Life has been too wild around here to keep up with a blog, but here's a little bit of news, just in case you're checking. Of course what could be better than our REDBIRDS winning the World Series on Friday nite???? So cool and so great that David Eckstein was the MVP!! Still love Albert, but hooray for the little guy who never failed to produce for his team at bat!!! Am going to have to invest in some commemorative tshirts for Xmas around here!!!
I am way behind on everything--worse than usual. Trying to backpedal and make a dent. Between the funeral, life with these people, Halloween and Arbonne--my house is trashed and no hope of recovery. Good thing that Halloween will be over tomorrow. Hope they quit changing their minds on their costumes before dark tomorrow--arghh! Em has always been a princess, don't know how she could handle being a 50's girl. Abby goes back and forth between a hula girl and a cheerleader. All the choices will come with warm clothes as it's supposed to be cold, no rain, thankfully tho....Kat is going to be a pirate. Jess did her "Jack Sparrow" like makeup a couple years ago when she was a pirate, now no Jess to recreate the look. Hopefully my skill will be adequate. :)
I stepped out of my comfort zone and drove by myself to Edmond, OK this weekend for an Arbonne Retreat. I was not in the mood to go, and had 5 activities with the kids to manage, but Mark and Deborah thought I should go, would be good for me, good for my business etc.....so I went, and they were right!! I met some amazing women who have totally inspired me to get to work and work hard at my business. So much fun!! The roads in KS and OK are far better than any in MO, must have something to do with a toll road system. I took M's car and didn't meet any troopers in an unfriendly fashion either---yay! It was good of him to loan it to me, I may let him drive my white Mercedes sometime too. :)
Supper time calls, yes, I'm back in the real world. Happy Haunting to all!!!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ladedadee--life goes on!!
I'm chillin with the Cardinals game! Go Big Red!! Speaking of chillin--Pat and I went to the pumpkin patch with Em's class today. It was sunny and gorgeous, but there was a cold wind that blew thru my head and denim jacket. We were glad to get a hot cup of drink and feel the warmth of TJ Maxx. :) Yes, retail therapy for the bereaved. :)
We had the funeral last weekend in Jeff City. Pat got here on Thurs and we had a cake and punch event at the nursing home. So many workers came by to chat and hug, plus an OLD cousin of Mom's and Mrs. Knowles. We were glad to be able to get and give closure to those who cared for and cared about Mom and Dad for 5 years. I didn't plan on getting sick, but after having Kat home all week, I took myself to the dr and had a sinus infection and bronchitis--yuck! I told our dr that I was the "designated family hugger" so I needed good drugs fast and he complied. I felt better by the w/e, but sounded awful.
Pat went to the airport to pick up my Aunt Phyllis and Karen, Mom's best pal, since 1950---we've only known Karen since 1963. Those two brought more sunshine than a million weathermen. Such dear souls. We went to JC on Friday and enjoyed a lovely dinner downtown big JC with our family. It was a good meal and good to see everyone. Mom's little brother in Denver is not in good health and so I was not expecting to see his boys---aka my "little cousins" b/c they are way younger than us. So fun!! We retrieved Jessica from Joy and Wayne and saw some friends downtown too.
On Saturday, we had visitation at the church---so many old friends, from grade school, high school, church, neighbors, co-workers, family members. Such an encouragement to collect hugs and good wishes from so many!! My sister, Pat gave a wonderful eulogy as we said good bye to Mom. The ladies of Our Saviour's fed a wonderful lunch and we sat and visited and took a few pictures. It was pretty cool to have all our first cousins in the same room at the same time---prob won't ever happen again. :( It started to rain as we left for the cemetery. My brothers had dug the hole for the ashes container on Friday. After the pastor said a few words, they got to put her in, and we took turns covering the box with the dirt. Really can't believe that she's gone.
We were pretty tired when we got back to KC. Aunt Phyllis bought us pizza--yay! We met again at Bob Evans for lunch on Sun in honor of Miss Em's 6 bday. Then Pat took them to meet their relative and the girls watched Em's "Little Mermaid" movie while I made a choc cake. We celebrated after church--and Em had a good day.
We can't believe that our "nursing home years" are over. We can't believe how sad we are, but totally thought we were "ready" for this. I did connect with some friends and cousins that I had been missing, so am determined to do better to stay in touch even tho I get "busy" or "overwhelmed". Also reminded how much a card, a hug, a pat on the arm or a box of cookies mean at times like these. We especially were glad to have all our cousins there--so many made long trips, with old guys or little kids or not....just took the time and it meant a bunch to us and won't be ever forgotten.
Pat and I hope to work on thank you notes and finish up some other "stuff". We have to work at the elem school tomorrow too. The teachers will be tickled to have 2 listeners instead of one. :) I have also been practicing my Arbonne on Pat. We are getting ready to do a Pampermint foot scrub/cream now. Fun stuff. Have to curb the "bereavement eating" too---yikes!! :) Could share a ton of details gleaned from the weekend, but will close now as the Cards are WINNING!! Hang on boys, hang on!!
We had the funeral last weekend in Jeff City. Pat got here on Thurs and we had a cake and punch event at the nursing home. So many workers came by to chat and hug, plus an OLD cousin of Mom's and Mrs. Knowles. We were glad to be able to get and give closure to those who cared for and cared about Mom and Dad for 5 years. I didn't plan on getting sick, but after having Kat home all week, I took myself to the dr and had a sinus infection and bronchitis--yuck! I told our dr that I was the "designated family hugger" so I needed good drugs fast and he complied. I felt better by the w/e, but sounded awful.
Pat went to the airport to pick up my Aunt Phyllis and Karen, Mom's best pal, since 1950---we've only known Karen since 1963. Those two brought more sunshine than a million weathermen. Such dear souls. We went to JC on Friday and enjoyed a lovely dinner downtown big JC with our family. It was a good meal and good to see everyone. Mom's little brother in Denver is not in good health and so I was not expecting to see his boys---aka my "little cousins" b/c they are way younger than us. So fun!! We retrieved Jessica from Joy and Wayne and saw some friends downtown too.
On Saturday, we had visitation at the church---so many old friends, from grade school, high school, church, neighbors, co-workers, family members. Such an encouragement to collect hugs and good wishes from so many!! My sister, Pat gave a wonderful eulogy as we said good bye to Mom. The ladies of Our Saviour's fed a wonderful lunch and we sat and visited and took a few pictures. It was pretty cool to have all our first cousins in the same room at the same time---prob won't ever happen again. :( It started to rain as we left for the cemetery. My brothers had dug the hole for the ashes container on Friday. After the pastor said a few words, they got to put her in, and we took turns covering the box with the dirt. Really can't believe that she's gone.
We were pretty tired when we got back to KC. Aunt Phyllis bought us pizza--yay! We met again at Bob Evans for lunch on Sun in honor of Miss Em's 6 bday. Then Pat took them to meet their relative and the girls watched Em's "Little Mermaid" movie while I made a choc cake. We celebrated after church--and Em had a good day.
We can't believe that our "nursing home years" are over. We can't believe how sad we are, but totally thought we were "ready" for this. I did connect with some friends and cousins that I had been missing, so am determined to do better to stay in touch even tho I get "busy" or "overwhelmed". Also reminded how much a card, a hug, a pat on the arm or a box of cookies mean at times like these. We especially were glad to have all our cousins there--so many made long trips, with old guys or little kids or not....just took the time and it meant a bunch to us and won't be ever forgotten.
Pat and I hope to work on thank you notes and finish up some other "stuff". We have to work at the elem school tomorrow too. The teachers will be tickled to have 2 listeners instead of one. :) I have also been practicing my Arbonne on Pat. We are getting ready to do a Pampermint foot scrub/cream now. Fun stuff. Have to curb the "bereavement eating" too---yikes!! :) Could share a ton of details gleaned from the weekend, but will close now as the Cards are WINNING!! Hang on boys, hang on!!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
What a difference a day makes.
Yesterday at this time (6:50 pm) I was sitting at my mom's bed at the nursing home. I had spent part of the day bumming around the square here in Indep with my pal, Ann, looking at the fall decorations. I did my duty counting and graphing gummy bears with Em's class. ( I KNOW I did NOT make graphs in kindergarten in 1966-67), then read with some kids in Abby's room. So I missed a couple calls. When my sister finally found me about 4:30 pm, it was "crunch time". The nursing home had called her with "the call". They thought Mom had a heart attack. I dropped what I was doing and raced down thru the rush hour traffic, not knowing whether Mom would be still there or not. Luckily she was still alive. I got to sit my her, hold her hand and talk to her all evening. The nurses were outstanding, keeping her comfortable and so kind to me. I chatted with my family a couple times. Mark and the girls were bringing me a chicken sandwich after church. Just as they came in, Mom was breathing her last. She just slipped away, without pain or drama. So that was good for me to have Mark there. The girls weren't too freaked out, and had a nice "memory time" on the way home with Mark.
So today was full of phone calls back and forth, even tho we made the funeral plans 5 years ago when they moved into Foxwood. Still several loose ends to figure out, but we'll have her service in Jeff City on Sat Oct 21 at Our Saviour's Lutheran--her church home for 37 years. My sister and I will host a meet and greet at the nursing home for the staff and any locals, prob on Thurs or Friday. Mark stayed home from work today and helped with the girls, took me on an errand, H to the chiro and tonight to the skating party for the elem school. (He's usually not the "chosen one" to that activity. :)
After 10+ years of dementia and 5 years in the nursing home, we were still surprised how much this hurts. I told my sister that "we would be really warped" if this was easy. :) We are looking forward to seeing our family and friends again. Over all we're doing ok--just bummed, but ok.
So today was full of phone calls back and forth, even tho we made the funeral plans 5 years ago when they moved into Foxwood. Still several loose ends to figure out, but we'll have her service in Jeff City on Sat Oct 21 at Our Saviour's Lutheran--her church home for 37 years. My sister and I will host a meet and greet at the nursing home for the staff and any locals, prob on Thurs or Friday. Mark stayed home from work today and helped with the girls, took me on an errand, H to the chiro and tonight to the skating party for the elem school. (He's usually not the "chosen one" to that activity. :)
After 10+ years of dementia and 5 years in the nursing home, we were still surprised how much this hurts. I told my sister that "we would be really warped" if this was easy. :) We are looking forward to seeing our family and friends again. Over all we're doing ok--just bummed, but ok.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
I bet Alice could play volleyball!
It's early for me to be on the computer. I took H to early band and it's raining, so I can't go on my "power walk". Wah! :) So I'll try to update before the morning rush....
Last night was Kat's last set of volleyball matches. She served really well in the first match--got 5 aces. They won both games. Then in the second match they won the first game and started the second match. The little girl (2nd smallest on our team--who had never gotten a serve over until last night) who started serving finally got her groove on and served, and served and served. The other team called a time out at 11-0 and the parents were thrilled to bits. Kaitlyn kept serving and SERVED OUT THE MATCH! We won 21-0! The poor other team had attempted to return the serve, but never got it over the net in bounds. In the 4th and 5th grade level, it's unusual for one player to make more than 5 or 6 serves in a row and usually someone gets it back over the net eventually--but not last night. Not one parent cared that their kid didn't get to serve again. It was a magical moment to be sure. We were played in a league in a little town nearby, so we won't see these girls or their families until next year, so we will miss them. A lot of nice people, but am very happy to have a little break before basketball begins....
The rest of our life has been wild too. We went to SE MO for a marriage retreat 2 weekends ago. We caught up with some of our favorite couples from JCMO. Such fun to see how people grow and change for good while you've been gone. We visited a bit with our family in Jackson, altho the folks had to go to AR to a funeral. The girls did really well without us for a day or so at Grandma's. H stayed in here with our friends b/c of band.....
This last weekend was devoted to the launch of my Arbonne empire. Well, it's not an empire yet, but it will be. My friend and direct manager, Deborah came from AR to help me get squared away. She is full of enthusiasm and together we could be totally dangerous. The opportunities that this business can send our way have given us light in a very dark tunnel. May have to start another blog to gush about it---an ARBBLOG. :)
Fall is coming to KC this week for real. It's supposed to be cold and rainy, may finally get those shorts and t-shirts out of the drawers. Changing out the drawers is huge ordeal and I wonder where "Alice" has gone. I bet Carol Brady never sorted thru all the closets and drawers alone for the Brady Bunch!! Where is my Alice?? She's way behind in her chores around here!! :)
Time to rock and roll.
Last night was Kat's last set of volleyball matches. She served really well in the first match--got 5 aces. They won both games. Then in the second match they won the first game and started the second match. The little girl (2nd smallest on our team--who had never gotten a serve over until last night) who started serving finally got her groove on and served, and served and served. The other team called a time out at 11-0 and the parents were thrilled to bits. Kaitlyn kept serving and SERVED OUT THE MATCH! We won 21-0! The poor other team had attempted to return the serve, but never got it over the net in bounds. In the 4th and 5th grade level, it's unusual for one player to make more than 5 or 6 serves in a row and usually someone gets it back over the net eventually--but not last night. Not one parent cared that their kid didn't get to serve again. It was a magical moment to be sure. We were played in a league in a little town nearby, so we won't see these girls or their families until next year, so we will miss them. A lot of nice people, but am very happy to have a little break before basketball begins....
The rest of our life has been wild too. We went to SE MO for a marriage retreat 2 weekends ago. We caught up with some of our favorite couples from JCMO. Such fun to see how people grow and change for good while you've been gone. We visited a bit with our family in Jackson, altho the folks had to go to AR to a funeral. The girls did really well without us for a day or so at Grandma's. H stayed in here with our friends b/c of band.....
This last weekend was devoted to the launch of my Arbonne empire. Well, it's not an empire yet, but it will be. My friend and direct manager, Deborah came from AR to help me get squared away. She is full of enthusiasm and together we could be totally dangerous. The opportunities that this business can send our way have given us light in a very dark tunnel. May have to start another blog to gush about it---an ARBBLOG. :)
Fall is coming to KC this week for real. It's supposed to be cold and rainy, may finally get those shorts and t-shirts out of the drawers. Changing out the drawers is huge ordeal and I wonder where "Alice" has gone. I bet Carol Brady never sorted thru all the closets and drawers alone for the Brady Bunch!! Where is my Alice?? She's way behind in her chores around here!! :)
Time to rock and roll.
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