Sunday, June 30, 2024

My HEROS! Louis Dean and Jesse!

 While we MEANT to leave at first light on Saturday - I snoozed until after 7:00!
Still, we made good time and was on the road heading home by 9:15.

We stopped at  the Cefco in Mart for fuel and while LD filled the tank up - I went in and bought us some breakfast burritos.
Alas, when I got back in the truck - it would not start!
Dead battery!
As soon as the guy in the next pump over heard that - he immediately offered a jump!
He had a diesel as well and he cleaned the battery terminals with a nifty tool and in less than 10 minutes from dead battery to starting - we were on the road again!

I was driving and di not stop until we got home!!

We arrived right around noon and son Jesse and Rachel were her about an hour later!

\Our den window AC went out last week and in Texas we need all the cooling we can get.
We have one in the den, one in the sewing room and one in each of the two bedrooms.
The den is the largest room and we reallydo rely on the extra AC in the summer.

Jesse did the research for me and found one that will MORE than cool the den and not only ordered it but went to pick it up - all in an hour's time!

I fixed us all ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch  and then Jesse worked on the grab bar in the bathroom for Louis Dean. Rachel and I set up my art table which will remain for the rest of the summer! I have so many projects to do and this way I can paint for at least an hour every day.

PLUS - the bonus is - Rachel is interested in learning to do oils!
That's a Win! WIN!! in my book!

While I sat at the table and painted on the Santa couple I am doing for a friend - Rachel glazed a couple of my canvases with Liquin - and I absolute;y LOVED having someone join me at the art table! Not just  anyone  - but RACHEL!!



This is the one she and I both love so I am hoping we can get it painted before fall!
I'm thinking 2 hour sessions  per week and 5-6 class times.
I am beyond excited as I have not had a new art student in YEARS!
How cool to have my dear Rachel for my lateeat student!

We all - Louis Deam and I and Jesse and Rachel had appintments for 5:00 at Lovely Nsils!


I admit it was so relaxing that I nodded off a time or two,
We LOVE this place!

After that we went to Cheddars for dinner!


It was such a fun time!!!


Louis Dean got his Country Fried Steak fix......
And I enjoyed my meal.
Although I brought most of mine home and only ate part of my salad and LD took a to-go box home as well.

This one pic is a result of long hot sweaty hours that Jesse invested getting our old unit out and the new one in! It was not an easy task and he never once lost patience with us as we continually could not find drills, ratchets, flash lights, drill bits, batteries and on and on.


Jesse was a real McGyver and worked around all the difficulties!!

It was midnight when he finished and that was nearly 12 hours he had devoted to us.
Praise God and thank Jesse for this gift of time.

Louis Dean did well with all the activity and today (Sunday) he admitted to being 'discombobulated.'
He has always been able to fix just about anything and the linitations of dementia and old age has been hard for him to handle. I understand. I can't do what I once did and I get so tired that staying home is easier than going out and doing things!

Today I spent several hours on the side deck doing some deep watering and my prayer time and reading. Late in the afternoon we went to Home Depot to buy a new outlet to fit the new AC.



Louis Dean has always been able to do all things electric!
He is very good at figuring things out and I am praying God will give him the memories an d knowledge to change the outlets.
This will make him feel so much better about himself.
Everyone needs to be needed....
And I do need HIM!


Amen!!!




10 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Jesse is so amazing with both of you! Keep us posted on how the new outlet installation goes.

Anonymous said...

God bless Jesse! Our children can't imagine how much we need them all the time! Just knowing Ed and Kristi are just an hour away, instead of eight hours has made us so happy. Kristi comes up this way several times a week and when she called today to wish us a happy Anniversary, she said she would get our groceries for us this Thursday, and everytime, if we wanted! It really will make it easier on us, especially Ed, because he has been going to get them since my stroke. Ed's balance has gotten so much worse, and I don't drive since my stroke, so it means so much to have help. (You know how Jesse has helped y'all!) God has blessed us both!
I love the horse paintingl!❤

MCS, TX said...

Dear, Dear Linda:
Your children are such a reflection of you! You care about everyone and are continually doing such caring, thoughtful things for everyone you can. So, I am thrilled when you share with us how your children help you and Louis Dean. This is a wonderful witness to
"honoring your father and mother". The world needs a whole lot more of this.
A member of my family has been diagnosed with early onset Altzheimers, he is only in his late 50's. and he is already experiencing changes in his memory,etc.
Nancy Reagan called it "the long goodbye". She was so right.
SO, thank you Linda for sharing your life with us. You inspire hope in us as we all go thru our later years.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Count me in for the country fried steak. Probably not so much for getting my nails done. No need for AC up here in Alaska, but much of the country sounds pretty hot!

Estelle's said...

You are both amazing and a true inspiration to so many....it's the most wonderful gift to have our children help us as we age...I am grateful for that also....I keep thinking of the holidays in order to get through our hot summer....so enjoyed your post today!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, why do they think they have to change the way plugs and outlets go together these days? Why can't they leave well enough alone??? But you are blessed to have smart people around you who can help out in a pinch and take care of these things. Yes, it is so sad and hard to see when loved ones start to lose those abilities that were once so simple for them. I know I struggle with simple little things that shouldn't bother me at all, but let's face it, "getting old isn't for sissies!". My old daddy would say, "Oh Pammy, don't get old!" and I'd reply, "Well, Daddy, what's my alternative?", and he'd think a minute and then smile and say, "Oh, I see what you mean!". He, who had always been able to take care of everything like your sweet LD, developed Parkinson's disease, and it was so frustrating for him to not be able to move as quickly or agilely, or even speak as fluently anymore. His mind was just as quick as always, but the body couldn't keep up, and that was really hard for him. But he managed to keep going until he was 93 and was always a joy. Oh, I love that you have Rachel as an art student...and that horse...did you paint that? That is so amazing!!!!!! BTW, both of your meals look fantastic. I've been on a "covid" diet this week...no taste, smell, or appetite, so nothing has looked good to me, but I'm starting to get better and your food looked like something I want! So that's a good sign! Have a blessed rest of your week.

MadSnapper said...

You do have two super heros, God bless Jesse for coming to the rescue.. removing old and installing new never goes smoothly. be glad you have 2 patient men to do things, I have had one that could do things but not with patience and now he can't and really has no patience. how cool you have a new student. wish I was close enough to join your class

photowannabe said...

Thank you Lord for sons like Jesse. They truly get stars in their crowns.
Stay home, paint to your hearts content, enjoy your yard and the AC too.
Just prayed for LD and that he will be able to do the outlets corectly and in a short time without being frustrated. (((hugs)))
Sue

Deanna Rabe said...

What a fun way to spend time together! Working on a need, learning to paint, going for pedicures, eating dinner out. You and LD have great adult kids!

I can’t wait to follow you and Rachel painting that horse!

Bless LD for not giving up doing things even when discombobulated!

Debbie said...

there are so many good people in this world, some are family, some people we don't even know. i love when complete strangers help each other...i enjoy when the opportunity pops up for me. i have always said the best gift we can give each other is our time!!

i wish i lived in texas, i would love to learn how to paint...i so admire everything you do!! i'm so happy you have people to help you, especially jesse!!