Mary's Journal July thru November 2003

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November 30, 2003

Happy Birthday to Alfred!!! Happy Birthday to Bob!!! Alfred is our friend in Yukon, Oklahoma and Bob is our friend and Kathy’s father in Lawton, Oklahoma… This afternoon we went to Chris and Jenni’s for a dual birthday party for great grandsons Jacob and Trevor… We had a nice time and the weather was beautiful… We left there and ran some errands in Norman… I got a new Ostrich feather duster and Swiffer mop at Bed Bath and Beyond. I sure do like that store… I called my sister and George and Carol were there visiting… Nothing much accomplished today. I did help fix supper… Another month gone and I have no idea where it went… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 29, 2003

Happy Birthday Bobby!!! Bobby is Dave’s brother in Huntington, West Virginia… Dave woke me up early this morning so I could get my shower and ready for the people who were supposed to come look at our house at noon. They were a no show and not even a phone call… We have had a couple other callers. I am not worried yet… We have been enjoying the turkey day leftovers that David and Lori gave us… The sun was shining today but the wind was really strong. So strong it blew over our patio furniture… I did laundry, played some solitaire, and watched the Gaither’s on TV… I called Tracy and Carole in Missouri and my Mother… Our DASNI chat room is broke down and I have reported it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 28, 2003

Happy Belated Birthday Peter!!! Peter is a DASNI friend in United Kingdom… Dave and I were busy this morning trying to get is house ready to show tomorrow. We had to meet with the realtor today and she let us in the model home one last time and the owners will soon be moving it. We told Cindy, the realtor, the brick and roof that we wanted. We finally agreed on which one and I think we made a good choice, one that we will be happy with… Then we met David over at Kenny and Kathy’s. Mitch, Jamie, Allison, and Mathew were there. It was sure good to see them again. Allison who is in the second grade showed me how to work her new Barbie laptop and Mathew who in kindergarten read me a story. Josh wasn't feeling good. He has a bad cold and a earache. Heather gave me her secret recipe for ocean in a bottle. I love those kids... We took Mitch and Jamie over to see the model house and showed them the brick and roof we picked out and they really liked it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 27, 2003

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Dave and I had a wonderful day and have so much to be thankful for… We spent the day with many friends and relatives… We had dinner with Lori’s family in Okemah and then we went on to Checotah /Henryetta KOA park to visit with our friends Jan and Wade… We had a nice visit and a delicious dessert with them and then we hurried home to let our dogs out who had their legs crossed… I came home stuffed and may never eat again… I called my Mother, Sister, and Kenny… Kenny and Kathy had a big dinner at their house with all of Kathy’s family… Carole in Missouri called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 26, 2003

I had to crawl out of bed before noon today for a doctor appointment with Dr. Morgan for a check up and to get my flu shot and I also wanted to show him my toenail, which has turned white. He suspected a fungus and so did I. He gave me a prescription… I hosted the afternoon chat, fixed supper, and I will host chat again tonight… Dave and I are getting down to brass tacks on picking out our brick… Virginia and Kenny called… Our Grandkids Mitch, Jamie, Allison, and Mathew have arrived from Kentucky and are at Kenny and Kathy’s. We will be seeing them on Friday evening… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 25, 2003

Thanks to Marie in Miami, Florida for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Last night I made myself get in the whirlpool and just enjoy a bubble bath and relax. I seldom do this. Usually I just take a fast shower and seldom just relax. I am always busy doing something but nothing much ever accomplished… We donated a bunch of stuff to the American Vets this morning. We are still going through our stuff and see what else we can find to donate to the next association that calls us for donations. It is so nice to see our closets cleaned out… Dave and I were both busy getting ready for the Merry Maid’s visit today… After they left Dave put up a For Sale sign in front of our house and we already have had a call and appointment to show it Saturday… I had a phone call from Chip in Florida and I called Jan/Mina. We hope to go visit Jan and Wade after our Thanksgiving dinner with Lori’s Grandparents and family on Thursday… I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner and I have a ton of things to be thankful for… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 24, 2003

Thanks to James in Scotland for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I have been worrying about what to get my Mother, who is in a nursing home for Christmas. It was on my mind when I went to bed, well sometime during the night I woke up with the greatest idea and today I called Lands’ End and ordered it. That takes a big load off my mind… My Mother is the only one I shop for now. I am just not able to do it anymore… I have been busy picking up and doing laundry all afternoon. I even got to see what the bottom of the hamper looks like… LOL …Dave gave the dogs a bath. The dogs will have a fresh bed to sleep in and so will we… I received a Thanksgiving card from phone buddy Virginia… Lori, our daughter-in-law came by to visit and brought a video for us to watch. Poor Lori, when she comes to visit we never want to let her go. We so seldom have visitors we don’t know how to act when they do come… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 23, 2003

We got our first freeze for this fall and it is so cold, especially with the winds… Dave took down the living room draperies so I could run them in the dryer and get out the dust. They always look and seem so fresh after I do this. I got all the windows and mini blinds cleaned, watered the plants and did laundry and folded clothes and got them all put away. I hosted chat and fixed supper and that is about it for me today… Dave has been cleaning the garage… David and Martha called and I called my Mother… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 22, 2003

Happy Birthday Jose!!! Jose is our nephew in Seagrove, North Carolina... We took another trailer load of boxes to the hangar and another load of my flowers to plant at Kenny’s before the bad weather got here…. Dave and I listened to the football game on the radio on the way out to Kenny and Kathy’s and enjoyed the beautiful foliage. Knowing after tomorrow it will soon all be gone… We had a beautiful sunset to look at on our way home… The traffic on the interstate yesterday and today was terrible and made me very nervous. Several times I had to close my eyes and my mouth too… I had a phone call from Sandy in Ohio. Dave had answered the phone and gave it to me when I got the phone I pushed talk and hung up on Sandy. Thank goodness she understood because Sandy and I are in the same boat with dementia and she called me back… I watched the Gaither’s and a play Oklahoma on TV… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 21, 2003

Thanks to Sis in Rusk, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I have had another busy day. When you spend half of it sleeping that doesn’t leave much of a day left… Dave took up several of the Rose bushes and the Dogwood Tree and we took them to plant at Kenny’s until we move… I did laundry, hosted chat and the day is gone… We stopped by Braum’s on the way home and picked up a few items including Salad and a frozen pizza for supper… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



November 20, 2003

Thanks to Edie in Dayton, Indiana for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We had a call from Cindy, our realtor early this morning. She wanted to know what color windows we wanted and she said we needed to pick our brick color and roof soon. It is starting to seem more real all the time. Oh no, DECISIONS. I have been going through home magazines and trying to get ideas, also watching a lot of HGTV… I have been trying to do the Fly Lady. http://www.FlyLady.net .. Practicing keeping this house ready to show a prospective buyer at a short notice… Virginia and Kenny called. Kenny has a pet opossum that he keeps finding in his garage. It is eating their cat food. Now I sure don’t want to ever go in my garage and see a opossum or any other critter… Dave has been busy mowing, weed eating, and edging the lawn. He loaded up the car and took more boxes to the hangar and now he is putting sides on his new trailer… I hosted the afternoon and evening DASNI chats… I have started to take my medication Remeron much earlier in the evening and hoping I can wake up earlier… A beautiful day with temperatures up in the 70’s but very windy… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 19, 2003

Happy Birthday Madison!!! Madison is our great granddaughter who is two today. I called Madison and sang Happy Birthday. She told me she was two and said Grandma 3. I have never heard her say that before so she made my day… Happy Birthday Diane!!! Diane is a friend in Australia… I called my Mother last night. She had attended church services earlier at the Nursing Home with my sister… I barely got up this morning in time for breakfast and a shower before I had to leave for a dental appointment at the OU Dental College. I got my teeth cleaned and I didn’t have any cavities. My brushing and using dental floss has paid off. I will have to go back again to have my partial adjusted or relined. They always give me a goody bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash in it… It was too pretty of a day to spend in a dentist chair. When I got home I went outside with our dogs and smelled the roses and honey suckle knowing they will be gone soon… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 18, 2003

Thanks to Dewey in Lexington, North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Please sign my guest book when you visit my web page… When I got up this afternoon the sun was shining but very strong winds. All the leaves are just about gone from our trees now and blowing down the street… I am feeling better today except for hurting from arthritis in my knees and hands… I called my friend Martha and had a phone call from Virginia… Also got a phone call from some Security Company and I told her we were on the DO NOT CALL LIST and stuttered when I said it. Instead of saying take my name off your list I said take your name off my list. LOL… I ended up hanging up on her… Dave went out on Tinker Air Force Base and listed our house at the Housing Office. I sure dread having people call and wanting to see our house all the time. I also know that is the only way we will ever sell it… I cleaned out the drawers and cabinets in the guest bathroom. It is so hard for me to decide on what to toss or keep… Dave fixed us a delicious supper. Thanks Honey… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 17, 2003

I have been exhausted today. I guess yesterday was a bit too much for me. Tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





November 16, 2003

Happy Birthday Dewey!!! Dewey is our brother-in-law in Lexington, North Carolina... I woke up about noon again and my honey had my coffee and oatmeal ready for me. I ate while I was waking up… The sun was shining. Today was our great granddaughter Madison’s 2nd birthday party. So I had to hurry and get ready so we could be at Chris and Jenni’s house by two o’clock… There was a large crowd of people there but I handled it well. There were two brand new babies there and I got to hold both of them and I loved it. Madison was so cute opening her gifts. She got a little bit of everything and then some. She was serving me tea from her new tea set and gave me kisses. I love that baby so much and I think she is perfect. Chris and Jenni have three beautiful children to be very proud of… The weather was just beautiful up in the 70’s today. The trees seem to just get more beautiful. I can’t ever remember seeing the foliage stay so beautiful for so long before… I helped Dave fix supper, took care of the house plants, and did laundry… Kenny called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 15, 2003

It was so nice to wake up to sunshine…. I took a walk around the back yard and noticed I have many flowers that are still blooming… The OU/Baylor football game wasn’t televised so Dave and I listened to it on the radio. OU won the game 41 to 3. I also watched Mark Lowry on Broadway and the Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute on TV… George, David, Kathy, and Martha called… I picked up around the house and got rid of some of the clutter… Dave has been busy packing more boxes… A man came to power wash our house and will come back another day to do repairs… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 14, 2003

Happy 39th Anniversary Brian and Jean!!! Brian and Jean are DASNI friends in New Zealand… Last night when I took my bedtime medication I realized I had missed my afternoon medicines… It was too late… That didn’t make for a good night for me. I woke up around four and was awake for hours. Finally got back to sleep and the next time woke up it was 12:30 PM… It was rainy when I woke up so didn’t miss out on any sunshine… I got my medications set up for another month. This is getting harder and harder for me to do because of my hands. My fingers don’t want to let go when I want them too and other times they will let go before I want them too… I feel like I am doing less all the time around the house and depending more on Dave. I don’t like it but can’t seem to help it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 13, 2003

I was late taking my bedtime medication last night and I had a terrible time falling asleep. It was after two and I was still tossing and turning and at eleven Dave was waking me up with my oatmeal… It takes me a good hour to wake up but once I am awake I am fine… It has been cold and rainy today and it is starting to feel like winter… Virginia called and she was telling me that in 1939, the year I was born was when they decided to have Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. I never knew that before. Virginia is such an intelligent lady. She always has to hang up from talking so she can go watch Jeopardy and get her smarts for the day, she will say. I am sure she doesn’t miss very many of the questions… Dave cooked supper and I helped some. Nothing else accomplished today… Dave brought in my Bougainvillea that I had put back outside when the weather had warmed up… It is down in the thirty’s now and I am wearing a sweater and wrapped up in a afghan, the heat from my laptop feels good tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 12, 2003

We made a trip to Piedmont to see how our house was coming along. We pulled up just as Josh and Heather were getting off the school bus... The workers were working on our house when we got there. They now have the forms up around our safe room and the door up. We will even have electricity inside it. Right now it looks as though the safe room is taking up a big part of the house but I know that is just an illusion… We saw six deer while we were there… Kathy fixed pizzas for us all… I had phone calls from our niece Andrea in West Virginia and friend Martha… I called my sister Martha and my Mother. Mom didn’t sound like she was feeling good. She was complaining of her arm hurting… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 11, 2003

Happy Birthday Wesley!!! Wesley is Dave’s brother in Lake Isabella, California… Hope you all had a good Veterans Day… I have had a good day. I got to see the sunshine for just a little while… Our friends Becky and Sally got here this afternoon and we visited for awhile and then they brought in their camera and equipment and started filming Dave and me. We talked about our lives living with Alzheimer’s, Dave as the Caregiver and me as the affected… Then we went to the Santa Fe Cattle Co. for dinner… We didn’t want to make Sally and Becky spend much time in a car because they have been in a car and on the road for a long time. They leave early in the morning going back to Hollywood, California. They will make a stop in Albuquerque to visit with Sally’s brother… Norita called and David and Kenny called. Kenny said they poured the slab today for our house. Yippee… Cindy went to get groomed today and she is feeling very perky. All three dogs made themselves at home in Sally and Becky’s laps… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 10, 2003

Congratulations to our granddaughter Heather for making the Superintendent’s Honor Roll… Heather is a straight A student... We were supposed to have sunshine today or at least that is what I thought I heard the weatherman say. I haven’t seen it unless it came out while I was sleeping… I washed our comforter and hung it out to dry. I hope it dries… I took care of the houseplants and they are all looking good. Judy, I still haven’t had any blooms on my Christmas cactus that you gave me… Jamie, the violet you gave me is blooming… I forget a lot of things but when I receive a flower from someone I never forget where it came from… I have been watching HGTV and just wishing I was already in my new home… I helped fix supper… If any of you have sunshine please send some here… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 9, 2003

Last night I called Stasia, a DASNI friend in Hawaii.. I wanted to let her know we have been missing her in our DASNI chats. She had been under the weather and I hope she will be feeling like chatting with us again real soon… Today I have been picking up around the house and clearing a path for Becky and Sally’s visit here on Tuesday or Wednesday. I did the laundry, folded and put the clothes away, and fixed supper… Sally and Becky left California last month traveling to Virginia, stopping along the way visiting people with Alzheimer’s connections and filming them as she goes. She made stops in Florida to visit with Chip and Sharon then on to visit with Marie and Bob and then to see Maxine. From Florida she went to see Phyllis and Jere in Alabama and then they’re to visit Sis, Lynne, and Larry in Texas. Then from there she will come to Oklahoma before going back home to Hollywood, California… I had phone calls from Janey in Illinois and David. David and Lori got back from their trip to Eureka Springs for the Mini Cooper rally and they had a wonderful time and made some new friends. We are always happy to hear our kids have returned home safely… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 8, 2003

I slept till noon today and then it takes me an hour to come out of the fog… We watched the OU/Texas A&M game and OU won 77/0… I called my sister in Indiana and Sandra in Texas… It has been rainy and cold here today. A good day to curl up with a good book… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





November 7, 2003

Happy Birthday Heather!!! Heather is our granddaughter in Piedmont, Oklahoma who is twelve years old today… I had phone calls from Chip and Sally this morning. Chip is leaving tomorrow for a two-week vacation in Ohio. Sally and Becky from California will be here on Tuesday or Wednesday. We are looking forward to their visit… This afternoon Dave and I went to look at some furniture trying to get some ideas what we want for our new home. That is if we have any cash left after we get this home built… Then we took a carload of boxes to the hangar and then we went to Piedmont. They have all the plumbing in and the sand poured for our foundation. They were to pour the concrete today but it rained. Then we went to Kenny and Kathy’s. At about 6:00 we looked outside and saw eight deer. I wish they would come out earlier because I have a hard time seeing in the dark but I did see them… Kathy invited me to go on a shopping spree with Heather at the mall. Kathy pushed me all over the mall and it was so much fun watching Heather as she was spending her birthday money. Kathy and I weren’t allowed to look because it was Heather’s shopping spree. We closed the mall and then back to the house for birthday cake and ice cream. Dave, Kenny, and Josh had the house all decorated and balloons everywhere… We laughed till I hurt. Everyone was in a good mood… It is very late… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 6, 2003

Happy Birthday Aunt Florence!!! Aunt Florence is my Dad’s sister in San Antonio, Texas… David’s shoes came in today and he and Lori will come by later to pick them up. Tomorrow they leave for Eureka Springs, Arkansas for a Mini Cooper Rally. They should see some beautiful scenery along the way… I got the bedding in the guest room laundered and all ready for our next guests… I talked to Josh and he and Heather now each have a kitten. We will just have to make a trip to Piedmont to see these new kittens… I called Mom and she said she had gotten a perm today. Also called Aunt Florence, Sharon in Florida and Alice in Kokomo, Indiana. Alice is ill with pneumonia and we hope she is feeling better real soon … I got phone calls from my sister Martha, brother George, and Virginia… I still have flowers blooming. The Hibiscus, Roses, Honey Suckle, Lantana, and Mums are all still blooming and it has been in the thirty’s today… I can’t believe this week is almost gone… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 5, 2003

Dave woke me up at 11:00 with coffee and oatmeal. I am so spoiled… David called and invited us out to the Lockhart Farm. Lori had made a pot of chili and we all had lunch together. It was the perfect meal to because it is starting to feel like winter outside… We got to see Madison for a little while before she took her nap. It is hard to believe she will soon be two years old. She is completely potty trained now… The trip out to David and Lori’s was beautiful. The trees are at their peak now for color… Kathy called to let me know she was watching five deer out on our propriety and it wasn’t even dark yet… Kathy said that Jamie has decided to go back to school and get a degree in nursing. Jamie is going to follow in her Mother’s footsteps and she will make a wonderful nurse… Dave and I dug up and brought all the Geraniums inside and put them in the garage for the winter, also brought the Bougainvillea in out of the cold… I will be watching the Country Music Awards show tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 4, 2003

David came by last night and dropped off our fifty pound bag of Sunflower seeds… We had a nice visit with our friends last night and their home is beautiful. Brenda had made a delicious dessert for us… I got up before noon and did some laundry before going to my appointment with Dr. Bookman. He is a digestive doctor. I am having another flare up of Diverticulitis and he wants me to take Bentyl four times a day and I am back on the antibiotic Cipro again. I am starting to feel like I am on it more than off of it. At least I got away from him without him mentioning the word “scope”… While we were away for the doctor appointment we missed a visit from granddaughter Jenni and a call from Kenny. Kenny left a message saying that we now have plumbing at our new home… I called Aunt Florence in San Antonio and Linda in Ohio… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 3, 2003

I recently was reading an online edition of the Peru Daily Tribune. The newspaper of my home town and where I even delivered newspapers. I found a long lost school friend that I had known since I was about seven years old. She now lives in Phoenix, Arizona… Lucille I am so happy we found each other again… I got windows in two of our bedrooms cleaned today and ran the drapes through the dryer on the no heat cycle to remove the dust. It is amazing how much better I feel from just doing that little bit even though it wore me out… I hosted chat at DASNI… We now have almost 250 members and we are growing everyday. I am so proud of DASNI (Dementia Advocacy Support Network International) and I feel honored to be Vice President of such a great group… If you are a person with any kind of Dementia, we would love to have you join in our chats. To join in the chat room go here: http://www.alzinfo.org/chatrooms/ We have been invited to see our friends, Jeff and Brenda, new home tonight. I used to have Jeff and Brenda’s boys in my day care. Garrett and Wyatt are big boys now… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 2, 2003

While I was still sleeping this morning Dave took a load of boxes to the hangar and soon after I had breakfast we took another carload and trailer load of boxes to the Hangar… Then we took a long drive in the country. The trees are turning and showing their different colors. It was a beautiful drive. I love this time of year… We ended up in Piedmont. We went to the Subway shop and picked up some lunch and went to our home site and had a picnic lunch. Pretending we were living out there and the whole time I was wishing I could see some deer. We got to see the well that had been drilled since we were out there last… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 1, 2003

Thanks to Dewey in Lexington, North Carolina and Lucile in Phoenix, Arizona for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Another new month has arrived. Just five more months and we should be moving into our new home… Dave packed a few more boxes today and loaded up the car with boxes. Tomorrow we will take them to the hangar for storage… I slept till noon and missed a call from Chip. Dave and he got to talk anyhow… I am cutting my Remeron in half and taking it earlier and hoping that will help me to wake up earlier… Dave and I watched the OU/OSU football game and OU won 52 to 9. David and I had a bet on the game. I won, so now he owes me a Hot Fudge Sundae… I did a couple loads of laundry, did some picking up around the house, and fixed supper… I called my Mother; she was enjoying her favorite TV show, Lawrence Welk. I decided to watch it to. It brings back many memories when I would watch it with Dad and Mom years ago… My sister Martha called and I called brother George and friend Martha… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 31, 2003

Happy Birthday Dorothy!!! Dorothy is Josh’s great grandmother… I got the furniture dusted and that is a good thing. I remembered to go to Pogo and play some solitaire and dominoes. I hadn’t been there in a long time. While I was there I cashed in all my tokens… David called and he said he picked us up a 50-pound bag of black oiled sunflower seeds. Our birds will sure be happy for that… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



October 30, 2003

Dave brought me coffee and oatmeal in bed this morning. It takes me a good hour to wake completely up and I have to have something to eat before I can take my medication… Thanks Honey for all you do for me… I was reading our Neighborhood Newsletter last night when I came across this and I liked it so I am sharing it here. “A good exercise for the heart is bend down and help another up”… I got caught up on the laundry today I had meant to start on it yesterday but I couldn’t seem to ever get it started. I kept forgetting… David came by today to pick up his birthday shoes and brought us some of Lori’s delicious leftovers. The shoes weren’t the right size so we had to reorder them… It was up in the 80’s today so I hung out our bedding. Dave gave the dogs a bath and I washed their bedding too… I heard from the nurse today that my ultra sound was normal and that was a big relief… In the mail I got a bunch of paperwork to fill out before my colon doctor visit next week. Dave will have to help me with it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 29, 2003

Again my day didn’t start until afternoon… I got all my plants taken care of. My African Violet has started blooming again and I noticed when I was outside watering the flowers that I had a red Hibiscus blooming… We probably could have waited awhile before picking the bell peppers because the weather this week has really been nice… I hosted the afternoon DASN International chat. I called Linda in Ohio. She was waiting to go into intensive care to see her husband. There is not much change in her husband since his terrible fall. I also called my sister Martha in Peru, Indiana and Josh called… I started supper and had to call on Dave to help me. Spaghetti, fried green tomatoes, and garlic breadsticks. I haven’t been taking my vitamins but I started back on them today and Dave gave me my Vitamin B-12 injection. I am determined to start feeling better… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 27- 28, 2003

Happy Birthday Kathy!!! I can’t understand why I am sleeping so much. I am beginning to feel like I am sleeping my life away and when I am awake I feel worthless… We went to Kenny and Kathy’s last night. It was Kathy’s birthday so we picked up a cake and ice cream and headed to Piedmont. Kathy had fixed a Spaghetti dinner and she had already made herself a cake… I am sure glad I went because we got to see up close our stem wall and where the safe room is by the rebar that was around that area. Also seen where the bay window is in the dining room. It is sure looking like a house… We were outside looking for deer and Kenny drove up with his headlights on and I was able to see two deer. Now I am a real believer that there are deer on our land… Our grandson Chris was there for the big birthday dinner and along with everyone else was busy carving their pumpkins. I wanted to stay and see the finished product but I was too tired. I spent most of the evening just lying on their couch. So after Josh and Heather modeled their Halloween costumes for us and we took pictures and they promised to email us pictures of their finished pumpkins we left to come home…. I slept till noon today and was in bed at a decent time last night… I can’t wait to see my doctor and talk to him about all this sleep I need… I called my Mother last night and she is doing fine. Josh called this afternoon and he said they were drilling our well… I had phone calls from Jan/Mina and Virginia… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 26, 2003

Our thoughts and prayers are with John.. John is our friend Linda’s husband in Ohio. John had a terrible fall last night and is in intensive care. He could use all the prayers he can get… I got four quarts of bell peppers put in the freezer and gave enough to our friends Carl and Pat that they can also put that many in their freezer… We had a nice visit with Carl and Pat and met their new little dog. It is a bulldog and sure was a friendly little girl… We went to David and Lori’s for dinner and watched the grandkids Chris, Jenny, Kerry, Erin, and Madison carve pumpkins. They sure don’t do it the way we used to do it… A fun evening and now I am ready for bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 25, 2003

Thanks to Richard in Smithville, Tennessee for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… This morning I went into the kitchen to fix my oatmeal for breakfast. I looked in the pantry for the big box of Quaker Oats and I looked and looked. I walk away and went by and looked some more because I knew I had a box of oats in there because I had put it in there yesterday when I was cleaning up the kitchen. After awhile and about to think I was losing my mind. I figured I was looking at it and couldn’t see it. Finally I asked Dave where my Oats were and he told me in the refrigerator where I had put them yesterday. I sure don’t remember doing that. We laughed and I went on with my day of doing laundry. Now I am wondering where I put the can of Crisco…. Carole and Lori called and I called Chip and Kathy… Lori has invited us for dinner tomorrow and we will watch the grandkids carve their pumpkins. That is a lot to look forward too…. We ordered a pizza and watched the Oklahoma Sooners football game Oklahoma beat Colorado 34/20… Dave picked a grocery bag full of bell peppers and brought them in for me to put in the freezer… The temperature dropped way down today. Time to get out my sweats and flannel sheets… Don’t forget to change your clocks tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 24, 2003

Last night Dave and I went to Braum’s for some milk and eggs and we treated ourselves to a double dip ice cream cone. We hadn’t done that in a long time. I was disappointed in mine though, I thought it was way too sweet. I seem to be complaining a lot more lately. I don’t like doing it but I just do it anyhow without thinking… Dave brought me coffee and breakfast in bed this morning and my medication too… I had phone calls from my sister who is visiting our brother in Kentucky. I felt sad I couldn’t be there with them especially when she told me they were having beans and corn bread… David and Kenny called. Kenny found my lost earring at his house and I am happy for that. I usually am not so lucky… I still don’t have any energy… I am looking forward to my next B12 injection. I checked my calendar to see when it was due and I still have another week to go… I picked some red bell peppers and Okra for our supper. I was cooking supper and I just gave out and had to call in Dave from the garage to finish up. I do what I can and that’s all I can do… Josh called, he was working on a social studies project and needed some information on our history… Dave is working on getting the motor home winterized… We broke a record today of a temperature of 91 degrees… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 23, 2003

I slept till almost noon after getting to bed so late and then trying to fall asleep. I have trouble falling asleep but once I get to sleep I sleep well…. No one cares what time I wake up anymore. I remember when I would have gotten the razor strap used on me if I had slept late. Those childhood memories never ever leave me. But this short-term memory is a different story… I had phone calls from friend Martha, phone buddy Virginia, and grandson Josh. Josh said they were out there again today working on our house… I gave the three dogs a bath and they are feeling frisky… A beautiful day in Oklahoma tied a record of 89 degrees but cold front coming tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 22, 2003

Happy Birthday Lela!!! Lela is our friend in Port Charlotte, Florida… Thanks to Aralee in Schertz, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We left home in the early afternoon and went by a Wallpaper store and we found some paper we both liked for our master bathroom. Then we went to Blinds by Design to see what they had to offer for blinds for our big windows. We have decided to go with the 2in wood blinds… We went by the hangar and dropped off some boxes that Dave had packed and then went to the KFC and picked up a Family Pack of chicken to take out to Kenny’s. We got there just as the cement mixer was pulling up so we got to watch them pour the stem wall… When Kenny got home from work we all sat down to a Fried Chicken meal… Kathy and I spent a long time out on the patio just talking and watching for deer… Kathy had a hard time yesterday since it was only two weeks ago that she got a call about Robbie… We never did see a deer but we could hear them. It was too dark out there for me to see anything. There sure are a lot of stars out there though and a raccoon was seen when Kenny turned on his car headlights… I watched a movie “Home Alone 3” with Josh and Heather… Kathy picked out a pair of shoes for me to order for her birthday, that is Monday, and Kenny was wearing his new shoes that he got for his birthday. It is a birthday month for shoes, three birthdays this month. We always buy our sons and their wives new shoes for their birthday… It was almost midnight when we got home… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 21, 2003

When Sis was here visiting with us we went on a shopping spree and while we were out we both got matching purses by Nine West. I love my purse, it has red lining and has a make up bag and a holder for a cell phone. Last night I dreamed someone stole my purse. I was so relieved when I woke up and found out it was only a dream. I didn’t have to call all my credit card people and get a new military ID card or worry about anyone using my checkbook. I even had a little cash in my purse… My friend Chip called this morning, we had a lot of catching up to do. Chip is a busy guy speaking out for us with Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s, doing speaking engagements, doing Memory Walks, and TV interviews, not to mention he attends gospel concerts. He makes me tired just listening to him. Chip can always make me laugh out loud too. I got caught up on Chip’s journal today and I hope you will too. The link to his journal is Chip We had a good discussion today in our DASN chat. We are going to do a topic chat in the early chat starting next Tuesday… Dave and I had a big breakfast/lunch out on the patio while watching the birds and butterflies and realized we were out of sunflower seed already. We can go through fifty pounds of sunflower seed in no time… David called and he let Madison talk to us. She is saying she is two years old now. David said he would pick us up a bag of sunflower seed the next time he goes to the feed store… My phone buddy Virginia called… I called Josh and he said they were out there working so we will make a trip out there tomorrow to see what they have done… Goodnight all… Tonight I picked a beautiful bouquet of flowers from our back yard… Dave fixed us a Ham Supreme supper. Thanks honey… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 20, 2003

Happy Birthday Linda!!! Linda is our friend in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio… Happy Birthday Maxine!!! Maxine is our friend in Coral Gables, Florida… I had a hard time falling asleep last night and slept late this morning… Even though I sleep till noon, I always make sure that I never miss a meal. LOL… David called and came by and we went to the BX shoe shopping. We didn’t see the Dexter shoes that he wanted so I picked out a new lipstick and a few other items then we had lunch at Charley’s and I came home and ordered his shoes online that he wanted … I called Heather to see if they had done any work on our home and she said they hadn’t been out there. She and Josh rode the bus for the first time to their new home. She said they were the last ones to get off the bus… Lori sent some leftovers with David so that was our supper tonight. Thanks Lori… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 19, 2003

Thanks to Manon in Canada for visiting Mary's Place and signing my guest book... Martha called last night from the campground she and Donnie are camping at this weekend somewhere in Indiana with friend in the Good Sam's group... I have spent the biggest part of today working on the checkbook and trying to get it balanced. No luck so I will try working on it another day... David and Lori brought our grandkids Jake, Trevor, and Madison by to show us the pumpkins that they had picked out at the Pumpkin Patch. I got hugs and kisses they sure made my day... I called my Mother and she is doing fine... Dave has been packing boxes and our house is in such a mess. I hate messes... Goodnight all... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 18, 2003

Today is the anniversary of my Sister Lula’s death. I think of her so often and still miss her so much… It has been a beautiful Oklahoma day, up in the 80’s. Dave and I enjoyed sitting outside with the dogs knowing these days will soon be gone… I called my SIL in Lake Isabella… Watched the OU/Missouri game, the end score was 34/13 Oklahoma is still unbeaten… Kenny called; he saw five deer this morning… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



October 17, 2003

Happy Anniversary to Richard and Frances!!! Richard is Dave’s brother in Smithville, Tennessee… Happy Birthday Joe!!! Joe is our DASN friend in California… I didn’t wake up till almost noon again this morning… Dave picked me a bouquet of Roses from our back yard and I put them in a vase. Nothing like having your man give you roses for no reason and the price was right too… I did laundry and took care of my plants, indoors and out… We have been enjoying our patio again and knowing the days are coming soon when we won’t be able to do this… The days are getting shorter and we will be changing time soon… Josh called again to say they were out there working on our house. Kenny called and said they were delivering wood and were getting ready to put up the stem wall… I want to go check it out again and see what they have done. We are happy we are having great weather for them to work and according to the weather report it should be nice like this for another week… I called Joe and Frances… I tried to call my Mother but she didn’t answer… Tonight we are going to be watching a PAX movie on Alzheimer’s… Dave helped me to get my medication set up for another month… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 16, 2003

I slept most of the morning away… Josh called to let us know they were back out there working on our property. I think he is getting excited about having us move closer to them… I did a load of laundry and paid bills and had to push myself to do that. I don’t have any energy at all… I called my aunt Florence in San Antonio and she is doing fine. She is such a sweetheart. I wish we lived closer to her… Kathy and my friend Martha called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



October 15, 2003

Happy Anniversary Norb and Janey!!! Janey is our friend in Plainfield, Illinois… Dave and I were just having an ordinary day when Kenny called to tell us we needed to come out to our land, that they were out there with the bull dozer breaking ground for our new home… So we hurried out there to take some pictures. It all seems so real now. Now we have got to get busy and get this house ready for sale and I don’t have any energy to do my share… I watched a couple movies with Josh and Heather while we were waiting on Kathy to come home from work. Dave helped Kenny get some things done around his house. Then Kenny ordered pizzas. When Kathy got home we did a lot of hugging and talking with the kids about little Robbie. Jamie, if you are reading this, you and Mitch, Allison, and Mathew are in our prayers… I had phone calls from Carole in Missouri and Chip in Florida… It was late when we got home… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 14, 2003

Happy Birthday Virginia!!! Virginia is my phone buddy in Midwest City who is 87 years young today… Dave and I went to the BX and did some shopping then we went to Virginia and took her a birthday card and a giant Hershey bar. She is such a neat lady. She has Parkinson and shakes real bad and has a hard time getting around but still lives alone and drives to the senior center for lunch when the weather is good. We asked her to come home with us and have supper with us tonight but she was thinking her daughter might come by. We will do it another time… I am feeling extra tired tonight and haven’t really done anything to make me tired… Goodnight all... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

October 13, 2003

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends… Thanks to Jeanne in Hawaii and Dewey in North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I am feeling much better today than I did yesterday. I just need to remember that tomorrow is always better… Dave left right after breakfast this morning to go drop my prescriptions off at the pharmacy. Then he went on to help Kenny finish up moving. Kenny called this morning and said he was going to load up all their dirty laundry and drop it off at the laundry and have them do it so Kathy wouldn’t have to come home from Kentucky to all that dirty laundry. I thought that was so thoughtful of Kenny to do that. I have said many times here in my journal how proud I am of our sons, but I don’t think I can say it too many times… I have had a ME day and most of the day has been on the computer answering and deleting all the junk mail. Deleting takes up so much of my precious time... I did go outside with the dogs and took a walk around the back yard being very careful not to fall… The Zephrine Rose bush is blooming and is so pretty and smells even better. I still have quite a few flowers blooming. I picked some more red and yellow peppers and made myself a salad… Then I hosted the DASN afternoon chat… Our DASN president Lynn Jackson from Vancouver, Canada left this morning from Dallas going to the Dominican Republic for the ADI (Alzheimer’s Disease International) annual meeting… I did a load of laundry and cleaned out the bathroom cabinets and drawers in the guest bathroom… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 12, 2003

Condolences to Brian and Jean in Wyndham, New Zealand on the loss of Brian’s brother Keith… I was very sad this morning, couldn’t hold back my tears. I was feeling sorry for everyone who is hurting right now and me too. I am worried about my Mother. She keeps saying she wants to go home. (Heaven) Poor Dave didn’t know what to do. He did give me a big hug and that always helps… This afternoon we went and picked up Josh from his Mothers and went to Kenny’s. Dave helped Kenny move some more stuff and will finish up tomorrow. I got some special time with Josh and Heather. Kathy will fly home tomorrow evening from Kentucky… Kenny seen a couple deer last night on our property and I am disappointed that I didn’t get to see them. When he saw them he was in his car and could see them with his car lights. He called us from the car but when we went out to see them they had already gone… I had a phone call from Sandy in Ohio… Kenny picked a pair of shoes out of the catalog and I ordered them for his birthday... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 11, 2003

Dave and I are both still tired today. The weather is cloudy and we are both feeling sad. Today is (Robbie) Robert Lee’s funeral… We watched the OU/Texas game and OU won 65 to 13… We did a little more packing today… While Sis was here helping me pack up my dolls, I noticed two of them were missing. I was told to call the police and make out a police report so I did that… They were a couple of my favorite ones… I have decided I have too many dolls and I should try and sell some and I could use the cash for something in the new house. Dave has never wanted me to sell them. But they just don’t mean much to me anymore… I called my Mother and Sister and friend Sis… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 10, 2003

This morning I had to get up earlier than usual so we could take Sis back to the airport to catch her plane back home. We are sure going to miss having her here… Then we went to Kenny’s house so we could be there when the gas man, telephone man, and the garage door people came to hook up everything. Kathy had planned on being there but since she had to make a fast trip to Kentucky we told Kenny we would be there. We came home and David and Lori had dropped off their two dogs, Jettina and Bella. They were going to Tyler, Texas for the weekend for a Mini Rally… I am so tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 9, 2003

Happy Birthday, Kenny!!! Kenny is our son who lives in Piedmont, Oklahoma and he is 40 today… Today Sis and I started packing up my dolls. What a big help she was. We almost got them all packed too. Tonight we went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame and toured it then we were served a nice dinner with entertainment. This was all paid for by the people who handle our IRA’s. It was an enjoyable evening…

October 8, 2003

Happy Birthday, David!!! David is our first-born son and lives in Norman, Oklahoma. He is 42 today… Today we got a call from Kenny saying that our great grandson Robbie, who is two months old, was found dead in his crib this morning around 6:00… They did an autopsy and found nothing wrong. They are calling it SIDS. We are all so sad and shocked and I have been taking it so hard. I never even got to hold little Robbie. I was looking forward to their visit from Kentucky so I could do that… But I do know that some day I will get to hold that baby. Robbie leaves behind his parents and a brother and sister… Kathy and our grandson Chris flew down this morning and Kenny stayed behind to be with Josh and Heather… Dave dropped Sis and I off at Penn Square Mall today so we could go shopping. I am so glad Sis is with me right now. She couldn’t have picked a better time to come… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 7, 2003

This morning we went to David and Lori’s so Sis could meet them and see their animals. Since Sis raises cows she really enjoyed seeing the Lockhart Farm. David took us to see Toby Keith’s home in his Mini Cooper and he took our pictures standing outside of the fence around Toby’s home… We left there and came home for a quick lunch and then we took her out to see the home like we are building and then from there we went to where our home will be built. She saw Kenny and Kathy’s new home and met Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather… Kathy was carrying in a load of clothes to their new home when we arrived Sis jumped right in and helped her… Our next stop was in Yukon where we had a nice dinner in an Italian Restaurant. We had never been there before but several people had recommended it and we will go back because the food was great… Our next stop was to go by Alfred and Martha’s home. I wanted Sis to meet our best friends… Needless to say by the time we got home we were all so tired… I think I over did it but I wanted to do so much while Sis was here… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 6, 2003

My friend Pat called and woke me up at 11:00 and I hadn’t meant to sleep so late… I had so much to do to get ready for the maids. I rushed around like crazy to get everything done but I did it and even had some time to spare that I was able to do some bird watching and seen several butterflies… After lunch Dave went to pick up Sis at the airport and I stayed here to let the maids in. They had just got here when Dave and Sis came back… So we sat out on the patio and visited while the two maids cleaned the house… Then Sis and I came in and fixed a ham supper with salad, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob. Sis made a big picture of Iced Tea. We ate till we were stuffed… Dave cleaned up the kitchen and we went back on the patio to do some more visiting… Now we are going to the DASNI chat. Sis was using Dave’s desktop and me on my laptop. After that we are going to the ADF chat… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 5, 2003

I had a terrible time falling asleep last night but once I did get to sleep I slept very good. It was almost lunchtime when I woke up… Dave had been up for hours and had washed the car when I came around… We set out on the patio and drank Cappuccino watching the birds at the feeder and water fountain and they were checking out the birdhouses. We figured they were trying to figure out which one they would use in the Spring, so many to choose from… I deadheaded the roses and Dave cleaned the birdbath… I got the laundry done and am trying to get a path made for our friend when she arrives from Texas tomorrow. We are sure looking forward to her visit. We met her several years ago on the Internet and we have been to her ranch and she is at our get together when we go to San Antonio. Sis lost her Mother to Alzheimer’s. She is like a sister to me… We have more bell peppers than we know what to do with and that is about all that is left except for a few cucumbers.. I fixed sausage, bell peppers and onions for supper and we ate on the patio… A beautiful day but now it is starting to look like more rain is coming our way… I called Sandy in Ohio and Sis called me… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 4, 2003

Congratulations to our Daughter-in-law Kathy for passing her RN First Assistant exam this morning. Kathy has been studying for months for this exam and it paid off. Dave gave me my first Vitamin B-12 injection last night. I hardly felt it. I think he was more nervous about giving it than I was receiving it… It has been rainy most of the day, a good day to just relax and I have tried to do that… I fixed us a country breakfast for supper since I had forgotten to get something out of the freezer to cook… I had phone calls from David, Kathy, my sister, Tracy in Missouri and Jeanne in Hawaii. I called my Mother and brother George, Garnette in Texas, and Brian in Kansas… Dave and I are watching the OU/Iowa football game and looks like OU is going to win this one… … Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

October 3, 2003

A beautiful autumn day outside but I have been cold all day and can’t seem to get warm. I am feeling shaky on the inside and having trouble when I talk. When my friend Martha called I was having a hard time carrying on a conversation with her. I hope this doesn’t last because I don’t like it one bit. I haven’t started any new medication lately so that isn’t it… Dave is going to start giving me a Vitamin B 12 injection today. He picked it up at the pharmacy today… Dave got groceries this morning and I still feel guilty when he has to do that. I do help by making out the grocery list and cleaning the refrigerator but still I wish I were able to do more… My neighbor Jaunita called and I told her that we were moving and she was sad to hear we were leaving the neighborhood. Jaunita and I never see each other and talk only on the phone about every six months and I can do all that from Piedmont. Jaunita and I used to take walks in the neighborhood… Tonight I am thinking that I should appreciate my good days a lot more than I do… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 2, 2003

It got cold last night and I didn’t want to come out of the covers this morning but had to for my ultra sound appointment… This afternoon I had an appointment with Dr. Chico, my psychiatrist. He was pleased with how I am doing. I asked him what stage he thought I was in and he said early stage. I was glad to hear him say that… Then we went to see some more open houses. We seen some wallpaper in one of the bathrooms we both liked. We are still trying to decide on what color brick we want… I fixed supper and Dave cleaned up the kitchen… I went to chat and we had Dr. Mitch as a guest tonight and it was a good one… I am tired with good reason to be… I don’t have any more appointments till next month… The Roses and Forsythia are starting to bloom… Dave and I rolled a bunch of coins today. He felt good to get that job out of the way… Kenny called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 1, 2003

Thanks Janey in Plainfield, Illinois and Barbara in Kokomo, Indiana for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I washed our comforter and hung it out to dry and put another load in before we had to leave to go to National City Mortgage Company where we met with Lisa to do all the paperwork for our mortgage. We autographed a bunch of paperwork for her. I am glad that is out of the way. We left there and went for some lunch then to some of the Parade Of Homes. Of course we ended up in Piedmont looking over our building site and went back into the model home like we are building and took more pictures… Then we went by Kenny and Kathy’s and they were both working but we got some special time with Josh and Heather. Josh had did some research at school in his computer class and ran into my site that told about him when he was an infant.. I think it tickled him to read about himself and Heather was excited to see her name in there also. I had already forgotten I had done that site but did remember it when I saw it… Heather gave me a manicure so now I have beautiful nails… When Kenny got home from work he took us to see his new home. Kathy was still at work at the hospital. As soon as the builders finish up with their little mistakes they will close. They are hoping to close on Monday. Their house is beautiful. Really makes us anxious to get started on ours… Tomorrow I will have two appointments and after that I will be able to stay at home and catch up on my housework and laundry and I hope to find time to relax… Jan/Mina called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 30, 2003

Happy Anniversary David and Lori!!! Happy Birthday Larry Rose!!! Larry is our friend in Arkansas and author of “Show Me The Way To Go Home” and “Larry’s Way”… I highly recommend both of these books… and David and Lori are our kids… Kenny and Kathy’s house is finished and they will be moving in soon… Another month has gone by. If they keep going by so fast we will be moving to our new home in no time. We have so much to do to get ready for the move. Dave got the garage walls painted today… I didn’t sleep well last night between the nightmares, thunderstorms and the dogs barking. Our dogs get real nervous when we have thunderstorms. This has been going on ever since we had the tornado on May 3, 1999… I woke up at 11:00 and I couldn’t believe what time it was. Dave had set a cup of coffee on the bedside table for me. He is such a sweetheart… When I have a busy day like yesterday the next day it seems like I am worthless… I am so lucky that Dave understands… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 29, 2003

I did laundry this morning before going to my 11:00 follow up appointment with Dr. Morgan for the results of my stomach x-rays and lab work. The blood work was okay except my Monos was elevated. The x-ray I had last week showed mild nonspecific small bowel distention. It is unclear whether this represents early component of ileus or perhaps obstruction. I will go Thursday morning for an ultra sound of the abdominal area and have an appointment to see a gastroenterology doctor. I also have an appointment with the psychiatrist on Thursday afternoon. I am getting tired of so many doctors and so many appointments. I am keeping busy so I don’t have time to worry about any of this… Right now I am looking forward to a good friend coming to visit. Sandra in Rusk, Texas is flying in next Monday… We got pre-qualified for our new home today and went to see some of the Parade Of Homes. But it has been raining all day and some of them weren’t even open. I guess they didn’t want people tracking in… I picked some okra and fried it. This was the first mess out of our garden… It is only 57 degrees here… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 28, 2003

It took forever for me to fall asleep last night. I know for sure it was after midnight. My mind was going a hundred miles a minute while Dave was sound asleep. I woke up early this morning and Dave was still sleeping at eleven. I don’t think it is fair that he can sleep like that and I can’t. But I know life isn’t fair…The Parade Of Homes started yesterday and I want to go look at a few of the over hundred of homes they have on display and get some ideas for our new home… I have a busy week coming up with three appointments I know of. I am getting tired just thinking of this coming week… David called… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 27, 2003

I was sleeping so good when I got woke up by a phone call and when I answered they hung up. I guess who ever it was they had the wrong number… We had our breakfast out on the patio and watched the birds. It was a windy day and it sure was feeling like fall… I have started cleaning out closets and tossing stuff. I did really good about getting rid of stuff until it came to my shoe boxes of greeting cards. I have mentioned here before that I have never been able to throw away a greeting card giving to me by my loved ones and friends over the years. I have always thought that if someone thought enough of you to give you a card you shouldn’t throw it away. I tossed all of them but four shoeboxes full. Someday I just might enjoy going through all of them again. And if I don’t my kids can just toss them when I am gone… I seldom get cards any more. Just phone calls and emails. Our mailbox is used mostly for bills now… I had phone calls from my sister Martha, Sis, and Kenny. When Kenny called he and Kathy were in their new home. It is now all finished except for hanging a couple light fixtures. He was telling me how nice it was out there at night with all the stars. He said we were going to love it out there and I believe we will… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 25, 2003-September 26, 2003

We did it!!! We signed the contract and they will start building our home no later than October 1 and we should be in it no later than April 1… I am so excited. The home will be quite a bit larger than the one we live in now. It will have a safe room so Dave, the three dogs, and me can go to when we have tornado warnings. No way did I want to have to go down in an underground storm shelter. The master bathroom will have handicapped bars and an open shower. We will be working on our home to get it ready to sell and before we know it we will be moving close to Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather in the country where I will be able to see lots of blue sky, sunsets, and stars… I was too tired last night to do a journal after signing all that paper work yesterday. Plus we went to a couple of furniture stores looking at furniture. So all that really had me worn out. My bed felt so good last night when I laid down… I picked up around the house, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, dusted, and took care of my indoor plants… I called Lori and Jan/Mina and my friend Martha called me… The man who handles our IRA came to visit today and when I answered the door he said How Are You? And instead of saying I am fine I said NICE. I caught myself that time, sometimes I don’t… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 24, 2003

I slept better last night because I took a half of a half of Ambien… This morning I went to get a haircut. I had one a couple weeks ago by a new hairdresser and today I went to Linda my regular hairdresser to fix the other hairdresser screw up. I hope I never make a mistake of going to someone else for a haircut again. I like Linda real well but she is a long ways from our home but she is worth the trip… While we were out I picked up some hair color at Sally’s. Then we went looking at new furniture at Wilson’s Home Furnishings just for fun… I did laundry and fixed stuffed peppers for supper… I am starting to feel better so we went to the State Fair tonight. I met with a local TV anchor Tyler Suiters while there and we had a long conversation about Alzheimer’s. He was very interested in Alzheimer’s and he thought it would make a good story. He gave me his email address so I could email him and he could check out my web page. We had a good time at the fair and the weather was perfect. Dave got blisters on his hands from pushing my wheel chair and I feel so bad about that… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 23, 2003

I was hurting all night so I got very little sleep and I had to get up early to get ready for an appointment with Dr. Morgan. I sure do miss sleeping till 10. Dr. Morgan started me on an antibiotic, Cipro and Bentyl and sent me for X-rays of my abdominal area… I should start feeling better soon… It is the first day of fall and our air conditioner kicked on first time in several days… Our Volkswagen is sold and I think from all the calls we are still getting for it that we could have sold several of them. I will miss it but it will be replaced with a tractor now. Dave has gone to pick it up… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

September 22, 2003

Happy Birthday Brian!!! Brian is a friend in Manhattan, Kansas… Happy Birthday Diane!!! Diane is our friend in Pleasant Plains, Illinois… Thanks to Sue in Canada for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… This morning I had an appointment with Dr. Bhaktaram, my cardiologist, and he wants me to keep taking both the Hyzaar and the Atenolol. My blood pressure was good and I had lost five pounds. He sent me to the lab for some blood work… Dave made me an appointment to see Dr. Morgan because I am still having trouble with my tummy and running a low-grade temperature… I spent most of the afternoon in bed while Dave was at the dentist getting his teeth cleaned.... We got the call we have been waiting for today that our house plans are in and we have an appointment with the builder on Thursday… I checked our garden and found a couple of ripe yellow tomatoes… I helped fixed supper and that is it for today… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 21, 2003

Happy Anniversary Jenni and Chris!!! Jenni is our granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma... Last night I was chatting with Glenna, Janey, and Sis when all of a sudden I started having bad pains in my stomach. It was like they were contractions and lasted for a couple hours. I thought there for a while I was going to have to go to the Emergency Room. Dave even had my medication list up to date and ready just in case. But finally it let up and I was able to get some sleep. I am still having a few of them today… We had thunderstorms this morning and a good rain… I made us omelets for breakfast and helped fix supper and the rest of the day I rested… I called my Mother and friends Diana in Florida, Vicky in Illinois, and Diane in Tennessee… My sister called and Sandy in Texas called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 20, 2003

Happy Birthday Melenie!!! Melenie is our niece in Georgetown, Kentucky... I woke up feeling pretty rough this morning so I stayed in bed till almost noon and that helped. Then I took a shower and David and Lori came to go with us to Kenny and Kathy’s. I got a few hours with both our sons and their wives. That doesn’t happen often enough… We went to see the model home like we want and then to see Kenny and Kathy’s home. A couple more weeks and it should be ready to move in... It would be nice if David and Lori lived out there too. Because when we move we will be a long ways from David and Lori. About 60 miles away… We all had lunch at Subway in Piedmont. Kenny even shared his Macadamia cookies with me. They were yummy too… Then we went to the airport where Kenny stores their Go Carts and dirt bike. He and David had a ball riding them. You would never believe those 40-year-old kids. They were wild and there were times when Lori and I couldn’t stand to watch. Of course Kathy is used to it…. We had a fun afternoon together… I did a load of laundry and fixed us a quick supper and now I am tired… I missed the OU game but they did win... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 19, 2003

Happy Anniversary to Chris and Jenny. Jenny is our granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma.. Last night we called Judy and Dewey in North Carolina and found out they are fine. They are enjoying being new grandparents… Today hasn’t been one of my better days. I didn’t feel right all morning and my foot was really hurting. I found out why when I went to take my 2:00 medicines at 3:00 and I noticed my morning medicines were still in the pill container. So I took them and hope it never happens again… We have our 72 Volkswagen up for sale since we don’t have any use for two cars. We have been getting a lot of calls on it. Dave is out showing it now… When he gets back he is going to help me set up my medications for the next four weeks… David and Virginia called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 18, 2003

Dave has started coming into the bedroom and giving me a hug when I wake up in the morning. Now I really like that and I told him so. I believe you have to tell people when you appreciate them or what they do. If you don’t, how will they ever know? We have all our stuff that we aren’t donating and don’t want any longer out by the curb for big trash pickup. One thing about planning a move is that you get rid of STUFF… David & Lori took the Mini Cooper to Dallas for service and then they will go to see a Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners ball game. So Dave and I went to the Lockhart Farm to feed their dogs, Bella and Jettina. We went to see the cows while we were there. David’s pond is slowly getting filled up. When we were checking on the goats and rheas we found one of the baby rheas outside the pen. But between the two of us we got it back where it belonged… It has cooled off and jacket weather is here. I was watching the evening news and the weatherman said it would be down in the 40’s tonight… I did laundry and picked cucumbers and bell peppers and made a big salad. The tomatoes are slow about turning now… Since I never wake up in time for a country breakfast anymore I was getting hungry for one so tonight I fixed a country breakfast for supper. It tasted real good… I wish you could see Dave’s face when he is editing my journal. I can’t believe when he reads it back to me that I have actually written that. We laugh about it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 17, 2003

Thanks to Ellen in Michigan and Janey in Illinois for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Ellen, your Memorial web site for your Mother is beautiful… I slept about ten hours again last night. I think Dave is starting to wonder if I will ever wake up. Maybe I am making up for all the sleep I have lost before… We had our cereal out on the patio. Dave watered the lawn and I fed the flowers then we just enjoyed watching the birds. Dave had cleaned the water fountain and filled it with fresh water and the birds were sure enjoying taking their baths in it… I also noticed the Hummingbirds are still with us. I was thinking they had left us because I hadn’t seen them for a couple days… Dave got all my doll boxes out of the attic and worked in the garage. The dogs and I were out there with him. We kept him company while he worked away. Tonight when we were having our supper neither one of us could figure if it was Tuesday or Wednesday. We finally figured it out and now we are wondering what happened to Tuesday… My friend Martha called and I called my Mother and Sister. Mom was watching Jeopardy so we didn’t talk long because I know how much she enjoys the game shows… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 16, 2003

Happy Birthday Edie!!! Edie is a school friend in Dayton, Indiana… I am having a lazy day. All my get up has gone… I am so thankful that I can have lazy days when I need them… I phoned Garnette in Texas and I must call my Mother. I keep forgetting to call her but when I do remember and look at the clock it isn’t the right time… I picked up some around the house, fixed supper, and answered some emails that I have been saving for a day like today… I am hooked on HGTV now… This morning I got a call from our Visa people and she was telling me a huge charge had been made to our account. I said, OH NO!!! But when she told me where the charge was made, all of a sudden I remembered Dave had told me he was going to get a garden tractor. I had completely forgotten he had even left… I am making lists of things that I want to talk to the builder about while we are waiting on the house plans to come in… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 15, 2003

Happy Anniversary Jamie and Mitch!!! Jamie is our granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… Jamie, thank you for the photos of Robbie, they came in the morning mail. We can’t wait to see him in person… I slept till 10:00 this morning and didn’t even feel guilty. I sleep so much longer and better since I have come off the sleeping pill and started on the Remeron… The Lexapro is still causing the diarrhea so I called Dr. Chioco and told him and he said for me to discontinue taking it.… I have been doing laundry all day and it is a beautiful day for it. I hung out our bedding and the dog's bedding too and put our feather pillows out in the fresh air… Our high this morning was in the high 50’s… David came by and brought us a carload of goody leftovers. Lori, thanks so much for thinking of us. It is much appreciated… Dave bought a hitch to put on our car and will buy a trailer to tow behind our car for later use…. While Dave was gone I hosted chat… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 14, 2003

This morning we had our coffee and breakfast on the patio. Dave made us pancakes… Later we met our friends Alfred and Martha at the Panera Bread Café for an early dinner and for dessert we had brownies, they were sinful… Then I rode with Martha to give Dave a little break and we followed Dave and Alfred to the Crossing Church for a Mark Lowry Concert and as always Mark was funny… Later we went to see Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather and visited with them for a while till Kenny had to leave to go back to work. The Steve Bailey Honda Dealership he works for is moving and he was helping with that move all weekend… We stopped at the grocery store to pick up some milk and eggs. I sure was tired and ready to brush my teeth and go to bed. I am even looking forward to a Monday with a lot of dirty laundry but being able to just stay at home sounds so wonderful… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 13, 2003

It was a rainy night and I slept well. I haven’t taken a sleeping pill for a week… I went for my haircut and Karmeleta wanted to go with us so Dave let her go and he and she set in the car while I was getting my haircut… Then we came home and had lunch and I did some laundry and we got ready to go to Martha and Alfred’s to show them the model home that we have picked out to build on our land. They loved it as much as we do… Then we went for a Catfish dinner and later we watched a DVD with them… I have had a big day and now ready for bed… Tomorrow is another busy day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 12, 2003

Happy Birthday Lewis!!! Lewis is our nephew in Seagrove, North Carolina… Johnny Cash left us early this morning to be with his wife June Carter… My favorite song of his is “I Walk The Line.” We have seen his shows and once when we were in Branson he was there for a groundbreaking ceremony and he shook my hand and said “Hi Hon” in that deep voice and I thought I would wet my pants. LOL… John Ritter also left us. Both men will be missed… I did laundry and some bird watching… Josh, Kenny, and Virginia called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma …

September 11, 2003

Happy Birthday Matt… Matt is a DASNI friend in Long Island, New York… Thanks to Maddy in Iceland for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We had storms and a lot of rain during the night and this morning I sure didn’t want to get out of bed for my Mammogram appointment when I heard it pouring down rain. But I went and got it over with… We got three inches of rain and it has gotten much cooler. It just doesn’t seem like August to be having temperatures in the 60’s… Dave was out on the patio with his hand on the hummingbird feeder when the Hummingbird came up and drank and flew right up to Dave’s face a couple times and went right back to drinking… Virginia called today and was telling me about an article that she read in the newspaper about Hummingbirds and she offered to mail it to me… My sister called last night and our friend Martha called. We have made arrangements for us to take Alfred and her to go Saturday to see the house like the one we are building and our land after my haircut appointment… I did laundry and fed the indoor flowers. The Violets are looking really good and are still blooming so I must be doing something right. Maybe I take after my Mother with her green thumb with Violets. She had them of all colors in her apartment and still has a few at the Nursing Home… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 10, 2003

Happy Birthday Allison!!! Allison is our great granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… Dave took Cindy to be groomed this morning and she looks so cute. We tried a different groomer this time and this one put a bow on top of her head… I have been lazy today… I did fix a Spinach Quiche for supper while Dave was getting his ME time. He went to look at tractors… I called Mom, Ashley, and Virginia… Josh and Heather called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 9, 2003

Our deepest sympathy to Diane, Ashley, and Sharon in Hixson, Tennessee… Diane lost her husband and Ashley and Sharon lost their Father today to Alzheimer’s… . Happy Birthday Karen!!! Karen is our niece in Huntington, West Virginia… We went this afternoon to order the house plans and went to see the parade of homes house like the one we want built and out to see the house that Kenny and Kathy are building. Their house should be ready for them to move in by the end of the month. And of course we had to check out our land… We had supper at Sonic and then went to Kenny’s house. Josh and Heather were having an Open House at their school and wanted us to go with them. So being good grandparents we went. Dave and I were really impressed too. They had it set up so that we went to each of his classrooms and his teacher spoke to us for seven minutes telling about what they do. Then a bell would ring and we would go to his next class. We had seven different classes including study hall. School seems a lot more interesting since the days when Dave and I went. Kathy went with Heather to her classes and we went with Josh and Kenny… My friend Aralee in Texas called… I hope I don’t dream tonight. Last night I dreamed we built a house that was so huge that when the Merry Maids came to clean it took them one day to just clean one room because the rooms were so large. I got up this morning telling Dave that we needed to find a smaller house. LOL… On our way home tonight we saw a beautiful full moon… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 8, 2003

Happy Anniversary Honey!!! Today we have been married for 43 years… Dave surprised me with breakfast in bed. How lucky am I? . We will celebrate our anniversary on Sunday when we will double date with our best friends going to dinner and then to a Mark Lowry concert… The realtor came this morning and appraised our house. We were pleased with what she came up with and she said we shouldn’t have a problem selling it. We are in a real good location… David called and he and Lori came by and brought a beautiful card and a bouquet of flowers… Chip and Pat called… Except for having sore knees I have had a good day… I did laundry, paid bills, mopped the kitchen, and helped Dave fix supper. Dave barbequed the steaks and I did the rest…. Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma.

September 7, 2003

We have had another beautiful day. Dave and I enjoyed our breakfast and coffee on the patio. Dave mowed and worked in the yard… I was picking up some stuff off the patio floor when my legs gave out or I lost my balance and fell. I am not sure what happened except I went down fast and hard and I landed on my hands and knees. I almost fell again tonight. But thank God I am okay, just sore… I am still tired and anything I got done today I pushed myself to do it… The good news is that my tummy is doing better on the Lexapro than on the Zoloft. The diarrhea has stopped… Josh and Kenny called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 6, 2003

Congratulations to Mr.and Mrs. Kerry Bohan!!! Our granddaughter Erin and Kerry were married this evening on the OU campus in the park. The bride was beautiful, and so was the wedding. Even the weather was perfect… Dave took the motor home and that worked out nice for everyone especially for hiding out the bride… Thanks to Janey in Plainfield, Illinois and Peter in Parma, Ohio for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… OU beat Alabama tonight 20 to 13. A good day but I am really tired and I am going to bed… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 5, 2003

Happy Birthday Kerry!!! Kerry will marry our granddaughter Erin tomorrow and we are happy to welcome him to our family… Dickie and Garnette came and we took them out for a Mexican dinner at Nino’s. Then we came back here to visit before they went back to the motel. We enjoyed their visit and have invited them to come back today. Garnette is a DASNI friend and she has Alzheimer’s too… I slept like a baby last night and slept in this morning. I sure needed that extra rest because of the busy week we have had… Dave and I had breakfast and drank cappuccino out on the patio. It was a beautiful morning. The OKLAHOMA song kept going through my mind. Oh What A Beautiful Morning… We have two or three hummingbirds flying to the feeder all the time now and I love watching them. There were several butterflies out around the flowers too… Tonight Dickie, Garnette, Dave, me, and Garnette’s friend Fran who is here visiting from Queensland, Australia all went to Outback for dinner. Before we went to dinner we took them to the Murrah Building Memorial Site. We had a great time and laughed a lot… I am tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 4, 2003

Last night I forgot to mention that when Dave and I were walking around on the acreage that we are planning to buy we saw deer tracks. When I saw those I was ready to start building. I love seeing deer… When I told Kenny about the deer tracks he started teasing me that he and Josh made those the night before so that I would move out there. LOL… When I was taking my bedtime medicines last night I noticed that the Zoloft that I am supposed to take after breakfast was still in the pillbox. Now I know why I didn’t have diarrhea yesterday. Here I was thinking my system had gotten used to the Zoloft.. I have asked Dave to help me with my medication… This morning I went to see Dr. Chioco, the psychiatrist. He was pleased with how I was doing and he said I should have called him and told him about the diarrhea. He doesn’t want me to take the Zoloft anymore and changed it to Lexapro, it is supposed to have less side affects. He also said how important it was for me to keep reading and playing games like dominoes and working crossword puzzles. He wants me to start crocheting again too. I will need help to do that because I have forgotten most that I knew about it. He doesn’t see a problem with me moving to a new house and he will be there for me if I need him. I gave him one of my business cards from DASNI. I told him about the chat room and my journaling and he was pleased with that. I am sure he will also visit my web site and he is going to share it with other Alzheimer’s and Dementia people. I am so thankful that Georgia recommended Dr. Chioco to me… Dave and I are looking forward to Dickie and Garnette’s visit tonight. They are coming from Texas… I cleaned the fountain and put in fresh water and fed the birds… Virginia called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 3, 2003

Thanks to Jeanne in Hawaii for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Jeanne is a DASNI friend and author of “JUST LOVE ME, My Life Turned Upside By Alzheimer’s” she is on a book signing tour on the west coast and soon will be in Vancouver, Canada… I was awakened this morning at 6:00. The maids had accidentally set the alarm when they were dusting it. After I am awake that is it for me. So I got up, let the dogs out and fixed my oatmeal and went to the patio… While I was out watching the birds I got to see the Hummingbird for the first time in a long time. Probably because I have been too busy to watch for it lately… We had an appointment with the builder this morning. I took a lot of questions with me. We have a house plan we both really like. We got to go in one just like it that will be featured in the Parade of Homes… On our way home we stopped at Wiley Post Airport and had lunch at the Runway Café. Then made a stop to see our friend Martha where she works and told her our news and showed her the floor plan. Dave and I are really getting excited… I called my Mother and my sister was there visiting, she had brought Mom some watermelon and tomatoes from George’s garden… George called, he and Carol are in North Carolina visiting our niece Kathy and her family. He has changed his mind about coming to visit us next week… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 2, 2003

I just noticed that I have gone over 30,000 hits to my web page and this is my second web page and this makes me feel really good. I didn’t know when I started doing this web page if I would be able to help anyone with Alzheimer’s and Dementia or not but I thought if I could help one person who was newly diagnosed it would be all be worth it. I have made so many new friends since I started doing this and I have met many of them in person… I have mentioned this several times before, if you are a person with any kind of dementia and would like to join me and others in a chat please click on the red high lighted link you will find above the turtle at the top of this page… I didn’t’ sleep well last night. I didn’t have the rain to put me to sleep. I may have to record it the next time it rains so I can play it back when I need it… Have had another busy day and still feeling so tired and my allergies are bothering me because the windows are all open… Jan/Mina and Virginia called… It was almost 6:00 when I realized I hadn’t taken my 2:00 medicines… The good news is that the sun came out, my house is clean and the yard looks great. Wes came again today to finish up the landscaping work… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 1, 2003

Happy Birthday Kristal!!! Kristal is our niece in Atlanta, Georgia… Last night when we went to bed it was raining and we had our windows open. It was so nice listening to it hit the patio roof and having the fresh air. I slept well even without a sleeping pill… Today our high was only 69 and I loved it… We had Kenny’s friend Wes come and do some landscaping. He did trimming of our trees and shrubs and etc. We are very happy with the results. Thanks Kenny for recommending Wes… I got the house ready for the maids tomorrow and did laundry including ours and the dogs bedding. Kenny came and hauled off the branches and then I rode with him to pick up Heather in Chickasha where her Dad met us. I enjoyed having some one on one with Kenny… Then later Dave and I went to Home Depot to pick up a few things then to the grocery store. I wanted some potato salad, fresh corn on the cob, and squash to go with our hot dogs for supper… I am sure tired tonight but feel I have a good reason to be. I still have to give the three dogs a bath and the beds to make yet… I got a nice long email from my friend Norma in California and a phone call from Carole a DASNI friend in Missouri… Thank you God for a good day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 31, 2003

Happy 35th Anniversary Robert and Mary Ann!!! Robert and Mary Ann are our friends in San Antonio Texas… I was so tired last night I finished watching the football game in bed. It has been awhile since I had gone to bed before dark… Dave shut off the A/C and I raised the bedroom windows. It was raining and oh how I love to hear the rain hit our metal roof on the patio when I am in bed. I slept like a baby last night. Last night was the night for a half of a half of a sleeping pill (Ambien) that I get every other night… We got two more inches of rain. This morning Dave and I had our breakfast out on the patio watching the birds. The birds were singing and were flying to the feeder to entertain us. The Chickadees are so cute. It is like they are bouncing when they fly and they are sure loud to be so tiny… I have such a big week ahead of me and I am trying not to get stressed because all of it is good stuff… I picked up around the house and helped Dave clean and toss STUFF in the garage until he made me feel like I was in his way. Then I left him alone. LOL. We got a couple boxes ready to give to the Vietnam Vets next week when they come around… I am going go on the patio now and do some relaxing and bird watching… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 30, 2003

Happy Anniversary Judy and Dewey!!! Judy is Dave’s sister in Lexington, North Carolina… Thanks to Deloris in Ohio for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I didn’t sleep well last night because of thunderstorms. But we got over three inches of rain and it is raining again tonight and we sure need it… My sister and Kenny called this morning and David called and came by for a visit this afternoon… I called my Uncle Bob in Louisville, Kentucky; Chip in Florida and my Mother. Mom didn’t sound like she was feeling well but she always says she is fine… I am off now to watch the OU/UNT football game. I am so happy the football games have started again… I am still having trouble with cramping and diarrhea, not much fun but no tremors today so I am thankful for that… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 29, 2003

Last night I called a good friend Teresa in Missouri. Teresa is also my web mistress… David and Kenny called last night. I like hearing from our sons… I picked vegetables this morning, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers. The tomatoes are about all gone. All we have left is the grape and yellow tomatoes. Don’t think I am even going to get a mess of Okra since the weed whacker came and got a large part of them… Dave had a doctor’s appointment and got a good report back from all his lab work except he was low on potassium so he has to double his potassium medication… I was answering emails this morning when all of a sudden my left hand started shaking. Don’t remember that ever happening before. I am also having a lot of pain in my hands from arthritis, it is probably the weather… I did laundry, got everything hung and folded so I did good. I cleaned the bird bath and saved the fountain for another day… I am feeling extra tired today… Dave got groceries and he was hungry when he went so we have lots of goodies. Maybe I over did it on the candy bars. LOL… It has been a long time since I had seen a candy bar… Thanks Dave for getting the groceries. I appreciate everything you do even though I don’t tell you often enough… I accidentally deleted a folder and I don’t even know how I did it and it was full of a lot important stuff… By looking at our front yard at all the leaves that have fallen you would think it was fall… I had a phone call from friend Martha… Got to get off here, we are about to have a thunderstorm come in… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

P. S. I just received a call from sister-in-law in Lexington, North Carolina. She and Dewey are finally Grandparents. Allison Marie was born this evening. Judy was so excited she could hardly talk. Congratulations to Dewey and Cindy and Judy and Dewey!!! That makes me a Great Aunt again.

August 28, 2003

Thanks to Edie in Dayton, Indiana and Joan in New York for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Today I set up medication for another month. Each time I do it I have more pills to add and I always dread this job. The months just go by too fast… I asked Dave a question today and he answered me and a minute later I could not remember his answer so I had to ask him again. This happens over and over… I called my sister last night and today I called my friend Martha in Yukon, Oklahoma, Sandy in Ohio and my Mother in Peru, Indiana. Mom was out of her room but I left her a message because I know she always checks her messages when she returns to her room… I hosted chat, picked up around the house, fed the birds, and helped Dave prepare supper… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 27, 2003

Happy Anniversary Donnie and Martha!!! Donnie is our brother-in-law and Martha my sister in Peru, Indiana… Lori and I had a fun time shopping last night. I am so happy that I get along so well with Lori and Kathy. Our sons did a great job picking out their wives… Tonight will be my first night without taking Ambien. I have been taking a half of five mg. So I could wean myself off the Ambien so I am hoping I sleep well tonight… This morning while Dave was still sleeping I went outside with the dogs and fed all the flowers then I took care all the plants inside the house. I hosted the afternoon chat and we had chatters from Australia, Canada, and Scotland. Then I got caught up on emails and deleted all the junk mail. I think I spent too much time on the computer today… Dave cleaned out the shed and fertilized the grass. He did that just in time too. We had a good rain this evening. Dave and I sat out on the patio and enjoyed listening to the rain fall… We fixed a Spaghetti supper and had our first eggplant out of our garden. I could not have managed fixing all that by myself. It is good we work well at cooking… Kenny called and he is looking forward to us moving out by them… I am still lacking in energy… We are looking forward to Dickie and Garnette visiting next week… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 26, 2003

Thanks to Judy and Dewey from Lexington, North Carolina and Howard, Catherine, Uncle Bill, and Ollie, in Gahanna, Ohio for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… My Aunt Florence called last night. It sure was good to hear her sweet voice again… I got caught up on the bills this morning and washed the shower curtain and liner in the guest bath room… Erin, our granddaughter came to visit this afternoon. She took us to Norman in her brand new Nissan car to show us where Dave should park the RV on her and Kerry’s wedding day. They are getting married on the OU Campus in the park… Dave will take the RV so she can stay hidden in it till it is time for the Here Comes The Bride music… Erin just got a big promotion at Lowe’s, we are so proud of her… Dave fixed tacos for supper and they were yummy. Thanks Honey… Lori will be here soon and we are going out on the base to the BX shopping… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 25, 2003

Happy Birthday Perry!!! Perry is Lori’s grandfather in Okemah, Oklahoma… We were able to see Mars last night... Dave and I got tickets to see the Christian comedian Mark Lowry show next month. Our friends Alfred and Martha will go with us… I spend most of my day talking to myself such as Mary don’t forget to put the frozen peas back in the freezer when you finish with it, etc. I have been known to put them in the cupboard… Dave and I had an appointment this afternoon to meet with a realtor to see some homes and talk about building a home. Dave has wanted to move out for a long time but I kept dragging my feet but after seeing several of my Alzheimer’s friends make moves and they lived through it I decided maybe I could handle a move too. As long as it is something that we both like and agree on and Dave and I pretty much have the same taste on homes…. I called my Mother last night and she is doing fine… We are still having temperatures near 100 degrees… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 24, 2003

Thanks to Kency in Ontario, Canada and Marty in Niskayuna, New York for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Today would have been my deceased brother Everett’s 55th. birthday. I miss calling and singing Happy Birthday to him. So I called his only daughter, Barbara and we had a nice visit… I called a friend, Beca in Alabama. Beca is recovering from surgery. Take care of yourself Beca… Also talked to Richard in Tennessee, Jan/Mina in Herryetta, Oklahoma and new friend Lucy in Oklahoma City who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s… I have been having nightmares ever since I started the new medication and I don’t like that and I hope they will stop soon and one of them is messing up my tummy. Always something for me to complain about… Dave has been doing some house repairs and even cleaned out the guttering. I sure am glad he didn’t fall and break another shoulder like he did a couple years ago… I have notes all over the house and I saw one by the phone that I had written that says 2:00 August 26 and I have no idea what it was for… I mopped the kitchen and fixed supper, also washed the shower curtain and liner in our bathroom… Kenny called and we had a nice visit… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 23, 2003

Thanks to Sandi in St. Charles, Missouri, Dewey and Judy in Lexington, North Carolina, Norma in Fullerton, California, Catherine, Howard, Uncle Bill and Ollie in Gahanna, Ohio, Janey in Plainfield, Illinois, Aralee in Schertz, Texas, and Callie in Holland for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I am back after a long bout of depression and lots of Pity Parties… While I was away I missed a bunch of birthdays and anniversaries. Happy Belated Birthday to my sister Martha in Peru, Indiana, and friends, Sharon in Satsuma, Florida, Sandi in St. Charles, Missouri, Tom in Ft. Worth Texas, Larry in Iowa Park, Texas, and Diane in Hixson, Tennessee. Happy Belated Anniversary to Larry and Lynne in Iowa Park, Texas and Michael and Sally in Hollywood, California. Also Congratulations to our Granddaughter Jamie and husband Mitch on their new baby. Robert Lee Avery was born at 11:19 AM on August 4. We are now proud grandparents of six grandchildren and six great grandchildren… While I have been missing I went back to see Georgia, a Social Worker and she has also referred me to a Psychiatrist Dr. Chioco for a medication evaluation. I have seen him once and he is doing some changing of my medications. I am now taking 15mg Remeron, 25mg Zoloft and he has increased my Buspar from 5mg to ten mg three times a day. He also is taking me off the Ambien… I am still watching and enjoying the birds and butterflies if I get out early in the morning before it gets too hot. The humming bird is still coming and I love to watch it from inside the house at the feeder attached to the window by my recliner. It loves to entertain me… I did laundry and helped Dave give the dogs a bath, I did the afternoon chat and later Kenny and Kathy called and came over and we went to see some open houses. I have always loved looking at new homes and dreaming. Kenny and Kathy had to leave to meet with the carpet man… After Kenny and Kathy left Dave and I went out for dinner and then Dave went to the hangar for some ME time… I hope to be able to keep up my journal now. It may not be every night though as I am trying not to push myself and that is hard for me not to do… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma….

July 30, 2003

Thanks to Helen in Marietta, Georgia for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book. I love it when people take the time to sign my guest book… We woke up to thunderstorms this morning and we got some rain finally. We need a lot more though… Everything looks fresher outside and the birds seem to even be happier. I believe I could set my watch by the Hummingbird. It comes at 10:30 and again at 7:30 so I am always at the window watching for it. I love having the suction type feeder that is attached to the window that way I can see it real close… I was cooking lunch and turned on the wrong burner. Dave caught it before any damage was done… David and Virginia called… Kenny, the Crepe Myrtle you gave me is now blooming and it is very pretty… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 29, 2003

I got caught up on the laundry today and when I finished unloading the dryer after the first load I started the dryer without putting in the next load. Lucky I discovered what I had done… Dave went to the vet and picked up some Frontline to put on the dogs and they hated it… Dave fixed supper tonight. Thanks Honey… Goodnight all… Keeping the Faith In Oklahoma.



July 28, 2003

Happy Birthday Chip!!! Chip is our friend in Satsuma, Florida… Bob Hope passed away last night. Thanks for the great memories Bob… Our DASNI chat room had been down since last Friday but today it was back up… David and Lori got home today from their vacation and came to pick up Bella. I don’t know who was the happiest David, Lori, or Bella. I don’t think Cindy, Karmeletia, and Tootsie were sad to see Bella leave… I phoned Chip and when I started singing happy birthday to him, he started laughing so hard that it made me laugh. It was good for both of us… It is such a job to keep up with watering of my plants outside. We got up to 103 degrees…. The only bird watching I am doing is from inside the house. The Hummingbird is still coming; I think we only have the one… I am feeling better tonight. I started taking the Lexapro in the morning instead of bedtime since I haven’t been sleeping well and having bad dreams. I will see if it helps…. Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 27, 2003

Dave went out to the airport to show the plane this morning and he sold it. I don’t know if that is a good thing or not? I haven’t been feeling good. I will be so happy when my body adjusts to the new medication… David and Kenny called… My Passion Vine has started to bloom… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





July 26, 2003

Happy 45th Anniversary Norma and Colin!!! Norma is a DASNI friend in Canada… Dave left soon after he got up this morning going to the airport for a cross-country flight with Kenny… I spent some time chatted with some online friends while I was waiting on Dave to wake up.. We are planning a RV trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. These are the friend we have met in San Antonio a couple times and Ashville, North Carolina. I love it when I have something to look forward too. I have been searching the Internet for a campground for us to stay at in Williamsburg… David called and he and Lori are in Louisville at George’s house. Martha and Donnie are there and several nieces and nephews will be coming to meet them from Indiana, Kentucky, and North Carolina. I wish I could be there with them. Martha did call so I could talk with everyone… I called my Mother and she is doing okay but sounded tired. She told me how much she was enjoying the tomatoes and about her ride with David and Jr. to get an ice cream cone… I pulled some weeds but I have about given up on them until it rains and gets cooler. I washed the dogs bedding and gave Cindy another flea bath because I have seen a couple fleas on her. Dave sprayed the yard last night for fleas. Later I decided to give Karmeleta and Tootsie a bath but decided to let David give Bella a bath when he gets home. She is much too frisky for me to handle… I got the sheets and comforter for the guest bedroom washed for our next guest. Put water in the birdbath and watered Lori’s and my plants. I sure hope I can keep her plants alive until they return from vacation… Sis, thanks for the phone call… Kenny called and he enjoyed flying with his Dad today… The Hummingbird came back this evening… I have been putting my pills in a pill cup that way I don’t have them falling out of my hand. Sometimes I will put them in the pill cup and get a glass of water, drink the water and just go to bed without taking the pills. Dave will usually find them on the counter and tell me about it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 25, 2003

Josh and I were sitting out on the patio this morning talking when I saw my first hummingbird of the year at our house. I had Josh look to make sure I wasn’t imagining things. It wasn’t long till Dave joined us and he got to see it too. I am hoping they keep coming because I love to watch them… George called early this morning wanting David and Lori’s cell phone number. I think he is really looking forward to their visit… I picked vegetables and mopped the floors, did laundry and gave Cindy a bath… Josh vacuumed for me and did a great job. Thank you Josh... Virginia called... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 24, 2003

It was sure good to see Josh last night. He is almost as tall as I am now… Dave, Josh, and the dogs got in the pool last night and I had planned to join them but I had one of my weak spells and ended up just lying on the couch. I sure was disappointed… This morning I had a follow up appointment with Dr. Morgan. My blood pressure was good and I talked to him about my depression. I really wanted to see a social worker but instead he is trying me on another pill. Not what I was wanting since I am already taking twenty pills a day. But I will try this one and see if it helps. The new medication is Lexapro. I have enough going on with me that I don’t know how I have gone this long with out depression… They made an appointment for me to see a dermatologist about a spot on my nose and also on my arm. I am wondering if these appointments will ever stop… I did get to finish the book, How To Win Friends and Influence People, while I was in the waiting room… Josh has agreed to spend another night with us since he doesn’t have to go home and cut the grass. With this heat and no rain the grass is almost at a stand still… We went for a drive in the country and stopped in a WalMart and the Mall… I had a phone call from my Sister in law Norita. She was visiting her daughter in Nevada… I got in the pool tonight but I got cold so didn’t stay for long… David called and he said that Mom was really happy to get the yellow tomatoes I had sent with him. David and my nephew Jr. took Mom out for a ride in the Mini Cooper and an ice cream cone. I am always happy to hear that Mom gets to do something fun. Mom told David she was sure proud of him… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 23, 2003

I was up at 7:00 to let the dogs out and went out on the patio with them. It was really a nice morning, only in the 60’s. I watched the dogs, birds, and butterflies… Bella is doing fine. she is much more playful than our dogs and loves to be in my lap. It is hard when I am working on the laptop and she wants to help… Jaunita called and Josh just called to say he could come spend the night. Dave has gone to pick him up. Goodie Goodie, I will finally get my Josh fix… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 22, 2003

Today would have been my Sister Lula’s 59th birthday. Lula passed away at the age of 40 of Hemochromatosis and I still miss her so much. She was so special to me… It wasn’t near as hot this morning as it has been. I took advantage of the cooler weather and deadheaded and fed the flowers, did some weeding and picked vegetables… I noticed that the Bougainvillea that David and Lori gave me for Mother’s Day a year ago was starting to bloom finally. I had kept it through the winter in the house and I was about ready to give up on it… I ate my oatmeal and took a shower and got ready to go visit Dr. Bhaktaram, the Cardiologist. I am so happy to report that he didn’t find anything wrong with my heart and my Cholesterol was good. My blood pressure was still elevated so he added another blood pressure pill, Hyzaar, to go with the Atenolol… I called Josh and he is going to talk to his Mother about coming over for a visit and let me know… We had a big salad for lunch and it was made with cucumbers, red and yellow tomatoes, and yellow and green peppers from our garden. It tasted so good and looked very pretty… I had a phone call from the man that called yesterday. He was thanking me for talking to his wife who has Alzheimer’s. Virginia, my phone buddy called… It was so nice having temperatures in the low 90’s today. I was getting very tired of the over 100 degrees. Now if we could only get some rain. They had some rain in the state but we didn’t get any here… Watching Jessica Lynch on the news tonight brought tears to my eyes… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 21, 2003

This morning I had a phone call from a guy whose wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and he had gotten my phone number from the article that I had written which appeared in the June Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Early Onset Connections newsletter. We visited for quite awhile and a little while later his wife called me. She is only 47 years old. She lives in Oklahoma City and used to run a day care for children also. We found out we have quite a bit in common. She was excited she found me and said she felt like she had found a new sister. We hope to get together soon for a face to face meeting… My friend Martha called and David called from St. Louis and again when they got to Peru, Indiana. This Mom is relieved that they made it safely… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 20, 2003

Our deepest sympathies goes out to Morris Friedell in Houston, Texas who lost his mother at the age of 88 with advanced dementia on July 17th.. Morris is a friend and member of DASNI… I picked tomatoes this morning and will be sending some yellow ones with David and Lori when they go visit my Mother, Brother, Sister and attend a Cubs game in Chicago… . Mom loves fresh tomatoes and especially the yellow ones… My sister called and it was just when I was thinking of calling her… Dave went for his massage and while he was gone I hosted the afternoon chat, picked up around the house and did some laundry. When Dave got home we went to David and Lori’s for a nice meal and to pick up our grand puppy Isabella. We will watch Bella while David and Lori are on vacation… I have tried to call my Mother for several days and finally got her tonight. She is doing fine and looking forward to David and Lori’s visit tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 19, 2003

Dave was in the pool last night with the dogs and when I feel good enough I join them. Last night I was feeling good enough to get in the pool and whenever the dogs see me coming they get so excited.. Cindy, our Bichon was jumping from one float to another. She was so cute with the big smile on her face. Our dogs make Dave and I both smile… This morning Dave picked cucumbers and I made some ice box cucumbers… It is Circus City days in my hometown. George and Martha called and they were at the Circus Parade and every year when they are there and they hear the band playing my school song they will call me. I always wish I could be there with them. Peru, Indiana is known as Circus City. When I lived there I never missed the circus or going to see the parade. Emmett Kelly Jr. would appear in the Circus and also in the parade. He is my favorite clown and I have a collection of Emmett Kelly Jr. figurines… We left before noon to go to Kenny and Kathy’s. Kenny and Dave had an appointment for a massage. It was a Father’s day gift to Dave from Kenny… Kathy and I went to have lunch at Red Lobster and later when we got home we found out that someone had messed up on the appointment for the guys and their appointment was for tomorrow. So tomorrow they will try again… Kathy and I watched a Lifetime movie on TV and I was able to follow it and it was a good one but I can’t remember the name of it… I called and talked to Chip and Sharon. Sharon is always so pleasant to talk to and Chip and I have so much in common. We both love our carepartners, we have Alzheimer’s and we love to eat… It has been a hot day today, they were saying on the news the hottest it has been in two years. Kathy and I saw on a bank marquee where it said it was 111 degrees… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 18, 2003

Lynne called early this morning to let me know she was not feeling well and wouldn’t be coming to visit us. I was so disappointed. Lynne, I hope you are feeling better soon… Linda, my hairdresser, called today to let me know she had a cancellation and I told her I wanted it. So I went and got groomed and then Dave and I ran some errands. Dave usually will push me in a wheelchair when we go shopping but today Lowe’s didn’t have that type available so I tried to use the powered kind once again. This time I didn’t run into anything except Dave. I don’t like to use them because it makes Dave very nervous when I do. LOL… I received the nicest email today from Joann Webster of the Alzheimer’s Assn. in Tulsa thanking Dave and me for coming to speak to the EASE group. She also said that every time some one calls for information on Early Onset she will send out a package to them including my letter that was recently in their newsletter… I had a call from friend Jan in Henryetta, it was good to here from her… David called and he is excited because tonight is his last night to work for a while. He and Lori are leaving on vacation. They will be going to visit my Mother and other relatives… I heard we hit 106 degrees… Tonight we are having a fresh vegetable supper… Goodnight all. Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 17, 2003

This morning I had to go in for a series of testing of my heart. They took a lot of pictures, did a stress test, and since I wasn't able to walk on the treadmill they injected something into my vein to do a stress test.. Then they did an ultra sound of my heart and did more pictures of my heart. I also had to go to the Lab for a blood test. I was really stressed when I finished all that. We were coming down off the elevator and when we got to the ground floor, I turned to get on another elevator going up and Dave asks me, "Where are you going". Heck, I didn't even know what I was doing. I am not worried, I am sure everything will be okay because I have eaten Quaker Oatmeal almost everyday for as long as I can remember. I will go back next Tuesday to see the Cardiologist for the results. I sure hope I passed these tests because I don’t want to take them again. I am exhausted tonight… I had phone calls from Virginia and Jaunita… Tomorrow Lynne and Larry from Texas will be here for a visit. We are looking forward to seeing them again… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 16, 2003

Yesterday at the EASE, “Early Access to Support and Education”, I noticed that none of the people with dementia or their carepartner were wearing a Safe Return Bracelet… Dave and I both wear a Safe Return Bracelet and when we showed them ours they seemed to be interested in getting one. I remember when I first got mine how much more secure I felt. And Dave likes wearing his because if something would happen to him they would know to come check on me… Dave gave our aquarium a good cleaning and it looks so much better and I am sure the Cichlids appreciate it. It is located right next to my recliner in the study where I do work on my laptop. Listening to the water in the aquarium and watching the fish is very relaxing to me… I picked more tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers and pulled some weeds. I am making something special for supper with the bell peppers. I can’t think what it is called but it is made with polish sausage, bell peppers and onions… My friend Pat called and David and Lori called. They had been to see Lori’s grandparents and came home with a bull… I called Tom in Texas and friend Jaunita ... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 15, 2003

I woke up at 4:00 this morning and wasn’t able to get back to sleep so I stayed up. We were ready to leave on time for Tulsa… We had a good trip going down and back except for it being so hot… The meeting went well with the EASE Group. This was done at the Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Alzheimer’s Assn.. Dave did a great job speaking. I am not a speaker. Jan/Mina was there also and it was great getting to spend some time with her. Jan and I did questions and answers and like Dave said, if we were able to help one person the trip was worth it… After the meeting we went to lunch at Marie Calendars with Mary Ann who is Vice President of Programs and Joann who is Early Onset Coordinator. Joann works so hard. She is the first person that I have ever met that really seems interested in helping the Early Onset person… Mary Ann asked me if I would consider being a board member. But since they meet once a month and Tulsa is a long ways from Oklahoma City. I said that it would be too much for me. But Dave and I both agreed to be on the Advisory Committee… I had a call from Tom in Texas while the meeting was going on and I will return his call tomorrow. I am so tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 14, 2003

Dave left around 8:00 this morning to go to the airport… I wanted to get plenty of rest today for our trip to Tulsa tomorrow but I had too many things to do… I washed our bedding and the rest of the laundry. I hung our comforter and bed pillows out to air out. Worked with the African Violets on getting them repotted, paid bills, hosted the afternoon DASNI chat, worked on my notes for tomorrow for the EASE group, gave myself a manicure… I phoned Marty in New York to let her know that she and Dick were in my thoughts and prayers today…. I also called my friend Martha and grandson Josh. I am having a Josh attack. I hope after this busy week is over we can go pick him up at his Mother’s and bring him over to swim… Dave came home with a big smile on his face he had gotten the plane fixed and did some flying… I plan on getting in the pool again tonight and going to bed early because we will have to be on the road tomorrow for Tulsa before 7:00 … Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 13, 2003

This morning we were sitting out on the patio drinking our coffee and watching the birds. It was a little cooler than it had been and we had a little sprinkle of rain. We sure need a good rain…. I soaked my feet in Epson Salts and Dave gave me a pedicure. How lucky am I? I picked the tomatoes and cucumbers and pulled a few weeds, then I fixed us a nice brunch… Later we went to do some shopping. I got a special pot for violets and a Lantana plant at Lowe’s… Later we went to Leisure Pools and got a new pump, motor and some more chemicals. The pool pump died yesterday… I got in the pool this evening, it was my first time this summer. The dogs got in with us and I wish you could all see how Cindy smiles when she is in the pool. The dogs love getting in the pool with us and floating on the raft. Sometimes they fall in but it doesn’t seem to bother them. I sure did enjoy the pool tonight and have felt better today than I have in a long time… I called my Mother and I don’t think she was feeling good because she wasn’t very talkative… I called Lela, a friend in Florida… My brother George and sister Martha called… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 12, 2003

Happy Birthday Norma!!! Norma is a DASNI friend in Canada… I woke up to the birds singing this morning and they sounded so pretty… I picked a bunch of tomatoes and cucumbers this morning… I was outside listening to my radio talk show until it got just too hot to stay out there so I came inside to listen… David and Lori came by for a visit and brought us some leftovers and oh how we love Lori’s cooking. Then Kenny and Kathy came. It always makes my heart smile when we have both our sons and their wives here at the same time. It just doesn’t happen often enough… Dave went to the airport and did some work around the hangar… David helped him move our old king size mattress and box springs to the hangar until Kenny and Kathy’s house is finished then Josh will inherit the big bed… I am going to watch the dog show on Animal Planet … Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 11, 2003

Last night I hosted a DASNI chat and our guest was Dr. Mitchell Slutzki. He spoke to us on managing our Anger part 2… It was very hard for me to stay awake for the entire chat. Since I have been going to bed so early but I did manage it… This morning when I was on the patio having my oatmeal, drinking coffee and watching the birds, I thought sure I saw a Hummingbird so I came in and made up another batch of Nectar to put in the feeder. But I never did see another one so now I am wondering if I really did see one… Sis called me from Texas and let me hear her Hummingbirds. Thanks Sis…. I also had a call from Chip in Florida… My lucky day for calls from friends… I folded the clothes I had left in the dryer yesterday and put them away… Then Dave and I went out to dinner at the Santa Fe Cattle Company. I was craving a steak. The meal and service was really good. They have a bucket of peanuts in the shell on the table and I always enjoy watching Dave shell the peanuts and throwing the shells on the floor and wishing I could join him… After dinner Dave pushed me in the wheelchair all over the Mall looking for something to wear next week. But I didn’t see a thing I wanted to bring home with me… We left there and went to Kenny and Kathy’s. They took us to see where their new home is being built. The house is looking good and is coming right along…. It was really late when we got home and was I glad to see the bed… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 10, 2003

Happy Birthday Beth!!! Beth is a DASNI member and our friend in Irving, Texas… Thanks to Diane in Australia and Aralee in Schertz, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I wasn’t even able to stay up till 8:00 last night… I didn’t sleep well last night and woke up with a headache this morning and it just won’t go away… Dave went to the airport and I stayed home. I didn’t want to leave the A/C or my ceiling fans… Dave surprised me with a Mix from Braum’s when he returned home… Phone calls from Virginia and Jan… The only thing I have accomplished today is doing a load of laundry and filling the birdbath… It is 100 degrees today… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 9, 2003

I am still going to bed with the chickens and waking up early…. I picked vegetables this morning, seems like we are getting more yellow tomatoes than red ones. Then I pulled some weeds and fed the vegetables and flowers some Miracle Gro… I forgot to mention that the other day my weed whacker (Dave) accidentally cut down half of our Okra… Joann from the Tulsa Alzheimer’s Assn called and we went over what I am to expect next week when Dave and I go to Tulsa to speak to the EASE group… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



July 8, 2003

Kenny called last night… I was busy this morning getting some more picking up done before the Merry Maids came. I work two days getting ready for them and they are here and gone in a little over an hour… Dave and I had our lunch, a salad made mostly from vegetables from our garden, out on the patio while the maids cleaned… I fed the Violets and they are looking so pretty. Jamie thank you for getting me started on the Violets… I put fresh water in the birdbath and have been watching the birds take their baths and got caught up on paying the bills… David called and he had picked up another bunch of bees this morning for his hives… My phone buddy Virginia called and I called Josh… I read some more in the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. It is such a good book and I hope I can retain what I have read… Dave fixed our supper… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 7, 2003

Happy Birthday Donnie!!! Donnie is our brother in law in Peru, Indiana… I was up a little after six this morning, let the dogs out, made coffee and my oatmeal and went out on the patio and watched the baby birds being fed by their parents… Dave was sleeping in. Just before 8:00 a girl from the Cardiologist office called and asked if I could come in this morning for my series of heart testing. But I told her I had already eaten. I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to go in. I would like to get this over with. They said it would take five or six hours for the testing but they did say that they would give me a break for breakfast in between the testing… I picked more cucumbers and our first yellow tomatoes… My hamper was full again this morning. I gave the three dogs a bath and started on the laundry… Then I started picking up for the Merry Maids who will be here tomorrow… I have had a good day. Thank you God… Thanks Dave for editing my journal for me… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 6, 2003

Happy Birthday President Bush!!! Happy Belated Anniversary to Wesley and Norita!!! Wesley and Norita are Dave’s brother and his wife in Lake Isabella, California… Happy 44th Anniversary Claude and Sue!!! Sue is a friend in Canada… Dave bought me two more Violets the other day and now counting the one Jamie gave me that I have three and they are all looking good so far… I deadheaded the flowers and fed them last night… Dave checked my B/P and it was down, which made us happy. Now if I could just get rid of the pain and weakness in my arms… I fixed a big country breakfast this morning and then later I went out and picked a bag of cucumbers and got overheated. It took a long time for me to get cooled down… Summer is not my favorite time of the year. Later I hope to make more icebox cucumbers… I noticed that our Trumpet Vine and Crepe Myrtle’s are in bloom and so are the wildflowers that Kenny gave me… I called my Mother. We didn’t talk long because she said she was having trouble hearing me. She had her TV on… I had phone calls from Norita in California and my sister Martha in Indiana and David called and he and Lori made home from Dallas… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 5, 2003

img src="images/lighthouse36.jpg" HSPACE="10" border="2" align=left> We never made it to see the fireworks last night. You can’t watch the fireworks when you go to bed before dark. I did hear them going off though while I was in bed but was just too tired to care… I was awake at 6:30 this morning. I checked my email. Checking email and answering them and doing my journal are about all the computering I do now. My computer is not my best friend anymore. It does things sometimes that really aggravates me… When Dave got up we took our coffee out on the patio and we had watermelon for breakfast. It sure did taste good. David sent the watermelon home with us yesterday… Then I got the green beans out and while Dave did some trimming in the back yard, I started breaking the green beans and getting them ready to cook… Later Dave started working on Kenny’s riding mower to replace a belt. I helped when he needed me such as helping him get the tractor up on the ramps. It always makes me feel good when I can help. Sometimes I just feel so useless… I called several Internet friends who I hadn’t heard from in awhile… When it got too hot to stay outside any longer I came in and fixed us lunch and started cooking the green beans. Then I rested and watched a TV movie… David and Lori went to Dallas for the weekend to visit their friends Bill and his wife… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 4, 2003

Happy 4th of July Everyone… This morning Dave and I had Krispy Kreme donuts and our coffee out on the patio… I then deadheaded the Hibiscus. That is getting to be a big job especially when it is so hot… We now have two birdhouses with baby birds in them… The first Sunflower is blooming that the birds have planted… We were out at David and Lori’s by noon for a barbeque. There was so much to eat and it was all oh so good. Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, corn on the cob, watermelon, Forth Of July Cake and ETC… Chris, Jenni, Jake, Trevor, Madison, Kerry and Erin were there too… After we ate David took some family pictures then they set off some fireworks. I didn’t know about the fireworks so when I heard the first ones it scared me as Dave and I were out picking some green beans… Dave and I are pretty tired tonight. We had planned on going out to Tinker Air Force Base to watch the fireworks but don’t know if we will make it or not as I may be in bed before dark… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 3, 2002

Thanks Angela in Santa Paula, California for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Dave and I went for my appointment with the Cardiologist this morning. His name was Dr. Bhaktaram and he was very pleasant. My blood pressure was 170/100. He put me on a baby aspirin a day and Atenolol. I will be going for a bunch of tests of my heart and other things. They are scheduled for July 17 and then I return to see Dr. Bhaktaram on July 22 for the results. I am thinking positive… We stopped at Albertsons and got my prescription filled and picked up a few groceries for tomorrow… Tonight we made a Mexican dip and some ice box cucumbers… Later Kenny and Kathy came to visit. We enjoyed their visit and I shared some cucumbers with them. They enjoyed seeing the pictures that we took on our vacation. They especially liked the ones of Mitch, Jamie, Allison, and Matthew. They are looking forward to visiting them soon… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 2, 2003



I got my medications set up for the month and that feels so good because I do not like that job… I fixed us a big salad for lunch and fixed supper… Virginia called… I am still hurting and feeling very tired… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



July 1, 2003

Happy Canada Day to my friends in Canada… Dave left early this morning for the Airport for the day and I did laundry. Got our bedding and the dogs and did all that was in the hamper. I got to see the bottom of it again… I did some reading, watched a TV movie and answered a few emails… Kenny, Lori and my friend Martha called… Goodnight all… Keeping the Faith In Oklahoma