Mom isn't doing as well as she did yesterday. I don't know if it is because she was all alone all day (I was in Lansing for the day so I didn't arrive until 5:00 pm) or just a regular bad day for her. She didn't eat or drink very much. Thank goodness she has an IV! That keeps her hydrated. She doesn't appear to be in pain so I am very happy about that. We didn't stay long as I have a bad headache tonight. I will be heading to bed early. Two nights without much sleep are creeping up on me. I have to get up early again tomorrow because of my blood test at 11:00 am. Yuck! I wish I could reschedule but it is too late for that. I will go and get it down and then it will be over for 2 weeks or perhaps a month. We shall see. Mom should be going to a rehab hospital for a couple weeks after she leaves the hospital which could be in a couple of days depending on how she is doing. Basically, the bottom line is this is the beginning of her end. I can't believe it, I am not ready for it, but from what I have read (and I have read a lot about this disease) she is nearing the end. The plan is to bring her home, but I don't know for how long. It is a wait and see. I will be moving a bed into the living room for her because I don't expect her to be too mobile. I will be getting her a couple of nightgowns to wear because they will be easier for her to wear than pants. I am not happy about this, but I have been expecting it since she first stopped eating properly last February. I guess I can forget about bringing her to Chicago for the competition, we won't be attending. My goal is to make sure her last few months or weeks or whatever are comfortable and pleasant for her. She won't really know where she is so I am not worried about her being upset that she isn't at home. Mom was upset when she didn't know where I was this afternoon because she is used to me being with her at all times. After a few minutes, she was fine. She did cry tonight when I left so I kissed her, told her I loved her, and left the room. Tillie changed the subject to get her to stop crying and then left also.

My head is really sore tonight. I am not stressed about what is happening which is actually kind of weird, nor have I cried yet. I mean, I am watching my mom die slowly. I just don't want her in pain. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. Ever. She has been with me day in and day out for 4 years straight and we hung out a lot together for years before that. I don't know exactly what I will do without her, but I know I have a lot to figure out. I just don't know right now, now that it is facing me. I have called my older brother to ask if he can come now, but he didn't answer the phone (as usual - he rarely answers his phone, especially if it is me). I think he should come now and not wait until summer because I don't expect Mom to be here at the end of the summer. I could be wrong and she could rally! I pray she does, I am not ready for this. Not one bit. I hope to sleep well tonight or at least as well as I can. I don't want to ache more on top of all this.

Mom is in the hospital. I took her to the ER yesterday afternoon. Maia was with me. We were at Tim Horton's and she kept having a sore throat that would come and go. It happened at home and I tried to give her some pain medicine. I have it in liquid form, but she said it burned going down. I stopped giving her the medicine then because I don't want her to have a burning throat. It stopped hurting and we left. While we were at Tim Horton's, she grabbed her throat again because it hurt again. Also, every time she drank something, no matter what it was, she coughed. We took her right from there. We had to wait a bit in the waiting room (about 2 hours) because they were so busy and there were so many people waiting for beds upstairs in the hospital. When we got in Maia and I told the doctor everything that was happening, including the headache from Saturday. He looked into her throat and said she was very dehydrated, that was what was causing the pain. He sent for several X-Rays, CT scan, blood tests, and urine test. We left at about 8:30 pm to come home because the nurse had no idea when Mom would be sent upstairs to a bed. She was so tired. She was awake the whole time in the ER. We finally we able to get her some pain killers to help with the pain after the last test (the CT scan). She doesn't seem to be in any pain today. She looks so much better than she did yesterday and she can speak much clearer than she could yesterday. She also can put into words more of what she wants to say. She did eat a good breakfast of cream of wheat and an omelet. She had a good lunch, we were there for that one. I am hoping she has a good dinner, although I won't be there for that because I do have a few lessons to teach today. Overall, I am glad we brought her in because I think she could have died from this. Slowly over time, she is starving and dehydrating herself, not on purpose, but because her body is forgetting how to do things. She does tear up every time they move her because she is scared of falling. She is afraid when they stand her up for any reason, but then she calms down right away. I saw the Physician's Assistant this afternoon. I will miss the doctor because of lessons. I will find out what the doctor has to say when I go back this evening. Maia is planning to come to stay with her tomorrow while I am in Lansing for the day. I took Maia to the bus stop so she could take her groceries home to her family. She is coming back tomorrow. Tillie is on her way now and should be here soon. I am hoping that this visit will put some spring back into her step and bring her back to where she was a few months ago. That is my hope. I do know this could happen again with her because of the disease, but I am hoping to keep ahead of it. I am staying rather calm over this whole thing because she is doing so much better. I hope to have her home in a few days. I don't know how long they are going to keep her. At least until tomorrow, I think. I would imagine a few days at least to give her body time to adjust to the hydration she is receiving. It doesn't appear that she is going to need a feeding tube put into her at this time. That was something the doctor mentioned in the ER, that that may be a possibility. hey, if that was what she needs, we will deal with that, no problem. But I am glad that it doesn't seem to be something she is going to need. She was feeding herself mostly. I fed her a bit and she did the rest.

Pain isn't too bad although I didn't sleep much at all last night because I ran out of my sleep medicine and forgot to go and get more. I will fix that this evening. No way am I having 2 nights of no sleep and having to drive to Lansing tomorrow. That would be a bad combination. Very bad combination. My head is not too bad, i am just a bit more tired than normal. I am getting up early tomorrow so I will be heading to bed early both because of no sleep last night and the early morning tomorrow.

I will update as soon as there is something to update.

What a wonderful, fun-filled day! We had a really good time. First up was an earlier than usual morning for the Mom and me. We went to Calli's baptism and it was a really nice service. I think Mom enjoyed the music a lot. It was a contemporary service with Praise and Worship music. Heather B-T's mom sat with us. She and Mom are good friends, well as good as a friend as Mom can be at this point, but I know Mom really likes her because she has mentioned it before. Then after the service was a nice little BBQ at the church social hall. Burgers and Hot Dogs. They were very yummy. Calli sat with us to eat and so did Pat (Heather B-T's Mom). Mom wasn't walking so good, so the church has a walker with a seat. We put Mom in it and Heather's brother, James, took her into the social hall. It was very helpful for the little person. She is just having a day with the walking. It is just one of those days. We stayed until the end, Mom even stayed awake during the whole thing, so you can imagine how tired the little one is. She is having trouble with steps today, but I did manage to get her up and down the steps as needed during the day. When we got home we both went into the living room and took a wee nap. I slept for about an hour, and she is still sleeping. She is exhausted from our little excursion today but I think she really enjoyed herself. She smiled a few times too. Calli and her brother, Acer, can really get the smiles out of Mom.

Despite the time constraints we had this morning, I was able to get her up and dressed and even a little breakfast down her before we left. She only ate about 1/4 of her small bowl of cereal, but it was something. She was scared to go down the stairs this morning, so I pulled one foot down and then she brought the other down, then I did it again, and again, until we were all the way down. I managed to stay calm even though I was running behind time. I shouldn't have made the phone call I made this morning, I should have waited until the afternoon, but I didn't. Mom was fine coming out of the house and getting in the car on the way to church. We we left, she was nervous to get in the car, but I stayed calm, and got her in. I pretty much sat her down on the seat first and then moved her legs. It worked. She was nervous going up the steps into the house, but we did it. I wonder how much it would be to put in a ramp. I am thinking that might be a good idea. I will have to check into it. She got into the living room (it has a step down into it) no problem, so we shall see about going up the stairs tonight. I think she was just really tired when we left the church which is why she was having a bit of trouble. She is sleeping away right now. I just checked on her.

My head hurts a lot this afternoon, thank goodness it didn't hurt real bad until we got home. That would have been terrible to have it hurt bad at the church during the service. I took a pain pill when I got home and it has gone down a bit. Nothing else planned for the rest of the evening except Extreme makeover home addition. I like that show and so does Mom. Sometimes I think the way they decorate the bedrooms are ugly, but mostly I like what they do. I think it has really helped the families out a lot for the ones who get the house. We don't need a bigger house, we need one on one level with hallways big enough for wheelchairs for Mom. We will manage with what we have. Together, we can do it. That is my motto for me and mom. We just have to stick together.

My nails are making a clicking noise on my keyboard and it drives me nuts. It means I need to trim them because if they are making this much noise on the keyboard for the computer, what noise are they going to make on the piano keys? That would drive me nuts faster. I don't know how some people can play with long nails and sound like they do, but they can. I can't. I have to turn in competition stuff at the end of the week for the kids who are attending. My plan is to go, all depending on how Mom does. If she is doing well in July, we go, if she isn't, we don't. That simple, whatever Mom is up for. We would leave on Wednesday and return on the Monday as the awards show ends very late. Mom and Tillie wouldn't have to stay down in the banquet room for the whole thing, they could go back up to the hotel room and rest. I will have to stay for the whole thing though. All depends on the little person and how she is doing. I do hope to go because it would be a nice break for us and I think she would enjoy it. I know Tillie would, she has never been to Chicago. I have several times. The first couple of times it was for an audition and then once for vacation. Mom and I had a good time then. She also came with me for those few times for auditions. She used to drive me (even though I was an adult) to them so I could relax and concentrate on my audition material. It was very nice how she did that for me. We had it all mapped out and I would sleep and rest and she would drive. I miss the mom from those days, although the one I have had for the last few years is a nice one too. I just love my Mom tons and I am keeping her with me as long as possible. So far, it is working out nicely. She is doing alright.

Oh, yeah, the bank fixed the mistake they made and just in time too! Our house insurance is due Monday and it comes out automatically from the checking account. I am so happy that it is fixed and in time too because that would have been bad, very bad.

We have a busy week ahead for us. I don't get to see my Grace anymore until next fall because she is done until then. I will miss her but I do see her on face book, so I will be able to follow what she is up too. I also won't have my Calli this week as her schedule doesn't permit a piano lesson. Her brother, Acer, can't wait until fall for his piano lessons. That will be a new challenge for me and I can't wait either. I just love all my students. I have had the best students ever. I just friended a former student on face book, Francesca,. I haven't seen her since she was in high school about 10 years ago. She was a good kid. We are going to do lunch in the future. I think that will be fun. We are also going to Lansing for the day for the Fibromyaglia Advocacy Day. That will be a fun event and I hope we do some good for all of us who have FMS.

I hope you have a great week too!

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!