ARE OLD FISHING BUDDIES RALPH AND CHARLES HAVING A REUNION ON A HEAVENLY LAKE SHORE?

June 25, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
My sister, Jeanette's husband, Charles, passed away last week.  He had a stroke 28 years ago that left him handicapped.  Jeanette was his caregiver all those years.  As she told me on the phone following his death, she never let him want for anything, and she saw to it that he had the best medical care.
During the drive to the funeral home in Dalton, I asked son, Barry if he thought there were fishing ponds and lakes for fishermen in heaven.  He said he believed there was and he said he could just hear Ralph (his beloved late Dad) saying to Charles, "What took you so long to get here?  The fish are biting good today."
We have pictures of Ralph and Charles that were made when they were both young and vigorous.  Barry and I looked at some of the pictures and I told him of the days when the two men would fish on weekends and bring home buckets of large mouth bass, which I love to eat.
Charles' funeral was held in the Chapel at the funeral home and his great-grandaughter, Alex sang a solo.  She has a beautiful voice and as Barry said on the way home, "Alex can really sing - she sounds like a professional."  She may have inherited her talent from Charles who sang and played the organ when he was young.  Following the funeral, a dinner was served to the family at the church where Charlene, Jeanette and Charles daughter, is a member.
Jeanette has had a lot of tragedy and suffering in her life.  Her six great-grandchildren and Charlene have been her salvation and continue to help her during this difficult time.
Please remember Jeanette and her family in your prayers.  See you next time
(As told to Tam)

FIRE SCARE ALERTED US TO CHECK DATES IN SMOKE DETECTORS

June 19, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
Yesterday, Tam left the house at her usual time and I settled down in my recliner.  I was thinking about taking a nap when the scary warning of what sounded like all the smoke detectors were chirping.  When the battery needed to be changed, this sound wasn't a new one.  But, I always check to see if I smell or see any smoke in the house.
I forgot that I hadn't been able to leave the den when I was alone.  I was half way down our long hall when I suddenly realized I hadn't grabbed my walker or cane and with no thought of falling.
The loud chirping sound was still going strong.  When I didn't smell or see any smoke, I returned to the den and called Barry.  He thought the battery needed to be replaced and told me to call my neighbor and friend, Genevelyn, which I did, but she wasn't at home.
Since the chirping sound was still sounding like all three of the detectors, I called Barry again.  He told me to call 911, which I did.  Vandals destroyed our house number marker so I gave directions to the 911 dispatcher (we have ordered a new sign now).
Then I sat down to wait for the firemen to arrive.  In the short time it took for them to arrive I prayed and thought it had taken 34 years for our beloved home to develop character.  I also thought of the precious photo albums that we had collected over the years.  I had always felt that the worst thing, except for a family members death, would be to have my house to burn down.
When the nice firemen arrived in the fire truck, they checked the detector in the hall and as it turned out, was the only one that needed a new battery.  They looked around the house and saw no sign of a fire.  Barry had left early from work and removed the detector and noticed the date, which was 10 years ago, and was no longer guaranteed to work.  He checked the other detectors and another one needed to be replaced, too.  So, he ordered the replacements from Amazon.
You need to check the date on the smoke detectors in your house so you can feel safe.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)

SOME RE-DECORATING GOING ON AROUND HERE AND TAM IS FEELING BETTER, THANK GOD!

June 14, 2012


By Olivene Godfrey
Son, Barry is in the process of re-decorating part of our house.  He recently bought a wood and glass cabinet for the large flat screen television and super stereo equipment he installed in our den.
Barry took the first step to put into action a plan we had discussed for several years.  I've read articles over the years that advise spouses who have lost their mate to change the master bedroom.  My late husband, Ralph passed away ten years ago, and I just now, with Barry urging, decided to move out Ralph's bed and make a little sitting area for myself in the large master bedroom.  Barry took the bed down and carried the old mattress to the landfill and set up a temporary sitting room for me.  We will be looking for a new recliner for the room.  This bedroom is the coolest room in the summer and the warmest in the winter.  We plan to sell the bed which is very old but is still in good condition.
When I saw my doctor last week for a check-up, she told me to buy therapeutic stockings to wear to reduce swelling of my ankles and to help prevent blood clots.  She said I wore them when I was recently in the hospital, but I have no memory of it.  The stockings help but, they are expensive and I really need another pair.  Tam washed them according to the instructions, so I know they will be okay to wear.  Tam seems to be feeling better.  I continue to advise her to pace herself.  She is so good natured she takes on too many chores to do for people.
I told Tam today she should write a book entitled "Let Tam Do It".  Barry and I are guilty of asking Tam to do things we aren't good at doing, as we know she will perform the chores perfectly.  But, we are trying not to impose on her kind heart in the future.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)

GOOD ADVICE FOR COPD PATIENTS AND TAM IS BACK WITH US!

June 8, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
If you or someone you love has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) you may want read and make a copy of the "10 Signs of a COPD Exacerbation" found on the internet.
I recently had several warning signs of this condition and son Barry put me back on oxygen for a while.  Ignoring the symptoms can result in hospitalization and accelerate the loss of lung function.
When I saw my doctor this past week she said Barry did the right thing and I was soon feeling well again.  Overall, the doctor gave me a good report, thank God.
I am feeling almost chipper now that Tam, my dear caregiver is recovering and back with me.  She has been quite ill and still has to pace herself.  Barry said when she was unable to be here everything seemed to "fall apart".  Barry and I are just so happy she's back with us.
I want to thank my friend and neighbor, Genevelyn for preparing my lunch and visiting with me while Tam was sick.  Yesterday, Genevelyn and friend, Troy visited with me and I enjoyed seeing them also.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)

NOTES ON RECENT FALL, KNOCK OUT ROSE BUSH AND TAM'S ILLNESS

6/1/2012

By Olivene Godfrey
Friends and relatives often tell me how lucky I am to have son, Barry and my caregiver and friend, Tam to take good care of me.  I thank God every day for them.
But, I have been having a bit of bad luck when it comes to my health.  Recently, I had an extended hospital stay when I was stricken, without warning, with double pneumonia and was seriously ill.  Now I'm regaining my health back daily, thank God.
And then, I fell in the kitchen without warning, this past holiday weekend, resulting in aches and bruises and two cuts on my left leg.  I had tried so hard not to fall the past year as I have a history of falling and injuring myself.  I hope and pray that I'll heal soon and not have anymore falls.
Barry planted the red knock out rose bush that Tam gave me for Mothers Day.  It is blooming and is so pretty.  Barry cut some of the roses and put them in a small vase and I have them on the table beside my recliner in the den, and I'm enjoying them.
Since I started writing this blog earlier in the week, Tam came down with bronchitis and has been very sick.  She saw her doctor and got a shot and other medicines, and says she's "on the mend".  I hope she will be able to come to work soon, I miss her.  Please pray for her full recovery.
My good neighbor and friend, Genevelyn came over yesterday and fixed my lunch and we had a nice visit.
Comments welcomed.  See you next time
(As told to Tam)