the learning curve

Except for what little I did with Jordan, I haven't cared for a baby in 33 years.  I have the diapering and feeding down and learned how to mix today.  Reaves stayed in the hospital with Lauren on the mama baby ward after her admission on Wednesday evening for toxemia.  Her friends helped a LOT because she was tied to a catheter and IV to get her blood presssure down. Kinda hard to take care of a baby like that.  

They managed and today she feels much better.  Her staples are out so that's a score on what would have been a doc's visit.  We had to drop off a script for BP meds at Kroger and then headed straight to the little community she calls home.  These people are freakin' awesome!  The weather has cooled so Reaves and I sat outside for a bit chilling with nature.  I remember doing that with Lauren too.

They knocked a ton of fluid off of her so she should be good to go with some sleep.  The thing that is most important to me is that during our week together I became a part of the family that has been HER family for almost two years.  They give me peace of mind to go about my business without worrying that she'll be caught in a bind.  

It takes a village ^j^

the saga continues

When I left the apartment on Monday Lauren and Reaves were chilling.  I got a cute picture mid-day on Tuesday sent with love from both.  By late afternoon I was getting teary phone calls from the doctor's office waiting room where they were sending her back to the hospital ER.  Lerd.  The pre-eclampsia turned into full blown toxemia requiring admission and a mag sulfate drip.  I've never had one but I heard it's kind of like a bad case of the flu.  

Anywho, I overslept this morning because honestly.....I didn't sleep for a week and I'm too old for that shit.  I showed up to a quiet and calm work place minus one that I normally see.  She is an incredibly skilled tech in several areas of the general laboratory and her absence will be felt by all.  I got my daily dose of Reaves thanks to Chelsea's phone in Lauren's hospital room.  It takes a village and these women are warriors!

More later kids.  This old broad is wore ass out ^j^

reaves' law

Like it or not, you are about to hear every detail of the past week.  Lauren was scheduled for an induction on 9AM last Tuesday the 19th because of pre-eclampsia at 38 weeks.  I met she and Kim there and our adventure began.  Her cervix was tight and high so the doctor told us it would be "a marathon, not a sprint."  Fine then.  The first day was cytotek by mouth a few hours apart.  Wednesday they  moved onto intra vaginal prostglandins which helped a little but not much.  Finally about midniht the oxytocin was started.  It ran all night and all day Thursday after they broke her water.  That's when the pain started for real, but she tried to wait for dilation to get the epidural.  After hours of that and no progress Dr. Walker finally said the "C" word and everybody was ready to get it done.  She had told Dr. Walker that whatever happened, she wanted this child delivered before midnight so they wouldn't have the same birthday!  We made it with an hour to spare.

Bethany was her nurse and pure angel through and through.  She had mentioned in the labor room that she still had feeling on one side of her abdomen.  After surgery started which is lightning fast, by the way, she began to feel the cutting.  That was when me and another angel of a CRNA named Eric had to get in her ears and hold her down.  She was in a whole 'nother world. They had to get Reaves out before they could put her under, and once the crying commenced she got more drugs push than Michael Jackson ever thought about.  The staff had to tear me away from her to go check out that bawling squalling beautiful little girl named Elizabeth Reaves Parker  She weighed 8 lb 2 oz at 20 1/4 inches long at 1045PM.  The move to recovery was swift as well.  

Reaves' daddy was there with us and we were all just stunned at the emotion and beauty of this new life.  They did the skin-to-skin bonding for two hours and here we went to a post partum room where....guess what!  Babies can't stay in the nursery unless they are sick.  So.  Here we are.....two exhausted women and a newborn learning to feed and diaper, all with a huge incision in Mom's belly.  By the next morning her bilirubin ws 11.8 so she had to be put in the lit up box for phototherapy with a tiny mask that made her look like a ninja.  That REALLY pissed her off.  I came home for a few hours and went back early Saturday.  The bili was down and Reaves was discharged.  Lauren was having terrific spinal headaches which ran up her BP and the wonderfully wise doctor suggested checking her blood before she left.  Ummm.  Hgb 7.1 and Hct 20.  Not good.  She made the decision to leave on iron therapy and I packed the car up and pulled to the front.  That's when I got a teary phone call telling me to come back up.  One more night they said.  Get the blood.  

The headaches continued and there was a lot of massage therapy by Chelsea and me.  Around 10 AM on Sunday she was deemed fit to leave so I loaded up again, little by little.  She was finally discharged at 6PM by a doctor from a group that is overwhelmed with OB/GYN fires to put out.  Dr. West is one who likes to actually SEE the patient before she leaves, but after 8 hours he just said "let her go."  They will catch up in a couple of weeks for staple removal.  Reaves had a weight check at the pediatrician today and Lauren couldn't do the ride so me and Holly took her.  As it turns out, on the first visit the child must be brought by a parent.  Live and learn.  She goes back tomorrow with her Mama.  

It's a miracle we made it to the apartment last night safely because I had the car seat base in backwards so it wouldn't lock.  We just pulled the seatbelt over and prayed.  Holly and I were still trying to figure it out this morning.  They were drinking coffee when I left for home.  

I go back to work tomorrow from my "vacation."  I wouldn't trade anything on earth for the bond among the three Elizabeths in this story.  It is more than just blood.  I've seen the best come out in really good people when times were hard.  And I solemnly swear never to eat Subway or Chick Fil A again, so help me God,  The entire hospital smells like it.

They have a strict policy on picture taking with employees so they thoughtfully step away when somebody pulls out a phone  Yesterday when we were about 6 hours into the wait to go, Lauren screamed out help just from frustration.  No less than 10 employees came running.  We apologized profusely and all had a good laugh. April was on discharge and was exceptional.  So was the one who's been "servin' mamas and babies since 1973".  On the white board....I swear.  

My priorities are different now.  A forty five minute drive to see my family on the ever evolving repaved 412 and a job where there is serious understaffing doesn't fit with what I want for my future.  Time for Plan D.  Thank you for all the prayers, concern and loving.  We felt every bit of it and it was what kept faith constant.

Joy~

the next right thing

Sorry for delayed communications on the birth of Reaves.  It's been a long week getting her here and Lauren recovering.  Reaves is still in the light box getting her jaundice treated and Lauren has a friend spending the night to help with feedings and such because of a c-section. I'm home for the evening and back there tomorrow for discharge and homecoming.

Jackson Madison County Regional is an excellent well staffed facility.  Their employees are pleasant and dedicated to a quality experience for not just the patient but family as well.  I was there as my daughter's advocate and we stuck together for five days without killing each other.  We both cried now and then and felt sorry for ourselves.  I watched, as a healthcare provider, how the whole thing operates on a larger level than where I work.  There are stories of random acts of kindness and people watching that will be shared as I remember them.

The most important thing is that after four days of labor, Reaves was born healthy.  I attended my first live c-section as the end of coach duty.  It was straight out of Grey's Anatomy, just saying.  After some time in recovery following several days of L/ D ( thanks y'all ) we shuffled on into a mother baby unit where all went well until the bilirubin shot up and Lauren got a spinal headache.  I'm home for the night and heading back tomorrow for the transition to Aspell.  When I left Reaves was still nekkid and under the strobe lights but right there with Mom and her tribe. And you know what?  I can't wait to see that mean mug again ^j^ 

the moneychangers

I had to break down and ask my brother for a loan until payday and he helped a girl out even though he's bewildered how I can't make ends meet with my "big fat salary."  I am not nearly as frugal as he is plus I tend to get off point with bookkeeping.  I almost had a stroke when I saw a year's worth of webhosting charged to my card by GoDaddy.  There's got to be another way and I have, indeed, moved it to Blogger so it's once more a work in progress.  I doubt there will be much time for that in the near future what with Reaves coming around the bend.  

I could have sworn I saw the Camry thief on a bicycle this morning hidden behind the gas station where I stopped for a biscuit.  Gotta' check out mobile patrol just in case he got sprung and we can get restitutution...ha.  I felt dizzy and nauseous all day and managed to get my meds picked up so maybe that will help.  Must have Celexa or turn into a hysterical banshee.  I can tell a difference without the levothyroxine as well.  My TSH is up and that causes things to be wonky too.  

It's still as hot as hades around here and I feel so bad for all those water logged folks in the hurricane areas who have no power and standing water.  They are coming back slowly but surely but it will be a very long process.  Meanwhile two more are swirling around out there.  

I remain faithful, in spite of the way I feel right now because I know that "this too shall pass."

^j^

timeline

As usual I had the details off and, as usual Wayne corrected me on the year of the horrible tornado.  Dates kind of run together now when I try to remember things.  All I remember was the terror of it and so many casualties.  I went out there with Gumbler while he was constructing the new cross and was amazed at what he was doing.  He was a part of another adventure when one night he was cutting a utility pole for a bonfire and it turned over on him trapping him in the ditch down the lane.  All kinds of folks came as first responders after he called me from the ditch in a plea for help.  The crew used pure strength to lift the pole up while others slid a piece of metal under him and pulled him out to safety.  They were prepared to give him morphine and transport but he got up and walked away like nothing happened.  He did have a couple of shots of Evan to calm his nerves.  

Lauren is still on hold until she hears from the doc tomorrow and has a shower today in Jackson thrown by her local peeps.  The BP is still kind of wonky but not hospital worthy.  Walgreen's gave her a reading of 160/105 on Friday which sent her to JMCGH emergency OB triage.  It was normal there.  Sometimes you just don't trust it unless it's done the old fashioned way with cuff and stethoscope.  Whatever happens we are T minus 2 weeks and counting.  

She was born on September 22nd after two days of sporadic contractions at home.  On the third day I showed up and told them I couldn't take it any longer which ended up with an induction and 12 hours of labor plus forceps.  My legs were numb until the next day and still swollen!

I've had two back to back 12 hour naps and done very little so my shoulder is not hurting today.  So, duh.  Rest is the answer only it's not possible when working full time. Catch 22.  I have all sorts of appointments lined up for the next two weeks and may or may not make them according to what baby Reaves does.  

So far there's no news on Barnabus the wonder dog who went missing on Friday.  Hopefully he will be found and get another chance at a forever home.

As for the nozy asses they're every freakin' where.  They meddle and stir and generally keep folks in a twit for their own pleasure.  I can't stand this kind of behavior.  Drama is not my friend.

Enjoy your Sunday wherever you are and whomever you're with.  As for me, it's the critters on Pecan Lane.

^j^

story time

I had every intention of loading up for a Jackson trip today but turned off the alarm and slept 'til 11.  Lauren and Reaves are both fine and it's just those last two weeks that are the most miserable.  This too shall pass.  Mitzi's creations are in the back seat ready for delivery.  My bag is half ass packed.  There is a pack'n'play and rocking chair in place at grammaw's.  

Mamye came by and we started swapping stories which led me to remember when William and Teresa bought a camper and it caught on fire while we were cleaning it.  The house almost went too but thanks to the DFD  it was saved.  All three of us bailed out the door at the same time.

Conversation turned toward nature events like Irma, Harvey and the big tornado of 2002.  It tore through Millsfield like the cat 5 that it was an killed a lot of people.  The cross on the bluff was destroyed and my friend Gumbler helped to rebuild it.  That was shortly before they found Karen Swift's body in the kudzu. That remains an unsolved crime.  Been watching Holly Bobo's killer and the trial.  If this guy doesn't go away for a long time, I don't trust the court system.  Big hole in the skull years later and a young girl dead with her stuff strewn everywere.  Nursing student, I believe.

Florida and Texas are still trying to deal with the infrastructure and public health crises that extreme weather events cause.  If my employer were to offer pay and travel costs for me to do relief work, I'd be there in a heartbeat.  Our sister hospitals could use somebody like me.  

I have a few other stories to expound on but I'll save them for another day.  Next up.....*nozy asses*

warrior women

Well, as things go it could be worse.  However I'm broke as a joke and have a daughter who's a week or so away from delivery who needs a visit from Mama.  And so it shall be.  My last check was short by a day which is "not a good thing" by any means.  I'm gonna' have to turn tricks to make it through until the eagle poops again.  I've always been resourceful with selling stuff but haven't had much time to concentrate on that what with all that is my life.  Even the 20 dolla' check for jury duty would help at this point.  My quarter tank of gas will get me to Jackson and back which is all that matters right now.

I'm tired....like wore ass out.  I got a hysterical call from the rescue dog's owner today that had had busted out and was missing.  I know that horrible feeling of not knowing where your furbaby is or what's up.  The day Sophie disappeared I knew it was a bad sign, especially when she showed up later and crawled under the porch the next day.  I'm thinking she got snake bit.

I am tough to a degree like my Daddy.  I call out to him in times of trouble and he usually shows up as a bird. While I realize that thousands of people are suffering from the hurricanes I still feel entitled to the weariness that is being 62, exhausted and out of options.  Faith keeps me going.  

^j^ 

death and taxes

Well, the IRS caught up with me again and this time I thought I had my butt covered.  But no...after reviewing my 2015 return I found that I had not reported my retirement income ( again ) which means I now owe them 1200.  I thought for sure that the first time I got burned on that I corrected myself but that must have been in 16.  Sucks to be me.  I only got a couple of hunded back last year because of the same deal with 2014 so this time they'll get to keep it all.  Fine then.  We'll just keep swapping things out until I'm even.

I am taxed at the rate of around 13% which doesn't sound like much to the high rollers who pay NOTHING because of legal loopholes.  In other countries, an across the board tax rate not much higher than that subsidizes single payer healthcare for all citizens.  Our country is so screwed up with its' priorities.  To think that my tax dollars go to pay for some minion's honeymoon trip makes me sick.  I don't care if they did pay it back.....that's just wrong.  I bet there were no penalties and interest.  

We the (little) people deserve much better than we are getting from a government that blows money like no tomorrow.  Our voices are not heard and the clown who is president has made us a laughing stock around the world plus put us in all kinds of danger.    Rant over.

Today at the sawmill was just a day.  Not too bad but busy enough.  We work together well most of the time helping each other out to get the job done.  That's a team if I ever saw one.  To all my works peeps...love ya. Mean it.

I'm on another "get a dog adopted" mission with a labradoodle and bull mastiff/lab mix.  He looks pure labradoodle to me so I guess the daddy had strong genes.  According to his owner he's sweet as pie and plays well with others.  Outside dog who needs room to roam.  Holla' if you know of anybody who might want him.  

Have a good ladies' night ^j^

the countdown

Evidently Lauren is developing pre-eclampsia per her doctor's visit today.  There will be blood tests and a 24 hour urine and then possibly induction after they talk on Monday.  Her blood pressure is elevated and there's some swelling but she's okay and getting excellent care.  Time will tell.  Reaves is already 8 plus pounds so she's locked and loaded.  

My FNP sold her business and moved back home to South Carolina so I met the new staff today for the first time and was quite impressed.  The fact that they take appointments is a major improvement.  Plus there's more than one practitioner.  Tracy is damn good but was killing herself seeing all that volume by herself.  I have new scripts for everything and go back in three months to recheck some things.  

As I was zooming up the lane I passed a black and white road kill victim and had to double back and make sure it wasn't Oscar.  Just a skunk....dead...in the middle of the road.  Remembet THAT song???

Y'all keep us lifted up with the delivery.  If all goes well, Reaves will be with us before her due date.

^j^

comatose

The first time I woke up today it was 9:22 and raining.  So, I rolled back over and slept until after 11.  I feel blessed to be able to rest like that because so many folks can't sleep for more than a couple of hours.  Irma's rain is lingering still.  The word from Florida is that it's a huge mess, especially the Keys.  Six million without power, hot as hell and flooding everywhere.  This is not a good combination.  Last I read from Mangrove Mike the bridge is being tested in sections and there is no food, water or gas.  Bless all their hearts.

I made my gentral' run and am back in the house for the day.  I should be doing a lot of things instead of tapping the keyboard but maybe I'll get a burst of energy and actually accomplish something.  My ADHD keeps me going in a hundred different directions.  

According to Bannon Trump's firing of Comey was a stupid move.  That should stir some shit up on BB.  I'm just biding time until Mueller gets his plan in place.  Can't wait to see how it all plays out.  

It's a slow news day.  Over and out :)

the party continues

I was thrilled to find another birthday card in the mail today and even happier to see that the total of donations to the Humane Society has passed 300 bucks with an initial goal of 200.  I feel the love kids.  Thank you for every single birthday wish.  

I went back to PT today and Jeanette did an asessment to give the NP a progress report.  I have full range of motion but limited strength with external rotation.  This includes things like getting the arm out of a sleeve.  I still have five visits left before seeing the NP again but it's much better.  It may take another round of therapy to get me in shape.

I'm in economy mode due to a short check last week.  The utility bill will just have to be late , as in ON the cutoff date.  Even then there will be an overdraft.  I'm really bad about keeping a running total in my head and forgetting what's out though I make it a habit to check daily unless I'm having a blonde moment.  

There's some kind of epizootie going around where people throw up and have to hang out out in the bathroom floor.  Please dear Lord, do not let me get this.  I'm worn down enough as it is.  But you know what?  At least I'm not living in Waterworld.  Yet.

I have a day off with a possibility of Irma's company.  I'll take it either way.  Y'all wear your seat belts, you hear?

Peace ~

water world

I remember being scared when I watched that movie, even though Costner was hot.  As we all watch in horror as our coasts erode and try to help each other and be prepared, there are politicians who are not stepping to the plate in a national emergency situation like this.  I mean geezz...you don't have to be elected by a certain party to get shit done.  I prefer to think of it as a hybrid of sorts.  Fiscal security is something we kissed off long ago to China.  My buddy Tim went there for work and said it was pretty bad.  Bought all the girls knockoff watches!

We can do this thing together.  The POTUS and his tribe have no clue what it's like to be living in this time of hatred and division which he PROMOTES.  Wall my ass.  Put the wall money toward infrastructure repair before the whole continent collapses.  Do not tell people who have known only the US as home that they will be deported back to the 'hood.  Over the wall, of course.  Phhhtt.

The only thing that keeps me going is comedy like Stewart and Colbert and of course SNL.  I haven't heard from my good buddy Trae Crowder lately but I bet he's on the porch somewhere speaking his mind about hurricanes and whatnot.  Hey...It's a Tennessee thang.  Speaking of which another superb win by the Vols over ummm.  I forgot.

We have very little UT memorabilia left.  One piece is cartoonish and hangs on the office wall.  We sold them one by one to folks who wanted a piece of the Stafford legacy.  Some were gifts.  Of all the kazillion birthday wishes I got yesterday nothing thrilled me more than seeing that friends had passed the goal for my furbaby fundraiser.  I love everybody and you're next.

I also got to see pics of two of Ryder's puppies who are beautiful young 'uns.  I will never forget the sight of Carol and those kids in the mud checking them out.  They took 2 , one of whom is known as Maggie.  Her brother's name is Jet and lives with his buddy Nova.  Julie Purdy rescued five, bless her sweet heart.  It takes a village.  Always be kind and gentle because you never know how that love will come back to you.  I truly believe that with a healthy dose of realism.  Shit happens and it's happening at an alarming rate because of fossil fuel use.  

Always....the next right thing.

misty

I take spells of missing my parents, particularly around the holidays.  But, hands down, the day I miss them the most is on my own birthday because I am an orphan now.  They gave birth to me and raised me up to be a smartass strong willed woman in spite of being surrouded by southern gentility.  Their diverse backgrounds contributed to who I am now two years after their passing.  There was always a special card in their distinctive handwriting and a birthday supper complete with ketchup bottle visible in the pictures.  

It was a nice at work....quiet for the most part.  My lunch was bought along with some mini-white frosted cookie cakes with sprinkles on top.  Casey's best!!  Of course I'm loving the crack that is FB birthday.  To each and every one of you thanks for the good wishes.  At 62 I'm getting older and hopefully a litte wiser.  Just gotta' make sure I watch that smart mouth of mine.  

Mike Forster is a friend of Lorna's who lives in Islamorada.  Though we've never met, I feel like I know him through her experiences and from watching his hurricane coverage.  He is one of the ones who will be riding it out to keep others safe.  I admire you sir...and all the others who are doing the same thing.  The torrential ever present rains depicted in Bloodline are nothing compared to what's coming. 

The clock is ticking for the arrival of baby Reaves.  A couple of girlfriends went to visit Lauren today and did lunch so they could catch up with each other.  This bunch was inseparable when they were in high school and I'll save the details for another time.  Needless to say, there were cops involved!!

I'm glad I was born......peace love and humility ~

birthday eve

Lauren and I have this thing about celebrating certain occasions ahead of time on the eve or eve eve.  I got my happy birthday eve message this morning which was followed by a card in the mail from my good friend Marti Ann.  After that I treated myself to coffee rubbed brisket at The Bus Stop and visited with my partner in journalism Rachel for some brain storming on the new project.  It's a long way from reality but an attainable goal I believe.  

I talked with Lorna this morning and she's pretty worried about her daughter Hazen who is right smack in the path of Irma.  We're trying to be upbeat but it's a pretty scary situation.  Add to that a big ass earthquake off the coast of Mexico and two more hurricanes and the west on fire and you have the perfect "storm."  Meanwhile the presidential team is off on retreat for the labor day weekend.  Meh.

The dogs are barking so that must mean Mamye is here!  Y'all have a wonderful long weekend and stay safe.  

^j^

another one bites the dust

My date after work today was at the dentist's office to get another pulled.  Pretty soon I'll be gumming the groceries.  Tommorow is payday and I work the weekend which includes my birthday.  Please let there be cake.  One of my favorite nurses, also named Janie, used to bake everybody in the hospital a cake on their birthday.  She's still there kicking with the rest of us old souls.  

God bless Florida is all I can say.  And St. Martin and all the other places that were leveled even before Irma decided to run up the keys and then along the east coast.  I talked to my friend Scotty today whose inlaws have a property in St. Martin and he said the airport was totally destroyed.  He and wifey live in Hilton Head and even THEY have an evacuation plan for the hospitals where they work.  Think smart people......climate change is here to stay.

The fires scare me more than anything.  With that much of our country burning there's bound to come a time when there's no way to stop it from jumping the ditch.  Plus people are stupid and throw cigarettes in the woods.  I'm a smoker and I don't even do that.  

I know...I should quit.  And I will eventually.  If you measure what I burn up in ashtrays against what I inhale, I'm probably under 10 a day.  My mother did the same thing.  As did her mother.  

I have a day off.  Leave a message at the *beep.

which dog is yours?

You all know the type.  It's that person who really thrives on drama and inserts themself into a process or situation in which they have no dog in the fight.  None.  I find myself now with zero tolerance for that kind of shit.  And as a former co-dependent from hell, I earned it the hard way.  

Lauren is counting down the days with Reaves and saw the doc today to find that her BP is slightly elevated ( normal for me without meds ) so that bears watching.  Tomorrow is the final ultrasound which I will miss due to that pesky job.  But hey....there will be pictures and I'll get to see her in person soon!  

I played hooky from PT today but they were swamped so it helped them out a bit.  I have an appointment to remove one of two rotten molars with crowns tomorrow.  Sorry, but I can't do do two at once.  I have limits and one day off to recover.

Florida is at great risk of being slammed by Irma probably at CAT4 level.  On the east coast alone there are millions of people who may have to evacuate with limited access to roads.  The keys are already under a mandatory and more will be coming.  My friend Kathy lives in Tampa and was plotting a retreat to the little cul de sac that is Pensacola etc.  Who the hell knows what to do?  As much as I despise Rick Scott, he has stepped up to the plate with this one.  And he's not even up for re-election!

At one point in my life, I thought I had all the answers.  Now I realize how little I know in the true sense.  My life has been structured around work and making money to afford bling when I could have been living simply and mindfully all along.  Then I wouldn't need a Sugardaddy.

Namaste my friends ^j^

click it or ticket

90% of the time I wear my seat belt....100% on the highway.  Occasionally around town I forget like when I'm cruising city streets at 15 mph.  This afternoon I was about to turn onto Cedar Street and spotted a trooper with a guy pulled over.  I immediately buckled up and this dude jumped in the car and followed me around the corner to make my day.  There was no time for video so it was his word against mine.  I was firmly buckled up when he approached the window and ran my ID.  The smartass grin on his face when I asked him if he had me on tape was sickening.  "I saw you with no belt on" he said.  Right.  While I truly understand the importance of safety on the roadway, I think it's a bit of overkill to have state troopers trolling city streets for seatbelt violations just to meet quotas and feed the court system.  Local law enforcement is too busy working to be trolling grandmothers in waiting.  The fee this time will be 75 bucks if I'm not mistaken.  All three times have been the same scenario.....an overzealous trooper on a mission to meet that quota while hiding and waiting for some poor sucker who had a brain fart.  Thanks Officer Brewer!  What was a lovely day ended up with you in my face.

I had just left physical therapy which is going well.  I'll be back there again tomorrow.  The progress has been slow but steady and I'm pleased with the treatments.  Fred and I talked about Fat Bastard in NOK and what the options are.  First there's do nothing.  Then there's cutting trade in various sectors. Then there's a nuclear war.  I don't know about ya'll but I am partial to do nothing but be diplomatic and play nice.  Yeah I know.  I'd say at this point we need to be besties with China since we owe them our entire country and they're a major player in this deal.  

I've been catching all kind of jokes about my story of the cat smacking my face with the bulletin board.  "That's your story, huh? "  You can't make this shit up.  Mitzi brought some to die for cuteness today for Reaves.  I sent Lauren a picture and she gushed like BIG time.  

Here's hoping Irma doesn't live up to her expectations ^j^

laboring

No, I'm not at the sawmill but have my work cut out for me here at home.  I've steady been washing, folding, hanging and whatnot since Thursday night.  I am now about to tackle the dining room that's been blocked off forever and the living room minus all the baby stuff.  There is a walker, car seat and stroller here for Reaves and a swing still hanging on the tree from our baby Jordan days.  Now we wait.

I went to the gentral this morning ( of course ) to get supplies for the cat that injured my nose.  What a thankless job being her mama!  My neighbor mentioned that she had a chest fo' free and I stopped by there to look at it on her totally cute front porch.  There's also a queen size mattress and springs.  Holla if you want it, also fo' free.  I loved the chest and will get it transported whenever some guy with a truck helps me out.  I had to dodge the meanass rooster named Kevin and then watched with delight as all the baby chickens went running around the yard.  

I'm doing my homework in fits and starts on the shoulder.  It's much better thanks to our fabulous PT department.  My time with them is actually FUN!  I just want to maintain enough pain free mobility to avoid that hideous surgery.  Been there, done that.  It's awful.

My little dream of an artist's colony downtown is still on the back burner but lots of folks are interested.  Since I do not have the money, I would have to find a financial backer for said enterprise.  My cousin Wayne told me I'd die of starvation which is probably true.  Hey...there's always Etsy.  I am currently creating a staging area in the dining room for just that purpose.  

I heard a few gunshots this morning which means somebody got after the doves for a minute.  That place is so off the beaten path you would have to have an ATV to get there in the mud.  The last hunt my Daddy attended was five years ago on the hill right across from my house.  Bubba fried lunch and all the guys took off with their guns.  As I remember Jim Houston was the only one with a dog.  Love me some retrievers.  Daddy held court next to the cattle rub from PH White days and had a blast.  

Y'all be careful out there ~

reflections from 412

I still slept three hours later than normal and got my ready on to visit BG and Reaves in Jackson.  About the time I hit the shower the yard guys showed up.  Glad I was already awake!  I chatted with them about some additional weed eatin' and they promised to get it next time.  Said they are covered up due to all the Harvey rain.  

I noticed in the Jackson area that the damage was much  more pronounced which included an ancient uprooted tree that fell on a car in the parking lot at her apartment complex.  Thank the lort it fell that way instead of on the building.  There was debris everywhere and lots of limbs down.  Lauren said there was flooding as well.  Memphis took the brunt of it and it just moved on up.  

The crib is up with Mitzi's signature quilt hanging over the side.  She is slowly but surely making a pile to carry to the hospital that includes car seat and accessories and a going home outfit.  She has a gown coming and a couple of nursing bras.  The neighbors all filtered out to visit including Sam, Layla and Jonathan.  We had intended to go to Panera but in the name of avoiding Vann Drive chose Cracker Barrel instead.  It was good old comfort food with lots of leftovers.  We spotted a couple of things in the gift shop that if my mother were still here, would have totally bought for Reaves.  A tiny UT suit with an orange tutu.  A Thanksgiving dress with turkeys.  I bought her some candy and she bought us both mini-woodwick candles.  She rented some movies because all there is on her TV is news and The Flying Nun.  I kid you not.  She knows all about current world things because of that but it gets old.  No wireless means limits.

It still makes me want to spit every time I hit the asphalt in Madison county because Crockett is so perfectly smooth.  A car like mine could go flying in one of those Jackson area potholes.  I know the landmarks by heart from Country Club Lane to Jim Rice Equipment company in Friendship.  That's when I know I'm almost home.  

My nose looks like somebody smacked me real hard and I've noticed people trying not to look at it.  Lauren said I look like Grandaddy. As I drove away I honked at her...she was hauling laundry back to her little nest.  Gawd I love that kid.

We talked about every little thing over the din that is signature Cracker Barrel and remembered times we hauled the grands in there and Mama gave special instructions for every little thing.  Always with cheese on the grits.  

Y'all enjoy the fruits of your labor ~

new injury

My cat Lily is a total diva and bitch.  She prowls around the office whining when she's not getting the attention she believes that she deserves as the golden child, even when she has food.  I wasn't paying a lot of attention to her rambling this morning because I was doing the wake up and check the internet thing.  All of a sudden a bulletin board that was propped on the side table came crashing down and smacked me on the nose.  And yes, there was blood.  If you see me in the next few days just act like you don't see that bandaid over the middle of my face.  

There is lots of activity at the fairgrounds this weekend in preparation for the annual Dyer County Fair.  It's a bittersweet time for me because of my parents involvement over the years.  I worked the entrance gate for several years and almost always my birthday falls during fair week.  Last year's fair was in honor of my dad and Jerry Jackson.  I was supposed to go to opening night and receive the honor but had an emotional breakdown over the thought of it and was a no show.  Joey Pritchett accepted the award for our family since he's been here with us for a lifetime.  It was still just too fresh for me.  

I visited the chicken store for beer and crispitos ( breakfast of champions ) and found that gas prices have jumped from 2.09 to 2.47.  Thanks Harvey.  Just in time for holiday travel.

It's a beautiful day in the hood so I should get outside and play a bit.  The garden is almost gone except for a few tiny green maters and some herbs.  Time for fall crop planting if there are any on the shelves.  We shall see.  

If you are laboring on labor day, bless your heart ^j^

free bird

I'm off for four days and it's been a looooong time since I knew that feeling.  The rainfall predictions from Harvey went from flash flood to a reality of a slow steady rain which we sorely needed.  I went to bed with the window cracked so I could listen.  

This morning has been full with gentral' shopping and physical therapy.  I had an appointment after to view a property downtown but we got our wires crossed on the time so that will come later.  What I'm really enjoying is the freedom to take my time going from one thing to the next and dreaming along the way.  As I sat in the fall like breeze on the bench across from the courthouse I found peace in the simple act of people watching.  Only a month or so ago I was climbing those courthouse steps for jury duty.  People started filtering in for lunch at the cafe, homestyle cooking of course.  The county clerk's office is back home where it once was with a new and improved look.  

I had just gotten home and was on the phone with the property person when a random guy knocked on my back door.  Said somebody told him I owned that red log cabin down there.  For the 100th time I told the story of who owns the whole thing and everything on it.  His story was long and involved mulitple moves from Louisiana to Ohio and finally a landing in Tennessee.  He and his wife are looking for a nice place in the country for chickens and their three dogs.  I also met the wife and all the dogs!  If I had a dolla' for everybody who wants to live in that house, I'd be able to retire.  And honestly, I'm one of them.  It's all I would need after it's moved and situated.  I have a big old house here that is "a lot" for one person.  

Another former neighbor is being laid to rest today, William Swift.  His family still lives all up and down that side of Samaria Bend.  The dove hunt got postponed due to mud so no shooting this weekend unless the neighbors go down in the holler to make noise.  

Anywho.  Lori asked me in our initial conversation what I was dreaming of doing with the property.  It came up so quickly that I was kind of on the spot with no business plan, just some pieces of the puzzle.  Writing. Photography. Gift items like natural soaps.  Internet cafe.  A kitchen is a very expensive item so no cooking for now.  A this and that kind of place where people can wander in and out and see things that make them happy.  Maybe buy a one of a kind print or gift.  I know....I dream big.  All featuring local artisans.

What y'all think?