Today we reached the chapter in Marley and Me where John Grogan's wife experiences a miscarriage and the usually hyper Marley is a completely calm comfort to her. This caused Mz. Virginia to recall a very sweet story about her two dogs, Shadow and Lady.
Mz. Virginia had to underog a right inguinal hernia operation and appendix removal. The surgery only required her to stay one night in the hospital and she was allowed to return home with bed rest. She instructed her husband Glen to have the fold out couch ready for her, and she rode home with him, a pillow held tightly to her abdomen to protect her stitches.
When they arrived home, she went straight to the sofa bed. As she laid down, the dogs approached, but not in their usual bounding manner. Both Lady and Shadow seemed to sense her sickness and came toward her, climbing gently onto the bed and belly crawling toward her. One dog placed her head on one shoulder and the other on the opposite shoulder. When Glen came into the room, he saw them lying quietly there and started to insist that they get off the bed so as not to disturb the patient.
But Mz. Virginia said, "Leave them alone...they know what's going on."
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Cat
We were going to write some more about Mz. Virginia's past pets today, but she has received a phone call, so I believe I will write about her present pet, a cat named Sassy~who we call Cat.
Right now, Cat is curled up in the chair with her bottom pressed firmly against Mz. Virginia. She is staring at me from half closed blue eyes. Mz. Virginia says she watches every morning for either mine or Rebecca's appearance. If we are a wee bit late, she seems to know it. As a matter of fact, Cat seems to know exactly what the schedule in this house. When Rick gets up in the morning, she insists that Mz. Virginia wake up, too, making her desires known by butting her head up against her mistress as if to say, "Get up! Get up!" She loves to be with Mz. Virginia all of the time and will even jump on her walker and ride to the bathroom or the bedroom when a trip is necessary.
Cat definitely has a queenly air about her, but she is a good and benevolent queen. She rarely grows angry with me...but she does not like it when I drag out the vacuum cleaner or a broom. When she sees either of these, she darts off into the bedroom, and I am liable to find her peeking out at me from behind Rick's bed, her clear eyes narrowed at me as if to say, How DARE you!
Cat isn't very demanding, but she does like the food in her cat bowl to be mounded up just so, and she especially likes Rebecca to do this task for her. But if Rebecca has been gone for a couple of days, she will deign to consult me, switching her tail, rubbing up against my legs, and letting out a plaintive meow. Just having food in the bowl is not enough. It MUST be mounded so that she can take her paw and scrape it onto the floor before she eats it.
Cat has very few vices, but one is that she likes to eat plastic. Plastic does not like her however ,and we will often find a mess. We won't gross you out with the details, we will let your imagination do that work for us.
I believe Cat and I would be very good friends if I weren't allergic to cats. Since this house has mostly hard floors, I don't have much of a problem here, except for when I dust or sweep. But no matter how temptingly soft Cat's fur looks, I cannot pet her or my hands will swell up and God help me if I touch my eye after touching her. Cat seems to understand though, and so we just admire one another from afar.
Mz. Virginia says that Denny's son, David, gave Sassy to her, and Mz. Virginia says, "I don't ever need another gift...it's my Christmas, Fourth of July, birthday and everything." After spending time with this lovely animal, I can certainly see why she would feel this way.
Right now, Cat is curled up in the chair with her bottom pressed firmly against Mz. Virginia. She is staring at me from half closed blue eyes. Mz. Virginia says she watches every morning for either mine or Rebecca's appearance. If we are a wee bit late, she seems to know it. As a matter of fact, Cat seems to know exactly what the schedule in this house. When Rick gets up in the morning, she insists that Mz. Virginia wake up, too, making her desires known by butting her head up against her mistress as if to say, "Get up! Get up!" She loves to be with Mz. Virginia all of the time and will even jump on her walker and ride to the bathroom or the bedroom when a trip is necessary.
Cat definitely has a queenly air about her, but she is a good and benevolent queen. She rarely grows angry with me...but she does not like it when I drag out the vacuum cleaner or a broom. When she sees either of these, she darts off into the bedroom, and I am liable to find her peeking out at me from behind Rick's bed, her clear eyes narrowed at me as if to say, How DARE you!
Cat isn't very demanding, but she does like the food in her cat bowl to be mounded up just so, and she especially likes Rebecca to do this task for her. But if Rebecca has been gone for a couple of days, she will deign to consult me, switching her tail, rubbing up against my legs, and letting out a plaintive meow. Just having food in the bowl is not enough. It MUST be mounded so that she can take her paw and scrape it onto the floor before she eats it.
Cat has very few vices, but one is that she likes to eat plastic. Plastic does not like her however ,and we will often find a mess. We won't gross you out with the details, we will let your imagination do that work for us.
I believe Cat and I would be very good friends if I weren't allergic to cats. Since this house has mostly hard floors, I don't have much of a problem here, except for when I dust or sweep. But no matter how temptingly soft Cat's fur looks, I cannot pet her or my hands will swell up and God help me if I touch my eye after touching her. Cat seems to understand though, and so we just admire one another from afar.
Mz. Virginia says that Denny's son, David, gave Sassy to her, and Mz. Virginia says, "I don't ever need another gift...it's my Christmas, Fourth of July, birthday and everything." After spending time with this lovely animal, I can certainly see why she would feel this way.
Friday, February 20, 2009
We fixed it...
Some family members have reported that they have had trouble commenting or have been unable to comment. We are happy to report that we have fixed the problem...or at least, we think we have. Please let us know if you have any further difficulties and we will take it "back to the drawing board."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Dog Named Lady
As aforementioned, Mz. Virginia and I (LWJ) have been reading Marley and Me by John Grogan. This often puts Mz. Virginia in mind of her own beloved pets, which have been numerous over the years.
One particular dog often comes to Mz. Virginia's mind...Lady. Lady was a shepherd and collie mix and was one of most intelligent animals Mz. V ever had. Lady was always aware of what was going on and had an excellent memory. Once during a tornado alert, Mz. V took Lady into the tub with her, since this is one of the safest places inside a house during a tornado if one cannot reach a cellar or basement. From then on, every time there was even a hint of thunder, Lady headed straight for the tub. "You would walk in the bathroom," Mz. V relates, "and there she'd be!"
Lady also loved to be photographed. At first no one realized, but as time went on, it became obvious that Lady was a camera ham...she would show up in every photograph. "She even got to where she would pose," Mz. V remembers, "and would all but smile. She would turn and look at the camera like 'here I am!'"
Once Mz. V had to leave Lady at a newly opened kennel while they went on a trip. When Mz. V returned, Lady climbed right in the car and began to fuss and carry on as if she had been horribly traumatized and mistreated. Since she had stayed at other places and never complained, Mz. V knew not to leave her there ever again.
Lady lived a good long life with Mz. Virginia before she finally succumbed to arthritis and could no longer get up and down steps... "like big dogs do." Mz. Virginia will always remember Lady though and how she used to wait on the shore of the lake while they went out on the boat. A neighbor's dog had drowned in the lake, so Lady was not allowed to follow the boat. She always went back when told, even though she would have loved to tag along, but Mz. V would look back and see her peeking around a tree just in case someone wasn't watching...
"Oh we just laughed our heads off," Mz. Virgina says. And she still chuckles at the story today.
One particular dog often comes to Mz. Virginia's mind...Lady. Lady was a shepherd and collie mix and was one of most intelligent animals Mz. V ever had. Lady was always aware of what was going on and had an excellent memory. Once during a tornado alert, Mz. V took Lady into the tub with her, since this is one of the safest places inside a house during a tornado if one cannot reach a cellar or basement. From then on, every time there was even a hint of thunder, Lady headed straight for the tub. "You would walk in the bathroom," Mz. V relates, "and there she'd be!"
Lady also loved to be photographed. At first no one realized, but as time went on, it became obvious that Lady was a camera ham...she would show up in every photograph. "She even got to where she would pose," Mz. V remembers, "and would all but smile. She would turn and look at the camera like 'here I am!'"
Once Mz. V had to leave Lady at a newly opened kennel while they went on a trip. When Mz. V returned, Lady climbed right in the car and began to fuss and carry on as if she had been horribly traumatized and mistreated. Since she had stayed at other places and never complained, Mz. V knew not to leave her there ever again.
Lady lived a good long life with Mz. Virginia before she finally succumbed to arthritis and could no longer get up and down steps... "like big dogs do." Mz. Virginia will always remember Lady though and how she used to wait on the shore of the lake while they went out on the boat. A neighbor's dog had drowned in the lake, so Lady was not allowed to follow the boat. She always went back when told, even though she would have loved to tag along, but Mz. V would look back and see her peeking around a tree just in case someone wasn't watching...
"Oh we just laughed our heads off," Mz. Virgina says. And she still chuckles at the story today.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Life Rolls Peacefully On...
Mz. Virginia has been tired this week, however, she is in good spirits and seems to have beaten her bladder infection for now. Rebecca has been on her trip with The Surviving Parents' Coalition, and although Mz. Virginia is missing her greatly, she anticipates hearing about all the wonderful things that have been accomplished upon Rebecca's return.
There has been talk of a five generation photo, and Mz. Virginia is very excited at this prospect. At present, she has full intention of traveling to Lawrence in May to be a part of this family event. This is significant because she generally balks at any mention of travel, as her health makes travel an arduous affair. But she feels that this is so very important and truly looks forward to seeing and spending time with all her loved ones.
There has been talk of a five generation photo, and Mz. Virginia is very excited at this prospect. At present, she has full intention of traveling to Lawrence in May to be a part of this family event. This is significant because she generally balks at any mention of travel, as her health makes travel an arduous affair. But she feels that this is so very important and truly looks forward to seeing and spending time with all her loved ones.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Update
Well...Grandma is on a tear today. I think she is feeling pretty good, she's just in a hell of a mood. I think she may be mad at me because I (Rebecca) have been working a lot at the funeral home. We have had a lot of deaths and Lorrie has been over here a lot. Don't get me wrong, she loves Lorrie, but to put it in her words, "You're my kid, Becki." She wants me here 24/7 and I can't be here all the time because I have a job and will be traveling a little bit in the upcoming months. I am trying my best to be a good grandaughter and Lorrie is trying her best to be really patient and kind. Honestly, sometimes when Grandma is on a tear we feel a little helpless and just keep our mouths shut and hope that one day we hope we have a couple of nice girls who will take care of us when we are elderly. I am really learning a lot about loving a person in spite of what mood they are in. :/
On a positive note, we are going to the hair and nail salon tomorrow. I think she needs to get out of this house. I think she has cabin fever. We might have to pry her from her chair.
Sandy is on the way to help her bathe and maybe that will put her in a better mood.
God help us...lol.
On a positive note, we are going to the hair and nail salon tomorrow. I think she needs to get out of this house. I think she has cabin fever. We might have to pry her from her chair.
Sandy is on the way to help her bathe and maybe that will put her in a better mood.
God help us...lol.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Things are looking up...
Things are definitely looking up today! Mz. Virginia is feeling much better~she was up early and is dressed and ready for the day. We have every machine in the house going, washing machine, dishwasher, and even the oven, as we are preparing tonight's dinner early: chicken and cheesy broccoli rice. Hopefully Mz. Virginia will enjoy it. Since she hasn't had much of an appetite lately, I am trying to tempt her taste buds with something she hasn't had in a little while. My kids love this dish, so I thought she might, too.
I have to observe that Mz. Virginia follows the healthiest diet of any person I have ever seen from her age group...or from any age group, for that matter. She craves fruits and vegetables, eats very little processed flour or animal fat, and keeps sugar to a minimum. She always credits her mother with teaching her these habits. Even though she was on a tight budget and was raising children during the depression era, Irma Hazen Lee made sure her family ate healthy and understood the value of nutrition. Judging by Mz. Virginia's eating habits today, Irma left her legacy solidly in place.
I have to observe that Mz. Virginia follows the healthiest diet of any person I have ever seen from her age group...or from any age group, for that matter. She craves fruits and vegetables, eats very little processed flour or animal fat, and keeps sugar to a minimum. She always credits her mother with teaching her these habits. Even though she was on a tight budget and was raising children during the depression era, Irma Hazen Lee made sure her family ate healthy and understood the value of nutrition. Judging by Mz. Virginia's eating habits today, Irma left her legacy solidly in place.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Feeling Better
In her own words, "I am feeling better today, but I hurt. I think a front is coming in." But, her color looks tons better and she is not so grouchy. We have discovered when she feels badly it comes out in her usually chipper personality. Today she is all smiles.
The lady who helps her bathe is coming today. She really likes Sandy, they seem to get along very well. The nurse is supposed to come on Thursday to check on her and fill her medications. Overall, we have been very blessed with the people who have been helping us with the past year and a half.
I am laughing right now because everytime The Price Is Right comes on she always talks about obesity in America. "Look at how fat all these people are," she says. You really can't help but chuckle.
The lady who helps her bathe is coming today. She really likes Sandy, they seem to get along very well. The nurse is supposed to come on Thursday to check on her and fill her medications. Overall, we have been very blessed with the people who have been helping us with the past year and a half.
I am laughing right now because everytime The Price Is Right comes on she always talks about obesity in America. "Look at how fat all these people are," she says. You really can't help but chuckle.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Battle Continues...
We wish we had better news to report today, but the battle with the bladder infection continues. Mz. Virginia is slowly feeling better however; this particular antibiotic works well against such infections, but is known to have very unpleasant side effects for the patient, like extreme fatigue and weakness. Mz. Virginia says she is surely thankful for her walker, which is always a great help and comfort to her.
We hope to have more pleasant things to share with you as the days go on, and we hope also to get back to reading Marley & Me by John Grogan...the perfect story for a woman who not only devoured every book she could get her hands on but who also has always had a great love for animals.
We hope to have more pleasant things to share with you as the days go on, and we hope also to get back to reading Marley & Me by John Grogan...the perfect story for a woman who not only devoured every book she could get her hands on but who also has always had a great love for animals.
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