The End of March

Everything here is about status quo. My Dad is still not eating more than a few bites of food but he is drinking his Glucerna and diet orange soda. Every now and then we can coax him to go outside on his scooter.


The weekend prior to Easter, David and Suze came down from Montgomery to visit with their grandfather and I think he really enjoyed it. He was really happy to hear that David may start selling Rada cutlery at fairs and festivals. He likes the idea that one of his grandsons will follow in his footsteps - he loved the flea market business.


Easter weekend David and Morgan came down to spend some time with us and see Morgan's great-Pop-pop. I had prompted Daddy the day before that they were coming as his memory isn't all that great anymore and I did want him to try to remember his only great-grandchild. Surprise - he did. As a matter of fact he was really happy to see her and told me "give her some shopping money from my wallet". I got $20 out of his wallet for him to give her and he said "more" - lucky girl ended up with $50.00. Of course she had fun shopping for some summer clothes at Riviera - oops - now Tanger Outlet. On Sunday we went to Pensacola where our past pastor is now preaching. I kid and say that I need a "Ron" fix every now and then. It was really nice seeing them - Ron and Diane - again. They are a great couple, and good friends along with being our past pastor.

David and Morgan at Pine Forest UMC, Pensacola, FL.




Morgan and "Hoppy" who will be traveling with us in the future. Watch for more pictures of Hoppy to see where he goes - that is, once we are back on the road!





On Thursday, I took my sister, Judi, to the nursing home in Robertsdale, AL to check it out for my Dad in case he needs to be moved. Talk about nice! I was so surprised to see such a spotless place. I've seen other nursing homes in this area and none compare with this one. Next week we are going to the VA Home in Bay Minette to check it out and turn in a application. I'm told there is a 3 -6 month waiting list to get in.


We stopped to see Daddy and he didn't recognize my sister. I had to verify that it really was her. I think it's because he doesn't see her often and her appearance has changed over the past several months. She says she is going to go more often to visit and is going to try to get her daughter and son to visit more often as well.


Back the beginning of March, I failed to mention that we drove over to Gautier, MS to visit Dean's youngest daughter and hubby. They moved back to MS the beginning of the year and we are glad that they are now a little closer to AL. Maybe we'll get to see them more often.

Ed and Krystal in front of home and their Beemer......




I just read on the Escapee's forum about Richard's, of Richard and Shirley, Class of '05, father passing. My deepest sympathies go out to him and his family.


I'll end this on one good news note - I got the results of my bone density scan today and guess what - I'm normal! I needed some good news and hugged my sweetheart of a doctor. No new pills thank goodness!


Take care and be safe till we meet again......

A New Month

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted. Sorry. I guess there just hasn't been much to write about.

My Dad was back in the hospital again about 2 weeks ago. His sugar had hit over 700. This time seems to be the beginning of the end for him. He had a hard time remembering names etc., while in the hospital and hasn't improved much since his discharge. He came out much weaker and now need help getting from the bed to a chair. He is still trying though. After consulting with both of his doctors, the General Practice and the Oncologist, we have determined it was time to bring in Hospice. He now has a hospital bed along with every accessory imaginable. There is a aid that comes in every day to give him a shower (if he wants) and she also shaves him. We do need to check about a haircut for him, no one has done that yet! He has started going back to the dining room for the noon meal. The first couple of days he was taken in a wheel chair and today he drove his electric scooter. Of course, he needed help getting to the table and then back to the scooter. He isn't eating very much at all. He does like the Glucerna drinks though and has several of them a day. At least that is a source for some nourishment.

I'm trying to hang tight, sometimes it's with the tip of my fingers though. It's not my Dad that is causing the stress - it's the bureaucracy between the assisted living and hospice. It seems like they want me to do their work for them and I finally had it last Monday. The nurse at the assisted living facility was the recipient. I told her that they "had their rules, hospice had their rules and no one gives a damn about the resident/patient"! "If you need anything else from anyone - get it yourself, I'm tired doing your job". I turned and walked out. Guess it worked as they have been super nice to me since then. Maybe they think I'm going bonkers - LOL!

I finally took a day for myself today even though I was doing errands. I did manage to squeeze in some shopping and found a real bargain at Liz Claiborne - a new purse and wallet for under $22 total! They were handing out discount coupons and I ended up with a 20% and a 15% off so came out of the store with a good deal.

Well, we have been at Rainbow Plantation since the end of September. I haven't spent this much time in one place since we sold the house and I don't like it. We are so ready to get on the road again and I know it will come in time - I guess in time for diesel to go well over $4.00 per gallon now that we have the motorhome with a 150 gallon tank - ugh! It's been interesting though, to watch the coming and going of other Escapees. Several weeks back the park was full and had about 10 rigs in overflow. If you follow the forum, I'm sure you have read one persons account of the 1st in/1st out rule. Right now the park is about 2/3 full and I expect as we get close to the middle of April, it will really start to empty. I told Dean that when we are able to leave here, I want to find a campground with a beautiful view and park for a couple of weeks to just unwind. I think we will both need it. If anyone has any suggestions send them to me, we're open for ideas.

One thing, sitting still for so long has given us plenty of time to organize our new home. Dean has added a spice rack in the kitchen area and a shelf in one of the bedroom closets. On the down side, in the heavy rain we had two nights ago, we discovered that the bathroom window is leaking and the water is going between the walls. Not a good thing. He is going to check the caulking around the window. If it happens again, it will be one more item for our Red Bay list.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but we did get our HDTV mounted in the front without any modification needed. There is about a 2" gap at the bottom of the cabinet and I just filled it in with plastic ivy. Doesn't look bad. Sure glad to get it in, up, and working. Now I want one for the bedroom.

We also had a tow bar installed so we can pull our Libby behind up. We went with a Blue Ox and a Brake Buddy. Everything seems well, but then we only towed it back from Pensacola, FL. Sure hope we remember how to hook it up whenever we get to leave here!

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough. Hope ya'll are having a great time out there and we hope to join you soon. Keep us, my Dad and Sister in your prayers please, and have a Happy Easter.