Over The Rainbow: February 2008 Archives

« January 2008 | Main | March 2008 »

February 24, 2008

Valentine's Day 08

First alittle background. I've known this woman Barb since I was in grammer school - its like 30 years now.
She was also my little league softball coach. She - her husband (first) - and at the time 2 kids lived right up the street from me.
Well at some point I became "the nanny" (yes the kids STILL call me that) and Barb became like "My Mom" and yes, that caused alot of problems with "MY MOM"

Anyway, flash forward a bit.
Barb had a total of 3 kids with husband number 1.
Then they got divorced.
Barb remarried and had another kid, her name is Danielle.

Danielle, in a funny-friendly kinda way became known as "The Mutt" and the first three kids were "The Pedigrees"
Well, "The Mutt" sent me this for VDay....

Anyway, flash forward a bit.
Barb had a total of 3 kids with husband number 1.
Then they got divorced.
Barb remarried and had another kid, her name is Danielle.

Danielle, in a funny-friendly kinda way became known as "The Mutt" and the first three kids were "The Pedigrees"
Well, "The Mutt" sent me this for VDay....

Posted by Teresa at 06:39 PM | Category:
| Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

February 18, 2008

Christmas in February...

Finally saw the Princess and the Tramp to just catch up and do Christmas.

I'm telling ya, they're crazy.

Like the candy bowl they got me? It was nice of them to pose for my gift!

They tell me to put it on my coffee table, but with the 5 kids in and out, well I'm just not too sure about that location.

Finally saw the Princess and the Tramp to just catch up and do Christmas.

I'm telling ya, they're crazy.

Like the candy bowl they got me? It was nice of them to pose for my gift!

They tell me to put it on my coffee table, but with the 5 kids in and out, well I'm just not too sure about that location.

Posted by Teresa at 08:51 PM | Category:
| Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

February 16, 2008

Goodbye...

RIP Grandpa
8/30/18 - 2/13/08

Posted by Teresa at 12:50 PM | Category:
| Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

February 10, 2008

Not such a good 2008, so far.

Well it started out good, for about 2 days.
On January 3rd we got a call from California, I live in New Jersey.
When I say "we" I actually mean my parents and I, we share a 2 family house.

Anyway, got a call from CA that my 90 year old grandfather was found in his house barely dressed and unconcious by a neighbor.

From what the doctors say he had a stroke and from his facial hair and pressure points on his hips he had been lying there alone for 3 days.

So of course he was taken to the hospital. He has been unable to do anything since.
No shower. No walking. No getting in or out of bed alone. Forget walking at all.

He was there for a few weeks of care - most of which HE was refusing. Tearing out IV's and such.
Being a typical crouchy old man. Yelling and just being difficult. Well at some point, I'm not sure when, he stopped doing that - stopped doing anything.

He was then transferred to a nursing home. Which all his life he swore he would NEVER live in.
My Dad went out there.
My Dad is an only child, well he's 66 years old, but you know what I mean.

My Grandfather has been in CA for about 60 yrs now. He and my Grandmother divorced when my Dad was like 5 yrs old. I didnt even meet him for the first time til I was in my mid 20's.

This is one of the very few pictures I have with him, from my brothers wedding in 1994.

Well it started out good, for about 2 days.
On January 3rd we got a call from California, I live in New Jersey.
When I say "we" I actually mean my parents and I, we share a 2 family house.

Anyway, got a call from CA that my 90 year old grandfather was found in his house barely dressed and unconcious by a neighbor.

From what the doctors say he had a stroke and from his facial hair and pressure points on his hips he had been lying there alone for 3 days.

So of course he was taken to the hospital. He has been unable to do anything since.
No shower. No walking. No getting in or out of bed alone. Forget walking at all.

He was then transferred to a nursing home. Which all his life he swore he would NEVER live in.
My Dad went out there.
My Dad is an only child, well he's 66 years old, but you know what I mean.

My Grandfather has been in CA for about 60 yrs now. He and my Grandmother divorced when my Dad was like 5 yrs old. I didnt even meet him for the first time til I was in my mid 20's.

This is one of the very few pictures I have with him, from my brothers wedding in 1994.

Anyway, I was the one grandchild - of the 3 - who continued to keep in touch with him.
Cards. Calls. Pictures sent regularly of the family to him.

A few years back on a vacation trip to see my friend Ellen, I made plans to spend a few days with my Grandfather since they are just a few hours away from one another.

It was great to see him. Great to visit and meet people in his life. Great to hear from those people how much of a great guy my Grandfather is. GREAT for him to show ME off!
BUT, his house was a wreck! Totally shot. Dirty. Messy. Horrible!
So bad I actually had to cut my trip short by a day or two. I felt terrible doing it, but I was just so grossed out.
I called my Dad and told him then-- GET OUT HERE!

Anyway, on Jan 3rd he weighed 168 lbs. Now, "maybe" 100 lbs.
Obviously he has given up on life.
He wont eat. Refused any feeding tubes and stuff.
Has a DNR
He has pnuemonia. He has a bowel infection. He has bed sores.
He now has kidney failure and is unconcious most of the time.
Doesnt reconize anyone, not even my Dad.
Doesnt know where he is.
All he has is an IV of fluids and a morphine drip.

My Dad is out there again. For God only knows how long this trip.
The doctors say he will not recover.
That its only a matter of days til he dies.
My Dad called tonight and said he spent 4 hours with him today, just holding his hand.
That is so UNlike my Dad.
You gotta remember my Dad really doesn't even know his Dad. Moved to CA when he was just like 5 yrs old.
Maybe seen him a dozen or so times since then.

Its taking its toll on my Dad - I hear it in his voice on the phone.
I can see it in his face when I take him and pick him up at the airport.

Posted by Teresa at 08:16 PM | Category:
| Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

February 06, 2008

Vacation?

Well I don't mind if I do.
I haven't been anywhere in years, since my California trip.
I think that was 2004? Or 2005?
Ellen? Do you remember what year you put up with me for a week?

So I'm going to Sunny Florida with the Princess, the Tramp, the "what is it" gal, and someone else I don't even know yet. But I'm eager to see them all and get the hell out of HERE!