Sorry I've Been Away

Sorry I've been away, but my Dad passed away Thursday night at home.  As most of you know from reading my blog he was in stage 7 of Alzheimer's.  All I have to ask is that you prayer for my family.  We've been going through a lot the last several days.  But I know that my Dad is with Our Heavenly Father right now, and that alone gives me peace in knowing that I will see him again.  So in the mean time I'm sure that he'll hunt, fish (can you do that in heaven?) and catch up with friends & family.  Thank you all.

Blessings & Prayers,

Magnolia

Update on Harper!

It was supposed to be wordless Wednesday, but I just had to let you all know that Harper is doing great, she came off all the oxygen and Kelly & Scott got to feed her multiple times today.  What a miracle.  Please check out their blog and see this beautiful little "chunky monkey" (that's what they called her, I think she is gorgeous).  

Wordless Wednesday

Blessings to you,

Magnolia

Great News!

Little Miss Harper is doing great, down to 26% O2 and awake and alert.  What a wonderful God we have.  And not to mention, she is completely adorable.  I love reading blogs like Harper's.  So onto my life, update on my Dad, he's doing good, still not eating a whole lot, but then again, he sleeps most of the day and night, he did try and get out of the new bed that Hospice brought him Friday, so I guess he hasn't completely given up being cantankerous yet (wow, that was a $100 word right??).  My Mom thank goodness was at home and coxed him to not get up.  I'm telling you, keeping an eye on the fellow is a full time job.  Glad it's not my job, or I'd seriously have to tie him to the bed!  (Yet another reason I'm not a health care provider.)  So while we're on the subject, let us move onto...Stage 3...

As defined by the Alzheimer's Association Stage 3 is whenfriends, family or co-workers begin to notice deficiencies. Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or discernible during a detailed medical interview. Common difficulties include:

• Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associates
  
• Decreased Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associatesability to remember names when introduced to new people 
  
• Performance issues in social or work settings noticeable to family, friends or co-workers
  
• Reading a passage and retaining little material
  
• Losing or misplacing a valuable object
  
• Decline in ability to plan or organize
  

Stage 3 was really noticeable, I could just see the stain on my Dad's face when he was trying to remember things, it was a little heartbreaking.  I would try and talk to him on the phone and on a good day, he was quite lucid, but on a not so good day, he would just answer in a yes or no.  I think that at this point he still knew who I was andstill knew my voice on the phone.  Or at least that's what I told myself at the time, but who really knows what was going through his mind at the time.  My advise at this stage is to keep close tabs on where the patient is and what they are doing, also keep tabs on car keys, wallets and cash.  And as soon as you see a decline in memory, have your loved one tested and start on a regimen of choice as soon as possible.  Well it's time to call it a night and get some sleep.

Picture of the day

Blessings,

Magnolia

UPDATE ON HARPER!

I just read Harper's blog and she is doing great today.  Kelly & Scott got to see their beautiful princess with her eyes open.  She is such a doll!  And what a lucky little girl, she received an Annabelle basket from my friend Rebecca.  If you haven't read Annabelle's story please do, it is sad, uplifting, God fearing and absolutely beautifully told by her Mom, Rebecca.  Keep praying!

 

So much to be Thankful for,

Magnolia

Nope Not Me!

Yes, it's that time again.  Let's hear about what you didn't do this past week.  I myself was an angel and didn't do a thing I wasn't supposed to do (ok here comes the bolt of lightning from Heaven, I hear it!).  OK well I may not have been an angel.  Of course, I didn't want to reach through the computer and slap MckMama just because she was going on a cruise with her hubby and I'm not, we're all supposed to be happy for our friends when they go on vacation right??  And I certainly did not spend a bunch (and I mean quite a bit for the few things I did get) of money on make-up at the MAC counter, I mean who'd spend $100 bucks on just powder & foundation right, not me, I'm not that high maintenance.  And who would go on a scarf buying rampage and buy 4 new scarves in 2 days  (actually now that I stop and count them it's 5), not me, who needs that many scarves anyway.   And who did not get "fuzzies" all over J's navy suit at church, I mean I didn't think that my new sweater would shed that bad, he was only putting his arm around my shoulders, who knew, I'm sure that he won't even touch me with a ten foot pole if I'm wearing that sweater again.  Just a few of the things that I didn't do this past week.  What about you???

Pic of the Day (gorgeous door right and all for the low, low price of 7.6 million)

Blessings & Sleep Tight,

Magnolia

I Love Sundays!

 I really do love Sundays, its my favorite day of the week.  There's something quiet and peaceful about this particular day of the week.  I tend to slow down, refocus and breathe.  I also get to catch up with my internet browsing and spend time with J.  We normally go to church, have some lunch and watch movies or episodes on the DVR we've taped.  All in all, a very laid back day.  So on our laid back Sunday J. and I decided to go to Circuit City, just to check out their "Going Out of Business Sale".  Can someone tell me how this company is going to sell any merchandise when they've only marked it down 10-30%.  Most things like TVs, cameras & VCRs were only 10-15% off.  I suppose I just don't understand, I mean this company is in dire enough trouble to close all of its stores, so wouldn't you think that they would want to get rid of everything as quickly as possible??  I've worked in retail before and I know how much companies mark merchandise up.  A company could mark down stock close to 75% & still make a profit.  So I say to you guys out there in blogland, is 30% really enough to peak our interest in this time of economic uncertainty.  Nope, or at least I didn't buy anything and won't until they can truly mark it down to a point where I think they are serious about getting rid of it.   

Let me leave you with a picture of a home in 

Charleston that is now on the market for a cool 7.6 million dollars.....

Blessings, 

Magnolia