DISAPPOINTMENTS...............

Mom's aide had to make up some time this week so we thought Saturday was fine.  We were ready and excited about another 6 hours  together. 

 We  drove about 13 miles away from the house and Jack began to get sick.  We returned home and decided to spend a quiet afternoon. 

 Caregivers understand that the best laid plans can go astray.  So a good book, games on the computer, and a afternoon without responsibility can be restful and that was what I needed.

We will try again on Friday or next Saturday since that is Jack's birthday weekend.  His daughter wanted to fly in but complications seem to have come up....now that will be a real disappointment for Jack.

New Year's  Happiness for all of you.

 

 

A new year approaches..............

We just didn't "do" Christmas this year!  I fully intended to send Christmas Cards but each time I picked up the address book and box of cards I came to a full stop.   A number of fears and misgivings kept me from writing names on the cards. 

Earlier I had asked friends and relatives that we exchange gifts with to just not "exchange" this year.  Without time to shop and think about others' needs and wants........it put pressure where only good times should be.  Interesting enough everyone seemed to agree and I enjoyed the relief. 

There is always one who just has to give a bag of gifts and  this was someone new that was just intent in putting some cheer in our lives.  But I won't be drawn into an exchange next year.

Even our kids honored our wishes.  My daughter said it felt funny not to shop and send things but she said it was a relief not to have the pressure of buying packaging and getting things in the mail.  She did a magazine thing and said we could all enjoy those together.  We put wallpaper in their wallets and that always cheered the kids.

Dinner was very simple and I did do Christmas things for Mom.  A new top, getting her car fixed so she would be comfortable riding in that vehicle.  Some new nail polish....but no big things.  And for Jack and I there was nothing.  She didn't remember the girls and didn't seem to mind that she was not gifting other people that she usually gave Christmas checks to.  Actually she had to be constantly reminded it was the Christmas season.

We had a first at our little community church.  A Christmas Eve service early in the evening and the decorations and candles made it very festive as well as  serious.  Mom wanted to go and she enjoyed the beautiful lights.  She didn't understand that it was different in many ways that a regular church service but enjoyable.  She can't see or hear well and seldom sings during a church service, but she sang  "Silent Night" all the way through.  A lovely memory to hold dear.

Jack and I haven't exchanged gifts for several years, if I express a desire for something he usually manages to arrange for that item to appear.  One year I wanted pearl earrings and that  year his daughter shopped and sent them to him to give to me.  My daughter had given me pearls for my birthday and I wanted earrings to match.

This year he wanted a sweater vest to wear when he was cold or needed more when he went out, tho it arrived a bit early, we found one he liked.  Keeping Christmas simple has been such a help to me.  And not going to the extremes with decorations and wrappings has  certainly cut down on our trash output! LOL

A young man asked me what I got for Christmas and when I said,"oh, nothing." he was quite taken aback....why and I said there wasn't anything I wanted but some black crocs.  He thought that was funny and said he wanted lots of  STUFF.  I think that is the realm of the youth.  Most adults are not in that mode.  Somewhere this whole thing has gotten out of control and the merchandising industry has capitalized on our inability to say no.

I hope I have started a "new tradition" for our family and friends.  Give Christmas all year long in kindness and caring, small rememberances when they count, and the knowledge that love is the choice gift of the season.

Happy New Year and plan something interesting.  Jack and I have a bottle of apple cider and a cheese roll and crackers.  And maybe I will send some letters to people that I didn't send cards to.

26th ANTIVERSARY

We actually got to spend 6 hours together without others interrupting. 

We left the house about 8:30 a little behind schedule but had to enjoy a gift from a neighbor and pass a pleasant few minutes with the lady neighbor who helps me with the house and Mom. 

We stopped for the mail and then sailed on for an hour's drive to the nearest Casino.  This was my choice of activity because I can actually block out everything while playing the slot games.  Jack doesn't play so he cruises and looks for likely places for me to spend my $$$$.  

We were actually very lucky to find a place to enter the casino and keep the car nearby for any emergencies.  We only had to exit the casino once so   that worked out well.  However the casino was a little cool for Jack and we left about 12 and went to the Red Lobster to use a gift certificate that Jack received for Father's Day.

The restaurant was very easy to enter and exit.  The aisles were wide and easy to maneuver.  The management found a table for us where Jack could feel he was not in the way of other people.  They were very helpful and helping Jack position himself with the table.  They get an A plus all round!

We enjoyed the luncheon so much......since this was the first time Jack and I had been to lunch together since we have been here.  I am saying lunch being where we could sit, relax, and enjoy the food and service without taking care of someone else or having others with us. 

We have been here in residence now-------2 years and 2 days and yesterday was a first!  We returned home about 2:15 and the rest of the day went  pretty well.  At the end of the day  our little church, the only one in town, had a birthday party for Jesus.    About 8 kids and 8 adults.  Cake and ice cream was served and the neighborhood kids enjoyed that.  Small bags were made and given out several Sundays ago for people to put $$ in and those were given as gifts for Jesus.  The proceeds were to be used for a special project.  The pastor isn't preachy but she made the candles and cake a visual lesson to remind all of us to keep Jesus in the center of our lives all year long.    Nice day all round!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Something you have always wanted?

Ever since mother has had an aide to do her nails, hair, etc., she has asked for red nail polish.  I really thought she was joking but she wasn't. I purchased several shades of pink from light to dark finally, I bought the reddest polish I could find and she loves it!  She has talked about her nails and shown everyone.  Something so small made her so happy.

Sometimes I suppose we don't listen well.  We decide what would make people happy at Christmas and other times.  We received a card this week with a thank-you note inside.  I had sent a Thanksgiving card to a young man who has several handicaps one being his mental age.  To see this young man who actually is in his 40's I guess, you would never guess his ability level.  But his mom had said he enjoyed the card and carried it all day, to the table at meals and to bed that night.  I understand her delight, when you see someone you love happy over something you are delighted and thankful for that enjoyment.  Knowing how much Mom enjoyed the red nail enamel made me think about listening more closely.

Happy a Merry Christmas!

Frealy Friday

Today is really freaky!  As far as we know there are no aides, no therapist, no wound nurses, no repair men, nothing happening here today except some winter weather...............we can sit at the windows and watch the snow fall, drink hot chocolate, and eat hot cross buns........if we had any! LOL

Have a good weekend from Marigold Country Home.

happy cleaning day

You have heard me talk about my neighbor who cleans for me.  Today she took off more handles and pulls on the kitchen cabinets and scrubbed them and then replaced them as well as clean the doors and drawers where they were......this is so lovely!

Her husband came over last night and took the ends of a couple of bulbs out of my microwave light.   I tried to take them out to replace them because they burned out.  They just twisted out of the sockets and left the screw part.    He cleaned the sockets out for me and he also was the one who put the screw in the brick exterior so we could hang a wreath this Christmas Season.   It is so nice to have good neighbors.......but I refuse to take advantage of the good neighbor policy and repaid him for his few minutes of goodness with his favorite drink........two 12 packs of Pepsi...Hee Hee, he will be delighted because he has an allowance when it comes to Pepsi and cigs.

I made two trips to get supplies to stock up for bad weather........hope I have enough of the right stuff.  Eleven thousand students in schools without power in Oklahoma City.  I have a full tank of gas in the van, batteries for everything, lots of water and juices, and stuff to eat..........we should be fine.

Kitties have developed warm furry coats so they are doing fine.........but they are like teenage boys.......they would eat all the time!  LOL

Take care from Marigold Country Home with a dusting of snow this morning.

RAIN........SLEET.........WINTER MIX

 

The thunder is wonderful and I love rain storms but this is a mess!  School will probably close.  Neighbor said she would come see me if there was no school, because her three boys fill up the house!  LOL

We have completed a week with an aide and it has been good.  She spends all her time talking and doing things with Mom.  Then Mom thinks I will do the same things but I just can't with all the other things pressing.  So at least she gets a lot of attention each day.  Four hours/ five days a week!

Jack has had a rough week, the pain management doctor increased his morphine patch.  I am anxious to see what happens.  So far he is sleeping more at night and that is good.   Why am I up at 1 am then?

We purchased another lift chair last year and this was the reason.  The control went out on the new chair.   The local agent switched the controls from the old to the new so Jack's chair would continue to function.  I have the irresponsible control and my chair goes up and down sometimes! LOL  At night I want it to recline............day I want it upright........so sometimes it is cooperative..........going to do battle with chair!

Have a good week!  Merry Christmas from Marigold Country Home!

IT HAS STARTED.............

Yesterday was the beginning of what I hope will be a happy time for MOM.  The aide came early so I could give her some specifics  in emergencies, and we were off to the doctor's appointment and SAM'S CLUB.   It was nice to be able to able to relax and enjoy our time together.

This has been the biggest problem since we moved back here is our time together.  About the only time we have to talk to just be is when we are away from the house.  That has become increasingly less and less.  When you have to hire someone to come "visit" while we are away, it often is just not worth the effort.  I have created a small network of available people and Mother has spent time with each so that is good.  Now we can count on 4 hours most days to just drive around, shop, or be together without interuption.

 The privacy factor is high on my list when it come to caregiving.  When I have tucked everyone in I expect to be able to read, watch tv, or just relax and nap.  This doesn't always happen.......last night is a good example........Mom can rushing into our room also known as the "front room" which it isn't but where everyone enters, and asked   WHO WAS ON THE PHONE?  The phone had rang earlier and it was a returned call, but I didn't think it was "a need to know" situation and side stepped the question.  She thought it was her grand daughter and was anxious to hear any news.........now that was sweet.  Karla always sends her "Karla Hugs" and she wanted hers!

I picked up a few pecans this week, Jack has been shelling and he says the activity with his hand seems to be helping the movement and the pain as well.  It is not helping the carpet......or my bare feet when I step on shells.  You cannot shell nuts without shells on the carpet, chair, in your shoes, down the neck of your shirt, in your hair, in the bookkcase, in short........everywhere! LOL But  if it is therapy then it is alright.  New carpet in the spring anyway.......going to wait till the mud and winter mess is over with hopefully.  And the nut meats are excellent.....really good for pies! LOL which I do not intent to make.....but might be forced to do so!

Peace from Marigold Country Home where theChristmas Wreath will be picked up from the florist and hung tomorrow.......that will be our only decorating.  My neighbor who helps me clean,etc, is bringing her "jack hammer" LOL to put a hook in the brick exterior of the house.

MERRY------MERRY!

the sun came out this afternoon.............

The sun came out...........

......with a phone call that said that Mom can have someone come every day from 10---to---2 to do her hair, encourage her to wear lipstick and perfume, read her the newspaper, and in general keep her company.  They will have lunch with her and keep her company while Jack and I do doctor, dentist appointments, and lunch together!   We are looking forward to some time together that we have missed over the last two years.  We hope this works out.   Mother said some positive comments about "Dusty" coming every day Monday through Friday!

Incase of an emergency the agency can send someone for 24 hour care and I can get away.    I would have to pay the difference.......but someone would be with  MOM! 

She is so tired today that I am a bit worried because she doesn't seem to have a way of dealing with fatigue.  The therapist seems to be the cause of her fatigue.......but I think she is running out of steam!  Pray for us!

We lost some feline members of our neighborhood.  It was sad and  and I cried a lot but it seemed a bad thing for Thanksgiving and that weekend.  We have some new orphans but they seems to be doing well even in the very frigid weather.

We lost a member of our community as well this morning. 

I must  send greetings to all from Marigold Country House....and Blessings of the Season!

I need to write letters.........

Those pesky things known as Christmas Cards are awaiting me!   Everyone will need a personal note!

I need to send some "snail mail" letters, too!  Oh woe is me!

It is COLD here and snow is predicted!  Now this is the Oklahoma plains and when it is windy and cold there is nothing to stop the wind but barbed wire fences and that "ain't" much!

The kitties were here for hot chow early this morning, what will I do when mom's freezer is empty!  This morning they had a boneless beef roast that was a million years old but they didn't mind! Dino aged beef is fine!  

 We lost one of our little abandoned babies on Thanksgiving, all the love and cuddling and special feedings just wasn't enough to keep the little thing going.   I cried a lot and then cried a lot over my Mom who seems to be more frail on some days.

I hope we can remember the reason for the Christmas Season this year.......I hate the shopping and just don't have the desire this year.  I love giving the kids the wallpaper for their wallets and they can enjoy  the season the way they desire.  I want quiet this year and maybe one of the girls if they can get away.......never have had both for years and years.

Jack's daughter has her mother with her because of a fall and resulting injury.  It will be awhile before her mother can live alone again.  The daugher is becoming a working caregiver.....and that is difficult as well as frustrating when the patient is in many ways "able" to help but isn't "inclined".  That daugher is an only child, also.  Onlys have a big responsibility.

50 percent chance of snow!  This translates into Peace and warmth INSIDE Marigold Country Home!

 

A rough day......are there any other kind?

Made an appoinment to start the work on Jack's broken tooth.  Next Monday a neighbor will come to clean and be in the house with Mom while we are gone to dentist.

Checked on prescriptions......some are not yet called in and we will hope to get them before the holiday and everyone is gone!

Mom didn't feel good for the second day in a row, and she didn't eat much today.  I just wasn't preparing anything she wanted but the Jello and cocoanut cake was good! LOL

Cleaning all day and nothing to show for it, is depressing!

I am grateful that the sun shines even if I don't!

 I am grateful for the plants that bloom on my porch even if they get little attention!

 I am grateful for care personel that seem to care, and listen when Jack and I need a shoulder to lean on.

I am grateful that we came back, even though these two years have been rough and will be even  worse as time goes on.

I am grateful for this journal, since I have a small network of support.   Blessings on ALL OF YOU for just being out there and responding to entries.

Peace at Marigold Country House!

early morning report.........

Abandoned kitties fed.  All four legged felines filled up.  These  animals are like my car..can fill it up but it doesn't stay full!

It isn't 5 yet but Jack helped me feed the monsters........they tend to want to enter the patio door and he watches to see that they all exit.  One ran over and sat in front of his chair to get special attention!  And guess what she did get just that!

We like our slow starting quiet mornings.  Jack has a piece of toast, juice, and medication.  I have lots of coffee and maybe toast. 

 Perhaps Mom won't get up till later.  Yesterday morning she was up by this time wanting her pancake and coffee.  Since she can't read a clock anymore she  usually gets up when she wakes up.

A neighbor told me last night that she had intended to bring us Thanksgiving dinner.  How nice........but when Mom was here alone no one brought her even a sandwich.  She had withdrawn into herself for several months and was forgotten. 

 We must not forget our elderly friends and neighbors.  They are like the abandoned kittens.  They need another kitten or cat to cozy up to to keep warm and alive.  One little bag of bones we named precious has been bathed by several other cats....that act of love and caring among the felines is what we need to see among humans.

Hydrogen Peroxide.....a wonderful tool in the kitchen and throughout the house to clean and disinfect!  Windows and mirrors, counter tops, stove tops, faucets and sink areas.........so have to get the bottle out and go for it now!

Peace in a clean Marigold Country Home! LOL

 

If one more thing can happen, it will!

Well, Jack broke off a tooth this week.  Found a dentist who would see him today.  Took x-rays.  Said he needed to see a dental surgeon........but would not take the tooth out while he was taking Plavix.  Called heart doctor.........absolutely could not stop  Plavix.......so live with toothache!

Mom didn't feel good today so she didn't get dressed and spent part of the day back in bed and other wise roaming the house looking for a spot to be comfortable.

And what did Sue do?  Ate comfort food.....which I did not need.......hot fudge icecream!

I am grateful for:(1)  A friend who stops by to share her new puppy and her son who stayed to pet the little kittens. (2)  A very reasonable bill at the dentist, we don't have insurance for that. (3) An easy day in the kitchen, not much preparation. (4)  A dishwasher, washer/dryer, and the water was not off today, due to new water lines! (5) and especially games on the computer when I think I can't go any farther!

Peace at Marigold Country Home!  Started winterizing the flower beds!  A freeze is on the weather forcast for this week!

Grateful for..................

I am grateful for:(1) a quiet time with my husband, we don't have to talk, just be! (2) my mom ate a good lunch and I am grateful for that to build her strength.(3) I am grateful for the little country church across the street, where Mother loves to go each Sunday. (4) I am grateful for a daughter who remembers to check on us each day and who is so tuned in to me, to know where I am and when to call. (5) I am grateful for the hug of a friend this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The good times...........

Concentrate on the good things!

A friend came over yesterday and stayed with Mom while Jack and I went shopping at Sam's Club!  A morning out together.

The friend hadn't visited with mom in months and it was a good thing.

The same friend and her husband are harvesting the pecans.  They have taken 5  5gallon buckets of pecans so far from the two trees.  Many have not fallen and it will take a freeze probably for the rest.

I am so grateful that they are picking up the pecans.  Others have asked and in past years they only wanted them if we picked them up first.  So this is really good.  No I didn't want any of this crop.  Mother has a lot of shelled and unshelled pecans in the freezers.

Met a another native........he works at the facility a block away.  He had stopped to check on the pecan pickers! LOL He is their neighbor.  This man was a decendent of slaves and his last name is the name of a large food canning company back east.  His first name is Elvis because he was named by the nurses in the hospital.  '63 was a good year for that name! LOL   In this area, knowing  many people is very important.  In California you seldom knew who lived next door and certainly nothing about them.

I am learning to hang on to the positive things of each day.  A friend and I decided to list the things we were grateful for ...a minimum of 3 each day: (1) the stars we can see.....in the cities and smoggy areas, this isn't possible! (2) Neighbors and friends to wave at, some I don't really know but they wave. (3) The comfort of a purring kitten.

Yes, I am grateful for each day that I have my loved ones with me.  Their health and comfort are my concern constantly.  But we often forget the small things in each day with tweaks our hearts, and brings smiles.

If you are having family for Thanksgiving......hopefully it will be a blessing.  We will just be we three, but the hearts of our girls are with us!  

Blessings on your table.  Those present are blessed to be there and to share the food that loving hands have prepared.  If you are on the road and McDonalds is the fare....then be blessed for that and the cash for gas!

Peace from Marigold Country Home!

 

 

IS THERE ANYTHING SIMPLE IN LIFE?

At 1:30 this morning I was awakened by my mother as she walked in and settled down in our room!

I asked her what was the matter, she said nothing, she was fine!  I told her she had to be  quiet in our room because we were trying to sleep....after several trys I got her to settle down!   This lady was completely dressed, shoes, hose, everything!

I tried to go back to sleep and made very little progress!  Finally just before 4 I got up fed the cat population of this city and fed Mom a pancake!  Jack and I had toast and he had meds and we started the day.  This was bath day so we got it over early and Jack was able to go back to sleep.  I tried again but we had to be at the doctor's office before 8:30 to get our flu shots.

We made it and the nurse came out and gave us the shots in the car.........."drive by shooting" they called it! LOL

I was going to take us all out for the day but Jack said no I needed the rest and Mother was nodding off every few moments.........so we are at home and resting.

The weather is already turning......the temps dropping and perhaps a freeze tonight.

HOPE.........I must rely on others to do what they say.  And HOPE it is in our best interest!

A nurse came yesterday to do an assessment for MOM.  She has paid  huge bills to Lifetime Home Care Insurance and now we will see if we can get some benefits from that insurance.

We were all so tired last night.  Guess the stress of waiting and anticipating is really disabling in some sense.  Mother thought the questions silly and certainly not applicable to her and she was ready for the nurse to leave!  I told her she did great.....she wasn't supposed to know everything and the less she knew the better it was......she laughed and said well it must be good then!

Jack is having some bad days and nights, too.  The trouble is he is letting me sleep and I don't know all that is troubling him.

Sometimes the best part of the day is the walk around the house, carrying a cuddly kitten and looking at the flowers and ignoring the weeds.

Picking up pecans is something I don't like doing but have been picking up a few every day.  Jack is helping shell and we make a real mess on the carpet, glad new carpet is in the future.  The crop is being handled by black crows and me.   I seem to be losing my part of the crop......which I am grateful for.  LOL

Peace.............

ISN'T THIS TRUE!

No one is you.  And that's the problem.  Because if there were more yous, you could do all the work on your list that only you can do.  Since no one is you, though, you'll have to improvise with "them".

This is the horoscope for Libra on October 26, 2007.  I couldn't help but copy it, because it fits me so well!

 

These cool mornings and crisp breezy days are so welcome after the summer.  Living so many years in California where the seasons are not distinct, having abrupt changes are stimulating!

I have to say first, we have two girls living in California, where the air is brown.  They are using cheese cloth to breath through because there are no painter's masks left in stores.  But they are safe and we thank God for that.  I am personally glad to be far from the fires now, having to be evacuated only once, but that was enough.

The heart doctor examined Jack yesterday and pronounced him doing great!  I think I have been holding my breath for the last month.   I know Jack has been so uneasy and distracted worrying about what the next step would be.  We are grateful to our families and friends who have been there for us during this difficult time.

We have been trying to get some legal work straightened out and wills written.  These are things that responsible people do.  And I hate visits to lawyers as much as I dislike visits to doctors! LOL    I had been to the lawyer and told him the situation and listened to his advise, so he took care of the paper work.  My job was to get Mother and Jack there at the end of a long day. 

All went well except Mother complained she only got to sign papers once!  Jack cut his arm on the door, which was not as wide as some and the threshold was rough and bounced his chair into the edge of the door cutting up his arm!  Of course I had to do first aid before we could even write our names.  Then the exit was about a three inch step which required my getting our extra little things from the van to make up the difference and Jack could have a smooth exit from the office.  I got both back in our "enter van".  The lawyer laughed and said you don't have much to do...do you? 

But this is a good ole boy country lawyer that knows Oklahoma law from many generations of his family being in the law field.  His many stories made the visit much more comfortable and I got a good scolding for asking too many questions before he finished each item of business........I told him I was afraid I would forget some of those questions! 

He just didn't understand how easily it is to get distracted and FORGET those questions!  While writing the check for payment, Mother kept telling me to go see about Jack, he was going outside and might get hurt.......when actually he went into the outer office and was talking to the secretary.  The lawyer was laughing so hard and trying not to!

Well, we got home yesterday after a visit to Sam's Club and the purchase of some big heavy items, which meant I lifted those items into the basket, into the car, into the house, and all of this with a very painful back which is probably due to the stress this last week, raking the yard on a bitter cold morning without a jacket ( but it felt so good!) or just one of those things you do and wonder how it happened.  This required some heavy duty pain med before I could rest last night!

But the fun thing that happened yesterday was.......there was a tap at the door and I was in the floor doing Jack's legs and we said come in...but I had hooked the screen, so I had to get up and go to the door.  The lady was not familiar to me until she said, "I am Ditty".  I had not seen her I am sure since my dad died in '62.  We had a great visit.  She is a cousin in name only but certainly in heart.

Before we left for the doctor's visit yesterday, I received a call from a cousin I had not seen  for probably the same length of time, but had kept up other ways through the family.   She said they were concerned because there were no entries for quite sometime in another journal that I use!  I can't believe all of this happened  in one day!

Well, dear friends it is almost 5:30....I fed the four legged, furry, feline friends at 4! Made the coffee and am relaxing but should get the day started!

Take care..... and Peace reigns at the moment at Marigold Country Home.........and we added bright orange Mums to the flower beds yesterday.  My neighbor who helps me with house work also does things in the yard!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall approaches

Cool days and nights, leaves scattered everywhere, and time seems to slow down!

Happy October!

Birthday or antiversary?

Thursday morning before lunch my daughter just walked into the house!

A surprise that overwhelmed me!

I had not felt really great, very serious chills at night, no energy, I was exhausted and stressed out.  I guess I was closer to the end of my rope than I really thought!  Anyway, with lots of pampering, good food, and orders to rest, I am feeling much better.  My daughter goes home tomorrow and I will have to go through withdrawl for sure! lol

Other wise there have been a couple more crisis but we have survived.  In our household we seem to generate crisis on a regular basis.   My daughter had a change to meet the doctor and to exchange views with him about her grandmother.  That was a good thing! 

Hope all of you have as good a big 70 birthday as I did yesterday.  Yes, it was a milestone.  On the 50th I was in the Bahamas, this was different and wonderful and definately what I needed!

Peace!

A summer thunder and lightening display passed through and left a bit of rain. 

The kittens were not sure if the raindrops were for play or not..........but after they were thoroughly soaked, they retreated to shelter.

Mom was frightened and went to the garage and brought in the cat, saying the cat was frightened, too.   When the storm passed, the cat went back to the garage, and mom to bed hopefully convienced that it was not time to get up! (9pm)

And here am I sitting thinking about the changes in the last two years.  Mom's physical and mental decline, Jack's heart attack, my several broken bones (toe,foot,and ribs) and wondering  at the changes coming so rapidly.

How could I have survived all the changes in moving, changing doctors, emergency rooms, and trying to create a place for Jack and I.  It has only been possible because of friends, we have no relatives here.  My daughter is in contact with me daily and her support and encouragment have been beyond price.  I am grateful for each day that ends peacefully. 

 And that peace has to come from within me.

 

There was a fall breeze yesterday.   The trees are losing their leaves and piling up in corners.  The signs of fall are increasing and the mornings are cooler.

I thank God every morning for the country mornings, space to breathe, and friends who are willing to help.  We have no family here, just we three, but sometimes  friends are closer than  family.

Peace  

"if anything can go wrong"............

Monday...........Cardiologist 45 minute drive!  This was for rash.  He did not check incision.

Tuesday...........Home care for leg wound/physical therapy. (She checked Jack incision.)

       Primary care physican for follow on procedure, he checked incision.

Wednesday.......Home care RN who also checked the incision.

Thursday.........Home care wound care/physical therapist checked incision.

Friday am...........considerable bleeding in the night,  we are at the primary care doctor's office at 8:15, he called cardiologist and together they decided to removed a stitch that did not absorb and was holding the incision open.  Hope blood stops now!

They really put a scare into me about excessive bleeding and rushing him to emergency, etc, etc, etc, etc, and I didn't know if this bleeding was the start of something more serious!

Oh well, just another day! LOL

 

I knew that this would happen..........

No one said they had seen a reaction to Plavix, of course Jack has to have one!  Doctor said you can't stop taking Plavix soooooooooooo take Benadryl! 

 I had a feeling that this would be the reaction I would get in an emergency room!  We have sick people here, take Benadryl!

So we see primary care doctor tomorrow and see what he says, right now he is taking the 6 day methylprednisolone unit.........and still scratching!

Still trying to get Mother on more health care and more days.   She didn't dress today, or comb her hair.  I wasn't here and she didn't do it on her own.  The lady we hired to stay with her didn't suggest to her to dress and look nice, so she didn't!  This isn't like my dressy mother.

When can I leave on my vacation?

ANGELS DO ABOUND!

Jack was a little uneasy the first few days home.  Because of sliding to the floor in the hospital twice and having to use a lift to get him into a chair, he was afraid this would happen at home.

The nurses had already confronted me with what will you do if this happens at home and I had an answer ready for them........the facility one block from me has big men, the fire department has been men, I can get help. BUT BOTH SITUATIONS could have been avoided if the nurses had listened to Jack and myself.  He asked for a chair incase he needed to sit between the bed and the place he was headed, I got the chair and they moved it saying oh you are doing fine...... The other was the case of a slippery robe that gave him no seat on the chair. 

Anyway, we were very cautious and didn't do the first bathroom and shower trips till Wednesday or Thursday.  The hospital didn't warn us about the dye he was given, the cement effects it could cause and the rash reaction.

So of course on Friday evening he developed a rash that kept him from sleeping and by Saturday was alarming me......I had reached the panic stage.  My daughter in California was giving me good advice but I was a bit handicapped with lack of knowledge, help, and support here at home.

One of those neighbors who checked on Mother came by and gave me the hospital emergency hot line with a nurse on the other end........her advice, go to the emergency room.  I called the hospital where Jack had been and they paged a pharmacy who gave me little or no assistance except see a doctor.  So I called the hospital back and they paged a cardiologist on duty.....Wow, he was so nice and supportive and gave me a prescription for the rash and said be at the cardiologist's office at 8 oclock on Monday morning!

I gave him the number of the only pharmacy that I knew would be open on Saturday afternoon in this country.  I decided to make the 35 mile run, it would take well over an hour and Jack and Mother would be alone.  So I got to the car, the previous neighbor  came back to check on what was happening and said his dad was at that pharmacy picking up a prescription today...........he called and the friend said he would bring the prescription and did I need anything else?

The friend brought the prescription and dinner from the hot deli of that store (Walmart) and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, it is almost 7 on Monday and we are on our way to Lawton, at least 45 minutes away to see if we can catch the cardiologist.... according to the one I talked to on Saturday.....be there before 8 and catch him...so be it!

Peace

Hee hee that was a mystery!

That last entry met with a bit of strange finger work or foot work by the cat.........who can say

 Jack came home Monday, his home health nurse and therapist were pretty experienced in how he should be reacting and how the incision should look, so I feel pretty confident I can handle this too!

Anyway please disregard the last entry !

Peace at Marigold Country Home!

a9 Home again!

Home again!

Got to  bring Jack home and we were here by noon.

A friend came and stayed with Mom until we came.

The friend's husband brought us Pizza at 4 this afternoon.

I have tried to stay close because Jack is naurally weak and he doesn't get around very well.  He was on the floor twice at the hospital and a 300 pound man is not someone you give a hand to and he hops right up.  The asked what I would do if the ended on the floor at home and I said I would call for some big security guards at the juvie facility a block away, and/ or the city guys who are fairly big bruts, and another choice would be the fire department and tell them we had a big guy on the floor.   I have done this before and know how to get him right up.

They had so much trouble at the hospital the first time he was on the floor, I said lets call the fire department and they said WE DON'T CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!..Guess that would really scare people ! LOL   They had a great lift and all the staff got OJT twice around.

Jack glad to be home, and so am I maybe I will sleep a little better tonight.  Peace!

 

Jack's repairs

The procedure went well, stint was put in where was a small amount of blockage.  Dr. said we were there and had the idea to fix if we saw anything to fix, so they did!

The after heart pictures showed great blood flow! Hopefully we can bring him home tomorrow!

Need sleep! Mom went to bed last night about 6 and got up at 10, dressed, made her bed, and woke me up with all the lights on.........................it took me till 1 am to get her to decide to sit in the living room so I could turn out the lights and go back to bed.

At 2:30 I received a call from the hospital that Jack had had a bad nightmare and was confused about where he was and why and would they please call his wife because he thought that talking to me would help........I got him so spoiled!

At 2:40 I received a call from the same hospital to bring another catheter that Jack wears because the one he had was torn and needed to be replaced....I had to get Mother awake again and explain what was happening and what she could have easily for breakfast.......I have her spoiled to her pancake every morning!  smiles

I got to the hospital at 4 am, procedure was to be done at 9 and it was 12 before they got to him, emergencies always happen....I got home tonight at 8.....so good night all.      Peace

Another wrinkle in time............Jack  went to emergency yesterday vie ambulance......he was transferred to another city because of the heart condition.......after many tests and hooooing and hummming the doctor finally say he had had a heart attack and they would do a proceedure to check damage and blockage.

Well, an infection brought this on and today the doctor finally said we had to put this proceedure off a day because of an infection........dud, I had said at least 40 times that he had a infection, the fever, and chills, and then the heart pain!........but then they never listen when they ask a question.........WHAT BROUGHT THIS ON....WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

Anyway good neighbors are checking on Mom from time to time and she has really done well with me 45 miles away at the hospital.  I hope I can bring him home tomorrow...........

Peace

picnic in the shade

Going to Walmart might not sound like a great outting to you but we had not been there since before June.  We shopped till I was ready to drop and then bought take out and had part of it in the shade of some trees.

I am a cheap date!  But it was fun and different from our usual days.  We had to hire someone to stay with Mother.  Doctor said he would get her a "lifeline" emergency bracelet, and we are working on increasing her aide time.  I need it!  Mother needs it!

Mother spent lots of time laughing this morning.  I am so glad that she found joy in some silly things we did.  I think it would be wonderful to record moments everyday that promise to be special memories or just special pauses in the course of a day.

1).  The warm purring of a kitten as it snuggles against your hand.

2).  The sunrise as it throws it color across the sky as a ball tossed in a game.

3).  The sound of a  truck grumbling past the house.

4).   The giggle of my mother talking about her upcoming 90th birthday.

And each  day has so much to offer! Peace! 

DATE NIGHT?

Our pastor mentioned that she wanted her hair to look nice because she was having a "date night" with her husband!

Jack and I had date night last night about 8:30, an almost empty bag of ginger snaps and some diet coke!  I think my hair was combed. 

This struck me as " light headed".......Jack and I have dates all the time, it might be to go to Sonic for icecream, or a drive out to the lake to see the sunrise, or ginger snaps and coke.  But "date night" PPPPLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEE!

 

Physically tired is so different from emotional fatigue!

Some days really turn out nice, even when you expect gray skies!

Rain has been predicted all day..............because we have had such a crop of grass this year.........everyone was rushing about mowing their  lawns before the rain so it would not be so high.   Well, this week I got all of the yard mowed, even some twice.  It does not need rain with the heavy dews in the morning.  But I mowed and mowed and had a wonderful time, all alone and nothing to disturb me except running out of gas in the mower.  Of course I had to replace three screws in the cord rotary housing.  I was surprised the whole thing didn't come off sooner..........I pulled the cord to start the mower and the whole top came off of the area that has the cord spool.....wonder what would have happened ...................????????????????

Anyway I found some screws and fixed it at least temporary.  And I happily mowed, trimmed rose bushes, trees and anything else in my way!

Tonight I am a physical tired which is so different from an emotional fatigue.

Peace and good coffee at Marigold Country Home.

 

FUNNY/FRUSTRATING

Yesterday was so funny when it wasn't being frustrating..........................Mother could not be convienced that there were not more scorpions in her bathroom where she had been stung.  This really was a tramatic event.

I told her I would clean her bathroom, take everything out and be sure there were no bugs of any kind!    I started but the water had been turned off.  But mother said there is water in the corner......I wondered which corner........she meant outside and she indicated the outside hydrant.  Hee hee......when the water if off it is off EVERYWHERE!         This has become a standard joke......if you can't find something it probably is in the corner~Realize that laughing takes the place of crying much better.  And almost anything can become a standing joke!

Today I did turn out the bathroom and did not even find a silverfish!  Hope she is convienced!

Peace can be found anywhere..........even in corners!

A really nice thing happened on the way to my day.........

Jack and I were getting things together to go to Lawton to Pain Management Doctor...........and we had visitors.   This was the man who mangages mother's land or least most of it.   He had had a water well dug and a new pump put in and needed a check for the services rendered by the well construction company.

While he was here he mentioned his wife was really down, her daugher moved out into her new house, and her daughter-in-law next door moved out into their new home and she was feeling really lonesome.  I had asked Mother what she was going to do......go with us and wait around or stay home where she would be comfortable........I asked if Cindy might come stay with Mother while we were gone.......called---and she would----and she did---- and we had a great stress free afternoon.   Not only that she said she would come back any time we needed to get away................a great help!  I really can't leave her very long at a time and we were gone 4 hours, an hour drive to.......see doctor.......shop at Sam's Club and an hours drive home.  

Hey I said we live on the last frontier!

I gave Cindy a little check and she was happy, we were happy and relaxed and Mother had a great afternoon chatting,etc.

Peace at Marigold Country Home!

LABOR DAY

Monday morning...........why would we make appointments on Labor Day?  Why would any self-respecting doctor have appointments on Labor Day?  Because he would be out of town on Wednesday!

See primary doctor on Tuesday morning........home care therapist in afternoon............Wednesday home care nurse..........cleaning neighbor............mother's    home care aide...........Thursday home care therapist.

There are the bills, bills, bills, bills, and since we are now on a fixed income these don't come easy!  I pay about 75  dollars for acqua cell for Jack's wounds, one of the nurses used almost a whole sheet the other day!  The sheets are about  5 inches by  5 inches!  I am sure she had no idea!  Perhaps home care will have ordered some by Tuesday.  Our prescription insurance  has passed the limit sometime back and we are now paying full price.  The limit was $2500 I think.....yes we pay a lot for prescriptions.  I take no prescription drugs, seldom anything for pain, and a lot of vitamins usually (when I remember!)

But this is the beginning of a new day.....PEACE!

fall's calling card!

This was an unusually cool morning, lots of dew on the grass, a lovely fall morning.  I noticed a few leaves falling and  hadn't realized the changing of seasons.

I think there is something about fall in the country that is just different.  I know our country scene is so different from the New England country side but it has its good things.  Tall grasses that are changing colors, wild flowers still blooming, cows lowing in the fields, and baby kittens learning to climb trees!

Peace!

I AM DEFINATELY ASSERTIVE!

I am tired of taking mother to an emergency room with an emergency and having to wait and wait and wait.   Today I took her to the emergency and said." If there is a long wait I will take her to another town."  We saw the doctor, had shot,etc and was home in an hour.........this is a record for us.

I had to pick up a prescription at a pharmacy next door and they said it would be a hour......... I said give me back the prescription, my mother is 90 and she is in pain, I will take it to another town! 

It was filled immediately!.............Mother was bitten this morning by a scorpion.  Not a small one......I took it with me to emergency in a  bottle, since I knew they would say..........."Are you sure it was a scorpion?"  They pronounced the insect as IMPRESSIVE!

Well, she has done well, considering she said it was very painful, as well as the shot they gave her was painful!

 My husband is a very wise man........ I mentioned to him that she needed a bath ..and not really able anymore by herself.  Jack said to her, "You know the thing I always did when I came home from the hospital was take a good hot shower to take the hospital smell off of me.!  She said that is a great idea, I got her ready for a shower in Jack's handicap shower and she asked me to stay and help her.......wow, this is a first!  She said she had never had anyone help her like this, and it felt strange that I had to do it."  I asked if it bothered her and she said no.  Another hurdle crossed in an easy way. THANKS JACK!

I might go out and mow some.........awfully tired however!

Peace!

 

 

a hodgepodge of unimportant information

I talked earlier this spring about the blooms on the pecan tree.  Recently my husband said we needed to trim some limbs since they were hanging so low.......well low and behold they are loaded with heavy pecans.  I commented to a neighbor that maybe it would be a good year for pecans....and of course they said..."if the worms don't get to them first!"  Geesh, how they exploded my hopes!

But if I really don't appear to care.........last year we could get no one to pick them up and finally raked and paid someone to help me clean up the nuts from the grass.  Isn't it interesting that the kids would not even pick them up to have a nut war..........or even steal them to nibble on......what is this world coming to?  LOL

I would go get the equipment ready to mow tonight but can't leave since it is about an hour until what we call supper.  Mother sometimes slips off and goes to bed quite early and then I have to get her up for supper.  To save me the effort and frustration I think I will wait and mow a little later.

It rained again last night and there is standing water............bad mosquitoes!

Peace, tranquility, and Country Summer at Marigold Country Home!  It was a bit cooler today...going into Indian Summer.

 

When we expect the best in a day......................

I went to bed last night knowing that today would be a good day even if it promised to be busy.

My day started at a quarter to 4 this morning.  Mother got up before this time but Jack became worried and woke me because he thought Mother might have gotten up because she didn't feel good.

Oh she felt fine, all the lights were on, we were all awake and so were the feline fluzzies who hang out on our patio.  So of course I fed the four legged fur balls first.  Then poured Mother some coffee, got Jack's medication ready for him, made mother a pancake, made toast for Jack and I, and took a minute to drink a cup and gobble down the toast. About an hour later I told mother I was going to try to sleep some more and what would she do, and she said she would sit right there! LOL

Well, I did get a few more minutes of sleep and then just got up at 6 and let the day begin.   My neighbor who cleans for me would come in about 8:30 and together we have a good time cleaning or doing a project.  On Sunday afternoon, she and her son replaced the cupboard that had fallen earlier this year.  She laughed today and said well it is still up!

We talk a lot and I enjoy her so much and she is a real whiz when it comes to cleaning.  Today we did the panneling in the living room and generally dusted and cleaned there.

I had carried out the linens in Mother's room, cleaned the other areas, vacummed, and started the process there.  Kathy chased the cobwebs, spiders, and dust bunnies.  Together it looked pretty good and the exciting thing was that Mother didn't mind our being in HER ROOM.

Mother was ready for lunch early today! LOL and she ate a good bit......Her aide came this afternoon and did the nails, hair, and general grooming and the puzzle in the newspaper.  Mother just can't seem to get the words like she did earlier this year.

Jack's nurse called this afternoon and wanted to drop by, and Mother's RN came by the check on her.   We were having open house?  Anyway after my chat with the RN, she said she would fax the doctor a note and ask for a prescription for Mother to help her with memory. 

THIS IS WHAT MADE MY DAY GREAT!  The neighbor said.......with all you have in this house, it does not smell......that is something that I fight all the time.  And recently she said I don't even see any bugs in your house, flies yes but not any old nasty bugs.    Then Jack's nurse this afternoon said you are the greatest caregiver....and I said what do you mean?  She said you are so organized and have things together.  But I said you see that everyday.....she said No what I see is disorganization and confusion about giving help to a patient.   The RN also said with your mom, it isn't anything you are doing wrong or anything like that, it is age that is giving her problems right now and You can't fix that.   

If a caregiver gets a compliment they don't usually put much value on it unless it comes from someone whose observation they respect and value.  Today I felt like I had received a gift from these people who  gave me encouragement with their comments.

THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT I HAVE RECEIVED IN CAREGIVING WAS FROM MY DAUGHTER....."Mom, you get an A in clean!"

THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT I HAVE RECEIVED IN CARING WAS FROM OUR DOCTOR WHO SAID........" You really love your husband, it is so good to see you two together".

I hope your day had some bright moments, Mom is still sitting here dozing and I should encourage her to hit the sac and rest her bones, but she seems to have enjoyed drinking her coffee while I mess with the computer.  Tomorrow is another day with therapist and Schwans, and prescriptions, and errands, and housework, and maybe a bit of rain.

Peace from Marigold Country Home: mud colored brick, pewter comp shingle roof, three bedrooms and 2 baths, laundry room, very large living room and formal dining room.......with the handicap wing that is extended to a large den like room, roll in handicapped bath, safe room,  and extention on the original kitchen with sink, dishwasher, second refrig, and  sliding glass doors that open onto a patio.   The two car garage has another refrig and another freezer to match the one in the laundry room...........when I clean I have a lot of space to cover and Jack and I only occupy the handicap wing because of the placement of furniture Jack can not get into the rest of the house, unless he would go outside across the lawn and in the front door.  Hee hee that is a trip in itself. 

This was a long post..............sorry, to bore you but I felt like chatting.

Again, Peace!

A drive with MOM

I took Mom with me today when I ran errands.  She was dressed and wanted to get out.  We didn't talk much but it was nice to be together.  We went to the Pharmacy, picked up lottery tickets, and  visited the salad bar to take home lunch. 

Tomorrow is Mom's day to have the aide do her nails, hair, and chat awhile.  My friend who helps me with house work will come in tomorrow morning.  Just knowing she is coming, gives me that extra lift that I need to make it through the week. 

Tomorrow promises another day filled with promise and butterflies.

 

 

 

There is always a new day..........................

Yesterday morning I rushed to the doctor's office to get Jack a prescription for the infection.........and the office was closed and would be till Friday.

Over the weekend I had looked over some prescription bottles that I had saved and found a Cipro prescription from February with a refill?  How I had overlooked this in February I don't know but I must have noticed to have saved this bottle.   Anyway I took it to pharmacy and it was a good refill............

Now this is small town America the last frontier........and the pharmacist said that if i had found this prescription refill on Saturday night or Sunday he would have gone to the pharmacy and filled it for me.   I laughed later when I paid out that I could not have called because I didn't recall his last name..........she immediately wrote the name and number and gave it to me and told me not to hesitate if I needed help.

What a beautiful promise of help that was.......I have often repeated in this journal my amazement at the caring that comes from small town America. 

I also found on the door on Sunday afternoon a note from the pastor of the church where I take Mother.   It seems that in the middle of the service she looked up where we usually sit (right in front actually) and asked, "Where are they?"  

  When she came by she read the note:  Very bad pain day, if you do not have an appointment, please do not disturb.   This is now a permanent note that discourages uninvited visitors on days when we just cannot handle anymore.  And thank goodness she didn't  knock because we were all asleep!

Today Jack's wound care therapist will be by today to take careof his leg.  This helps take some of the  responsibility of  this leg.  The doctor started this last year and we had good results.  It actually was healed for several months.  I guess I am always amazed that when I sign the request,etc., the interviewer always says there is no charge to you for this service.  With the excellent sup. insurance and medicare, we are fairly well covered.

The sun hasn't come up but there is the promise of a beautiful day at Marigold Country Home!

All in a caregiver's day

Where the sun comes up in the morning, take a moment and bask in the warmth and beauty of the bright rays that reach out and touch everything, even you!

I am learning that caregiving is so multifaceted that what I thought was...isn't and what isn't might be.   I was told once by a person who had great awareness, that when a beautiful moment occurs grab it and hold on to that moment, because it could be a  most precious memory for that day. 

That seems like a rather simplistic ideal but so true.  When you are a caregiver, you often think that there are few moments that you would like to preserve as a memory, some days are full of  the mundane and ordinary.  And something as endearing as a loving word from a spouse when they are so very ill,  makes everything worthwhile.

Today is the day after a night of almost no sleep, and a spouse so ill that I battled with whether to call paramedics or take him to emergency myself.  Making these decisions is so difficiult when my spouse say no, I don't want to go to the hospital, I won't live to come home...and knowing that he is shaking so violently from chills that he can scarcely speak. 

 Needless to say we made it through the night, with an old prescription of antibiotics and lots of changing and drying clothing as the fever broke.  I was frightened.......but didn't want this fear transferred to my spouse.  These infections always happen at night and usually on weekends.   I am going to ask the doctor for a prescription for "emergency" episodes when he isn't available.

I didn't mention that part of the decision to hesitate to go to emergency is the storm raging outside....the tail of tropical storm Erin was passing through our area and with it flooding.

What to do was also colored by my almost 90 year old mother who is vision and hearing handicapped.  What to do about her, do I wake her and try to explain where we are going, or let her sleep through the night?  Mother also has some other problems that come with age and I wasn't sure she could stay by herself very long.  Thank God, we made it through the night..    The old country song ..." Help me make it through the night"..certainly went through my mind many times.

 So Peace reigns at the moment at Marigold Country Home...

How can I tell?

Sometimes when I set down to write in this journal, things come out that I don't expect.........then I erase those and realize that my attitude isn't always positive but positively bad! LOL

Yesterday was a great day!   The gal that helps me for 2 hours on Wednesdays  came and we unwrapped my very large pictures and antique mirror and decided where to hand them...........but first we "unloaded" a cupboard/bookcase and move the big old heavy thing to a new place in the room.  Then we reloaded the whole thing.

After the pictures were hung we decided the room was definiately improved......looked bigger and much more light and airy.   Pictures help you feel at home where ever you are.   One of the large pictures was a painting given to me of Cherry Valley in California...........we only lived a stone's throw from there......that helps me with the homesick feeling I get sometimes for what was.

What is.......is a room that is homey, a bit clutered, and definately much more comfortable.  I moved my chair closer to the ceiling fan and airconditioning vents.  Where I was seemed to be a hot corner.   Now Jack and I are in chairs closer to each other and closer to the cooling system and the heating system in the winter.

Jack's home health care begins today........help with the leg wounds will be wonderful.

Today is also Schwan's Day for home delivery of good stuff and we also are signing up for "Angel Food" which is a discount food distribution for Senior Citizens.  A friend is the local contact and I decided to try the service.  It is $25.00 a month for a selection of foods worth much more.  What we can't use we will share with others.  Since everything is here in town it will be easy to participate.

Ok! the floors are cloroxed! LOL The carpet vacummed!  And I am enjoying my coffee with the airconditioning going full blast.........we have a room airconditioner we well as the big house unit.....but it is too cold for mother so we set it on 80 and we sit down here in the south wing of the house where it is rather warm.  The south part of anything in Oklahoma is HOT!  So the room airconditioner is really our lifesaver!

I didn't even go get the mail yesterday.........what a crime!  Guess the car comes out and I will start the errands.  This is a busy day......take care all of you!

Peace but very hot here at Marigold Country Home!

 

 

 

 

Oh what a beautiful morning.................

OKLAHOMA, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, and the waving wheat (which has already been cut) can sure smell  sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain............

But there has been no rain and the grass is not so green but not growing so fast! Thank goodness!

The song really describes this state!  And Oh what a beautiful morning  from the same movie also described this morning..........at 6:30am Jack and I went out east of Manitou toward the lake..found a farm driveway to pull of on on a hill.... we could see the lake and watched the sun come up!   A wonderful experience!

Peaceful here at Marigold Country Home!

 

 

The wonderful days of summer!

The rains have made the grass grow and the boy who mows will do so when the grass and ground is dry enough........one of the things on my list!

My marigolds are dying.......they turn white and keel over.......anyone have any ideas........I think it is too much water and the air cells around the roots are clogged with water! Oh well, who knows?

I did something to my left foot this week and the lazy days of trying to stay off of it is helping........but hard to do with so much responsibility.

Oklahoma's bridges according to the news are the worst in nation.....must remember to stay away from bridges.

Oh well with the way everything else is going, staying at home is the best bet!

We have run away twice this week...........once to get ice cream cone--another to get products at health store that had been ordered.   These 30 minute runs have been the joy of the week. 

This morning we were up at 12:30 a.m. doing emergency stuff and decided to run away.....of course we didn't but it was fun to dream.   In California we could have gone for coffee a mile away anytime in the 24 hours of a day.

Have fun.....hug a tree....pet an animal....kiss a frog!

Friday.........hot, muggy, and a lazy day if I ever saw one!

So this is what I have to do! LOL

rain rain rain rain rain rain

rain rain rain rain..........yep it rained again just when the little ponds were drying enough to mow! LOL

The last time the boy mowed he found a snake.....I asked what kind and he said dead!  LOL

The aide and nurse from the health care say we will have to wait to have a another recertification but I called and they said the doctor could ask for more time for mother.  She talked the whole time the aide and nurse were here today and I know she needs the mental sitmulation.

My friend who cleans came this morning and we got into all kinds of mischief with the cleaning and had a wonderful time.   We did the dining room fan and light fixture...because it had been a place where my stepfathers bed had been, and there were some broken globes.  These globes pieces had been saved and taped on the globes...We washed and glued the pieces together, I have been wanting to do this for ages!  We even grabbed the murphy wood soap and washed the kitchen cupboards.......yeah that was another I want to do this sometime!

Then when the aide and nurse came this afternoon the car was out and Jack and I went off to take our special break................Sonic makes great soft ice cream! (smiles)

Then the rains hit and did it ever rain! I would calculate several inches in an hour!  But the lightening was great, right over our heads and loud!  The power went off several times, altogether it was a great afternoon.

Peace and stay dry!

The beauty of each day...............

Into each day some rain must fall.....and it did shower last night.  It was our first for a while and it will be a bit muggy today.

But the sun will come up and brighten even the dullest of startings.  I am sure I will rue the day I started feeding the neighborhood strays but they offer their affection and playfulness for the small price of some food.

We have one little abandoned scrap of feminine feline fur......she is a Scrapper and she has managed to survive much in her brief life time.  I hope she will mature into a toe biting, cover hiding, rude awakening, snuggling bit of love for a companion.  We will see.

I thank God each morning for the day ahead and the challenges that will present themselves.  I am not always gracious for those bumps in the road but manage to get over them in some semblance of order.

It is with great HOPE.........

 that we will get some more time with aides and other help that I face this week.  I made several calls last week, and plan to follow up this week.  Mother has lifetime home care insurance, we just need to get it started finally.  As all things go.....the doctor didn't understand or just made a big boo boo that he apologized for and we hope will be corrected soon.  The agency that is doing the care is very cooperative and understandably want to give the care.  Now there will always be paper work!

Jack's pain level is increasing but his sense of humor is fine.   His help in letting me nap or sleep undisturbed is so appreciated.  He does all he possibly can for himself and sometimes goes without attention when I am snowed under.  But he doesn't complain.  We may have some home care for his leg wounds and that would be good, too.

This household finally has a couple of extra hours of help each week.  A neighbor who helped me with mother in the bathtub some time back will be coming each week to do some of the little house cleaning that goes  into the "sometime" category.

I keep making lists and they get longer then mysteriously get lost and I start new ones.   Priorities change and lose their importance, then new ones arise.

One of the things I am going to give myself this week is time to write letters catch up on paper work.  If only 30 minutes a day, I would remove a lot of things from my list! LOL

Peace to all from Marigold Country Home.   One of the things I am considering this year is informing all the people we have exchanged gifts with each year to eliminate that part of the Christmas preparations.  I don't  have time to shop and would like the holidays to mean something beside stress in that area.  I would like to entertain even but I think that might be out of the question by Christmas.

All of you.......have a wonderful week! Take time to smell that coffee brewing, look at the wildflowers, laugh at an animals antics, and hug someone you love!

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't Friday the 13 but could have been~

Rushed over to see doctor this morning to talk to him about Mother.... I started to cry and he took me in and talked turkey to me and said some things I needed to hear.  He needs to see her and I have already made an appointment and will hope to get her there on Monday.

We got most of the bedding off of Mother's bed and washed, aired and put it all back..........that was a job that needed to be done and I haven't had the priviledge of doing that since I have been here.  She always gives me what to wash, etc., but she was happy with her clean, fluffy, and aired bed!

It would look like Scrapper has been adopted to a certain degree by another mother cat and her kitten, at least they were all together today and seemed happy.  I don't enjoy being a mother cat! LOL

I don't know if I have mentioned that the marigolds are big enough for the kittens to hide in........the ground below is damp and cool and the mother cats seems to think this is a great nursery for the young!

I am tired, the responsibilitiy of this household weighs heavily on my shoulders............and I think the doctor realized this when I talked to him this morning....he was a help!

Peace at Marigold Country Home!

INTO EVERY DAY SOME RAIN MUST FALL.............

Yesterday started out to be a good day....breakfast went well.

I suggested to mother she could bathe and put in fresh clothes to be ready for Dana, the aide's visit.  This is a one time a week, one hour respite for me.

There are so many things to do in the morning, Jack's legs need fresh dressings, and the wrappings put on, medications for everyone, the usual cleaning up, etc.  A phone call asked about mowing the yards, and I bravely said some on and do this place too, since I don't have the new mower yet and can't seem to keep up! ( the kid who mows, weedeat the barditches which were tall and killed a snake that came out of the water...eek!)

Mother wanted to get in the big bath tub in the master bathroom and she has been doing this from time to time.  I usually clean in that part of the house so I can be available if she needs me.  Well, yesterday she needed me.  She couldn't get out of the tub, I really think she had forgotten how to do this, and after several tries she was exhausted!

I tried to help her, then gave her a robe and called a neighbor, together we could not get mother to work with us to get her out.  Then we called a paramedic who lives two houses down and was picking up the neighbor's boy to work in the fields.  Not his day to be on the ambulance call. 

He knew just how to get mother to cooperate and he got her right up and she stepped out of the tub! Yea! He would not accept a gift and said put it in plate at church! (smiles)  The neighbor would not accept gift but said she would come back and help me clean house later that day. 

The type of cleaning I needed was the things she does best like take the light fixtures down and wash and replace, take things off the walls, clean and replace.  The kinds of things that take time and I just don't have that time.  During this lunch came and mother was hungry after her ordeal. 

Next was a call from the aide who was running late and soon she arrived.  Mother had her nails done, was talked to, worked on the puzzle in the paper, and in general had her mind taken off of the morning.  

During the morning I did get the verticals in the patio cleaned, the refrig. scrubbed from top to bottom, and some laundry done. 

  With all the people around, Chase mowing the yard, coming in to use bathroom and get a bottle of water and visiting with Jack.  Kathy cleaning and running back and forth to the kitchen to wash fixtures,etc.  The aide doing her various tasks, and me trying to stay out of the way, LOL, it was an interesting morning.

The nice thing in this is:(1) Mother is getting used to Kathy cleaning in the house.  Mother has fought anyone doing this because she just doesn't like  strangers to be working in the house. (2) She is getting used to people helping her and she won't be reluctant to have me call for help. ( yesterday it was an hour or so before she would even listen to me about calling for help). (3) She is getting used to the paramedics and how good they can be in a pinch! (4)  We had been suspicious that she was upset and acting out her frustrations, last night she hugged me and told me she love me----I told her I was glad to be here with her and she said Oh yes she was so glad I was here. (MY MOTHER HAS NEVER BEEN VERY AFFECTIONATE)  This is a family trait of stoyic emotions that they have always displayed.

The afternoon meant a prescription run, and by that time the afternoon rest time became the "sit a minute" and catch me breath!  But Mother did get a rest and Jack and I had a few minutes together without a crowd around!

Well, what a day.............each day is different and yet the same.

Peace at Marigold Country Home!

 

 

THE REST OF THE STORY!

My daughter ordered a riding lawnmower for me a couple of weeks ago. 

 But Sears refused to deliver, even though the delivery fee was 85 dollars and I was willing to pay that fee.  They drive through this tiny hamlet to get to another town to deliver but they do not stop here! LOL

What is the matter do we have cooties?

A friend hearing of the situation said they would go to Altus find something and deliver it, now that is a good friend!

Sears just lost my interest when it came to making purchases.  Why would I want to buy something big if it isn't delivered? 

 Another friend said she had difficulty with the products, they want the buyer to purchase service warranties and if you don't the product doesn't last like the old reputation.

Anyway my grass is getting a bit of a mowing this morning if there is enough cloud cover to protect the mower!

The flowers have been doing great with all the rain and now I guess I have to water, it was nice to be relieved of that job but the lake in the front of the house is a reminder of how much trouble the rain has been and how fierce the mosquitoes!

Signing off because this is a "free day" and I might get something done........or might go somewhere.

Peace at Marigold Country Home.

an erased entry............

I wrote it, and then erased it!  But just writing helped.  Perhaps one day I will be able to write and not feel guilty and erase the entry.

Peace.

LOOKING BACK AT SUNDAY!

No matter how well you plan, there is always a glitch in the works...............

Mother got up at 4 Sunday morning and I suggested that she go back to bed.  She got up about 7 and said she was really hungry.  I gave her orange juice because she seemed a little pale and wobbly.  Well, she sat and waited for her breakfast and meanwhile faded away a couple of times. 

She ate a few bites of breakfast and said she was so tired, so I got her back in bed and she went to sleep.   Now I am so well prepared usually but I wasn't prepared for her to be weak this morning so I continued to monitor her, did the kitchen and floors Clorox fix, and continued to do some little jobs.   Got Jack bathed and dressed,etc. and still wondering how mother was doing really.

  Still monitoring, she finally woke up and asked for something like a sandwich.   She bathed and got ready for Church.  While eating her sandwich, company arrived and stayed till noon. 

No church this morning.  When they change time, people think you are already home at 10:30 and don't hear you saying you are getting ready for church?  Well, she probably could not have handled it well anyway.

The rest of the day was more restful for her and I still monitored her.  She had a fever blister and aches and pains, so I guess it was something minor.  She seems so much better this morning. 

My mind was certainly working on OPTIONS yesterday, if she was ill enough to be taken to hospital, what would I do? 

 PEACE!

SATURDAY SUNSHINE

 At least we home we have sunshine!  Right after the rain yesterday........quite a lot of rain in fact I went out and started trimming trees and bushes.  My work force of kids didn't make a show so I had the job by myself.   I actually was wading in water to trim and carry to the dumpster, but I have to keep that dumpster filled each week.

We found an abandoned kitten, which we fed the first time with an eye dropper since his efforts to lap the milk resulted in snorkleing....he was soaking wet after the storm, cold and weak.  Jack baby sat and I warmed milk, together we fed him.   We have continued to fed him and now he seems to be making it pretty good on his own.  It has taken up with the barn cats apparently and I have found him in the feeding pan licking it clean.  I will try to catch him later this morning and give him milk.

This kitten is small.  Fits in Jack's hand quite well.  Wonderful therapy for mother and Jack, and of course I am the cat lady! LOL

I started mowing last evening, and the neighbor brought her youngest down to teach him how to weed eat........the weedeater is just too big for him!  It is too long for me too, so I am looking for a much smaller/ shorter one with electric starter.

 Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend, Peace!

 

Another day.....................

Electricity off from 1 am until 12 noon today..........typical Oklahoma Summer Thunderstorm last night.  Lots of wind in the area but we were fortunate again to not get the brunt of the storm.

Mother did so much better today.......she enjoyed her lunch and we arrived home to find her happy and helpful.  Roller Coaster Days do make you nutz!

The eye check was good so we will do the other one next Tuesday.  Hope Mother continues to do well.  When she understands everything she does quite well, and  she has started to sing to herself.....I asked what she was doing... she said singing..... hee hee as if I didn't know.....and I said why?  She said because I am happy!  Gee, that made me happy, too!

Peace tonight at Marigold Country Home.