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!