"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
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Nothing new...Wat sings in the car.
Hey All,
Just posting for the sake of posting. No new news that I am aware of tonight. It's kind of nice to have a non-eventful day. The families at the House are doing well and it's nice and quiet. Mom and the fam got snow today so I'm jealous. We just have cold.
I've been dog-sitting Erin the wonder-dog since Thursday night. Quite possibly the most well-behaved dog ever! She went home tonight and my Nutty Girl has been going from room to room, whimpering/crying. She's missing her friend tonight!! Funny how dogs act. Watson isn't phased. Peanut won't calm down. I'm the CDL for sure (Crazy Dog Lady!)
So the fam update- all I've heard today is that the docs were able to get a feeding tube in my aunt today. No word from either Uncle. I talked to Joe last night, and for the last 20 years, his 'sign off' when hanging up the phone has been "Thanks for calling TT, come down when you can." But last night he said "I need to go but I'll see you later tonight." To the average reader- not a big deal. But to me, that's huge.....the radiation is affecting his thoughts because he ALWAYS says "Thanks for calling TT, come down when you can." I didn't bother to explain I'm 5 hours away and wouldn't see him later last night. Ugh.
Just posting for the sake of posting. No new news that I am aware of tonight. It's kind of nice to have a non-eventful day. The families at the House are doing well and it's nice and quiet. Mom and the fam got snow today so I'm jealous. We just have cold.
I've been dog-sitting Erin the wonder-dog since Thursday night. Quite possibly the most well-behaved dog ever! She went home tonight and my Nutty Girl has been going from room to room, whimpering/crying. She's missing her friend tonight!! Funny how dogs act. Watson isn't phased. Peanut won't calm down. I'm the CDL for sure (Crazy Dog Lady!)
So the fam update- all I've heard today is that the docs were able to get a feeding tube in my aunt today. No word from either Uncle. I talked to Joe last night, and for the last 20 years, his 'sign off' when hanging up the phone has been "Thanks for calling TT, come down when you can." But last night he said "I need to go but I'll see you later tonight." To the average reader- not a big deal. But to me, that's huge.....the radiation is affecting his thoughts because he ALWAYS says "Thanks for calling TT, come down when you can." I didn't bother to explain I'm 5 hours away and wouldn't see him later last night. Ugh.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Weekend update....
Well Friends and Family,
It's been a long weekend. To re-cap- on my Dad's side: One uncle fell and broke his shoulder/arm last week, and an aunt who fell a few weeks ago and broke her leg had a stroke last night. She's back in the hospital and we'll see how extensive the damage is this week.
On Mom's side, my dear Uncle Joe has found out the lung cancer has spread to his brain, which is the cause of him not being able to walk. His left side is immobile. He's my UT fan uncle who calls me before every kick0ff and during halftime, so I was missing him yesterday during the Bama debacle.
Insanity!!! I hate it. I'm mad and sad and everything else. Plus, I've slept so much this weekend I can't sleep tonight. UGH UGH UGH!!!!
So we start a new week...
Jeanie
It's been a long weekend. To re-cap- on my Dad's side: One uncle fell and broke his shoulder/arm last week, and an aunt who fell a few weeks ago and broke her leg had a stroke last night. She's back in the hospital and we'll see how extensive the damage is this week.
On Mom's side, my dear Uncle Joe has found out the lung cancer has spread to his brain, which is the cause of him not being able to walk. His left side is immobile. He's my UT fan uncle who calls me before every kick0ff and during halftime, so I was missing him yesterday during the Bama debacle.
Insanity!!! I hate it. I'm mad and sad and everything else. Plus, I've slept so much this weekend I can't sleep tonight. UGH UGH UGH!!!!
So we start a new week...
Jeanie
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My Vols stiiiiiiiink.......
Oh my gosh...can we just plant a big ol tree on the "T" at the 50 and say "Merry Christmas" to everyone who comes into Neyland????? WE STINK!! We handed the first half to Bama..........must go to bed but I"m PISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
I'm tired........
Hey again Friends!
Hope you are off to a good start this week. LOVING the chilly, fall temps. I am worn out from a wonderful weekend in TN. Lots of football. Froze to death at JCHS' game Friday night, but we won the homecoming game. Then took off Saturday with my nephew and two very fun friends to the UT game, and I had a blast! I think I can speak for all involved in saying it was a very good day. UT won, so that helped! But the four of us just had a good, easy time. Friday and Sunday I got to hang out with my Punkin Head neice and silly little nephew, who is quite possible the cutest little fellow ever!!! He's a trip for sure. I'm happy from the weekend, though my face/lips will be chapped for a week from the weather!!
I'm also happy to report that the Green Hornet ran well the whole weekend! :)
So now the dogs and I are trying to recover. Watson had fun at Mom's and Peanut lived with my good buddies Tara and Paul. Very much fun had by all this weekend.
I must encourage each of you to sneak out of work one afternoon and take a drive to at least Boone, if not on into East TN. The leaves are prettier this year than they have been in the last 5 years!! If I had a digital camera, I'd post some shots but I'm not that advanced! :)
So Happy Tuesday to each of you. Hope you have a good one.
JB
Hope you are off to a good start this week. LOVING the chilly, fall temps. I am worn out from a wonderful weekend in TN. Lots of football. Froze to death at JCHS' game Friday night, but we won the homecoming game. Then took off Saturday with my nephew and two very fun friends to the UT game, and I had a blast! I think I can speak for all involved in saying it was a very good day. UT won, so that helped! But the four of us just had a good, easy time. Friday and Sunday I got to hang out with my Punkin Head neice and silly little nephew, who is quite possible the cutest little fellow ever!!! He's a trip for sure. I'm happy from the weekend, though my face/lips will be chapped for a week from the weather!!
I'm also happy to report that the Green Hornet ran well the whole weekend! :)
So now the dogs and I are trying to recover. Watson had fun at Mom's and Peanut lived with my good buddies Tara and Paul. Very much fun had by all this weekend.
I must encourage each of you to sneak out of work one afternoon and take a drive to at least Boone, if not on into East TN. The leaves are prettier this year than they have been in the last 5 years!! If I had a digital camera, I'd post some shots but I'm not that advanced! :)
So Happy Tuesday to each of you. Hope you have a good one.
JB
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