Gathering Graces 5/15/2017

*Christy took Mom to see her primary care giver, Dr. McDonald today.  The doctor explained to Mom that living at Kindred will give her better care than she would receive living at home.  As she was sharing with me about her appointment, she asked me what I thought about her living where she is, and not at home.  My concern is her fluctuating vitals, and how they change from day to day.  When she is at Kindred, there is trained medical staff to respond to her needs.  It wouldn’t be like that at home.  I pray my heart, and the hearts of my siblings are filled with wisdom and love and we move forward in deciding what is best for Mom.

*Paul said he would make dinner tonight, and I said I wanted a big, healthy salad.  Boy, did her deliver.  He made a delicious green salad with chicken and many other goodies in it.  Yum! Yum!

*After dinner it was off to the dentist to have my temporary crown replaced with the permanent one.  My mouth was very achy when I left, but by bedtime it was much better.

*I went to see Mom after my dentist appointment.  We had a nice visit, and she told me about her day.  Christy came toward the end of my visit.  We both left and took some time to talk about Mom’s visit in the lobby of  Kindred, and Christy told me more about today’s doctor’s visit.  Tomorrow we have a meeting at Kindred about Mom’s care she is receiving.

*I spent some time tonight planning out my vegetable garden.  I hope to get some of the seeds planted this weekend. 

Gathering Graces 5/14/2017

*What a wonderful Mother’s Day today!  I felt honored and blessed all day long.

*I went over to see Mom before church, and all was well at Kindred.

*Church was good, then I headed home.  I spent the afternoon creating wine bottle hummingbird feeders that I am going to sell.  Mom received one for Mother’s Day.  While I was making them, Travis sat down and we had a wonderful visit about traveling the world.

*Paul and I went over to Kindred to pick up Mom to take her to Christy’s house for Mother’s Day dinner.  We stopped and picked up her umbrella and a blanket at her house in case it was raining when coming into Christy’s house.  By the time we brought Mom out to our car, the sun was shining!!  We made it over to Christy’s house and into her house, no problems.

Four generations photo...Mom, Me, Molly, Sadie!!

*It was a wonderful Mother’s Day meal of BBQ baby back ribs, corn on the cob, fruit salad and strawberry cake.  After dinner, brother Bill called, then Zoe was on video chat.  Coco called me at home later in the evening.

*We got Mom back to Kindred, and she was ready to get in her pajamas and get ready for bed.  I felt the same way when I got home.  I was exhausted!!  My evening was spent on the couch, watching NCIS, and eating popcorn!!  Paul had to come in at one point and tell me I had slept through the entire episode of the last NCIS I had put on, and that he was heading to bed.  Sounded like a good idea to me, so I headed to bed, too. 

*What a wonderful day.

Gathering Graces 5/13/2017

*What a luxury.  I got to sleep in today!

*I went to visit Mom this morning, and she was doing good.

*I came home and finally had a day to tackle cleaning the house.

*Bill and Debbie wanted to give Mom flowers for Mother’s Day, so I ordered them earlier this week, and went up to pick them up from the florist and deliver them to Mom this afternoon.  She loved them.  While visiting Mom, I took her out to the sitting room and we had a wonderful visit.  Here is Mom with her flowers from Bill and Debbie.  It was also very sweet today when one of Mom’s roommates told me she was glad that we were there to take care of Mom and make her feel better.

Mom and her Mother's Day bouquet from Bill and Debbie.

*Molly and Travis arrived this afternoon.  They made me a delicious Mother’s Day meal.  They made Mango Habenaro Tacos and Gnochi in an apricot jam reduction sauce. 

*I briefly talked to Zoe on the phone.  It is always a treat to talk to one of my daughters on the phone.

*After dinner I drove to Wallace to do some filming.  We didn’t get it all done, so I will film my final scene in July, after I return from Italy.

Gathering Graces 5/12/2017

*I went to see Mom this morning and she was VERY tired.  I think the night before and this morning she was recovering from her big outing to Post Falls on Wednesday to visit the heart center.

*I was very energized at work today.  I’m not sure if the coffee I received from the students who make our weekly cup of coffee was part of the reason, but I felt good all day, and got lots done.  I talked to students about Youth Summit, and it was so fun that each of them is very excited to attend!  I helped seniors with accepting scholarships, and various other things throughout the day. 

*The KHS Band instructor sent out an email to see if anyone wanted to perform in their final band concert in a special number using faculty.  Paul and I volunteered, so we went and rehearsed with them today.  The concert is at the high school on Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m.  It should be lots of fun!!

*When I saw Mom today, she was about to get her dinner.  She was much more alert, and we had a great visit.  After dinner I wheeled her out to the nice sitting area at Kindred, and Christy joined us and we visited out there for around 30 minutes or so.  Mom’s energy level was much improved.  She was tired, but it was physically tired from her therapy she is doing, not sleepy tired, which is a good thing!!

*I went to Christy’s house to get some vegetable seeds for my garden from the packets she had purchased, and we also watched Chopped and Chopped Junior, which were both fun episodes.  The first was some of the Chopped judges cooking with their moms.  Chopped Junior had the judges cooking, and the kids judging them. 

*When I was leaving Mom’s house, her neighbor Jane had a couple suitcases for me to take home.  She is letting me borrow the suitcases for my upcoming trip to Italy, and also she filled them both with clothes I can borrow if I want to wear them while I am there, plus some travel purses to use, too.  What a blessing to have such wonderful and giving friends who are making this whole trip possible.

Gathering Graces 5/11/2017

*Saw Mom in the morning, and she had already been weighed, but she took her blood pressure and oxygen while I was there.  Lots of things to monitor daily with Mom.

*My P.E.O. chapter has a big fund-raiser each year.  We sell geraniums, either red or pink, in hanging baskets or 4 inch pots.  Today the geraniums arrived.  I switched work days so I took today off and will work tomorrow so I have the time to deliver the geraniums.  I am so thankful I could borrow Christy and Everett’s truck for my deliveries.  I took one group to people around Kellogg.  My second group was delivered to KHS, KMS and the District Office.  My final group of geraniums was delivered to Mullan and Wallace.  Christy rode along with me for this delivery.

*I finalized the first draft my menu for April’s upcoming retreat in Italy and sent her a copy to see if I am on the right track of what she was thinking regarding food for her retreat.  It will be so fun to cook the meals all week at the retreat.

*Paul got some work done around Mom’s house this afternoon, then I went over and picked up her clean laundry and a few other items, and went to visit.  Mom had a cough today, and had a slight fever.  She seemed a bit flushed.  It was put in her chart to monitor her a little more closely this evening because of her fever. 

Gathering Graces 5/10/2017

*What a whirlwind of a day!

*The book discussion group that I have been meeting with made a presentation to the School District Leadership Team this morning.  It went really well, and we hope it puts some things into motion about creating even more awareness of how trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) effect the students in our schools.

*Traditionally that last National Honor Society meeting of the year is a pizza lunch with all the current and new NHS members.  During lunch we also honored our graduating seniors as they each go on to post secondary institutions.

*After lunch all current NHS members and some of the leadership students joined Paul, Hollie Yrjana and myself to clean up the stretch of highway between Smelterville and Pinehurst.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.  The most interesting thing I saw was the carcass of a dead deer.

*After school I headed home and rested for a bit.  I had a craving for Lo Mein, so Paul and I went to Wah Hing for dinner.  During dinner, Christy texted me that Mom and her and Everett had returned from Post Falls after visiting Mom’s cardiologist.  So Paul and I stopped to visit a bit with Mom after she got back.  Christy sent an update on Mom’s appointment this evening, and Mom’s situation is unstable.  Her vitals change from day to day, she still has balance issues, and she needs 24 hour care, which she is receiving quite nicely where she it at.  The question that continues to loom in our minds is, when does Mom come home?  And we keep realizing that it is too soon to tell. 

Gathering Graces 5/9/2017

*It was “8th Grade Move Up Day” today at Kellogg High School.  That means the eighth graders from Kellogg Middle School come up to KHS to tour around and hear about different electives they can take.  Since Paul was out of town, I went to his room to help show the video he and his students made. 

*Then I went and got Mom and took her to the hospital for an MRI of her head.  She is still dealing with some confusion, so we are just getting everything checked out.

*After work I went to see Mom and we had a nice visit.  Sometimes brother Bill doesn’t know when a good time is to talk to Mom, so I texted him on Mom’s phone and told him now was a good time to call.  And it worked!!  Bill called and he had a nice visit with Mom, and she told him about her day.

*Tonight we had a Theater Board Meeting up in Wallace.  It was a beautiful evening to take a drive to Wallace.

*I returned home waiting for Paul to get home from his short trip to Boise.  It was so good to see him.  Now all is right with the world.

Gathering Graces 5/8/2017

*Most mornings I drink coffee because I enjoy the taste of coffee.  Then there are mornings I need a cup of coffee.  Today, I needed a cup of coffee.

*Started the day off visiting Mom this morning.  She was finishing up breakfast when I arrived.

*I heard good news from April regarding her dad Jim Vergobbi.  He had surgery on his fractured hip and it wasn’t as bad as they thought, and she talked to him and he sounded really good.  He will be in the hospital for three days, then probably go somewhere for rehab.

*Got a call from daughter Molly today.  It was nice to have a short visit with her.

*After school our book discussion group met to work on our presentation to the District Leadership Team.  We will present on Wednesday about what we have learned about working with students who deal with trauma, and creating a trauma sensitive classroom.

*After work I stopped at Mom’s house to get her mail, and some clothes for her, and went to see her.  She enjoyed opening up the cards she has received and reading through them.  When it was time for dinner, I wheeled Mom to the dining room so she could enjoy dinner with some of the other residents.

*I finished listening to the book The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.  I look forward to discussing it with my book group in a couple of weeks.  It was very interesting, and I learned a lot about part of the Chinese culture I hadn’t heard of before.

Gathering Graces 5/7/2017

• I am getting back into the routine of going over to be with Mom in the morning, to weigh her on her own scales, do her blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels.  I was encouraged by yesterday’s readings.  Mom also was ready to get dressed, so we did that, too.  Bill called while I was there, which Mom always enjoys. 
• What a lovely church service this morning.  I had missed last two Sundays, so I enjoyed being there and helping lead worship, and enjoying the Spirit I felt in that place.
• Paul and I went home and he got ready for his trip to Boise.  He is going for a two day training for Driver’s Education.  He will get to stay with his parents while he is there, which I know he is really looking forward to.
• Dealing with aging parents is tough.  Right now I am one of four of my close friends who are dealing with some really serious issues with one of their parents.  It is hard enough when you are in close proximity to the parent.  It is another to give comfort to a friend who is across the world in another country.  Yesterday Kellee Crall Mills and I received a message in the afternoon from our friend April M Lee.  She had received a message from her dad Jimmie Vergobbi’s Lifeline that he had requested the EMT’s to come.  April finally got through to her dad at Shoshone Medical Center.  He had fallen in his yard, and his leg didn’t feel right so he pushed his “button”. Later I received a text from April’s sister Cathy saying Jim had fractured his hip, and would be transferred to Coeur d’Alene for surgery.  Please keep Jim and his family in your prayers. 
• Daughter Zoe called in the afternoon.  She had arrived at the airport early to pick her dad up, so she called and we had a nice visit about many things, and her coming home this summer, and what she will be doing while she is here.
• I went over late afternoon to see Mom, and she was just finishing dinner, so we got her jacket on, put her in her wheelchair, and we went exploring around the grounds outside, since the sun was shining and the weather pleasant.  It was so nice to get Mom outside, and we sat outside for almost an hour visiting and enjoying the sunshine!!
• My passport arrived, and now things are getting even more real as I prepare to travel to Italy this summer.  I have started doing some research on international travel to get myself prepared!!

Gathering Graces 5/6/2017

*The day started bright and early in Wallace at 8 a.m. as Paul and I shot our scenes for the film we are in, Across Bank Street: Portal to the Clockworld.  It went really well.  I only have one more day of shooting, then Paul will have a couple more this summer.  If you want to see a bit of what this project is about, here is a trailer to the first part here.

*Our ladies ministry at church puts on two teas each year, and at Christmas and one in the spring.  I was asked to sing at this year’s spring tea that took place from noon to 2 today at our church.  I sang  What a Friend We Have in Jesus.  It was a fun afternoon with a wonderful group of ladies drinking tea, visiting, enjoying wonderful salads, playing fun games, and listening to a speaker from the organization ARMS ((Abuse Recovery Ministry Services).   ARMS exists to bring healing and transformation, from a faith perspective, to those impacted by domestic violence and controlling relationships. To find out more go here.

*After the tea, I went across the road to Mom’s new home, Kindred, and we had a nice afternoon.  She came back from Physical Therapy in her wheelchair, so we kept her in it, and Christy and I gave her a tour of the building.  Then she was getting tired, so we left to let her rest.

*After dinner, Paul and I took Sadie over to visit Mom.  Sadie was a little nervous, but I think she will get used to being there.  Mom was a little sleepy while we were there, so we only stayed a short while.

*After watching La La Land, I wanted to see another movie with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.  We watched Crazy, Stupid Love.

Gathering Graces 5/5/2017

*Today was Senior Project Presentation Day at Kellogg High School.  I heard presentations on a wide variety of topics, including Astronomy, Biomedical Engineering, Short Term Missions, Fire Mitigation, Medical Assisting, A business plan to build a Motocross Track, education reform and Military Humanitarian Aid.  They were all very interesting to listen to, and I loved hearing these students present their research, ideas and thoughts on these topics.

*I went to visit Mom this afternoon and we visited a while until she fell asleep, then she woke up later in time to get up for dinner.  Again, thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts coming her way.  If you live around here and have a chance, go visit her.  She would love to see you!!

*I went to see The Miracle Worker at Kellogg High School tonight.  The students did a very nice job telling the story of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.  And they did some staging and lighting that was very interesting as well.

*Paul and I had a late dinner of sausage and sauerkraut on a roll, and went over our lines for our filming that will happen tomorrow morning. 

Gathering Graces 5/4/2017

*As I helped Mom get up in the morning, I told her she would be going over to Kindred at 10 a.m. to start the process of moving in.  When Christy arrived a bit later, she explained to Mom that she would be moving in that morning.  I think Mom was a bit overwhelmed, but her and Christy made it over there by 10 a.m., and now Mom has a room at Kindred-Mountain Valley to start her rehabilitation.

*My sister Christy is a ROCK STAR!!  She has basically put her life on hold this week caring for Mom, making phone calls, answering phone calls, making sure Mom got moved in yesterday, getting her the things she needs, and keeping Bill and I informed of everything that is going on. 

*This afternoon C.d. Breshears, the GEAR UP director in Idaho came to Kellogg High School to give me my final review of my program for the year.  We went over what I had done for the year, I gave him a tour of the high school, we made a video, and he met with our principal.  He loved the setting of KHS, and the beauty of Kellogg.  It is always fun to show off Kellogg to someone who has never been there!!

*It took about an hour to go get my haircut.  The head massage felt wonderful!!  And I sent my first Snapchat photo to my daughters showing off my new haircut.....that was a pretty big accomplishment in itself!!

*The KHS Drama Production Paul has been directing,  The Miracle Worker, opened tonight at KHS.  If you want to see it, they will perform again Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. and Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. on the KHS stage.

*Christy and I went over to see Mom this evening, and I got to see what her “new digs” are like.  She seemed to be doing good.  I think the day had been pretty overwhelming for her.  The staff was very nice and very attentive, and I think she is in good hands.  I look forward to going back tomorrow and see how everything is going.  There are some lovely outdoor spaces to sit, and I hope it is nice enough to get her sitting outside in the next few days.

*Christy and I, and later Paul, gathered on her back deck to enjoy the absolutely beautiful evening.  It was so nice to have a warm, sunny day, and still have it over 60 degrees in the evening.  It was a great way to end a long day.

*Again, thanks so much to everyone for the lovely words of encouragement, support and prayers for Mom and our family.  They really do help and strengthen us.

Gathering Graces 5/3/2017

*I headed over to Mom’s this morning to help Christy with the start of Mom’s day.

*At work, I prepared for my final review for my Gear Up program, which will happen on Thursday at noon.

*Later in the morning, I came back to Mom’s house to be a part of a meeting with Mom, Christy and Brenda, a nurse from Loving Care and More to go over options for Mom’s 24 hour care.  We came to the conclusion that the best course to take at the moment would be taking Mom across the street from her house to Kindred Nursing Home and Rehabilitation--Mountain Valley for a few weeks of rehabilitation to get her stronger through daily physical therapy so she is stronger when she is at home.  She will be moving in on Thursday.  Bill, Christy, Mom and I all agreed this is the best course for her health and care at this point.

*I was providing a program at our PEO meeting tonight with the title Happiness is....Music.  I took the song Happiness Is from the musical You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and changed the words to things that brought our PEO members happiness, then I sang it as part of the program.  It was a fun diversion from the day’s events to create that song.

*I picked up Christy, Dawn and Betty and we drove out to Carolyn Gibbs house on Rose Lake for the meeting.  What a beautiful drive.  It was a nice evening, and I enjoyed visiting with Sherri Rewoldt, who I hadn’t seen for a long time.  She shared with me about training her dogs with agility training, and it was so interesting!!

*When I got back to Mom’s to relieve Paul and stay the night, Mom was already in bed.  So I got ready for bed, too.

Gathering Graces 5/2/2017

*Got Mom going for the day and headed home when Christy came over to spend the day with Mom.  As she headed out to run some errands, brother-in-law Everett came and stayed with Mom. 

*Headed to work.

*My friend Tammy Haynes Nusz was recently in a car accident and is immobile in her bed at home from a back injury. I took her dinner today, and what an inspiration she is as she shared about her accident, and how blessed she was, despite her back injury, because it could have been much worse.  She has such a good attitude, and it was a joy visiting with her.  Tammy is one of these people who is always helping others, so it was nice to bless and help her for a change.  For many years she was my go-to parent that helped chaperone many of my college visits, because both of her daughters have been in the GEAR UP program.

*We had our cast party and watched the video from the Drama program from last week at Pinehurst Elementary.  It was fun to see the kids one more time, and I enjoyed watching the video with them.  We also enjoyed popcorn and juice boxes.

*I took Mom, Paul and I dinner of Macaroni and Cheese, Top Ramen Cabbage Salad and stuffed mini peppers.  Then Paul stayed with Mom as Christy and I went to a meeting.

*I came back to Mom’s house and gathered up food and Sadie and left Paul with Mom as he waited for Christy to arrive to stay with Mom for the night.

*At home, I relaxed a bit, reflected on the grace that filled my day as I read and heard comments of love, encouragement and prayers from friends, family and coworkers.  I also continued listening to the book The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, then headed to bed.

Gathering Graces 5/1/2017

*After a late night at the hospital with Mom, I stayed home from work.  I slept in, and got some things done at home.  I went and saw Mom after lunch.  I found out she would be coming home this evening, but the doctors now want her with 24 hour care.

*Some fun and exciting news today.  Tickets are purchased for my friend Kellee and I to go to Italy this summer to help our friend April with her retreat, and then spend a few extra weeks enjoying her new home and country.  We are beyond excited to go!!

*We are keeping our brother Bill updated throughout the day on Mom and how she is doing.  Technology is nice for things like that.

*Paul, Christy and I went and got Mom discharged from the hospital around 7 p.m.  Christy and I sat down once we got home to figure out a schedule so someone can be with her 24 hours a day until we get some home health care coming in to help as well.

*I stayed with Mom tonight and after a night in the hospital, she was glad to be in her own bed.  Continue to keep Mom and our family in your prayers.  Thank you.  And thank you for the nice notes of encouragement we are receiving.  It helps a lot.

Gathering Graces 4/30/2017

*The morning started with a call from Christy saying Mom had fallen and needed some help up.  Paul and I went to her house, and were able to get her up and get her breakfast, and do a few others things to get Mom started on her day.

*I stopped by to check on Mom before heading to Moscow to the KINO Short Film Festival that Cosette had a short film entered in.  Mom needed a new band aid on her finger, but, other than that, things were looking good.

*We arrived in Moscow, and went and picked up Molly and Travis, and headed to the Kenworthy Theater in downtown Moscow to watch the films in the festival.  The lovely Sidnee Grubb, Coco’s best friend, made her way over from Spokane to watch as well.  She attends Gonzaga University. Always a joy to see Sidnee, even if for a very short time.  It was also fun to see KHS graduate Matt Frasier was an actor in one of the films.  He did a really good job portraying a heroin addict who was delusional. There was a wide variety of films from comedy, experimental, drama, documentary, thriller and horror.  Coco submitted a horror film named Did You Hear?   I am glad were able to go and see all the talented film makers from U of I and the Northwest.  If you are in Moscow, you can see them again tonight at 7 p.m.

*After the festival we went to Red Bento to eat, and Coco’s friend Byron, who was the cameraman for her film, joined us for dinner.  It was nice visiting with  him, and getting to know him a little better.

*We left Moscow, and I usually put my cell phone in Airplane mode to save the data and battery, so my phone was off most of the trip home.  As we were pulling into Kellogg, Paul received a call from Mom’s Medical Alert company saying she had fallen.  So we headed to Mom’s house, and the EMTs were already there assisting her.  They had some concerns so they took her to the hospital in the ambulance.  Christy and I followed, and Paul joined us in the ER later.  Mom will stay in the hospital under observation for a least a day, maybe more, as it is determined why she is dealing with some health issues.  While in the E.R., I was amazed at Mom’s alertness, and stamina while waiting to be transferred into a hospital room.   She seemed to have to aches or pains as a result of her falls today, but hopefully some time in the hospital will give us some answers.  Keep her in your prayers.