Saturday, March 7, 2009, Nashville, TN., 5:55 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Good morning, world!  It's just li'l ol' me, Louisiana Sandusky, writing!  Thought I'd let y'all know how things are faring at Casa Sandusky!

For the first time in several weeks, I have an entire weekend off from my job at the hospital.  I was plannin' on sleeping in, but I woke up, bright and early; once I wake up, I can't fall back to sleep, so you know how that goes!  LOL

I did "sleep in", if you can call nearly six a.m. "sleepin' in"; I usually get up between three and five most mornings!  (Usually it's more like between three and four!)

At the moment, my husband continues to enjoy his slumber.  He's all wrapped up in the covers, purring like a little boy.  He looks so cute and innocent, all I want to do is bend down and kiss his sweet little nose!  LOL  I am sure the kids are sleeping; I know the twins are; I just fed them a half hour ago, and they've since drifted back to dreamland.

Give them a good hour or two, or until the rest of the jungle awakes!  LOL

Johnathon, my son with muscular dystrophy, recently had the flu; it really knocked the stuffin' out of him.  He seems weaker to me; he can barely lift his head off the pillow upon awakening, and he needs help now more than ever.  I pray his disease isn't getting any worse!  Hopefully as he recovers he will get his strength (or what's left of it) back!  I pray he does!

He is breathing well, so that's a huge relief.  We have been watching him like a hawk!

Ronee' is trying to flare; she woke up in pain, more than usual.  I hope she doesn't have to end up going to the hospital!  She says her back, ankles, toes, and neck are killing her; she can barely move her head.  I gave her her children's Tylenol and put heating pads on her achy joints.  She's since fallen back to sleep; let her sleep for several hours.  At least her hips, hands, and knees no longer bother her; it could be a lot worse!

Ronee' and Johnny aren't the only two suffering from health woes:  Emir has another ear infection (had to take him to the doctor's again Monday, after he woke us up, screaming and throwing up from the pain); he may end up needing surgery to drain some of the excess fluid from his ear canal if it doesn't clear up.  He's been on antibiotics; so far, it doesn't really seem to be helping.

In addition, Rani has the chicken pox; she's been banished to her room; nobody but me can enter.  Her sister, Janica, who is her roomie, has them, too.  She's forbidden to leave the room as well.

So that's five sick kids (actually four, one recovering).  *sighh*  If I'm not a nurse at work, I'm playin' nurse at home!  *double sighh*

I just hope the two chickenpox-infested kids don't spread it to the rest of the troops:  the last thing I need is a bunch of itchy, *itchy, cryin' kids!!

If that happens, I might as well shoot myself, put myself out of my misery!  (NOT really, but I do know this:  I'd probably end up in the looney bin!  LOL)

Other than taking care of sick kids (and taking care of sick people at work), my life is a joy!  We are able to pay our bills on time, even when we think otherwise (God somehow always provides), we have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and most of the kids have remained (relatively) healthy; so far, none are in the hospital, which is something of a miracle in itself.  LOL

Now, in a day or two, that can change, but for now, we might as well enjoy them while they're home!

I am getting disgusted with Audrey Calloway:  she's becoming more and more distant.  I've tried to call her on several occasions; she won't answer her phone or return my e-mails.  I am beginning to wonder about her; I hate to say this, but she's acting just like her daughter, Susie.  I personally think she only cares about herself; I think she's being selfish by shutting those who care for her out of her life!

All I can do is pray for her, but I wonder about her sometimes!

Guess who I saw this past Wednesday at work?  I saw Dr. Wayne (Wright); he had another checkup with his lung doctor.  He's been having problems with pneumonia; he's been pretty weak, but he's finally gaining some needed strength (and weight); he doesn't look so cachexic anymore!  He's finally starting to fill out, get some meat on those bones of his!  He's looking good!  When I saw him, I gave him the world's biggest hug!  It was soo nice to see him; I have missed him terribly!

I did not mention the situation involving his sister, in case you're wondering.  (Audrey and Wayne are naturalized siblings, until they were separated when Wayne had been born.  Mother abandoned him when she found out he was handicapped; he was adopted by another family.  Or something like that; he told me the story, but can't quite remember the facts.)

He's already got enough on his plate; don't want to add fuel to the fire, ya know??

Heard from Rebekkah Cohen; they may be moving back to Nashville this summer!  I hope so; I have really missed them!  I love the Cohen bunch!  Happily, all are doing well!

I haven't heard from Kendra Kent; I hope they are okay!  I will have to try to give them a ringie-dingie later, see what's up with them!

In a few weeks, our church will have our Cantata.  Hopefully all the kids will be over their bugs/flus/flares by then!  I pray this is the case; I'd hate for any of them to have to miss the Cantata!

The weather here is topsy-turvy:  one day it's cold, the next warm.  Yesterday we had temperatures in the sixties; supposed to rise to the seventies by Monday, before the next strong Canadian/Artic blast slams into our area, sending temperatures plunging into the thirties, forties by midweek.  *Sigh*  Then they wonder why my kids keep on getting sick.  Go figure that one out if you can!

Hopefully the snow is over; we've had a lot of that this winter!!  I am more than ready for birds singing, warmth, sunshine, flowers bloomin'!!

Well, I am going to run along:  Bill is awake; he's starin' at me.  I can feel his eyeballs on me.  I think he's feeling amorous; he's got that "Baby-you're-hot" look in his eyes!  LOL  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Louie signing off!   Take care, and may God bless you always!  Just say a prayer that my sick kids don't end up in the hospital; pray that nobody else falls ill!  Pray for strength for ME!!  Lord knows, I need it!!  LOL

(((HUGS))) and much love, your frazzled Tennessee friend, Louie May.  :/