For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello, Friends!
Hope you are doing well. I don't know what my plans are today...I still haven't gotten to working in the closets, changing the clothes to match the changing season. I get side-tracked doing other things.
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Today's food:
fried egg (100) and 1 coffee with 1 tsp. creamer (10) and 1 packet splenda (0), and 1 plain diet toast (40) 150
5 butterscotch candies (120) and 1 ww/ched cheese cracker (40) 160
turkey, dressing, sweet potato suffle, cornbread 300
same as above 300
same as above, (a little more dsg/turkey),replace sweet potato with 1/2 ear corn 400
Total est cals today: 1310 - 112 deficit uphill treadmill walking 20 mins =1198 actual est cals.
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Afternoon, visited Mom, who was sitting in her wheel chair in the dining room at her nursing home, said she'd eaten a "cone of vanilla ice cream" while she'd been "outside sitting in 2 lines of people" (residents were taken outside today to get fresh air for a while...yayyyyy!). We talked some and she smiled a lot. 
Though still having to deal with pain, she said it wasn't quite as bad today (HUGE RELIEF, THANK YOU, LORD!!!!!!!!!!). And I thank you for your prayers for her to the Lord!
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I am anticipating being in the 145.anything's tomorrow morning. I've been good today with cals and I also walked uphill 20 minutes on the treadmill. I was at a counter in a store paying for something today and the sales person pointed out to me the CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS (my fav candy!!!!!) on the side of the counter and said the packs were 2 for $3 on sale today (offering to sell me some of them). Though tempted, I said no, while looking on the back of a package at the VERY HIGH CALORIES listed for the whole pack (about 2 cups full).. would probably have been around 2000 cals for the whole package of them, which was really not all that big of a package...which I probably undoubedly would have consumed tonite.
'Mini-Goals':
This week through Saturday, Sept. 18th: 145.anything
Next week through Saturday, Sept. 25th: 143.anything
Following week through Saturday, Oct. 2nd: 142.anything
Next week after that through Sat., Oct 9th: 141.0
Week after that through Thurs. Oct. 14th: 140.0
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Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello, Friends!
Hope you're having a wonderful, beautiful morning! As for me, I'm very sore from helping Hubby for hours yesterday, replacing the stove hood in the kitchen. A lot of heavy lifting and holding the new one in place. We called a friend and asked for his help to assist Hubby in installing the hood. (Though not his line of work, he'd said he knew how to do it and made it sound very simple.) But there was a price for his help. Why is it that friends can't help one another for free??? We've helped them (he and his family) many times with different things for free and have never charged them (and wouldn't think of it) for our help and when we finally need help and ask for it, it's not going to be for free. We could have paid for the help or even hired someone to do the work but we...no...'I' thought that friends were supposed to help one another for free (may I please make it clear that Hubby definitely does not share the same belief that it would actually happen when I called and asked for help, though he believes it should be that way)...so...it ended up that I helped Hubby get it done...and today I have a very achey back from lifting and holding up a heavy hood for a long, long time in exact place without it moving while Hubby was in and out the house working on installing it. It took us about 4 hours. UGH! But now it is done and is SOOO nice, nicer than the old one....and I have a NEW STOVE that matches it coming Friday! The old stove that I've been cooking on for over 12 years still works but has a short in it and I have to take a fork or something to mash one top element in place that keeps going off and on and then one or two don't light up all the way, etc....and this is even after replacing part of the old elements that had burned out. Soooo....out with the old, in with the new!
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As for Mom, she got a very much needed medical test done yesterday but have to wait for days for the results to see if or what needs to be done for her treatment of a certain condition she may have that is causing her excruciating pain. It appears that everything is done so SLOWLY there. I think it is all about money. Don't do much for the residents (ignore/neglect their needs) and nursing home owner(s) get to keep more money. I have also complained that she has to sometimes wait over an hour when she needs to be taken to the bathroom for them to take her. They are short on staff and need to hire more people and I have reported that also. Thank you for your prayers for Mom and I ask you to PLEASE continue to pray for her.
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Fall is only 8 days away!
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Today's food:
Breakfast: beef sausage (125), cupful grits w 1 tsp margerine (250), fried egg (100) and 1 coffee with 1 tsp. creamer (10) and 1 packet splenda (0) 485
Lunch: peppermint candy 20
Supper: Buffet with Hubby (fish, salad, pecans, etc): 895
Total est cals today: 1400
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Visited Mom again today...She was complaining of hurting and I went to her nurse for today's first shift and told her (so no one will think I'm trying to get Mom something for pain that may not be needed, she is having strong, painful symptoms of an infection). Her nurse said she'd give her something "in a little while"...(she was giving meds out to other residents)...so I waited with Mom til the medicine for that particular kind of pain was given Mom, which was only about 10 mins or so. I reminded Mom that she could get that medicine every 4 hours but she must remember to ask for her nurse to come so she could tell her nurse her symptoms and ask for that particular medicine. Imagine...telling someone with dementia/parkinsons/alzheimers that they must remember to do things the way the nursing home is requiring in order for them to have pain relief from a highly probable infection! So, tonite, I called her nurse for 2nd shift and she said no other of that medicine had been given Mom after what she got from my asking earlier today. When I reminded her of Mom's conditions and Mom not having presence of mind to go through proper channels to get her nurse to come to her so she could ask (beg) for pain relief (and no it is not a controlled substance)...When I asked her to give it to Mom, her new nurse for this afternoon said she could give Mom tylenol unless Mom called for her and told her her exact symptoms and asked for the medicine. (It was ordered by the doctor PRN, which means as needed, and of course as prescribed, but it must be asked for to Mom's nurse.) Finally, I asked her to go to Mom and ask Mom if she was having any of the symptoms Mom's been complaining of and she (reluctant-sounding) agreed to do so. I told her I've had nursing experience in the past and I know the importance of documenting what a patient says but that Mom cannot remember to do what is required. I hope and pray Mom is not in that pain again tonite. But I know that she probably is, especially without that medicine, and tylenol doesn't touch that kind of pain.
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Serenity prayer...serenity prayer...serenity prayer....
Lord, please touch Mom and heal her. Please let her not be in pain. I ask in Jesus' Name, believing. Amen.
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Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
Have a great day - rest your back.
I totally agree with you that friends should help friends, especially if you have helped them before. There must be a reason for your friend to be charging you: he is out of job and needs the money, perhaps? Anyway, Im sorry that you were disappointed with the issue, I would, too.
I hope all goes well with your mom and her medical tests and I hope they find the source of her pain. Poor thing! Stay well!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello, Friends!
Another beautiful, sunny COOL (60 fahrenheit) morning. The birds outside were happily singing earlier. I fixed some bacon, egg, coffee and instead of toast, I fixed grits for breakfast. My little friend, the neighbor's cat saw me open the front door to see how cool it felt outside (didn't go out) and came hurrying over here. (Hehehe!) I gave him the leftovers of my bacon again, which he ate.
I'm down .6 in 3 days....
Plan for today, Lord willing, is clean out the closets...I didn't get to them yesterday...had company and some extra things to do. And I plan to go up to Mom's nursing home again and hopefully things will have improved greatly. I believe the Lord told me this morning to not allow myself to get upset. I was praying and the Words "Let not your heart be troubled..." came into my mind.
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Fall is only 9 days away! I'm still decorating!
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Today's food:
Breakfast: beef bacon (100), cupful grits w 1/2 tsp margerine (230), fried egg (100...first I've had in about a month!) and 2 coffees with 2 tsp. creamer (20) and 2 packets splenda (0) 450
Snack: 1/2 cupful scuppernong grapes 50
Lunch: tuna and 5 saltines 235
Subtotal: 735
Snack: cheese pizza (300) 1/2 ear corn on cob (100) 400
Snack: 8 little butterscotch candies 200
Supper: lf bologna (2 pcs) sw on 2 diet breads w 1 tbs low cal mayo and 1 tsp mustard (180), candied apples (800) 980 (Yikes, got carried away with the peanut-coated red cherry-flovored candied apples because was extra hungry after a lot of heavy lifting while helping Hubby replace the range hood which included holding the new one up in place a long time while he installed it.)
Total est cals today: 2315
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Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello, Friends!
Beautiful, sunny COOL (64 fahrenheit) morning here this morning. The birds outside are singing away! I was up early. Fixed some bacon, coffee and toast and had some of that, then stepped out on the front porch BARE-FOOTED (throw caution to the wind!) to enjoy the cool, crisp, pre-autumny air! My little friend, the neighbor's cat saw me and came meowing over "Where's my breakfast???!!!" I gave him the leftovers of my bacon which he appeared content with as he ate it.
I have a headache this morning...remnant of the recent sinusitis...at least it's not as bad as it was...but I did take a little amount of medicine (tylenol) for it. Don't want it to get worse today...
Plan for today, Lord willing, is clean out the closets and put away spring-summer clothing and put out fall-winter clothing, leaving a very few summery clothing items. Also...wash clothes...clean the house extra nicely (dust, change bed-sheets, vacumn, etc.)
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You should see our dining room and fireplace mantle...autumn, autumn, autumn! On the dining room table is a large brown wooden vase of orange and yellow silk mums and underneath the large arrangement and taking up most of the table space are: a large ceramic rooster and hen, 2 large ceramic pumpkins, a standing friendly-looking scarecrow, 4 little ceramic pumpkins, 2 ceramic pilgrims (the man holding a turkey and the woman holding pumpkins and veggies), 2 small orange pumpkin-scented candles and 1 small maple-sugar-scented candle with lots of fall-colored orange, gold, burgundy, and yellow silk leaves going around the items. Intermingled in all of this are 100 tiny orange bright lights, illuminating the whole display. The fireplace mantle has a long silk holly display on it with small red wooden holly beads and holly-like silk leaves with a few tiny, clear, lights interspersed among it and 4 small pumpkins set out in front. I want to get a couple of large candles to go one on each end, too. Maybe orange pumpkin-scented. The front door has a wreath of a friendly-looking crow and autumn flowers hanging on it. (And I'm not done with the decorating, yet!) 
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Today's food: (yesterday has been updated and was about 1600 cals)
Breakfast: beef bacon (140), plain diet toast (40), and coffee with 1 tsp. creamer (10) and 1 packet splenda (0). 190
Lunch: hamburger (300), ice cream (300), cupcake (200) 800
Supper: hotdog, lettuce s/w on 2 diet breads w lowcal mayo, candied apple 725
Est cals today: 1715
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Update: Visited Mom about 2 hours this afternoon. Extremely stressful and I talked with the nursing director concerning her nursing care, which I am worried about. I could go into a long dialogue here, but I won't. Suffice to say if there is no improvement by tomorrow when I go back up there to the nursing home, concerning a certain very important part of her care that I believe has been being neglected because of her dementia/parkinson's/alzheimers and inability to communicate the way a person without these conditions can communicate, I will be talking to the nursing home administrator and possibly filing a written report as well as yanking Mom out of there and taking her to the ER! The nursing director assured me that all will be properly taken care of promptly. I AM ANGRY!!! When a person becomes unable to communicate well and is in a nursing home, they are at the MERCY of those who are supposed to be their caregivers. If they have a physical problem that they confusedly tell someone about who is not their nurse...ie... the housekeeper or even a CNA and it is not relayed to their nurse, they are not going to get any proper treatment for it. This is what I witnessed today with my Mom. Did I say I am ANGRY????
Later, after he got home from work, Hubby and I visited one of our friends together. She and her Hubby are really going through a lot. Please remember them as well as Mom in your prayers. (Thanks.)
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Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
Helen is a wonderful place. We go there every October for the German festival October fest. It actually started this weekend (which is when Germany starts its Octoberfest), but most tourists come in October for the good foods and music. We didnt participate in Octoberfest yesterday. We just spent most of our time roaming up and down the streets and visiting the little shops. I hope to make it back there later this year when the temperatures are cooler!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello Friends!
Hubby and I went to church, then out to eat at a buffet restaurant, and then we visited Mom at the nursing home. Her CNA had Mom (who was asleep with her head hung down) in her wheel chair sitting at a table in the dining room with one of her friends. Upon waking up and seeing me, Mom began insisting that I demand she be taken back to her bed immediately as she was not feeling well, she said. I didn't do it. I have done it before but I know it is not good for her to lay in her bed and be tended to day and nite, without getting up and moving around in her wheel chair and socializing with the other residents. Mom has admitted in the past that she enjoys staying in her bed (and being tended to). Hubby and I took her some candied yams, which she loves and she ate some of. We only stayed a few minutes as I told her I've had a cold that I am getting over and didn't want her to get it. Then we, which includes me, the Traitor, left after I hugged her and kissed her on her forehead and told her I love her and would see her again soon. 
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Today's food:
Breakfast: Coffee w tsp low cal creamer (10) and 1 little pack of splenda (0), 1 peppermint (20) and half of a lite pimento cheese s/w on 1 diet bread (70) 100
'Don't forget to eat your veggies!'
Lunch: Veggies salad w ti dsg (75) , candied yams (75), 1/2 fried chicken wing (100), cornbread dressing (50), and pecans (200) 500 I stopped after the 'signal' that I was FULL.
Afternoon Snack: chicken and rice (200), ice cream (200) 400
Subtotal est cals: 1000
Supper: hamburger 300
Snack: candied apple w peanuts on it (230), chicken and rice (70)
Today's total est. cals: 1600
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Hope you're having a blessed day!
Love, Maria
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Hello, Friends!
Thanks to each of you who have left such kind messages while I've been away. I have dropped by off and on over the past few days, reading your comments and your entries. I've been very sick with sinusitis this week and haven't seen my Mother (at the nursing home) in 3 days...don't want her to catch it. I am trusting the good Lord that she is okay. I've called the nursing home and been told she was sleeping when I've called. Maybe it's for the best...the sinusitis and my absence for a little while...a time to rest and a time to reflect. Anyway, I'm much better today and a friend (who is also recovering from the same thing) and I went to Cracker Barrel (restaurant and store) this afternoon and we each had an ice cream sundae there (I had hot fudge and she had strawberry) and we did a little shopping as well, as they were having an outside 'porch sale' going on with items marked down 80%. After we checked out that sale, it really cheered me up, going inside the Cracker Barrel store-part and seeing 3 Christmas trees lit up inside (I always get excited over anything 'Christmasy-looking' or to do with Christmas, my favorite holiday season).
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As for diet...well you can see....I've been a naughty girl...there I was a little below goal recently and now I'm almost 7 pounds over goal. But I don't want to throw away all the hard work it took to get to goal and have to go through it all yet again (especially since I've done the same thing before...8 years ago...arrived at goal, got stressed out, regained up to 26 pounds over goal and had a long fight to get back to goal again recently)...so I'm back not only because I MISS YOU GUYS!!!! ...but because I need to be accountable to myself again and I NEED 'YOU GUYS' SUPPORT!!!
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I may not be on here EVERY DAY....(in lieu of situation with Mom) but I will be on here as often as I can. Take care!
Love, Maria
Take good care of yourself!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Above: 'Mom's Nursing Home'
Hello, Friends!
I haven't been on here in the past few days but I thank those of you who have left comments letting me know you were thinking about me. Each day, I've been going back and forth to Mom's nursing home, spending time with her, translating her talk to her nurses who can't understand her, about where she says she's hurting. When I try to take a day off from going up to the nursing home, I get a call from a nurse wanting me to go to the nursing home to have a talk with Mom about something or I get a call telling me something that means I have to go interpret Mom's speech to them of what she's trying to tell them that's ailing her that they don't understand. (I can understand Mom real well 'cause I be around her a lot, whereas, Mom's current nurse may be her nurse one or 2 days or so and then it may be days or weeks before the same nurse is her nurse again, because the nurses there take turns rotating taking care of different residents there). Mom's developed a new condition now. It's her legs...extreme pain...her Doctor has ordered xray and arterial test. I feel SO SAD for her hurting and not being understood when she tries to talk to them a lot of the time.
I am fighting depression big time. I don't even care here lately about how much I eat. Anything for a temporary 'comfort fix'. Yep, my weight's going back up (already was...we're talking 'MORE'). I am 'snugly' wearing size 8 now...instead of comfortably. A few of my size 8's have become too snug to wear. I haven't given up. Mom says "You're gettin' too little!" at my size. She wants me to put back on some weight...well...wa-la! I sure have been doing that! When you have a goal that you've met and then you gain some over that goal, you don't look little to yourself.
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Estimated calories per day over the past few days since last did an entry:
1600 (Sat.), 2950 (Sun.), 1350 (Mon.), 2600 (Tues.), 1480 (today).
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I just can't key anymore in this journal right now because of all this stress with Mom (and other family members). Please excuse me and understand if I'm not on here for a while. Please keep our family (others besides Mom need prayer) in your prayers. Thanks and take good care of yourselves and keep going forward to your goals.
Love, Maria
Just know that this is one of the hardest times of life--caring for a parent. I've been where you are, so I can commiserate, which I don't know how much that helps--every situation is different. Every family is different. Let yourself off the hook if you can. There's only so much you can do and I think you're doing it with grace and caring and I know your mom appreciates it.
Meanwhile, I'm taking at least a month's break from posting. But I'll check in from time to time if you do post!
Take good care of yourself there--I'll be thinking of you!
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I just read this in a book, Maria, and decided to cite it to you. I think this should be hung in every hospital to remind doctors why they chose their profession at first place...
"I am always amazed by the human spirit that says "I won't give in. I will fight and I will lead as productive a life as possible in the time that I have to live." I do not know why some continue to embrace the will to live. For those who give up, life is over and they are waiting to die. For those who choose to fight, life can continue to have many rewards. These are people who give real meaning to what it is to be happy and productive and these are the people who should be an inspiration to all of us."
fatgirl101 on 09/16/2010:
have a good day:)
breakaway on 09/16/2010:
What a beautiful picture! I LOVE your hair! Have a great day Maria :D
KathyBlue on 09/16/2010:
AMAZING HAIR!!!! :)
Umpqua on 09/16/2010:
Beautiful pic and your hair looks long and luxurious! Hope you have a great day!
getmebackto150 on 09/16/2010:
I love the picture! and I agree here is to STOPPING the night time/emotional eating!!! We CAN do this!!!
selina on 09/16/2010:
I LOVE that photo of you Maria! What a beautiful place Myrtle Beach is, I love that place! When my father-in-law was alive, my in-laws used to spend a whole month there, every year.
So sorry to hear about your tribulations with your mom's health care. I hope things will improve with your being insistent.
selina on 09/16/2010:
Sorry to hear you lost your cat... I was told not to let the cats out of the house for at least 2 weeks, until they get used to the new place. I let mine out after a little over one week because they were ready (running around the house and picking up fights with each other)! They both came back after a long explore, except that Inky spent more time outdoors.
This morning, Inky spent about 4 hours on her own in the woods. I did get worried and went looking for her but couldn't find her. Later on, I heard and saw a big dog (golden retriever) barking on the bike trail, so I ran out there to see what's going on - sure enough, he was barking at Inky, who was hiding in the bushes, poor thing. Anyway, luckily people are obligated to use dog leashes, so there was no harm done. Inky ran back to the house, ate a whole bunch of food and is now sleeping her very well deserved nap. What a cat!
biscottibody59 on 09/16/2010:
Hope you're doing well and aren't too sore from the labor of the past day!
Just wanted to let you know how your suggestion about decaf coffee panned out. I finally started last week. I'm doing the first cup decaf, then the second (and final) regular. And I'm now cutting back gradually on the strength/amount of the regular.
Thanks! Hope you're having a good one there!
moogy on 09/16/2010:
You are looking fabulous Maria, what a doll!! I hope you get your closets done today - I wear the same clothes all year round, except I have some jeans for winter and a couple of warmer tops, but that is it, I don't own a coat - it doesn't get cold enough here to wear one. I hope that you have a great day and that when you visit your mom you find her to be comfortable. I will catch up with you later. Thank you for your very kind words.
V on 09/16/2010:
You have Crystal Gayle hair! You are a beautiful girl Maria :) You are always in my thoughts! Have a great day :)
hopingforhealth on 09/16/2010:
Good job with the calories and exercise today!
Wow to that picture! My hair would never grow that long! You look great!
moogy on 09/16/2010:
It was strange, when I typed my message to you, I just felt that your mom would be doing well today. I am really happy for her and for you. Today you need not worry. Hugs.
moogy on 09/16/2010:
I typed my first comment yesterday (Thurs) and the last one today (Friday) confusing isn't it?????
V on 09/16/2010:
Oh wonderful! Maybe the talk helped straighten out things permanently! Good job resisting! i know how much you love candy Maria :)
V on 09/16/2010:
You know it's funny i have been here in Fl. about 7 years and no hurricanes! The closest call was Charley a few years back and it skipped over us. I am on the Gulf side and I recently started surfing but they're not many waves to speak of here so we end up paddle boarding :(
panda22 on 09/16/2010:
BEAUTIFUL photo! I love Myrtle Beach...such a fun place to visit! You look fantastic, keep up the great work =)
just42day on 09/16/2010:
Sounds like your mom had a pretty good day. I'm glad! I hope it continues. Thanks for sharing the picture. Your hair is unbelievable! How fun! (Mine's always short cuz it's wavy and I'm a low-maintenace type of gal...)
nita51 on 09/16/2010:
Lovely picture,,,,,beautiful scenery as well. Have a pleasant and peaceful Friday. xoxo
selina on 09/17/2010:
so glad to hear your mom was in good spirits!
balloonlady on 09/17/2010:
great pic.. sounds like a fun day...
hollybelle on 09/17/2010:
What a great pic - wish I could see your face better - may just be my screen (?) But thought of you today when I bought more scuppernongs! They are SO SWEET at the end of the season! Love 'em! Just catching up with your entries - I've been kind of hitting the comments on the run for the last week! Sorry your mother has been suffering so. Gald thursday was better for her and I hope that trend contines - God bless!