Grandpa Joe: 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Dimes

I thought I would start blogging about the dimes. Yesterday I went to the car wash and got my car washed and then I went to vacuum and it didn't seem to be sucking so I faced it down and guess what fell out? A dime I thought I should start keeping track of all the times and days that I am blessed with dimes. It is a reminder to me that those who have passed on are always close to us if we pay attention.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday would have been my Grandma and Grandpa's 60th wedding anniversary. That is so amazing to me 60 Years. Today me and Danika took Grandma to get an echo on her heart it was so funny we went into the room with her and they had her undress from the waist up and I said we could step out and she said why you don't want to0 see my wrinkles She said I really need to be ironed. We laughed and she shared with us that she would ask Grandpa if it bothered him and He would say " I like you just the way you are" Every time I iron I will think of my cute Grandma and her wrinkly body that needs to be ironed.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Time goes by to fast!

I cannot believe that tomorrow will be 7 weeks since my cute little Grandpa passed away. It feels like in some ways it was just yesterday and in other ways it feels like forever ago. Today as we went up to cascade springs and then came home thru Park city I had a lot of time to reflect on Grandpa as we drove thru the canyon as I look at the clouds as we pass over foothill and I saw the University hospital sign it still brings all those feelings and emotions back and I question could I have spent more time at the hospital could I have done this more or that more, but I do realize that I am so thankful for the time that I was able to spend with my Grandpa I will always be forever thankful for all that he has done for me and my family and the time he and I got to spend together while he was in the hospital. I want to be better at updating this blog more often of the stories and good times that I spent with Grandpa I don't want to forget the great stories that we shared and his great personality even as sick as he was he always seem to have a good sense of humor. I know that my Grandpa is close to me and watching over me. I know that he watches over us and keeps us safe he is still being my Grandpa even though he is in heaven now.Just like the Alan Jackson song I know my Grandpa is saying don't worry bout me.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

My cute little Grandpa

Some songs that make me think of my Grandpa

Brad Paisley Waitin on a woman
Waitin' On A Woman lyrics

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman

And I don't guess we've been anywhere
She hasn't made us late I swear
Sometimes she does it just 'cause she can do it
Boy it's just a fact of life
It'll be the same with your young wife
Might as well go on and get used to it
She'll take her time 'cause you don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I've read somewhere statistics show
The man's always the first to go
And that makes sense 'cause I know she won't be ready
So when it finally comes my time
And I get to the other side
I'll find myself a bench, if they've got any
I hope she takes her time, 'cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

I am sure Grandpa has found a nice bench and is patiently waitin on a Grandma saying

Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

Alan Jackson Sissy's song
Sissy's Song lyrics

Why did she have to go

So young I just don't know why

Things happen half the time

Without reason without rhyme

Lovely, sweet young woman

Daughter, wife and mother

Makes no sense to me

I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she's smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind

Just trying to survive

And understand the why

Feeling so lost inside

Anger shot straight at God

Then asking for His love

Empty with disbelief

Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she's smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye

Her picture in my mind

They'll always be of times I'll cherish

And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she's smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me

Don't worry 'bout me

Don't worry 'bout me

My favorite part of the song is:

She(he) flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she(he) walks with Jesus and her (his) loved ones waiting

And I know she's(he's) smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me

Friday, May 29, 2009

Indian Doctor

Today's story

Dot not the Feather (more to come)
Today I am on my way to take Grandma for her MRI

Thursday, May 28, 2009

New Orleans

Grandpa shared this story with me on Friday, May 1, 2009 When he was at St. Marks hospital. The nurse had come in to change his IV and she had told him to look away, but he said he wanted to watch to see that she did it right as he was watching her do this he shared the following story with us.

Grandpas New Orleans story:

He talked about the time that he and Grandma had gone to New Orleans with their friends Mike and Peggy and they had got to the airport early and there was lots of shopping for the women so he went into a bar and sat at a table. While he was there he saw a guy who had ordered a nice looking hamburger so he said to the waitress I'll take one of those and then he got up to go to the restroom when he came back sitting at his table eating his burger was a large black man and Grandpa said " That's my burger" and the guy said "I don't see your name on it "about the same time a security guard had come in and the man sitting eating Grandpas burger had a brown paper bag sitting next to him and Grandpa picked up the bag and started to walk out the man said to grandpa that's my bag grandpa took the bag up by his face and said I don't see your name on it and continued on to the plane. About that time I am thinking what was in the bag? And Grandpa said do you want to know what was in the bag and me and the nurse both said YES and he said The same bunch of "Bullshit" that I am feeding you.
Me and the nurse both got a good laugh out of it.
My Grandpa could tell stories and remember jokes like no one else I know. His mind was amazing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Grandpas Obituary

Joseph "D" McOmie
Joseph "D" McOmie 2/14/1930 ~ 5/25/2009 Loving husband, father, grand-father, great-grandfather.Dad was a great story teller with a wonderful sense of humor. He had a joke for every occasion. He was a Corpsman in the US Navy, a volunteer Range Officer at the Lee Kay Center, and a school crossing guard in Kearns for several years. Some of his best times were camping with his family and friends, especially at "THE PROPERTY". Preceded in death by son, Mike; daughter, Cynthia Ann; granddaughter, Brenda; sister, Marilyn. Survived by wife of 60 years, Carol; daughter, Kathy (Steve) Guevara; sons, Don (Ellen), Jeff (Marianne), Corey (Tami); daughter-in-law, Stephanie; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Luana, Dave, Karilyn and Jim. Private family service. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Humane Society of Utah or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Tuesday Night with Grandpa

Last night we took Grandma up to spend the night with Grandpa. When I picked Grandma up I had said to Jeff and Sid "No big parties while the parents are out for the night" We all laughed. When we got to the hospital I shared this with Grandpa and he smiled. Last night the mucus was giving grandpa a lot of trouble he was using the suction tube alot and coughing up a lot of gunk he has gotten really good at doing the mouth suction himself he can turn it on and off and suction out his own mouth. When the nurse came in he was telling her about Him and Danika being born on the same day and I said they are our Valentine babies and the nurse (I think Ashley) shared with us that her and her Grandpa were born on the same day also.

Monday afternoon with Grandpa

As I was pulling into the parking lot Dad and Ellen were pulling out. When I got to Grandpas room he said you just missed your dad and I shared with him how funny it was that I was pulling into the parking garage as they were pulling out. I love my one on one time with Grandpa I could just sit there for hours and hold his hand. I sit and hold his hand and he sleeps a little and when he wants to talk we talk. Today he was doing great writing on the notebook he wrote "When I need to B suchened and get it done right it seems to last a long time and I can breath easy" then he spelled out on the board will you redo and post So I rewrote it and we showed it to the nurse and posted it on the cabinet. Latter on that afternoon Grandma and Jeff and Sid joined me and soon after that Corey came. It was a little frustrating when the dietitian came in Grandpa does not want to eat after 3:00 , but they don't want to listen to him. He said his Tummy hurts here here and here pointing to the different areas of his stomach and then he wrote on a piece of paper that he also has an ulcer that was bothering him and scar tissue. I hate to see Grandpa frustrated and I am sure he feels like no one is listening to him.
Today his nurse was Phil. Phil was good with Grandpa and would ask him is that all boss.

Sunday Evening with Grandpa

When we got there we said Hi and shared our 3 hand squeezes. We could tell Grandpa was excited to see the pictures he was gesturing like come on show me the pictures. We showed him all the pictures Danika had put them together on the lap top and was explaining them to him he picked one picture that he really liked. As she was going thru the pictures she was telling Grandpa these were taken in the secret garden (Thanksgiving point) and his eyes perked up and he pointed his finger at Danika. I said Grandpa pay close attention to that boys picture so if he tries to take Danika to the secret garden again we will know what he looks like when we need to go and beat him up. Grandpa smiled. This was the day Grandpa was moved from room 8 to room 11. My dad shared with me after they moved Grandpa into the room. They opened the cupboard and there were 2 dimes in the cupboard. ( I will share more about the dimes at a later time) We had a nice visit with Grandpa it is always hard for me to leave the hospital if I had my choice I would stay all the time.

Saturday was a whole new night

When Chad and I arrived on Saturday night we found Grandpa up watching TV with his glasses on what a difference from the night before. We had so much fun Sid had drawn a picture of the Truck and trailer with Property as the Goal Chad added some to the picture by adding Grandma by the trailer with a caption over her head that said"Dee" Grandpa liked that. We went thru our regular routine Nice cold wet cloth for his head, eye drops for his eyes,a good old fashioned foot rub, and lip moisture for his lips I have to not tease Grandpa about his lip moisturizer one day when he was in the ICU I told him it was red lip stick the next time we tried to put it on him he wanted to see the tube first. I am sure he doesn't want us dolling him up. Chad had said to Grandpa when we had first got there "Grandpa you look handsome" I said " Watch out Grandpa Chad said you look handsome"
he put up both fists like he was going to punch Chad. I love to see Grandpas fun personality come out even though he can't talk he sure can communicate. When a nurse I haven't met yet comes in Grandpa points to me and mouths "this is my Granddaughter" and then I introduce myself to the nurse or doctor that comes in. We had brought Grandpa a gift that says "Wordls Greatest Grandpa" he seemed to like it. He had a fun nurse that night her name was Melissa she was fun and spunky Grandpa seems to do better with the fun Nurses and of course he doesnt mind them being cute either. We teased him about getting kisses from the nurses.
I was talking to Grandpa about pulling weeds earlier in the day and how obnoxious the crab grass can be he was agreeing with me and Chad said oh sure when she tells you she worked hard you sympathize with her, but last night I told you I worked hard all week and you played me a little violin . Grandpa smiled and put both of his hands on his hips just like what Chad was doing while he was talking to Grandpa. We all laughed.
Grandpa is great with his had gestures I have found myself using them. He has Hi ,Bye,thumbs up and down, O.K. and a new one I have stated blowing him kisses when I go and he blows kisses back.
We talked to Grandpa about Danika being at the dance and how nervous she got when Connor got here to pick her up. We told him we would bring pictures up tomorrow. He seems to really like when Danika comes to visit.

Our Friday visit with Grandpa

Friday night was a rough night for me. Grandpa was tired and worn out when we first got the he was a little talkative, but by the time we left he wanted so bad to tell us something, but didn't have the energy to do it. He tried to spell it out on his board and would get out one word "how" and then fall back asleep. I love my Grandpa very much and hated to leave for the night without knowing what he was trying to say.

Friday, May 15, 2009

A fun night with Grandpa

Last night Danika and I went to the hospital to visit with Grandpa. We had so much fun he had us laughing out loud. He is so cute and has such a fun personality. When we got there he was awake and we went in and he squeezed our hands three times for those of you that don't know what that means it means "I love you" I had taught Grandpa that on Friday, May 8th after he got put on the ventilator. Danika and I have had that signal for years and I am glad we could share it with Grandpa. When we were there we talked about the baby horse in the pasture at the top of our street .It is so cute and I had talked to Grandpa about the horse on Friday, May 1st when he was at St. Marks and he had shared with me that when horses are born there legs are the length they will be for life. I had not know that My Grandpa is full of all kinds of information. We also talked about Danika going to the prom on Saturday and he shook his finger at her like he was saying "you better behave yourself" and then she showed him her nails that she had gotten done and the glitter that was on them. I am so honored to be able to be there for my Grandpa I have learned alot about him over this hospital stay. Grandpa loves to have his feet rubbed I rubbed them and he put his head back and had a big grin on his face. I told him I don't rub every one's feet and he spelled out on his board " You spoil me" and I told him he deserved it. He also likes his eye drop so I try to put them in for him each day. We also talked about his nurse Nelson that he was glad that he didn't have anymore. He called him 24/7 and Bad Carma.
when we talked about Nelson Last night Grandpa acted out what Nelson would do and he was acting like he was looking around the corner and then waving I guess Nelson would always look in on Grandpa and wave. We laughed when Grandpa did it. It was Hilarious I wish we had a video camera. I was also telling him how this new room he was in was so much nicer than the ICU it looks more like a hotel room with his flat screen TV and all the latest technology and he started acting like he was playing a violin first a big one then a little one. Again we were laughing. Before we left I asked Grandpa could we do anything for him and he poked my arm and Danika said "Does that mean shot" and he shook his head Yes and I said " What do you want a shot of " and he spelled out on his board Morphine and I said to him I thought for sure you would have said Bourbon( I will share a bourbon story later) or Tequila and he shook his head yes like those would be good too. I told him I bet you have the song Jose cuervo in your head and he smiled. As we left Grandpa squoze our hand again and we told him we love him and would see him tomorrow.
I have lots more stories that I can't wait to share. My cute little Grandpa is a great man.

Grandpa Joe