Judy Moist

I have had 3 friends that I went to school with sent to Iraq, two of my neighbors, and now my cousin. I do what I can to help, I always donate to the men,(the care packages that are sent to them) and donate money for them), and pray for them. Seems small, but what else can we do?

I was faithfully driving my dear ole 1989 Volvo 740 GL. before this little careless teenager rearended me. Totaled it. So I take turns about in my 1994 Buick Lesabre,and my 1991 pontiac sunbird le convertible....we also have a Gmc chevy sport van, that we bought from my husbands aunt, because she was in desperate need of the cash.But it has some work to be done on it, before it can be driven// BUT ALL ARE PAID FOR AND INSURED//////

In our town, a bunch of our men are leaving out today, to go for 6 weeks for boot camp, and then will prepare to leave for Iraq. My cousin, will be one of the boys going. his name is Alex Moseley, he has only been married since last summer. and his new wife is due at any moment with their first child, he will not be able to observe this event. It was a sad dreary day in southeast Tennessee today!!!

I have not had the opportunity to meet with Fran as I have some of the others in this group. But do remember her profile, isn't she from Chattanooga, Tn.? If so if she is in MICU at Erlanger Hospital, she is in a very good place. They take care wonderful care of their patients. My mom was in the MICU there for over a year. They were just the best with her and with us......

My youngest baby will soon be going to school in 2 years. Our kindergartens here go all day, we do not let out at noon anymore... As soon as he gets into school, I am going back to work (used to manage a pharmacy).. And I plan on getting me about 10 acres or so and putting me a little 3 bedroom house on it. Simplified, nothing extravagant, just the basics. I have been contemplating going to work on 3rd shift, now. But, haven't been able to get on with it yet....They say good things always come to those who wait.... WHO KNOWS MAYBE I WILL WIN THE POWERBALL LOTTERY!!!!! I did win the cash 3 lottery twice recently $1,000.00.

I live in Southeast Cleveland Tennessee, about 2 hours away from the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.....

Thanks, yall. But always remember that you have to take care of yourself,I just let myself get so far down that it has really taken time, to pull myself back up....It has been hard, I still have weak moments, especially when I hear "I hope you dance" by Lee ann Womack....It was played at her funeral and I still can not listen to it without falling a part. But I am learning to deal with it, and it helps having someone to talk too. and having good friends. To help you through.......

I agree with one of the other posters here. You must take care of yourself. I am speaking from experience. My mother had a rare disease called Guillane Barre syndrom. We fought her battle for two years. Myself, brothers and sisters (some more than others) took care of mom at home 24 hours around the clock, after she was released from the nursing home. I Live only a block from my mothers house. So Iwas there more than the rest. Espesically for midnight bathroom emergencies. (This disease paralyzed her, so she could not do anything for herself). I would spend allday at her house after getting the kids and hubby off to school and work, Iwould clean her house,make sure everything was sanitized, cook her daily meals, do her shopping, get her out of bed into her wheel chair, feed her, clothe her, bathe her, take her to the bathroom, medicate her, change her dressings on her bed sore, take her to the doctors visits, help her through her physical therapy, assist the home health nurse when needed. do her laundry. And then turn around at 2:30 go get my kids from school, and go home and do it all over again for my family. From time to time I would get calls around 2 am. because she would need to use the bathroom, so I would have to get out of bed, go in my pj's, get in the car and go to her house, to take her to the bathroom. At the time, I did not realize what I was doing to myself, I should have made my brothers and sisters take on more of the responsibilities,(they have no children, I have 3). We lost my mother on May 17,2003 (my birthday), her heart just couldn't take anymore, she died of a massive heart attack. I would do everything I did for her all over again. I do not regret one moment of time that I spent helping her. But, It has really played havoc on my health. I started having anxiety attacks (I was breaking out in hives, my lips and eyes would swell shut), My doctor put me on anxiety medication, finally got that under control, then my blood pressure shot up so high they were afraid I was ready for a stroke or heart attack, put me on some medication for that, after begging and pleading with them not to put me in the hospital.. Then my weight shot up. I am getting everything back under control. It has taken exactly one year. But things are looking better. So please take care of yourself, with out your health what good will you be to the ones who need you......