Another milestone

Hi all:

Basketcase checking in here. Yesterday, the 8th was a year ago when we found out how bad Charlie's cancer was when it returned. However, I had quite a busy day. My friend's husband came over and finished the things my brother was going to do around the house when his tragedy struck in Oct. So, now I do have a new working smoke alarm (I had asked my brother when the old one kept beeping even with a new battery and he said how long has that one been there and I told him "I don't know, it was here when we bought the house; that was in '98! To which he replied, "Get a new and I'll put it up, Jan, those things don't last forever!)my storm door adjusted, my porch painted; my french doors adjusted, new bottom for under kitchen sink, new kitchen spray and finally my vertical blinds up in my computer/bedroom. When I asked what was his price earlier, he said nothing; I'm glad to do it for you but I think I may probably get him and Brooke a movie or Longhorn's gift card. I'd certainly paid anybody else more than any $25 to do what he did! Then my friend Carol came and hung out till time for her to work at the arena concessions; and then my friend Debbie brought my great niece down from Chatt. as she was going to her cousin's here. This great niece is my name sake! Her name is Kaylen (Kay was my middle name). After Kaylen got here we did some running and then we ate at Stevi B's pizza place and then went to Lake Lanier Island Water Park (she'd never been to one; she'll be 13 on the 31st). It's open at night now with reduced pricing from 6 to 11 p.m. She had a ball and I did too. But when we were running around and at Target, I ran into Charlie's onc. scheduler, and she was asking how things were going and I told her funny I should run into you today as a year ago today she was scheduling his chemo treatments! Today we may go to a church tonight in Sandy Spring that's is running a Chronicles of Narnia movie (Prince Caspian)free with free popcorn and hot dogs! Brooke may bring her three girls and we all go as her husband is working the night shift now at the Sheriff's department. Tomorrow I am leading the responsive reading and scripture reading at early service at church! Then on Monday I'll take Kaylen to meet her mom halfway and on Wed. my best friend is coming down and we'll leave to go to Albany and visit my aunt that will be 93 tomorrow and then the rest of the weekend at my brother's in Thomasville!

However, I must share my nicest surprise this past week with y'all. I received a call from one of Charlie's childhood friends that was with us our last year in college. He's a couple of years younger than me. It was so good to hear from. He has been really upset over Charlie's passing and wrote the nicest e-mail about what Charlie had meant to him and how he was a such a giving person. He has two older brothers which I know as the one closest in age to him was with us in Livingston, AL where Charlie got his Master's Degree. There is a sister also that's the oldest and the oldest brother followed in their Dad's footstep and became a doctor. Now this is where it get's sad. The oldest brother is almost 60 and has about a week to live. He was diagnosed with melanoma in 2007 and in Feb. this year it had returned and of course was everywhere. His name is Don so please remember him in your prayers. But as we talked, Jeff (that's his name) said, "you know how much Charlie adored you and loved you, I hope!" Well, if there had ever been any doubt in my mind (which there never was!) it would have been erased after talking to Jeff! He told me there was a girl Charlie had back home, that according to Jeff was crazy about him; however after we met our sophmore year in college; Jeff said he came back home and said, "Jan Hudson" and that was all he could talk about and told him, "She's the one!" It was so nice to hear from him and to top it all off he and his wife live near Charlie's parents and when I go in in Aug. we'll going to meet for dinner. So, that was my week. Hope everyone had a good 4th and things are going well with everybody. Love y'all. God Bless!

Jan (Basketcase)