Today we spent some time with Wayne's former father-in-law, Les.Wayne refers to him as "Dad". Les and Pat, his second wife, have known Wayne since he was a teenager and claim him as part of their family.  So, when Les went into the hospital, Wayne was worried sick.  We visited him in the VA Hospital and he didn't look so good.  He was having a couple of health issues, the major one was his breathing. 

When they stabilized him, they sent him to a retirement home for rehabilitation for no more than 20 days.  He is doing quite well now and should be going home next week.  He has lost some weight but he needed to do that and his breathing is far better!  He gets around pretty good with his walker and is in great spirits.

He told us quite a few stories from his past.  We had a few laughs and enjoyed our time with him.  We were allowed to go to the lunchroom to sit with him while he had his lunch.  It was a big room with a long length of windows looking over a small part of Portland.  It was a beautiful day and we had a great view.

I sat there observing the rest of the residents.  Some just sat there staring into the air but most of them were alert but not talking much.  There were a couple of them who had to be fed their lunch. All in all, I had seen far worse at other retirement homes.  I smiled at some of the residents and most smiled back and even waved.

I recall my Nana at 95, she was still living in her home while home care dropping in twice a day.  She was quite sociable and would leave a sock in her door all day.  The sock kept the door open so that anyone who wanted to come in could.  Two weeks after her 96th birthday, she went to bed and awoke in heaven.  She never had to live in a nursing home or anything close to that.  And to go to bed and wake up in heaven--I can only hope that that is the way the LORD chooses to take me.

Garden Theraphy

A couple of days ago, I suffered from my own "PTSD"..."Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".  We made it through the desposition.  The next day, I went berserk on my diet--I ate all the wrong things and that happened for two days....two days and two pounds later, I had to come to reality.  Time to get back on track.

I have always been better going through stress and then falling apart afterwards. In high school, a wasp landed on my arm during History class (a class I never liked but on with the story).  I was calm as I got up, went to the window and let insect out.  My classmates were distancing themselves and panicking just in case the wasp decided to come their way.

I sat down and a few minutes later, I broke a sweat, almost hyperventilated and was clearly not calm.

So the two days of stress ending eating was totally against all the things I was taught at TOPS.  Fortunately, I am back on track eating alot better.  I probably will be up in weight this week but oh well, it takes awhile for pounds to go away at this age.

It was beautiful today-in the 70s and clear!  I spent most of the day outside prepping soil and planting.  I know I burnt calories in the prepping part!  I planted the majority of my plants from the greenhouse out to the yard and surroundings.  I had a few plants left over that I put in some planters that Alison was getting rid of and other pots that I had on hand.  Now the greenhouse is full again!

Hopefully all the plants make it!  I will definitely be busy canning and freezing this summer! Can't wait!

Two Pretty Smart Kids

Friday we had a super day with the kids!  After school, we had a lunch and then the two of them decided to work some more on their "Animal Shelter". Grace told me that she changed the name from the "1st Animal Shelter" to "Cutie Animals Shelter".  She informed me that Hunter came up with the new title and she really likes it!

Hunter sat at the table drawing up his plan for the shelter while Grace listed items for hers.  Hunter asked Gramps to do it like Grace's on the computer.  The next thing I see is Hunter on his lap working on the program to map out the plan.  It is an AutoCad program. 

Gramps was delighted to do Hunter's plan.  Grace had to be involved too!  She would tell Hunter that it is too much money for his plan, they need to go back to hers!  She is definitely going to be management when she grows up! 

Hunter was patient for awhile as Gramps drew the plan but then he said, "Gramps, I can do this myself!" and took over the mouse.  And he did!  He mastered the typing and the various shapes.   Gramps sat there just beaming--he tutors college age who don't take to it like Hunter did!

They spend two and a half hours on the computer tweaking the drawing and then printing it out.  Hunter was quite proud of his plans (and I saw that Grace was too!)

They are definitely two pretty smart kids!!

Whom Shall I Fear?

Today was our deposition.  Yesterday, we had two wonderful pray warriors pray for us.  Thanks Ken and Carolyn!  Words can't express my gratitude!

In the morning, I read through my "Prayer Circle Journal" that I have been keeping for two months.  It is full of prayers and verses--mostly from Psalms.  When I started this journal, I never thought that I would go through it a couple of months later and receive such comfort from the LORD.  The verses are so appropriate now. 

My fear and stress left for a short while but returned when we drove to Wayne's ex wife's lawyer's office.  Of course we got lost--darn Mapquest, I knew I should have turned on my GPS!  We arrived with a little time left for waiting, so, I turned on the radio.  I have it on a Christain station and I was so encouraged by the song that just started playing!  I could see that Wayne was listening to the lyrics as well.

The song is "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though trouble lingers still

Whom shall I fear?

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always on my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear?

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
The God of angel armies is always by my side

I was ready now, we are not alone. Prayers cover us, we can get through this. He doesn't promise easy paths, He promises to be there through all times and especially the difficult times!

The disposition went well.  We still may go to court.  I am praying that we won't have to and settle out of court.We got into our car to leave.  If the song before wasn't enough to show He is there, when we turned on the radio, this song played:

"Our God"
Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You

Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other

Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

And if our God is for us
Than who can ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Than what can stand against

Once again, I am humbled knowing that He is there always.  He is faithful even when we are faith-less.

"First Animal Shelter", Grace's Future Business Venture!

Yesterday while Hunter was at school, Grace worked on outlining her business plan for what she wants to do in her life.  That girl is got it together at just 4!  She was talking all morning about the "plan" that Hunter and her have for an animal shelter to take care of homeless animals.  I gave her a blank book which she quickly started filling with her ideas for her business.  She drew alot of the things:  blankets, treats, collars, medicine, brushes, toys, blow dryer, soap, radio, etc.  She wrote out a list of other items to have at her shelter too.

Gramps was on the computer keeping up with his Solidworks software.  The next thing I see is Grace sitting on his lap and helping him computerize her floor plan.  She stood up now and then and told him what needed to be added or expanded, the names of the rooms, etc.  She decide not to have a helicopter pad on the roof but instead have a pink jet to pick up the animals.

Her little brain was working overtime with ideas!  Gramps printed out the floor plan and she added more detail including an address--on 11th St! (where they live now).

I am amazed at this little gal's imagination!  Oh and by the way, she said that she would hire a veterinarian, Hunter and some people to keep the shelter clean and animals fed and groomed but....she is going to be the BOSS!  Somehow that doesn't surprise me :)

Grandparent Therapy and The Hug of a Best Friend

First thing yesterday we had to drop Hunter off at school and Grace at Alison's work.  We had an early appointment with our lawyer.  Mega stress times!  My rosacea is out in swing and I can say it is aggravated by the stress.

After an hour of conferring with her about the deposition that we have on Monday, we both were in need of "Grandparent Therapy"!  Grace's big smile chases away the fears and Hunter's hugs are the icing on top!

It was a special day for Hunter and we were not going to let our stress over legal matters ruin it.  After school, Hunter and Grace were invited over to Hunter's best friend, Logan's, house for pizza and play. Hunter always saw Logan on Fridays at day care but a couple of weeks ago, Annie and I switched days--Friday for Monday.  We have the kids on Friday.  Stacey, Logan's mom, suggested getting the kids together.

Both Hunter and Grace have reacted to their parents' separation.  I commend Alison for keeping everything as normal as possible and not discussing things infront of the kids.  As grandparents, both sides, we respect that and do the same.  But no matter how we try, they know and sometimes those emotions that they have bubble to the top.  We hug them, love them and just hold onto them and reassure them things will be ok.  But sometimes they need a little more that only a best friend can provide.

Grace didn't want to go to Logan's and I didn't push it.  So, Hunter and I went and waited at their house.  While we were waiting we talked a little.  Hunter said that he was sad that his sister didn't want to be friends with his best friend's sisters, Morgan and Isabelle.  True, she is standoffish when it comes to making "girl" friends.  Now guys, she is better with only if they are Hunter's friends though.

When their car came around the corner, Hunter jumped up and down and was so excited, "They are here!!!" he kept repeating.  In the car, Logan was doing the same.  The two hugged for the longest time.  Hunter barely gave me a goodbye.  He was the happiest I've seen him in awhile!

I was going to go to Oregon City to shop when I realized that I needed some cash, so, I went home.  Grace said she wanted to go.  I thought shopping but she said that she wanted to be with Hunter and Logan. 

So, I took her to Logan's and the first thing she did was hug Hunter and Logan.  The girls was so elated that Grace came.

At 3pm, I texted to see how they were doing.  Stacey said that they are having a blast and have happy faces on all of them!  When I came to pick them up, Grace was with the girls doing crafts.  She was quite happy.  Logan came out of the room where Hunter hid from me to ask for more time.

Stacey was so happy that they all played so well together and we both agreed to do this more often.  On the way back to my house, I asked if they want to do this again.  The first voice and the loudest too was Grace though her brother was a close second.  Both of them were in the best of moods when we got home. 

The power of friendship, you can't beat it for lifting spirits!

A Story Worth Reading

I found this on FaceBook and really liked the message....Change Your Thinking:  It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.  The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. 'Today is a gift,  that is why it is called The Present.

Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body: 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack
Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body: 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack


I can also add to this... My Physician told me that water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body: 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack


I can also add to this... My Physician told me that water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body: 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack

Hunter's New Best Friend

Finally, I got time to sit and blog.  It has been crazy and stressful the past weeks.  A lot of changes going on.  Too much to write about now.  I have accepted what is going on and will continue to be support for Alison and the grandchildren.  It is the best I can do.

We still have the legal thing to do on April 22.  We got a reprieve from it since it had to be postponed.  I am praying that everything will be settled on that day or before.  If not court is in June.

Wayne is continuing to help at Hunter's Kindergarten class.  He doesn't help Hunter much since Hunter is at a higher level but he helps those struggling.  It has been the best therapy for him.  He beams when we go to the store and a little one in his class runs up to him and hugs him and says, "Hi! Gramps!"

Wayne is also volunteering at the college in drafting.  No pay but he does get to keep up to date on the software he has been trained on.  That is a great exchange and he is needed which is good for his self esteem.

His unemployment just got cut back due to the government sequestration.  The whole thing ends in July, oh well, that is why we have savings for this kind of event.

Today I have the kids.  Wayne is tutoring at the college and we have Isaac, Hunter's new best friend right now, with us.  They are both in the same Kindergarten class. Isaac has been awesome with Hunter!  They both play wii together.  It has been great seeing Hunter lose--yes, lose!  It used to be that when he lost, crying and a meltdown occurred but now--he smiles, congratulates Isaac and moves on.  They both share "tricks of the trade". They cheer each other on.  Isaac is one of the best behaved kids in their class and I am glad that he is Hunter's friend during this time.

Grace usually sits and colors and cheers them on.  Isaac makes her laugh, so, he is OK in her book!  When it is nice outside, we usually walk up to the park and take Isaac too.  They have the best time the three of them!

Easter Sunday

Grace spent the night Saturday.  It was alot of fun for all three of us and a first for Misha, our grandpuppy!  Misha was fine with it until morning when we thought she might be worried that Mama might forget her.

Sunday morning, Grace had a cough which hung in there for a couple of hours.  That didn't stop her from waking up early and putting on her Easter dress first thing! We had discussed going to church today but she didn't want to go.  I usually don't take "no" as an answer but today I wanted her to want to go to church with us not being upset the whole time, so I conceded.

We both love having either grandchild spending the night.  It boosts our spirits like nothing else and we focus on them not the present concerns.  Mama and Hunter came to pick up their girls late morning to go to G'ma's house for another Easter egg hunt, this time with their cousin, Nate.

Alison texted me when they were almost ready to come to our house.  We got the eggs together and placed them on one side of the house (where the ground was dry).  They came over and had a great time finding the eggs.  I made sure that both of them had the same amount of eggs--they were marked with a "H" and a "G".  We put candy and money in each egg, again, the same amount for each grandchild.  With the Good Friday Egg Hunt disaster in mind, I wanted a good experience!

Pre-Easter Egg Hunt

Grace in her Easter outfit.

Easter had a little rocky start on Friday at the Hope Village Egg Hunt.  We got the kids to the hunt in plenty of time.  I was with Grace and Wayne was with Hunter.  Grace was in the 3-5 year olds and Hunter with the 6-8 year olds.  The coordinator told everyone the rules.  One of them was that when you are done, put the eggs into the containers and keep the candy.  Unfortunately, Grace started doing that right after the whistle blew for all her age group to get the eggs.  I saw what she was doing, opening the egg and putting the candy into her bag while dropping the plastic egg and came to her rescue, unfortunately too late.  I broke rule number one--I went into the field where kids only are allowed.  Trust me, I would do it again to help my granddaughter when she was standing there crying.  Grace only got two eggs.

Hoping for better, we went over to see if Hunter did better.  Hunter at first grabbed a bunch of eggs but when he reached for his bag, a bunch of kids grabbed the ones that he had.  He ended up with only four eggs.

Gracie was devastated and Hunter was upset because it wasn't fair.  After telling them that there were three more egg hunts on Sunday, they calmed down.  Lessons learned, we will be prepared next time!