When it Rains it Pours

Just when I was beginning to feel rested after a long two weeks of helping my mom and dad, we have another family crisis. My precious mother-in-law, who is in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer's, fell and fractured her shoulder. It has been so sad to see her in so much pain. I'm so thankful it didn't happen while I was away since we are her only family here.



Today is her 83rd birthday. (This picture was taken two years ago)

For those who might be interested in an update on my dad: He is still in the hospital. They have been unable to remove the chest tube due to fluid and air still leaking from his lung. The doctor informed them today that the CT scan from yesterday showed a cyst on his liver. He told them he didn't think it was malignant, but this wasn't mentioned before, and if it new since the PET scan last week, it is very concerning to me.

I've had very little time to be outside, only a few occasions with my camera in hand to try to capture some of the beautiful spring blooms. I hope things will settle down soon so I can get outside and work in my flower gardens. We have had a nice rain today and thankfully the temperatures have dropped. I was beginning to think that we had skipped spring and gone straight into summer!

Spring is Here!

Today is a lovely spring day, 74 degrees and beautiful blue skies! I have a meeting at one and then I plan to spend the rest of the day in the yard!

While I was in Alabama, I lost quite a few of my seedlings. Thankfully my daughter watered for me, so I didn't lose everything. Some things desperately needed transplanting, and others still dried out in spite of the watering. Even though I lost my bronze fennel and dill, I think I have one or possibly both growing outside in the same area where I had them last year. It sure looks like it anyway.

I hope that everyone else has lovely weather to enjoy this weekend!

Blue Angels

The weekend that we arrived in Tuscaloosa, the Blue Angels were there to perform. I was hoping that Daddy would feel like going to see them, but he didn't. Of course I had taken my camera with me to Tuscaloosa and I was itching to go just to try and get some photographs of them. I had no desire to get into the crowd of people that gathered for the event, and it was quite a crowd! My mother and I parked near the airport. The spot was not the greatest due to some power lines that were in the way, but I was pleased with some of my shots. Considering how fast they fly, to even get anything in focus was a victory for me.

The Blue Angels are awesome! If they are ever in your area try to see them in action!

Spring in Alabama

It had been several years since I had been in Alabama during the spring. Azaleas don't do well in Indiana and that is one of the things that I miss about spring in Indiana. My former Alabama neighborhood had gorgeous mature azaleas and it was a spectacular sight to see each spring. There are certain sights and smells that cause us to think of home and become homesick, azaleas in the spring is one of those things that make me long for my "sweet home Alabama".

I thought for sure the azaleas would be past their peak by the time I arrived, but thankfully they weren't. They were absolutely stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed each glimpse and gaze.

The redbuds trees were in bloom along the interstate in Kentucky and Tennessee, it made the long and tiring drive more enjoyable. It was nice to drive from Indiana right into spring!

I would have preferred not to be away from my husband and children on Easter, but it was nice to spend Easter with my mom, dad and extended family. They had 17 of their children and grandchildren in church with them Sunday morning.

My dad continues to do well as he recuperates from his surgery. He is now up and walking a bit. Extreme shortness of breath is the most troublesome thing for him at this point, but that should improve with time. Thank you again for your comments, thoughts and prayers for my family during this time. He is by no means out of the woods, but for the moment he is doing well and we give thanks for that.

Update on my Daddy

Thank you all for your prayers and comments regarding my dad. He had surgery yesterday to remove the upper left lobe of his lung and three ribs. He was unstable after surgery and things were "touch and go" for a few hours. What a difference a day makes! This morning the doctors were amazed at how well he is doing. He was even wanting to sit up and he ate a good breakfast!

His prognosis is still not good even with the surgery, chemo and radiation the doctor is giving him a 30% chance of survival. If anyone can beat this he can. He has complete faith in God, whatever his outcome. If it is his time, he is ready-but he isn't going without a fight! His attitude is amazing and God's grace and peace is shining through him. He is a precious man!

I'll be in Alabama a few more days and then I must get back to Indy. It's been a difficult and busy couple of weeks, but I'm so glad I was able to be here with my mom and dad through this.

The picture above is of my daddy on Easter holding two of his great granddaughters. He has always loved babies.

Again, thank you for your prayers and thoughts for our family, they are appreciated so much. Please continue to pray!