Jillian Elanor's Page

Oh My What Big Eyes you have!
Just Beautiful

Jillian has wild curly hair on top that is quite long, but it is short and wavy in the back.  The tips of the longer hair is still a reddish color, but it is growing in blond.  There is a something, something about Jill that grabs your heart and won't let go.  Maybe it is because she won;t give me the time of day or maybe it is that she is always happy and smiling.  She smiles all the time and she seems to be making friends with Papa.
Jillian did not walk as early as Sophie, but at 10 months she is cruising.  She walks from the family room thru the kitchen, thur the dining room, thru the living room and up the stairs she goes.   She has not yet learned to come down the stairs, so this keeps her parents really busy,  Going up and down.

She likes to hold things in her mouth.  She will hold them up to half and hour while playing with something else.   The fish in her month has a magnet.  Her passie is connected to a strap with a clamp (like the ones used to hold with mittens)  Papa stuck the fish to the clamp, then Jillian tried to do it herself.   She loves to stack things up then knock them down.

One correction from Sophie's blog is that Jillian does not watch TV.  She might glimpse up once in a while when Sophie is watching, but she does not watch.  The photo's I had seen were taken when she was very young, So that has changed.  Something about being a year old before TV watching can commence.

Jillian likes to wake before Sophie than go to Sophie room with her daddy and wake Sophie by climbing up on top of her.  She finds this great fun.  She also likes to go to the grocery store and ride in the cart and see all the stuff in the aisles.  Sunday when she was here, she teased Sally with her ball. She know exactly what she was doing and laughed about it.  I think she is a sponge and has a thirst for learning.  Another beautiful child with a brain.   She does have a temper however, she sat on her passie and when she couldn't pull it out, instant hollering. Good thing is, it is quick to come and quick to go. and soon as she got the passie hollering stopped  She knows a couple of words, Uh Oh and Bye Bye.  She waves by curling her finger facing her body.

Beautiful she is, she looks like a China (Dresden Doll) with the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen.  Gramma status not withstanding.   I'm still making friends with her, but she brings me more joy than I can express.  I love her with my whole heart and hope to live to continue to watch her grow and develop.  I love you Jillian Elanor, you make my heart sing.

This is the lullaby her momma sings to her each night.  So beautiful.
http://youtu.be/CFOac8zybPE

Just three of the people I love most in the world!

I hope you have enjoyed these small little glimpse of my Grandchildren.  Sort of one day and how I see them on that day.  I love them all equally but different.  Love, Bon

Sophie Lyra's Page

Sophie Lyra is quite a girl. She is 3 years old going on 4 going on 15. She is way, way too smart for her own good and just keeps getting smarter, plus she is a pretty, pretty girl. She has blond hair with just the right amount of natural curl.

Sophie is sweet and kind and loves her sister Jillian to the extreme.  She loves her so much she can hardly keep herself from hugging and touching her.  They often sit next to each other to watch TV and Soph always has her arm around Jill.  Some of her favorite shows are Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Berenstain Bears, Maggie & The Ferocious Beast and Little Bill.  She gets the story or joke too as I hear her laugh or respond to the show.  This sounds like a lot of shows, but trust me her TV time is limited.

Sophie loves music and loves to sing.  She will sing along with her favorite music playing or simply sing on her own without a background.  She of course performs all of the hand motions etc to whatever song she might be singing.  Some of her favs are Shake my Sillies Out, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Wheels on the Bus, Lovely, Love my Family and Jump Up.  She knows all the words and a whole host of other songs.

One day a couple of weeks ago she was here and had us all outside and in the classroom.  She was the teacher of course.  Here she is conducting for us.  She sang songs this day too. 

She is a very lucky girl too as she has taken a couple of bug classes and has real butterflies in her room.  Bug classes aside, she is a girlie girl and always wears dresses, always, and she also always has one baby or another with her.  She has many doll babies, but I am not sure if she has a favorite.

Her dad has taken her to a couple of Michigan football games in her young life, last week they took the bus to the Big Stadium.  She liked the bus ride, a little bit of the game and the band.  They left at half time.  Such a lucky little girl.  

Lessons:  Soph is currently signed up for ballet lessons on Saturday's some where on campus and Swimming Lessons on Thursday at the YMCA.  Neither lessons are going well at this point, but it is still early.  On Thursday before her 2nd swimming lesson her dad ask her if she was going to swim this time to which she replied " I'm just going to sit on the edge and cry." and that is exactly what she did.  While there Jason decided to swim laps and when they were changing he lamented that he was tired from swimming the laps and Sophie said "Yeah I am tired too from crying by the side of the pool."

All in All she is a delightful little girls that can hold a conversation like an adult and tell you many, many things as she has a long memory and has had a ton of life experience.  Her parents take her lots of places we as parents would not have even thought to take such a young child.  She can tell you all about them.  I love her so, sometimes I think my heart will burst.

Condition Update, Advance Directive or Living Will

Good Morning Family Friends & Guest,

Things I have noticed lately: No pain meds during the night and wake pain free। I can stay up and fix breakfast, make coffee etc for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the am। I take Percocet 10 mg every 3 hours all day and I am basically pain free। I can sit up in a chair for a long time without pain। This gives me lots of hope for the healing of my back। It won't be like new, but way better than the 30 seconds I had before surgery। I am thinking about stretching out the dose of meds to 4 hours and see how I do.

I can't keep my feet warm and if I step on the cold floor they actually sting. Don't have and Idea what the heck I will do this winter to keep them warm. The cold really sets the nuropathy off in my left foot.

I definitely have an increase in my Shortness of Breath। What does this mean? Is my IPF on the March again? This scares me, I don't want to die, I am not ready to die, I am not done here. It is because I have been more sedentary of late due to the back? I can fix that, I will just get up more often and move about. Walk the apartment etc. Only problem is this causes me to be short of breath to the point of coughing (I sound like a barking seal) until I see stars and my heart is racing like a runaway train. That scares me too!

Frustrations: Always sitting on lifeline and pulling. Sliding around in the hospital bed and the sheets won't stay put no matter what I do. I have to remake it 10 times a day and that really takes my air, no matter how much I rest. New - slight headache all the time and blurry vision. It is the drugs or something new. Who knows.

Advance Directive or Living Will

EVERYONE should have one. This is not just for those of us with warning shots, everyone should have one cause one never knows what might happen. It is the best and kindess thing you can do for a loved one.

Four Questions to ask yourself.

1 Do I want to be resuscitate if my heart stops?

2 Do I want aggressive treatments such as intubation and mechanical ventilation?

3 Do I want Antibiotics?

4 Do I want to be tube or intravenous feeding if I can't eat on my own?

My advance directive at this time is only a DNR (do not resuscitate) as my doctor has advised if I was down 30 seconds with my IPF I would definitely come back in an altered state. If I can't be the way I was before I went down than I don't want to come back. Ray knows this, Leah Meunier (none immediate family medical advocate) and all those I love know this. This may change over time as my disease progresses. This might be the biggest favor you do for your loved ones. It is a difficult topic, but one that is most necessary. For further reading see the New Yorker, August 2, 2010 edition or simply google it.

On Friday I was able to walk (with walker) into Office Depot to get ink for my printer. Then we went to Trader Joes and I was able to walk the store, again with my walker, then off to Country Market. I walked in, but used the amigo in the store. Ray took the groceries and I walk back to the car. This was most encouraging. Not 100% but certainly better than 30 seconds. Keep praying for more healing.

I bake a banana cake Thursday. I strapped on my apron from Vickie, piled everything from the pantry on my walker and baked a cake. Then took everything back, again with the walker. Worked out just fine.

I know this is just the first week of school, but Leah checked grades and Owen and Katherine had all 100%s except 1 for Katherine was 111% I am not sure of the subject but I think it was Social Studies. That's a great way to start off the school year and I am most proud.

This is IPF awareness week the 16th thru the 23rd so don't be a asshat, do something spread the word.

Be Well till we meet again. God Bless

Katherine's Page

Katherine is tall and graceful. She has beautiful true brown eyes and lovely thick dark hair and a great smile. She is 10 years old, soon to be 11 and a 6th grader at Forsythe Middle School. She is our 1st born Granddaughter and Owen's sister.

Katherine was know as Kate from the day she was born until the 1st day of Kindergarten when she advised her teacher "you can call me Katherine". She has been Katherine ever since to some family members and remains Kate or Katie to others. Her early childhood friends call her Kate, but her school friends call her Katherine. She is happy either way. I call her Katherine, her Papa solves the problem and just calls her Rag Mop. Her mom, dad & brother mostly call her Kate. Except her mom more often calls her Birdie. Nicknames are a southern thing and huge in the Boggs family.

Katherine set out very young to out read her brother and now reads and comprehends at college level. She just finished reading "Heaven is Four Real". It is wonderful to see her read for pleasure. She loves Greek Mythology and will say her thanks and prayers to the Greek God’s –for example if it’s a beautiful day with the sun shining, she’ll thank Apollo since he’s the God of the sun…
Here is a list of some of her books

1. Percy Jackson (Greek Mythology) series 3 times. She even wrote him a letter.
2. Spiderwick Chronicles 2 times
3. Alcemist
4. Blubber
5. Where the Red Fern Grows (multiple times)
6. Are you there God it's me Margaret
7. The entire Bone Series (the book was 3 inches thick)

This is just a few of the many, many books she has read. I think she is currently reading "The Help".

Katherine likes crafts and sewing. She has made several outfits for her pal Patrick a build a bear dog that has gone every where with her and taken part in every celebration for many years.

Kate is clever, and smart, and witty with a wonderful sense of humor. Example a few years back we were discussing the band the Beatles and then starting teasing about Beetles and somehow ask Katherine how to tell the difference and she said because one is spelled Beetles and one is spelled Beatles. I think she was about 7ish.

This is her most recent picture taken especially for this blog.
I'm sure I have left off many, many things. But this is a snapshot of how I know Katherine on this day.

We are most proud of her and the direction she is heading as she transitions from Little Girl to Tween. We love you Katherine Theresa Powers with our whole hearts.

First day of school September 2011.

Grandson Owen's Page

Hello Family, Friends and Guest,

I have decided to dedicate a page to each of my grandchildren as I know them at this point in their life.  I will start with Owen the oldest and work down.  Each will be a separate blog.  Papa watched Owen when he was a baby, from about 8 weeks to 16 months.
Owen is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at Forsythe Middle School.  He has a most beautiful smile and a great head of hair.  Owen is very kind and kind hearted to others.  He is especially gentle to his two little cousin's 3 years old and 9 months old.  He has new friendships and long standing friendships.
He loves working on the computer playing Video games. Yep Owen sure does LOVE video games.  He has been using the computer since he was about 18 months old.  I have a picture of him somewhere on his knees with a pacifier in his mouth at about that age on the computer.  He has even taught himself to play the keyboard and piano from the Internet.  He plays video Music and shows other how on You Tube.  He also plays Trombone in the school band for 4 years now.  He is very good and I love to watch and hear him play.  You can listen if you like here http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBlacKoopa
Owen tries to explain a game to me, but for me it is like the adults in Charlie Brown, WA,WA,WA,WA,WA.  Still I try to follow along.

Speaking of school, it comes pretty easy to Owen so he really doesn't have to work REAL hard to get good grades.  He likes school and as we all know that is have the battle.  One subject he likes a lot is physical science you know with Bunson Burners etc.  Of course another is Band.

Owen likes a lot of different foods and the good thing is, he is willing to at least try new things.  His favorite TV show at this time is Lost and he knows it in and out. He can be witty and he is just starting to take an interest in clothes.

Owen has many nicknames (damn southern in fluents) ODog, Owie, OlieConolie, Onun, Otis & Oak Tree.

Owen is still willing to talk to his parents about anything.  We are very proud of him and the direction he is heading.  Keep Up the Good Work.  We Love you, Bon (Papa too)

XRay, med adjustment , words to song.

Hello Family, Friends & Guest,

My back was so bad yesterday I called the doctor.  They had me come in for an Xray.  Everything looks fine and no more fractures so they adjusted my pain meds and I have been great all day.  I know the pain meds is just masking, but I'll take it.  Thank you Jesus.

The link is to my Playlist.com account where you will find my newest list of song, My favorite Hymns.  This is the only way I know how to do it until I can figure out how to get the player back on the blog and working.  I have tonight email the developers for help.  I want to provide you with the Lyrics to the Hymn "God Be With You Tell We Me Again" because they are so beautiful.

God be with you till we meet again;
by his counsels guide, uphold you,
With his sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain
Till we meet, Till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus' feet;
Till we meet, Till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
neath his wings securely hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.
(refrain)

God be with you till we meet again;
when life's perils thick confound you,
put his arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again.
(refrain)


I am in hopes of getting the playlist up and running soon, but in the mean time, maybe you can go to the playlist to here the melody and then back here for the words. http://pl.st/p/22410267403   We will see.

Have a lovely evening.  God be with you till we meet again.
Be Well.

PS this was the Hymn that we sang in Sunday School every Sunday at the end of class. 

Dreary Days, Pity Potty, Hospital Bed

Hello Family, Friends & Guest,

As you all know by now, I had back surgery on the 22nd of August.  On the 25 I felt the best I had felt in a long, long time and it has been downhill ever since.  On Friday before Labor Day, I was sure I was done with the Hospital bed so I had Med Equip come and pick it up.  As it turned out I was a little Hasty in that decision and had them bring it back the Tuesday after Labor Day.

If I do nothing but lay in this hospital bed, I am convinced I am not sick.  Nothing hurts, but the minute I get up I know I am sick and always will be.  I am trying to be Grateful, but some days it is terribly difficult.  Some days it can be terribly difficult for many days.  I hate that feeling.

It has been cold and raining here for 3 days.  It is barely lighter than dusk all day long and the rain in cold.  High in the low 60's.  I have never done this before but I am seriously thinking of turning the furnace on and it's only the 8th of Sept.  I never turn it on till late October, but maybe.

OK the above was written early afternoon, It is now 8:00 pm and I am feeling very different.  I have had time to think about my visit with Rev Beth.  A couple of my Face book Friends have commented on comments I put there and Cousin Leah has been to visit. With all that I am out of my funk and I think I am in the process of turning the corner to acceptance.  I don't want to accept and I am going to call the doctor tomorrow and ask a few questions. That is 8 days out from surgery and too long to wait for the return visit on the 21st.   Just in case, they want to check now to see if I did something or if there is something I should be doing.  Maybe I should be trying to walk more, I don't know, but at least I can ask a few questions.

I worked a lot to get a music player to work.  The one I had I deleted cause I couldn't change the play list and the one playlist.com has now will not load in right for me.  I found this U Tube one and I got Art Garfield on it, but alas I cannot get it to load the song Grateful.  I can find it on the Internet and the lyrics too, but it will not load on this player.  I will just have to keep  working on it, but no more today.

I did bake a loaf of Blueberry Bread this morning.  Ray got out all the ingredients last night for me so it was just a matter of measuring out the ingredients and mixing it together.  It was made with Bisquick and Oatmeal.  It took Ray and I together to beat this quick bread 30 seconds, but we got her done.  It is tasty, but not sweet.  I think in a pinch, I would bake it again, but only in a pinch,

This is it for this time, I am emotionally worn out, besides that I am tired so.....

God be with you tell we meet again, Be Well

P.s. we turned the furnace on when Ray got home from work.  I had to get the dampness out of here.  Much better now.  :^)

Random Thoughts & General Crabbiness

Hello Family, Friends & Guest,


Oh what a difference a day makes.  Saturday it was 95 here with a heat index of over 100degrees.  Today the high temp was 61 with an overnight low in the 50ies.  House is cold, had to use the portable heater in the bathroom before I could shower.  Suppose to be cool all week but Friday the high should be back in the 80ies.  Weather is year makes no sense at all.


Just when I think I should call this surgery a failure, I look at my arms that are still bruised all to heck from the blood draws and IV's.  Took 3 times before the IV worked.  I guess if the outside bruises are not healed I should not expect the inside to be.  It's just that day 2 after surgery I felt wonderful and now it is a little better, but certainly not what I was hoping for.  I will try to be patience for a little longer, but I got to say even with all their warnings I am somewhat disappointed.  Oh yeah, I sent the hospital bed back to soon too. Hope to get that back tomorrow.


My neuropathy left over from Cancer treatments is brothering me lots.  Middle (Long Landy), Ring (Betty Hopkins)and Little (Little Jackie Dantoe) fingers of my left hand are numb and tingle.  Bothering lots today as I hemmed a pair of PJ's.   My left foot in the same area is numb and tingles especially when the floors are cold, such as today. 


I seem to be getting winded faster.  I was just short distances and gasp for air.  Not sure what is up with that.  Also been coughing a little this passed week.  This coughing seems to come and go so I am not going to start worring about it now.   I said I was not going to ask Why me, but dang, Why me for everything.  I truly am so disappointed about my back.  I really had put all my toys in one basket and truly believed the surgery would work beautifully. 


One last thing about Sally.  She will take her ball to the den and play by herself.  She looses the ball under the chair and cannot get it out.  She will bark quitely one time and run out to dad.  She will run back to the den and wait.  If he does not come to help right away, she will run back again to get him.  It is a joy to watch.  Ray knowns right away when he hears that bark what's up.


On a happy note, I met a Facebook friend in person Friday.  She brought Ray and I lunch and visisted for a couple of hours.  It was like we had known each other forever.  Turns out her daughter is married to a long time friend of ours among many other things in common.  We had a great time and we are looking forward to seeing Mary and her husband real soon.  Stay tuned.


We had the best time with the kids yesterday.  We had BBQ Chicken, Grilled/Baked Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Corn, Brownies & Ice Cream and good good company.  Later in the day Sophie decided to be the teacher/librarian/conductor.   She had us all following her command.  She told one of us to "sit down or leave the room"  That is just one comment of a few hundred, I just can't remember them.  She also had us singing many song and making motions.  It was a great day.

God be with you till we meet again.  Be Well.

3 days out.

Hello Family, Friends & Guest,

3 days out from surgery and my back has hurt all day.  I am in hopes that I slept on it wrong or something.  I have been very careful and I truly don't think I over did it yesterday, but alas it has hurt all day long.

Despite this minor set back I did have Med Equip pick up the hospital bed today.  I am just as comfortable on the couch again and I can save all that real estate.  I did confirm that if I was hasty in my decision I can get it back.

A couple more things about Sally I forgot to mention.  She gives true hugs.  If she really wants something she will dig in deep to for the hug.  They are truly wonderful.   Also with her ball obsession she will stop fetching when you tell her last time or All Done.  She will not eat if we are not home and even the snacks we give her when we leave, she eats when we return.

They say if it ain't broken don't fix it.  Well I tried to change my play list and in the process I deleted the old player.  The new player is different and does not work the same sooooo for at least now no more music.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend.

God be with you till we meet again.  Be Well

Post Op Update, Sally Dog

http://www.playlist.com/MeTigger2

Good Morning Family, Friends & Guest,

I am feeling quite good 2 days post op.  The incision spot itches a tad.  The three blown veins are healing and it is 8:30 am and I am dressed with my hair washed and styled etc.  Feeling pretty good about myself.

I want to talk today about our other miracle from God which is Sally Boggs our dog.  She came to us on a 3 day trial 2 years ago.  She loves us both with unconditional love.  Like all our dogs have been she is quirky.  We share a pop tart each morning for breakfast.   She will patiently wait for the pop tart to toast and cool.  You can set the plate near her and walk away while it cools and she will not touch it.

Her favorite toy is a ball.  One specific ball and she will fetch it and bring it back as long as you will throw it.  She will also stop when you tell her all done.  She will also play with it by herself.  She uses a pink slipper to send the ball, than looks around for it, fetches it and starts again.  She sends it by holding the slipper in her mouth and shaking the heck out of it.  She gives great Hugs upon request or if she is wanting something.

She will not eat if we are not home and now we both must be home.  Use to be she would eat so long as one of  us was home.  She will not go to bed without at least one of us.  At bedtime she watches for me (I swear she can tell time) as she must have a tiny bite of Vaseline to eat before she crawls under the covers.  She also has to flip over for a belly rub from Ray before going under cover.  She sleeps under the covers for about 15 minutes then walks to the head of the bed and just flops between us with her nose nuzzled under my pillow.  She does this several times during the night and in the morning she is always under the covers.

She loves me do.

In the 2 years she has been here she has never had an accident, nor has she torn  anything up.
She is afraid of lawn mowers and storms.  She sits real close to me for the mowers, she hides in the closet from the storms.


Speaking of mowers they are out there now.  Poor thing, she is hiding under my bed.

The best part of Sally is that she loves us both equally.  I am so glad as my original plan and the reason I wanted to get a dog was so that when I am gone Ray will have something to greet him when he comes home.  A silent house is a sad house.  Sally will help to fill that silent.

Thanks for listening.  Have a great day till we meet again.
Be Well