GOD HELP ME HELP MY MOM

 This is an email I sent out yesterday to my children, cousins, dad & U., aunt and uncle, and very close friends.

   After I read it again this afternoon I realized that it contained some information that I didn't put in my blog post yesterday so I thought I would post it for you to read.

   I'm also going to include some pictures of my mother so you can see how dear she is/was.
Now I'm going to tell you where we are now.

   This may sound somewhat like the first "mom" post, but it will give you some more information. 

Mom has been released from "the clinic" (i have no idea what it's called) where they were able to find the right medication for her to allow her to go to sleep at night.

After a couple of nights of sleep it's amazing the difference in her "attitude".

So, that seems to be working for the time being.

 we do love to shop!! 

this shopping trip was in downtown kalamazoo. so fun.

Mom has been diagnosed with vascular dementia as a result of the fall she took about three years ago. 

She has been released from the clinic that determined her dementia and her medication.

She is now residing in a facility called Claire Bridge in Kazoo. It's independent living (I think I'm the only one that wonders if this is what mom needs. we'll see).

The facility is gorgeous. If you would like to send her a card, not that she'll understand - she may think you're her sister - I know personally how wonderful it is to get "fun" mail. Let me know if you want to send a card & I'll give you her address. You'd be such a blessing to her and to me.

 Mom & Sophie; Sophie LOVED the ranch. 

Every year she spent three months with us and we had so much fun!

This is a picture of mom holding a newborn goat which Sophie is checking out.

She has an "apartment", kinda like an efficiency apartment. Her bedroom is at one end and a sitting/TV area is at the other end. And, of course, there's a BR.

We, her kids, have taken all possible measures to make sure she will be safe in her new setting in addition to what the facility provides.

My sisters and brothers have had some of her furniture moved like her couch, end table, bedding, some of her amazing ccs she has on her walls, etc.

Her first night was last night and even though she is given a 24 hour private nurse for her first 24 hours, Eileen went ahead and spent the night because she

was restless and confused. (the word "confused" never hurt my heart before now)

 Mom is on the right. This is her family when she was in high school (I think).

Today's report is that she is "pissy" (a sibling's word, not mine) which basically means that she's being mean and uncooperative because she didn't 

get a good night's sleep. She's very upset that no one will take her home to her mother's.

This is our eldest, Craig, and his sweet Grammy, my mom.

Needless to say, this has been a roller coaster for all of us. She only started showing symptoms a month ago.

The doctor said that is how vascular dementia postures.

   I haven't been there yet; you know I'm going the first of the year, but I think she's almost full blown from what I've heard. I could be wrong (oh, so doubtful). 

Russ has been able to fly up several times as his flight from Florida is 200.00 round trip.

I've been stuck in Texas because round trip from here is 800.00.

So, we've all had our own type of Hell handling this.

   But, though we all have done what we can, I must give a shout out for my little brother, Russ (he'll love that!). He has really made me proud the way he has stepped up and taken over many of the aspects involved in this process.  

 My mom when she was younger. 

She was a knockout (though the haircut isn't showin' that too much).

If you've never experienced having a parent w/ dementia, I sincerely hope you never do.

It's horrible. It's so horrible.

When I drive up the first of the year I'm going to see someone other than my mom.

This woman is going to be confused, she probably won't know who I am, and there's a good chance I'll witness my gentle mom being evil.

God help me to help her.

 Clayman holding Sophie, making a silly face (that's new)

with his Grammy.

You can't possibly understand the dread I have as I face this trip north.

(I'll be there from the 3rd - 17th *approx.*)

I'll keep the updates coming if there's any change though I don't feel there will be.

I will send you pictures of her new home so you can look for them.

My SIL, Eileen, helping mom separate ccs thread.

Mom's love for so many years has been doing very complicated ccs

projects. I'm going to miss seeing her work on her pieces.

Pray for Junie/SAJ/Grammy/Aunt/mom.

And, please pray for her kids.

The most eloquent prayers for me because I'm her favorite. 

Be sure and let me know if you want her address. Blessings.

Love, Jan

Mom as a little girl.

pls. respect my copyright

"ENTER - ENTER - ENTER!!" ANOTHER FABULOUS BLOG GIVEAWAY!

I promised you monthly giveaways, remember???

I had so much fun two months ago with my very first blog giveaway that I have kept it up and we've gone monthly! Wooooooo Hoooooooo!!

I think it's fun that one of you will win something *most of the time just for leaving a comment*, but, actually, I think I have more fun than y'all do! I love reading the comments - it's like finding something in the mailbox (snail mailbox) that's not a bill when I open my email! Instead, it's full of comments! I LOVE that!

All you need to do to enter May's blog giveaway is to leave a comment on this blog post. That's it! You'll have a chance to win this darling clear stamp set that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! I have it myself!! Such cute stamps you don't know.

We call this "stinkin' cute" in Texas!
The drawing for the winner will be in ONE WEEK on WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th!

Be sure and tell all of your friends about this giveaway! The more people I have enter my giveaways, the more excited I'll be about having them every month!!

Thanks to all of you that support my blog habit! I love you dearly!

XOXO, Jan

WE HAVE A WIN-E-E-E-R-R-R-R-R-R-R!!!

the VINTAGE APRON GIVEAWAY!

There's nothing more exciting than finding out who the winner is of one of my blog giveaways!
I almost get goosebumps. . .hoping, hoping, hoping that the winner is someone that really loves the giveaway.

And, I got my socks blessed off yesterday when the Random Picker-outer (my dear mum) pulled out STEPHANIE ZOLLER @ tatuedmomof4@aol.com!! When I read her post I knew the winner was someone that was going to treasure my precious vintage apron!

I have loved reading y'all's entries and knowing that I was giving away a treasured goodie that brought so many wonderful ladies to my blog to enter! Thank you for taking the time to be a part of my life - I so appreciate it.

The other giveaway on my blog is below and ends on April 10th so make sure you've entered it! It's a really good one, too!!

Thanks to my loyal readers for making me realize that writing my blog is blessing people. You know I love you!

XOXO,

. . .Jan

JUST ONE MORE POST AND THEN I PROMISE!!!....

Oh, my goodness, now don't get upset with me.
Feel sorry for me.
My computer made me cry today.
Well, it wasn't exactly the computer that made me cry; it was the stupid new software I bought, Photo Explosion Deluxe.
The word "deluxe" should have been a clue.

You see, I had to get a new computer. Frank Two Pies' computer crashed and since his computer skills are *shhhhhh* laughable, I told him that I would get the new computer and he would get mine.
Makes sense, doesn't it?
I have/had Vista on my computer and hated it and was so excited to get a new computer with XP.
Ahhhhhhhh, XP. No more Vista.
Well, no more "I know it like the back of my hand" software program either - it couldn't be transferred because going from Vista to XP is going backwards in the world of Bill Gates.
When you really think about Vista, however, you realize how stupid that sounds.

But, alas, I couldn't take my Microsoft Picture It 9 with me so I had to buy a new program.
An easy program simply for fixing the photos of my art for my shops, that's all I wanted.
I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (don't ask) but I don't have six weeks to learn it.

I needed a software program that I could use NOW.

So, I wasted all day yesterday trying to find a store online and in San Antonio that had my baby.
Nowhere to be found.
So I buy the new software program thinking to myself, "How hard can it be to learn??? It's only 40.00". And by bedtime last night I was in tears.
And, then this morning found me crying, trying to make it work.
It's a stupid program. Don't buy it.

Then, tonight, my over-used, very decayed, not-all-there, brain kicked in and I remembered,

DER - Picture It 9 is still on Two Pies computer!!
YOU IDIOT.
YOU OLD, OLD WOMAN.

So, I've taken some pictures of what I think would make lovely Easter presents and simply must get them before you as Easter is but a few days away! I need to get them listed in my shops, and I will, but first, my blog.
And then..........................THE NEXT GIVEAWAY! Why, I've already got the post ready to go - just want to give y'all a few days to buy up all of these banners I've made (Just leave your email on your comment telling me which one you want and I'll catch ya later. Don't dally - they're going to go like hot cakes. LOL).

Here ya go - my labors of love...............

A close-up of "R and I" to give you a better idea of what it looks like. Those are glittered eggs hanging between each banner flag - so darling!

And, "N and G".

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OH, MY GOSH!!! Am I seeing this right??? Have I not looked at this picture a hundred times?

Did I not make this banner?

Do I not know how to spell "NEST"??? ROTF!!

It will be fixed tomorrow, I promise!! *still laughing and shaking my head!A couple of close-ups so you can see how the banner would look with just two letters. hahaha

Okay, I'm off to bed. I'm obviously fried.

I love all of you, my sweet readers!! That's the only reason I can post such a mistake! LOL

.

XOXO,

. . .Jan

"I got AWESOME!!!"

The 7 year old little girl was walking through the lobby of the Radisson Hotel, downtown Kalamazoo, this afternoon.
She was all bundled up for the weather and was following her mom and little sister to the lobby door.
As she walked, she concentrated on eating Valentine candy hearts out of a little bag.
I couldn't help but notice her....walking, picking out one heart at a time, sticking it in her mouth and chewing it up.

Her friend and her friend's mother had ridden the escalator to the mezzanine and were walking along the railing. But the little 7 year old girl was too involved in picking out the hearts, one by one, and reading what was written on each one before she popped it in her mouth, to pay attention to anything around her.

As I stood watching her, she pulled out one of the candy hearts and time stood still as she suddenly stopped.....turned the heart over in her hand.....read it.....and in the high, shrieking voice of a 7 year old girl, she held her hand in the air as she turned towards her friend and screamed,

"I got "AWESOME"!! I got "AWESOME"!!"

It was one of those moments in life that is simply precious.
It was so sweet, so honest, so natural, so precious that I am still re-living it.
I don't want to lose it.
I want to remember it forever.

XOXO,

. .Jan

MISSOURI - AMERICA'S VACATION STATE???

Okay, before you start reading this you must take two things into consideration.
One, I'm really tired.
And, two, I'm really tired.
Oh, wait.
I already said that. LOL
Okay. Two, if you live in Missouri or hold it dear to your heart for whatever reason, read this in the spirit that it's written - I'm just going for a laugh and, actually, I could be writing about many different states that I've driven through in the past...

As my blog followers and friends know, I'm driving to Michigan to get my mom and bring her back to the ranch for a few months like we did last winter.
The difference this year is that I've packed most of my studio, including my Lollishop listings, in my trunk because I'll be dog sitting my sister's dog, Mo, for four weeks (you read that right - long story and you'd be bored) while she's in Florida before mom and I start back for the ranch. I'll have lots of time to work!

Anyway, today I hit Missouri and I declare, I'm on the tollroad and the minute I cross into Missouri from Oklahoma, it was like vacationer's Hell.
Missouri - America's vacation state??...........
you be the judge. LOL

Billboards...........lots of billboards, advertising all there is to do - how does anyone get through this state???

PRECIOUS MOMENTS MUSEUM - The first billboard I saw.
What do I do???
Do I stop?
How do I NOT stop?

SNAKE WORLD ZOO - If I stop, I can die happy.

XXX ADULT VIDEO SUPERSTORE - Do they have motels close by???
I could hit the Precious Moments Museum first, then XXX and walk across the parking lot to my motel.

WALNUT BOWL FACTORY - I can always use another bowl and these are wooden.

COZY COFFEE CORNER AT CALICO COUNTRY - Cozy coffee? We do not have that in Texas. Might be worth a stop...

WORLD'S LARGEST GIFT STORE - Christmas shopping early.
I wonder how big their gag section is?

So, I had some fast thinking to do............
stop???
keep driving???
stop???
keep driving???

And then I saw a Motel 6.

XOXO,
. .