Mom and Dad's excellent adventure

Mom and Dad went to Fort Sam Houston yesterday to collect a military id for Mom. It was her special Birthday present for turning 65. Now, every 9 years, she'll have to go back and renew her ID. Dad's is permanent.

The last time Dad went to Fort Sam, Gary took him. Mainly because Gary is more familiar with the base. While they waited for Dad's ID, a clerk kept shouting, "Sergaent Holt? Sergeant Holt?" Gary finally tapped Dad's arm and said, "I think they're calling you." Dad jumped and said, "No one's called me that in 25 years."

New Addition to the Store

Shameless attention whore that I am, I have added this shirt to the JeffreyHolt.com store. Everyone needs at least two!

Christmas is over - Finally!

Santa brought me a head cold, or something for Christmas. I went to Kerrville to buy presents for mom and dad on Friday, and after I had exhausted all possibilities at Hastings, I was walking back to my car when the Salvation Army guy by the door asked, "Are you okay?"

I returned home, stopped at Wal-mart for Gift cards for the folks and as much Nyquil as I could get into the van. I had promised Sean supper on Friday, so at 2 pm, I got out of bed and did what I had to do. I got it in the oven, and laid down while it baked. Took it out, and cooled it, while I slept. During that time, Sean and Joanne came in. Sean saw me asleep so they talked quietly in the living room. About 5 pm, I got up, and visited a while. Mom came home and we ate. Sean and Joanne left at 7 pm. I went back to bed.

It was a rough night, and I was up and down all night, just miserable! Finally, at 5 pm, I got up and had something to eat. Rodney and Jeanne and the kids had arrived. My fever had broken, and I felt better. But I was back in bed at 8pm.

Christmas was better, and I was up all day, but still had a slight fever. Sean and Joanne left about 4 pm, so they could get ready to head back to South Carolina this morning.

Anyway, here's a picture of Sean and the Missus.

Oh, yeah. And Rodney.

Finally found my Hawaii Film

When I came home from Japan, my brother met me in Hawaii. We spent a couple of days there seeing the sights. When it came time to scan my photos into an album, I noticed that I couldn't find my Hawaii pics.

Well, lo and behold, an undeveloped roll of film was discovered in my old desk when we emptied out the storage unit. Unfortunately, there was only one photo of Hawaii on it.

I dedicate this post to Uncle Donn:

I must have taken the long way home:

Sean and the Missus

Sean got into town on Thursday of last week. They have to leave on the 26th. He brought Joann along, of course. Like he was gonna leave her at home: "Gonna see the family now. Bye, honey!"

On Sunday they came over for lunch, and Rodney and Jeanne came down as well. This might be a record. Seeing them twice in a month!

Grandmother's meds have calmed her down, and she seems to be adjusting to her new surroundings. Then again, her surroundings are new every day.

New Logo?

Email me at jdaleholt at iwon dot com, and let me know what you think.

You can probably hear the cursing

Grandmother was taken to the nursing home on Monday. It was not, I hear, a pleasant time. She threatened to hit the folks with her stick. She demanded to talk to Mom, but the doctor had recommended she just stay away for a couple of days.

You know, it seems mean to do that to her, but she had to go. We couldn't watch all the time. Now, at least, there's someone around her all the time.

Mom was going to visit her today. I wonder how that turned out.

The Plan is in Motion

If you're interested, Grandmother is in the hospital. After an argument about bathing, Mom took Grandmother to the doctor. She had been coughing a lot, and the doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia. She also has congestive heart failure. So the doctor put her in the hospital. I asked mother if she would still have a job after leaving her mother there, and she said, "The nurses may want to fire me."

Right now, the plan is to keep her there for three days, then move her to a nursing home. Dad said he wouldn't fight going to a nursing home. "You say that now," I answered. I did ask him to write it down and have it notarized, though.

Whatever Sean wants. . . . . .

I title this picture, "Whatever Sean Wants, Sean Gets."

Sean told his Grandmother that it just isn't Christmas without lights. So his Grandmother bought all new lights.

The other day, his Grandmother made pea salad. This pea salad is wonderful! It has peas, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, diced boiled eggs and mayonnaise. The only thing that makes it better is a splash of Tabasco™! When I saw it on the table, I said, "I didn't know Sean was coming over for dinner!"

"He's not," she said.

"But we're having pea salad. . ." I said.

At any rate, I can't wait to see the dinner table at Christmas: Pea salad, banana pudding, and the sweet potatoes with those marshmallows on top.

Sean also told his Grandmother that Grandpa can't wear his grey shorts on Christmas Day. Apparently, it will freak out the missus. Dad has promised to wear a suit.

Me? I'm washing all my grey shorts!