Emotionally drained

This picture was taken of my Dad in Mesa Verde, AZ in September of 2005. My parents and some friends of theirs took off for a two week vacation that included AZ, UT, ID, SD, MT and probably everything in between. Ain't he a handome dude? This is how I like to think of my Dad, not lying in a hospital bed 70+ miles away with a feeding tube and confusion and frustration.

I had gone down on Tuesday, the 24th to relieve Mom. I hadn't seen him since he had gotten moved to a regular room, so I was hoping for a bit more than what I found. He is there, aware most of the time, totally miserable, but at the same time he says his head if "fuzzy" and he is stiff and sore.

He is walking a little further each day, and getting stronger but he won't eat regular food because he says nothing tastes good. He was scheduled to be transferred to an inpatient rehab in BG today, but found out that he had a bad night and won't be released until at least Monday.

I had to come home last night. I am so totally exhausted both physically and emotionally from all of this, and it is just the beginning of a very long road. I had to finally say that I have other responsibilities to my family and I need a break.

Tonight I am taking Amber shopping for dorm things. We have been planning this for a week now. Going to Target to get bedding stuff since it is on sale this week. Hopefully she will find something that she likes. After shopping we are going to get some dinner. The two of us haven't been out by ourselves in so long and I have been looking forward to this.

Tomorrow I have a "Gettin to Know you" Crop in TN. Going to meet some of the ladies that are also going to CKU next month. I have been looking forward to this for a couple of months and am committed to attending. I plan to get my Quote Swap cards done while there, and maybe work on something else. I may have to go to the hospital to relieve Mom and/or Patsy after the crop, and would stay Sunday also.

I took this picture last October when I took Emily on a day to ourselves in BG. She was waiting to get her ears pierced when I snapped this one. We both had a good time just hanging out together. I try to take the time with each girl one on one. Anyway, she has been staying over at Mom's since about Tuesday, so I haven't seen the new haircut she got yesterday. Tori's hair looks so cute, I know Em's will too.