"March brings breezes sharp and shrill, Shakes the dancing daffodil."
Well, no daffodils here in western New England, but it's nice to know things will be looking up. Also, a new member has introduced herself. BTW, I emailed Joan this morning about the spam.
It's easy to miss our new member, Sylviavs. Her post is on the thread at the very top of this page called, "New Members Please Introduce Yourselves Here."
P.S. I'm surprised we're still getting new members. Even though I've been on this site for 4 years, I can barely navigate around it, with all the spam and the miscellaneous threads brought to the top to push the spam down.
So on the Feb thread I posted that I couldn't get out of a being angry loop. It seems that posting that "outloud", so to speak, had the effect of breaking the cycle. I was a bit nervous about the Adult Day Care/Respite experiment too (see pacing has begun thread). I feel pretty relaxed and more able to be helpful to hb instead of being angry. Better for both of us for sure.
Guess what I did today..... I installed a programmable wifi thermostat. I didn't get the Nest or something like that because we don't work. I just want to program it to come on when hb gets up so I don't have to get out of bed then. It's the same program every day. Found a Honeywell model that looks perfect. Thought I'd have to order online til I went to Lowe's and their website said it was in stock at my store and even $30 cheaper than anywhere else and then at the store it had a sign saying it was $10 cheaper. Whooo Whooo, my lucky day. Went for the wifi capability so I can bump up the temp right from my chair downstairs when it feels colder than normal. How lazy is that? If I someday decide to get one of those Alexa type things I can connect this thermostat to it for verbal commands too. But I don't know about that. All I know is, I found the CB on the first try, I stripped a wire that needed redoing, I drilled new holes and patched old ones, I wired the new thermostat and so far it appears to work. Feeling pretty darned handy.
Rodstar, I am not sure bringing everything to the top is helpful. Now I can't tell what people are actually talking about. There were only a few spam things and I just ignored them.
Got a bit perturbed when got an email from Joan saying my account had been banned from the discussion board. But the next email said I was changed to member and I got back in. Guess they are working on the spam issue.
the first bunch of spam I sent her a message in Facebook thinking she would see it in the morning but she was still up (like 1am for her). She cleaned that batch out but the next day more again. If you are on Facebook you might try that vs sending an email.
I subscribed for the rest of the NHL season online so he can watch hockey every night if he wants, especially the rest of the Bruins games. They had it marked down - came to bout a $1 a game. After over a year I am finding more ways to use our ROKU TV. I watched some of the Olympic events that were not on regular TV.
BHV - glad you have had a couple good days and hope they keep up. It could be that break from you and attention from others was what he needed.
10 hours ago I saw at least 6 or more spams. I Tried my best to pick the most recent active threads but after that a couple older ones to get rid of the spams. Shoul i just wait? Guess I am I am to anxious.
Charlotte, I emailed Joan this morning at the new address she gave us and she responded immediately, saying that she had already deleted one set of spam (probably the ones you told her about) and would do the same for the new ones.
Rodstar, Who the hell knows? The spam is very distracting and it discourages people from posting because it keeps us from following the naturally-occuring conversations. So it really is necessary to bring other threads to the top. BTW, I hope you're doing OK. You have a hard row to hoe and I'm rooting for you.
I signed up for a home energy evaluation sponsored by the state & the gas & electric companies. Today, 4 guys showed up to install hardboard insulation in the crawlspace in the eves of this 65-year-old house. They also insulated the edges around the basement ceiling. I was so impressed by their expertise and hard work.
Thank Myrtle*, I worry that potential newcomers will look at the wrong time. A hospice nurse visited today and took pic of DW's face. The angiosarcoma cancer is spreading slowly. Also, weight keep going down. Now less than when I met her. She wa 17, now 108 lb. He alo had 4 of her simple prtial sizzure this past week. Overall, a good week. Her watching Tv ii going downg the tube so to speak. Her ability to wait is disppearing. he want to go to upper but, cant wait to leave. SO watching old "Law and Order" show de a no no - too loo long.
How are you doing, Elizabeth? Don't be surprised at feeling tres fatigued - it seems to take a long time for the body to repair. Spring is just around the corner, and you and Bandit can soon hit the trails again.
I'm pretty much on the sofa still. The Fates are really laughing at me--me who never really gets sick--yeah, right. We are having a big winter storm, and lost power for three hours, but it came back on. I quickly jumped up and made a boiling-hot cup of tea and a hot lunch. Central Hudson says we are likely to have more outages, and that they may last up to 24 hours before power is restored. My plan is either to bunk in with a friend or get a room at the local, pet-friendly motel. But I hope I don't have to do that. There is just no way to keep the apartment warm if the power goes out, although I'm fine for tinned food, crackers etc., and battery lanterns. So far we have had only an inch or so of snow, but it has been raining/sleeting steadily, and is quite windy. Bandit will only stay out for a minute or two, but of course is full of excess energy, so we are tossing the dog toys around and running all over the apartment. Fortunately ten minutes or so of this is enough for him, and I can lie down again.
There are many areas around here that will have power outages for days--with Hydro Quebec down from Canada helping Central Hudson to restore services. But my little corner seems to have dodged the bullet--sunny and windy this morning, no snow, we have power, and it's easy enough to take Bandit out for his morning walk. (I can't go up and down the hills right now, but am OK on the flat.) I wonder how myrtle and lindylou are doing a couple of hours east of here.
I was surprised when my pediatrician told me to make sure my son, who had bronchitis, go outside to play. He said the exericse would make him breathe more deeply and that would help the chest. It's good to hear that you are warm and that you are able to get out for a walk. After 2 weeks of being housebound by snow, I was finally able to get the garbage out to the lane bins. This house is on top of a hill and gets more snow than lower elevations. Now that the snow is gone, I see that purple crocuses are blooming, as is the heather. We've had snowdrops since mid-February. (You can tell I'm reading the exchange of letters by Katharine White and Elizabeth Lawrence that Myrtle recommennded. It's titled "Two Gardeners: A Friendship in Letters." It's a gem. You, being a writer, would enjoy it, I think.)
mary75*, I'm glad you're enjoying the book. Elizabeth, here in western Mass. we had rain mixed with snow and strong winds. Some lost power but I did not. In my experience, that's the most important thing.
In 2011, we had a blizzard on Halloween. Power-wise, it was a "perfect storm." The snow was heavy and wet and the leaves were still on the trees in our valley and in much of the state. The storm took down many limbs and trees and we were without power for a full week. (You can imagine what it was like living through this with an Alzheimer's patient; my husband had no idea what was going on.) The only places that did not lose power were municipalities that had their own power companies; they were back up and running within hours. Because of this, the electric companies could not credibly claim that the outages were inevitable; they were forced to upgrade and better maintain their lines and equipment. Since then, our power outages have been short and we have had more reliable service.
Got notice today they are raising our rent $25 effective March 1. So much for giving advance notice. Because our rent is 30 days we are now behind when we do pay because SS doesn't come until the 3rd Wednesday of the month. I had saved up enough from my SS (after all the dental and vet bills) to pay one month out of my check and then be able to pay the next from his. We moved in on the 4th of August 4 years ago and our rent is now due on the 15th. This is the first park we have stayed in or worked in that when the city laws forbid 'monthly' so they have charge on a 30 day cycle, do not forgive that extra day when it happens. The park is suppose to provide free wi-fi but we are in a dead zone - we weren't when we moved here - and those of us who pay Charter for our internet get no credit. I want to move so bad but all the parks charge about the same. Thought of moving to another area that has lower rents but it would be hard on Art, would have to eventually move our storage unit junk, the VA doctors would be further away and being smaller towns further to the bigger grocery stores. But I am still looking. I am even looking at apartments for 55+ which would cost more than an RV park but most have a fitness center.
If I had the courage I would pack it all up and move to Camp Verde area of Arizona.
I feel like I am in an insane asylum. Hope it is the full moon and will quiet down in a few days. He is pacing. Moving things all around willy nilly. I still can't find the TV remote. Yes I looked in the frig and freezer. A few times I found it in his truck. Searched every inch of that and locked it up. This morning found my purse open and in the garage. Better find somewhere else to hide that or lock it up. The keys are in there. He put my list of bills in my purse. How did he even find the list???? He just came to look at me again. This time he didn't say anything. Most of the morning he has been pacing while yelling something about people coming to knock him over, calling me an asshole, talking about killing me or punching me, but doesn't actually come close enough to try that.
He will talk lately for something like 20 minutes at a time telling a very animated story about something he finds very amusing. Lots of hand gestures. Absolutely no clue what it could be about. But it is good that he is smiling once in awhile. A few minutes later he will be telling me to get out.
Last night I put him to bed no less than four times. He keeps coming downstairs and putting his stupid shoes back on. Will not listen to me when I say we are not going anywhere and you don't need shoes. Sometimes he sleeps with his shoes on. When he comes down he rants about not having anything up there and blah blah blah. He wants me to come up there with him I guess, but I'll be damned if I will go to bed at 7:30 pm.
Just venting. Things are settled down again here. I am keeping safe. We see his doctor this afternoon.
Wow - we seem to be traveling in the same hemisphere now. Yesterday I lost it. I am realizing how much stress the cat has added - her constant wanting in and out. I am almost ready to let her go unleashed and hope she is smart enough to avoid the dogs out there.
Took him for a drive yesterday When we got home yesterday the cat wanted out. I told him to leash her up and let her out. I was outside taping my new dollar store solar lights onto the porch. I come in and the leash is missing. I had it velcro to the handle by the door so I don't have to go outside to leash her up and she is limited to 5 ft. Asked him where the leash was - no idea. Threw the roll of tape on the floor. Found the leash asked where the velcro was - no idea. Got so mad I threat the leash down the hallway towards the bedroom 'loudly talking'. Ok, hopefully fixed him now - I taped the leash to the handle. Go to hook the cat up and found the velcro around her neck. Asked him what it was doing there - of course he has no memory or idea.
Went to bed last night - instead of putting his pj top on he pulled a clean sweatshirt out and put on. I guess that beats wearing his shoes to bed! Just like Bonnie's husband, mine is doing more and more odd things. Putting things where they don't remember; grateful he has chosen to play with his cell phone case instead of his glasses. Been 4 days and only caught him trying to bend the end of the bow once. I noticed his glasses are falling down so will have to head to Walmart to have them tightened some.
Yes, a lot of the stress is coming from the cat - her constant wanting in and out. Do I continue keeping her on leash and safer but driving me crazy or do I let her go loose risking some dog (mainly the one next door) getting her and their owner feeling bad? I did go over to the park bathroom and take a long hot shower. My neck is do tight/locked up from the stress. Problem when I take showers I am so stiff afterwards - not sure why - but feel better today. He is off to day care.
BHV - I hope the doctor can give you some positive help.
I think you need to push back with the cat. She has trained you to let her out whenever she wants. How about trying letting her out on the leash twice a day, at the same time each day? Ignore her at other times. I'm afraid she will be killed if you let her loose.
Ladies, I couldn't handle the verbage or the cat. The only thing against jail is the noise and language there. What a delima. Drop off the cat at a animal shelter. He needs protectiom from your husband. One less thing. You know pluses and minises.
bhv, please be safe. Take photos, videos of his tantrums. records. keep them safe too. Can he still run very far?. you do not have to take the abuse. Build a case. Hold it in reserve. Do no want hear "the AD made me do it defense" An elder law attorney's advice on the abuse question might be worthwhile.
Size doesn't matter, I had a case once in base housing where this little 5 foot petite asian wife took her 6ft2in husband down with a hatchet. A real delicate matter. He never saw it coming.
I declare she is one smart cat. Heard something back in the bedroom. As I headed back I realize it is his CPAP on. The cat has stepped on it turning it on before so nothing new. But I swear, when she saw me coming she looked down, pushed on the button to turn it off and ran! I could do nothing but laugh.
Was nice enough today I leashed her, put her out and left the door cracked so she could open it to come in if she wanted. It worked out great all day - until he got home. He still thinks cause she is sitting on the porch she wants in. After an hour, I finally gave up, brought her in and that was it for the rest of the evening. Instead she was playing and/or sleeping on the dashboard. I took the bubble foil off so she can lay there and see outside.
She also learned how to honk the horn - did it twice last night at 12:15. No neighbors complained today. Now I have a thick blanket over it. Hopefully it will be thick enough she can't honk it!!
I love cats. Went 3 years without one. Until we got her, I had no idea how much I missed the soothing sound when they purr.
Charlotte, I am rolling on the floor laughing. What a cat! I remember you said you have a spinner taped somewhere that she can reach up to spin too. Good idea to let her have a way to see out the dashboard. it would be nice and cozy in that window too. I bet you could disconnect the horn. Bet you could find out how on You Tube. If you have trouble, let me know the make, model and year and I will see if I can find it out.
Had an interesting time at the doctor's office. I misheard the time and showed up at 1:30, but Dr. didn't get to office til 2:30. So we walked around the hospital (next door). All the construction is almost done. Holy mackerel, they have added so many more beds and clinics. A cancer center and heart institute. I think I need to change doctors so I would go to this hospital too. I forgot to give him immodium yesterday and today. So of course as soon as we were called back, he pooped in his pants. Oh my goodness. The Depends were a big help though. Thankfully no fighting about it. He let me clean him up. Doc had lots of good suggestions about foods. I thought it was potatoes for some reason, but Doc says steak is a big problem. Who knew?? That's his favorite, although he has pretty much forgotten how to use a knife so I had decided not to do the steak any more. I mean, watching a man eat a T-Bone like back in the King Arthur days is not pretty.
Doc says I can give up to 4 immodium per day, but at least two because they work for 12 hours. I started him back on the Flomax since that didn't affect the diarrhea and Doc agrees with that. It helps him not get up to pee so often at night. If I can get him back to a week of solid poops Doc recommends trying the Aricept again. When I was getting ready for today's visit I realized that I stopped the Aricept in early Dec and only had a few good days. So it does not seem to be a cause of the diarrhea after all. And if the immodium doesn't work he has some samples for us to try so we can get this under control. I feel much better. Also left the form for the Adult Day Care and got the TB test. Back on Wed to get that read. It is so nice that he likes how I keep records and analyze things so we are working together and he is not upset that I am thinking things through. Like we are a team.
Rodstar, I believe I am safe. I can call his doctor and he will call in a prescription if I decide it is too dangerous, but I don't want to use more drugs on him than we have to. The other night when I couldn't turn my back on him I left the house. I think I will talk to my neighbors so I could park next to their horse barn next time. Out here in the country people get nervous about strange cars parked on the road. I could give some carrots to Honey and Joe. That would be fun and I could keep an eye on the house. Usually it would only take about half an hour for it to be a brand new world for his majesty. I may have to ask his doctor for something to use when there is a full moon.
Jill Mann wife of John Mann, Lead singer of Spirit of the West, well know Canadian band has written a play called “Forget about Tomorrow”. It is about life after your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. John revealed a few years ago he had Alzheimers and still performed for as long as he could. It premiers tonight in Vancouver but has been playing in Victoria to rave reviews.
Bhv - another laugh for you. A couple weeks ago she started this thing of attacking my feet as I crawl into bed. She waits until the blankets are going down then runs to attack my feet. Thankfully so far she doesn't stick her claws out. Last night I got into bed but had to get up for something. She ran to the dashboard and when I was getting into bed ran to attack my feet. she ran back to the dashboard, had to get up again for something, when I was getting back into bed she sprinted to the back to attack my feet. There have been a couple times when she has crawled up under the covers as she does. So, yes, she does give me something to laugh about even annoying. The other things is toilet paper. When she hears me sit on the pot she comes running. She only likes to attack it when it is in my hand. So weird and so funny.
Great to hear the doctor appointment went so well. Yes, I like doctors who are not intimidated by me researching and learning.
Charlotte, I finally found the remote. I had searched his chair about ten times. This time I turned the sucker over and took it partly apart and finally found the remote. So at least he had the tv on this morning when I came down. But it seems to go for a walk about every half hour or so. Wonder if I could find a cat to attack him if he ever tries to leave the chair with the remote. I can't figure why the cat would be attacking your feet and then running back to the dashboard. Funny. My friend Cindy's cat would get into bed and keep touching her back and neck with his paws, like a massage or something. Very strong too. When I stayed with her, for some reason the cat would come sleep with me and do that. I didn't like it though. Went to the doctor's office this mornng to have the tb test.read. it was negative. Duh. She gave me a certificate but the form was not done yet. So I will have to g back there again. I was annoyed cause we got every red light on the way there and then hb wouldn't pull up his sleeve so she could check. Took a nap this afternoon. Came down and found the entire house topsy turvey. No damage, just about everything not nailed down moved about in odd places.
The world is so beautiful and white with about 8 or so inches of snow outside. The snow is clinging to branches. It is all pristine. It is silent. As gorgeous as the Christmas Lodge. And I don't have to worry about moving it for a couple of hours or so.
We got about the same as Lindyloo. Bandit and I have been out in it, of course. He is a good little trooper--kind of makes big hops through the deep snow like a kangaroo. Somebody made a Huge Snowman. Bandit took one look, grrrrred his "alarm" noise, turned around and hightailed it in the opposite direction. You all know how dangerous those snowmen can be!
bhv - did you get your house back together or just leave it?
I checked a nearby (about a mile) RV park for their rate and amenities. Their rent is $5 less but that includes hard wired internet (just have to buy a modem) and satellite tv. The TV channels are not great but i can watch some of what we watch either over the air (will need to buy an antenna) or online. So, once the initial expense i will save $60+ a month which adds up to $700+ a year. It is an odd park in that you park parallel vs backing in. Your small yard is fenced on three sides. Many have fenced off the front of the lot across in front of your rig. They are just finishing up their expansion, so am on the list for April 1st. They pro-rate you to the first but still are on a 30 day cycle. I assume the months with 31 there will be an extra day charge. We moved in here on the 4th and now because of the 30 day cycle our rent is now due on the 15th. This month we were going to finally owe two months out of one pay period.
the place is called "Moon River RV Resort'. it will be nosier some because the RR tracks runs right next to where there is a crossing and it is at the corner of major roads. But i need to cut cost somewhere - either give up internet or move. oh, they have no problem if the cat runs loose - say they keep the mice down. But, I don't want her eating mice..
Yeah I put it back together. Maybe have to lock my rolltop desk. He keeps.taking my stuff. This morning the phone rang. Some foreign idiot saying he was from some car insurance place. I hung up. Apparently Jim answered it too and he was talking to someone, going out in the garage, opening all the doors. He came upstairs still holding the phone to his ear saying he thinks we ought to get that it sounds like a good deal. When I took the phone there was no one there. Who knows what will come of that. So the day started on my last nerve and went downhill from there. Grocery shopping. His stupid truck being more annoying than ever. I am not being very nice today.
sounds like a good time to make sure he has no access to finances - checking, debit cards, account numbers, etc. Anything that he could use to give money away to a scammer or help with identity theft.
Elizabeth - our last cat use to bring us baby bunnies. Some were still barely alive, others were minus their brains.
Charlotte, glad you found a new RV park that will save you some money.
I would keep the cat on a leash, at least until you are she she accepts this new location as her home and won't try to return to the old place. For the past 25 years all my cats have been indoor cats. I have walked some of the cats on a harness, but not my current 2. One is terrified of being outside the house and the other gets overstimulated and dangerous (to me).
About the baby bunnies. Were some of them zombie bunnies?
He hasn't had access.to finances for more than a year. And I have two letters from doctors so he cannot legally enter into a.contract.
I think I will unplug some of the phones all throughout the house and perhaps unplug the remaining ones if I leave him at home alone. This is so interesting. I thought I was just venting, but turns out, with your comments, I come up with an idea to make life easier. Thanks everyone.
We used to live behind an elementery school. Rats would come from their field for our birdseed. Hb would shoot them with BB gun. Our Doberman would get very excited whenever he picked up the gun. When he knocked one down, she would grab it up and play with it on the lawn. They make the same exact sound as the squeaky toys! When they finally stopped squeaking she would toss them aside and stand there in a big huff seeming to ask hb why they suddenly got so boring.
Just got back from a stat chest X-ray, the MD's office, and the pharmacy. Pneumonia is still hanging on--still only in the left lung, thank goodness--I'm starting a second round of antibiotics at a higher dose. Cross your fingers, everybody. Here goes another ten days on the sofa! (I'm allergic to penicillin, so am not on the most effective antibiotics.)
don't forget to take your probiotics to protect you gut!
Getting so tired. Don't know if it is due to tax time or what but I have been averaging 6 robo calls a day not to mention a big increase in spam. Thank goodness gmail and yahoo do a pretty good job of filtering it out. I was blocking numbers but they change all the time so that does not good.
I'm sorry too Elizabeth. When I had pneumonia in the 79s I missed a month of school. Too weak to hold a text book all that time. I'm allergic to penicillin too. Kept changing the antibiotics each week or I become allergic to them too. Take care.
Sorry you haven't overcome the pneumonia, Elizabeth. So far I have been realitivlty healthy this year. My biggest problem has been sinus issues.
As for the robo calls I have an answering machine and never pick up the phone unless I know who it is. If it is anyone I want to talk to they will leave a message. Same with the cell phone, if they want to talk to me they will leave a message. Being on a "do not call' list does no good.
I get around 5 calls a day at home. Almost all are blocked by Nomorobo. I need to keep my landline so I can give it that number instead of my cell.
Work has been getting worse. I Get around 7 calls a day from people who want to send me a white paper or sell me something. I’ve created a contact named Do Not Answer. When I get a call from one of these people I add their phone number to this contact. When someone calls at work I look at my computer screen to see the caller’s name, if it is Do Not Contact I won’t answer. If the call is forwarded to my iPhone the caller is blocked. And some of these people will call over and over again until they get me. Or they call the front desk instead of my direct line hoping to contact me this way. I do feel bad for the callers, I suspect if they don’t send enough white papers an hour they will lose their jobs.
Thanks Moon. Fortunately, yesterday's storm turned out to be very minimal here--maybe an inch of snow, and no power outage. I'm on a second, stronger round of antibiotics for the pneumonia--the nausea from the strong antibiotics is almost worse than the coughing and fatigue--but I think things are making a turn for the better. My fever was only 99 Fahrenheit last night, and I had no fever for two nights before that.
One doctor told me that sips pf ginger tea throughout the day would help, and it did. Next time you take Bandit put for a walk, stop at a greengrocers and buy some ginger root. One-half inch of peeled ginger root, pour on one cup of boiling water, let sit at least five minutes. Good news about the fever dropping!
Nice site Mary. It can be a source for that general era.
Tonight some time I believe, we get hit with a big solar storm. It's likely to produce unusual northern lights and they might extend down into the northern states.
I remember when I was a teenager we were aware of solar storms very often. Until recently had not heard of them very much. A few.days ago the tv had a blue screen with a message that a solar flare was causing interference with the OTA broadcast.
Last night our power went out at 4 pm. Not back til 1:30 am. (I'm up turning lights off). I had a feeling so took hb to restaurant downtown. Sports.bar. I got to watch hockey. Now that I have figured out how to order a plain burger for him and I handle the check and everything, hb enjoys going out to eat. A year and a half ago he was too confused and I like to try new things which confused him more. Lucky it was Wed. Loaded Burger Nite!
And I can hook my mp3 player up to battery operated speakers. Keeps him somewhat calm during the outage. You should have seen him when the power trucks came in front ouf our house with blinking lights and a "cherry picker" He is like "You might want to come look at this!" He got agitated several times but I was able to calm him down.
Shhhhhh. I have an appointment at noon today to enroll in Adult Day Care. I hope this works. I hope things settle down once we start this. It is their 40th anniversary. They also have Day Health Care with physical and occupational therapy. We dont need that yet, but this is the only place in the county with those services. Must be short staffed though cause seem to be a bit disorganized. I emailed the doctor forms and they went to spam. They have to put on another form because their website is out of date. They told me to get the form from there! Keep putting me on hold for long silent periods of time. You'd think they'd get excited every time I say "private pay". They warned me I should call back after emailing the form and, yep, good thing I did. You are in admissions and incoming email, goes to your Spam folder??? Meanwhile, everytime I am on hold I just want to hang up and NOT make this decision. Oh boy, it feels like jumping into the deep end of the sea without water wings..... but this should feel like a life preserver. So very complicated.
bhv - hope it goes well. Hopefully they will distract him so you can leave. I had no problem sending hb off to day care. I was so ready to have alone time.
Well, didn't take long. I had hoped where he was obsessed with his clip on he would not break his glasses. He couldn't find them this morning and when I did - he broke the end of the bow off again. What did it take - 2 weeks I think. Found the strap he had on the last ones but he is not happy. I predict within a week he will totally break that bow off like on the last pair. Will be the last ones the VA supplies according to them. Next chance may be in September when time for his next eye exam.