bstockman

A belated Happy Birthday to Ray.. I was on vacation for a week, I had a Blast, but now home and catching up on so many things.. I''m so sorry I missed this the day you posted. Sending big hugs and Good Wishes to Ray.. and his very special Family love n hugs, Bonnie

Hi Donna, Yes at this age "parents" are not "smart! This too will pass. You are one TERRIFFFIC MOM .. You have and are always doing your best for Kristi.. and she will see and appreciate this.. maybe not today or tomorrow. But she will.. and she will know she had the best mom for her on earth. I remember.. and regret some of the things I said when I was a teen to my parents.. Being a parent. and seeing life I now understand the why's and why not's. This does not come until one experiences life. Teens are self centered and want what they want at this point for the most part.. especially with peer pressure etc. All you can do do is what you have been doing.. Teach them right from wrong, give them morals. and hope they choose the right path. Sending big HUGS Bonnie

Good going on the GPS.. I like the maps and directions on the internet hubby teases me .. about north, south, east & west.... I prefer tell me right or Left... If I am home.. I know North.. if I am in town, I can find Mt. Baker & I know North.. but get me someplace Not familiar.. foget it. Great on the botox and Therapy... I know you will give it all

Wow I can't belive August is here.. It seems like I was starting plants in the garden window such a short time ago. We are getting veggies from the garden now. and of course the weeds are growing like Weeds.. John also planted 9 blueberry bushes.. no fruit this year... but hopefully next summer. We want to put in some other berry bushes and grapes. We have quite a few apple trees, a couple pears and 2 cherry trees. We put a flower bed in, it looks nice.. and I am happy to see so many bees.. a couple years ago the bee population was down due to some kind of mite. We have had quite a group of humming birds this year also. One little guy found his way into the house.. he landed in my garden window.. he landed on the edge of the window.. I got the other one open.. caught him.. and out the window.. like picking up a little cotton ball.. and I definately didn't want the cats to see him. Well the Seattle area as been breaking temperature records, for hottest temps day and night. and longest days without rain. I'm glad the 90's stayed only a few days at a time... Today.. is below average. it is 59* LOL... My grandson was 16 in April. My daughter & grandson moved to Eastern Washington ( about 4 hours East of me) 2 years ago. I really miss them, but they are happy there. Bill is doing well in school and in football. He drove over last Tuesday.. of course "mom" and I were a nervous wreck.. he left here Saturday afternoon. He did fine on the drive.. Bill and his friend are starting a Youth Group with his church. So he wanted to be home Saturday. We had a GREAT visit, he did some work on the property for grandpa, he went to visit some of his friends from when he lived here , we did some school clothes shopping and lunch out. Bill is 6'5 or 6" I think his growing is finally slowing down.. and his shoe size ... size 17 has been the same for a year. We even managed to find him a pair of shoes and slippers on our shopping expedition. I will drive over to visit them.. but will probably wait a few weeks until it cools off. they hit triple digits over there. Although it is not as humid as here. I am so Happy for the time .... we have together.. well since it's cooler today.. catching up on some cleaning .

Hi Kimmie, well I will keep my boys away from her....LOL Muggsy was a daddy before he was a year old... but it was planned.. well the owner of the female wanted to use him for the stud.... hence.. we have Romeo and Molly.. he sired 4 puppies.. we got 2 from the litter... and that was 12 years ago....LOL we called him "stud muffin"...my "girls" are spayed.. Yes I bet you are quite busy trying to keep an eye/ear on them..

Oh Lenny .... this is wonderful.. I am so Happy for you.. what a dream come true I know you will both have a great time on your trip .. and the game and site seeing. We look forward to hearing about the game and your trip.. Have a Wonderful time. Bonnie

Hi Kimmie, thanks for the update... so glad Gypsy fit right in.. I'm sure Dawson will come around,, with a name like Gyspy how can he not...LOL I am so glad you had a great time with Marc and family.. I know the treasured memories of Jake will alwyas bring a smile to your face. I love going back to look at some of the photos when Bill was a baby.. At 16 we still have a special bond. I'm glad you enjoyed the site seeing.. I am glad to hear your BP is better. hugs, Bonnie

Hi Sue, We all do the what if's.... I sometimes find it hard to accept that I could not work..... that was a "goal" I could not accomplish ...When I accepted that I found reason to be home.. Once in awhile I run into one of my former patients... yes they still remember me, and I get big hugs.. and catch up for a few minutes. I have changed my "goals", but not my recovery... It takes a lot of thinking sometimes.. to understand we are "human" and don't have super powers.. and sometimes cannot control everything that happens in our lives. We can only do the BEST we can do, we cannot control what others do. We appreciate the little things that are done for us. Supporting and understanding others here helps us understand, and have empathy.. We grow close to others here, we may not see them in person, but love has no bounds. Life has some hard lessons sometimes. but coming out the other side is a reward. Sue & Ray... hugs and love to you both. You will never know how much influence you have had on my life.. Thank You.. Bonnie

Sue, continuing prayers for you all ... Yes we know where you get your spunk. Well she is in their care.. and they should be keeping an eye.. or a baby monitor in her room so they can hear what she is doing. You said NO restraints.. so I think they need to abide by that.. Your suggestion of going to the dementia section during the day is a logical one. I am so Happy for you that mum said Sue ... I know you are beaming... I am glad Tori is being "grown up" that is so cute. Please try to have a good visit in Cairns. We'ss be looking forward to having you back.. and an update of course love & hugs to you and Ray, Bonnie

Dearest Fred, I am sorry for the loss of your good friend. It is often hard watching the end of life .. and feeing helpless. I know his family is greatly appreciative someone who cared for him and loved him was with him. I lost my best friend 5 years ago.. it actually took me 2 years to take her phone number out of my cell phone. Her son sent me some memento's of hers.. She was diagnosed with cancer. and went quickly .. in a month afer diagnosis. I will send prayers for your friends family.. and for you. Take time to mourn your loss.. and then remember your happy memories together.. he will live on in the hearts of those who hold him close. Hugs to you my friend, Bonnie the last breathing.. is usually not felt by the person, it is more reflexive, and the body shutting down.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. Fred when my grandson lived here on our property with his mom. We gardened, he helpd grandpa with the goats and gathering eggs. They have moved 4 hours away from where we live, but I sent some tomato and green bean starts home. Hi john good to see you.. and Maria.. your comment really touched my heart .. Yes my Blog was quite dusty.. glad it didn't have mold..

Hi MC , I am so Happy for you. Some things start with baby steps. It's a beginnig and I hope just the beginning of MANY more. hugs, Bonnie

Thanks Asha, Yes i think it is proabably gardening and getting out in the sun.. I was quite pleased and happy to see the little seeds I started sprout up thru the dirt... And there is nothing like seeing a butterfly, bee or humminbird land on a flower you have planted...

Well it has been quite awhile since I have made an entry... for sometime my Blog would end up in cyber space... This is into my 6th yr post stroke.. I almost forgot the date of it this year. I can say so far this is my best year so far. We have had a lot to go thru this past year. John's mom had lung cancer, went through chemo... and lost the fight . She passed away early March.. 4 of the 5 kids were with her as well as grandchildren, her sister and other family members. She had hospice at home and they are truly angels. We have been trying to catch up on home chores... and John can focus more on his business now. We have had one of the warmest, dryer Springs here in the Pacific NW than we have had in over 20 yrs. I have a garden window ..which faces south. I started vegetable and tomatoe seeds in the window.. John made a couple raised beds.. we eventually want to put in more raised ones.. so much easier than trying to get down on the ground.. and then back up.. (glad we don't have close neighbors to see me... LOL ) although it might make funniest home video's. John made the comment several times... that since I have been gardening this year that my walking gait and balance seems to have improved. He notices I am not dragging my toe as much. Of course,, if I get tired the walk back to the house from the garden feels like a 5 mile hike.... Last weekend John made a flower bed by the driveway edge.... we got those interlocking cement blocks.. we got the medium sized ones... I decided to help hand him a block... I was going to get my gloves.. but thought oh i will hand him a couple and then go get them.... DUH first block slid and I tore the skin on the side of my finger... one of those little flap kind of tears.. OWIE.. and of course being on aspirin... so into the house to run cold water and to stop the bleeding.. John doesn't do blood well... but he was hollering from outside... are you OK? I came back out.. and he jokingly said you did that so you didn't have to hand them to me..LOL.. he said your job is Supervising the placement.. stand over there.... We bought 60 of the bricks and ended up 3 short... John picked up the rest on Monday. I am also doing a humminbird/butterfly garden. We had fun picking out plants.. and I found Spanish Lavender it is so pretty.. a dark purple with a cute flower on the top.. almost a cotton ball. Next Spring I am hoping to line the other side of the drive with regular lavender. Most of you who know me.. know we have animals. We had to put our oldest to sleep this yr.. Tasha was a malmute mix.. We found her when we moved out here.. wandering the highway. We had her 12 yrs.. not really sure how old she was.. somewhere between 14 and 16 is my best guess. Last Spring we adopted a 9 yr old kitty from the Humane Society. she is a calico.. from the moment we brought her home.. she fit right in.. The dogs did not frighten her.. our other cat.."Chompers" did not seem to mind much.. there have been a few soft hisses.. but no fights. I think Patches must have been an inside kitty before.. she has discovered outside now.. LOL it has been fun watching her. We are on 5 acres and the 2d property back off the main road. My kittys are in at night. and when I am home they go in and out to the yard as i leave the sliding glass door open when its warm. so we have 5 dogs, 2 cats and 2 goats. The stroke that popped into our lives was not as severe as many.. I was left side paralyzed ... for a short time.. No I say I am left side clumsy.. I do get tired easier.. and I "try" to take breaks and pace myself.... I am also 6 yrs older than when this began. so I gues some slowing down is natural also. Learning never stops.. re-training our brains and learning to adapt how we do tasks. Is this acceptance.. Acceptance doesn't mean you give up... to me.. it is learning you may have some limitations... and to readjust to work with what you have and be creative to learn how to do things, and to laugh at yourself.

Dearest Sue, You definately have more than your share to cope with. I'm sorry you had to pick up your mom's things in that fashion. I am glad Trev was there to help you. The picture in your mind of mum stroking Trev's hair will be a beautiful moment for you both. As Asha says .. in the end...being comfortable in the end. doesn't depend on how much material things you have. Your memories of happy times will be the moments of smiles and giggles and soft moments. I will definately send prayers for your friends in you care group.. and you and your family are certainly in my thoughts and prayers daily. love and hugs, Bonnie

Oh Jeannie... I am starting a butterfly garden also. John made a small flower bed on the side of the driveway. We have picked out some plants this last weekend. I found a plant called Spanish Lavendar... it is so pretty.. It has a dark purple bloom.. I am hoping next year to line one side of the drive with regular lavendar.. I also have some wild flower mix planted in pots on the deck. I was happy to see the bees this yr. The bees have been dwindling by reports ... but this yr we have a lot of bumble and honey bes. Gardening is great therapy... physically and mentally .. even if it is just some flower pots on the deck to see the bees and butterflys on the flowers can sure pick up your mood. Bonnie

Hi Sue, Yes some days become part of the "routine" I'm glad to hear your mom is wiggling her toes. Do you have some favorite music CD's you can play in the car? You are aa very Special person and I know your Care Giving is true Love for the special people in your life. Your journey contines and some verymuddy spots on the path, but jumping mud puddles.. and finding the sun is also a part of you. love and hugs , Bonnie

Enjoy the peace, and I too hope your sweet child comes home. I know she is in there.. those teen years are kind of like peeling an onion. For Christmas one year John got an LED light that is on a stretchy/adjustable head band... so when you are working on a car or something.. or we could wrap the chair in battery powered Christmas lights.. Just be carefful of Bumps along your route.. Bonnie

I am so HAPPY for you GF I am glad you will be there for Jake's graduation.. I know it is really special for him to have his Grandma there Good to hear you are getting pampered also. I hope you are getting lots of "family" photo's Enjoy the rest of your stay and your family time love and hugs Bonnie

Have a great time, and visit.. Relax, enjoy .. i's your time. sometimes it is more fun not to have a bunch of plans.. then you can just kind of play it by the weather.. and what you feel like doing. We'll miss you, and look forward to you filling us in when you get back. hugs, Bonnie

:You-Rock: It is so exciting to hear the things the therapists did with you... inside and outside. My PT took me outside also. I love the Finish Line Banner.. i can picture it,, and it makes me SMILE and I have a great graphic in my head. I know you are stoked.. and remember to do the exercises.. and keep on keeping on. I am not too fast, but I get around our property, i get out to feed the goats, and have stareted seedlings for a garden.. we r doing raise beds.. it is rough being on the ground in the garden for any period of time. Remember it is always to early to Give up.. I am soo Happy for Your news and your progress Cheers, Bonnie

Hi Rich , It is Good to hear from you, Glad you are moved, and sounds like settled in. I am glad to hear of the improveents. Check out the forum we have kitchen tips. and also Recips on line from members. I have my seedlings started, and transplanted some into bigger pots today. John is going to get my raised beds up and ready this weekend. If not I may end up with cucmber, pean & bean vines. wandering out of the garden window.. and through the living room...LOL Take care keep us posted, and so glad you will be able to garden... and raised beds ... are so much better.. Bonnie

Hi Beth, I had an extremely low Vit D level, and I was also on a prescription vitamin D. and then a regimine of D ( I was also told if buying D.. that is not prescription to purchase the soft gels ... and not the tablets.. I find them at the vitamin store . I hope this helps, but once my D levels started getting into more normal range, much of the fogginess went away, and I feel much better. I still have days when fatigue gets me, or my thinking is some where beyond 3 rd base. I really did notice a difference. I have also done quite a bit of reasearch on line, and Low D can be also be a factor in heart disease, strokes. I was told most people should have a Vitamin D level.. now with all the sun screens, etc. we may not be getting or metabolizing the vitamin D from sun. the test is an OH (25) D. Hope you are feeling better soon, Bonnie

Sherrie great news. my walking kept improvng.. even in the 2nd and 3 rd years. I still have a few days when I am off balance,, and do a pretty good impression of a "tipsy" person. I am glad they are taking you outside also. My therapist took me outside with a gait belt to walk on gravel, little hills and uneven grass. We live on 5 acres.. I found it took some extra focus and concentration outside.. as you do not have the walls.. etc.. it seems like without walls.. and the openess.. it takes more effort to not lose your balance.. now i go outside and do some gardening, play with the dogs, it has just take practice, practice. I am glad you are doing so well... Bonnie

Thanks for sharing your good news. I am glad your dad is home, and hopefully he will join in some of the activities in his assisted living home. Hopefull Marc will heal and the pain will go away. I think of Tasha looking out for Stimpy at the Rainbow bridge. we lost her in October, she was with us 11 years and took care of our 3 min pins.. I am glad your new meds are working well and that your son could help you with your med box. ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) Bonnie