• I went to the GI doctor with Mom today for a consultation about getting an endoscopy. He said that since the lungs and esophagus are so closely related, things that irritate one will affect the other. 1/3 of the people who took medicine for acid reflux had fewer asthma problems, for example. She has an endoscopy scheduled for June 9, and I'll be accompanying her then, too. He said for her to do three things: 1) tell Dad that he cannot smoke around her as it is a major irritant, 2) take her allergy medicine twice a day, 3) take a Prilosec or Protonix once a day. He also explained to her that if she takes medicine and starts to feel better that it's a good thing and doesn't mean she should stop taking the medicine but to keep on with it! :-) He explained to her that most medicine doesn't cure anything but instead simply helps to improve your quality of life.
• Kevin, Jo, Devin, Daniel, Paul and I were over at Mom and Dad's for breakfast Derby Day. Kev adjusted the dryer exhaust hose and replaced the drain hoses that Simone had put on the gutter drains with longer hoses to help get the water further away from the house, which Mom says has helped to keep the water from coming in the basement. Oh, Kevin and Paul cleaned out the gutters a bit, too. I guess that means Mom will make sure the sheet is on the bed next time you spend the night, Kevin!
  
• Daniel mentioned having a day when we all meet at Mom and Dad's to work on the house. Someone said that was done once, but I must have been in Germany cause I don't remember. Would anyone be interested in doing this? Any suggestions for a day?
• Gus has planted about 20 tomatoes with plans for at least 20 more. He took Mom and me to Thieneman's, which is like a conservatory or botanical garden with all of its different plants. I got 8 different heriloom tomatoes, which I'm going to plant in Mom's garden.
• Jim is coming to Louisville with the boys this weekend. There will be a get-together at April and Lee's on Saturday, May 9 at 5:30. Gus and Pat will take care of the meat. Please let April know if you're coming and what you're bringing. Her number is 241-1411 and you'll probably have to leave a message :-)
  
• Devin and Jo walked the Flying Pig Mini-Marathon on Sunday and were very pleased with their time. It was a hilly 4+ hour walk in the rain!
• Mom and I had our yearly Mint Julep, which Mom swore didn't affect her--till she found she couldn't hardly walk a straight line across the yard to return the soccer ball to the kids next door! Her TV didn't go out once during the race--yeah!
• My lawyer had filed suit again Anna for the house. I'll keep you posted about any developments.
• Mitch's company was sold to a French company, so he's rather anxious about what's going to happen with his job.
  
• I think April is working on an MA in Spanish--but I may be wrong!
  
• Chris is working as the custodian at a local church. I didn't realize until Mary's funeral that some people didn't know this. Here's an excerpt from an email from Caitlin in December: "I know it doesn't sound that great, but he loves it, which is what is important, you know? His last job, which was working at a place called Plasma Care , which is like a Hoxworth kind of place was very stressful, and the hours were tough, and he just wasn't happy, plus the job was all the way downtown, so he was spending a lot of time and money on the bus. This job is in walking distance of his apartment, and our house. He is really happy, so I am happy for him."