"June is busting out all over" - I think that was in "Oklahoma" - I LOVED all the R&H musicals, Cole Porter, Gershin, etc....oh, my....
I liked "Hair" and "Grease" and "Chicago" too!! I also love classical music and can listen to Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, Brahms, Mozart, etc...for hours....
While driving the car on long trips I switch from Classical to the 50s and some 60s ROCK AND ROLL....I still love it (and Elvis)...
But my favorite music in the house for dinner and reading is "easy Listening" -
(I don't know why I shared this!!!! Maybe I've gone "over" the edge!) ROFLOL
One of my favorite memories of before I met DW was when I took my then-girl-friend to the Geary Theater in San Francisco to see the stage musical of "Carousel". Also have seen several musicals at the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas with DW. Good times.
One of the things I do for myself is season tickets to our local theater. They have lots of muscials and I enjoy them all. One of the best parts of getting season tickets is that I also get to experience some that I wouldn't have tried otherwise.
I had 5 days in a row off of work over the weekend. It was lovely. I got all kinds of things done around the house and lots of errands run so feel good about that.
Friday I went to a funeral. It is the first time I can really say it was a good funeral. It was a wonderful celebration of the deceased's life. I hope I can do the same justice to my husband's life when his time comes.
My golden retriever has learned a new "trick". We have a picket fence and she has learned to stand on her hind paws put her front paws between the top pickets and look over the fence. That is cute but what makes it even cuter is the expression on her face as she perks up her ears - another Kodak moment in the making.
I saw the new "Shrek" movie on Sunday - it was fun. I love how the writers pull all kinds of fairy tale story lines into those movies and some more modern stuff too. They are somewhat corney but still very, very funny and there are always those special moments too.
I even steam cleaned my rugs yesterday and judging by the color of the water - it was way past time that I did. I can really see the difference in the rug today after having done that. The house also smells so much better.
I had gone to get my hair cut; DH called me on my cellphone to tell me the lawn service had called. Asked what they wanted and he didn't know, so I told him I'd take care of it when I got home. Called them and they said they had called to see if I wanted a grub treatment. Then she said she had called back because my DH didn't sound right. Second time she called he told her that Vickie makes those decisions now since I have ALZ, so you'll have to talk to her! I guess that would qualify as an 'alrighty moment'.
Grubs get into the ground and eat the grass roots. You can kill them with Diaszon (sp) which is now illegal in many areas or Sevan. The Sevan will kill the grubs, fleas and other pest in your yard. We use to cover our yard with it so we didn't have to deal with fleas. Here at my sister's we have two guinea hens that love the fleas, aphids and other pest.
My FIL died last night but I still do not want to go. My BIL called at 12:30am and for the next two hours Dh cried some, but mostly just as I was dozing off to sleep say 'I guess the funeral will be Friday' or 'I guess the funeral will be Saturday' or 'I guess W (brother) will let us know'. After saying a few times 'W will let us know later today'' I gave up and tried to sleep. It was a short night for all of us. Also last night and this morning 'I guess I should go' and my reply: 'it is not what you should do, but what you want to do. Do you need to go see your dad's body for closure? Do you need to be at the funeral for closure? It is what you need to do for you, not what you should do.' He has thought about it and what he needs to feel better about his dad's death. Also, the fact he would know no one there but his sister, brother, aunts, uncle, and nieces. Most that will be there, since his dad has been out of life for 20 years, will be his brother's friends.
Today we saw the sun for a moment, the temp actually made it to 63 but it is already cooling off for the next storm moving in. We had record rainfall and cool temps in May and June looks to be no better. Depressing!!!
I started June with a bang by having 2 hrs. of oral surgery this morning, one implant and another was an extraction to get ready for an implant. DH's wonderful daughter brought me back home and all settled with the bags of frozen peas on the jaw, oversaw the jello eating and cleaned up when I dribbled food. I can only eat cold, soft food til tomorrow night and then still just soft food, as the surgeries were on both sides of my mouth. I won't bring you to tears by telling you of the many tens of thousands of dollars that have gone into preserving my mouth! At 79, I hope this may be the end of most of the expensive stuff. Have had full mouth repair twice. The dentist up north did such a bad job I had to have it all redone, root canals and all. After the second time, when I finally finished, after 3 yrs. of work, I had exactly one hr. before a dr. appt. where I was told that my mammogram showed probable breast cancer, which it turned out to be. Imagine! A whole hr. of thinking I was healthy! DH was completely comfortable with my taking our resident limo to the dr. and his daughter picking me up. Last week I drove him to our family dentist, an easy route, but he admitted that he didn't think he could find it. He only drives to the grocery store to buy bananas and it's very close. Also puts gas in the car. His pcp says it's ok, just not to try and find new places that are more than a block or so away. His reflexes have always been super, which helps with the driving.
Today is the first day of hurricane season but I feel like it has already been here......the old alz. hurricane. Other than that it is hot and rainy here in the south west louisiana area. We get rain most evenings right now. Not too bad since it cools things off some.
Memorial Day was beautiful spent with some of our family at our house. Don't see many more of these type things going on here, too hard on dh.
We will be keeping things simple here and trying to enjoy whatever the day brings. New rules every day....... Such a challenge but pretty interesting. Hope all is going well with ya'lls loved one..... Remember take care of yourself above all. God Bless and have a Great Month.
June has started with a bang, here too. Bushhogged pastures, went to Lowes (my favorite "getting place") and spent the rest of my after noon (right up till almost 9pm) at a friend's barn. Taught a lesson, worked with my pony they're helping me sell.....no, I did NOT get on, just worked with her on the ground. Had SO MUCH FUN!! I may sponsor a kid in pony club cause her parents are so busy. Going to be "horse-show Mom" for some kids this coming weekend. Should be very FUN, FUN, FUN. Right now, I need a BATH! Night, night!!
It is SO HOT already!! and muggy! but the grass is green and the flowers and bushes love it. <grin> You know what would be great? If this heat sweated off pounds without me having to exercise!! <grin>
I won't be posting any more until next week. My wife is now on hospice and one thing I get is 5 days respite while they take care of her in a local hospital. I leave tomorrow for Chicago area to visit our daughter and son-in-law. While there we will have a party for our step-great-grandson who is graduating from high school. I get back to Maine on Monday, but will probably leave my wife in the hospital until Tuesday.
After the turmoil of the last few days I'm beginning to relax. I posted on a new thread about Hospice. The supplier just called and said they'd be delivering a hospital bed (a new one, my old one does the job but is terrible to work with) this afternoon, then the CNA scheduler called to say an aide would be out this afternoon - they'll be coming three days a week and I'll have Andrew for two. Don't know what I'll do on weekends. I'm expecting social worker and chaplain.
I'm continuing my de-accessioning of stuff. Offered all my old Broadway show albums on Craigslist yesterday, $2/pop. They're in really good shape - I've just recorded them onto my computer as mp3s, but it is sad to give up all those old albums that were my companions growing up. Got rid of a lot of loose leaf binders, with more going today. Freecycle rocks!
Since Monday, there have been periods of sunshine (high humidity, although not too hot) and severe storms with lots of rain. Wanted to work in the garden today, but it looks like I'll have to wait a while; everything is too wet to work with. My flowers are beautiful from this weather though. Lilies are all in bloom, rose are blooming like crazy and so beautiful. The peonies were absolutely perfect, until the storm bent them over a bit (even though I put one of those, don't know what you call it, but it's a circle with spaces for stems that I put on when they got high enough to fit through. Were able to straighten those a bit, but another rainstorm bent them again. I'm going to cut them because it looks like another storm is coming.
Another day of being alone. Must be the weather. DH has decided today is one of those days he stays in his room with the door closed. I needed some help moving some things, but I guess I'll have to do it alone. Had to call the auto dealer and schedule an oil change and tuneup before our trip next week. I'll be doing the driving (approx. 7 hours). I actually enjoy the drive. I arrive at the destination destressed instead of stressed, which happened when DH drove! To me, it's actually restful, in a way. Get to be with all the grandkids, as the whole family is going. Can't wait.
Late Check in! This morning DH went for a walk I was going to the front door to see where he was and I heard him trying to open the door with his key. Next thing I heard was a loud thump...opened the door and DH was down on his butt. He did get himself back up which was good because there is no way I could have helped. I think he walked too far and fast for the heat and humidity today. This afternoon he said he was going to try and walk around one time just to see how he would do. I told him to forget it it would be hotter and more humid than this morning. He did go outside to check and decided it was too hot!
Lovely bike ride this morning to our favorite riverside restaurant for an "apple-bomb." It's about the only bike ride we have left that dh will do without TOO MUCH constant encouragement on my part and without turning around three times to go the wrong way. It was lovely and we saw a stork (besides our usual swans) near the stream that we cycle along. Then he was content to sit most of the afternoon while I puttered in the yard, very unusual. Nice day.
Today was great. Worked all day on the tractor, supervised a new hydrant being installed in the barn, cleaned up a pony to be shown (he's for sale) to two youngsters and the parents (YES, I DID get on him, and WHOOPED for JOY!!!). Well, I had to show how he goes, ya know. May have him sold. Wish I could keep him while the kids took lessons on him here.....I'd feel better about the sale. Tomorrow, much of the same going on. But, need to do some work inside the HOUSE!!! It's been such beautiful weather here. Jen (Virginia....Shenandoah Valley)
havent't checked in for some time....been feeling a bit down...the weather here in Jax..is HOT...we have had a bit of rain...big help for the lawn...My best to all...have a good month.....
Today I planned to take my hb to a weekly day care for a couple hours, Circle of Art & Lunch program from 10:00 -12:30. Showering is a bad thing for him. I don't know whether he doesn't know how, it's too much trouble or what. But I always have to get the water started, soap ready, etc. Last night I told him he would need to shower or we couldn't go. This a.m. I reminded him again. He didn't like my talking about it. A few minutes ago I reminded him again as he'd already put on clean clothes I'd set out for him. He was angry. I hear the water running now; so I hope he's under it and not standing watching it:) We need to leave in 30'. I've told him before and again today that it's okay if he has trouble with showering, but he needs to tell me. He doesn't want to admit to it, I think. I told him if he doesn't shower this a.m., we are going no place today. Tho't that would motivate him as I know he's tired of being home in the country. Maybe it's time to threaten him w/bringing in an "outsider" to help him shower. THAT would frost him, I know. He's always been proud, I can do anything, I make no mistakes; so maybe it's especially difficult to be where he is. I sure don't like it. :)
Zibby, you are probably at the time and place where you will need to supervise and/or do the actual showering for your husband. There are too many steps for them to process the whole procedure. I know that bathing was a horrible problem around this house...it caused much consternation and me to lose my temper more times than I care to admit. My husband was an extremely neat and clean person and I was shocked when he fought the whole cleaning and dressing process.
I hope he showered and you were able to get out today.....
Another hot day here....Iceland just SOUNDS so much cooler!!! <grin> When we went, it was in August, and we still wore sweaters in the evening. I loved our swim at the Blue Lagoon with the steam rising from the water....and the geysers were a great site! I bought a parka at the gift shop there, and it will keep me warm anywhere in winter! It's a beautiful island. Mimi, I understand how you feel after your respite, but yet thankful that you were able to HAVE respite!
I envy those of you who can still travel with your spouses, and bike with them and talk to them.....but please keep talking about it, because we can enjoy vicariously!!!!
A nice cooler day here in the Chicago area. Right now I'm watching my daughter's cat. He's having respite from her roomate's cat. They do not get along and my daughther said he was getting pretty stressed and started pulling out hair. So, he's here for at least a week, maybe longer. He ignores us and we ignore him. He is not a lovey dovey kind of animal except with my daughter. When he wants some pets, he will come up to me let me scratch his ears, under his chin and when he's done, he will walk a few steps away and turn and hiss at me. It's actually pretty funny. Sullivan is a difficult guy :)
deb112958, Have your daughter ask the vet about some meds for that behavior. We've used Prozac for one cat's problems with other cats in the house. PatB
Thank you, Sandi, for suggestions; and I think you're right and I've been trying to ignore it. If we had a large tub, I'd follow Jeanette's plan. We have a large "roll-in" shower, but he doesn't like it at all. He did shower and dress in what I'd laid out; so we drove 45' to the meeting place to learn they'd changed the location for the day to a site 20' farther. We were both somewhat frazzled by then; so stopped at a bread outlet, drove to town where I get oil changed--did that; had lunch and came home. HB is happy. Whew!
Warm and sunny this afternoon. New cell phones arrived to program. Maybe I won't have to call the 11 yr old grandson over to help--if I'm lucky:)
Thanks for the suggestion, but Sullivan had been on prozac (vet thought it might help too) and it didn't help with the behavior and actually made him worse. He just doesn't like other cats.
Lovely day here. So thankful that I have found Daniel, a neighbor boy age 15 who is mowing our lawn, trimming the snowberry hedges, taking out volunteer trees, in fact anything I ask him to do for a couple hours every week. He's a lifesaver. Or I should say, a garden-saver. He is at a vocational school and is going into his father's business as a paver, so I had him repave a bit of a garden path today. I put an ad up in the local supermarket and got exactly one phone call. But it was the right one -- Daniel.
Tomorrow will be a different story. Checking out a different day-care facility. I'm not dissatisfied with where he is now, but this is the place that (I think) I would like to have him placed if it becomes necessary eventually. So Debora (my case manager) is encouraging me to have him go to day care there. I'm not sure, hate to upset the apple cart. But anyway, going to see it and have a talk there with the powers that be. It will be useful to see a bit more of the place in a different context anyway, and see if I still like it. I also want to discuss the possibilities of short term placement there for respite.
A nice day today. Took care of two of my grandchildren today, 7 and 9 years old, who were here bright and early. We had a great time playing "Trouble" and playing with my computers. My granddaughter is into all things "Barbie" now so wespent a good portion of her time here dressing Barbie on Barbie.com. DH enjoyed having them over and seems to still be in a good mood.
Gee, JeanetteB, I sure wish I had a kid like that around here. I'll have to pay attention to those grocery adds from now on.
Well, its month four for me since hubby passed. I am trying to put my life back in order. My brother,sister in law and nephew treated me with a trip to Phoenix. I hadn't flown in 20 years was I was a little anxious about it, but I surrived. I saw some breath taking scenery and of course the grand canyon. The air was good on my arthritis. But I felt a peace about me there I hadn't felt in so long. I finally bought some flowers for the house and and treated myself to some things I wasn't able to do for so long, like walk every isle in a store, stay out as long as I wanted and now considering what to do to make the house reflect my new stage in life.
I plan on spending this summer going to the free music concerts in town at night, taking my nephew to the park and exploring new things. May even take my MOm and Dad to the beach this year. I am sad, happy and curious as to what the future holds.
The sky is falling down again. More questions from Social Services about checks, statements, questions about transactions from years ago that I can't answer, and some that they should already know. I feel helpless, lost, alone. I have been filling my days with heavy work outdoors, fixing things, hanging with the animals, RIDING. Whatever it takes to want to be one of the living. So easy to just take that short leap from a high place. But I've promised my parents and my neighbor that won't happen while they're around. But, they're as old as John. I can't get loosed from all this pressure and its taking a toll. Can you die from this? Can I develop dementia from this? I know stress contributes to other ailments. Kids don't understand why their dad is on comfort care only. Want me to okay blood work, continued treatments. I can't get organized enough to do laundry, do dishes in the sink, pick up inside, EAT. When will this end. I know and understand what John's end will be. Just more and more anxious for my own future, if there really is one. Afraid of losing my home.....SS can't take it from me, but what if they can do other things to make me have to move? And, where would I go? Can't sell a farm overnight. My kid said last night....."We don't understand why you don't just sell that place and move into an apartment somewhere". Why do they resent the fact that John's wife of 28 years (me) has a home to live in and furnishings????? There's GOT to be a way through this sh_t. Not fair. Not fair AT ALL. If I hear "pull on your big girl panties" or "cowboy up, Jen" one more time (or anything similar), I'll have to have to "shank" that person personally.
Jen, I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Sometimes life just sucks. What is amazing is while life has its very difficult moments, we do manage to get through them. The more I see through the eyes of AD, the more I appreciate the gifts that we are given to get us through life.
Okay, divvi - you may have wonderful squirrells visiting around you. I have decided that the squirrels in my neighborhood have death wishes. So many of them run right in front of me and the dogs when we are walking. Hello, retrievers - and yes, they are very interested in going after the squirrels. A chipmunk ran right under one of the dogs noses the other day...... It definitely makes for interesting walks and lots of good weight lifting and pulling for me. So far, the dogs have not figured out that they are stronger than me but at 80 pounds apiece, they really are.
Today is a beautiful sunny hot day and I am stuck inside at work without a window in sight to enjoy the day with. The weekend is supposed to be showers and thundershowers - hopefully there will be some time in there so I can get out and weed the garden. With all the rain and warm weather we have been having, I am working on a garden full of weeds......
Hey all, happy to report that I am home from a "lovely" hospital stay. Sunday night I reached out for a pair of pajama bottoms for my grandson and my whole back went into full spasm! Mom and daughter lowered me to the floor and called 911. After 60 mins and three doses of IV pain meds they got me out of the bathroom and to the hospital.. Thank God we have a great hospital with all priviate rooms only 6 mins away.. I received excellent care. Now I will continue my rest here at home. Guess my canoe trip planned for Sunday will have to wait :o(
PrisR, I'm confused, did you just find out that you have breast cancer??? My mind is a bit boggled with the meds. Please let me/us know.
I was wondering where you were. No posting here or on Facebook. We miss you when we don't here from you. Take it easy and rest and no rushing things. (HUGS)
SusanL...no that was 17 yrs. ago. I'd had mouth restoration done for the second time and was finally all done, then an hour later found out about the breast cancer. Have had good mammograms ever since.
Well, we made it Manchester. My son was early so we had a 3 hour wait before leaving, the tailwinds got us to Chicago 40 minutes early so we ha 3 hours 40 minutes there but was delayed another 1/2 hour to change a tire. The pilot apologized profusely for the delay and said he would get us here on time - and he did. In Chicago we were waiting with people that had flown in from Hawaii heading for NH. It was good for Art as he was able to talk to someone about Hawaii (he was there for 2 years while in the Navy). He kind of came alive talking back to something he remembers better than the 'now'. He was really repeating things either. Neither one of us slept the whole trip an he did much better than I had thought having been up since 8 am. We were allowed to check in early and he has been sleeping the 4 hours. I slept a couple hours - don't want to do anymore or I wont sleep tonight.
It was 81 degrees when we arrived - how nice that felt! They are forecasting rain showers for tomorrow - i hope they are right that they will be in the morning. All the rain we just escaped from is naturally heading this way! But, after the funeral I am determined to get some relaxing done. They have a hot tub here and I plan to use it even if it is hot outside.
Susan - glad you are home and mending. I know this can happen again but will be praying the next episode will be a long time into the future.
Have had great weather the last few days but the humidity has been building. They have severe storm warnings out here is southwest PA. It is looking stormy and the wind is picking up. Hope it does not get too bad. Charlie is holding his own and the new grandbaby is doing well. If all is not great in my world, all things considered, it could be worse. Tomorrow is family breakfast day, always look forward too that.
Been hot and sticky this week. June is certainly not starting out well for me. Myhusband has been cleared for back surgery,hope the anesthesia wyll not affect him.I feel terrible because I am looking forward to a couple days respite while he is in hospital. My 18 yr. old granddaughter will be entering a residual treatment center for anorexia nest week, I am worried sick about her,down to 70 lbs.Please pray for her.
Prayers going up for your granddaughter, yhouniey. I can imagine how difficult this is. Hope your DH will do good with his surgery also. Take advantage of your repsite time!
Well, here it is, already June 5....WHAT HAPPENED?! I have the windows open and the breeze is coming through. Sunny, bright and happy looking out there. I'm suppossed to be at a horseshow with kids. Need to cut the lawn, need to do laundry, clean the house, LOTS of normal things indoors...AND PAY THE BILLS! 'Cause Monday morning, I go to have surgery on my right arm. I may have infection in the bone, so there will be testing first. If I do, they'll pack the "missing" area with some stuff that has antibiotics in it. Then, six weeks of daily IV antibiotic treatments. THEN, if all goes well, the bone transplant I'm supposed to have. We'll just have to see. All this developed yesterday (Increasing pain in my arm...thought it was just all the work). I have just so much to do to get ready.
I hope everybody else stays well, keeps out of trouble, and simply has a good day. As for me...I'm off to slay some more dragons (they look more like demons from here). Jen
yhouniey, your dear granddaughter is in my prayers. These addictions and such are sooo very hard to overcome, it's wonderful that she is getting inpatient care. Jen, prayers for a successful outcome with your arm.
Got on the scale this morning, DOWN a Total of 18 pounds! Yipee! I ate tons of salad with turkey in the hospital and lots of fruit and it paid off!
WOW! That's a LOT to loose! Thank you for the prayers. They DO work. I remember the outpouring of love and prayers sent in my direction when I initially injured my arm...never will forget it or any of you. We ALL need to be in constant prayer (as we are instructed) for each other. Love, Jen