Happy New Year's Eve!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year's eve. Enjoy your festivities, however you choose to celebrate. 

See you in the new year!!!

Oh! I almost forgot. I have a contest planned for tomorrow to celebrate my blog's one year birthday! Be sure to come back!

I know, I know!!!

I haven't blogged in a long time! I know! I've been away from internet access for a very long time. I will try to catch you up on things.  

1. The funeral was the Friday before Christmas. It was a nice service.

2. My dad got engaged.

3. Mom, Richard, and I went bowling. 

4. I went to a Christmas party with dad and his friends. We played dirty santa and I got two University of Alabama ornaments. Roll Tide!

5. Mom and I sang the Chipmunk Christmas song at church the Sunday before Christmas. We gave out hula hoops. 

6. Sunday, I went to Ella Grace's bday party. Happy 2nd Bday!

7. Monday, I met Beth and Amanda and their kids for lunch at the Mexican restaurant.

8. Visited with Amanda Monday after lunch.

9. Tuesday, I got four new tires and 1 new rim. Merry Christmas to my car.

10. Christmas Eve, we had snack foods at mom's house with her husband's family. Good thing we are not Jewish cuz all we had was pork, pork, and more pork. It was delicious.

11. Christmas, I went to dad's friends' house for lunch. It was so good. 

12. Christmas night, I went to visit with Ryan's family. We had seafood. It was good getting to see everyone again and I even met more family members. 

13. Friday, mom and I went to Walmart to buy Christmas stuff 1/2 off. I bought a purple Christmas tree. Super fun!

14. We drove to Baba's after the Walmart trip.

15. Friday night, we had Christmas with mom's side of the family. It was great. 

16. We went to Christmas City (miles and miles of lights and Christmas scenes.). They have a little village with shops, food, and even a train ride. I got us a group rate for the train ride and everyone got to ride for 1/2 price. Sometimes, all you gotta do is ask. 

17. I bought a new Bama koozie at Christmas City. It is houndstooth with an embroidered 'A'.

18. Saturday, we went to Walmart again because mom's tire blew on the way to Christmas City. She decided to buy 4 new tires. 

19. I went all over town trying to find ammunition for my gun.

20. Bought ammunition. 

21. Went to Pa's and fired my gun.

22. Gun rubbed blister on my thumb.

23. Went to Ms. Evelyn's for dinner.

24. Fell in love with "Pedro", a mini chihuahua. I so want one now.

25. Sunday, I drove home. 

Now you are all caught up on my vacay. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. 

Arrangements

Visitation is at 10 a.m. tomorrow with the funeral following at 11 a.m.  Dad wanted it on Saturday, but the funeral home could not do it then.  So Dad decided to do it on Friday.  

Thank you to all my friends who have sent emails and text messages.  I appreciate all your prayers and thoughts.  

UPDATE #3

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who for your prayers and concern. 

I just received a call from my Dad.  Granny passed away this morning around 2:30.

I am going home today and will be home through Christmas.  Dad wants to have everything arranged so we can have the funeral on Saturday.  

Thanks again for your prayers.    

UPDATE #2

My dad called me today and told me Granny was awake (she had been out for several days).  I got to talk to her for a few minutes.  She tried to talk back but only grunts were coming out.  But she could hear me and understand me.  My mom told me that Granny's organs are starting to shut down.  I just can't believe this is really happening.  

I am packing tonight so I can go home tomorrow morning.  I just don't think I can drive down tonight.  It's dark, I'm crying, and it's raining.  Not a good combination.  I need to spend some time packing because I have a lot of National Board stuff to do while on Christmas break.  I don't want to leave anything I need to work on that.  

    

Update

My Granny is still hanging on.  Now they don't know how long it will be.  They were so certain she wouldn't last through Monday night.  She's still the same as Monday.  Every time a hospice nurse comes in, they comment she won't make it through the hour they will be there, but she still keeps hanging on.  I talked to Dad this morning and he told me to go to work and that he would keep me posted throughout the day.  

I am so torn about what to do.  I know I need to go home, but I just don't want my last memory of my Granny to be of her dying.  I can not sit and watch her die.  That's what I would be doing if I went home right now.  My dad is surrounded by his aunts and uncles and his girlfriend.  He is not alone.  I have substitutes on "stand-by" and they will come in as soon as I need them.  Right now, I think the best thing for me to do is go to work.  I hope it is the right decision. 

Once again

I come to you with a request for prayer.  My grandmother is not doing well and the doctors do not expect her to make it through the night.  I am asking that you pray for:

1.  comfort - my Granny has been in a lot of pain and she just needs to rest and not hurt during this time

2. peace - for my family.  

This is a hard time for all involved, but especially my brother, who is stationed in Alaska and can not get home during this time.  Please pray for him. 

Keep my dad in your prayers, as well.  He is my granny's only living child.  So, he is having to do everything and make all the decisions about her care.  I know this is hard for him, and he kept comforting me while we were talking on the phone.  I pray God will grant him strength, peace, and the wisdom to do what is best for Granny.     

As you may recall, my program was rescheduled for tomorrow night.  This is a job requirement that I can not put off on someone else.  Literally, there is no one else who can conduct this program.  I wrote over half the songs for it.  They are still on notebook paper with my notes all over it.  So, I will be here until I finish the program.  Then depending on how late it is, I may drive to my parents or I may leave on Wednesday.  

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you.