According to my calendar, it is already the first of September. Where did the summer go? Actually, we're still having it with temperature today of 94°. This is totally unreasonable for Maine!!!!!! I have mixed feelings about the coming huricane. We could sure use the rain, but would rather not have the wind. We may not get either. In any event, the waves at Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park should be spectacular.
Yes, Marsh, amazing that it's September already. Here it's been nice in the daytime but chilly in the evening. I've been tempted to turn on the central heating but have so far just put on warmer clothes. Dh was shivering though after he got out of the bathtub, so I may have to admit defeat and turn it on.
Here in the Pacific NW, it will warm up to about 77 today and tomorrow. Then back to 67 for the 3-day weekend. The children all go back to school next Wednesday (the 8th). The college kids start on Sept 20 here. Earlier other places. I planted dahlias this year and they are just spectacular! So beautiful.
Noche` is still shedding a lot so I have to brush him everyday. He LOVES that. I take him outside to do that. I get his brush, tap it on the porch railing and he just coms running. So funny to see him come.
All of you on the eastern coast, I pray you are all safe from "Earl". And no one suffers any health or property damage.
It's a cloudy, rainy day here, just the kind of weather that lets me do some things I've been putting off because the summer has been great here. I had the chance to go through all of the tons of paper my husband had been saving for so long, getting our insurance policies, etc. in order, making sure everything is up-to-date, things like that. I, as well, am thinking about all of you on the East Coast, praying you'll be okay.
South Caroline is supposed to be safe from Earl except for rip tides in the ocean. Looks like North Carolina will have some problems but I hope and pray they aren't too severe.
Praying for you who are in the path of Earl. Little sister is in North Carolina. Well, she's my little sister altho her grandchildren probably call her Granny. LOL.. Lived through a scary night not long ago when Pensacola got hit with the big one. It took out a bridge on the interstate about 10 miles from where we lived. Those big live oaks can do a lot of damage. No power for 3 weeks...I remember it well.
Still unseasonable heat here in southwestern PA. Of course we are far enough inland that Earl won't bother us but hope he does bring us a little rain. Have no family or friends on the coast but hope that all of you who live there are safe.
Pretty hot in Maryland. We are, as of last weekend, ALMOST empty nesters. Only one out of four (our recent college grad daughter who is waitressing and hasn't found a "real" job yet,) is home this semester.
Welcoming fall here in the bluegrass. Hb has had 2 really "good" days or maybe it's me that's had the good days with his "new normal". He's been content doing his word searches most of the day and that allows me to get alot done. Right now I just want the grass to quit growing!!
I haven't checked in here for awhile so just wanted to say "Hi" to everybody. Jean has been declining in the nursing home. He's down to 133 pounds. His usual weight is around 153. He just doesn't want to eat. When he first went in, he ate everything but the plate. Now it's just the opposite. Today I'm going to take a piece of cheesecake (his favorite) and see if he'll eat it. I never know what to expect one day from the next. One day he may be fairly alert and the next time he'll be dozing almost the whole time.It's so sad to see him just wasting away. He was always so full of life.
Well, Earl is playing havoc with my plans this weekend arlready and it isn't even here yet. We were just told that all vacation days for tomorrow are cancelled (I was going to take the day off). We were also told to come to work with 5 days of clothes and medications for ourselves tomorrow. Talk about the gut sinking as the realization that there is no way I can do this sinks in. It is just me, I can't not be available if something happens with my husband and I need to be there or make decisions. Nor can I just up and leave 2 dogs and 6 cats. What to do...... My solution was to call my dog walker and ask if she was available and a friend and ask if she was available. The friend, yes, the dog walker - waiting to hear back from her. That takes care of the animals. The other part was a bit harder, I called our lead person and said that I could not be unavailable for my husband, however, I am willing to work shifts in the central office and help out where I can. I love my job but there are times that working for a utility can be difficult/demanding.
I read everyday, however, haven't checked in for a while. My husband is doing as well as expected at the ALF, his walking is better...still does not move his arms when he walks though, his behavior is better...still fights tooth & nail when being changed, he is no longer able to use utensils, since the ALF is only about 5-6 blocks from where we live, so I go feed him at least once a day. Some days he acts happy to see me, others he could care less. Even after almost 6 months, I would still bring him home if I thought I could give him proper care, my brain knows I can't, however, my heart doesn't. I am walking in The Memory Walk for The Alzheimer's Association on Sept.18th, I am hoping to raise a $1,000....so far I have raised $295 which is a good start. October 6th will be the first Support Group Meeting that I have agreed to be the facilitator at the ALF...wish me luck.
Kadee, are you walking in Kokomo? Where should I send a bit of $?
Beautiful rain early today!!! Cooler temps, too. A friend says it's because she's having a yard sale.
Yesterday, I told hb I absolutely HAD to shave him and wash his hair. There was a "discussion," but I won. Tried to make it fun. This a.m. he didn't want to wear clothes I put out for him (never does). He goes to a Circle of Art group 45 mi away for 2 1/2 hrs Thursdays and enjoys it, but they do some painting, so leader suggested he wear the same clothes every Thursday so he wouldn't mess up too many clothes. He, as I've mentioned elsewhere and often, likes to layer shirts, pants, socks; sleeps in clothes. So I don't know why he *cares* what he wears on Thursday mornings, but he does.
Exhausted! That's what I am....at least today. Does anyone else feel that way? There is so much that I should be doing around here. I am very lucky that I only work one day a week (because my boss feels sorry for me & is nice enough to let me work one day) so I should have lots of time to paint, clean & get rid of the clutter, do yard work I could go on & on, but I'm too tired. I don't know if it's more mental or physical. I guess it's worse on a bad day (& today was!). I try to count my blessings, but sometimes I'm just too tired. Thanks for listening.
ElaineH, I understand how you feel. I think the exhaustion for me is more mental than physical. My husband can do his daily activites by himself still, but the obsessive behaviors, repetitions, and never sitting still drive me crazy. I have no energy to do much of anything. (((Hugs))) to you.
Elaine and Deb, I'm with you. There is lots I should be doing, some of it here on the computer - such as organized my pictures (I'm back to Oct. 2009), read medical articles to keep my license. But all I do, other than read this web site, is play spider solitare (who suggested that!!!!). The moderator of our support group even suggested that I see a psychologist, which I have done for one visit. I feel tired all the time, but I am sure it is psychological, not physical.
ElaineH, Yes, I do have days when I am absolutely pooped out and lacking in motivation to get a couple of jobs done that really need attention. My situation is surrounded by all the never ending errands for groceries or meds or doctor appointments or emergency dental as happened last week and will be on going for Dh for some time ...root canal that failed... Just when I look at the calendar and say to myself "whoopee a week with no errands and then wham...." It makes me just want to give up.
We moved Tuesday from one park to the next. Everything went fine until we got to where we are and could not get the satellite to come in. It was pouring rain when we left the coast (first day of rain in the two weeks we were there) and raining when we arrived at the other park. Granddaughter was very upset she couldn't go outside or watch TV. She had a melt down teasing the cat, stomping around while we are outside trying to find the satellite and when she was caught trying to climb through the handle opening in the screen door that did it. She got a couple swats and some talking to about how selfish she was, that papa and I are cold and wet trying to get the TV in so she can watch it. We gave up and she was not happy watching adult movies (was watching 'Yours, Mine and Ours' with Lucille Ball. Took her home yesterday and arrived home late last night. Oh, the regulator on the propane is going so the furnace doesn't work nor the frig on propane but the hot water tank and burners still work. Tuesday afternoon was a day from hell!!!
We still have not gotten the satellites in. Yesterday I briefly tried and got one in but it was not there when we got home. This morning we briefly had the other in but it 'flew' away - had 5 other guys out there with all their gadgets and couldn't get it to come in!! I finally hooked up to the park basic cable while hb had his melt down and slept for 3 hours. Tomorrow we head to Camping World in Tacoma (60 miles) to buy a portable satellite dish that will automatically find the satellites and a regulator for the propane tank. Hopefully hb can get it changed OK. We received the new receiver today ( the other dual on had one of the receivers crash) so hopefully tomorrow with the new satellite dish all will go well. I realized this is the future and the satellite is one stresser we don't need. Get the automatic one will take away that stress or should.
While hb slept, after getting the cable hooked up and working I went for a walk and was visiting with people we have migrated from here to the coast and back with. the hb grew up in Norway and came over as a young man but has interesting stories to tell.
Marsh, I'm the same way. And I know for sure it's not physical. The two days we tried out the two different daycare places I had 3 hrs. all to myself and I got so much done I couldn't believe it. It was the feeling of freedom that I had, I guess. I was like the Energizer Bunny. Now I look at the few tasks that need to be accomplished and I can't get started on any of them.
Carolyn, when they won't eat anything else, they will usually eat sweets. A trick I learned was to put the food on a fork or spoon and then dip the tip of the utensil in sweetened applesauce and then offer....most of the time they will taste the sweetness and then will eat the bite. It is worth a try.....
Thank you all for responding because even tho' I know I'm not in this boat alone, it's nice to "feel" you all here with me. I actually think part of my exhaustion is physical. I have vein problems in my right leg which puts me in pain pretty much 24/7. I never knew how exhausting chronic pain can be. My ibuprofen is my new best friend! I'm having a lazer procedure on it later this month in hopes that the pain will go away. But I know the mental pain will still be there. :o(
ElaineH--part may be physical, but I'm convinced that the human brain just isn't set up to do what we do on a long-term basis. Life today is complicated; the pace of most people's lives are much faster than in prior generations, it's challenging enough just to handle all the details for one person! Add handling everything for another adult along with it, and I think the result has to be overtiredness. For me, getting help and trying to cut down on the activities of our "old life" has helped.
Often when I'm thinking "poor me" I have to do *everything* or see that *everything* gets done, I think of single parents w/multiple kids in similar situations also through no choice of their own. Outcome if better to look forward to, though, I hope.
Just back from moving our youngest daughter to her first apartment (she's attending university out of town). Four and half hour trip there . . . six hours to come back due to heavy pre holiday weekend traffic. Like Emily, we are now almost empty nesters. Just one left at home and he is either working or going to university or with his girlfriend so not home a lot. The trip, drive, packing up and unpacking went well. Hubby stayed home as it would have been too much for him to handle. Things definitely went smoother without his help. Coming back (at a meal stop), I saw a couple I knew who were also en route home from taking daughter to post secondary schooling. Made me feel the loss of my DH's ability to be a part of helping with a move. He used to be a great help doing that in the past. Thank goodness for older siblings who pitched in and helped----one got boxes / one loaned their van for the move / another loaded the van / another helped unpack and set up. Hubby's contribution was basically zilch-o. Just before the van got loaded, he saw one box with some food in it and told me the box wasn't strong enough to hold the fruit and I needed to do something about it RIGHT now. Was very concerned even when I assured him that the box would be fine. Thank goodness it was almost dinner time and sitting down to eat seemed to distract him from his concerns about the box!
Today isn't one of his good days. Other family checked in and spent some time with him but I was gone two full days and it shows. This morning he's talked about several things but totally has forgotten previous conversations about each item. He is at least bringing up stuff but it's as if we've not had any discussions about any of it before. I know it's because I was gone and daughter has moved away which is change to his routine, but it's an unwelcome reminder that things aren't as we'd choose them to be.
I've managed to keep from reminding him about our past conversations except for one item and he thankfully was fairly okay with that one reminder!
rachelle, sounds like your DH is about where mine is although I don't think I could leave mine alone for 2 days even with relatives checking up on him. He gets antsy when he stays with my daughters & I go to work 8 hours. Today he did something he hasn't done before. He showed me a picture of our 4 kids & he asked me who they were. When I told him they were our kids he knew the name of the oldest, but he then said our daughter-in-laws name. When I told him our kids names there was recognition in his eyes, but it's just another downward turn.
We are in Seattle on our way to Alaska. DH has always wanted to go there, so I agreed. We're going on an Elderhostel. Tomorrow we fly to Sitka, AK and then get on a ship owned by National Geographic. It only holds 62 people. We will come down the Inside Passage through Canada back to Seattle and then fly home. One advantage of the small ship is that it can get into places that the large cruise ships can't. DH is a good photographer and is still taking lots of pictures. He's hoping to see a variety of wildlife. I'm predicting this will be our last major trip. Getting ready to come was stressful and involved a lot of yelling on his part. He kept asking did I do this, did I do that, and trying to take over and do things himself, generally getting in the way and messing things up. Today wasn't bad though. We left home at 6:00 a.m. CDT and got here at 1:00 p.m. PDT. That was 7 hours in airports and on planes, and there was only one episode of yelling at me and none of wandering away. The yelling was when I suggested he move to one side on the moving walkway so the people behind him could pass. I'm lucky he's still as functional as he is. Wish me luck with the moods. He's on 20 mg of lexapro daily. That has helped a lot with his depression and anxiety that seems to contribute to ranting. I also got a prescription for xanax in case he gets really upset or agitated. As soon as possible, I'm planning to talk to the ship's doctor in case I need any help with him.
Hello hello everyone.....another month and many more yuck days....sure I am happy that not everyday is bad but sometimes it is hard to count the blessings. My dh has changed so much from month to month. More like day to day. But the one good thing is that he still has the sweetest smile, and laughs all the time. Sure he plays jokes on people because he is a prankster and loves to pick, but when it comes to telling jokes or just talking, that is another story. Can't get his thoughts or words out. Thank God our marriage has been a really good one because now I can look back on it and that makes it easier to do all that has to be done. I hope all is as well as it can be for ya'll and that the weather gets just right for all of us. It is still warm in Southwestern Louisiana but that is not too bad. I will end for now but look forward to reading all the post from all of you. Hope all of you have a great Labor Day!!!!!!!!God Bless all of Us.
Another stressful day. We drove into Tacoma to buy a portable automatic satellite dish. Well, it found the satellite alright but kept loosing it. Tonight it seems to be fine except we can only watch one TV. After researching online I think we will have to run two cables in from the dish. we have a dual DVR from DISH. I will call the company in the morning to confirm. Another stressful time for hb and me!
My son had checked himself into the psych ward at the VA last Monday. He had taken money that was to be used for rent, utilities and bills and spent it on his truck and other things - sort of like an addict does steeling from others to feed their habit. To get emergency help from the state he would have to move out. Plus he has been yelling more and out of control. While there they checked his blood sugars again and they are still high. For the last two+ years they have run between 250 - 370 and still are. They tried insulin shots which had no effect. It only when down after eating. They sent him home with metforim and one other diabetic drug plus his psych meds. They were upset because they would not transfer him to the medical floor to find out why his blood sugars will not come down. They found kidney damage a couple years ago and we are waiting to find out if there is more. I can't blame the VA cause he was on medicaid before and refused to do what is necessary to loose weight by diet and exercise. I hope he is now.
Judith, thanks for the hugs...I'm a huggy person & I canuse all that I can get :o) Janet, enjoy your trip! We took a cruise a year ago that our kids gave us for our 40th anniversary & while we had a good time we were together 24/7 & I missed having some time to myself. Charlotte, you are a strong woman! Not only do you have to deal with AZ, but also with your son. I will pray for you.
Well, "hurricane" Earl has passed. We got a lot of rain, which we really needed, but less wind than with our usual "noreasters". Unfortunately, due to people not obeying the rules with 3 washed into the ocean by the waves last year, the park loop road in Acadia National Park is closed, so we can't go watch the waves, even from the road. Our younger daughter and one grandson arrived last night. He wants to climb a special trail in Acadia, but due to the rain, that will have to wait until tomorrow when the trail has dried out a bit and isn't too slippery.
DW saw her PCP yesterday. As planned, some of her meds were reduced. Unfortunately, not the most expensive one. The doctor said she had plenty of information to re-certify her for Hospice next month.
There was something else I was going to mention, but I can't remember what it was - "Caregiver Dementia" again.
University starts on Tuesday, and I've decided to withdraw from this semester's classes and get back to my writing. I had started something a few years back that I think could be reworked successfully. Now that I finally have my husband in a safe care facility, the step kids and first wife more or less under legal control, and some peace of mind from working things out with a stress counsellor, my mind feels freed up to be more positive and creative. There's always that great leap of faith when it comes writing: can I do it again? Well, here goes!
marsh.... what a good description for our failing to recall everything..I have said my brain housing group filing drawer is just to full and I need a secretary. Caregiver Dementia is much more descriptive and it certainly is true..we have SO much to remember regarding our LOs..
The weather was great here today in the Chicago area, so I took my husband to Cantigny Park. It is the original estate of Robert R. McCormick who was the owner of the Chicago Tribune among other interests. Upon his death he specified that the property was to be opened as a public park. There is a First Division Military Museum and the original mansion on the property. The grounds are just gorgeous. We had a nice time just slowly walking the paths and having a nice lunch. It was one of our more relaxing days and I think the walking has tired my husband out as he has been pretty quiet since we got home.
No plans for tomorrow. I hope everyone's weekend is going well.
As they say in Maine, if you don't like the weather wait a minute. Yesterday afternoon the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. A call to the park service revealed that the park loop road was open, so DW and I, plus our daughter and grandson, drove out there to watch the surf. It was not nearly as good as some previous ones have been, but my wife seemed to enjoy the drive and scenery. Daughter and grandson did get to climb the precipice today and had a very good time. They're driving back to Mass. tomorrow morning, so it's back to whatever passes for "normal" around here.
It looks like I am finally getting pretty well organized. Still didn't find the power cord for one of my machines so I found an online site. The power cord was $14.99....shipping $15.00!! There are no Brother dealers within 100 miles of here so I don't have much choice. Now I have to find the white fabric and send for it and the lace and get back to making Baptismal hankies for the church. I think the Pastor used the last one yesterday. Once I have a few made I will start on normal house cleaning and get everything ship shape. I hope everyone has a nice Labor Day.
I have the day off today and am spending the day doing what I want to do. I have worked part time, 6 days a week for 30 years this month (afternoon paper route). I made a meat loaf. I like meat loaf. Just as I was getting ready to serve it, my DH came in and made a ham sandwich. I just went ahead and fixed my plate. Then when he was done with his sandwich he fixed a plate of meal loaf, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and a roll. Got to love em Hope everyone has a good day too:)
Blue, I cannot tell you how many times that happened when I was preparing dinner. Often as not, he wouldn't be hungry to eat the nice meal I prepared. To not take this as a personal affront was so hard at first, but I gradually grew to accept it. Then came the time when he couldn't make a sandwich or find an ice cream bar, and he was back to eating what I served him on his plate. Just part of the rocky road we travel.
What a great Labor Day for us! Our handyman showed up at 8 a.m. to start cleaning out the attic above our garage. Stuff had been in there since we moved in 16 years ago and we had no idea what it was - except we could just see wood stacked up. DH and I sat on the back porch and just watched. I was afraid DH might want to "save" some of it - but he didn't - so we got rid of it all - it's gone!! Only thing worth saving was a brand new huge cedar market umbrella. It's gorgeous - and we needed another umbrella. Yard sale done, attic cleaned out over garage, storage closet in house cleaned out - except for Christmas decorations that I'm keeping, tax returns, etc. It feels so good!!!!
Beautiful day here in PA, Had just a small cook out with my sister, my sister's daughter and her two children and my granddaughter and myself. The weather has been just wonderful for a few days. Went and fed Charlie his dinner. He is running a slight fever. Hopefully nothing big. It didn't effect his appetite. He ate all of his dinner. Back to work tomorrow.