HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I hope you each have had a wonderful day with lots of good food and family time. I made the trek to the metropolis of Mtn City today and of course, Mom's dinner was scrumptious and wonderful! I sure wish I could cook like she does.
I must confess I was pretty grumpy for most of the day. I've been sick and we've had drama at the House lately so I'm tired. Plus, my little Green Hornet is leaking gas. I went out to leave this morning and smelled gas, so I walked around the car, and it was leaking behind the right tire, so I'm not sure if that's a line or the actual tank. I threw a fit, said a few bad words and debated what to do. I called a few boys who know cars but they didn't answer the phone, so I threw-back to my Southern Baptist days and decided if it was Jesus' time to call me home, I was going in a blaze of glory and driving the car to Mom's. The 'doobie drove like a champ, and I just went out to check a few minutes ago and there's no leaking now. BUT, remember I have the history of exploding cars, so the Green Hornet is not parked in his typical spot, but is parked in the farthest space from the House I could find!! Why tempt fate twice in one day???
So I hope your turkey was plump and juicy, the taters melted in your mouth, and the Cool Whip was eaten with a spoon as it was at my house today.
Til next time!
J
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Oh Rocky Top...
"You'll always be Home Sweet Home to me,
Good ol Rocky Top (whooooo!)
Rocky Top, Tennessee!"
My uncle Joe was by far the most dedicated football player/coach/fan in the world. He'd watch the little division 153 games as quickly and with as much excitement as he'd watch the UT/Ga games. But he was a true Volunteer, and not just a fan. He could tell you about the such-in-such game back in 19sometime when the defensive end sacked Joe-Blow the quarterback in the third quarter to clinch the division lead...blah blah blah. I love the game and my Vols but pale in comparsion to Joe's fan-dom.
With this being said, Joe's funeral was last Friday. He lived for the last 40+ years in Georgia, and there was no rival like UT/UGA. Joe's pastor is a Dawg, so they had their own 'Godly' rival going. Tommy the pastor came into the church Friday for the funeral sporting a UT tie. :) He assured Mary the service would be appropriate, but he wasn't going for the sad sermon. A few people spoke and said wonderful things, the lady sang a few songs, and Tommy got up to speak. He began with reading "Wish that I was on ol Rocky Top..." and proceeded to read the whole song out loud. I wanted to shout out an "Amen" but wasn't sure Mom would go for that! Tommy spoke about Joe and his love of his family and his country, and his football. He wove the lyrics of Rocky Top into the story of Joe's life, sharing stories about Joe and the family, ultimately with the 'home sweet home' being Heaven. The moonshine in the song was likened to new wine in heavenly wineskins and 'there ain't no telephone bills' because we'll have no earthly concerns whatsoever.
To the outsider, this may read as the most backward, redneck funeral one can imagine. But the operative word there is 'outsider.' Those who knew Joe totally get how completely appropriate and right on it was.
And UT has had a horrible season....but somehow they beat Vandy today. Hmmm.....maybe Joe's coaching again.....
GO VOLS!
Jeanie
Good ol Rocky Top (whooooo!)
Rocky Top, Tennessee!"
My uncle Joe was by far the most dedicated football player/coach/fan in the world. He'd watch the little division 153 games as quickly and with as much excitement as he'd watch the UT/Ga games. But he was a true Volunteer, and not just a fan. He could tell you about the such-in-such game back in 19sometime when the defensive end sacked Joe-Blow the quarterback in the third quarter to clinch the division lead...blah blah blah. I love the game and my Vols but pale in comparsion to Joe's fan-dom.
With this being said, Joe's funeral was last Friday. He lived for the last 40+ years in Georgia, and there was no rival like UT/UGA. Joe's pastor is a Dawg, so they had their own 'Godly' rival going. Tommy the pastor came into the church Friday for the funeral sporting a UT tie. :) He assured Mary the service would be appropriate, but he wasn't going for the sad sermon. A few people spoke and said wonderful things, the lady sang a few songs, and Tommy got up to speak. He began with reading "Wish that I was on ol Rocky Top..." and proceeded to read the whole song out loud. I wanted to shout out an "Amen" but wasn't sure Mom would go for that! Tommy spoke about Joe and his love of his family and his country, and his football. He wove the lyrics of Rocky Top into the story of Joe's life, sharing stories about Joe and the family, ultimately with the 'home sweet home' being Heaven. The moonshine in the song was likened to new wine in heavenly wineskins and 'there ain't no telephone bills' because we'll have no earthly concerns whatsoever.
To the outsider, this may read as the most backward, redneck funeral one can imagine. But the operative word there is 'outsider.' Those who knew Joe totally get how completely appropriate and right on it was.
And UT has had a horrible season....but somehow they beat Vandy today. Hmmm.....maybe Joe's coaching again.....
GO VOLS!
Jeanie
Monday, November 17, 2008
What a week!
Hey Friends,
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. As most of you know, I was in Georgia last week with Mom, visiting my aunt and uncle. We went down last Sunday, intending to come home Tuesday, but Joe passed away Tuesday night. I wanted to write down some of the things that happened, so bear with me as this could get wordy! :)
We got there Sunday, and Joe was totally aware and coherent. We had a great afternoon of visiting with him and Mary, and Kristy and Emma. Joe was feeling pretty good. Monday am, he awoke a little more disoriented, and had a harder day. I had told Mary I would spend the night with Joe so she could go home and sleep in her own bed, and I had no idea what was in store for me. Here's an attempt to re-capture the evening...
9 pm....everyone's gone and Joe drifts off. He calls out periodically "Hey...Hey...Mary." I would remind that I was there, and he always knew I was "Jean-Jean" and was there. (By the way, "Jean Jean" is reserved for Joe and has been all my life.....none of you may ever call me that!) :) 11:00 pm " Jean-Jean" .... "Joe I'm here." "Jean-Jean, sing to me!" Cracking up on my part.....assured him that my singing at 11 would do no good for anyone!
Sometime later- "Mary, Mary..." "Joe, where did I say Mary was?" "Oh, she's at home resting. So is Dave, and I bet you wish you were too!" More chuckling....
Joe was very agitated and tearing off his oxygen and gown. I would get him settled and then he'd start again! At one point around 2:30 am, I was wrestling his O2 cannula away from him, and I said "Joe, you know who remind me of? Raymond E. Stout." (my grandfather who was very agitated/combative during his fight with lung cancer). He looked up and said "Jean- Jean, you know who YOU remind me of? Sue Stout Baird!" (my mom!) Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!!! He won that!
3:00 am I convince Regina the RN to give Joe a dose of atavan (sp?) to calm him down. We sleep from 3am til 4:30, when Joe promptly announces "Jean Jean, it's HONGRY time!" NO Joe, it's not time to eat.
The kicker though was at 5:30 am......"Jean-Jean, risey-risey!" WHAT?? My Air Force military uncle is telling me to risey-risey!!! "No Joe, it's not time to get up yet. Just rest for a few more minutes." "Risey Risey, Jeanie-Ja-Neeny!" Oh my GOSH!!! I was dying laughing!!!!! I convinced him to stay put til 6 am, and then we fought over him wanting to get up. He was unable to stand for the last week but he was convinced he was getting up.
They brought in breakfast around 8am, and after I fed him, he drifted off to sleep. He slept until noon when the techs came in to change his bedding and bathe him. Mary, Mom and I went down to grab lunch, and I'm not sure what happened but when I got back to the room, Joe was in 'respiratory distress.' Mary spoke with the Hospice Doc and signed Joe into Hospice, and they kept him comfortable until he passed away peacefully around 10 pm Tuesday night.
I'll never forget the Sunday with Joe when he knew us and was back to his old self. But I'll never forget the long night Monday either. I got to be with Joe in his most confused state, and he would have moments of clarity in which he'd apologize to me for keeping me up, and say "Jean Jean, I just don't know why I do this. I'm sorry I'm keeping you up." I assured him it wasn't his fault, and that he was just fine with me. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
More to come regarding the 'Rocky Top' funeral....bear with me. It was perfect.
Jeanie
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. As most of you know, I was in Georgia last week with Mom, visiting my aunt and uncle. We went down last Sunday, intending to come home Tuesday, but Joe passed away Tuesday night. I wanted to write down some of the things that happened, so bear with me as this could get wordy! :)
We got there Sunday, and Joe was totally aware and coherent. We had a great afternoon of visiting with him and Mary, and Kristy and Emma. Joe was feeling pretty good. Monday am, he awoke a little more disoriented, and had a harder day. I had told Mary I would spend the night with Joe so she could go home and sleep in her own bed, and I had no idea what was in store for me. Here's an attempt to re-capture the evening...
9 pm....everyone's gone and Joe drifts off. He calls out periodically "Hey...Hey...Mary." I would remind that I was there, and he always knew I was "Jean-Jean" and was there. (By the way, "Jean Jean" is reserved for Joe and has been all my life.....none of you may ever call me that!) :) 11:00 pm " Jean-Jean" .... "Joe I'm here." "Jean-Jean, sing to me!" Cracking up on my part.....assured him that my singing at 11 would do no good for anyone!
Sometime later- "Mary, Mary..." "Joe, where did I say Mary was?" "Oh, she's at home resting. So is Dave, and I bet you wish you were too!" More chuckling....
Joe was very agitated and tearing off his oxygen and gown. I would get him settled and then he'd start again! At one point around 2:30 am, I was wrestling his O2 cannula away from him, and I said "Joe, you know who remind me of? Raymond E. Stout." (my grandfather who was very agitated/combative during his fight with lung cancer). He looked up and said "Jean- Jean, you know who YOU remind me of? Sue Stout Baird!" (my mom!) Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!!! He won that!
3:00 am I convince Regina the RN to give Joe a dose of atavan (sp?) to calm him down. We sleep from 3am til 4:30, when Joe promptly announces "Jean Jean, it's HONGRY time!" NO Joe, it's not time to eat.
The kicker though was at 5:30 am......"Jean-Jean, risey-risey!" WHAT?? My Air Force military uncle is telling me to risey-risey!!! "No Joe, it's not time to get up yet. Just rest for a few more minutes." "Risey Risey, Jeanie-Ja-Neeny!" Oh my GOSH!!! I was dying laughing!!!!! I convinced him to stay put til 6 am, and then we fought over him wanting to get up. He was unable to stand for the last week but he was convinced he was getting up.
They brought in breakfast around 8am, and after I fed him, he drifted off to sleep. He slept until noon when the techs came in to change his bedding and bathe him. Mary, Mom and I went down to grab lunch, and I'm not sure what happened but when I got back to the room, Joe was in 'respiratory distress.' Mary spoke with the Hospice Doc and signed Joe into Hospice, and they kept him comfortable until he passed away peacefully around 10 pm Tuesday night.
I'll never forget the Sunday with Joe when he knew us and was back to his old self. But I'll never forget the long night Monday either. I got to be with Joe in his most confused state, and he would have moments of clarity in which he'd apologize to me for keeping me up, and say "Jean Jean, I just don't know why I do this. I'm sorry I'm keeping you up." I assured him it wasn't his fault, and that he was just fine with me. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
More to come regarding the 'Rocky Top' funeral....bear with me. It was perfect.
Jeanie
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What a week...
Yeesh...Hey Folks!
I'm sure my ONE follower (Thank you Regan!) is wondering where I've been. Well, probably not since she's heard from me on regular email. But the long and short of it is that my dear Uncle Joe took a significant turn for the worse. His lung cancer has metastisized to his brain, and within days he was on a vent. Granted, there was a HUGE nursing error that contributed, but none the less, it is very scary now. He came off the vent this morning and is breathing on his own, but Joe has a long fight ahead of him. Mom and I are heading down Sunday morning. I dread seeing him but still want to go.
On the home front, both dogs got new beds and bathed today. A bittersweet night for them! :) I have no fun pics to post, so here it is. My update.
OH!!!! I forget to mention Phil Fulmer is out. UT 'gave him the chance?' to step down. I was fired up at first, but now I feel bad for him. He played there, he was a GA there, worked up to a coordinator there, and has been the head coach for 17 years. His heart bleeds orange..but...we WIN football games at UT. We don't go 1-5 in the SEC. Thankfully, I was there for the 1!!! :)
Ok..it's bedtime. Till next time,
Jeanie
I'm sure my ONE follower (Thank you Regan!) is wondering where I've been. Well, probably not since she's heard from me on regular email. But the long and short of it is that my dear Uncle Joe took a significant turn for the worse. His lung cancer has metastisized to his brain, and within days he was on a vent. Granted, there was a HUGE nursing error that contributed, but none the less, it is very scary now. He came off the vent this morning and is breathing on his own, but Joe has a long fight ahead of him. Mom and I are heading down Sunday morning. I dread seeing him but still want to go.
On the home front, both dogs got new beds and bathed today. A bittersweet night for them! :) I have no fun pics to post, so here it is. My update.
OH!!!! I forget to mention Phil Fulmer is out. UT 'gave him the chance?' to step down. I was fired up at first, but now I feel bad for him. He played there, he was a GA there, worked up to a coordinator there, and has been the head coach for 17 years. His heart bleeds orange..but...we WIN football games at UT. We don't go 1-5 in the SEC. Thankfully, I was there for the 1!!! :)
Ok..it's bedtime. Till next time,
Jeanie
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