doojable

Actually, I think the last paragraph of post #17 is very good - and all that would be required at this time. Honesty and humility. *edited to add link*

Pots and pans in tow....I'll be there.

I understand entirely Nero. I went through something like that this summer with my children's grandparents. Their grandfather nearly died. While he was in danger, their grandmother was very agreeable, but once it became apparent that he was going to make a full recovery, she became downright mean. It was as if all the stress was finding a way out. My ex sis-in-law spent some time with a geriatric psychiatrist to learn what her mother was going through. It's not you dear. It's not that you can't do anything right, it's that she isn't coping well. Find an expert to help you sort through it all, allow you to see your mom through all her defenses. Don't take this personally. I wish I had more information to give you - but I'm quite out of my league here. I know that my mother was in a semi-coma for years - and we talked to her constantly. That's about the extent of my knowlege other than what I learned this past summer. Please find a professional to help you sort it out. In the long run, it will help your mom as well.

Honestly, I would help your mom remember YOUR DAD. Help her focus on the man she loves and not the man before her who "needs" healing. Bring pictures, tell stories, help her see him through the miracle that he is instead of the miracle she wants for him. All the advice about dealing with the hospital and doctors is excellent, IMO - and WG knows what she's talking about. I know it's a lot to do given all the emotion, but remember your mom ultimately is a woman with a heart in fear of losing the love of her life. Help her focus on that love. From what I've heard, it helps a lot to keep speaking to your dad. Talk to him about your day and what you remember that you and he did. Give his mind something to attach to. Mostly, love your mom and your dad. That will do wonders for you as well.

I remember the first apartment we lived in. I couldn't have been much older than 3. This aparment had a long hallway that lead to the door. It was dark but not scary. In that hall was my rocking horse, Silver. He was the kind of rocking horse that rocked on springs. I rode many miles down that hallway on ole Silver... My dad would come home late (or at least it felt late) and every night I would run down that hallway to meet him. Every night he would greet me and many nights he would hand me a new Golden Book.

Wouldn't you like to know... T-Bone and Tom Strange have a conspiracy going though...

I'm still praying for your dad and your family.

Outfield, As far as I know, only a few folks got sent to the Tracker School. The people I know that got sent there ended up being on staff at LEAD. We all know how well that worked out.... <_<

:eusa_clap:

Rob Thomas - "Small Wonders" For a cherished friend... I'm feeling pensive.

Stone Sour - "Through the Glass" Cool video, reminds me of someone ...

U2 - "With or Without You"

Only approved photos please.....

You mean a "high FOUR" :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

Tell the Hubby that I got my package Ex10 - thank him extravagantly.

Waysider, you precisely described my impressions of that first memory.

Roy, Only one time I saw a field in my vision that was circular and seemed to be more like the "stuff" inside the circle was like clear jelly. Everything outside the circle was crystal clear. I had just spent a lot of time in some blinding sun, so I assumed that I had somehow strained my eyes. Now those floaters I get a lot; but no circles of light.

I'd think that things have been fuzzy since your trip to the Woodlands... Roy - my friend, I apologize if I helped to bring back bad memories. Please forgive me.

Here's the gravy recipe I've used for years: Giblet Gravy First -make Giblet Broth 2 TBS (3/4 stick) butter Neck and giblets reserved from the turkey several cloves garlic, chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 5 cups water 1 cup white wine 2 3-inch pieces leek (white and pale green parts only) 8 parsley sprigs 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried 2 bay leaves 2 whole cloves 1/4 teas whole black peppercorns Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat, Add neck and giblets; saute until brown, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer neck and giblets to plate. Add garlic, carrots, onion, and celery to pot. Saute until vegetable brown, about 10 min. Add water, wine, neck and giblets to vegetables; bring to a boil. Add all remaining ingredients to pot. Reduce heat to meduim-low; partially cover and simmmer until giblets are very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Using slotted spoon transfer neck and giblets to plate. Cool. Carefully remove all meat from turkey neck. Chop meat and giblets; reserve for gravy. Strain broth into bowl, pressing on solids. (Broth and giblets can be made one day ahead. Cover separately and chill.) Gravy Giblet Broth (see above) Pan juices from turkey 6 TBS (3/4 stick) butter 6 TBS all purpose flour Chopped turkey and neck meat and giblets reserved from Giblet Broth (see recipe) 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 3 TBS brandy 1 lemon, cut in half Strain pan juices from roasting pan into large glass measuring cup. Spoon fat off top of pan juices. Pour juices and Giblet broth into heavy medium saucepan. Boil broth mixture until reduced to 3 cups, about 10 minutes. Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook until golden brown, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Whisk in reduced broth mixture. Simmer until gravy thickens, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add reserved chopped neck meat and giblets, eggs, lemon halves, and brandy;simmer 5 minutes longer. Transfer to bowl. Serve with Turkey. *I should add that before roasting, I rub the turkey inside and out with a mixture of softened butter, fresh orange juice, orange zest, thyme and rosemary(all whisked together) - this helps add depth to the flavors of the gravy.

I posted this a while back but I decided to put it here: Cranberry Salad 2 Pkgs. Cranberries - chopped in a food processor 2 cups sugar 2 small cans Crushed Pineapple 2 pkgs. Large Marshmallow, quartered (The mini marhmallows don't work as well - the cut edges are neccessary) Combine the above 4 ingredients & refrigerate 24 hours, stirring occassionally. (I use a large Tupperware container and just turn it over each time the fridge is opened.) Before serving, stir in: 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 1 pint whipping cream -(that you have whipped) Cool Whip is not a good substitute here, nor is ready made whipped cream. This is a beautiful pink dessert, and it is sweet without being too sweet. ENJOY!

Beware of FLYING Amazing Sea Monkeys.... they have some witch telling them what to do.

I thought I saw four of them singing the other night. One of them had a funny wool beanie on, and they kept singing, "I'm a Believer." They had a funny walk too.... Then they just headed south for the Gulf. They must have been migrating to warmer waters.

This might be a thread that dies rather quickly. Today I was reminded of my very earliest memories... It seems to me that my first clear memory is odd in that I felt like I "just woke up" one day at the age of about 3 years old. I was talking, walking, and I knew everyone. Then there is the first odd feeling I got that there might be a God. I suddenly felt like I was a sort of living doll walking around in a doll house and being watched by whoever owned the doll house. I'm just glad I never saw giant hands come in and move furniture around. ;) What are some of your earliest memories?

Perhaps there is an answer in the differences in our cultures. I don't know much about the culture where you live, Bumpy. How strong and set is the dominant religion? Perhaps we have too much time on our hands....;)

Stay calm. Breathe. Just be with your mom and love her. If she can't handle hearing anything other than that he will be 100% - tell her that for now, but do what you can to learn about alternatives for your dad. She will appreciate it if she needs it. Be healthy even if she can't be. Take some time for yourself and get away from the madness if you need to.