My Best Friend My Sister

MY BEST FRIEND...MY SISTER

This picture shows my sister Sarah standing strong and tall.

WELL...

Since Jan. 7th...Not so much!  

She took a tumble outside her back porch, broke her ankle and the two leg bones attaching the foot to the leg...

Hey, but she did it all with her usual grace in that she did not spill a drip of her coffee!

Not the "exact" mug but one similar.  

My nephew then takes it upon himself to "recreate" the scene of the crime by placing the coffee cup on the sidewalk at the spot where his mother landed and THEN draw a CHALK OUTLINE around the cup like you might see in an episode of CSI or NCIS. 

Imagine a coffee mug in the middle of this outline!

 The picture was  inserted on her birth date for the annual family Birthday calendar!

After a 3 hr. surgery, metal plates, screws and enough metal to set off every metal detector from here to California, Sister is convalescing at home unable to do much of anything but go back and forth on her walker to the bathroom.

I flew up last week to lend a hand at playing nursemaid...However, she has one of these RARE Breeds of a husband who already waits on her hand and foot and NOW he's trying to wait on me!?  I have to catch him gone to work to make myself useful.  This man does all the laundry so I have to make sure I fold the towels to his specifications!!  Ladies, this man is One of a Kind, I tell ya!! If we could bottle him up and sell him we'd all be Rich!!

Anyhoo, I'm not getting much sewing done other than some handwork.  I did sneak off to Wal-Mart and buy some cute fabric to make Grandbaby items.  This Wal-Mart still sells fabric on the bolt. while mine at home stopped selling fabric off the bolt 2 yrs. ago.  

I'll be flying home next Wed. and I will HAVE to tell you in my next post the story about taking Xanax before I flew out, getting lost in the Charlotte airport, asking for help and almost missing my connecting flight.  Oh yes, who knew that Xanax and some of my new meds. wouldn't jive?  I might as well been three sheets to the wind. I'm a white knuckle flyer that took Xanax last time I flew 2 yrs. ago with No Problem.  

This time..as I like to say..A Whole 'Nuther Story!

I MUSTACHE YOU TO BE MY VALENTINE

THEY SAY...

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

The mustache bunting is made from construction paper but I plan to make DD a 

FABRIC UPGRADE...the least I can do, right?

Do You see the Conversation Hearts for eyes??

My daughter, the Photographer is a pretty creative cookie, don't you think?

This is Lighthouse Photography's Feb./Valentine backdrop and of course, James is her #1 MODEL!!

TWO WEEKS AFTER SURGERY

Look at those FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR!!!

Commenting Problems Tip Line:  

Use Firefox instead of other service engines.  That has worked for several followers to help "FIX" the problems with viewing and commenting on my BLOG!! I've been told that Blogger is rolling out some new stuff in March in hopes of fixing some of its "buggers".

BTW:
You are welcome to USE/PIN my pictures on your Pinterest/Blog...just give Grandmama's Stories a Shout-Out and You're Good to go.  I had someone ask to PIN this picture so I came back and edited this post to add this tidbit.

Problems with Comments

To ALL MY LOYAL FOLLOWERS

Some of you have told me you are having trouble commenting on my blog as of the last post.

If that is true please send me an email.

jehillis@gmail.com

However, a very sweet follower sent me this  little tidbit of Techi advice and she said it solved her problem and was then able to post.

I am unable to comment - not sure why blogger has this little quirk.  Another blog suggested we all go in and change our setting for comments FROM "imbedded in the post" TO "separate page or pop up."  I was able to leave a comment after she did that.

 

Truthfully, I'm not quite sure if I even understand, but give it a whirl as will I.

In the meantime, if I get more emails from you saying you're having a problem, I'll enlist the help of my sweet friend and mentor.

Madame Samm...She is the guru of troubleshooting blogger problems.  I just hate to bug her if I don't absolutely have too especially since she is spending so many hours on her digital design computer course.

Please let me know IF you are having a problem and IF this bit of advice helped solve your problem.

Blessings

GMAMA's GONE WONKY

I've Gone WONKY

WONKY HOUSEs

with

Jane of Jane's Fabrics

 There she is!!!  Prudence is Baaaack!!! 

Many of you will remember back in October when it was the 

Invasion of the Ghastlies...that Wonky fabric we all loved to hate!!

I couldn't resist putting her in my 1st Wonky House.

I love my little *peeping* Owl

I've always thought of myself as a bit *Wonky* however, I had never heard of 

being Wonky ON PURPOSE!!  Now that's my kind of swap!

Jane from Jane's fabrics got a great idea to do a Wonky House swap.  I had NEVER EVER heard of Wonky Houses much less making a Quilt with them?? Geez Lueez!!  

UNTIL

I saw these WONKY HOUSE BLOCKS

Jane has made these blocks for our swap but you can go visit some more Flick  sites to see more.

Oh My Stars, they are so cute, fun, wacky, crazy, colorful, BUT.................

TRY to MAKE A WONKY HOUSE ON purpose AND YOU'LL FIND IT'S A LITTLE MORE TRICKY THAN YOU FIRST THOUGHT.

Here is another attempt...not my favorite but I was thinking outside the square so to speak

I haven't appliqued the edges yet... not my best 

I sorta like this one..made strictly from scraps!

This next picture shows a set of Signature Blocks made as a part of the Wonky House Swap.

I made these in less than an hour.  I'm thinking this pattern would be perfect for James' memory quilt I mentioned in my last post.  My intention is to make YOUR contribution as SIMPLE with little time taken from your schedule.  What do you think?

4 in. Signature Blocks

I used 2 1/2 in. strips and the middle strip is larger than the two ends but that's OK.  My math skills wouldn't allow me to figure out how to get them even.  I could divide but I couldn't transfer that number to my measuring board...I know it's embarrassing.  I actually Taught this stuff but my brain wasn't having anything to do with helping me get those strips even.  So..that means YOU can't make yours even either!! Ha!!

I'm dedicating an entire post to James's quilt this weekend.  I have to choose MY fabric before I can let those of you who want to make a signature block go ahead and make one. I was quite pleased at how many of you interested in making a block.  I made it simple and quick for you!

A LITTLE SIDEBAR........

 I'm off to Traffic Court, TONITE...yep, the Gmama got HERSELF a little ticket a few weeks ago driving 55 in a 45 mph. zone early one morning going to a doctor's appointment. I'm cruizin along WITH the traffic and don't notice the BlUE FLASHING LIGHTS behind me until I go thru the traffic light  The policeman has to trun on his siren before I realize I'm in trouble!  I pull onto a side street and when the officer comes up to my window I ask him what I've done??  I honestly had NO IDEA I was speeding....and to top it all off...guess who had let her license expire???  Yep...Yours Truly! I can explain why, but it would take a whole 'nuther post to tell THAT story.

ANYHOO...I figure I'll have a Great story after going to Traffic Court with all the DUI's and other miscreants ...I'm hoping the judge will waive the license fee since I have a current one now.  That is the usual practice but then it IS the GMAMA we're talking about and USUAL PRACTICE can mean a WHOLE 'NUTHER STORY................

Life with the Gmama is much like watching an episode of the old show from the 50's "I Love Lucy"

BTW, #1 Hubby just rolled his eyes when I told him ...gotta love that man!

Blessings

James Update

James Update

Here he is!!  James in his walker enjoying some sunshine, 2 weeks after surgery!

For all of you who prayed, sent words of encouragement, cried, smiled, inquired, and most of all CARED....My Heart says THAN YOU!! I didn't want to overload my blog with James updates but SO MANY of you have asked about his post surgery progress I decided to give you a short update.

As you can see, James has recovered his smile and gaining strength daily.  Although James is using a walker, he walked out of therapy on Friday on his own without a walker while holding the hand of his Physical Therapist.  Granted, the walk was short and slow but it was a HUGE PROGRESS from 1 yr. ago. 

This is the same child Doctors told us would most likely be wheelchair bound for most of his life.  This was AFTER we FINALLY got a medical professional to give us an official diagnosis of CP.  Get this, one Doctor told my daughter around 9 m. old that James was, and I quote, "Just a wimpy little white boy" and he would be fine...go home and quit worrying...there's absolutely nothing wrong with this boy...he just needs some time to catch up.  Close your mouth, pick up your jaw off the floor...Yep...isn't that some kind of professional diagnosis??  Wimpy Little White Boy ...wonder what chapter in Grey's Anatomy that came from??

What can I say??  That is the world we've lived in for the last 4 yr.s...my daughter has had to be her own medical researcher, her son's advocate, and fight like H_ _ _ every step of the way.

Currently...

The local Physical Therapists don't want to follow the PT protocols put forth from St. Louis, simply because they have a philosophical difference with the folks at St. Louis and the approach they take with CP children.

DUH!???..HELLO...the proof is in every step James takes as to whether he should have had the SDR surgery!!  Needless to say, my sweet daughter shouldn't have to fight the PT.

Therefore, every 2-3 months Mommy and James spend 3 weeks at UAB for PT camp, live in the Ronald McDonald House a block from the Hospital, just so James can get the Correct intensive therapy he needs to make maximum progress.

The First surgery was in June 2010 at St. Loius Children's Hospital and we like to say he got the "extension package" 2 weeks ago at the same hospital.  The Dr. lengthened Jame's heel cords without actually cutting the heel tendon.  This technique is not the norm for children with Cerebral Palsy in that the tendon is usually actually cut.  Only 10 other doctor's do this type of surgery across the U.S.  

St. Louis Children's Hospital!

on the cutting edge when it comes to children with Cerebral Palsy

Here is a link for the SDR surgery my grandson had in June 2011 and PERCS surgery in Jan. 2012

Anyone who HAS or KNOWS a child/grnadchild/friend with Cerebral Palsy

PLEASE do some research on this Life Changing Surgery.

If you've made it this far in my post, you are truly a loyal follower.  I got on my soapbox as I wrote so please forgive me.  But, I needed to vent just a wee bit.  I'm a very grateful, positive, and blessed person.  I don't like being negative but every once in awhile I have to get something off my chest.  Thanks for listening. 

Tomorrow or Wed. I will be writing about a new quilt I want to make for James.  I made him one when he was a baby but he needs a new one.  He loves robots so I'm thinking a robot themed quilt.  I would really like for all of my faithful followers to help by possibly making 6" signature blocks to be placed in the quilt as my corner blocks and/or borders/sashing.  I haven't designed the quilt as of yet but wouldn't it be special for him to have a quilt to commemorate his successful surgery with signatures of all the people who prayed for him, thought about him, loved him, or even encouraged me or his parents.  I'll tell you more in my next post.  I'll see if I get enough interest before I proceed with the design. Give me some feedback PLEASE!

Blessings

FAVORITE THINGS

January Favorite Things List

You can thank or blame my friend Marlene over at Stitchinbythelake for this post. She made a list of some of her favorite things and then challenged her friends to respond by posting some of OUR favorite things.  Now I will make a disclaimer right here and now...OPRAH DOES NOT BLOG HERE...or in laymen's terms, I will NOT be giving away my favorite things to my loyal followers.  You know I love reading your sweet comments but this gal just got over Christmas and you know what that means....I'm living very FRUGAL right now.  Since I don't EVER EVER charge anything...Honest...Never... used to...learned my lesson... if I can't afford to pay cash then I don't buy it.  Very liberating BTW!!...I digress

So here goes...

A 2012 list of SOME of my Favorite Things

Personal products I like:

Diet Pepsi...Drink of the Gods

Don't bother telling me how horrible it is for me because I already know.  However, I love it, and reward myself for a job well done with an Ice Cold Diet Pepsi in a bottle, Not a Can!

Johnson's Baby Lotion w/ pump

I try to find a coupon because the big bottle can be a little pricey but it's one of my "Gotta Haves" especially w/ my dry skin.  It smells great and isn't too greasy.  I've loved it since I was little and later when my children were babies.  They smelled so good after their bath and all lotioned up.  I know...pediatricians now recommend no lotion but I disagree.  My grandchildren have dry skin and love to come to my house for a bath so they can use Grandmama's Baby Lotion

Gold Bond Baby Powder

This is the best stuff ever!  I use lots of powder

It has Cornstarch (no talc), Kaolin, and Zinc Oxide\

CVS pharmacy makes an exact replica, $1 cheaper too.

 Obsession Perfume

My signature smell!!  My girl's call it the "Mommie Smell" from when they were little. They claim everything I own smells like Obsession.  Interestingly, my sister uses this very same fragrance.  I used to pay out the ying Yang but can buy it at Marshall's for $14.95!

Activia Blueberry and Cherry Yogurt

Tastes so good plus keeps my *plumbing* in tip top shape

My Daytime Moisturizer

 

Oil of Olay Night Cream

I find the Daytime Oil of Olay creams at Dollar General for a Great Price

So there you have it

a few of my Daily Favorite things:

Next Post I'll share some sewing and cooking favorite things.

Why don't you do the same thing and tell me so I can check out YOUR favorite things?!

Blessings

He Wiggled His Toes!

JAMES WIGGLED HIS TOES!!!

What's the Big Deal??

James has NEVER been able to wiggle his toes 

He ALSO Moved his foot UP and DOWN...

another FIRST!!

Enjoy some Pictures from today's surgery!

GOD is STILL IN the MIRACLE MAKING BUSINESS

A Boy Needs his Mama

JAMES in Recovery Room with a VERY TIRED Mama

Please pray for my sweet Daughter

THE BEST MOTHER on the PLANET

DADDY is Pretty AWESOME too!!

JAMES resting POST SURGERY

Can you tell this Grandmama is a tad bit excited??!!

Over the Roof, excited??!!

Thank you Dr. Dobbs, Dr. Parks, Nurses, Physical Therapists and Medical Staff

at 

St. Louis Children's Hospital

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SENT ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRAYERS

and Most of All

THANK YOU GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYER

**If you know of a child with Cerebral Palsy, please get them in contact with this Hospital or with me if you would like to know more about the Life-Changing Surgeries/Therapies being done for children and even ADULTS with Cerebral Palsy!

Blessings

SHOUTING MY GOOD NEWS Plus Surgery update Jan. 5th

 NEW picture as of 1 hr. ago

James

 St. Louis Children's Hospital
Jan. 5th, 2012
Pre-surgery...post "Happy Juice"

edited Jan. 5th

I just got word that surgery is running behind schedule, James was getting very upset due to no food plus fear.  He has been given some medicine to calm him down, plus, they are allowing his mommy to walk all the way back to surgery and stay till he goes to sleep!

MAY I SHOUT MY GOOD NEWS FROM THE ROOFTOPS???

You are looking at a Young Man who NOW uses a Walker

  However,according to Dr. Parks at St. Louis Children's Hospital...

Based on an intensive Pre-Surgery Evaluation....

Drum Roll Please.....

WE ARE LOOKING AT A FUTURE INDEPENDENT WALKER

YES, it's TRUE!!

The Pre-Surgery Evaluation was filled with such Good News my daughter could hardly contain herself.  I won't go into the 2 hrs. before when her insurance company told the Hospital they did not issue insurance to the P family.  After many phone calls back and forth between Hospital, Insurance Company, Corporate Office and one HUGE Emergency Prayer Request Phone Call to ME...Divine intervention came to the rescue and ironed out out the little details.  Surgery could proceed as planned.

However, Dr. Parks, who did the initial SDR surgery on James in June of 2010, could not believe his eyes upon looking at James, his movement,  increased strength, and the on target nature of  specific markers they look for when making a prognosis of whether a child will be an Independent walker or one needing walkers/canes/wheelchair.  He looked at my daughter and said these MAGIC WORDS, 

"BASED ON EVERYTHING I SEE, JAMES SHOULD BE AN  INDEPENDENT WALKER.  HE MAY NEED ASSISTANCE WHEN WALKING FOR LONG DISTANCES OUTSIDE, BUT GIVEN HOW HE HAS SURPASSED EVERY PROGNOSIS SO FAR, I AM CONFIDENT JAMES WILL BE AN INDEPENDENT WALKER."

SURGERY, TODAY AT 10:00

Heel Chord Release

Next Step...February, 3 Week Physical Therapy Camp

UAB, Birmingham Alabama

Now..

Go find your Children and/or Grandchilden, Kiss each one of their healthy legs and give a Prayer of Thanks that those legs can run, play, climb, jump, ski, hop, and climb.  Never take those precious Healthy legs for granted.  The next time your child's legs navigate them into trouble, before correcting, take just 3 seconds to be grateful for those healthy legs and the ABILITY to navigate them wherever they choose to go.

Thank You 

from the bottom of my heart for all your heartfelt words of prayers and encouragement

Cerebral Palsy not only touches the life of the child but the lives of an entire Family!

CP is THE most expensive disability because of it's lifelong complications.

My Prayer Request

MY PRAYER REQUEST

January 2012

James, 4 yrs. ,born premature, diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy 

 James will be having a 2nd surgery this Thursday, Jan. 5th, 2012 at St. Louis Children's Hospital to lengthen the heel cords.  Another procedure having to do with the leg muscles is possible dependent upon a pre-surgery evaluation.

The fear is the Dr. will go too deep, lengthen too much, and result in an irreversible floppy head and back (not a very medical explanation but the best I can come up with)  James will be under general anesthesia which always worries me because he has lung issues as well.

As you may imagine, I can't begin to concentrate on anything else this week but my precious James.  School starts back this week so my Sidekick Scott will return and its time to go back to the orthopedic Dr. to see if #1 husband can return to work after being off work for 2 1/2 months due to shoulder surgery.  If you have followed my blog for very long, you know "THAT STORY"  LOL!

SO...

My Dear Friends, May I ask for your Prayers for my Grandson James.

Pray that the Doctors hands and eyes will work together perfectly as they make the incision, that James will tolerate anesthesia with no problems, that the heel cord will be cut precisely, that no infection will invade his little body, that his pain level will be manageable if not negligible, that his parents will be at peace, and that this surgery will further James' progress toward independent walking.

Here is a video put together by my daughter that chronicles James' Journey from birth till now.

  For I know the plans I have for You declares the Lord...Plans to prosper You and not to Harm You, Plans to give you a Hope and a Future

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

JAMES' JOURNEY

BLESSINGS