Another Sad Day

I decided to repost some of the pictures that Dan posted on his blog with labels so you would know who everyone is--everyone that I know, that is.

Russell Troy Kelsey, or nephew and cousin, died on Sunday March 29, 2015 just before 7 PM.  He was 37 years old.  He had been in the hospital for almost two weeks.  He went into the hospital for Celulitis--a skin infection that spreads across the area and causes redness, pain and swelling. Russell had this several times in his life as a truck driver.  It requires strong antibiotics and often hospitalization.  When the body is in distress with multiple problems (like diabetes, too) it is vulnerable to attacks of other infections like Necrotizing Fasciitis which Russell developed.  He was sent to the Burn Unit of the University of Utah Hospital and they operated removing a big chunk of his leg.  They said he would need many surgeries to get it all out.  

Soon after surgery his breathing shut down and he went on a ventilator.  He was pumped full of all kinds of medications to counteract the infections, but his body was just not able to fight it off.  Eventually his heart was unable to pump oxygen to his body and brain so he had to be removed from lifesaving apparatus.   That is the short version that I observed while visiting the hospital

The long and painful version was experienced by his wife, LeAnda, and Joy and John and family members as they waited out his stay in the hospital.  I cannot convey the pain of such an ordeal.

Dan and I left when the Doctor gave the family the final news and it was so heart wrenching that I just had to go home and let the close family sit it out the rest of the day until arrangements could be made.

I can assure you that this has not gone down well with me. It is too close to the passing of our sweet Grandaughter, Emily.  Too many difficult memories are brought to the surface--too many years of hospitals and surgeries and death.  I have not been well since the funeral.  The weather is grey and heavy and I just need some sun to help me get out of the funk.  It is only half sunny today, and I still sit in my pjs at 1:30 PM and writing this is making me cry.

On to the pix. 

You may recognize the backs of the cousins, Paul in the center and Johnny in the forefront.  In the way back is Chet and LeAnn.  I put this one in to show you that the Kelsey Family chose to wear purple shirts and ties to honor Russell because it was his favorite color. It was Grandpa Hunter's favorite color, too.

I won't put in pictures of the coffin.  I just don't want to see that again.

Bethany had lots of fun playing with Karen, John's Sister.  She had buttons on her wheel chair that lit up and were fun to push.  Karen tickled her and she giggled.

I must say that she got along with Karen much better than with her grandma.  

Here is Roger Kelsey.  Still has a beard and mustache.  I like the purple.  He looks quite handsome.

This is the only picture Dan took that includes LeAnda, Russell's wife.  On the left is Cindy, Adam's former wife, but always one of the family.  Next to her is LeAnda, and on the couch is her family who drove in from Shreveport, Louisiana.  We didn't get a good picture of his son, Brayden or his stepsons David and Thomas.  Brayden is adorable and looks so much like Russell as a child.

Here is Johnny with his new son, James Dean Kelsey.  He is so cute.  John has lost weight and is looking very good.

Here is John's sister LaDoris.  She is holding James Dean.  

Graham and Debbie came down.   Debbie is not in these pix.  Left:  Graham, Jenifer, Me, Bethany and Alicia.

Roger and his latest Grandson, born to Adam and his newest girlfriend.

Chet, Cindy, Clint and Dorothy (Dot) Chandler.

Dot, Jim Hall, Karen and LaDoris with Brayden Kelsey, Russell's boy, in the front in the black shirt.  Yes, he is that old and they were married that long. Who knew?

This is me, John and Joy.  It's a great picture.  I like it.

Johnny and Paul.  Brothers together.

LeAnn and Connor, Paul's Family.

The remainder of the pictures were taken at the cemetery. I picked ones that were interesting and memorable.

Here is half of Cindy, Dana Shepherd (all grown up at 15), Debbie Bronson, Jenifer Kelsey, Julie Hall, Alicia Woodruff and Connie Hall.  It was windy and chilly.

Getting ready to release purple and white balloons.  In the center is Henry Kelsey, John's younger brother, Clint Chandler, Graham and Debbie Hunter behind, James and Johnny and Joy Kelsey.

Releasing the balloons to honor Russell.  Some blew into the trees and popped, buy the rest went into the sky on the way south.

After this we went to John and Joy's house for a delicious meal provided by Paul and LeAnn as a gift to the family.  

I am going out for a walk with the dogs now before the sun disappears.  Perhaps I should get my sweats on first.

BE HAPPY

CYBERGRAM

The Promise of The Resurrection

The Promise

On Easter Morning Our Savior rose from the tomb and saved all mankind from the deep, dark chasm of death.  Like the blossoms of Spring that return after the cold and dreary deathlike Winter, The Promise is fulfilled for life and beauty and happiness in the Eternal Home of God.

Buds awakenng

Peonies

Promise -- Peonies

Opening to Spring's Warmth
Future Bonsai

All things bright and beautiful coming to life after winter's sleep.

Daffodils  --  first large bulb

All the pretty bulbs have come out except the tulips.  The Temple Square bulbs are miraculously bloomed.    (Probably force bloomed.) Mine are not out yet.

Hyacinth

Blossoms that have not frozen in this past weeks below freezing nights.  

Apple Blossoms

Newly Planted Flowering Pear

And the last of the 

Flowering Quince:

Other Daffodil varieties:

Double

 


















HAPPY EASTER



CYBERGRAM

Angels In Our Midst

Today I wish to honor all the angels we have in our life; all the beautiful spirits that have gone on to greater glory.

This week we lost our nephew and cousin, Russell Troy Kelsey on Sunday, March 29, 2015.

We are so sorry to see him go.  He died as a result of complications after surgery for necrotizing fasciitis.  It is such a great loss for his family.  He was so  young, 37 years old, leaving a wife and family.

The recent death of Emily Kempe, December 17, 2014, is still such a tender memory in  our hearts.  Little Emily lived just one month then passed away of congenital heart disease. We so miss her.

Emily Joaanna Kempe

I recently made an adorable earing set that is especially to honor the loss of all our little angels.  This is a sweet angel earring set that comes directly from Fusion Beads.  I was so beautiful and I thought of our Emily Joanna and Emily Dawn and decided to make a pair.

Angel of Lilac Earrings

I love the delicate sterling silver wings.  The Swarovski crystals are Crystal Lilac Shadow colored.  They are so lovely.

We can reflect on the atonement of Christ at this Easter Season and remember those who have gone before us into his loving arms.

HAPPY MEMORIES

CYBERGRAM

Monday In the Sun

Pretty Yellow Iris with white falls.

What in the world is this?

Who said this iris could bloom this soon?  It will never make it until Memorial Day.  It won't even make it to April.  No April Fools Day joke here.  The others next to it are in serious bud, too.  No flowers for the graves this year.  The back yard is not as sunny as the front so perhaps we will get some later.  I try to place them all over the yard to give them a chance to bloom in May  (not March!)


Today is a good day to get down and dirty.  I have to remind myself that it is March and not panic yet.  There is so much to do this year outside.  I could feel buried, but a I usually do all this work in May so I have a little time.

The Star Magnolia has bloomed and is already on it's way out.  The Crab Apple Trees are just starting to bloom, the right one all out and the left one behind.  I don't know why.

Star Magnolia

Crab Apple Three

Lovely Blossoms

I tried some red mulch around my front flower bed and it looks very sharp  against the green daylilies.  Must finish the other side today.  

Daylilies that were divided and spread out.

I have little Bright Lights Swiss Chard and Winterbor Kale to plant out today.  Then I will finally get  chance to plant my cold frame with lettuce and spinach seed.  This could have been done a long time ago, but I was not mentally ready for such early warm weather.  The peas that Dan planted in February came up last week. 

I am off to the yellow brick road now.  Must get my fingernails dirty.  Hope to make some jewelry tonight for tomorrow.  

HAPPY PLANTING
Cybergram

St. Patrick's Day Quilt

The Irish Chain

The Irish Chain Is the perfect quilt for March.  The colors are bright and cheery.  I love this quilt and one day I will quilt it.  Oops.  The Back is on and the sides are all finished, but I have not put it on the frame  yet to quilt. It will have quilted shamrocks in the center of the large white spaces. 

I will put the quilt on the large quilt frames for a queen sized quilt and baste it all across both ways then use my mother's small frames to quilt it from the center out.  These techniques will prevent the top from moving around.  I will add those pix as soon as I get those steps in motion.  Soon, I promised myself.

With Dan's New Camera Nikon D3300

With My older Panasonic Lumix Camera

Can you see the difference?  Dan got a new camera and so I thought I would compare the pix.  I personally cannot see much difference.  He used my blog as his excuse to buy a new camera.  Now is he going to take all of my blog pictures? I will have to learn to use it myself with all the bells and whistles.  I don't do bells and whistles too well.

I also made the pillows covers with the same pattern and  put zippers in them so they can be stored flat in a smaller space.

Pillow with Green Center

Pillow with White Center

Zipperr placket

I also made a baby quilt several years ago that I can use on the sofa as March decorations.  

It has been quilted, and the back is a white with green polka dot.

I love to change the color of the towel, pictures and some of the curtains to match the holiday of the month.  The window valences and curtains have already been replaced with Easter colors. 

Master Bath

The corner of my master bathroom has greens and greens.  The picture of daffodils was painted with pastels by my third daughter, Alicia, when she was in high school.  The little planter rack on the toilet back holds extra hand towels and wash cloths.

You might notice the little electronic device on the wall under the picture.  It is an emergency light.  

Emergency Light

It comes on when the power goes off.  There are several of them placed around the house. 

Emergency Light Switch

This one is the switch.  When the electricity is off (or when one of the grandkids pull it out of the socket) it sends a signal to the others to turn on the light.  It is a great idea when the power suddenly goes off at nightime.  You can maneuver around the house without a lantern or candle.  I bought it at Amazon.

Sorry for the late post.  Life got interrupted before I got it done.

HAPPY "WEAR'IN OF THE GREEN"

CYBERGRAM