New Bingo Buddies!

Aunt Lou played Bingo at her new place and won $10! She said it costs a quarter a card and if you have four (?) cards, you can win the jackpot! She loves her bingo and enjoyed meeting some new friends. It's good to hear that she's getting out and trying new things!

She's Free!!

So my little baby bird has flown the coop! Aunt Lou moved into her new apartment this past Thursday. Jimmy and Maria have worked themselves to death to make her apartment all ready before she moved in. Aunt Lou and I agree it was just like waking up on Christmas morning. She's over the moon!
Cindy, Nita, Melinda, Hilly, Wendy & the boys, Blaine and I have been by to visit. She's so excited and I think it's done us all a world of good to see her back to "normal". I can say out loud, now that it's over, that I didn't think Aunt Lou would ever make it out of the big house when she arrived here. I told her that the other day and she agreed that she didn't really think she'd ever make it out either.

Just in case the girls at the big house are still reading, we can't thank you enough for all that you have done. The girls at Harbor Lakes (the "big house") did so much for rehab, nursing care, wound vacs, moral support, and a million things I couldn't even begin to count here. Having grown up in the nursing home biz, I can say that this one was a great one. Aunt Lou would have never made it without ALL of you.

Aunt Lou and I talked about how if she dropped dead the very first night in her new apartment, that would be just fine because she didn't have to be sick anymore. She and I were still a little concerned about how she was going to figure out how to do everything for herself all at once but she just took off like a shot! She got up the first morning alone and she made herself a big breakfast, got dressed and made her bed before Jimmy even came over to check on her! It's so wonderful to see her in her own environment, acting just like nothing ever happened. She's such a success story!

Our mission is accomplished! Here are a few pics from her new digs for you all to see. Thanks again to everyone for everything. And while I have you here, her printer is working so don't forget to send her emails. She loves getting the emails every day!

Master bedroom.

One of the other bedrooms...still a little unpacking to do!

Living room.

Had to bring some entertainment for the kiddos.

Her view from her living room window.

The game room is right outside of her apartment.

Caleb checked the mail.

This is in the entryway of the apartment complex...very homey.

New Digs

I've heard all this info through different people and I'm putting it all together in this post so hopefully it's all right. Aunt Lou will move into her apartment next week (or maybe the next). She will be on the second floor right by the elevator. The beauty shop is also on the second floor. She will be able to have her dog now but she won't right at first so she can get used to her new place and get used to taking care of herself. Jimmy sent these pictures of the apartment. Here is the link for anyone who didn't get it: http://www.evergreenhb.com/

The kitchen.

Looking out from the kitchen.

I'm guessing this is the dining/living area.

Guest bathroom.

Aunt Lou's bathroom.

It's a Good Day

I had a lengthy visit with Aunt Lou today. I needed to get her all settled before my trip and I also needed her to help me shell two boxes of black eyed peas I got from a farmer here in town.

I hope this allays everyone's fears and concerns while I'm out of pocket. She has seven new Danielle Steele books to read along with one about the Kennedy assassination I brought her from home. She has four new kinds of cookies. Three boxes of sugar free and one regular. They are star shaped cookies with red, white and blue icing and sprinkles. You just have to go with it and be festive sometimes, you know?

I've turned and re-pinned her current baby blanket and everything else I could think to do before I leave. She's set.

Having that said, I know that she has been down or upset or even just plain selfish on the phone recently. She's really apprehensive about the move, she's lonely, bored, and feels trapped and abandoned. If any of those emotions pertains to you, fix it. Mostly though, these seem to be pretty normal emotions coming from anyone in her situation.

She can be really excited and happy as well as apprehensive about the move. Can you imagine moving AGAIN at the age of 86, you didn't choose where you are now, you didn't choose where you're going, you didn't pack your own stuff or know what's going to show up there of your stuff when you get there.

She's been through SOOOOO MUCH this past year especially. She knows that she's in the home stretch to this long ordeal but sometimes those last few steps are the hardest to push through and make happen. It has seemed like this ordeal would never end so let's not trip on the finish line, people. Some have even wondered if Aunt Lou is "slipping" or going crazy. Other than the regular going crazy from being incarcerated, she's FINE! Quit all the worrying and bitching and BE SUPPORTIVE!!! It wouldn't hurt for some of you to be cheerleaders once in a while, you know.

PS, Aunt Lou and I say "hey" and "feel better soon, honey" to Sonja with her nasty Shingles. To the rest of you, unless you have big nasty blisters running down your side, get cracking!

Love,
Ann-Marie

My Baby's Leaving the Nest

Aunt Lou has improved by leaps and bounds lately and now she's leaving our little nest we've made for her. She walks everywhere now without a wheelchair or assistance. In fact, I told her she should have had that toe chopped off a long time ago because she walks much better without it.

In Physical & Occupational therapy, she's working on getting ready to leave by doing things such as folding clothes, putting things up on shelves, and all that other good stuff you forget that you have to do when you take care of yourself every day.

Her eating habits are amazing with her new medication. She eats constantly. She cleans her plate and then looks around for other food. She and Caleb could have a contest to see how much they could eat. Her face is filling out and looking much more like her old self so we're really proud of that.

So the moving: Jimmy and Maria have been working like crazy to find the right place to move Aunt Lou and they've found one. It's barely south of I-20, sort of around the Hulen Mall Area. It's a retirement community where she will have her own apartment. And yes, she'll have her dog. It's upstairs and yes, there's an elevator and her apartment is right by the elevator. This place is a really neat place with great people that are super happy living there. Jimmy and Maria are excited and relieved that they've found a place. Many of us know how all-consuming and frustrating that can be so a huge GOLD STAR for them for keeping the faith and not giving up.

Jimmy took Aunt Lou to lunch yesterday, told her about the place and showed her pictures of it before they committed to the apartment. They've committed to it now and the target time to move her is late July, first of August. As of Thursday night, Aunt Lou did NOT know when she's moving so when you call to quiz her, she probably doesn't know about that part yet.

Jimmy said it's 2 or 3 bedroom (I don't recall which of the floor plans they wound up leasing but I want to say it's the biggest floor plan). It has a washer/dryer connection so she could bring hers and Jimmy said that she should be able to move most or all of her furniture from her house into there. There's a meal made 4 days a week that she can get if she wants it and Meals on Wheels is going to come there to the retirement center for her. It's amazing what a good social worker can help you work out!

In case you don't know, Jimmy and Maria have also been working endlessly on packing up her current house to move and get the house ready to sell. I offered to "help" Jimmy yesterday, even though he's pretty much finished now, saying that I wanted some of Aunt Lou's tacky stuff. He laughed and asked me if I wanted some of her more than 500 (yes, five HUNDRED) little angels he packed away. I respectfully declined.

If you don't know or can't imagine it, Jimmy and Maria have been working themselves to death. There's always a new person to meet who wants 50 pages of paperwork filled out, there's always a doctor visit or shoe maker appointment or something going on all the time. Then there's Aunt Lou and her endless requests. It's so difficult for Aunt Lou to have to ask someone for anything she needs instead of just getting it for herself. AND it's so difficult for Jimmy and Maria to go through all of this with very little thanks and try to do silly, trivial things like work and take care of their own lives at the same time. I know many of you have walked in their shoes and it's an unpleasant place to be most of the time, isn't it?

So pray A LOT of prayers that everything goes well. I have to say that the first time I saw Aunt Lou's foot laid open back in December, Aunt Lou and I both thought this day would never come. Really. There are a few new residents at the Big House. We've watched them come in with PIC lines, wound vacs, and other stuff that Aunt Lou started with. It's absolutely amazing to me that Aunt Lou has such a will to live and be in the bosom of her loving family :), that she has overcome ALL the odds and has recovered completely.

One more thing. When she moves, she will NOT be far from any of you. You can just shoot down I-20 and you're there. No more mileage than it would take to get from the Parks Mall to Mom and Dad's house. You had ALL better get your butts in gear and SEE HER. She'll be isolated there like she was in her house and she needs to get out, see the world, and see each of you. She didn't work herself senseless, especially when she didn't feel like it, to just sit in the corner and stare at the wall. She got better for all of us so that we wouldn't be orphans. Don't forget how each and every one of you are that important to her.

That's it for now. Sorry I haven't been sending pics of all her progress; I'm having trouble getting my pics to the computer at the moment. This is super-huge and exciting hews for all of us. I still can't get over the fact that she really is better now. She has come SOOOOO far! So Woo-Hoo, Aunt Lou! We all love you!

Finger Lickin' Good!

Is anyone else jealous of this picture or is it just me?! Thanks to Blake for whipping up some yummy BBQ ribs on Sunday for Aunt Lou and Blaine to chow down on. I wonder who finished first? My bet is on Aunt Lou!

A Visit From the Crazy Boys

I went with Mom and Aunt Nita to see Aunt Lou last week. We brought Sonic for lunch and the kids provided entertainment. It was good to see her eating so well. She hardly spoke for 30 minutes because she was too busy eating! She seemed a little tired to me but I guess they are working her hard to get her out of there soon. She's doing well and even showed off her battle wound. Beware for those with weak stomachs!

There she is just chowing away at that burger...and Caleb is chowing on the tater tots!

We got to sit in private dining room. It was nice and quiet and it allowed the kids to run wild which was much needed after an hour long car ride!

How many pictures do we have of this?? Actually, this wasn't a malt, it was a Coke.

Caleb was loving the Coke too! Look how serious he was.

I had to make her stop eating for a photo op.

More Coke for Caleb.

Ethan was teaching her how to play "guys". She looks a little confused.

The kids provided entertainment. Ethan was dancing....

....Caleb was the DJ.

Yep, there it is...or should I say there it isn't. I think it looks pretty good. Almost closed up.


Ethan was quite interested. The next day he told me, "Did you know someone tooked off Aunt Lou's toe?!"

Of course Blah was there too. Caleb loves that thing.

Ethan had to scope out all the stuff in Aunt Lou's room.

I hung up some cards while Caleb fixed the TV.

Poor thing tried the whole time we were there to get the TV working without any luck (it needed a cable.)

And we had to play with the famous pig bunny. Aunt Lou wanted to show the boys the Valentine dog that flaps his ears but he was out of batteries.

Ethan probably wore her out asking so many questions about all the stuff on her walls.

Goodbye hugs.

One last sip for the road. :-)

Correction

Regarding the trip to the Dr. yesterday, Jimmy met Aunt Lou at the Dr. like usual. He did not ask Ann Marie to take Aunt Lou to the Dr. Aunt Lou had asked Ann Marie if she would like to ride up there with her, so Ann Marie decided to take her in her more comfortable car (she usually goes in the nursing home van), and make a day out of it for them both. So that is what they did. GOLD STAR to Ann Marie for her caring ways.

Cindy

So Long Wheels!

Well Aunt Lou has flown out of her bandages on her foot!! She can begin to bear weight on her "sore" foot. The area is closed and the Dr. did not do much to it today. She is EXCITED and anxious to be out of the wheelchair. Ann Marie is bringing her walker tomorrow. She walked a little in PT today when she returned today. They will be working on her balance too. Aunt Lou said PT has had her on the bicycle and also a machine to work her arms. She said she had already walked to Dallas and back in PT. Ann Marie took her to the Dr. today since Jimmy had something he had to do at work. He met them at the Dr. to hear the good news. The Dr. said for them to take her shoe for her "sore" foot back to the shoe place in Ft. Worth and they would take a new mold of her foot and fix her shoe to fit her foot. The Dr. said not to get too wild, but to begin bearing weight on it. After the Dr. visit, Ann Marie and Aunt Lou in her wheelchair, went shopping at Hobby Lobby. Aunt Lou said her neck was sore from looking around so much. She said they got canvases, paint brushes, etc. and some more baby blanket materials. She said they had "everything" there. They also went to the DQ and Aunt Lou had a hamburger, onion rings, and a Coke. She said she ate it all; "it tasted so good." Then when they returned to the nursing home she had a candy bar. She said it was good too. She said if she didn't get out of that wheelchair soon, her behind would be so big it wouldn't fit anymore. Bingo was finishing up, so they went in to deliver the good news. They gathered such a crowd, and were having such a party that Blake asked them to leave; they were interrupting the game. She was laughing about it and said she understood because when she played, she couldn't concentrate if there is a bunch of talking. It was also nice of Aunt Lou to step aside and let someone else win this week, since last week she won five times.

Cindy

Bingo Champion

I talked to Aunt Lou and Ann Marie today. Aunt Lou won 5 games of bingo today. She says it couldn't be rigged. :) She sounds great and said she was feeling good. Her appetite is very good. She is eating everything in sight. When she was due for another bingo prize, she dug deep into the prize bowl looking for chocolate. She needed chocolate! Then back in her room, she was digging in her drawer forever. She told Ann Marie she was looking for change to get a Coke. She HAD to have one. Ann Marie got her one immediately. Ann Marie gave Aunt Lou a manicure and painted a little flower on her pinkie finger. Aunt Lou said when she drinks her coffee, etc. she must hold out that finger to show it off. She told Ann Marie she was spoiling her.

She is getting her hair done tomorrow and still going to PT in the mornings.

Aunt Lou said she is eating good! Everything tastes so good. She ate all her supper of salad and meatballs and spaghetti. When she returned to her room, she said she ate three orange slices. She said, "I have got to quit that. They will have to roll me out of here when I leave." Her weight is back up to 125 or 6. That's good. She said she told the Dr. last night whatever he was giving her was sure working and maybe he should cut it back!

Jimmy and Jeremy are coming to pick her up Sunday for Mother's Day. Maria is with her mother in Oregon. Aunt Lou decided they would get take out from the German restaurant near Jimmy and eat at home with less chaos of Mother's Day people eating out, and she could also enjoy her dog.

She goes to the Arlington Dr. next Thursday to get her foot checked again. She said the opening was smaller than a quarter and looked good. She is anxious to put weight on it.

Her roommate likes to read too, so that is what they do allot instead of watching TV constantly. Aunt Lou said she has certain programs she does watch. Ann Marie brought all her books up and she is really reading them. She still has blankets to do too. She said she has got to quit reading so much and work on those blankets.

The federal and state surveyors have been there all week. Aunt Lou said they have really been on their toes this week. I told her it was a very stressful week for the facility and the state surveyors with the feds. there.

Aunt Lou gets a gold star. She sent me a get well card this week. How sweet was that!!!!

Cindy

Crisis Averted...AGAIN

Okay people. Aunt Lou is back at Harbor Lakes tonight. They found two small ulcers and are handling it. Aunt Lou is feeling all sorts of better again. Jimmy even drove her back from the hospital and they stopped at Sonic for early dinner. She had a hamburger and onion rings. I guess she's all better!

Meanwhile, it would be nice if you cousins would get your butts in gear and send her cards or emails. She loves getting mail and when they start to dry up, she gets down like we've all forgotten her. Big gold star to Hilly, whose phone calls, emails and cards have never waned. The rest of you know who you are so get on the stick. Do you think I'm bitching for my health? It's for HER, silly!

Aunt Lou has frightened me how alert and aware she is. You see all these other elderly people who are just floating along or don't know or care where they are. Aunt Lou is just like it would be if you or I were locked up somewhere, rehabbing endlessly. She doesn't know how she got so old because her spirit isn't that way. It scares me because I can easily see myself (or any one of you) some day in her shoes.

As long as she wants to keep on trucking and keep on living, I want to help her do that. When she wants to stop, we'll stop. But SHE DOESN'T WANT TO STOP RIGHT NOW so start sucking up and sending cards and emails again!

Enough of my soapbox ramblings. Hope y'all are doing great. Plan on coming down to the sticks for Memorial Day, ok?

Love,

Ann

Report From Ann Marie

Aunt Lou is eating a small amount, but not cleaning her plate like she used to. She acts and looks worse since last Friday. The facility is on top of things, after Ann Marie stirred them to action. They now have been notifying Dr. Barnes about the changes and he has been giving them new orders for lab, etc. He saw her last night and told her to drink more fluids. He is very proactive. He ordered the nutritional shakes 4 x day. They did more blood work and a chest x-ray (which was clear). He is reviewing all her medications for anything that would make her sleepy and decrease her appetite. He ordered Bactrim for a minor little bug he found. He said she still has a little bronchitis. Jimmy is well informed by the facility and Ann Marie, and is very aware of Aunt Lou's current condition. The facility notifies him of all changes in her condition, medication, etc., and they are keeping Aunt Lou informed as well. If we saw her today we would say she needs to be in the hospital, but Aunt Lou does not want to go to the hospital. The facility is doing lab work around the clock and the lab and x-ray results are getting to the dr. as if she was in ER. If the dr. decides to order an IV, they can give it to her at the facility. She is weak, shaky, and sleepy, but very oriented. When you call Aunt Lou remind her that Dr. Barnes said for her to drink more fluids. Tell her what's going on with your life/family to keep her engaged with the family. She said does not want to die sick. She wants to die like her mother, just go to sleep. Ann Marie and Aunt Lou talk allot about her wishes. As long as she tells Ann Marie to keep it up, she will infuse her with life. But if/when Aunt Lou decides to check out, Ann Marie said she will not be selfish and keep her around, and will honor her wishes. Right now Aunt Lou wants the encouragement/life infusion to get better. She was assisted up this am and assisted to dress. After breakfast, she was tired and went back to bed, but with her clothes on, not back in a gown. She is a little more awake today than yesterday.

Aunt Lou LOVES the visits, calls, and cards. Please continue. When I was down for the 6 weeks after my surgery, I was amazed how I looked forward to a connection with the outside world. I looked forward to the mail everyday like some soldier on foreign soil. Cynthia Waters has repeatedly said how she enjoys the cards. It makes you feel like you are not a forgotten shut-in, and Aunt Lou really needs that right now to get better. Continue the prayers for her and for Ann Marie. It is extremely draining--physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. and challenging to care for someone so close. She has unselfishly shut down many of her own needs/wants right now to spend a lot of time with Aunt Lou to infuse her with life. Ann Marie------we all APPRECIATE YOU for your efforts with Aunt Lou.

Cindy

Going Down the Rollercoaster Again...

Aunt Lou is not feeling well. She has had intermittent nausea since the weekend. She got sick again last night and they gave her medication for nausea, which left her very dopey and with slurred speech today. Her appetite is down and so is her weight. She stayed in bed and slept all weekend. Ann Marie brought her a Braum's shake Monday. She drank all of it. They are giving her a nutritional supplement with an appetite stimulant several times a day. Last night the doc added/changed her stomach medication. (An ulcer was diagnosed in 2/08.) She is still coughing up stuff from her respiratory infection, so she asked for the Mucinex again last night. (They had ordered twice a day for 2 weeks, and then made it as needed. It does help thin the respiratory secretions to bring them up, but it also kills your appetite.) She has finished her antibiotics (Z-Pak), but it continues to work even after you take the pills. It also makes you feel weak.) When Ann Marie arrived at the nursing home before lunch today, she had to work hard to get Aunt Lou awake. She was served one of their best lunches, which she didn't eat. Ann Marie said it looked and smelled wonderful. She only drank her tea, and they brought her some ice cream, which she ate. Aunt Lou said it feels like her food doesn't go down, like it is stuck between her throat and stomach. (Mike said he feels the same way most of the time.) They did blood work this am and her electrolytes are high (which could be dehydration) but they are less high each time they've done the blood work (which shows she is improving). Aunt Lou said the dr. there told her not to drink much fluid because of her congestive heart failure. That was months ago, so Ann Marie has added that concern to her list for the dr. He'll be back today. Aunt Lou won't drink much unless the dr. tells her it's OK. So now, after about 2 hours, Ann Marie got her up and dressed in her wheelchair. She is fixing her hair and watching "Days of our Lives." Aunt Lou is oriented, alert, and her speech is clear. Aunt Lou just got a call from Joyce, a niece on the Ragan side. She is on her way to see Aunt Lou. Ann Marie said now the entire nursing home staff is alerted to watch Aunt Lou and help her, and provide intervention when she is ill. GOLD STAR and many thanks to Ann Marie for the life injection into Aunt Lou!!!!!!

Cindy

What a Difference a Week Makes!

This week has been a little trying for Aunt Lou and, as always, she has taken it all in stride and is improving every day.

Monday evening, the doctor saw her, ordered tests, etc.

Tuesday (in the light blue outfit) she looked like this. I told her I was taking her picture for the blog and to smile pretty. This is the face she came up with. I showed it to her and asked if she wanted another picture. She said, "no, that one looks just like I feel". Okay, so she could have sounded better or felt better on Tuesday. They had loaded her up with drugs, which were starting to work, which made her feel even worse.

Wednesday morning, I brought her hot breakfast: biscuits and sausage gravy from our new Braum's that opened up the day before. She stayed in bed all day on Monday and whined around and wouldn't go to exercise on Tuesday. I told her I brought her a big breakfast so that she would be very happy to go to exercise. She was feeling better than the day before and she went to exercise. See the smile on her face?

Thursday was bingo day so she got herself together and played, although she coughed her head off the whole time.

Friday was beauty shop day and here's a picture of her new do. We've been going through hair chicks like kleenex lately but this one may be a winner. We'll see how it goes.

I spoke to her this morning while I was waiting for Blaine to come down to the dock and clean a catfish. She was in a decent humor and sounding even better still. It sucks to get old. It sucks even worse to be sick when you're already sick because they cut your toe off AND you're 86 years old. She has been through so much and she just keeps on truckin'. Wanna know how she does it? We've discussed it and she said that she didn't want to die "like this" as she waved her arms around, tangling herself in her oxygen mask tubes (relax, she's still only sleeping with it). She says that she gets through all the stuff she has to do because she wants to die when it's "her time", which will be when God snatches her away, hopefully in the fashion of her mother's passing. Amazing! We could all be so lucky!

Keep your emails and cards coming to Aunt Lou!

Ann

The Crud

Don't panic but Aunt Lou is sick.

We've been watching a little cough she's had for a week or two. It started just like everyone else's is starting about this time of year, just a little hack here and there. Y'all saw her on Sunday so you heard her cough. When we got home, we put a call in to her doctor for Monday so he could give her something to break up the crud she has.

She's had a chest X-Ray, a CBC and a blood test to see if she has pneumonia. She's on a Z-pack and Mucinex twice a day. They gave her a shot of steroids, one that I get a lot and it works really well. She doesn't have fever but she sounds terrible. Yesterday (Monday), she sounded nasty and stayed in bed all day. It's just her medicine breaking up the crud that she couldn't cough up; she's coughing it up now for sure!

The doc said that if she had something worse, he would change her medicine or whatever. It was awfully nice to have things done so quickly for her. He saw her on Monday evening and before the night was out, they had already brought in a portable chest x-ray and had her blood drawn. We like that!

I'll keep you posted. I'm teaching a flower arranging class today at the ol' jail so I'll see her then and let you know if there's anything new to report.

Happy Birthday Aunt Lou!!!

The whole family helped celebrate Aunt Lou's birthday last Sunday at Ann & Blake's. It was a great day filled with family and food. The weather was great for an outside BBQ minus the crazy wind! There are a bazzillion pictures so they can tell the tale.

The birthday girl!

The theme for the day was butterflies...Aunt Lou's favorite!

This was one of many great flower arrangements done by Ann & Blake.

It was the debut Blake's new GORGEOUS outdoor kitchen! Perfect for the occassion.

Madilyn, Shawna, and Joy enjoying some yummy BBQ and all the fixin's.

Mondo and Blake having a serious discussion...probably about food or vacationing.

John, Jeremy, Dale, and Mondo having some guy talk.

Sonja and Zane.

Hilari, Blakeley, and Ann sharing some girl talk.

I think Aunt Lou was the first one to eat and the last one to finish...I'm sure she enjoyed every bite...we all did!

Blakeley brought part of her new family with her...this baby sheep. So cute!!

Aunt Lou had some play time with the animals...who knew she'd have a petting zoo at her birthday party?!

Don't forget the chickens!

Some of the kiddos enjoyed the icy "warm" pool.

Chillin' with the Beans.

The party table. Those cakes were so yummy! I can't decide which one was better.

Strawberries and whip cream.

Chocolate mousse.

Happy Birthday to You!

The kids couldn't wait to dig in!

Aunt Lou needed a piece of each...so did most of the rest of us!

Grant, Sam, Ethan, Asa, and Caleb all enjoyed their cake and ice cream.

Nothing like a little sugar to give a big cheesy grin.

One of Aunt Lou's presents: a butterfly pin. Perfect for her!

Butterfly paper. Priceless.

Hilari gets the biggest gold star for the day. She made a photo book of Aunt Lou's life. She worked really hard to scan and download tons of pics, old and new to put this thing together. It was amazing. I'm sure Aunt Lou can't look at this enough. It was awesome!

Aunt Lou's family: Jeremy, Maria, and Jimmy.

Caleb and Zane giving sugars.

Nita, Melinda, Cindy, Jimmy, and Aunt Lou.

Wendy and Aunt Lou.

A special thanks goes to Blake, Ann, and Blaine for opening their home to us. It was the perfect setting for our celebration. And also thanks to all who provided yummy home cooked food. It really hit the spot...especially for Aunt Lou!

-Wendy