10-18-12

Tonight Zach took a bubble bath. As we were putting his pajamas on, I said,"perfect" when he got his foot in right. He said, "I'm not perfect." I say, "Oh, because nobody is perfect, right?" He said, "Yes. Nobody is perfect….except Miss Spider."

When Steve and Kyle visited last weekend for Steve's birthday, it was a big deal for Zach to show Uncle Steve how he could go #2 in the toilet.

A day or so later he asked for Uncle Warren to show him the same thing.

Fall was beautiful the last week or two.  Yesterday and today the cold rain and winds brought down many of the leaves. However, the Sweetgums are just starting to turn, so we have act 2 coming.  I like to think of this fall as nature's way of flipping off that severe drought we lived with this summer.  It is such a relief to see the resilience of so many plants and trees.  My rose bushes, not that fab in the first place, looked dead most of the summer. Now they have the prettiest little rosebuds.

This is the "Gated" house just down the road from us. Their driveway trees were awesome for a few days. Now, not many leaves left.


We went to Powell Gardens with Steve and Kyle.

This is Kyle driving Steve's truck to Powell Gardens and our pretty gravel drive this fall.

 This is the chapel. It is really pretty. Many weddings take place there.

This is a little area with a framework covered by wisteria. It is very beautiful, unlike the Jones wisteria which is not beautiful but very good at growing. Just down the step from the boys is the pond. Lovely area.

Friendly passed away on 10-16. She was alive at 6:30 a.m., but cool and breathing lightly. I pet her a little and moisturized her mouth, which was hanging open. Mike checked her around 7 a.m. and she had passed with her mouth closed. He and Zach buried her behind the hedge tree by the compost pile.  It is sad to lose a piece of living Jones family history.  She was a tough animal.  Mike estimates her age at death to be 21-22 years.

St. Mary's entered into negotiations with HCA, a for profit healthcare company and the one from whose college I obtained my BSN, this week. It makes me quite sad as I was getting attached to the little community hospital with the Catholic mission to care for the poor and be a part of the community. Father Kevin, is from Africa, he sings a song over the PA system everyday around 1 or 2.  With that accent it is hard to understand and kind of funny, but very sweet. He came be the with family during a code last week. He looked like a super hero. His stance and face. He was so strong for the family. He put his arm around the wife and never took it away even as they rolled down the hall to the ICU. I've never seen a priest at a critical moment before, but they do not jack around.  Unfortunately, all of that will change. HCA is not a good employer. I haven't applied at KU for over a month, but in the last week I have received calls for 2 interviews there. One in pre/post surgery, which I have wanted for a long time. Another is a brand new neuroscience unit on the new floors in the new hospital . . . cushy.  I also got to interview at St. Mary's for an emergency department position, which I think would be interesting for a while.  I also think, if anything HCA would keep the ER open as a satellite, because they have done that before around town.  I guess it is up to fate.  My friend Amanda at St. Mary's and I plan on rocking Shangri La skilled nursing if all else fails. I think we have convinved the ortho resident to join us.