Tampa Florida....

...is REALLY nice. I may never come home. Just kidding, Watson and Peanut. I'll come home to get you two tomorrow, and we'll take off in the Green Hornet. If only the GH would make it this far. If only I were out of debt. If only....................

WOW! It's been a long time! :)

Hello friends!

I must confess. Facebook has stolen my time from blogging. I know I know. I'm a FBaddict. What can I say?

There's not too much going on here.....summer is zipping by, and I'm counting down the days til I got to Tampa (Aug 5) and then to Oak Island (Aug 22) for the best week ever with April and her family, and Trever and her family. I am soooooo ready to go. What else....city league softball is on summer break, but starts back the week of Aug 10, and now I'm playing in the hospital league. It's fun but very different from city league.

So I'll post a few pics for your viewing pleasure....if you're on FB, you've seen them already. But just wanted to post a note to say hi.

J

Boston Tales

Hey Friends,
It's been a LONG time since I've posted. I just got back from Boston, and I have so many good stories to share. But the BEST part for me was scoring tickets to the BoSox game Saturday night! Oh my gosh I was in Heaven. Fenway Park is just cool, and I've now become a BoSox fan. I have many stories and pictures that I'll have to upload. But I've been to Fenway!!! We also did the Freedom Trail, did a DUCK tour, saw the USS Constitution, Lisa ran the BOSTON MARATHON (the reason we went!) and we overall had a fantastic time! :)
More to come...
Jeanie

35 and 1 day

Well Folks,
Yesterday was the Most Important Day of the Year, and I had the best time of the year for sure! I turned 35. Yep. No longer in my early 30s. Mid-30s full on! Ugh. BUT can I just tell you how much fun I had and what a good day it was? I slept in late (no different than any Saturday!) and then had breakfast at the House. A family in the community volunteers once a month to make breakfast for the House, and it happened to be yesterday. YUM! Then I cleaned my apt and waited for Lea Ann to arrive. She got here around 3 and we hit the mall then met 8 friends for dinner, and then wandered down the street to Foothills and watched basketball. GREAT TIME!!! I'm simple. Give me great friends and a good ballgame and I'm happy.
So here we go. I'm 35 and feel the need to set some big goal for the year. Feels like it should be 35 somethings (good deeds for others, pounds lost, etc) to go with the Big 35. Thoughts? Ideas? Let's hear them!
J

Hard Week!

Well, this isn't at all funny as my last post promised, but I feel compelled to share the last week's events. A very incredible family I know lost their 18 year old to a very valiantly fought battle with cancer. It breaks my heart for this Mom and Dad, but 3 weeks ago, when they were told there was nothing else to be done, they chose to honor her and take her home for her last few weeks. First of all, that in itself is amazing to me. They were so brave to choose to take her home. Last Weds, she was for the most part, in a coma, and didn't respond to anything all day. Her pastor told her he had to leave to go to church around 5:30 pm, and she said "Stay a few more minutes." He made arrangements at church and stayed bedside with her and her parents.

Around 10 pm, she spoke again and said "I see Him." Then she said something about seeing a lot of water and there were angels everywhere. Her mom said "Jennifer, are you ready to go to the angels?" and her wonderful father leaned in and said "Jennifer, we will be ok. Just run to Jesus." and within a few minutes, she smiled and took her last breath.

This all has made me think about things in a new light. As a 'progressive country', we push these feelings to the side, and all too often, die in the midst of machines beeping and medical teams. (MDs who may happen upon this, don't take it wrong!) I just think we refuse to see death as a natural part of life and we try to 'sanitize it' for lack of a better word. But this family had the perfect, intimate passing, as hard is it was/is/is going to be.

So in her death as in her life, she teaches me/us grace, mercy and faithfulness in life and death.

Hello?

Wow folks- sorry it's been so long. All is well. Nothing new to report. No good stories. Just happy that April is doing so well. I re-read her blog tonight and I'm still in awe. God is good.

I played volleyball tonight. I was the only female on the court.....but the guys couldn't return my serve!!! HA!! Take that, dudes!

Ok, I digress.........I'll try to think of something funny to write about soon. Hope you are each well and I'd love to hear from you.

Jeanie

People, Please supervise your babies!!!!

Hey Folks,
Happy Saturday! I was awakened to the clammering of the lovely fire alarm here at the good ol RMH!!! We had a 4 year old who was here, running wild, and he thought it would be fun to pull the alarm. Long story short, I was not a very nice person, 15 families were evacuated to the parking lot, and one family is not staying here anymore. UGH! But it's been a nice, lazy day since 8:30 this morning. My dogs and I took an hour long stroll through Ardmore and loved the sunshine. It's good for the soul!
I hope you each have a good day tomorrow. Enjoy it.
J

Economy Eschonomy!!!

Hey Folks,
Just wanted to post a quick note. You know where I live, and how much I love this House. This week we lost a 16 year old, CJ, to Ewings Sarcoma. That was Monday. Tuesday, we found out Jen (17 year old) has relapsed and will be back next week to start more chemo. Dang it. This week has sucked.

BUT we had a staff meeting Monday, and our Exec. Director was updating us on the expansion project, the financial reports, etc. Someone asked if we should be cutting our budgets (which really means offering our families less) and the ED said that if anyone should ask us how the House is handling the 'economic crisis' in the US, why we are getting ready to build and expand this year, if our budgets are struggling, etc, to reply and simply say "Our Kids can not wait for a stable economy to fight cancer." WOW! That hit me like a Mack Truck. That's what it's about, folks.

SO no matter what non-profit you support, don't give up on them!! Think strategically. Budget. Whatever it takes. I also realize and claim that I SUCK at finances and I am NOT one to preach about it, but I know the families who live in my House to be near their babies/kids at the hospitals, and I see the need. Please continue to support the causes you support. The Lord will honor your gifts.

Ok. Now I've said it. I'm going to bed.

J

I'm home with a quarter tank o'gas.

So I went to Clayton today and hung out with April. She's doing great. See her blog for the latest. I left their house and stopped at the Hess at the end of their road to fill the Green Hornet's gas tank. Safety first! I always like to fill up before a trip, especially on I40 as you never know when you'll be sitting for hours due to an accident or construction or both! I pull up, swipe my debit card, and the friggin pump says "Please enter your zip code." HUH?? My zip code? I'm buying gas, not subscribing to a magazine!

Folks, I've lived in Ardmore for 6 years and have had the same zip the whole time. For the life of me today (or for a tank of gas) I could NOT come up with my zip. I knew it had 2s, 7s, and 0s in it, but after three failed attempts, the attitudey pump said "Please see attendant!" UGH! So I stomp in, stand in line while some lady buys two of every kind of lottery ticket and 5 on the big lottery (Say GOODBYE to your 35 bucks, lady!) and told the attendant I needed gas but the stinkin pump wouldn't cooperate. I'm sure it was all he could do to keep from laughing in the deranged gas-lady's face, but he said "Sure. Just give me your zip code and I'll start it." HELLO?? I said 'I would like to pay for the Diet Coke and then I'll leave. Clear the pump of my debit card information and I'll get gas somewhere else."

Tomorrow, I'll coast down the hill to the user-friendly BP pumps, and the Green Hornet will be satisfied.

Good night!
JB

Happy New Year!

Hey friends,
I'm at Duke today, and am currently sitting in the cafeteria. Darrell is back with Ape in the Unit, and the waiting room was crowded so I walked down here. I've checked my regular sites, read the news in WS and TN, and now I'm just trying to entertain myself! That's a hard job most of the time.
So I thought I'd share some random facts about myself. Some of you may already know this about me...others may learn something new. I have no idea where this is going....but it's passing time!

1. I can easily get to the 'road rage' point in the car! Especially when I'm focused and in a hurry!
2. I've averaged almost one speeding ticket per year since getting my driving license!!!
3. I can write cursive backwards, and sadly, it's almost as legible as my forwards cursive! :(
4. I had ear surgery when I was 15. Still have hearing loss in my right ear.
5. I am totally addicted to Diet Coke and have no real plans to change that anytime soon.
6. My sister wanted to name me "Jeanie Robert" when I was born.
7. I'm very thankful Mom and Dad vetoed her!
8. I blew my knee out playing PING PONG in high school.
9. I would love to have straight hair, but not to the point I'll spend an hour each day straightening it.
10. I was the first ever "Student of the Year" at JCHS (NERD of the year!).
11. I have three nieces and 2 nephews and they are a blast.
12. I love to shop for shoes.
13. I threw my keys at a squirrel one day in college, and he nabbed them and shimmied up a tree. Thankfully he dropped them when he realized he couldn't eat them.
14. I've never to this point locked my keys in my car.
15. I am easily irritated when reading poorly written stuff. For instance- 'Their going to the park." NO, "They're going to the park!" Lose and loose are not the same word!
16. I keep the newborn nursery during Sunday School every week and love it!
17. I can't stop pumping gas on an odd amount...if it clicks off at $13.28, I have to go on to $13.50!
18. I HATE having to pump gas and usually am close to walking by the time I stop and fill er up.
19. I have one fork in the kitchen at work with flowers on it, and all my co-workers know that I use it everyday. I try to be the first in the kitchen to make sure I can get it before they do out of spite.
20. I walk to work.
21. I'm re-reading what I've typed after typing #15! :)
22. I want to write a kid's book one day.
23. I suck at managing money! Bad.
24. It will be 10 years this month that I've lived in Winston Salem.
25. I wanted to be a veterinarian as a kid but stink at 'sciencey subjects'.

Ok. it's almost 3 pm. I'm gonna go check in with Pokey. Thanks for humoring me.
JB

We made it....

Well folks,
Christmas has come and gone, and we made it through. Mine started with Peanut projectile barfing across my backseat on the way to Mom's, and then upon entering Mom's house, Watson peed on her tree and then crapped in her kitchen. I HAVE NO IDEA!!!!!! Clark Griswold is my uncle. Have I ever mentioned that before?!?! :) But Christmas was nice and rainy in East Tn, and a jolly time was had by all, and we all gained about 18 pounds.
So April got a new heart for Christmas and is still in very critical but stable condition.
And so are the days of our lives....
Jeanie

soooo....

My name is officially Jeanie L. Grinch. I just can't feel the Christmas spirit. First of all, I have heartburn tonight and my knee hurts. Waaah. I know. Suck it up. But the big thing is that April is laying in Duke's cardio step-down unit, and I'm supposed to be merry and bright? Not happening. Spent too much money, but I'll go home tomorrow (assuming all is well with Ape) and do the Christmas thing with the fam. However, my heart will be in Duke, waiting with April for her heart.

Sorry to be Debbie-Downer. That's just what it is tonight.

Merry Christmas!

Here we are. Christmas week!! I wish I were more excited, but it is what it is. I've done the obligatory gift shopping for the kids, and declared to everyone else "Merry Christmas!" I had a great time with April yesterday, and have already asked Mom to throw an extra tater in the pot for Christmas dinner, so I can take April some leftovers Friday. :) That'll make her happy. So I suppose I can easily say that all I want for Christmas is a heart for April. That's the craziest thing I've ever said.......this whole situation is surreal.
I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Jeanie

Hey-

Hey All,
Here it is, 11:30 on a Tuesday and I can't sleep. My right eye won't stop twitching. Could it be that I'm stressed????
Other than that, it's all good I suppose! Christmas shopping has been reduced to only the offspring of my siblings. Sorry everyone else, but MERRY CHRISTMAS! Too much pressure and too much expense in light of everything else.
Jeanie

April has her own site!

Hey everyone!
Your response for April has been overwhelming. Thank you thank you thank you!! After talking to Darrell tonight, I have created a blog just for her. It's http://www.prayforapril.blogspot.com. This is the site I'm going to update from now on with info for April. It's just easier and not related to my non-sensical site.
Thanks everyone! Pray Pray Pray!!!!
Jeanie

Thurs am

Trever just called from the hospital and the docs determined April's heart will never work on it's own. They are now inserting the portable pump and April awaits a transplant.

I'm going to create a separate blog tonight just for April, so I'll send that link out when it's ready.

PRAY PRAY PRAY!

JB

PS- It's 11:17 am...I have no idea how to 'set the clock' on this but it says I'm posting at 8 something in the am. It's wrong.

I'm such a dork.....

I just realized I didn't post my address...it's

419 S Hawthorne Road
Winston Salem, NC 27103

Just address any envelopes to me and maybe on the back write 'for Darrell and April' or something. I don't get alot of fun mail, but with Christmas cards coming, I'll know what's for me and what to take to them.

Pray Pray Pray!

JB

OH! I forgot one thing...

Many of you wonderful people have emailed or asked on the phone if there was anything you could do to help. There's nothing we can really do but PRAY, and I expect that from each of you!! But one tanglible thing that could help, and let me state outright I in no way expect this of anyone as the economy's stinking and we are all in different places financially, but gift cards would be wonderful for the family. They are having to eat out, her mom and aunt/uncle are paying for a hotel, and all the little expenses encountered during emergencies. Restaurant-specific cards or gas cards would be fine, but a generic Visa Check Card would probably be the best option, as the family could use them for whatever need arises.

So with that, giftcards of an amount would be much appreciated. By the way, Darrell is going to KILL me when he finds out I'm posting this, but I'll take one for the team.

I just realized I don't know Ape and Darrell's home address, and have no idea the address at the hospital, so you can mail anything to me. I'll post my address below. I'll take them to Darrell as I get them. You can also post any comments to April/Darrell on this site, and I'll print them and take them as well.

Again, NO obligations! Well, except praying!

J

Weds update

Hey Everyone!
Trever made it to NC today, and we trekked over to the Duke Hospital to visit Ape. She is doing remarkedly well, and is WRITING notes to everyone. She is fully alert and coherent but is still of course, hooked up to everything. Trever and I got to run in the ICU and see her a minute and she wrote that she was really glad we could be there, and she had told Darrell earlier with a note that she wanted a Mtn Dew! :)
Tomorrow is a big day. They are taking April in and opening her up again, and turning the pump off and testing her heart. We are praying it starts pumping again, but the MDs told April and Darrell the tests today showed significant damage and he didn't think it would really work on it's own. BUT he also told us it would days before she would respond, and now she's writing us notes. He said if her heart doesn't cooperate, they are going to implant the portable pump while they have her in surgery. She would then go home in a week or so, depending on her response and progress, and wait for a heart.
PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! I told April tonight that people all over the world are praying, and she wrote that she definitely knew God was working or else she wouldn't be doing so well. :)
PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!
Jeanie