Oh what tangled webs we weave....

Today is Sunday. Jamie has wonderful people from church who have volunteered to take him back and forth to church on Sunday's since Dan and I are starting a church plant in the city of St.Louis. In saying all that, when Dan and I arrived home today after church. I received a phone call from a friend of Jamie's stating she had heard some disturbing news from Jamie just a few minutes earlier on the phone and she just wanted to see if I knew anything about it. Jamie had told her that someone had left him a note and it had stated that he was no longer to see her because if he did there would be consequences from the community. She also said that Jamie had just told her about "said note" and that he had it in his bedroom. In turn, I assured her that I would be checking right into it and that until now I had not heard any such story. I knocked on Jamie's door and said for him to please come out to the living room as we needed to talk and please bring "the note!" After about 5 minutes- I went back to his bedroom door and said please bring "the note" you talked to your friend about and let's talk. He cracked his door and was looking around for a "note". After he huffed and searched his pockets and looked around his room. No note. We walked to the livingroom and I started the interagation. 

M: Where is this note?

J: I tore it up and put it in the dumpster behind the other buildings across the street.

M: Why?

J: I was upset by it.

M: Let's go find it- I need to see the note. 

We march ourselves to the dumpsters behind the condos across the street (see picture) 

J:I put it in the back of this one, but, it no longer exists.

M: Why does it no longer exist? Did it ever exist?

J: Yes, but I put it in here the other day after my walk.

M: What other day? Thursday when you went to Jackies?

J: Yes, that's when I found it on the porch out front. 

M: How did you not explain to Dan or I about this note and you just brought it up 3 days later? The dumpster is full- so you and I get to dig through this dumpster to find this note?!?!?

J: I don't think it's here. What if we don't find it? 

M: Ever? Or ? If we don't find it? Did it vaporize? Is it an invisible note? If this note is not here- we have no proof anyone is threatening you! Does the note have legs? 

J: I don't remember where it might be.

M: As in which of the 3 dumpsters? Do I have to climb into all 3? Jamie- if there is no note in these dumpsters- you need to tell me right now! 

J: I don't think it's here.

After this we went back inside to have another hour long conversation about the note and how he was going to talk to his pastor today incase another note "shows up" on what he should do about it. All the while the note is said to be typed, then handwritten, then it said his name, then it didn't.... 

Confabulation is a big word associated with TBI Tramatic Brain Injury. It means lying and believing that it's true. Anyone who knows Jamie- knows he is quite a story teller....and not in a good way. After an hour or so discussion and my restating we could go through the dumpster again. Jamie admitted he had lied. No note. Really? 

I called his friend and apologized for Jamie and asked her -in the future to please call me if a story seems untrue. 

Jamie no longer has use of a phone in his own room - he now has to use the kitchen phone- as he cant be trusted - behind closed doors- to tell the truth. 

Lesson is - in this house- if Jamie is near- you might smell smoldering pants. Please check with Dan or myself with all possible "miss statements" - I also say Jamie is working on his "truth vocabulary"! This may sound harsh and uncaring. I assure you it is neither of those things.  Anyone who knows Jamie - understands his difficultly with telling the truth. We are trying to teach him that his words have consequences. He has said "mis-statements" that can effect himself and others around him. Jamie's mind will not let him think beyond a 2 step process. So, we are working on his process to see the immediate response of his words and actions. It is my job to teach him that his thankfulness and joy in living everyday be his top priority. 

Honesty is the best policy, it shows you have respect for the other person.

Amen

Dance, Dance, Dance....

I This past Saturday night, Jamie and his "friend that's a girl" - Cindi went to the monthly Special Needs Dance across the street at St. Clair's Catholic Church - put on by the Knights of Columbus. The theme for this month was "costume" for October- which seemed to suit both of them fine. I asked Jamie what he would like to dress as- and he was not sure- so, I told him to think about what he has in his closet and we would try to come up with a "no cost" costume. After a few days thought - we decided he could be a Cardinal Fan since he already had the shirt and hat. He spoke to Cindi and she decided it sounded like fun. We took Jamie and Cindi out to dinner at Red Robin for burgers and then to the Dance. Here is the picture I took of them as they went in.

As you can see... Cindi was a shirtless fireman and Jamie was a true Cardinal Fan! Jamie and Cindi made it through the evening- a good time was had by all!

Mission Impossible

Well I can say.... Tom Cruise has still got it for an action movie. 

Jamie, Cindy and myself went to see the new "picture" (as Jamie calls it) it was a good day as we picked up Cindy and went to the show- we were early so, we decided to go get a snack. After that we went to the new "fork and screen" where you eat there while you watch the movie. Burgers and fries were the lunch of choice!

After the food was served and the previews creeped us all out... We ate our lunch and enjoyed a fairly clean spy/espionage movie with a car/motorcycle chase and screens in Monoco and London. 

After the movie we headed to drop Cindy off at home and head home ourselves. 

If you like a good action "picture" this one is for you!

Busy Week

Last week was busy for us both. Jamie finished off his week with Thursday being a full day of prep for a colonoscopy and finished his week with the actual colonoscopy event. All went well, no pollips and no signs of any abnormality. Great news- don't have to run down that road for another 10 years! As you can only imagine- Jamie waking up from sleepy meds- is quite an adventure on its own!

A Dance

Last night was a time for Jamie to step outside his comfort zone, meet new faces and hopefully make a new friend or two. He was going to attend a near by Dance. A nice neighbor and friend Bill C. Had invited him across the way a nearby church has a monthly dance for people with disabilities. Jamie was not thrilled with the idea... but, after some chatting with me, he decided to go. I had told him to find someone who looked alone and go chat with them. Give them a compliment... Which I knew he knows how to do and start talking.

Jamie got himself all cleaned up, during the course of the day yesterday. Looking sharp!

As we arrived at the dance- there stood his buddy Bill, he was welcoming people to the dance and keeping an eye out for Jamie!

When we picked Jamie up - his first comment was that he would go again. He said he couldn't even get out on the dance floor because it was so crowded. He won a Cardinals lunch bag for a door prize. He is going next month, he has invited his friend Cindy- it's a costume themed party and as of right now- he is going as a Super Cardinals Fan! He said he would bring his new lunch bag! 

Labor Day Fun?

Labor Day fun? We left the house to see what deals were going on for furniture. We went out and about to a few discount furniture stores. Jamie got to try out all the reclining lift chairs... Making sure to find the most comfortable.

Dan was also checking out a recliner or two...

After looking and hunting, and looking and hunting... We had not made up our minds. We decided to find a place for LUNNER! Also known as combo lunch and dinner.... We found a place that had a great Pizza pie! We chatted about what we wanted to get... So we are still pondering about furniture and if we would be judged to harshly for 3 recliners in the living room?!?!?

Back to "the Bridge"

This past Saturday, we were the crew of volunteers at "the Bridge" which is a day shelter downtown in St. Louis. They provide truly amazing services for the homeless and underprivileged in the city. We went early to help prepare and serve breakfast and lunch. 

Jamie, Kathy, Dan and myself, helped Chef Felicia prepare a breakfast of toast, fruit and boiled eggs. Lunch consisted of chopped bratwurst cooked with cabbage and roasted potatoes, fruit along with buns and dessert. Everyone was cheerful and grateful for our help. Jamie had so much fun and such an early morning that his break was a little more like a nap. 

Overall, we all had a great time and we were blessed to be a part of this wonderful ministry here in St. Louis.