomas, was that just a once in a lifetime entry? How was your year of teaching little people?
Aunt MaryAnn, how is your wrist? I will call you.
Gary, drop us a line.
Stephen, what are you doing for the summer?
Beth, how are your feet? I hope you are well. How is your Mother?
Katie T., what are you going to do with your summer vacation? Or are you teaching summer school?
Where's PJ been all this time? Tim? Steve Bye?
I have been tending to my sick and ailing father-in-law who has been in the hospital. The left side of his heart is completely blocked and he is taking cumudin (sp?) to try to ease that. He thinks it is his time to go. That may be. He has been wanting to go for 4 years now since his wife passed away. Unfortunately for him, he still has a healthy appetite and a strong constitution. Still, the signs are pointing that way - lungs are getting fluidy and he gets Lasik(sp?) for that. His elevated heart rate never did stabilize for long, but I guess after keeping him for 5 days - the hospital had to eject him. I prepared Aaron's room and a good meal last night in expectation of him coming here, but he preferred to be at home for the first night at least. I will go to him this morning and try to get home health or some other senior services for him. I will also look into finding living arrangements for him. He will be 82 on June 15th.
You all have a good day and write soon.
i want to go see Casablanca and I'm almost certain Patsy wants to see Rear Window.
I am so proud of myself! I made my first-ever batch of blackberry jam tonight. We have two very large blackberry bushes in our backyard and they produce an abundant amount of huge blackberries. Last year we let them go to waste and I vowed to make jam this year. I am excited to say that I followed through and made 8 jars of freezer jam. Now whether or not it tastes good remains to be seen. I also made beautiful labels on my computer and was feeling all pleased with myself until I tried to put the labels on the jars. They don’t stick very well. It could be that the labels are old, or it could be that the size and shape of the labels don’t suit the little round jars. I have another bag of berries and more on the bush to pick, so I’ll be making jam for the next couple of nights. I have to go get some more pectin, sugar and jars. I sure hope it tastes good. With all of the sugar the recipe calls for, I don’t see how it couldn’t taste good!
Picture day at CrabAppleLane Blog. Enjoy.
Butter pecan ice cream with Hershey's chocolate syrup is not the best breakfast but life is short and I just felt like it.
Lars is practicing for his date with the Liquid Force pros on the 17th.
It rained non stop for at least 12 hours yesterday. We were treated to a lot of lightening and thunder. And, about 7pm, the lightening became pulsing flashes. Kind of like the flash of some cameras. It was very strange, and kept me on the edge of my seat because it was lighting up my entire house! The sun is glorious today! I can't complain about the rain, because we needed it-- or at least a few hours worth. But that's Louisiana for you, all or nothing!
Aaron broke his arm yesterday at recess playing football; more specifically, the torus(sp?) bone in his wrist. He is in a splint and I am to call an orthopaedist to get a cast put on it. I visited him at his school earlier that morning because he got something in his eye and it burned. As I was putting in drops, he told me about a head injury he got in P.E. when someone hummed a ball at him. When the school called me an hour later, I just had to roll my eyes. I am tired of e.r. visits. I have had more than my share in the last 7 years. That is when it all started. Okay, you all can roll your eyes at me, but I will tell you that both of my people have Mars opposite Uranus in their charts and that sets up accidental conditions.
Kevin told Katie, who repeated it to me, that we should pad the house and lock them in, or something to that affect. I told her that is when the missiles will find us. Christina and I recounted all of their freak accidents. Okay, the broken jaw seemed preventable, but the rest of them were just unpreventable; climbing a tree that had a little bump sticking out where Michael had sawed off a branch - tore Aaron's leg open - the bobo healed in the glyph of Taurus the Bull. Julia running backstage at my theater - a nail sticking out ripped open her leg. Julia, age 2, walked in front of a swinger and got a broken collar bone when she was kicked to the ground. Her finger got caught in a hinge of the door Aaron closed, which practically severed an inch of her pinky finger. Julia fell on her birthday, 2 years ago and ripped open a line abover her knee that needed to be stitched closed. Aaron broke his left arm while scootering in Atlanta.
What's a mother to do? I cannot tell you how many times in a week that I do a loud gasping in-take over what I see as an accident waiting to happen. I must have told Julia at least a dozen times last night to get off of rolling objects, stand on her feet, sit on her behind, and other little warnings about her precarious way of being. I am determined to see them into adulthood.
To Nancy, Mary (Steve's wife) and Pam (Dan's wife). Just a little note to say how much we appreciate you folks! Hope you all have a great day.
Are there any other nurses out there?
Love,
Princess Janine
I am glad to see others making entries on my new blog.
Today, I am going to Aaron's school for "Field Day". I have never volunteered for one of those, so that should be fun. In fact, I usually avoid that one because it is hot as hades around this time. It is so pretty today already.
The children are invited to my friend, Elaine's, tonight. Aaron was over there the whole last weekend. It is my turn, but she says she doesn't keep track. They have more fun over there; foosball, trampoline(though, it isn't as much fun as it used to be), gamecube; movies. They are having a baby-sitter tonight and that's always fun to have a teenager's delicious attention. I may have a date. I wish we knew how to act on one. We never go anywhere. I am not counting Wal-Mart.
Tomorrow night is Amy's dance recital. Katie may have gotten two tickets for us. Either Aaron and Julia are going, or I am going with Julia and Aaron can stay home. I volunteered to baby-sit Polina, but Scott may be in town again. He went to visit his Mum in Florida. She had a heart attack without being aware of it and was taking aspirin for 5 days and the pain would go away. She was told in the e.r. that an hour and a half would have made the difference between her living and dying. Nancy Soule is made of strong stock.
Sunday was supposed to be my book club night, but it got cancelled. I couldn't think of a better Mother's Day gift than to go to book club, but I guess some mother's don't get enough time with their families. We are all meeting for brunch at Elizabeth's that day. I am bringing a spinach quiche, Angela is making a breakfast casserole, and I am sure there will be plenty of sides and desserts. Well, not plenty, but surely enough.
So, who's there and what are you doing this weekend?
Here are the pictures of Daddy’s tomb. There are three pictures including the ones posted yesterday. I wanted to get a full front picture and one showing the placement of the plaque from the Marine Corps. I also wanted to get a close-up picture of the plaque. The cemetery where he is buried is beautiful and kept up very well. I pass it often and say a prayer every time. For the Minnesotans I imagine hearing that we picnicked in the cemetery was a bit strange. It’s not that uncommon here. Cemeteries in New Orleans are very beautiful and have a lot of history.
There are only 17 student days and 2 teacher days left for me. We are doing standardized testing right now. We have argued with our headmaster every year, to no avail, that we shouldn’t be testing kindergartners. It stresses the kids and us out and to boot, the results are less than valid! We are getting a new headmaster next year, and we plan to bombard him with our philosophies about testing.
Joey, my sister, and some friends, and I went out to eat Saturday night at a restaurant called Tommy’s. It’s downtown on Tchopitoulas St. It was excellent food! The owner is related to the owner of our favorite restaurant, Irene’s. Irene’s is in the French Quarter and is our absolute favorite restaurant. Tommy’s had the same food, but the ambience and atmosphere of Irene’s can’t be duplicated. We took Mary and Eric there during their visit here.
These photos from Angela. I think she has more, too.
Well, I now officially have two teenagers! Nicole celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. We had Dan's parents,his sister & brother in law, and a friends' family here for birthday dinner celebration. Nicole had a couple friends over for pizza and a movie Friday night and then a "sleepover" which amazingly was actually a sleepover. We took them to see the movie Ella Enchanted. It was a cute spin on the Cinderella story. Nicole had read the book and wanted to see it and according to her freinds it was great. Not too mention the prince was "hot". Now today as one of her gifts, she is shopping with Daddy for a new outfit. Dan usually gets the girls an outfit for their birthday, but they are getting hard to fit, so he gave her a purse filled with fake 20's marked "Daddy Shopping Money". So off to the shops they went. I'll be anxious for the fashion show when she gets home. Dan is a gifted shopper and does well shopping with the girls. After a busy week with lining up volunteers for a big project at the middle school and getting ready for Nicole's b.day, I'm just taking it easy today and finishing a little laundry. Which, is actually a blessing. Our five year old washer is dieing. I had a repair man out last week only to tell me that the noise I was hearing was a $500-600 repair. (so much for new couch shopping!) So, I ordered a new washer and it'll be delivered Tuesday. So each load I get out of this one is one less I have to take to the laundramat. Dan picked up our boat yesterday from the canvas guy (who made new canvas for it) and now it's ready for the big lake (Lake Superior). He and our brother in law will bring it up there in a few weeks as the next few are busy. I can't wait to get out on the water! Well, that's all the news from here for now. Carol (p.s. only 25 more days of school according to Ashley!)
Below is a big leaf magnolia (Picture taken this morning) given to me by Katie for my birthday. It is doing well now. I was worried about it for a time. I put bricks around it to keep the armadillos from digging it up. They go after freshly-planted things. Either the bedding fertilizer used by the garden center attracts the armadillos or it attracts worms which attracts the armadillos.
More pictures I took this morning can be seen here.
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