Loving Grandma: Pumpkin Carving

I'm trying to remember all the things we have done lately. Mother has been doing quite well--has had quite a few "lipstick days". Unfortunately, today wasn't one of them--she didn't go to church and seemed to not be feeling very well.

Here's a picture of Julie and Dan's visit with mother--I should have included it with the previous post, but I didn't.

Art and I went on an overnighter last Friday night with some friends so Sarabeth came and managed everything that was going on at our house. Sure appreciate her willingness to help me out. She was talking with mother for a while on Friday evening and mother told her how much she misses Daddy. She said it's been such a long time and she misses him so much. Made Sarabeth cry--made me cry when she told me.

Saturday night was a little scary--we arrived home around 1:30 in the afternoon and Sarabeth and her family went home--I'm sure she was glad to get back to her own home. She called me about 9:00 p.m. and said she had just gotten out of the shower and her eyes were swollen. I could tell her nose was stuffed up and she sounded horrible. I asked if she was breathing okay or if she thought she should to go the ER. She said no and that she had to take care of her kids and she would call me back if things got worse. In about a minute she called back and said her eyes just keep getting more swollen. At that point, I was on my way to her house and told her I thought she should definitely go the ER. Art went with and stayed with the kids while we went back to the hospital. (Morgan was at work--he always works nights.) Her eyes were so swollen and very painful. Her nose was so stuffy or maybe swollen that she couldn't breathe at all through her nose; it didn't seem to be affecting her mouth or airway. At the hospital they gave her benadryl, prednisone, epinehprine and some eye drops. She started looking a little better and we got back to her house around 1:00 a.m. She's much better today. Obviously, it was an allergic reaction but we're baffled about what she's allergic to and a little nervous about it happening again. I left the house in a hurry and didn't say anything to mother. Just told Amy we were going to help Sarabeth. While we were at the hospital Amy called and asked if she should give mother her medicine and I told her yes, but said not to tell her that we were at the hospital--didn't want to worry her. So she told mother that I was helping Sarabeth and then mother asked if everything was okay. Amy wasn't sure what to say so she just said, "Maybe." I was afraid mother would be awake when we got home and wondering what was going on, but she was asleep and didn't ask me anything about it. Better that she doesn't know, I think.

Thursday, we had a delightful lunch at Katie's beautiful new home--wonderful chicken noodle soup, rolls, salad and pumpkin roll. Loved seeing her new house and visiting with everyone. So nice of her to invite us over. I told mother about it on Wednesday and she looked so forward to the outing. We enjoyed lunch and visiting so much that I forgot to take pictures. Got this one just before we left, but CarrieLyn and Ashely had already gone.

Mother's dear friend, Jeanne Blake, from Logan called and visited with her one day this week. She and mother visited for quite a while on the phone. Jeanne cannot drive because her eyesight is so poor. When she wants to go somewhere, she hires someone to take her. She lives alone--I think that would be hard. Mother said she thinks it's dangerous for her to be alone. Mother would really love to go to Logan for a visit with her friends. I'm hoping we can go sometime this week--if the weather is good and mother feels well enough.

Mother also enjoyed talking with Kent on the phone last week. He hasn't been able to come this way lately for a visit, but mother appreciates the phone call!

She's had a problem with her right arm this week. Seems to be quite weak and she can't use it very well. I think I need to take her to the doctor--if she'll let me.

Remember the pumpkins growing in our garden? Here they are--they have filled the measure of their creation!

Here are some pics of the process...

Daxton had quite a job getting all the "guts" out

of his monster pumpkin!

Silly Grandma and Rachel--just wanted

everyone to know I was there!

Busy crew--see mother in the background?

Obviously a photographer error--

But it's kinda cool!

I think Mother had fun watching the kids. We ate chili and cinnamon rolls. We also dipped caramel apples with the bounty of apples we harvested from our very own trees.