Always hopeful...

Terry is reading his daily "affirmation". 

It's About Time!

Well, we've come out of hibernation!  At least it seems that way.  The flu was such a threat here in Texas that I decided to keep Terry in for most of the winter.  Guess it worked, neither of us were sick.

It's been so nice to watch Spring.  Our yard is filled with flowers and every day something new has bloomed!  Juanita spent 2 months with us last fall and she spent hours in the yard...it's her favorite thing to do!  She told me we had about 50 rose bushes, but I thought she probably counted some a couple of times...but I recently walked the yard and counted 47!!  She was right!  And I may have missed some.  There are so many flowers that I've never seen before.  It's really pretty.

Terry enjoys just looking outside.  I think his favorite view is outback where he can see flowers, squirrels, hummingbirds, redbirds, the occasional bluejay and even the dog running! Oh, and the pool.

Most mornings he has breakfast in the dining room.  It has a big window that looks out front and across the street at another house.  Guess he's getting tired of that view.  Today I brought him into the dining area of the kitchen where I just have a work table full of plants (thank you, Juanita) and an inversion table.  But he can see out 5 windows and down the street.
He was sitting there looking out and said, "I can see the whole world."!!  Guess where he'll be having breakfast from now on!

Catching up!

Today is Terry’s 60^th birthday!  It’s been 7 years!  Joy beyond measure! 

So much has happened in the last six months!  Because it’s been so long since I was on here, thought I’d just share the highlights, if that’s possible once I get started! Ha!

Well, Terry was pretty quiet through the winter and spring…with a few words here and there.  In April we started house hunting (again!) and one day we were following our realtor around a curve, heading to the next house.  There was a house in the curve that had front and side yards full of flowers in full bloom!  Terry saw it and said, “Look at that!”!!!  The realtor stopped in front of that house!!  When I got out of the car I told her we’re buying this house!  Terry Shaw just spoke!!!  As it turned out it was the best house for us and we did actually buy it!

We moved in the first week of June, were there about 3 weeks and left for the Carolina’s. 

Terry’s Grandfather, Paw Paw, was having his 95^th birthday on July 14!  William (also born July 14!) had told me earlier he was spending his birthday with Paw Paw, so I started making plans to be there, also.  Paw Paw had been fighting pneumonia for a couple of months and wasn’t doing very well.  We were able to spend some time with him before his birthday and I’m so thankful for that.  I'm especially thankful that Shannon, Bryan, Isaac, David, William, Anna and Emily were all there to spend time with him, as well.

Paw Paw did very well at his party…so many people were able to see him again that probably wouldn’t have visited him otherwise.  Sadly, he passed away about 2 weeks later.  Terry was an honorary pall bearer.  Terry told me last night he was worried about Paw Paw, so I don't believe he remembers all that happened.

We took Terry to Myrtle Beach; he does love the ocean!  We spent quite a bit of time with his Mom and he even talked for her!  We also went to South Carolina to see my side of the family; as always, too short a visit!  Terry and I both caught a bug and were puny for the last couple of weeks.

After 5 weeks we made it home to face the boxes!!  No longer can I unpack and get my house in order in a few weeks!  We still have lots of unpacking to do.  One thing I’ve learned…it never walks off!  It’ll be there when I get to it!

I need to add in here, my oldest sister Jennie is part of our family now, and I couldn't make the trip without her!  She is so much help with taking things into the hotel when we stop, and sitting in the van with Terry while I run in places for food, etc.  We never stop to eat in a restaurant while we travel, it would just add too much chair time for Terry, but fast food gets old!  So, she waits with him and they listen to music while I go order food!  We have a system all worked out!  Jennie loves it, because she really doesn't help much with him otherwise.  I feel it's just too much responsibility for her.  

This week has been another “awakening” for Terry!  Monday he started talking again!  At first I was writing down what he was saying, but I couldn’t keep up!  I just don’t want to leave his side because he keeps talking!  He’s napping right now, but I had to tell him to close his eyes and rest because we’re going out to dinner for his birthday.  He had just asked me if I wanted to go walk….around the mall!!

Earlier today he told me he didn’t need to sleep!  I guess not! Since he’s slept for the last 7 years!

Well, as you can see I’m so excited!  It’s hard not to get my hopes up, and yet that’s exactly what I’m doing.  Already I’m thinking “physical therapy” again.  Who knows what the next few months will bring…

There is a fellow in our house modifying the first bathroom!  So….by next weekend Terry should have his first shower in a very long time!  Our bathroom will be modified after Christmas, along with lots of other things.  (So, if I just leave all this dust I could pretend it’s snow!)

Terry had his first "real" haircut in years this week!  I'm sure he hasn't been to a barber since we left OK.  Thought he might enjoy going.  Who cares if it only takes a minute to catch all of those hairs! I was willing to pay that "finders fee"!  Really, I was hoping he might interact with the barber, but he didn't.... 

Terry had a good week and looks like another beginning!  He's sitting behind me looking around and sometimes watching the computer screen, especially when I play videos from Facebook!  Yep!  I'm addicted!

He had a cold last week but it's about gone, just mostly a stuffy nose and a cough.  I'm thankful that's all.

Last Wednesday we took a trip to Dallas to see Emily's flashmob.  She created it, organized it, etc. for her boyfriend's birthday.  It was sooo much fun to watch!  (There's a link on my Facebook page.)  Can't say I really felt up to an outing, but it was well worth it.  Jennie stood with Terry and she said he watched it.  I was videoing it.  There's a picture of Terry and Emily after the dance down below.