Taking four feral cats to be fixed this mornig.Take them at 7AM and pick them up at 5PM.I hate the 25 mile trip each way but It's the only thing to do.I seem to be a magnet for stray cats,can't resist feeding them.The oldest feral cat calling this home has been here 16 years.Hoping for drier weather so they can finally start our new home,getting anxious will give DH something to watch since it will be here on same property.Hope April goes well for everyone especially Joan who seems to be having more than her share of overwhelming trouble,we will all send you good thoughts Joan.
My dh got up this morning, gave me a big smile, a hug and a kiss, dressed himself, took his pills and fixed his own breakfast, shaved himself and brushed his own teeth, then discussed several options of what to do today but finally decided to go to day care because it's more fun. Put on his own jacket, watched for the van, ran out and greeted the driver cheerfully, hopped in and waved good-bye, told me to have a good day and said he'd see me at four. Whay day did you say it was?
Jeanette, That was not an April fools joke, but more like a very nice gift. How nice. Just enjoy.
Ditto to the best April Joan could have. May her month go smoothly and she come out at the end of the month back on her feet and ready to take on the rest of the year!
I myself am sick again! Back on meds for a mess in my chest and head, the weather and tree pollen are the reason I think. It happens every year about this time. DD goes back today for a check up and I hope and pray we are all on the way to clear breathing!
After several days of rainy ,gloomy and cool weather today brings the promise of SUNSHINE and warmer temps. This GA. girl is going to get outdoors and dig in the dirt, even if all I do is dig a hole. We have been going through a rough patch the past few months and I need sunshine to make it!!
I sit and watch the sunrise this morning. It is such a glorious thing, we take for granted each day. It slowly declares a new day is at hand, and with each minute it call grows louder and sure. It gives me hope that one this journey will be over and yet I know that I will look back and long for these days again.
I'm up to cat shenanigans also. One goes to get stitches out today, and gotta schedule another for a booster. Jeff is on the elliptical, and we'll get some errands done later. Not bad altogether. I think I'm working on re-committing to the long haul, and as such am looking into a queen size bed since the full-size isn't giving me room to sleep on my back when his elbows are always wanting to be in my face.
I wonder if it will be like one of those "take an umbrella so it doesn't rain" things. Maybe as soon as I get a queen bed, something will happen that I'll have to move him downstairs. We'll see.
morning to all. hard to believe time is flying so fast lately. already spring and aprils fools day! most of our march was spent dealing with DH being sick off/on. chest first then reactions to antibiotics, then uti. time to get to the spring cleaning soon. all the plants have died during the freezes so they need to be pruned back. spring also brings the new little buds that are peeking thru the weeds. leaves are falling like crazy and pollens are leaving a nasty green coating on everything outdoors, i got a surprise a few wks ago one of the long lost squirrels that had been MIA for a very long time showed up -Scooby. the male baby that i had fed treats for so long appeared on my balcony one day all grown up. he seems to have his own territory across the road now. hes a handsome guy and full of spunk:) squirrley the mom still comes regularly for handouts of peanut butter sammiches.. she and my chihuhua have eye to eye battles thru the glass. she is not intimidated by a noisy chichuahua..haha.
DH has seemingly rebounded yet once again after all his illness last month, he cant tolerate an adult dose of meds but we found a pediatric dose for longer seems to work ok for now. hoping everyone has a good april and a better weekend. divvi
Emily, go for a KING size bed, even if you have a small bedroom. Believe me my bedroom is small & it seems like our bed takes up a majority of the room, BUT I wouldn’t trade it now for anything! Love me my king size bed!
Same here. King size bed is the way to go. I don't know how you can sleep with another person in a full size bed. My husband and I slept in a full size bed once when we first got married while on vacation. I ended up on the floor when he rolled over and knocked me right out of the bed. We have never had anything smaller than a queen.
Still waiting for spring to come to the Chicago area. Usually by now we have had a few 70 degree days. Oly 40's with rain expected for the next few days.
It is gonna be another hot one here in Central CA..in SLO county..was 98 here in AG yesterday..The poor cats couldn't even get cool.. Told DH last night ( well early this morning " We are getting another kitty so we will have 3"..he said WHAT????!!! Then I hit him with April Fools...he said I had him going there... : )
emily, if you have the space..get a KING...more room... And if blankets are an issue get the king sheets but twin blankets or better yet, a light wt electric blanket with two controls. We have this and he is always colder than I am so that works out well. Some friends we know got two twins and pushed them together..they were kind you could raise the leg or head and that was another good solution..each had their own but pushed together..Or my aunt and uncle had one twin for her and one full for him...they were both really tall...that worked out well too as one was always getting up during the night. My next one is going to be select comfort.have slept in them and they are wonderful.
I hoped it was going to be a April Fool's Day joke on the part of our local meteorologist, but he was right. Here it is April 1 and we are getting a heavy snow storm. The prediction for the coast is 5-8 inches, with up to 18 inches inland. So much for Spring.
My wife and I are still on "house arrest" because of our bouts of flu, but we are both getting better. What this means is that we cannot join the rest for dinner, but have our dinner brought to our apartment.
speaking of beds, when my wife and I were "newly weds" we joined an outing club for a weekend retreat. Because we signed up late the only bed room had only one twin bed. Another couple, our parents age, heard our dilemma and offer to trade rooms. Theirs had 2 twin beds. The wife said she married her husband to sleep with him, and that's what they were going to do - even sharing a single twin bed. I don't know how they did it.
Happy April to everyone. Here in the south the weather is very crazy. Warm one day and cold the next. But it is still beautiful. Flowers blooming, trees coming alive, animals scampering around, and good days with this horrible disease as well as bad.
My dh is declining rapidly. Doesn't know what most things are anymore but still has a smile for everyone. He laughs about everything and that makes me happy, unless I am trying to be mad at him. Kinda hard with such a handsome, laughing man.
I am hanging in there slowly dying as I watch him leave me. Been quite depressed lately with the decline happening so much. I thought I would be prepared for this as things got worse, but little did I know it would be so hard.
My wish for April for all of us is that the prayer lines keep going and we always lift up each other to the Lord. That is where my strength comes from and there is plenty to go around. Love and prayers to all of you.......HAPPY APRIL.......
I know what you mean Mammie. There are always those moments and angles when your AD spouse looks exactly like his/her beloved former self, and you just wonder "where did you go?" or "why aren't you still in there?" Makes it all harder.
I have taken the advice some of you have given me and removed all financial stuff away from dh's hands. Last week I had myself added as agent for his IRA and explained the situation. Told dh we had to have papers notarized so as to update records and give me permission to talk with financial advisor if he were to get sick. Dh doesn't even know what an IRA is now. Now I must see attorney to get something redone. Had him as having power attorney for me years ago but now that isn't possible. DH doesn't have a clearcut diagnosis yet. He sees pcp at end of month for physical and I am sure he will notice how dh has declined just since November. It isn't necessary that I have a diagnosis. DH won't take the necessary meds. I have no doubt what is wrong with him.
Joan: Your blogs are wonderful. They manage to keep me on an even keel. When I am "down", I read one and that sort of realigns me.
Jeanette, Surely you're kidding? It's an April Fool's joke, right? Am I the only one to see that?!! Then, again, am I wrong? And you really did have that gift of a morning? I don't think so.....
By the way, it's an awful evening here in northern Illinois, raining, cold, miserable. Hope tomorrow is better, although I guess it doesn't really matter, I'll just be going to a funeral.
Bev, Jeanette was kidding... Her husband is not doing all that well and she is waiting for an opening at their Memory care facility... He did well in the respite facility while she took a few weeks off.
Woke up to a sunny day here in Kansas. DH actually got up out of his chair and played a few holes of golf this afternoon. Hurray for my respite time while he was gone! He still drives back and forth to the golf course in our little town, but that is about it.
Went to watch our granddaughter play softball late afternoon. She soon learned the nickname "Scrappy" from her playing style as catcher!
Cool and rainy in NW IN. Saw pics of snow in the northeast. Pretty, but, enough's enough especially there, I'd think. Today is the day help comes for 3 hrs to shower hb and keep an eye on him. I've been so stressed w/hb's wandering and getting into things all the time I took a book and drove into town to a cemetery and felt more relaxed and peaceful than I have for ages. We live in a woods; so it occurred to me today when weather's nice, I'll just walk out the back door w/book and lawn chair and hide in the trees. Save gas and time it takes to drive to town.
That 98 degree weather of two days ago is gone thank goodness and now we have fog and cooler temps. It is going to be nice out but with no AC 98 is tough to take.
Well, this month is a bad day for me to be outside. The pollen is terrible and I have asthma but I still have to do what I have to do so I just try to stay out of the wind. This month we go to dh's dr. I don't know what he will be able to do for the parkinson's but I am sure that he needs something and he is having trouble sleeping and I am sure he has lost weight too.
Deb, don't overlook the nasal "neti pot' or spray devices the drug store has. It doesn't go UP far into your nose and clears the pollen beautifully. I didn't believe it myself..and the thought of that process just sounded too crazy..but it DOES work during the yellow pollen season. Try it and see for yourself.
Finally a beautiful day in KY - even though the CATS lost by one point last night!
Bought all my herbs today and got them set out; just doing pots this year for the back porch. Have too much other stuff to do to have to weed. I usually grow more weeds than anything else. But it felt so good to have the sun shining on me- and getting my vitamin D! DH sat on the porch for awhile and watched. (no more crazy episodes today!) Then he wanted to "blow up" the porch - meaning blowing it off with the blower, so he did that! Was worn out when he finished.
Oh Vickie..plants represent new life and I'm so proud of you for starting your herb garden. I should do the same thing. I love fresh basil. I have enough Rosemary to supply the city of HOUSTON!!!... It's hedge high and is the only thing that survived the freaky winter freeze we had. I will certainly get some large pots of parsley and basil and perhaps some chives. You're my inspiration. TOMORROW! On my "to do" list.
nancy - there is an investigation going on to using Rosemary for treating AD. I guess one of the components does the same thing as aricept. Here is part of the article:
These are the words of Dr. James Duke, former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief of Medicinal Plant Research. Dr. Duke is one of the world's leading authorities on medicinal plants. He helped build the USDA database that demonstrates how rosemary may slow the progress of Alzheimer's.
How Aricept and Rosemary Help
The brain depends on a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, or ACh for short. The brain keeps making fresh batches. In order to keep the brain from getting flooded with it, there is an "esterase" that breaks it down after use. Think of the esterase as the garbage truck, carting away extra acetylcholine. In Alzheimer's, there is a shortage of acetylcholine, so we want to inhibit (or block) the esterase (the garbage collector), so that more acetylcholine stays in the brain. To do that, a person needs to consume an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, such as Aricept or rosemary.
His strong advocacy of rosemary has to do with a chemical called acetylcholine. Anyone who has lived with Alzheimer’s in the past decade has heard of Aricept. Aricept is a medicine that does one thing: it prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine.
So does rosemary."
Also: I just read in Memory People on Facebook that they started a group for teenagers, ages 13-18. for those of you with teenagers you might want to check it out.
Wow.....having a very hard time at the moment.....needed to take a short break so I am on my phone spilling my guts to my family here....
Monday mornings I have been helping in the care of my Aunt and Uncle....who are both in different stages of dying. Today my Aunt is doing very bad....I think the end is near....and my poor Uncle knows this......
They are both so dear to me, and my Uncle reminds me sooooo much of my Dad!! This makes it that much harder for me emotionally....... I am trying to not break down in front of them......pull it together girl! I need to be strong for them, and I will be....but let me tell you, when I leave....I plan I crying my heart out and having a drink or too!
I WANT very much to see Lynn this afteroon.....but I will have to see how I am emotionally. I am not sure about everyone elses spouse, but my moods and tone of voice very much effect Lynn. One moment at a time.....deep breaths.....
Raining here in NW PA....but that's much better then the snow we had last week! I can hardly wait for the sun to be out and the air to be warm as my DH loves to be outside picking up leaves and "sweeping the grass". It is almost respite for me. Last week I needed to get some things done so I dressed him up warm and sent him out. We were both happy! Having a shower put in our bedroom so that there is more room to get him dressed and undressed without smacking elbows on walls etc... Our main bathroom is really small. Next project is having the yard totally relandscaped so that there is not so much work for me to do to keep it looking nice. Right now we have shrubs that need trimming, a large veggie garden to be tended, blueberry bushes and grapevines. They are either moving or removing most of those and taking out the garden. I just can't handle that anymore. If DH is to be home I need to keep things simple.
A nasty day here today. Had to take the car in to check on an oil leak. They brought me home, but don't think it's going to be finished today. Told them to keep it overnight, but do not park it outside - we are due for heavy rain, hail and wind - in about an hour. Millie will be a basket case; and her new Thundershirt did not arrive today, like expected.
Had DH chop onions and green peppers and put on a crockpot of chili. He loves to chop and still does it well - though not much else.
Got all my herbs in pots yesterday and I'm with Phil - got to keep it simple. Got Rosemary, sage, cilantro, bee balm, parsley, thyme, chives, dill, lavender. Wanted chocolate mint, but couldn't find it.
So many storms around the country today - everyone stay safe!
Vickie - Do you keep your herbs in pots outside, or do you have a special place in your garden for them? I have them in an area below my kitchen window and they do fine there but maybe they would do better in pots? I'm new at the herb thing. Love the Thai basil.
Now we have a new problem in our retirement Inn. We live on the second floor. Today the elevator broke down. They said it might take "weeks" to get fixed. I was able to get my wife up the one long flight, but she complained the entire way. Those residents with walkers won't be able to do the stairs. Tonight they are bringing dinner up to us. I don't know what they will do for those who can't do the stairs and need to get down for doctor's appointments, etc. Also, the view from our apartment is once again beautiful - everything covered with new SNOW!!!!!!
marsh I would be having hysterics with all that snow. No I don't like it and never did which is why we moved South when DH retired. Sorry about the elevator breaking down, Maybe things will change and it won't take "weeks". Stay warm.
Ugggg us too Marsh... snow and sleet all day... bluck!!!
Marsh, here at least in a nursing home, there has to be a service elevator as well as one for residents and visitors. When they were doing maintenance on the main elevator, they did allow me to use the service one. I am wondering if this is something they might let you do? can't hurt to ask. "weeks" to get fixed just isn't acceptable!!! Best of luck!
Bev, I have had an herb garden for several years and loved it. But I just have too much to take care of now outside; so decided to do the pots and I have them on our back porch, which has a roof but open on 3 sides. Gets morning sun on one side, afternoon sun on other and we have curtains to let down for us! I love the smell of all the herbs on the porch too. Easy to take care of.
Vickie, I know nothing about growing herbs....actually I can't grow much of anything, but I am interested in having them in pots...no weeding for me...LOL....My question, can you put more than one type of herb in a pot? Thanks in advance for any hints you can pass along.....
I can't grow anything either - but I never have a problem with herbs, so I stick with them. Yes, depending on the size of the pot, you can put as many as it will hold. Just look at the tag to see how tall it grows, put it in the middle of the pot, then maybe more around the outside - that are smaller. Makes for a pretty arrangement. Some herbs flower also, so I try to pick at least one flowering one per pot - or more, depending again on size of your pot. I don't put chives in with anything - just in a small pot by itself. But I mix any and all of the other ones - except Rosemary, which can get very large, so I use a big pot for it by itself.Also, if you don't know your herbs, be sure to keep the tag next to the plant in the pot. LOL I didn't do that early on - and didn't have a clue what herb I had! Happy growing.
The Lift Chair arrived today...my husband sat in it, however, didn't want to nap or sleep in it. Went back to his old recliner....I will try to have him sit in it everyday & hope for the best. I thought it would be more comfortable since it will lay flat. I hope I didn't waste my money.
Kadee - hope you have better luck than I did. Charlie was like a kid with a new toy for a day or too. He loved to run it up and down but didn't care to really sit in it. He got "stuck" in it after he forgot how to use the remote and would never sit in it again. I find it very uncomfortable but then again, it was never really broken in.
Vickie, you've been very helpful about the herbs. It certainly would make it easier for me to have them in pots. I had a knee replacement last month and won't be able to do any kneeling this year, so I think I'll give your suggestion a try. But, I do have some growing beneath my kitchen window already. I can see the rosemary coming up and the chives. I'm surprised to see some the basil coming back as well. When I planted them I thought I'd have to get new plants every year.
Last night I had a strange and vivid dream. In it I was looking for Joanne Hewitt who dumped me in high school just before she became prom queen. I was at the railroad station looking and looking and just as the train pulled out I spotted her in the window sitting there looking out but not seeing me and I felt such a pang I woke up. I didn't know what I was looking for until I saw her in that window pulling away.
Five cents to the first person that can interpret that dream. That's all Lucy charged so that's all I'm paying.
Actually she dumped me a year before she became prom queen and it was someone asking me why I didn't ask that lovely Dianne out that made me suddenly notice the little redhead I just now put to bed. Not like the old days when we made rabbits look like slackers - but the memories are nice.
Oh yes. The weather. It snowed last night and was gone this morning. I have a menage a trois here in mallard ducks. The same three ducks every year. Two males who seem to be sharing a female. Three years ago one of them lost a foot right at the ankle. Maybe a muskie from one of our lakes did it. I've worried about him and feed them corn. Last week they showed up. All three of them again. He hobbles pretty good. I hope to learn from him.