i had a date with my motherinlaw

Saturday July 22;

James gets me ready to go outand he tells me it is a surprise. i am
always ready for a surprise from james. we enter the movie theater
parking lot, as we follow the curb; up ahead walking toward the
entrance Lynda Armstrong. i put the window down and yell at her.
"fancy meeting you here!". We walk in togther. she walked as james
wheeled me in. We sat on like the fourth row from the front. Lynda
sat between james and i. which i did not mind at all. we saw my
superEX girlfriend. which was pg-13. but had i known the content, i
would not have seen it with her. in the embarrassing scenes, all
three of us laughed. that made me feel a little better. As we were
walking out we decided to go and get some dinner together. Linda
followed us to a fabulous place called: queen Ann's Revenge. the
interior is made to look like a ship; with glass cases filled with
replicas of different pieces of weapons uded during the
"pirateeras". the food is fresh and wouldn't been served on a
pirateship. We had a wonderful time! Of course, I can not recall
ever having a bad time with Lynda. I am blessed to have such a
wonderful mother-in-law. She has helped us so much, these past four
years. I love her!

i

Alexander and James are coming down from an exilirating high.

Dear family and friends,
Today November 18, 2006
We were invited to come over to my friend's Fly-In.
My friend sheryl Davis( the wonderfully kind lady who has been
giving me free oil painting lessons since August.) A Fly- in is when
Their friends: fly in from all over and gather at the Davis' hanger
and eat,talk and friendly flying contestants:(bomb drop)(stop on the
line.)To enter into their neihborhood, you drive along the runway
(very slowly!)There are signs that warn:STAY OFF THE GRASS,WATCH OUT
FOR PLANES. They are serious about it.One car left, a little too fast
and they were told to hang a left at the end of the drive-way and not
come backl, unles they walked from the driveway. The whole
neighborhood was there: Instead of cars in the yard, there were all
kinds of airplanes. Off of their kitchen was a full-blown plane hanger
(planes and all. One of them belonged to Sheryl's husband, Norman.
Today, the planes were placed among several long tables( loaded with
food. We were not ther long until the grill got cranked up and it
washamburgers, and hotdogs,potato salad,beans, broclli salad, and
your choice of desert:chocalte cake,James' special(pumkin\Plaines and
cream cake.OH EHST A PARTY. After the pilot's food settled: the
games began: James went up up tin one that participated in (stop on
the line .they paint a white line in the grass beside the runway( a
pilot must circle around, then try and stop as close to the line as
possible. Some one on the side-line( not too close to the line.‚ is a
spoter for each plane in the contest. James' plane won that game.HIP
HIP HOURAY. Alexander went up alone, and helped in the bomb-drop.( a
plane goes up and the lucky occupant gets to try and drop a bag of
sand on a circle paintedf on the grass.9 hopefully not too close to
the spotter. Alexander'd plane was in second place. The pilot
thanked Alexander for being such a good bag dropper, and for a first
time flyer\without a parent. James watched from the ground, I was
getting another well needed painting lesson from Sheryl. She made me
sit down at a table in the hanger.It'snot likre I could stand there.
it was nice to paint and listen to planes buzzing over-head. And
talking wikth my friend Sheryl, there was another lady there, Darlene
and she is a former stident of Sheryl's, and they met because
Darlene's husband is a pilot. Imagine that. Nno one minded that we
were not plane people.WEWERESHERYL'S FRIENDS. I decl;ined the chance
to go up. Scared, a little, It wou;d have been too hard for me to
get into a plane. I didn't mind: I had fun, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY:
and my family had a great time. Jaime didn't go, because he wanted to
go to a friend's birthday party.Which wqs fine. We have been invited
back in May for a Fly-In(breakfast club)I am sure Jaime will go with
us then. May be in May I can ask to be a spoter. If they do games in
May. I will have to ask Norman about that. I wonder how I
coulpractice for that for that?zevry thing I do I must practice. I
will just need my battery chair working by then. IT WAS A WONDERFUL
DAY. I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE ONE TIME: SOME ONE REALIZED I LOOKED AWFUL
YOUNG TO BE IN A WHEEL CHAIR.( there WAS AN92-yearold lady there in a
wheel chair, who had siuffered a stroke. Aneighbor came up to me and
looking t measked"Where you in an accident?" My reply,"No, I had a
stroke due to a devere blow to the head." Which is al;ways followed
by:" Oh, io sm do sorry, that is horrible. How long ago did that
happen? " I reply", four years ago. Well, bad things happen: I just
try to make the most of things. It could have been worse, I could
have died that night, but I didn't." What I don't understand is why
I haven't gotten use to explaining my sad situation to strangers. I
can't explain how I feel about all that has transpired over the last
long four years! I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO SUPPORTS ME 199% OF
MY LIFE. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE I WOUL;D BE WITHOUT HIM.( in an
instition.)HE IS THE BEST FATHER TO OUR SONS. I might be wheel chair
bound, but i am not house bound. When people ask about-today: James
can say"i was in the clouds." I don't want my "problem" to keep him
house bound. Thank God for friends who make miracles happen for my
loved ones.
I hope allof yall have been healthy and happy! I hopr James will
post some of the picture he took today.
LOVE YALL, THANKS FOR REASING MY FAMILY JOURNAL WE-LEAVE WEDNESDAY
FOR GEORGIA.I need to spend some time with my mother.This is the
first Thanksgiving without my Father. It will be strange for
everyone. I will let you know how it ewent.
love, Carol Armstrong and family.
'

One of our new babies!

 
Here is Grace, a creme standard poodle from Loreena and Sam. Born August 21st, 2006

http://www.edenstandardpoodles.com 

Laborday

It is September4,2006;
Our family had prepared for a picnic, James bought some fried chicken from publix, yesterday. It is very good. we like our chicken cold, so there was no need for James to spend a good portion of Sunday evening in the kitchen, when he didn't feel good. I can't fry chicken, at this point in my life. But, that is alright. There will be a time in the future when, I will be able to do more in the kitchen. I requested certain things for our picnic menu; fried chicken, deviled eggs, and Planter's dry roasted peanuts. Why, so particular? Because, that is what I remember eating on my family's picnics eons ago. As we pulled on to the road to the "park", it poured down rain. I said we could still go to the park, as long as there was no lighting. After making that statement, I was reminded, we had brought our dog along, so we could play with her like we had done before. Alexander seemed disappointed, that it was raining. I said, as long as we are together; who cares if it rains. James' the quick thinker he is called his mother, to see if she was home; which at that point was only 10 minutes away. So, we braved the down pour and headed for "Mom's." She prefers I call her Mom instead of Lynda. We shared our picnic goodies with her and Emily, James' little sister: she is such a sweatheart. She is attending the Colllege of Charleston. She is as smart as cute. Lorenna sat on the back porch and stayed dry. The rest of us sat around the diningroom table and ate, drank Dr.Pepper ( An Armstrong family tradition. ) IT WAS A VERY NICE PICNIC. You can't have a family picnic without your grandmother. Being that; Mom, is my mother in law; SHE IS THE BEST AND I LOVE HER VERY MUCH. She has done much to help me and my family, since ifirst "fell" ill. Well, some people would expect her to do no less. True, but, i am blessed. She doesn't complain about what she does. At least, I have not heard any complaints. We might have not been able to get to the "park", but We ejoyed being a family and we were all healthy. I was not able to clear the table, but I an thankful I was able to sit up and partake with my family. My boys will remember the Labor day picnic that was made special by their Daddy. As I type, James is puting peanuts in the pressure cooker, because we all like boiled peanuts. And the vendors are hard to find this time of year. I have a friend at Life Care who loves boiled peanuts as much as we do. This way if James can perfect the process of the art of boiled peanuts (which i have no doubt, James, can do or cook anything he puts his mind to. ) My family has never been disappointed with anything he has attempted to cook. He surprised me with the deviled eggs. We usually fix those together, but time was not on our side. They tasted pretty good. Mom had some Paparika to sprinkle on top, so al;l was well. I LOVE JAMES, HE IS ALWAYS DOING THE LITTLE THINGS TO MAKE ME HAPPY. I hope he knows how much i love him! Love, from our family to yours,

THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY.

our 15th Wedding annaversary

Dear family and friends,
the day was April 27,2006.

james took that day off from work. i did not have to go to Lifecare. james did not get to sleep in, because he had to get the boys up for school. I wished I could have gotten them up. James never gets a brake. We went downtown to a few of our favorite spots. The first being "Sea and Shell". I let James pick out his gift to ensure 100% satisfaction. He chose a mermaid statue,she, which s no doubt that is what she is (a beautiful fish tail maiden, riding on a wave beside a dolphin. The statue looks as though it was carved from wood. we love that giftshop, i really enjoyed helping out there on saturdays, a couple years ago. For a little while, then I cleaned the shop a couple nights a week, up until I "fell" ill. I really enjoyed cleaning that shop. I miss moving all the baskets full of shells, to sweep under them. Once I moped the area; it shined; I know I had made a difference. I have to admit, I do inspect the floor and shelves. I can't help it,that is just what I do. I am happy that her shop is clean. Marilyn,is succesfull running her shop and cleaning it. I miss being around her. She is a wonderful person. After we got our gifts; i got a pair of pearl earrings. we left and had lunch at the FISH RESTURANT. Where we got to chat with the manager, Randall Goldman; he helped raise money to buy us a van, with a wheelchair lift. Which we received a couple months after I got out of the hospital. Randal came up with the idea of a fundraider out of the goodness of his heart. He will never know how much we appreaciated that gift of a van. Then he treats us to lunch and a special dessert, chocolate gourmet icecream sandwich with happy anniversy witten in chocolate on the chilled plate. it was so beautiful. the meal was scrumpscous. the atmosphere was perfect. (I was with my handsome husband, whom I love as much or more than I did fifteen years ago. with time; it gets better. Of course i couldn't jump up and put on a teddy and pretend we where on our honeymoon. James is so understanding; I don't understand how I deserve a wonderful man like James, everyday, I pray that my Heavenly father keeps him safe and strong to keep taking great care of me. No one could do it better. I wouldn't want anyone to, but, he does need a brake. I am not thin anymore; i wish I could stop eating. It was a wonderful day!!!!! It always is with James. I am not ashamed for everyone to know how much I love him! Everyone tells me how god I look these days. my reply is that I am well loved by James and my Father in Heaven and my friends. sound silly? Well it is not it is true Unconditional love can and does work miracles. I am living proof. Take care and my you feel the love of Christ in your heart; pass the love on, by a warm smile and hello to the next person you make eye contact with. no words are needed unless the spirit moves your tongue.

love, carol Armstrong and family

 
Alexander at his 8th Birthday party.

 
Alexander's cousins at his party. 

A day at the Park

 
 
 Saturday the 4th was a beautiful day. We grabbed the kids and stoped by KFC for some chicken and went to Fort Dorchester Park. It brings back some good memories. This was the place where I (James) first kissed Carol. She also made me a German Chocolate cake one year for my birthday when we were dating and met me here for a surpise birthday party. 

Jaime at Scouts

 Jaime pinning a mother's pin on Carol. He receive a few merit badges and the Tenderfoot badge. 

March 10th

dear everyone, the day was monday, march 6,2006. James rolled me into Lifecarewe stopped by the activities room, to check out what was on the calander for activities. nothing looked exciting; Mondays are always boring for me. I was not starting out with a positive attitude. Now it is off to the Living room(tv room really). I was parked with my back to the exit door. there was no one in there yet. I looked around and realized that two of the three couches were empty, I squirmed in my chair, wishing somebody would come in, so I could talk to them. i looked at the couch, thinking Miss Keith should be in soon, i hoped, how could i surprise her; make for a different day. I saw Zorba walk by, he is my phsyical therapist. i called for him and when he reached me I asked him if he could do me avery big favor, I said I wanted to be a real person and sit on one of the couches."Z" is a great fellow and he transfered me to the couch in front of the glass window one can see people walking past the living room in the hallway. I sat back and waited for someone. the couch was nice, slightly hard, i have a real soft one at home which does not promotes good posture). i sat and waited, one of the housekeepers came in an I always talk to her, she is very nice. Z parked my chair to the left of the couch. i neded it close to my purse, i needed to be able to reach my lipgloss. Finally what seemed like an eternity, in walks in miss Keith using her walker, she makes a cute surprised face. I pat the cushion next to me with my hand "This seat is saved for somone special!" her attending nurse, who goes every where with her help her back toward the couch. she says one of her favorite sayings "thankyou jesus." we are hip to hip on the couch I can't help but put my right arm around her and give her a squeeze (not too hard,she is fragile) I asked her what was took her so long; she had been eating breakfast. she told me she was happy someone was waiting to see her,I told her that if she was happy ,I was happy. she said that ws nice. I replied that I don't lie. she laughed and gave me a toothless grin. a few more people wandered in; two being; Charles pushing his wife's wheelchair. now i don't recall how the people we removed out of the room, but Charles ended up next to me; which i didn't mind. I asked him if i could give him a small hug, and he said yes, so I put my right arm across his shoulders. he leaned over to me and whispered he loved me,I said thank you and told him I loved him too. the three of us chated for a few minutes. it was so very nice to be sitting on the same couch with two of my favorite people(.with the exception of James). next came Sarah, the beautian, she was surprised to see me there, she smiled and asked me how I was and i looked real good sitting there. I told her i wanted to feel like a real person for a day. she told me I was a real person. I replied, that sometimes i don't feel that way. a few more residents were wheeled in.the more the merrier. the resident that was closest to me was bent over in his chair, the lap tray had to be cutting into his chest, i wanted to get someone to check on him ,but i was not in my chair. so I squirmed on the couch, trying to catch a glimpse of a nurse in the hallway behind me; it took awhile but, finally i saw someone to help, they could not straighten him up, i felt bad for him.I squirmed on the couch some more;my father use to call me a wiggle worm, when i was smaller and would squirmed On the couch. maybe there was something to that. i spent he next few hours wondering why i was not happy on that beautiful, uncomfortable couch.i couldn't wait until james came to eat lunch with me and get me off that couch. I had plenty of time to ask myself why I was so strange? if any one knows the answer to that 64 million dollar question, please let me know so I can get on with my life. take care Everyone! love, carol armstrong.

Update

dear friends and family to all those that care about the Armstrong family; Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated ;the prayers have been answered; Maybe not the BIGONE, but the little ones are as just important; Evryone comments on how good I look; Gosh I must have looked Bad;I never won any beauty contest (but my life is not over yet) when I was younger,but in the during tis last month; people have been notioning me (which makes me feel really uncomfortable) James is the reason I look so Good;He wants my lipstick to be hust right, he will fix my hair so it looks real nice; A GIRL CAN'T HAVE NICE GLOSSY LIPS AND A BAD HAIR DO;CAN SHE?I THINK MY LOVE FOR MY HUSBAND IS SO OBVIOUS,THAT IT MAKES MY FACE GLOW, AND I WANT TO SMILE BECAUSE I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR, BUT MADLY IN LOVE WITH JAMES; HE IS MY BETTER HALF,HE ENABLES MY USELESS SIDE WORK, WHEN HE GOES TO STAND ME UP (that is not an easy task my deepest prayer is that james continues to have the strength to handle me, without hurting himself.) it is not all work and no play; Saturday March 4th; we all went to; Fort Dorchester Park; for a picnic We got some chicken from KFC filled the cooler with drinks; loaded the car with a football and our dog and went to have some food and fun. THAT DAY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, THE CHICKEN WAS GOOD, AND THE COMPANY, WAS GREAT; a couple of our friends droped by and we had a nice visit; John and Miriam Pinckney. MARCH 3rd WAS JAMES AND ALEXANDER'S BIRTHDAYS. JAMES TOOK THE DAY OFF AND HE AND I WENT AND HAD A brunch at chick-phil-A, then went to a movie;there we shared a soda and a bag of popcorn.YES it was a romantic date WITH MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND. IT WAS A NICE EASY GOING DAY;JAMES PICKED OUT HIS PRESENT THE WEEK BEFORE; A DRILL PRESS,TO HELP HIM MAKE THE BEAUTIFUL PENS, PENCILS AND PURFUME CONTAINERS, TOOTHPICK HOLDER/ KEYCHAIN .I AM SO HAPPY HE HAS A REAL HOBBY! BESIDES BEING MY 24 HOUR NURSEMAID .OUR GOOD FRIENDS; AL AND GEORGIE WOMACK,MILTON RASPT ,AND HIS SWEET WIFE HAZLE, WE ALL WENT TO OLIVEGARDEN FOR DINNER. IT WAS A WONDERFUL MEAL WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS. I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER GROUP OF FRIENDS; WE LAUGH AND JOKE AROUND AND EAT; all the while I forget I am a cripple in a wheelchair (i have the best husband and the glossiest lips)I LIVE A GOOD LIFE;THANKS TO ALL MENTIONED ABOVE; I MUST GIVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF CREDIT TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER ABOVE who has given me strength and health to improveI still have faith that the BIG miracle will happen, not on my time, but histime;and then I know it will be a complete, perfect fix-me-up. thankyou all and i love
you for all that you do.

LOVE, carol armstrong and family.

Here is Jaime sporting his new hair doo. He just wanted to try something different. 

Well, here is our sad Christmas photo this year. 

Dear family and friends,



I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy! It has been an interesting year in 2005. Many things have happened am in my third year of rehab at Life Care of Charleston. I have made little bits of improvements in the area of mobility. My trunk strength is better (y�all didn�t know I was an elephant; I wish I had the memory of one). Everyone says I look better. My hair has grown back thicker than ever. I have a dear friend, Evelyn Evans, who�s mother is at Life Care. She washes and puts my hair in really pretty braids. She treats me like a queen, brings my family homemade muffins and cookies. Her gift of unconditional love blesses my life and thus I feel normal when she visits with me. She is doing the Lord�s work by being kind and giving me a beautiful smile that matches her clear, blue eyes. It never fails she encourages me and I am happy again. Being in a nursing home during the day at my age can get depressing at times, I have met some nice ladies there. Alexander is in the second grade and it is very changing for him. Jaime is in the seventh grade and is doing well. He is attending a school of the arts. He is a wonderful thirteen year-old, he helps a great bit around the home. He went to a Depeche Mode concert with James in November. James needed the well deserved brake from me. James has been working hard. His office moved and he was in charge of getting the phones set up right along with everyone�s computer. I don�t know what they would do without him. I thank my heavenly father everyday for James and all that he does for me and that he will continue to have the strength to keep up the care he gives me. He comes and has lunch with me everyday at Life Care. When I see him strolling down the hallway I fall in love with him all over again. I am not ashamed to tell the world I love my husband. He is one of the best things to happen to me, along with being baptized into THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. On the first of October my father passed away. It was very sad, but I know he is in a better place. My mother is doing as well as can be expected, they were married for over fifty years. My sister, laurie, lives close by and my uncle Buster, keeps tabs on her along with my aunt Eleanor. I am very thankful that aunt Eleanor is taking up time with her sister. Aunt Eleanor always showed compassion to others and I have always admired her for that.


WE WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!




LOVE,
Carol Armstrong & Family
My email is carol@thearmstrongs.org and I am always happy to get an email.
 

HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING TO ALL

DEAR READERS;SORRY IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE WE HAVE UPDATED THIS JOURNAL; OCTOBER WAS EVENTFUL; MY FATHER DIED ON THE FIRST OF THE FIRST OF MONTH. HE, HAD BEEN IN ICU FOR SEVERAL WEEKS,MY MOTHER IS HANDLING IT THE BEST SHE CAN, THEY HAD BEEN MARRIED OVER FIFTY YEARS HE WAS LOVED BY MANY AND WILL BE MISSED BY AS MANY JAMES TOOK JAIME TOA DEPECHE MODE CONCERT(80'S GROUP) WHILE I STAYED WITH ALEXANDER, AT MY SISTER,LAURIE'S HOUSE. THAT GAVE JAMES A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING HE WANTED TO DO(TAKING CARE OF ME ALL THE TIME CAN BE A CHALLENGE). I TRIY NOTTO BE TOO DEMANDING; BUTI END UP BEING THAT WAY AFTER ALL; AND JAMES NEVER COMPLAINS!!!!!!!!!!! I THSNK GOD EVER MORNING AND EVER NIGHT FOR ALLOWING US TO MEET UP;AT CHURCH)I WAS ABLE TO VISIT WITH MY FAMILY AND THEN GET MARRIED. I COULD NEVER THINK OF LOVING ANYONE BUT JAMES. WE SPENT THANKSGIVING AT HIS PARENTS HOUSEOVERHALF OF JAMES'TEN SIBLINGS ERE THERE. HIS MOTHER CAN COOK LET ME TELL YOU. IT WAS A VERY NICE DAY. THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY HAS BEEN VERY SUPORTIVE FOR US THESE LAST FOUR YEARS.JAMES TAKES AFTER HIS MOTHER; KIND, PATIENT, LOVING AND THOUGHTFUL,SNDGIVES UN CONDITIONAL LOVE. WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS EASY,BUT WHEN GIVENYHE GIVER IS BLESSED ABUNTANTLY BY GOD.I WANT TO THANK ALL TFOSE THAT HAVE SAID PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF ME AND MY FAMILYTHEY HAVE BEEN ANSWERED; I AM NOT AS ANGRY AS I WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO. LIFE IS STILL A BIG STRUGGLE, BUT WITH GOD AND JAMES I THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE TO THE END.TAKE CARE AND MAY ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMASAND A SAFE A HYAPPY NEW YEAR!

LOVE,CAROL,JAMES,JAIME,ALEXANDER AND JAMES ARMSTRONG.

Carol on the beach for her 41st birthday. Her sister and mom were in town for her birthday. 

Carol and Jaime after he received four merit badges from Scout Camp. 

Carol wanted to play ball with our dog today after work. 

Alexander downtown at the Waterfront park.