I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN.
Gene Autrey, Country Western singing pioneer
Hi. I've come out of hiding. Actually, technology knocked me for a loop when my computer crapped out on me, but everything is much better now.
I just want you all to know that my Jenna is worth every single cent it cost to raise her. She came out to my house after work last evening and put all my stuff back into my computer. I really appreciate it, dear, but you know I will probably have to call you if I can't figure out how to get to something I need. You always had to lead me by the hand when it comes to anything involving technology. Everything is a little different set-up than before. I am also very grateful that she kept things going here on the blog. I was stunned to see how many people were checking in every day to see if I had got my act together again. Thanks!
Speaking of my darling daughter, I am a little concerned that she has . . . well . . . joined the "white conspiracy". Remember when I talked about how many people, including several family members, who have started driving white vehicles --- almost like they are in a secret club? Well, guess who just bought a new car and it just happens to be WHITE!!? She denies any knowledge of such a club, so that just goes to show you how underground-secretive they are. LOL
Health wise, I am doing great. I have no aches (except for a little arthritis in my pointy finger), no sicky feeling, no nothing. The hair continues to slowly come back, and there is even a bit of a curl to it when its wet, and a slight wave when its dry. I have never had that happen before unless I had a permanent. WHOOWHOO! However, some of the lasting effects from chemo (I'm assuming) are: hearing loss, eyesight is not the greatest, and lots of dizziness. Or, old-age has just slammed me but good the past few months. I am having a problem with dry skin, which lots of people are going through this time of year. I have been using a product called Ocean Potion, that I bought this summer. I have a big pump bottle of it in the bathroom, and have been applying it liberally onto my dry, cracked hands. Then I remembered that I had bought it to put on my legs and arms because it moisturizes AND somewhat tans your skin and I wanted some tan coloring for when I wore capris and sleeveless shirts. SOOOOO, if you don't want brown hands on white arms this winter, you might want to pass on this product at this time.
Alec has been making huge strides in his speech, communication, and interaction with others. Jenna has worked seriously hard on providing him a gluten-free diet and, folks, if you have a loved one who has autism, try it. Just the last few years, gluten-free products have become more accessible and that makes it easier to change a person's diet. The stuff is expensive, but using it, plus all of his speech therapy that he has gone to for the last eleven years(?) is paying off. His artwork is getting more detailed and is actually kinda amazing.
Although I don't get to see my girls much, they are doing quite well. The whole family (on Lon's side) is having a Thanksgiving dinner at niece Tina's, and Abby will be able to come. Cate is working the Iowa football game with some kids from school, to earn money for band, so we probably won't get to see her.
I slipped away into town the other day, and actually got several Christmas gifts bought. It is not going to be a huge Christmas, because I have found out this year, that so much of that is just . . . stuff. There is so much more that is really important, like just being together and having a laugh or two. Still, it is fun to find stuff that you hope your loved ones will enjoy. At Christmas a year or two ago, Jenna bought Cate one of those knit hats that are shaped like an animal. Her's is a sock monkey, with the long sides hanging down. She and her friends from school named it "Jeffrey". Abby decided she wants a knit hat similar to "Jeffrey", but she is going to name her's "Gregory". Where do these kids get their imagination?????? Anyhoo, I guess we will have to go on a "Gregory" hunt.
Now some not-so-good news. Our Little Ma was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer and is in pretty rough shape. She is bravely facing each day, with very little complaints about pain, but we know she is not feeling at all well. She has lost a huge amount of weight, and she had very little to begin with. Zonna, Nina, and Lon are spending a lot of time with her, and she has had lots of visitors. The other day, Nina and I began going through her storage cupboards and bringing down all her beautiful, antique glassware. We washed it up, and showed it to Little Ma, and she told us the story behind each piece. Then, she began to sort out special items that she wanted each of us girls to have. I know she appreciates the gift of time that she is being allowed, to get her things in order, and that she is happy that certain things are being passed on to the ones that will be caretakers of the things that have always been special to her. Still, it is very daunting for anyone to know that their end is near. She is truly living day-to-day. But with such dignity.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Gene Autrey, Country Western singing pioneer
Hi. I've come out of hiding. Actually, technology knocked me for a loop when my computer crapped out on me, but everything is much better now.
I just want you all to know that my Jenna is worth every single cent it cost to raise her. She came out to my house after work last evening and put all my stuff back into my computer. I really appreciate it, dear, but you know I will probably have to call you if I can't figure out how to get to something I need. You always had to lead me by the hand when it comes to anything involving technology. Everything is a little different set-up than before. I am also very grateful that she kept things going here on the blog. I was stunned to see how many people were checking in every day to see if I had got my act together again. Thanks!
Speaking of my darling daughter, I am a little concerned that she has . . . well . . . joined the "white conspiracy". Remember when I talked about how many people, including several family members, who have started driving white vehicles --- almost like they are in a secret club? Well, guess who just bought a new car and it just happens to be WHITE!!? She denies any knowledge of such a club, so that just goes to show you how underground-secretive they are. LOL
Health wise, I am doing great. I have no aches (except for a little arthritis in my pointy finger), no sicky feeling, no nothing. The hair continues to slowly come back, and there is even a bit of a curl to it when its wet, and a slight wave when its dry. I have never had that happen before unless I had a permanent. WHOOWHOO! However, some of the lasting effects from chemo (I'm assuming) are: hearing loss, eyesight is not the greatest, and lots of dizziness. Or, old-age has just slammed me but good the past few months. I am having a problem with dry skin, which lots of people are going through this time of year. I have been using a product called Ocean Potion, that I bought this summer. I have a big pump bottle of it in the bathroom, and have been applying it liberally onto my dry, cracked hands. Then I remembered that I had bought it to put on my legs and arms because it moisturizes AND somewhat tans your skin and I wanted some tan coloring for when I wore capris and sleeveless shirts. SOOOOO, if you don't want brown hands on white arms this winter, you might want to pass on this product at this time.
Alec has been making huge strides in his speech, communication, and interaction with others. Jenna has worked seriously hard on providing him a gluten-free diet and, folks, if you have a loved one who has autism, try it. Just the last few years, gluten-free products have become more accessible and that makes it easier to change a person's diet. The stuff is expensive, but using it, plus all of his speech therapy that he has gone to for the last eleven years(?) is paying off. His artwork is getting more detailed and is actually kinda amazing.
Although I don't get to see my girls much, they are doing quite well. The whole family (on Lon's side) is having a Thanksgiving dinner at niece Tina's, and Abby will be able to come. Cate is working the Iowa football game with some kids from school, to earn money for band, so we probably won't get to see her.
I slipped away into town the other day, and actually got several Christmas gifts bought. It is not going to be a huge Christmas, because I have found out this year, that so much of that is just . . . stuff. There is so much more that is really important, like just being together and having a laugh or two. Still, it is fun to find stuff that you hope your loved ones will enjoy. At Christmas a year or two ago, Jenna bought Cate one of those knit hats that are shaped like an animal. Her's is a sock monkey, with the long sides hanging down. She and her friends from school named it "Jeffrey". Abby decided she wants a knit hat similar to "Jeffrey", but she is going to name her's "Gregory". Where do these kids get their imagination?????? Anyhoo, I guess we will have to go on a "Gregory" hunt.
Now some not-so-good news. Our Little Ma was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer and is in pretty rough shape. She is bravely facing each day, with very little complaints about pain, but we know she is not feeling at all well. She has lost a huge amount of weight, and she had very little to begin with. Zonna, Nina, and Lon are spending a lot of time with her, and she has had lots of visitors. The other day, Nina and I began going through her storage cupboards and bringing down all her beautiful, antique glassware. We washed it up, and showed it to Little Ma, and she told us the story behind each piece. Then, she began to sort out special items that she wanted each of us girls to have. I know she appreciates the gift of time that she is being allowed, to get her things in order, and that she is happy that certain things are being passed on to the ones that will be caretakers of the things that have always been special to her. Still, it is very daunting for anyone to know that their end is near. She is truly living day-to-day. But with such dignity.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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