Memories of Paul 720p

Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy!!! This picture is how I remember you....it's just missing your hat! But, I see in this picture a tall, lean, quiet and a very kind man! Of course I remember your hair because mine was just like it! Tell me Daddy did you ever get tired of those waves? hehehe Daddy, wow I really miss saying Daddy and I love and miss you with all of my heart! Everyone here has a special memory of you, wouldn't it great to hear them? Barbara and Shirlie are fine, they send their love too! Daddy, I'm ok too remember I'm your tough and stubborn Lulu! (: Your day must be BEAUTIFUL with Bea, Mom, Hazel, Mabel, Junior, Nancy and all of the family that has joined you over the years. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you!

It's A Blessing To Breathe

Good Afternoon Everyone! Staying one step of ALS breathing episodes isn't easy, but I'm so determined I'll try anything. Yesterday morning I got up feeling good and within a half hour I had trouble breathing. As far as I know I wasn't anxious before hand, but within minutes I was very anxious. So, time for the Xanax only I didn't want to sleep all day so I took a Valium instead. About a half hour the Valium was working. Although, I still had trouble breathing I was calmer. I had the O2 running for a little more comfort. Around 11 I was doing better and it's a good thing because the sisters came for a visit. They're always in a good mood and ready for anything. Their mission for this visit was cleaning blinds and windows. Not an easy task because I have 12 windows in the sun room! Yikes! Bless their hearts always looking out for Lulu. I'm very thankful for all my sisters do for me. Guess I didn't realized how much they needed cleaning, but today I'm enjoying the brilliant sunshine coming through those clean windows! My breathing continued to be under control during their visit. In the late afternoon Fred's sisters stopped by for a short visit. Catheryn his oldest sister knew I had spent Friday in the ER so, they stopped in to see how I was doing. The evening went well with only one incident, but not as bad as the morning because I was staying on top with the anxiety medicine.

This morning I was dreading getting up remembering the episodes of yesterday. With my thinking cap on I thought if anxiety is causing my breathing to mess up...why not take my Valium in bed. That way I could lay a little longer while the medicine worked. Once in my recliner and settled I was surprised at how things were going. Also, I kept my neck brace on because yesterday I noticed it kept the high pressure alarm from going off every 5 minutes. Now, I sit here and all is good! I've only had the one Valium, no extra treatments, neck brace is off, and best of all NO OXYGEN!! A very good day so far!

I still don't know whats causing the anxiety but, until I do I'm starting my day with a Valium and neck brace. Whatever works....I'd like some feedback so, What do you think?

Hurricanes and Earthquakes!

August 27, 2011


What has happened to Virginia? We haven’t had hurricanes in 25 years and an earthquake in 100 years. Don’t hold me these numbers I’m only writing a blog. LOL  As many of you know I don’t like thunderstorms. Before ALS I could dodge the storms by going room to room. Now, I’m sitting in one spot and praying to the good Lord to keep me safe. Thankfully, he has answered my prayers for 18 years. My fear of thunderstorms came from my dear Aunt Margaret. She was so funny when my cousins and I were youngins’. Her house was the place to be except during thunderstorms. We were allowed to continue playing unless the storms became severe. Having 3 little girls under 10 was a handful; I know that now being a Grandma. We were into everything except water a definite no no in a storm. If my aunt had bobbie pins in her hair they’d be out before the next clap of thunder or flash of lighting. My cousins Doris and Kay and I would laugh until we were yelled at to calm down because of the storm. One time I remember being there and the storm was a bad one, that time we had to get in the closet. Looking back we laughed and laughed at the things she made us do during thunderstorms, but now I know it was for our safety. If I had my grandkids during a storm I might make them do the same. My Aunt Margaret passed away at the young age of 57 from complications of diabetes. She still makes Doris, Kay and I laugh when we’re sitting around recalling the wonderful memories of yesterday. Doris and Kay didn’t grow up to be afraid of thunderstorms, but Lulu did…go figure!

The earthquake was something I never thought I’d experience. Those types of things happened on the west coast and beyond. This happened on Sean’s birthday August 23^rd  I laugh and said he wanted me to share some of his earthquake experiences with me. A reverse birthday present if you will. LOL I know I posted about June and my experience with the earthquake, but it was so funny I need to put it here. That morning June was doing my laundry and the washer was acting up as it does sometimes. Later that afternoon June and I were watching TV plus I was busy fighting with the computer when all of a sudden she jumped up said WTH?  She took running through the house yelling WTH! WTH!  I could only think of the washer being out of balance. So, I type out on the computer THE WASHER! THE WASHER!  I kept hitting enter so she could hear what I thought. She did go to the basement and came back said the washer isn’t even running. By now I’m laughing because her actions. If you knew June you’d understand my laughter!  Some days we laugh until accidents occur making us laugh harder.  LOL Back to the quake the phones rings and it’s her husband telling us it’s an earthquake. For a minute we took it serious and it was scary! But, when we relieved the event I couldn’t stop laughing. We lost phone service and she was nervous again.  June couldn’t understand why Fred hadn’t call,…well, between the phone being out and him being at work we later found out he DIDN”T FEEL IT!!!!! I know how can that be, but after talking to other people some hadn’t felt it either. Maybe, they thought it was THE WASHER too! LOL So, it’s time to say goodbye to Irene and the earthquake and hope I never experience again! I do pray for the people these events affected and hope their lives return to normal. Do you think it can be?

Growing Up Lulu!

As I stated I was the youngest of 7….there was Hazel, Mabel, Junior, Barbara, Nancy, Shirlie and me. We lived in Fairfax, Virginia and I was born in Alexandria, Virginia. Out of the 7 children I was the only born in a hospital. The others were either born at home or a place in Linden, Virginia known as the Johnson House.

My first memory would be at the age of 4.I only have this became I got hurt. We had a collie and he jumped on me and knocked me down on a wood chip. I have a big scar on my knee so; I’m assuming a lot of stitches. It’s strange everyone remembers the dog, but no one remembers his name.  Poor doggie!!  I think that house was bad luck for us because Shirlie got hurt there also. I don’t recall the accident, but a piece of car fell on her as Daddy and Junior were loading scraps. She has a huge scar on her thigh…it took more than stitches to patch her up. Ewww!

Sometime in 1958 we moved to Manassas Park. Back then that was a part of Manassas, Va. Now it’s a city of its own.  I don’t have a lot of memories here, but the ones I do seem to be about the other kids. Let’s just say three were teenagers! I do remember being the pesty little kid the others would complain to Mom and Dad about. I loved watching out the window when Nancy came home from a date. Her boyfriend Curtis who later became my brother-in-law would kiss at the front door. Nancy would get so mad because I kept flipping the light switch off and on.  Hehehehe  Isn’t that what little sisters do? LOL

From there we moved to Yorkshire Lane in Yorkshire, Virginia. This is where I have my best memories. It was a little lane that you knew everyone from the beginning to the end. I started school here at the age of 6 1/2 because my birthday was in December. I loved school except on days when something fun was happening at home. One time Mom and Dad were expecting friends from New York to visit. I loved these friends…once we visited them and they lived on a milking farm. That was a cool place and I wanted to live there! The day these friends were coming was a school day and I didn’t want to go. Mom kept telling me they’d be there when I came home. Being a stubborn Lulu I couldn’t see that reasoning. We lived a half of block and my Mom walked Shirlie and I every day. This particular morning Mom was determined I was going and I was determined I wasn’t. After I was placed in the classroom and Mom had left I guess my plotting to get home began. Miss Robinson was writing on the chalkboard and I saw the opportunity to flee. That’s just what Lulu did! LOL   I knew Mom was walking back to house on the road so I couldn’t go that way. Oh, no problem I would just take the shortcut through the woods. When Mom came through the front door there I was sitting on a footstool in front of the TV watching cartoons. I had to rest because I had ran fast and hard to beat Mom home. As you can imagine this didn’t go over well. After she got over the shock of me being there off I went back to school. Once back at school I had to promise not to do it again. Yeah right, had they forgotten this was Lulu!  Again, I waited for Miss Robinson to turn her back and I was off and running. Only this time I knew Mom had had time to get home. I saw her at the clothes line so; I carefully went in the front door. Thank goodness it was a time you didn’t lock all the doors!  I knew this time I was going to be in trouble! When Mom came in the back door and saw me she started yelling and I took off running again. She chased me around the house and at some point I was trapped because Mom came in the back door and Barbara came in the front. In those days kids got punished with a switch. I won’t lie I had my share of whippings from the old Weeping Willow tree in the back yard. I swear that tree was put there just for me! LOL I did get to stay home, but not without stinging little red legs. Ouch!!

That’s just the beginning…stay tuned!

Busy As A Beaver!

My mind is thinking of all the things I want to do and have to do. My eyes can't keep up! LOL I hope everyone is having a fantastic Tuesday! My cousins Doris and Kay stopped by a few Mondays ago...after a weekend of fun with my other cousin Joette. They had so much fun that they want to take me next time. Woo-Hoo! So, at the end of September I'm off to the Charlestown Races! No, I won't bet the house, but do hear they have penny machines! LOL  For me it's not about gambling it's getting to spend quality time with family. I love to do that no matter where. Shirlie, Barbs and June will be going along, Hey....I need some adult supervision! Sorry Cuzs! LOL

It's a good thing I don't need the act of Congress to get the van rented. That's all taken care! I really hate the way they treat the disable as far as the expense goes. For two days of fun it's going to cost my cousins $400....RIDICLOUS!! Which brings me to my next wish and that is for a van. I have to different friends with bands that said they would play at a benefit for me. That's the other thing June and I working on. I value everyone's opinions so, do you think it's appropriate for me to do my own fundraiser? Having a van would mean so much to me. As you all known living with ALS and a fixed income isn't easy.

I welcome your feedback on this post. Thanks and a good evening or afternoon to all!!

Nascar At Indy!

Hello Race Fan!

This week we're at the Indy Motor Speedway. The place where the winner not only has a good pay day, but gets to KISS THE BRICKS!!! Hopefully, at the end of the day my favorite driver Jimmie Johnson will take his 4th win. Good Luck JJ!