It has been a rather busy day for us in the Paxton household. First, we got up a bit earlier because my cousin, Hayley, was expected. She arrived as expected and we sat down for a little visit when, boom! Mom started crying. We both were like what's wrong??? Mom had an instant headache near her ear. She said it hurt really bad. I gave her some Motrin. She stopped crying for a few minutes and continued on with her breakfast. Then she started again. It started to hurt really bad again, so I gave her a bit more and decided to take her to the ER. By the time I had her ready to go to the ER, it stopped. Hayley had already left because we were leaving too. Mom said it went away. I was in indecision of what to do, so I decided to wait and see. It came back 1 more time about an hour later and that has been it all day. If it happens again I will take her in, but it is gone now. So instead of taking her to the ER, we went to our usual. She ate a donut, but nothing else because she already had a bowl of cereal and a little bit of ensure. I, too, only had 1 bagel because I had a bowl of cereal already too.

After that episode, Lily arrived in time for her lesson. Mom's head hurt her 1 more time and then Lily and I moved her into the living room with us and she fell asleep and then was fine. Lily had a good lesson, we worked on a few things she needs to work on and then it was Aggie's turn. Aggie started a new song this week and we didn't get to the Italian song at all. I am sure she was so upset over that. NOT! She needs to remind me to dig out the CD to one of her songs from school so she can practice it for the benefit concert in August. We are doing one for an orphanage in Mexico. Katie K went there this past winter for a mission and wants to help more.

Then it was BOOK CLUB! I just love book club. We read "the Geography of Bliss". It was a really good book. It was about a journalist who went to different countries to learn what their idea of happiness was. Just a fascinating book. We have to miss book club in June because of people's schedule. I am disappointed, but I totally understand. It wouldn't do do have only me for book club. That wouldn't be any fun. We are meet again July 24. I hope to have our newest members there for that one. We are going to read the Time Traveler's Wife. Maggie had suggested it a few months ago and we just haven't gotten to it yet. I think August we will be reading Aggie's suggestion. It sounds fun too. We flipped a coin to see what we would read. We will get to both books anyways, so that is good. Debbie stayed for a bit later after book club was over. She is moving to Seattle, as I have said, and while I am excited she is going, I am sad she is going to. She leaves in about 8 days. Boo. I can't wait to read what wonderful experiences she will be having being a nanny. That will be so cool to read. Children are so unpredictable that it is funny to watch them. I have a blast during lessons with them because you never know what they are going to say next. Never, it is always a surprise.

Mom is doing alright now. She keeps trying to move my mouse and mouse pad though. It is like they don't belong where they are and she needs to move them. She is also constantly smoothing out the table cloth. It is quite amusing how she does this. So far, no sign of an instant headache again. I thought maybe if it was her jaw it would show up when we ate dinner but it didn't. Well, I will just be on the lookout for it.

My jaw is hurting a bit, but that is also normal for me. When I first bit into something, whether it is soft or hard, my jaw hurts. It goes down after I chew for a few moments. It is really annoying, but there isn't anything I can do about it. Pain is relatively alright for a change. This last week has been horrible for it because of the rainy weather, but it is supposed to get nicer as the week goes on, so maybe the pain will relax for a change. That would be nice. I am rather tired today as we did get up a bit earlier than usual today and I didn't sleep well last night. Mom is yawning too right now. I must have passed it on to her. I think we will put in a Walker Texas Ranger episode before we go to bed. Mom is doing really well with nothing on while I am typing. I think she is entertaining herself or is watching me yawn and type.

I hope your day is going well. I can't wait for tomorrow either as we have a party and baptism to go to. I am rather excited about that.

It is a rather dull day outside, sun in, sun out. Mom is sleeping in the living room. As soon as I am done here I am going to get her to do her hair. I will do mine first, then hers. She had a hard time going down the stairs this morning but I got her down. Then we went to Timmie's and she couldn't get in the car to go home. Our friend, Rosemary arrived at that moment so we went back in the restaurant to chat with her. I had some diet coke left, but Mom had nothing left to drink. She wasn't thirsty though so it didn't matter. After that, she got in the car fine. It is weird how sometimes that happens. We had to go to Walmart for some stuff. She got in the car to go home just fine there too. Like I said, it is too weird.

I didn't finish Emily's dress for the pinning yet. I am so tired right now that I am not going to do it now, maybe later, but not right now. We have a busy weekend for a change. I am rather excited about that. Tomorrow is lessons, Hayley, and book club. I mean, how cool is that? Sunday we have Calli's baptism and potluck after it. I think I will see what Heather (my friend and Calli's mom!) needs, then I will know what to bring. I have to make a deposit to the bank tomorrow. The bank has not finished fixing the mistake yet. I hope it is done before Monday when the house insurance goes through, if it doesn't, then the bank will have to reverse it's fees because they made the mistake and I am not paying for their mistake. The lady at the bank said that wouldn't be a problem, so I am holding her to it. Yup, I am.

Mom ate a bit better so far today. It is so hard for her because she just doesn't know when she is hungry anymore. She drank a bit of milk and ate 1 1/2 donuts. She wanted 2 of them today. I don't know why. I don't ask why either, if she wants it, she gets it because she will eat it. Normally we go out to dinner tonight at the little cafe, but because of the bank error, we can't because we don't have enough money for that. At first I was like, grr, but now, I don't really care because it means I don't have to get mom in the car 2 more times. She is sleeping in the living room right now.

Mom has moments when she hurts to sit down. I have her stand when that happens, part of it is because these chairs are not the most comfortable to sit on all day long. I am going to get her a cushion after our money comes in next week so she can bring it with her wherever we go. She was getting sore at Timmie's because we were sitting so long so I had her stand up. It is because she is so terribly thin. She only weighs 92 pounds right now. She is a bony, tiny, little thing. Just so small.

I tried new disposables on her today, they are too big. They have the straps on the side and so I thought it would be easier to take them off her. Not. They are too big for her and I got her a small/medium. I mean, really, she isn't that big. I went and got her the type we had so I will put those on her. Much better product than the straps one. In theory the straps would be easier because you don't have to take off pants to remove and put them on, in reality, the are just too big. Way too big. She is tiny! She really could use extra small, but they don't make those.

Overall, it is just an average day with not much to do. I should be on my way home from sewing right now, but tonight is the girls confirmation so no sewing today. We didn't have it last week because of the doctor appointment with Mom. I am looking forward to next week. The girls are almost done with their outfits, so it is almost time for something new. We have been sewing for almost a year now. I love sewing days. It is almost as fun as teaching music, not quite, but a darn 2nd. Mom enjoys those days too.

I haven't heard from anyone since my ad went in the newspaper, however, it only ran one week instead of 4. I called the person I am dealing with and she forgot to put my ad in last week and this week, so I was mad. It should go in the next 3 weeks. I mean, I paid for 4 weeks, I want my ad in for four weeks. We shall see if I get any response. Please pray, I am only asking for 2 new students, although I have room for more, so that would be great too!

Pain is regular today except in the left arm, that is a bit sorer than usual. Don't know why, it doesn't respond when I ask. I hope your day is going well.

It has been a so-so day. Not too bad, not too good, just okay, which is just fine by me. If you don't have the so-so days, how can the good ones stand out? They couldn't, could they? Anyways, we were pretty busy today. We didn't get up until noon. We did our usual, then we went to Heather B-T's house for a visit, then dinner at home, and then to the subdivision meeting. It was fun and I volunteered to help with the block party. Our next door neighbor, Kathy, also volunteered. She wanted to speak with me at the end of the meeting, I wasn't sure why, but hey, she's a nice neighbor and I used to play with her daughter all the time. She asked me about mom and said to call her if I needed anything, she anything at all. It was very nice because sometimes I need help. It is just that simple, so it is nice to know I can call on a neighbor. She said she would be here all of June and August, July they will be camping so they won't be home. I hope the family has a good time. She was stunned about Mom, completely stunned. Of course, Mom has gone down since Christmas so she is at her worst right now. I think I need to up her anxiety medicine by 1/2 at night because she is getting anxious at night again.

Mom did not so good with eating today. She wasn't very hungry, I even got her ice cream, but she didn't eat much of it. She had about 1/3 of it. She ate most of her donut and a bit of her muffin, but dinner, not much at all. I tried to feed her but she ate as much as she could, and that was it. She is drinking her ensure now, I hope she finishes it. She thinks she does better than she does. I have a hard time saying, no Mom, you didn't eat well, she cries when I tell her. So I don't tell her that. I tell her she does good even when she doesn't. I mean, what else you can tell someone in her position? You tell them they are doing good and that you love them. That's what you do. I figure tomorrow she will be hungry since she isn't tonight. That's what happened yesterday, she was hungry because she didn't eat much on Tuesday.

She was afraid to get in the car because she didn't know how. This week I lowered her dose of anxiety, and I think I should have just lowered it a bit. She is less afraid with the medicine. So I will raise it by a 1/2 of a pill, the doctor said that would be good. She fell asleep at Heather's today, but that was okay, she does that a lot and they don't mind. Mom likes going to my friend's house. I think she really likes Heather's mom, Pat. She is very nice to Mom. I think she really likes her too. Mom loves Heather's kids, Acer and Calli and she really likes Heather. Mom doesn't get so confused with the two Heathers anymore, which is good. It sure confused Mom at first. It was like she didn't know that two people could have the same first name. But now she gets it so we have a good time when we visit. I look forward to Thursdays for that reason, but next week, I won't see them at all because Calli has rehearsal on Monday and a Doctor's appointment on Thursday. I have a blood test next week on Thursday. ugh, I hate them.

Mom has been standing up since we got home, she doesn't want to sit down, I don't know why. She likes to stand. I think her bottom is getting sore from sitting so much. I need to buy a nice little cushion for the dining room chair for her. Her chair is just a folding chair with a little bit of a cushion but it does get hard after a while. The living room chair and sofas are comfortable though, she sleeps like a log on them. I hope tomorrow is a good day, we have no plans. Well, I do have plans, I am planning to pin up Emily's dress for the wedding. I want to pin it and have her try it on before I cut and sew the hem. I need to get some hem tape too because that stuff works really well. I am not doing Lily's dress for the wedding until it is closer to the wedding. She is in the middle of puberty and well, if I do her dress now, she may not fit into it and that would be a tragedy.

I hope your day tomorrow will be good. I also will be doing Mom's hair and bath tomorrow since we have the whole day off. No sewing class tomorrow because the two of the girls are getting confirmed tomorrow.

Here is the weekly link:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/fma/fibromyalgiaaware_2009winter_v2/

This morning I will be heading over to the hospital for the study. I am excited about it. Anything that helps doctors diagnose FMS better is good. It is a 15 minute interview. I wonder if they will be on time, as most doctors are not. I hope so, I hate being late or running over or anything like that. I like to be on time so I am hoping they are too. Otherwise, how will they get all the interviews in today?

Mom is better this morning. She ate a bowl of cereal with no problem. I am going to try an ensure for her while I am gone. Carolyn, from my neighborhood, is coming to watch her. I will be going by myself (a first in a long time!!!) to the hospital without her. Yea! I am excited about that to. I hope she doesn't give Carolyn a hard time. We shall see.

I am back. The study was fun. It involved a few questions and a tender point test. The tender point test hurt, of course, but the rest was a piece of cake. She didn't press too hard either, so that was nice. We talked for few minutes and then, poof, I was done.

Mom did great with Carolyn. She drank the entire ensure while I was gone. I was so pleased. We went to our Tim Horton's after I got back. She ate 1/4 of her soup (I think from now on when she wants soup there I am going to have them fill it 1/2 way only) and her donut so I was really happy. She also drank 1/2 of the half pint of milk.

I talked to Kathy briefly today. She said often times her kids don't always eat a lot one day and then will the next. She said it is normal, so I guess yesterday Mom wasn't hungry, but today she is back to normal. Kathy and I came to the conclusion that if Mom isn't hungry for a few days, then be worried, if it is just one, no big deal, she might have ate more the day before than usual. So that's what I will go by. It is tough sometimes because I am not a Mom and Mom's body often acts like a child now so I have to check with the Mom's I know. My friend, Donna, has been very helpful too. Today, Mom is a peach, wouldn't exchange her for anyone in the world. No one. Not today. Yesterday, I was too worried, I was literally freaking because she wouldn't eat and she slept all day, pretty much the entire day. She snoozed a bit when Carolyn was here and is snoozing now, but that is normal for her. We just came back from Tim Horton's and had to head right back out to the bank. That is a lot of movement for her. The bank made a big error, they posted a check for $125.35 over what the check was written for. Yeah, how did that happen? It is a weird error, because it isn't like they added a zero or anything, so it's being fixed and looked into. It should be credited back in a few days. We still have enough for the house payment and the house insurance. That was my worry.

My head is really sore today. I am sure it is because of my worries from yesterday. The rest of the pain is a bit high, but not as bad as it was the other day. I noticed that when I worry more about Mom or anything, I am in more pain. I know, it isn't rocket science to realize that. So I try to keep calm about everything. It is hard at times because I am not always a calm person especially if the Alzheimer's is doing something crazy to Mom for the day, but I try.

It is finally beautiful outside. Not too hot, not too cold. The sun is shining and I had my windows down while I drove to the appointment and loved every minute of it. I now have a young person that will come and sit with Mom when I need her. it's great, life is just great today. If only everyday was like this!

Mom hasn't had anything but a bit of muffin to eat today. She drank 1 ensure. I know she has eaten less than 3 full meals before, but this is the worst. she is almost done with the 2nd of the day. I think that is the most I can get her to eat. I hope tomorrow is a better day. Today hasn't been good for her as far as eating goes. I am trying to get her to finish this so we can go to bed. I am tired now and we have to get up early tomorrow. I hope she eats tomorrow. I don't know what to do if I can't. She has been so out of it all day. I really hope tomorrow is a better day. Today just sucked. I don't know how to get her to drink or eat anything. I begged and it didn't matter to her. She just stared out into space. That is how with it her today. She just can't do anything else I guess.

It is a better day now. It didn't start off very well, but it is fine now. I needed help this morning because I was shouting and getting frustrated and that does not help the situation any. Mom is resting in the living room now. She is very tired and bent over today. She didn't eat her brunch today so I am going to try again later to see if she will eat it. She is just really out of it. I called my friend, Donna, and she help me calm down and also told me how to help Mom in the morning when she is having difficulty. That helped me a lot! Now I know what to do when she is having issues first thing in the morning! That will help in the future a lot because we are going to have days like this. Mom did say she was very tired this morning when I went into her room. She was actually sweating though so I pulled off her little jacket and changed her shirt. I don't want her to get a cold or the flu from being overheated. I don't know if you can, but just in case. I need her to be a healthy mom. I am going to let her sleep a little bit longer before I go and check in on her. She was cold again so I put some blankets on her. Poor thing, she hasn't had an easy day. At least she won't have a screaming daughter this afternoon and maybe she will be able to eat more or have an ensure. I don't care if she finished her muffins, that is immaterial to me, it is drinking the ensure she needs today since she can't really eat. I have several at my fingertips to give her when she can! She is down to 92 pounds again and her pants are practically falling off her but I did go to get her new jeans and they didn't have her size. I know somewhere in her bedroom are 2 pairs of size 6 jeans and that is what she needs. The ones she has on now are size 10, and well, you get the picture. We will be working on her room as soon as the garage is done. That gets done next week, I think that is the plan. I know Tillie and Maia are coming over, so I think it is the garage that is next. Doesn't really matter to me, as long as by the end of summer the house is ready for sale. I am not planning on selling the house right now as houses, like in many other areas, just aren't selling, but it would be nice to have a clean house that isn't so cluttered. I have been able to not reclutter the rooms that have been finished. I put things away when I am done with them instead of putting them on a pile. I don't want to mess up the work that has been done. The only exception is the dining room table. That is still kinda of cluttered with bills and music. But that is the only area! And once the music is put away, that will be it for the music all over the place. Katie is coming sometime in June to help me put away all the music that is in the dining room, living room, and family room. Oh yeah, and the office. Everywhere but in the file cabinets they belong in! Speaking of music, I need to pull some out for Frank. He has to make a choice of what song he wants to play that is on the list for summer competition. I ordered some new music for him since I didn't have very many on the list. You would think that a person with over 700 pieces and books of piano music would have the songs on the list. Nope, I didn't. I was surprised. I had a couple of songs on the list from level 7 and only 1 on the list for level 8. I don't know which level he will be in the competition as every competition is different and the levels aren't always the same. Frank is a very talented pianist. Very very talented. He is such a joy to teach because he loves all types of music, not just pop like many children. I never have a problem giving him classical (like I do with some), he has also been known to bring in all types of music that he wants to learn. Half the time, it is his choice of what we are learning and that is wonderful. Mom really enjoys hearing him play too. She likes listening to all my students, which I am glad because I have her sit in the living room during lessons. I am afraid to leave her in the dining room in case she falls asleep and falls off the chair, that would be very bad.

I talked to my friend, Karlyn, online this afternoon too! I just love being able to speak with her again. She was one of my best friends in high school and then we lost touch as people do, and then face book brought us back together and it has been great! I really enjoy talking to people I haven't spoken with for years, it is one of the neatest things about face book. You get reconnected to friends you haven't seen in years. It is really nice. She has 3 little ones now. She lives in Ohio about 5 hours away from me. Way too far, but what can you do? People have to live where they or their spouses work. It is just that way.

My friend, Kathleen, had another surgery this morning and seems to be doing well. We will know more in a few days. That is all I know so far. Things are looking up from what the posts say. I hope so!

Pain is down today. I don't feel as bad as I did yesterday, even with the extra stressed morning I had. I had to take an extra pain pill and now I feel alright, not great, but alright. I can handle everything now. I don't need to go outside for anything right now. For tomorrow's early appointment, I plan to wake up 1/2 hour earlier than originally planned in case Mom is having a rough day. Actually, maybe I should call Carolyn and have her watch mom. That might be better since I have to be there at 11:15 am. That would probably be better. That way, I can do the study and not worry about Mom. Yup, I will see if she is available tomorrow.

Carolyn is available to sit with Mom tomorrow while I go for the Fibromyaglia study. I am excited to participate in this study because they are looking at new tools to help diagnose Fibro. So anyway I can help, I will. It is just an interview, that's it! Just an interview. I will let you know how it goes.

Anyways, it is turning out to be an okay day, just had a rough start. I don't know where exactly I am going tomorrow, but I will look it up on mapquest. I hope your day is good too.

Pain is really high right now. My head is bad and so is my back. It is raining outside tonight and supposed to rain all day tomorrow. I think I will just stay in bed as long as possible tomorrow. I have one lesson only at 1 pm. I think we will be skipping our usual, I don't want to go out in the rain if I don't have to. We will see, maybe tomorrow will be a better day. I just don't feel well right now. I haven't felt this bad in a while.

I don't know what to do about Mom tomorrow. I guess I will have to see how I feel. Maybe Carolyn can come and watch her while I am lying down resting. I don't think I should have had the ice cream tonight. It is doing a number on my stomach. Hmm, could be why I feel so bad. Let's hope it goes away soon, like now would be great.

I am watching Dancing with the Stars with Mom. Love this show, just love it. After it we are heading for bed because it will be our bed time. I hope tomorrow brings good news about Kathleen and a better day for me. Nighty night everyone!

My friend, Kathleen (she lives in Florida - I went to school with her) had a baby girl on Saturday (I think it was Saturday) has had 4 surgeries to stop the bleeding and is now on life support. I certainly hope the doctors can save her. She is such a great person and has 4 children and a husband. It reminds me of when Kathy gave birth to Matthew, her oldest, her blood wouldn't clot and she had several surgeries. She had an unusual illness that either stays with you for the rest of your life or it goes away within a year. It only happens when you give birth. Fortunately, hers went away and she went on to have 3 more kids. They are all adorable. I am really worried about Kathleen, she was so looking forward to life with this new little one. She has 2 older children and 1 two year old plus this new one. Please pray for her and her family. We can't lose her.

Mom is doing alright today, thank goodness. She went down the stairs fine today both the inside and the outside stairs. So I don't know what last night was all about. I am rather tired today. I didn't sleep to well last night, I don't think. I could take a nap right now. My head is rather sore today. Stupid head, that's all I have to say about it.

Not much happening or going on to write about, too worried about Kathleen, I think. I will keep checking on face book to check her status. Her friend, Charrin, is writing statuses to keep up all updated.

We were at my Uncle John's today. He called me up on Friday, asked me if I was busy this Sunday and invited us over. I am so glad we went. We left at 11:30, picked up Tillie along the way and had a great day. Mom did really well most of the day. She has started something new though that is worrisome. When we left Uncle John's, she become frightened to go down a couple steps. I had my uncle hold on to Mom while she came down the stairs. He then led her into the car. She had a difficult time getting into the car again. I think this is something that will happen a lot from now on. I can get her into the car, it just takes a few minutes and then she is fine. When we dropped Tillie off we went into the house because I had some papers I had to fill out. Mom again became scared to go down a couple of steps. We got her down. Overall, it was a successful day. We are going back in two weeks on the holiday weekend, on the Sunday. I am looking forward to this. Little Jayson was playing with Mom in the living room while we were talking in the dining room. It was fun to listen to. We had an awesome dinner. Michelle (Uncle John's wife) is a wonderful cook. She made a roast beef and a roast pork. Boy, were they good. Mom ate really well, it was impressive how much she ate. I couldn't believe it, she ate a really good meal (for her anyways, still small to regular standards). It was just a good day.

Well, I am off to bed now as it is getting late here. Mom has asked 3 times when am I going to bed. I just have to give her the nighttime medicine and then we are all set. I hope your day was as good as mine. Have a good day tomorrow too! Ours is nice and busy with 4 lessons!

We have company today! Well, since last night. My cousin, Tillie, has been visiting with us. She goes home around noon, which works out perfect since I begin teaching at 12 and have another lesson at 1 and then two lovely young girls will be trying on their bridesmaids dresses to be shortened. I am not sure about doing Lily's as it is still a month away from the wedding. She is 12 and could grow between now and then, and that could be bad. I think I will pin hers but refit her at the beginning of the month, next month. Emily, at 16 almost 17, is finished growing so I can do hers right away. I just love these two girls. They (and their older sister) adopted Mom as their grandmother about 8 years ago. They don't have one and they like Mom a lot, so they adopted her.

Tomorrow is an exciting day too! We are going to my Uncle John's house. He is my mom's youngest brother. He is 14 years younger than her. She helped take care of him when he was a baby and a young boy. According to him, he broke mom in for us. I don't think he broke her in enough. He says she raised him mostly. I enjoy his company most of the time. We used to see him quite frequently, but then Mom got sick and then I bought the store and life just got busy. I am happy we were invited to see him. He called last night, I was like, who is calling me from Canada, and to my surprise, it was him! He asked if we were busy Sunday, and I said no because we weren't. Tillie was sitting her and so he asked if she wanted to come too. So we will pick Tillie up on the way. It will work out perfectly. I do have to remember to bring some stuff for mom in case of an oopsie. I will have extra pants for her, some extra diapers, and some wipes. I probably should put an extra t-shirt in there too, just in case. I will also have to bring a couple of ensures for her to make sure she has enough nutrition.

Mom ate great this morning!!! She had a bowl of Cheerios, orange juice, and an ensure! How cool is that? I told her I was very pleased with her and she smiled a big smile. She knew I meant it. Yesterday wasn't a good day for her, she ate horribly, and she couldn't walk very good, it was just not her day. Today, she is a peach and she is doing so much better. I think we are going out to eat for dinner to celebrate. She can have a good bowl of soup and I will get a dinner.

We are doing her bath today instead of tomorrow because of our visiting schedule! I am so excited for the weekend.

Hayley was supposed to come over with her friend shopping tomorrow. I messaged her that we are leaving at noon so she can stop by early. There are a couple of packages here for her. When she shops with her friends we don't see her much, it is just a run in and run out. Totally understandable, they want to shop! I don't particularly like shopping, but mainly because I can't walk that well and need a scooter for any extended shopping. Speaking of shopping, I got Mom her little slippers for the wedding. They are black and I have black socks for her. She will look adorable. It is very important to me that she looks adorable at all times. Now that she needs help getting dressed, I get to pick what she wears. It isn't like she notices or really cares. I mean, they are her clothes, I just put the cute ones on her. I found her favorite outfit the other day. I thought the pants went to donation, but they didn't! She will be wearing that tomorrow.

Well, my first student will be here momentarily, so I hope you have a great day!!! I plan to! It is beautiful out so the pain level isn't high, just regular. The sun is shining, the winds are very strong, all in all, I am pleased with the day!