Friends since they were twelve - married for 51 years....

I talked to Lollie's husband yesterday - to see how he was doing.  He said living without her is one the hardest things he has ever done. 

He has found around the house - notes written by her -  on how to do things - where things stood in the process......not because she knew what was happening - as reminders to herself - but she is helping him with the notes - and I can so picture her handwriting.

He told me the sweetest thing....he said "we were married for 51  years - but she has been my friend and playmate since we were both 12."  (She died at age 71)

What a testimony of love and marriage.

A funny....

Thanks to my friend....my sister from different parents....


Here is a funny!

An elderly couple had just learned how to send text messages on their cell phones.   The wife was a romantic type and the husband was more of a no-nonsense guy.

One afternoon the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee.  She decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote:

"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams.
If you are laughing, send me your smile.
If you are eating, send me a bite.
If you are drinking, send me a sip.
If you are crying, send me your tears.
I love you."

The husband texted back to her:  "I'm on the toilet.
Please advise."

CHALLENGE TO MYSELF

To sigh or huff less.
Talk slower and less.
Listen More

GIRLIE STUFF

Tori surprised me today -with girlie stuff.  Make up, hair spray, nail polish, body wash, and even a blow dryer.  Truly a surprise.

I needed it. 

I love you Tori - thank you.

THE GRAMMY'S

I tried to watch it - I lasted two minutes. And from what I understand I missed the opening and the wedding ceremonies.

They did put the Christian artists on air - that is not right - some caught flack for leaving after their acceptance speech - some didn't go.  Now they are criticized for their beliefs.

I don't understand - everything that dishonored God was shown on air - and you can tell by the many posts, articles - many were offended.  But Christian artists were not showed on air.  I guess they (producers and networks) were worried they would offend others.

I pray people will turn to God - give Jesus a chance - I am thinking they would be surprised at how their lives would change. Can you imagine how God would work if some of these main stream artists turned to God and changed their music?

Most of these artists will tell you they started in the church choir....hmmmmm.  Are we letting the world in or pushing God out?  Or both?

36 HOUR DAY

I am reading this book - I should have started reading this about five years ago...

I have already learned much - and feel better knowing I have done some things they suggest.

I highly recommend this book.

RANDOMNESS FROM FACEBOOK

SOME MAY BE A LITTLE OFF COLOR - BUT SO FUNNY..AND IN SOME CASES...SO DARN TRUE.

 

 

A Proper Goodbye

I am deeply grieving Lollie - my friend and mentor.  I don't know if it because I wasn't able to attend the services - but I ache. 

Is this normal?  This pain? I know she is heaven - but goodness she was an angel on earth.

She gave me a gift subscription to this magazine for Christmas - and I found over 24 books she has given to all of us all throughout the years. 

I needed a proper goodbye.

STATE OF THE UNION

We are going to disagree.  We will not like all that we hear.  I am watching the State of Union - and I can read some of the faces of our leaders....

But we must pray for our leaders consistently.  We can agree to disagree.  But we must pray. 

MELECIA

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE MELECIA IN OUR LIVES...SHE IS FAMILY.

BOOST AND CAREGIVING

Okay, mom's appetite sunk a new low.  And so has her weight.  So, I get this brilliant idea - I bought Boost - oh, mom loves it - and it was helping her!  We (Melecia and I) were so excited.  We were making milkshakes and such with it - and mom was gulping it down!

However........it has a teeny, weeny flaw......  has no fiber...... and can cause constipation!  Can't win for losing. Traded one problem for another.

Constipation is an issue - mainly because mom does not want to take the time to sit to go potty - she fights us - it is unreal!  Then we have a nightmare - that takes a lot of work to solve - and everyone involved is exhausted and frustrated. 

Good grief. 

Her doctor called in medicine that increases her appetite and Praise the Lord - mom is eating without coaxing - you have no idea how that makes us feel.  She needs to gain weight - there is no doubt.

Here is a pic of her ---- see how skinny?  And why we were worried? Granted these clothes are more fitted and her frame is more obvious - but she looks better in them!  She weighs about 125 lbs - we are not in a danger zone - and I wanted to keep us from going there. So thankfully medicine is working and she is eating - please pray it continues.

 

 

 

Care giving is trial and error - we are still getting used to Depends undergarments and still trying to get her stay continent and on a regular schedule.  Allowing her to do as much for herself as she can.  Cut her food in finger size bites - that she can pick up - and ignore messes.  To cherish her dignity - to have her dressed, with make up perfume, nails done each day - to keep her clean and the house clean and smelling good. 

 

Care giving is hard - and somehow I thought we would be past violent stages - but they have resurfaced -but I have been studying - that is their way of acting out - because they don't know how to express themselves. 

 

Care giving, not going to lie, is exhausting in every sense of the word.  I am not going to lie, I can make jokes and laugh, but there are times I react badly.  I scream, fuss, slam, step outside - it is release - I have to let it out.  And then I feel guilty. 

 

Care giving is a ministry.  This is my ministry right now.  I miss teaching, miss kids - but this is where God wants me to be serving at this time.  However, all I do, I need to work to glorify God. 

 

I thank you for prayers and encouragement.

 



Sam at the doctor.......

Sam had to be checked out of school on Monday - sick.  Sooooooo we went to Fast Pace Urgent Care in Covington, (awesome by the way) after I got off work. 

Mom had to go with us.  Let the adventure begin!

It was peak sundowning time - and boy did mom let her presence be known in the doctor's office - she was like a kid.  She wanted water (I brought water bottles---but she wanted to go outside!) She wanted Chapstick - had that one covered - she wanted to look at books - covered - had to go potty - hmmmmm - she would not use their potty - so she let me and everyone else know that she had to go.

We finally get to a room - Sam is feeling terrible at this point.  But look at these pics - you tell me who looks more miserable?  I call it a tie.  (I am not pictured - but I was stressed - and could be pictured here)

 

 

 

Sam's diagnosis - red throat, fever and sinus infection - he was probably one day away from strep.  He felt tough.

 

We leave the office - or try to.  Mom becomes a statue.  She won't budge - she thinks the ground is a hole..... Sam bless his heart - picks her up cradle style - and places her in the car...she was only worried about her HAIR.  She was stiff as a board. Took us forever, it seemed, to get her limp enough to buckle her up. 

 

We have to wait for prescriptions that were called in - we go to Wendy's - I pick up through drive - thru - I just get mom, Sam and Steve something - I wasn't in the mood.  Mom takes her nuggets and fries bite by bite - whew! 

 

 

We go to Walmart and they show us having no insurance - so we have to get that straight (mom and Sam were in the car) - that was another 30 minutes..... ugh.

 

We finally get home - mom was so tired she was literally like a drunk - just had to pour her into bed.

 

Geesh - this on top of the BOOST story - it deserves a post of it's own.

 

Sam stayed home today - he is taking medicine and is feeling a little better. 

 

I just wish I had help yesterday - but did not - but we made it - I can laugh today - but last night - I could cry.  Thankful for doctors.....thankful for laughter!

 

 

 



So Far....

Mom is having a good day so far. I did change up meds this morning. I do know I need to add am appetite stimulate to her diet...she eats...but has lost weight. Part of it I believe is that she literally is never still. She did eat cereal, eggs, a biscuit and potatoes.

I plan to try to clean stains out of carpet ... On how I selfishly wish for new flooring...the laminate like in our living room would be wonderful.

She is dusting and mopping right now...in her element. She's cleaned up already...did that first thing.

I have work to do emails and reports....

And we need to make a store run.

Blessed that we slept all night!

Managed...

I did manage to get some housecleaning done this weekend - going to try to get some stains out of carpets. 

I gave both dogs a hair cut and a bath, after I gave mom a bath - then scrubbed that bathroom top to bottom - washing the bathroom rugs and such now.  Believe or not the dogs were easier than mom.

I have dusted the rooms - nothing detailed -but I feel less lazy.  Floors mopped - even the back porch thanks to Sam cleaned off.

Steve and I took his youngest to a dinner and movie last night - he is on his way back to Colorado - he came for a week - I think he was homesick.  I do wish he and his girlfriend would get married.  It is hard leaving my mouth closed on that issue.  He is doing fine - Colorado seems to agree with him - he skis and snowboards.  His other two sons are doing fine. 

They saw Jack Ryan - I needed space and light hearted - I saw the Disney movie - Frozen - very good by the way.

There are some other stress issues I am facing and if you know me - you know what they are. 

Thank you for praying.

Alzheimer's Wrestling Match

Today has been a day.  I am a wreck.  I am crying now as I type.  Wondering how much longer I can do this, knowing full well, mom is staying here. 

I have been hit, punched, kicked, spit on, hair pulled - you name it. Mom has been going strong since early this morning - except for a brief nap between breakfast and lunch.  Bath time was horrible - but it needed to be done - we didn't take one yesterday.

We were considering selling mom's house - but we can't because we cannot show any income - or we would lose her care.  Never mind the fact that mom has a reverse mortgage on it - and the profit would be minimal - we consulted with two men from church after talking to human services and they said it wasn't worth the risk of losing her care.  This is a government rule.  Oh, they...or human services said - we could sell it - but it we would have to immediately spend the money on her.  There was no explaining ruined carpet, or blinds that have been replaced twice, broken teeth, lost work time and stress - the woman could have cared less, I heard it in her voice.  You would have thought we were going to make a million dollars.  Hmmmmmppppphhhh.

Mom is still restless, but I am unsure of what medicine to give her - because she spit some it out - I am waiting just a bit more and take a chance.

I ask for prayers!

Hard day

For the first time in a long time work drove me to tears from stress and demanding folks. An ugly email didn't help. I hid in the warehouse to let the tears flow...I guess I needed the release. 

Praying for a better tomorrow. May my words and actions honor God.

Funny thoughts....

these were on Facebook....and they just made me laugh at the end of a stressful day! 

Random quotes....

Eating Dinner....

Mom had a good day today. When I arrived home from work, she was dust mopping...she stopped, gave the mop to me and told me to get to work.  Ha ha!

Here she is eating dinner. She ate all the cooked carrots...her favorite, plus the remainder of her meal. Melecia baked the chicken for us...we are so blessed.

The shoes don't match...

When I put mom's pajama's on tonight - she said her penguin pj's do not match her church shoes.

bahahahahaha