Take care of yourselves, people! Gorgeous weather here - 64 degrees and almost 9 pm. I've had the lights on and the fans running in the basement for days now. Andrew did further cleaning today while I went to the ortho for a check on my knee two months after the cortisone shot. He said a) that he would give my husband one in his bad knee, and b) that he'd be quite willing to give me 3 a year or so indefinitely, if I didn't want to deal with a knee replacement. For now, that's the route I'm going.
It was funny today, garbage day, to see people coming around in pickup trucks going through the garbage before the garbage truck came. A lot of my old LP records got water on them, which didn't matter, but also on the cases, which did, so I put them out.. they were gone in an hour! Old weights of my daughters' - full of rust. Gone! A very cheap dresser, filthy and falling apart. Gone. A kitchen scale, broken. Gone!
p.s. the baby giant anteater is doing fine so far at the zoo. And we can mention it. It's now two weeks old! "Guardedly optimistic" that it will survive. It's the mom's first time, and first time babies always have a harder time with inexperienced moms.
We have to take our trash, recyling, etc. to the transfer station. They have a 2nd Hand Trade-in Shed. It's amazing what people will take. I've dropped off lots of stuff and even found some neat stuff. I found 6 wooden folding chairs in great shape, perfect for extra people around the dinner table. My daughter found a vacumm, took it home, it reaked of dog, so she took it apart cleaned it with bleach and water and it works really well!
This is the month that I hope that I can get some home care for my DH and it is coming just at the right time. He has started just in the last month to show physical signs of the dementia. I really believe that he has advanced to the next stage just in the last month or so. I am really relieved to be able to get some professional help because sometimes I feel very inadiquit(sp)
Good to hear about squirelly's babies. We've all been wondering. Speaking of wondering, I wonder how our GC* honeymooner is doing. Haven't seen him post in awhile. Looks like more clouds and some drizzle for Central Tx until later in the week. Slowly being initiated to poop patrol here but nothing to rival Ms Divvi for her crown. Hope all the sick ones are better very soon and that spring gets to you all if it hasn't already shown up.
You people and your trash remind me of when I was a child. What we didn't burn or bury (we had a well that we dumped cans and bottles into, went to the dump which was once or twice a year. I remember walking through the garbage looking for 'treasures'. As a child it was fun and that is probably why I like garage sales and flea markets.
Cold, rain and wind here today. The rest of you have the spring weather, we have our winter weather with lots of snow in the mountains. Oh well - come summer we will be glad for the snow.
Guess I've picked up everyone's spring sniffles,alrady gone thru 3 large boxes of tissues.I sip Peppermint snapps for my cough,works good for me and is great on my stomach.We moved our bird feeders to front porch when we had all that snow and now we have dozens of birds coming to eat, hubby loves to sit and watch them which is good,he can't follow TV programs anymore.I never got around to removing the stuffed scarecrow from the porch last fall ,but now the wrens have built a nest in it's hat,I had chased them from the back porch several times,that's where the dog spends most of time and the wrens would have drove her crazy,thet are such determined little things.The goldfinches are turning yellow again and the redfinches have returned.The hawk swoops right down under thr porch roof after the birds.But now we have a white polka dot porch floor,oh well !
Had a lovely Easter weekend, and gained two pounds. Started badly on Saturday when my son called to tell us not to come to their house, my DIL was celebrating her birthday but was in bed sick. I hadn't seen the grandbabies in three weeks and was really disappointed but later in the day I called back, she was feeling better and son said Come on over, a little bit of company would be good. I don't think she was contagious because her penicillin cure was almost finished, but no kisses. It was great to see the little ones and DH enjoyed playing with their toys. (He won't play with kiddy toys at home, probably doesn't want to seem childish, but he does enjoy it). Sunday and Monday visits with friends, too much food and went to see the movie Millenium ! (Men who hate women). Very exciting. Dh off to day care (reluctantly) this morning, so I have a free day in front of me, but lots to do.
Good Morning! It looks like it's going to be another nice day here. We are supposed to get rain Thursday evening which will be a blessing to get rid of some of this pollen.
DH and I will be going out for a nice lunch for our Anniversary. (44 years). He seems to be in a good mood today, some days he gets up and looks and acts confused. I hope everyone has a good day and those who are sick are feeling better.
I'm happy and enjoying my stay at mom and dad's place in Newport News, VA. It hurts to see how disabled, physically, they've become. Sharp as tacks, though, they keep up with their friends in the community here, but just can't participate in all the activities and roadtrips, etc. that are available to them. We're going out to eat lunch tomorrow...apparently a BIG deal for them! Right now, they're at a Dr.'s appt. What they call their social life....dr. visits, of one sort or another several times a week.
LOTS to learn from my dad, who sends me home with more than I came here with, every visit! Maybe I can talk him into letting me bring home his special torches used for jewelry making back when he was able to do that work????? Hmmmm.
I HURT and am missing out on much needed physical therapy so I don't get set back too far. And, I miss my home already. I keep thinking about having someone come in to till my garden, help with repairs, WASH HORSES and clip them so I can publish advertisements for sale.
ALLERGIES are a real problem here. When I get home, pollens will be in full gear there! You all keep your "computer virus" to yourselves!! And those who are afflicted, get well soon. (whiskey is a good remedy. Just curl up with a double shot of Hiram Walker and watch TV with the sleep timer set...just don't spill it on you) Have a good day. Jen
Thanks everyone for the well wishes. We had a nice lunch and came home. DH went to bed for a while and when he got up he put away a couple of things....two minutes later he is looking for them!!!! He is now on the phone to his sister in the ALF in Ohio.
good Friday morning all. i've been struggling with various hospice aides that can get the job done without my intervention. i finally got a male aide and so far so good. he is able to lift DH in/out of shower chair where the ladies who were coming could not. so keep it in mind in latter stages when they offer less help with mobility its a good idea for a male aide! they also increased our times to 3/wk now which is a much needed relief for my arm which is a work in progress. alot better and less pain but mobility is still an issue. i can still scream at the drop of a hat if i move it badly.. hahah..
miss squirrley has babies for sure somewhere. she pops in out of here with no set schedule. yesterday at 3pm i guess she waited for me and i didnt see her so she found me at the other side of the house here at the computer. she sat on the patio chair and stood til i saw her! ahah.. what a determined squirrel. (G) i gave her cashews that were going stale and she had a feast. then scampered off til next time. she must be in super condition as she had huge milk bags~~the daughter is still big bellly but i see her in the tree off the balcony 'waiting' too. i throw her some treats -
i am trying to organize a little bit daily but i am bogged down. i need to dispose of some stuff rather than rearrange it! hard to part with size 6 clothing you know.. hahah.. 'the someday' idea i will fit into it --you know the drill.. sigh
hope your day is bright and your weekend better. divvi
Hi all, just checkin in.. good to 'see' everyone. Today is going to be a good weather day and I'm thinking we should take a day trip to see the wildflowers. I think there is a great crop this year. Will take camera and maybe make a picnic lunch. DH is a pretty good traveler as long as he's in the car and we aren't in crowds. Come on now, Divvi..save a couple of 6's ..one never knows. I have a favorite pair of GAP jeans here..just can't give up the dreammm..heck.
I saw on one show where they recommended only keeping one size up and one size down from where you are clothing wise. It makes sense in a way - by the time you lose more than one size in weight, clothing styles and fabrics have changed or your lifestyle has changed so why keep it?
It is dreary and rainy today. Had to laugh this morning. I put the dogs out and it was raining. They were only out for a short while but my older dog really does not like being out in the rain. I brought them in and wiped the youngest one down with a towel. While I was doing her, the oldest dog found a towel I had draped over a chair in the kitchen and proceeded to dry her face! The expression on her face while she did that was priceless - better than Mastercard!
My hubby was coughing and congested last night - I think it was from allergies. I asked them to give him a Claritin to see if it will help. The nurse told me that she had noticed several of the residents with the same problem. So now is the waiting game to figure out if it is allergies or something else!
My wife coughed all night last night, keeping both of us awake. I checked her lungs this morning and found sounds suggestive of pneumonia on the right. Took her to the ER. Chest x-ray was normal, so guess it is just a viral bronchitis. She is very weak and having much more trouble walking.
Cool and rainy here in PA after days of just wonderful weather. I guess I knew it was too early to last. When I went to visit Charlie yesterday afternoon, he was still in bed from his afternoon nap. When I walked into the room he was trying to get up (he can not do it by himself). He had both legs and both arms moving but was going nowhere fast. I called for an aide to come and assist us. While waiting, I sat down on the side of the bed and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. I said "it has been a long time since I have been in your bed, do you want to mess around?" He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close and kissed me. Guess he still has some idea what "messing around" is.
It's cold but the sky is blue without clouds, the first beautiful sunshiny day in four days. Good thing it's beautiful, because I just found out I have to get a new roof. Another decision to make. We're redecorating (I should say I'M redecorating, hubby is lying down in bed, letting me handle everything, as usual) and, fortunately, I have someone who can make repairs to our ceiling, something I was not expecting to have to do. I need a vacation.
My hb has bee coughing since yesterday. We have something going around the household. First my 22 month old grandson had pneumonia, then he got walking pneumonia. His mom has been sick too with some type of infection. I woke up yesterday morning with a whopping sinus headache as did my sister and brother. Art started with the cough day before yesterday. Last night he was coughing bad until he put the CPAP on. This morning as soon as he took it off he started coughing. I told him he needed to put it back in since he stops coughing with it. Why, I don't know (we don't have the humidity running on it). I guess whatever works. He is still in bed.
The weather is still messed up. Yesterday we had sunshine, rain, hail, snow, sunshine, rain, hail, etc. Today is cloudy and 49 degrees at noon. They are forcasting some sun for the weekend but time will tell. Watching Perry Mason - makes me think of my mom. She loved the show.
Tomorrow is Siem's birthday so I drove him to day care this morning myself with cream cakes for staff and other guests, in accordance with a nice Dutch tradition. I could have sent the cakes along with the van driver but I was afraid he wouldn't realize that they were something that was special for him. I could have saved myself the trouble. He denied up and down that it was his birthday (my birthday isn't till April) and that the cakes had anything to do with him! I did enjoy visiting for a few minutes though (before I sneaked away). I was pleased to see the nice sunny room and garden where they were planning to spend the afternoon, and the staff were very good with everyone and Siem clearly likes them and responds to them. Ordinarily I only see the driver who picks him up and brings him home.
Not doing so well. Had to rush home from Mom and Dad's. They're not doing well at all. Had to take my mother to clinic at the residence where they are....she was dizzy and nauseas. Dad is worse and worse off. Anyhow, got a word from my lawyer that the powers that be (those that determine Medicaid elegibility) are questioning my finances once more. They are asking for copies of every bank statement of every account we had together or individually from 2005 through today, 2010.....as well as COPIES OF EVERY CHECK and copies of EVERY DEPOSIT (ESPECIALLY the check deposits) that were made during that time. UNbelievable. I'm working on the phone right now, and on my other computer, trying to get the banking institutions to help me. WHO KEEPS COPIES OF EVERY CHECK THEY'VE WRITTEN FOR FIVE YEARS?????? Also, I wasn't the one writing the checks, and I know that our bank hasn't sent us paper copies of checks written for YEARS!! HHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLP! I'm really coming unglued here. John's dying, my parents are alarmingly ill, now THIS to sort through AGAIN! WON'T HE JUST DIE!!!!! OUT OF MY LIFE!! NOTHING but mistreatment for all these years, no consideration for my future, NO CARING!! I've never felt hatred before this. THis is horrible to say, I know, but there it is. Sorry. Alone here, living a NIGHTMARE that won't end and feeling disabled, impotent, hopeless and ignorant. Tired.
Jen, sounds to me like they are just finding ways to delay until he does die. I would think your tax returns would be sufficient to income. As for copies of the checks the banks can get them but it will cost you royally. All you can do it what you can do. I would think part of the questioning they have is that you are able to still run the farm. You are always talking about buying supplies for the animals, buying other stuff and I am sure they are wondering where the funds are coming from if you say you have no income. I know your parents help you out a lot and you will probably have to prove that is the source of your income. If you can't and you claim you have no other income, on the surface it might look like you have undeclared money stashed somewhere.
Yep. My precious Mom and Dad. They have been the saviors of Jennifer and StoneCrop Park, here. I've made it clear to my attorney and everyone else involved that they are my sole source of income of any real amount. They are keeping it together for me or I'd be living in my horsetrailer and truck in some state park....like my ex-housemate!! Thing is, I thought I'd provided everything they've required already. What happens if John dies before all this is settled? I know no one can touch my farm or my vehicles and machinery. Always waiting for the other boot to drop. What's the worst that can happen? Does anyone know? Anyone been there or heard stories from someone who has?? I'm always the odd one.
Haven't been able to talk to my attorney or anyone at his office familiar with my case. Now, I'll have a stomach ache until Monday. Just got back from the bank a while ago (they are open til late this evening...Fridays). Have all the info coming to me within a week. Whew. It WILL cost a fortune, but am having it taken from the old man's P.O.A. account I'm not suppossed to touch except for HIS bills. No PROBLEM!
Sorry. I know this stuff doesn't belong on this thread.......but, if ya dont want to know how I'm doing.....DON'T ASK!!! ( I asked two of the girls I do business with at the bank if they wanted to go hoist a few tonight!! Said John would pay!)
Just got back from the hospital, AGAIN. My wife got so unstable I was afraid she would fall, then couldn't get out of her chair. So, I took her back to the ER and she was admitted. I hope this is only the result of her respiratory infection and not a sudden deterioration of the AD.
Saying prayers and crossing fingers, marsh. These upper respiratory inections right now are really bad. You take care of you too. Keepus posted how it goes.
Prayers going up for your wife and you, Marsh. Hang in there my friend, it's always a case of what came first, The Chicken or the Egg. We are here for you.
Beautiful weather here in Massachusetts. I really enjoyed the train ride down here. Heading to the florist to get a basket of flowers and then to cemetary for the first time. Funny how I feel a bit nervous. I know it will be tough. We will then head to Rye, NH to take pictures of the spot at the rock ledges where Jim and I went on our first date, had many picnics and best of all, where he proposed. This scene will be etched on our headstone. Then we go to the Monument place to give them the pictures.
I know by tonight I'll be exhausted, but I've got my beautiful baby girls (Nicole 3 & Samantha, 2) to give me lots of love.
On a happy note: I just met neighbors who will be moving in next door to me. They have two cats and I have already promised to cat sit for them. Folks who will be snowbirds moving into my other next door are also cat people. With folks moving out from all around me I am thinking I might need to be changing my deoderant
Just got back from the hospital. DW is about the same. Not much response to me, but she did eat a good lunch (as long as I fed her the entire thing). She is now sleeping. I'll go back at supper time and see if I can get her to eat then as well. She will probably stay in the hospital for a few days, and then transfer to Rehab (which means just changing her status in the paper work. She will stay in the same bed).
Thanks for all your prayers and wishes. It really helps.
Marsh...I'm a little 'self-involved' at the moment....but please keep everyone appraised of your wife's health issues. I'm thinking of you, too. Just juggling a lot on my own plate, as all of us are. Jen
Morning all, wondering how Marsh's wife is doing. Heading home today. It will be good to get back to my comfort spot, but sad to leave Jenn and the girls and be away from the cemetary again. We chose Massachusetts, because that was where we were living at the time, never dreaming that we would move to Maine. I have the two plots next to my Dad. Ah well, I know he is not really there, but up above, watching over me, probably shaking a finger at me. Enjoy your Sunday. S
Morning all.. Was typing yesterday about cats..how fascinating they are..just sending a hello..but was timed out when tried to send. ANYWAY..same today and thinking about Marsh too.. Hoping things are improving for them.
Just got back from a community brunch. Always good to see neighbors. It was interesting to see the sad sack at our table being basically ignored. I think a lot of seniors are realizing that you have to make the most of what time is left and not let the devil steal your joy.
Well, the devil stole MY joy today....its so gorgeous outside and has been since I got up. With big plans. Wanted to spray herbicide down my lane and arena. Nope. My equipment won't work. The more I worked on the pump, the worse it got.....pressure problem. I just stopped everything, left the tractor and equipment in the field and went inside. I just QUIT. Took a hot bath. Later, heard my neighbor hollering for me! I hadn't answered my phone and he thought I'd fallen off the tractor and down a hill! Given my history, I guess it was no laughing matter.....he was so worried about me. My wonderful neighbor has taken my tractor and sprayer over to his place to work on it for me. Can you believe it??? The world needs more of those kinds of good folk. Meanwhile, I've made a "nest" in bed, with my laptop, the tv on, balancing checking accounts, paying bills.....maybe sleep? I NEED A COUPLE OF MEN TO COME OVER AND WORK, BRING THEIR OWN LUNCHES AND GO HOME WHEN EVERYTHING IS DONE....NO STRINGS ATTACHED! (Like Scarlet, "I'll think about it tomorrow")