Everyone wanted to be part of the funeral. It put Mom in a tricky place because if she let one grandchild pay tribute, then she had to let all thirteen, and then great grandchildren needed to be let in and where would it stop?? Mom was on a strict timetable because the military was involved. Funeral HAD to end on time so we could get to the cemetary and the staging area on time. So, Uncle Ron (always Ronnie to me) gave the eulogy, the stake patriarch spoke, and remarks by the bishop. A couple girls we knew as babies were to sing/play O My Father, but the younger one was in a serious car accident a few days before, so her sister played and sang alone. Incredible. The Primary kids and cub scouts sang I love to see the Temple. Tyler was included in that because she is in Mom's Primary class.
But, there was a lot of complaining and gnashing of teeth..and that was just me. :D Bill came up with a wonderful idea. He is so smart and so level headed when I go off on tangents. We have been planning Oma's 95th birthday party. We have the building reserved for the 14th of April. We have changed it to a memorial for such a beautiful lady. Everyone who wants to will get 3-5 minutes to honor their mom, grandma, or Oma. Then we will all enjoy chocolate ice cream and hershey bars.
A fitting tribute.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Buying Grandma's van
So, now that the funeral is over, and life is settling down, I had mentioned I would like the van. Grandma's van is an 06 (I think) and only has 50,000 miles on it. Every fender is dinged though, attributed to the last few weeks of Grandma driving. LOL. Every gas station post has her green paint on it. Mom asked the other day if I was REALLY interested. Yes, I am. We have two cars, one holds five people and the other two. Usually it is okay, but it sucks taking two vehicles the 12 miles to church. Grandma's van holds seven....perfect. Plus, if we buy it, we can maybe get Cory a license and let him buy the Pathfinder from us. He is almost 22....old enough I think.
Back to the van. Rumors flying at the funeral that Mom wanted 10k for it. In A-1 condition, maybe, so at that point I let it go. So when Mom called and asked, I told her what I had heard. WHAT?? Have you looked at the van lately?? LOL. Yes, Mother. I drive it a lot. (Mom has severe night blindness, and I chauffer her a lot. We alternate between her Toyota van, and Oma's Caravan.)She promised to blue book it, and call me back. I offered 6600 with 300 a month for 22 months. I totally thought this fair. She counter offered with 5,000. Blue book says fair condition is 5200, so she was being more than fair too. This is 300 a month for 16 months, with 200 the 17th month. I love it. Three stipulations though. 1. We must have a contract. I agree, I had already thought of this. Mom sisters are on the trust too, and Grandma was screwed in a car sale to a cousin a few years ago. Don't want that again. 2. It must be in my name before I can take possession. No problem here, either. I have to get the handicapped plates switched out, too.
3. Aunt Sharon needs it the middle of April when she comes to visit from Missouri. What??!! If I have paid for it, and put in my name and insurance, why should I have to hand it over for a week?? Do what everyone else does and rent a car! We have done it numerous times. Mom agreed this was over the top and told Sharon to make other arrangements. Sheesh.
So, I am drawing up a contract today, hope to get it approved and signed this weekend, and we can take possession on Wednesday when we get paid. :D
Back to the van. Rumors flying at the funeral that Mom wanted 10k for it. In A-1 condition, maybe, so at that point I let it go. So when Mom called and asked, I told her what I had heard. WHAT?? Have you looked at the van lately?? LOL. Yes, Mother. I drive it a lot. (Mom has severe night blindness, and I chauffer her a lot. We alternate between her Toyota van, and Oma's Caravan.)She promised to blue book it, and call me back. I offered 6600 with 300 a month for 22 months. I totally thought this fair. She counter offered with 5,000. Blue book says fair condition is 5200, so she was being more than fair too. This is 300 a month for 16 months, with 200 the 17th month. I love it. Three stipulations though. 1. We must have a contract. I agree, I had already thought of this. Mom sisters are on the trust too, and Grandma was screwed in a car sale to a cousin a few years ago. Don't want that again. 2. It must be in my name before I can take possession. No problem here, either. I have to get the handicapped plates switched out, too.
3. Aunt Sharon needs it the middle of April when she comes to visit from Missouri. What??!! If I have paid for it, and put in my name and insurance, why should I have to hand it over for a week?? Do what everyone else does and rent a car! We have done it numerous times. Mom agreed this was over the top and told Sharon to make other arrangements. Sheesh.
So, I am drawing up a contract today, hope to get it approved and signed this weekend, and we can take possession on Wednesday when we get paid. :D
Surgery went well
Surgery was Sunday night. I sat at the hospital with Mom, and at 9:20 I went home. At 10:00 they came in to tell her that all was well. No stroke, and they think he will make a full recovery. Awesome. He stays in the hospital for a week, and then goes to the rehab center for 90 days. The dr says any recovery he makes will be in the first ninety days. Medicare will only pay for 99 days. A coincidence?? LOL
We are looking to move again. We are just too far from the freeway. Bill has had houses in Indio, Victorville, and San Diego. What happened to any houses around us?? Anyway, any commute starts with the 20 minutes to get to the freeway. I hate to leave the free busing to school, but in this economy, I am sure the 'free' days are numbered. All the districts around us are in the news for cutting their busing programs. I am sure we will soon follow suit. May as well move closer to schools. Plus, maybe the boys can go back to Seminary. Seminary starts at 6:20, at the building, 20minutes away. The school bus shows at my house at 6:40. If I could find a ride from Seminary to the high school, it would work. But, no one goes to the same school. Even the bishop doesn't have an answer for me. They used to have an earlier seminary that got us home at 6:35. But since it was only my boys and the bishop's daughter they shut it down. Now she has to leave Seminary each day after 15-20 minutes to get to school on time. I am sad that more effort isn't made for these kids.
My yard is overgrown. I am debating tackling it myself, or hiring someone. LOL. Yes it is that bad.
We are looking to move again. We are just too far from the freeway. Bill has had houses in Indio, Victorville, and San Diego. What happened to any houses around us?? Anyway, any commute starts with the 20 minutes to get to the freeway. I hate to leave the free busing to school, but in this economy, I am sure the 'free' days are numbered. All the districts around us are in the news for cutting their busing programs. I am sure we will soon follow suit. May as well move closer to schools. Plus, maybe the boys can go back to Seminary. Seminary starts at 6:20, at the building, 20minutes away. The school bus shows at my house at 6:40. If I could find a ride from Seminary to the high school, it would work. But, no one goes to the same school. Even the bishop doesn't have an answer for me. They used to have an earlier seminary that got us home at 6:35. But since it was only my boys and the bishop's daughter they shut it down. Now she has to leave Seminary each day after 15-20 minutes to get to school on time. I am sad that more effort isn't made for these kids.
My yard is overgrown. I am debating tackling it myself, or hiring someone. LOL. Yes it is that bad.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
2 Timothy 4:7
Been so long since I have been here. But, things are all stirred up right now, and I would love a little reprieve, and a place to vent...uh, record some stuffs.
My beloved Grandmother passed beyond the veil on the 15th of March. What a contradiction this has been. She has been lonely and sad since Grandpa died, and I have tried to fill in the gaps as I could. But, I am not him, and my efforts were appreciated, but not enough. After a life filled with love, happiness, and tons of fun, she was gradually declining in recent years. The last couple of months she was like a child and had to be watched constantly. It was sad to see her so confused. I told everyone that I didn't care who she forgot, as long as she didn't forget me. :D. Tuesday, the 13th, she sat down to breakfast. Eggs. Not her favorite, but Mom didn't have any yogurt for her graham cracker and yogurt favorite. She asked for ketchup (I am sure to douse the flavor of the eggs) and took a bite. She sneezed, and slumped forward. Mom came running, trying to rouse her, and yelled for Dad to call 911. She sort of just rolled to the floor, and mom put a pillow under her head.
She had a massive stroke, and her last words were asking for ketchup. She was in the hospital for 40 hours, totally unresponsive. The doctor said she was basically brain dead, and the bishop said she was in training for her next assignment. I liked his answer better. She had a DNR on file, so she quietly laid there. She wanted her hand held. If we let go of it, it would flutter around in the air in total distress. I happily sat at her side, and held her hand. I whispered in her ear how much I loved her. I reminded her that Grandpa and Arik were waiting not to mention her parents, 13 siblings, and many friends. I sang her her favorite hymns. I had to be careful what I chose because every time I sang, people would cry. The first day, the dr gave me ice chips to give her. This was before we realized she had no swallow left. I told her I would rather give her a fudgecicle. Her eyes flew open. Dr says it was an involutary response, but I say it was in response to the idea of a chocolate treat. She loved her chocolate.
Thursday morning, at 2:30, she was gasping. The RN asked mom if she wanted to give Grandma a shot to relax her a little. Mom said yes, and as he pushed the plunger, Grandma sighed, and died. I came over immediately. All the local daughters and granddaughters were called, and I was given the honor of the family prayer. I don't remember what I said, only that I felt such a peace and I knew how much Grandma loved me.
The funeral was beautiful. I wanted to participate, but it was Mom's decision, and she felt I had done enough, and could sit this one out. I agreed, but would have been happy either way. My mom, my aunt, two RS ladies and I dressed Grandma on Monday. She looked so beautiful, and at peace. On Tuesday, the day of the service, Mom slipped Grandpa's necklace in the casket. Grandma wasnever without it, and we wanted her to have it. I also slipped a hershey bar in among the folds of her temple dress. Who knows if they have chocolate in Heaven?? I wanted her prepared.
While in the hospital, Dad was complaining his legs hurt. He was certain it was the lipitor. He could hardly walk. At the funeral he was in the wheelchair. After being examined, it was determined that he had two bulging discs in his back. He must have surgery immediately. ON Tuesday. Mom said, I can't, I am burying my mother on Tuesday. So Dad was admitted wednesday, with the surgery planned for Thursday. But, they had to wean him off the blood thinners. The chance of a stroke during surgery is high, and the doctor is afraid Dad will be paralyzed. Thursday the surgery was delayed due to the blood still too thin. Friday, yesterday, they had a hard time regulating his heartbeat, so a pacemaker was implanted today. Tomorrow is surgery. Mom is skipping church, which she NEVER does. I am in the nursery, so I have to be there. But, after church I plan on heading back to the hospital.
Dad is in good spirits. Which is unusual for the crankiest guy I know. :D But, the nurses are taking excellent care of him. Keep him in your prayers. :D
My beloved Grandmother passed beyond the veil on the 15th of March. What a contradiction this has been. She has been lonely and sad since Grandpa died, and I have tried to fill in the gaps as I could. But, I am not him, and my efforts were appreciated, but not enough. After a life filled with love, happiness, and tons of fun, she was gradually declining in recent years. The last couple of months she was like a child and had to be watched constantly. It was sad to see her so confused. I told everyone that I didn't care who she forgot, as long as she didn't forget me. :D. Tuesday, the 13th, she sat down to breakfast. Eggs. Not her favorite, but Mom didn't have any yogurt for her graham cracker and yogurt favorite. She asked for ketchup (I am sure to douse the flavor of the eggs) and took a bite. She sneezed, and slumped forward. Mom came running, trying to rouse her, and yelled for Dad to call 911. She sort of just rolled to the floor, and mom put a pillow under her head.
She had a massive stroke, and her last words were asking for ketchup. She was in the hospital for 40 hours, totally unresponsive. The doctor said she was basically brain dead, and the bishop said she was in training for her next assignment. I liked his answer better. She had a DNR on file, so she quietly laid there. She wanted her hand held. If we let go of it, it would flutter around in the air in total distress. I happily sat at her side, and held her hand. I whispered in her ear how much I loved her. I reminded her that Grandpa and Arik were waiting not to mention her parents, 13 siblings, and many friends. I sang her her favorite hymns. I had to be careful what I chose because every time I sang, people would cry. The first day, the dr gave me ice chips to give her. This was before we realized she had no swallow left. I told her I would rather give her a fudgecicle. Her eyes flew open. Dr says it was an involutary response, but I say it was in response to the idea of a chocolate treat. She loved her chocolate.
Thursday morning, at 2:30, she was gasping. The RN asked mom if she wanted to give Grandma a shot to relax her a little. Mom said yes, and as he pushed the plunger, Grandma sighed, and died. I came over immediately. All the local daughters and granddaughters were called, and I was given the honor of the family prayer. I don't remember what I said, only that I felt such a peace and I knew how much Grandma loved me.
The funeral was beautiful. I wanted to participate, but it was Mom's decision, and she felt I had done enough, and could sit this one out. I agreed, but would have been happy either way. My mom, my aunt, two RS ladies and I dressed Grandma on Monday. She looked so beautiful, and at peace. On Tuesday, the day of the service, Mom slipped Grandpa's necklace in the casket. Grandma wasnever without it, and we wanted her to have it. I also slipped a hershey bar in among the folds of her temple dress. Who knows if they have chocolate in Heaven?? I wanted her prepared.
While in the hospital, Dad was complaining his legs hurt. He was certain it was the lipitor. He could hardly walk. At the funeral he was in the wheelchair. After being examined, it was determined that he had two bulging discs in his back. He must have surgery immediately. ON Tuesday. Mom said, I can't, I am burying my mother on Tuesday. So Dad was admitted wednesday, with the surgery planned for Thursday. But, they had to wean him off the blood thinners. The chance of a stroke during surgery is high, and the doctor is afraid Dad will be paralyzed. Thursday the surgery was delayed due to the blood still too thin. Friday, yesterday, they had a hard time regulating his heartbeat, so a pacemaker was implanted today. Tomorrow is surgery. Mom is skipping church, which she NEVER does. I am in the nursery, so I have to be there. But, after church I plan on heading back to the hospital.
Dad is in good spirits. Which is unusual for the crankiest guy I know. :D But, the nurses are taking excellent care of him. Keep him in your prayers. :D
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