Always in My Heart

Rest in peace my dearly beloved "angel man," Edmond Angelil.

Frightened Fashionista

Somehow I got convinced to be a model in the March meeting of the Women's Club of Savanna Club, which was a fashion show of clothes bought at Kohl's.   I happened to be in Kohl's in Ft. Lauderdale with Ed's sister, Lorraine Barkett.  She really got into it and found a shell, an over-jacket, necklace and earrings.  I found the rest of the pieces later.

I invited my sister-in-law, Mary Kay Angelil, to come.

The tables were beautifully decorated by Jane Roy and her team.  Notice the little shoe and purse in the middle.

 Behind me are my friends, Linda Ricioppo and Bonnie McDonnell. 

There were 19 models in the show.  Diane Novelli, the organizer, cleverly divided the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" program.  She had 3 groups of models with games in between.

Above is group 1 and below is group 2.

I didn't think that much about modeling until I went to rehearsal the day before.  That's when I realized how HUGE that theater is and how far we had to walk.  The spotlight was also intimating!  Boy, was I ever NERVOUS!!! 

I guess I've never done anything where people were just staring at me.  I just went on automatic pilot and somehow managed not to fall down!

Below is group 3.  (There was another gal with her little granddaughter in our group but I didn't get their photo.)

   New experiences are good for us and being a "fashionist fashion model" turned out to be a personal victory and 

a fun day for MaryMay.

Ed's Little Corner

A computer guru needs his space and Ed claimed this little corner in our kitchen as his.  I was sure it would be too crowded but this little desk fits perfectly.

He totally enjoys looking out at the lake and seeing all the sandhill cranes, herons, anhingas, turtles, ducks, and our alligator. 

His body may have slowed down, but his brain hasn't so he still "memorizes" the Washington Post each day!

Hospice - a Good Decision

We’re both pleased with Ed’s decision to go with Hospice, as we now have a whole team of professionals to help us. This week, we’ve had visits from his nurse, his new doctor, the Hospice chaplain, social worker, the oxygen delivery guy, a medicine delivery, and a dietitian will be coming.  We also have a 24/7 number to call to speak with a nurse with even tiny questions. They take over all Ed's medical care.

His nurse will come weekly and later, if he needs help with showering, etc., a nurse’s aide can come. There’s also a beautiful new facility a few miles away.

Hospice people don’t sugar coat things and they discuss in different ways what Hospice means.  We had thought it was just for the last couple of weeks of one’s life, but we’ve learned it’s far more than that. I see that comfort care includes “coaching on how to LIVE” in the best manner possible for as long as you can, even if you have to adapt your activities.

I can already see a difference in Ed’s spirit and he seems more peaceful, as am I. Hey, how many patients get a home visit from their doctor these days? He told our minister that he might be around another year --- but that’s all in God’s hands.

p.s. Ed’s mind is totally intact so he’s not missing a thing.  As the admitting nurse left on Monday she said to me, “I really like Ed. He’s quite a character!”   Yep, she’s already figured out “our Ed”, hasn’t she?