Our older son's wife had a baby girl on 4/21 -- our second grandchild. I have a great picture of Mary holding her. Most people say that she doesn't look like she has dementia at all.
My other son, who had lost his way for a few years, has completed a five year apprenticeship with the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. I am so proud of the maturity and stability that this represents.
If all goes well Fl. daughter and I will fly to Ohio to see my three year old grand daughter's first dance recital. NC daughter will also join us at son's house. Three kids and a grand daughter-but no husband. He's missing all the good stuff.
I just received some great news that I need to share with someone. My youngest son just received a new Assistant Principal position at a school 13 minutes from his home. His last position was 45-60 minutes one way, besides the shorten commute, his salary will be $13,000 more a year. This is will give him so much more time with his young family. This child amazes me, he must interview great, everytime he has interviewed for a position, he is always offered the position.
Hasn't been much good or exciting here lately! Except my son, who has been in the hospital for 7 days with pneumonia was finally released today. He is awaiting a kidney and pancreas transplant and the good news is, the hospitalization, meds, etc., did not lower his kidney function! Bad news is, he's 1500 miles away and I can't see him!
My lovely 22 year old granddaughter is on the UNOS heart transplant list. She is listed as a 1B and they are going to move her to 1A eligibilitiy more than likely after her next cath procedure. We know too much about transplants. Her first heart transplant was when she was 5, - then she had a SECOND transplant when she was 9. Now, the Vasculopathy has returned and she is retaining fluids and in heart failure again. What is happening with Vasculopathy is that the veins to the heart are rejecting the 'heart'.. same thing happened when she was j9. Has anyone ever heard of a person who has had three heart transplants?? She said her doctors are optomistic. As time goes by, they are working diligently on anti rejection drugs..but so far, they aren't perfect. ..sigh.
Vickie its good new your son is much better and being released. its so very difficult being a mom and caregiver and dividing our time:) and so many miles in between. its turned for the best i am so happy for that. nancy i hope your grandaughter gets moved up soon. kadee thats excellent news getting to have more time with family is always a plus, susan that wedding is coming up sooner than you think!
Nancy, Vickie, and everyone else here having family difficulties (other than AD, etc), hope everything goes better for you. You're lucky to have those family members and may God be with them and help them along so they can be with you a long, long time. I haven't been reading every post on every thread, and this one in particular hasn't intriqued me much 'cause frankly there IS no good news about my family or friends.....except for lately. My youngest daughter, Ari (24) finally called me and actually came over for dinner Sunday night with her boyfriend. We had a nice dinner and she got to visit with her father for the first time in almost a year. She said he looked so well. And, yes, he tried very hard to sit up and keep up with conversation....but it was obvious none of them knew what to talk about and it was strained. But, at least it's a start...a jump-start for family relations again. Hurray.
The best thing to talk about are happy and/or funny events in the past. That keeps it light and those events seem to be easier to remember. That is what we did with my mom. My FIL was in the war era of his life the last time we saw him talking so we would ask questions about whatever he was talking about. With my grandmother, the last time I saw her she was in her childhood, so I had her telling me about that. Otherwise, talk with them wherever they are currently at.
On Tuesday, my husband's brothers took him to lunch and then took him to walk around the neighborhood they grew up in. He was so happy. I was happy that I was able to spend time with my parents and my sister for a few hours without him. We had a nice lunch and then my mom and I went for manicures. It was a relaxing day.
I love reading this good news post. Courtney's self-esteem is soaring already, since cancelling the wedding. She loves having the apartment to herself and is so happy, upbeat and feeling very relieved.
Great news...My daughter Kim and her husband have just started a help organization for our community......visit it at http://worksinfaith.org. I m so proud of them...and they have had so many requests by elderly people who can no longer do what they used to do...I will be volunteering my skills too as the need arises...We are hoping that it will go statewide, and possibly nationwide...but we are taking the baby steps first...
phranque, what a wonderful undertaking! I wish them and you all the best in this new endeavor which certainly is needed. And since they will have your expertise also, I know it will be successful.
Guess I'll toot my own horn here! I do lots of on-line surveys - especially in the winter time. In June, 2008, I was asked to participate in an economics study sponsored by 3 Harvard professors and one Yale professor. They "allotted" me a certain amount of money to "invest" in a portfolio. The study was one year. I could go back on-line and move my "investments" around, etc. Well, the study just ended and I have received my REAL CHECK in the mail today, for the amount that my portfolio increased in the last year. How much did it increase? I tripled it!!! Showed it to DH and while he didn't really understand what I had done - he did recognize the check! LOL Told me to go out and buy something I really want.
Bridal shower for our sons fiancee this Sunday. I have enjoyed the planning get-togethers with Jessies mom and aunts. It's a champagne brunch with a tea party theme. Pretty teacups filled with various teas,biscotti and honey sticks for favours and teapots of fresh flowers and living plants for centerpieces. The menu is to die for. Everything from quiche fresh fruit and apple pancakes to mimosas. I'm more than a little biased but they're a cute couple.If anyone would like to see their engagement photos go to www.imagesbymandy.com Click on view my photos then on jessicaandjohn It's been wonderful having something positive to look forward to. cs
My good news for today is my g/d Emily came to see me yesterday to tell me she is 9 weeks pregnant! due end of Feb next year,hoping for a girl as the last 7 in the family have been boys Rosie
My good news is that yesterday I talked on the phone with all three of our kids. In another week they will all be here with us in Maine - the first time in almost 2 years that has happened. I don't know how much DW realizes about the plans, but I am really looking forward to it. Now, if we can just have some good weather. It has rained almost every day for the past 6 weeks.
My good news is that my son will be taking a break from his Research project at Cornell and coming home! I have been invited to spend a few days at the Mohegan Sun and our son will stay with my husband. Funny......I haven't gone anywhere in 2 years, but am feeling guilty about this one. My husband adores our son (and Nicholas adores his dad), but I can't rid myself of the guilt of leaving. I'm actually panicking about this! Also wondering if I should stay home so that I can spend time with our son, too............ANYWAY....this is supposed to be GOOD news, and it really is..
Finally sunny today! Hooray! Bumper blueberry crop this year....guess they love the rain.
Ann, it's great that you're going to get some "me" time. It'll be good for your husband to spend time with Nicholas and have him all to himself. Don't panic, enjoy. ENJOY! The break will do everyone good.
About kittens, agree with bluedaze, definitely two. They just work so much better in pairs. And it's NOT crazy. They're a great source of affection and distraction.
I'm still grieving the loss of Reilly and Roscoe.......I should wait. AND, we do have our cutie, Gracie .......another golden....She's still a pup at 2. Not sure how she'll react to a kitten, except as a chew toy? ---Took my husband to the farm where we did get our buddy, Roscoe, almost 18 years ago. I found out that his mother just passed away at age 24! Thank goodness they did have any kittens right now!----I miss my bedmate!
Thanks for the advice, though.......Who knows what I will do? Still think I should find a poolboy...... :-)
Ann, pool boys are much higher maintenance than a couple of kittens! (-:
No new pet ever replaces another, I know from experience, but each does bring its own joy and comfort. For what it's worth, kittens that I have brought into a household where there is already a dog seem to adjust very quickly, more so than the other way around. Of my four dogs, my golden is the one likely to be found sharing her bed with one of the cats.
Have you checked e-bay for pool boy availability? If you see any good two for one specials, please let me know. Of course, then I would have to get a pool. (-:
Folly, if you get the pool, I'm coming over! <grin>
Ann, Gracie will probably mother the two new kittens, and their antics will help all of you as you grieve. Reilly and Roscoe were beautiful animals, and I know you are going to miss them terribly.