It i s Wednesday, June 30, and my last entry was posted on Saturday, June 26th. But much has happened in the interim. Not to mention that the computer has been down off and on during this time. We moved the computer and had it connected to a different, less powerful cable. So I could use it for a short time, and then it would be down for a while - very frustrating.
You all know about the events leading up to Mother's hospitalization on Friday morning. As you probably know, she was hospitalized for observation following a fall that caused some bleeding on the brain. So our weekend was filled with activity. The hospital stay did prove to be very beneficial in that it helped Mother feel that she could depend on others for her care and safety.
And it gave us the time to wash and mend her clothes and move her furniture to the nursing home, without her becoming stressed and confused. The weekend was BUSY!
Monday was probably the most stressful time for all of us. First there was the waiting for dismissal at the hospital, dealing with the social worker who was coordinating dismissal and transportation for Mother. Finally, all papers were complete, and the ambulance service arrived about 2:00 PM. Of course, Mother was frightened and confused about where she was going, and why she must ride in an ambulance. Frankly, I was confused, too. But I guess it is standard practice when a patient is moving from the hospital to a nursing facility. The two ambulance attendants were not the most helpful or reassuring pair. Mother was frightened. We couldn't ride with her, but we followed in our car.
We all arrived at Golden Living Center in good time, and we were there to be with her when she arrived. She was a very frightened and confused lady when she arrived. But several blessings helped to make the situation a much happier one for her. First, her room looked so pretty! We had arrived in time to get the soft lamps lighted, and be sure all her things were in place. Second, she hugged each and every familiar possession as she toured her new space! That was so reassuring to her. Then Emily, the second shift nurse, came in to get acquainted with her new resident. If you were to ever paint a picture of the perfect angel of a nurse, you would ask Emily to be your model. She is tiny, with Asian blood, beautiful face, beautiful shiny black hair, and was so very sweet with Mother. Instead of doing her blood pressure, etc. She simply sat down with mother, put her arm around her, and got acquainted.
The fourth blessing was Mother's new room mate, Nona, who arrived about this time. She is Mother's age, size, and disposition. When we introduced the two, you would of thought that it was a reunion of two long lost best friends. They had advised us before hand to quietly slip away as soon as they had Mother involved in an activity. When Emily indicated that maybe now was the time to go, there were Mother and Nona sitting side by side in their reclining chairs, smiling and holding hands.
We have not been back, but we call each day. Cheryl has visited twice. From all reports Mother is doing extremely well. It has not all been perfect. But, for the most part reports say that she is beginning to adjust. Tender hearted Cheryl cried after her visit yesterday because Grandma seemed so forlorn in the lunchroom. But she was much better when they went back to her own room. Then she got her hair done in the beauty shop in the afternoon, and last night Emily said she looked beautiful.
This evening Cheryl went to visit again. She called us and said that Grandma was very happy this evening. She had had a good day. They have church on Wednesday and she had liked that.
Todd, the unit manager, had kidded her, sang in church, and made her feel very good. She told Cheryl that she and Nona were going to be good friends. Cheryl came home with a much lighter heart.
Todd told us on the phone again today, that we should wait until maybe Monday to come visit again. He is the professional, so maybe we will listen. AND we have enjoyed just being the two of us again. It has been a little like getting out of school for the summer, a new kind of freedom.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
M2 - My Oh My
What an eventful two days! We had Mother's doctor appointment yesterday morning to find out the findings from Wednesday's MRI. Dr. Lawlor was extremely kind, but told us that the MRI did show some slight bleeding on her brain which could have been caused from her fall. He didn't advise any surgery at her advanced age, and gave us the choice of taking her home and taking our chances or admitting her to the hospital.
He knew our feelings that a few days in the hospital might ease her anxieties about moving to a care center. In fact that would help us in many ways. So he said that we should take her immediately to St. Johns and that he would call to arrange her admittance.
It has been a whirlwind ever since. We stayed with her until she was all settled yesterday, and then went back to see her twice to help with her meals, etc. Of course, she doesn't understand this at all, even though we have tried to explain over and over. We have been to the hospital three times today. She asks the same questions over and over, constantly. And we have made every effort to answer them. Her room is very nice, the nurses have been wonderful, good food,
but of course she wants to come home.
I have felt every second that I should just stay there with her. The room is very large, especially designed with a chair that converts to a bed, so that some family member can stay.
It is breaking my heart. But every one advises, and I know that it is true, that this time away will help her adjust to the next stage in this process. So all of us must be very brave, and try to do what is best.
We are using our time without her at home, to be sure all her clothes are washed and marked, be sure she has plenty of panties, socks, hankies, pjs, etc etc etc. Today Cheryl came and shampooed the upholstery on her reclining chair, and I have organized the drawers in her chest.
Don went over to the Golden Living Center to see her room, and measure the space. So now we know just which furniture, pictures, accessories, etc. that we can take. Tomorrow Rod is helping us take all this to the care center, and we will have her room all ready for her arrival on Monday morning.
Whew! My hip and my emotions are all a-aching tonight! They tell me that I have just about had enough for these two days. S0, now, I am taking two darvocet and going to bed!
Good night. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. Think of us this next week.
He knew our feelings that a few days in the hospital might ease her anxieties about moving to a care center. In fact that would help us in many ways. So he said that we should take her immediately to St. Johns and that he would call to arrange her admittance.
It has been a whirlwind ever since. We stayed with her until she was all settled yesterday, and then went back to see her twice to help with her meals, etc. Of course, she doesn't understand this at all, even though we have tried to explain over and over. We have been to the hospital three times today. She asks the same questions over and over, constantly. And we have made every effort to answer them. Her room is very nice, the nurses have been wonderful, good food,
but of course she wants to come home.
I have felt every second that I should just stay there with her. The room is very large, especially designed with a chair that converts to a bed, so that some family member can stay.
It is breaking my heart. But every one advises, and I know that it is true, that this time away will help her adjust to the next stage in this process. So all of us must be very brave, and try to do what is best.
We are using our time without her at home, to be sure all her clothes are washed and marked, be sure she has plenty of panties, socks, hankies, pjs, etc etc etc. Today Cheryl came and shampooed the upholstery on her reclining chair, and I have organized the drawers in her chest.
Don went over to the Golden Living Center to see her room, and measure the space. So now we know just which furniture, pictures, accessories, etc. that we can take. Tomorrow Rod is helping us take all this to the care center, and we will have her room all ready for her arrival on Monday morning.
Whew! My hip and my emotions are all a-aching tonight! They tell me that I have just about had enough for these two days. S0, now, I am taking two darvocet and going to bed!
Good night. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. Think of us this next week.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
L2 - Little Lady, Living Center, and Lemons
Upon reading the title , one might suppose that the sourest of the three topics would be the lemons. But, no, read on.
If you read the blog a couple of days ago, you know that our Mother , who has been under our care for the last three years, has suddently experienced a rapid decline in her dementia. Since, all the professionals feel that we should be checking into professional care, we phoned our friend, Todd, who is the director of the Alzheimers unit at the Golden Living Center in Muncie. We chose Todd, because he was so helpful in caring for brother David, and we already knew Todd, and respected his abilities.
He agreed to give Mother an assessment, so we made an appointment with him this morning.
During the assessment, Mother was unable to answer any of his questions, and he stopped after five. She said she thought that she had been married, but couldn't remember her husband's name. She couldn't tell him her age. He handed her a pen, but she didn't know what it was called or what you did with it. He handed her scissors, and all she say was that they were pretty.
That's pretty much the way it is. Todd says that she is pretty far down on the assessment scale.
They have a nice room available. I know it is something that must be done, but I simply can't imagine leaving the little lady abandoned to what to her are strangers. Even though she has visited the center with us ever since Dave has been there, and she really thinks it is a nice place, it is going to be heartbreaking! Don has made the decision, I still can't.
But how about the lemons? We decided that this day just had to end on a happy note. So we drove to Madewell's and bought nice big lemon ice cream in waffle cones! It made us all feel better. When Don went to get the car and pick up Mother and I at the door, as usual she became agitated because he was out of sight. She kept asking where he was, did he forget us, and finally she said, "Do he know where she are?" Like I've said, nothing comes out quite right.
Then we came home and enjoyed a lovely evening on the porch. God bless the lower humidity!
If you read the blog a couple of days ago, you know that our Mother , who has been under our care for the last three years, has suddently experienced a rapid decline in her dementia. Since, all the professionals feel that we should be checking into professional care, we phoned our friend, Todd, who is the director of the Alzheimers unit at the Golden Living Center in Muncie. We chose Todd, because he was so helpful in caring for brother David, and we already knew Todd, and respected his abilities.
He agreed to give Mother an assessment, so we made an appointment with him this morning.
During the assessment, Mother was unable to answer any of his questions, and he stopped after five. She said she thought that she had been married, but couldn't remember her husband's name. She couldn't tell him her age. He handed her a pen, but she didn't know what it was called or what you did with it. He handed her scissors, and all she say was that they were pretty.
That's pretty much the way it is. Todd says that she is pretty far down on the assessment scale.
They have a nice room available. I know it is something that must be done, but I simply can't imagine leaving the little lady abandoned to what to her are strangers. Even though she has visited the center with us ever since Dave has been there, and she really thinks it is a nice place, it is going to be heartbreaking! Don has made the decision, I still can't.
But how about the lemons? We decided that this day just had to end on a happy note. So we drove to Madewell's and bought nice big lemon ice cream in waffle cones! It made us all feel better. When Don went to get the car and pick up Mother and I at the door, as usual she became agitated because he was out of sight. She kept asking where he was, did he forget us, and finally she said, "Do he know where she are?" Like I've said, nothing comes out quite right.
Then we came home and enjoyed a lovely evening on the porch. God bless the lower humidity!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
K2 - Puttin' on the Kitsch
The neighborhood where we live is predominantly inhabited by retired residents. And that is fine, because we are retirees, too. When the Redbud Estates were originally planned and the street layout designed years ago on the north side, some clever person decided that the names should bring to mind an idyllic vision of a golden retirement. So the original developers gave the streets really kitschy names. On the north side of Redbud you will find Easy Street (that may be the worst of the bad), Pleasant Way, Leisure Lane, and Freedom Way. Maybe the worst names are actually Serenity Circle and Placid Court. I don't know, but does this bring to mind pictures of some cemetery somewhere?
The developers did do a little better when they opened the newer section to the south. Although there is a Dream Street, a Fantasy Lane, and Imagination Dr. Someone I know suggested an even better name for one of those last three after a rainstorm. But I'm not going to mention it. I'm not sure what market was being attracted at that time. I do know that I have always been happy that both houses we have lived in in Redbud have been on streets named Redbud. For some reason our address didn't seem quite so preciously hokey.
Redbud started a new section of homes to the west. To my mind the naming of streets and sections didn't improve. It may have even gotten worse. They named the new section "Camelot", still bringing up idyllic visions, I guess. Worse than the name is the entrance gate way. Where at the north and south sections, they have nice brick entrance walls with attractive lighting, at Camelot they hauled in huge rectangular stones that were dropped haphazardly. They look for all the world like a kitschy Stonehenge.
Then there is the naming of the streets in Camelot. I imagine you have already guessed. Yes, there is a Guinevere, a Lancelot, a Round Table, and even an Arthurs Way. We were driving through that neighborhood the other day. Don said when he saw the sign for Arthurs Way, " At first I thought that sign said Arthritis Way." We decided that it would be a better name for a retirement village. It would bring to mind a really true picture of retirement.
So, of course, we couldn't let that idea go without further expansion. We decided that we might start a new retirement village. Oh, I know, you are way ahead of me. We would have streets named things like: Diabetes Drive, Cataract Court, Cardio Circle, Hearing Aid Avenue, Osteoporosis Place, Senility Street, and Hypertension Hill.
Go ahead, jump right in, I'm sure the ideas are endless!
The developers did do a little better when they opened the newer section to the south. Although there is a Dream Street, a Fantasy Lane, and Imagination Dr. Someone I know suggested an even better name for one of those last three after a rainstorm. But I'm not going to mention it. I'm not sure what market was being attracted at that time. I do know that I have always been happy that both houses we have lived in in Redbud have been on streets named Redbud. For some reason our address didn't seem quite so preciously hokey.
Redbud started a new section of homes to the west. To my mind the naming of streets and sections didn't improve. It may have even gotten worse. They named the new section "Camelot", still bringing up idyllic visions, I guess. Worse than the name is the entrance gate way. Where at the north and south sections, they have nice brick entrance walls with attractive lighting, at Camelot they hauled in huge rectangular stones that were dropped haphazardly. They look for all the world like a kitschy Stonehenge.
Then there is the naming of the streets in Camelot. I imagine you have already guessed. Yes, there is a Guinevere, a Lancelot, a Round Table, and even an Arthurs Way. We were driving through that neighborhood the other day. Don said when he saw the sign for Arthurs Way, " At first I thought that sign said Arthritis Way." We decided that it would be a better name for a retirement village. It would bring to mind a really true picture of retirement.
So, of course, we couldn't let that idea go without further expansion. We decided that we might start a new retirement village. Oh, I know, you are way ahead of me. We would have streets named things like: Diabetes Drive, Cataract Court, Cardio Circle, Hearing Aid Avenue, Osteoporosis Place, Senility Street, and Hypertension Hill.
Go ahead, jump right in, I'm sure the ideas are endless!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
J2 The Journey
It has been a tough few days at our house. Mother has been with us for three years now, and for the most part, we have gotten along very well. But with her dementia, she has been showing a pretty dramatic decline in the last few weeks. She has been experiencing what they call "sundowners syndrome" or an anxious time in the evenings. And she has been having considerable back pain, leg pain, stiffness, and more difficulty in walking. She has even fallen when getting up at night a couple of times.
For these reasons we took her for a check up with her doctor. He ordered some tests, took other tests in his office, and prescribed Aricept, to lessen the progression of her dementia. Over the weekend we gave her the Aricept, but she became very ill after taking it. So Saturday and Sunday she felt terrible the entire two days. After calling her doctor yesterday morning , we quit the medication. Now she has always been quite contented here, never offers to go outside other than sitting on the screened in porch. We have been able to leave her safely for maybe an hour here and there.
Well, yesterday while I was working at the hospital in the afternoon. Mother got up from her nap and simply walked out the door. Don came in and couldn't find her anywhere. He checked with all the neighbors, drove the neighborhood, and became quite afraid. He called me at the hospital. I work with Elaine, whose son is a policeman. She called Mark, and 4 or 5 policeman came out and joined the search. Elaine brought me right home. By the time we got there, Don had had a phone message that Mother was at the Emergency Room. So we took off immediately to get her.
It seems that Mother had walked nearly a mile from our house to 38th Street. She had decided in her mind that she would go to the beauty shop which is about 3 city blocks on down 38th from our neighborhood. Mother walked along the edge of 38th, where a tiny sidewalk is edged immediately on the busy street. She fell and some folks in a nearby house saw her, and ran to her rescue. They called the emergency vehicle, that took her to St. Johns. Now, Mother usually cannot tell you her own name. But the emergency folks finally got her first name Madge from her. They looked for all the Madges in their computer system, read off the names to her, and she finally heard one that sounded right to her. Then they got our number, her emergency number.
Well, it was a most frightening experience for us. When we think of all the possible tragic outcomes that could have happened. We are very thankful that she is home and safe. It has certainly made us aware that we are entering a new level of care and responsibility. The doctors and the social workers, friends, and our children, too, are thinking we should be considering other care options. That is a tough one. I know. I already have done that once with my mother.
We cared for her at our home for about the same number of years, until it became physically impossible for any of us to care for her. And we were thirty years younger then. But it was a heart breaking experience.
I hope that anyone reading this will pray for us or just keep us in your thoughts. We want to make the right decisions.
For these reasons we took her for a check up with her doctor. He ordered some tests, took other tests in his office, and prescribed Aricept, to lessen the progression of her dementia. Over the weekend we gave her the Aricept, but she became very ill after taking it. So Saturday and Sunday she felt terrible the entire two days. After calling her doctor yesterday morning , we quit the medication. Now she has always been quite contented here, never offers to go outside other than sitting on the screened in porch. We have been able to leave her safely for maybe an hour here and there.
Well, yesterday while I was working at the hospital in the afternoon. Mother got up from her nap and simply walked out the door. Don came in and couldn't find her anywhere. He checked with all the neighbors, drove the neighborhood, and became quite afraid. He called me at the hospital. I work with Elaine, whose son is a policeman. She called Mark, and 4 or 5 policeman came out and joined the search. Elaine brought me right home. By the time we got there, Don had had a phone message that Mother was at the Emergency Room. So we took off immediately to get her.
It seems that Mother had walked nearly a mile from our house to 38th Street. She had decided in her mind that she would go to the beauty shop which is about 3 city blocks on down 38th from our neighborhood. Mother walked along the edge of 38th, where a tiny sidewalk is edged immediately on the busy street. She fell and some folks in a nearby house saw her, and ran to her rescue. They called the emergency vehicle, that took her to St. Johns. Now, Mother usually cannot tell you her own name. But the emergency folks finally got her first name Madge from her. They looked for all the Madges in their computer system, read off the names to her, and she finally heard one that sounded right to her. Then they got our number, her emergency number.
Well, it was a most frightening experience for us. When we think of all the possible tragic outcomes that could have happened. We are very thankful that she is home and safe. It has certainly made us aware that we are entering a new level of care and responsibility. The doctors and the social workers, friends, and our children, too, are thinking we should be considering other care options. That is a tough one. I know. I already have done that once with my mother.
We cared for her at our home for about the same number of years, until it became physically impossible for any of us to care for her. And we were thirty years younger then. But it was a heart breaking experience.
I hope that anyone reading this will pray for us or just keep us in your thoughts. We want to make the right decisions.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I2 - Indiana Dreamin' - The Humid Days of Summer
We went out to breakfast early yesterday. Then we stayed in, or rather we were forced to stay in the rest of the day. Walking out the door was like a dip in the pool! Then, of course, the AC is forced to run steadily all day. Why is it the house always feels a little too cool when the outside is unbearably hot?
In the AC it is always a little too cool to take a nap without some cover over you. And I always want socks on when I sit and watch TV. If we don't watch, Mother has the heater cranked up in her room, hence we have an unintentional home sauna. But I bless our air conditioner every day. I always wonder how we survived summer when I was a kid. We had no air conditioners, just screens in the windows. When I was in my teens, we lived in a brick house with nice thick walls. My bedroom was at the front of the house right off the front porch. There was a large window over my bed with two panels that opened inward. Ah! There was a lovely cool breeze over my bed. Does anyone remember the Omar Bread Man? He delivered loaves of bread right to the house. Very early in the morning, he would place to loaves of bread on my window sill.
I think, at least I hope, the window was high enough that he couldn't see me sleeping inside.
My friend, Betsy, grew up on a farm in Kansas. She said her dad invented his own kind of air conditioner. I forget all the technical details, but it had to do with damp cloths over the windows and fans blowing across them. Very inventive. The kids just got back from California. I see the temperatures there in Northern CA have been in the high 50's and 60's. My daughter-in-law's sister and family live there. They say that no one in CA understands the concept of a "Rain Date." They can plan something to happen in August, and they know they can have that out door event on the date planned. Whew! We have to have rain dates for our rain dates.
Speaking of California, we are staying home in the cool all day today, also. Dad is getting to do his very favorite activity on this Fathers Day. He is watching the U.S. Open golf championship at
Pebble Beach in California. The golfers are all wearing sweaters. The temps were in the 50's this morning when they began (about 1:30 our time.) Pebble Beach scenery is gorgeous, but man it looks like a killer of a golf course. Mother's favorite golfer is Tiger Woods. Thankfully, she no longer understands all the negative news about Tiger. Well, he had a great day yesterday, and so he is in contention today. Maybe he will be able to come back from his forced time out from golf.
I almost said forced lay off, but I decided that had too many double meanings.
In the AC it is always a little too cool to take a nap without some cover over you. And I always want socks on when I sit and watch TV. If we don't watch, Mother has the heater cranked up in her room, hence we have an unintentional home sauna. But I bless our air conditioner every day. I always wonder how we survived summer when I was a kid. We had no air conditioners, just screens in the windows. When I was in my teens, we lived in a brick house with nice thick walls. My bedroom was at the front of the house right off the front porch. There was a large window over my bed with two panels that opened inward. Ah! There was a lovely cool breeze over my bed. Does anyone remember the Omar Bread Man? He delivered loaves of bread right to the house. Very early in the morning, he would place to loaves of bread on my window sill.
I think, at least I hope, the window was high enough that he couldn't see me sleeping inside.
My friend, Betsy, grew up on a farm in Kansas. She said her dad invented his own kind of air conditioner. I forget all the technical details, but it had to do with damp cloths over the windows and fans blowing across them. Very inventive. The kids just got back from California. I see the temperatures there in Northern CA have been in the high 50's and 60's. My daughter-in-law's sister and family live there. They say that no one in CA understands the concept of a "Rain Date." They can plan something to happen in August, and they know they can have that out door event on the date planned. Whew! We have to have rain dates for our rain dates.
Speaking of California, we are staying home in the cool all day today, also. Dad is getting to do his very favorite activity on this Fathers Day. He is watching the U.S. Open golf championship at
Pebble Beach in California. The golfers are all wearing sweaters. The temps were in the 50's this morning when they began (about 1:30 our time.) Pebble Beach scenery is gorgeous, but man it looks like a killer of a golf course. Mother's favorite golfer is Tiger Woods. Thankfully, she no longer understands all the negative news about Tiger. Well, he had a great day yesterday, and so he is in contention today. Maybe he will be able to come back from his forced time out from golf.
I almost said forced lay off, but I decided that had too many double meanings.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
H2 - Helping Two Fathers Celebrate
Yesterday I headed to Muncie with two of Dave's daughters, nieces Liz and Brenda, and Brenda's son, Jacob, to see their dad. I was happy to be in such good company. My nieces are two very special people whom I love very much, and Jacob is a really neat kid. I had a great time, and I hope they did, too.
Dave was in a good mood. We enjoyed oatmeal raisin cookies, and Dave had coffee. We went down to the big, sunny dining room. Somehow, we got to talking about Liz speaking Spanish all the time after she had spent years and years studying French. And Brenda said that now Liz speaks French with a Spanish accent. Well, somehow Dave got the language idea firmly in mind, and after all our comments, he would say, "What language is that?" Or he would make some other comment about language. Each time he would say this , it set off a fit of laughing with Jacob and the girls.
Liz called Davy on her cell phone, and Dave had a nice long conversation with his son. He did ask Davy several times , "What language is that?" Brenda's family had a very funny Fathers Day Card for Dave. All in all, I think it was a very happy Fathers Day celebration for him. When one of the aides came in bringing other residents for lunch she asked what he did to get all those pretty girls to visit him. Dave said, "I had children!" Who says his brain doesn't work.
On the way home from the nursing home, we all stopped at Cammack Station and had sandwiches and ice cream. Liz couldn't resist ordering Kentucky Pie ice cream in honor of her days in Kentucky. It had chocolate chips, and pie crust chunks in it. I took a taste and it was good. But even better was the vanilla- orange cone that I had. Brenda and Jacob shared peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Good food, fun company, and a happy day.
This morning Cheryl and Rod took their dad out for breakfast and to the casino for his Fathers Day Treat. Of course, I went along, too. Just because I'm the Mom, doesn't mean I should miss any celebration. Right? Don and I both enjoyed being with our sweet kids. They decided we should do this about once a month. Sounds like a plan to me. Let's just declare a monthly national holiday called Parent/Child Breakfast Day.
When Rod's family and Randy's family were in California last week, they took Grandpa Jack, who is 99, out for an Italian dinner. That was his Fathers Day gift from his grandkids. I know that it was a thrill for him to have grandkids and great grandkids with him. And it was a treat for the kids, too.
I hope all the Fathers have a wonderful day tomorrow, and are shown as much love as the Dads mentioned here.
Dave was in a good mood. We enjoyed oatmeal raisin cookies, and Dave had coffee. We went down to the big, sunny dining room. Somehow, we got to talking about Liz speaking Spanish all the time after she had spent years and years studying French. And Brenda said that now Liz speaks French with a Spanish accent. Well, somehow Dave got the language idea firmly in mind, and after all our comments, he would say, "What language is that?" Or he would make some other comment about language. Each time he would say this , it set off a fit of laughing with Jacob and the girls.
Liz called Davy on her cell phone, and Dave had a nice long conversation with his son. He did ask Davy several times , "What language is that?" Brenda's family had a very funny Fathers Day Card for Dave. All in all, I think it was a very happy Fathers Day celebration for him. When one of the aides came in bringing other residents for lunch she asked what he did to get all those pretty girls to visit him. Dave said, "I had children!" Who says his brain doesn't work.
On the way home from the nursing home, we all stopped at Cammack Station and had sandwiches and ice cream. Liz couldn't resist ordering Kentucky Pie ice cream in honor of her days in Kentucky. It had chocolate chips, and pie crust chunks in it. I took a taste and it was good. But even better was the vanilla- orange cone that I had. Brenda and Jacob shared peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Good food, fun company, and a happy day.
This morning Cheryl and Rod took their dad out for breakfast and to the casino for his Fathers Day Treat. Of course, I went along, too. Just because I'm the Mom, doesn't mean I should miss any celebration. Right? Don and I both enjoyed being with our sweet kids. They decided we should do this about once a month. Sounds like a plan to me. Let's just declare a monthly national holiday called Parent/Child Breakfast Day.
When Rod's family and Randy's family were in California last week, they took Grandpa Jack, who is 99, out for an Italian dinner. That was his Fathers Day gift from his grandkids. I know that it was a thrill for him to have grandkids and great grandkids with him. And it was a treat for the kids, too.
I hope all the Fathers have a wonderful day tomorrow, and are shown as much love as the Dads mentioned here.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
G2 - Great Gifts from Good Friends
Each day this week I have received a great blessing. And the great blessing has come each day from a different good friend. What makes a friend a good friend? Many people have tried to explain, to capture the essence of friendship. And I think for each person the answers may be peculiarly personal. Your own personal needs may dictate how you interpret friendship. I have one author, whose works I really respect, Barbara Kingsolver. She certainly has a way with words. Yesterday the cryptoquote puzzle in the paper quoted Barbara. She wrote:
"The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing, is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away." And who among us hasn't stayed away for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing?
But it has been my habit since writing this blog, to stop each evening and reflect on the blessings of the day. If for no other reason, this blog has been a treasure. And every evening this week, I was particularly thankful for a special friend who stood by my side that day. These are friends of such long standing, that our friendships have outlasted many wrong words and many misunderstanding, and disagreements. But we've always been THERE for one another.
On Monday I worked, as usual. at the hospital with Elaine. We have been friends since high school days. She was new to Anderson, and we sat beside one another in some class. I think we just knew when we started talking that we could be good friends. The neatest part of our relationship is that she married Bob, and I married Don. And Don is Bob's nephew. So we get to be relatives as well as friends. Our husbands, both having a lot of the Brizendine traits in them, are a lot alike. And it seems our children share many traits. I love her kids and grandkids, and she loves mine. Neither of us had a sister, only brothers. So the special gift that she gives to me, is not only being the sister I didn't have, but understanding the quirkiness of my family.
On Tuesday I ate lunch with Heather. Heather had a family of husband and four sons. She
lost her husband when he suffered a heart attack at too young an age. Then over the last few years, she has lost two of her sons. The gift that Heather gives is showing how to live on with grace, and how to enjoy life after tragedy. She worked as a school secretary, she traveled with a group of women friends, she learned how to SHOP. Then she had the good fortune of meeting a really good man, and having a happy second marriage.
Also at lunch on Tuesday was Susie. Susie's special gift is serving others. She raised a large family, taught FIRST GRADE for gosh sakes, and now, in retirement, works on many special boards, church activities, and helping her kids and grandkids. If you have a really hard office to fill in an organization, or a really hard job you want done, call Susie. She will not only get it done, but she will still be smiling when it is all over. AND, she always answers the phone with a smile in her voice.
Today, I was with Ginny. Ginny is fiery, fast moving, full of energy, and lots of fun. Now, she isn't shy about speaking her piece. If you don't want an honest opinion, don't ask her for one.
And often she lives to back down, and take back what she said in haste. But Ginny's gift is showing how to do a good deed, help others, and never, ever embarrass them with the effort.
If someone is sick, she is there with food, and insists that she made no special effort doing it.
She shows up with flowers, or a loaf of bread, or some token that shows she cares. Today she surprised me by taking me to a funny little new Deli for lunch. It is in a teeny, tiny building located right by a railroad track. It is painted the brightest yellow and red on the outside. I thought, "Oh, no, what am I getting into?" But it is a new little business being started by a young family in her church. They were all there: Dad making the sandwiches, Mom, a latino with little English, helping him. The oldest boy taking the money. And the two little ones were just being charming. They were so sweet, and we had a wonderful time. Oh, and the sandwiches were delicious. We are definitely going back. Oh, I hope this little family experiences great success with their little business. But leave it to Ginny to give me the gift of how to best help others.
Then Ginny and I visited Barbara, my dear friend and fellow Friends of the Library worker.
Barbara's special gift right now (she has many others) is showing us all how to die with grace.
She has lung cancer, is unable to get out, is unable to get dressed any more, and must have round the clock assistance. But she always welcomes us, appears pretty happy, is so accepting of her situation, and makes our visits so easy. Barbara has always been a classy lady, not wonder she is ending her life in a classy way.
Tomorrow I will be with two nieces: Brenda and Liz. I count these sweet girls as good friends, also. But I shall save more about them and other good friends for another day.
"The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing, is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away." And who among us hasn't stayed away for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing?
But it has been my habit since writing this blog, to stop each evening and reflect on the blessings of the day. If for no other reason, this blog has been a treasure. And every evening this week, I was particularly thankful for a special friend who stood by my side that day. These are friends of such long standing, that our friendships have outlasted many wrong words and many misunderstanding, and disagreements. But we've always been THERE for one another.
On Monday I worked, as usual. at the hospital with Elaine. We have been friends since high school days. She was new to Anderson, and we sat beside one another in some class. I think we just knew when we started talking that we could be good friends. The neatest part of our relationship is that she married Bob, and I married Don. And Don is Bob's nephew. So we get to be relatives as well as friends. Our husbands, both having a lot of the Brizendine traits in them, are a lot alike. And it seems our children share many traits. I love her kids and grandkids, and she loves mine. Neither of us had a sister, only brothers. So the special gift that she gives to me, is not only being the sister I didn't have, but understanding the quirkiness of my family.
On Tuesday I ate lunch with Heather. Heather had a family of husband and four sons. She
lost her husband when he suffered a heart attack at too young an age. Then over the last few years, she has lost two of her sons. The gift that Heather gives is showing how to live on with grace, and how to enjoy life after tragedy. She worked as a school secretary, she traveled with a group of women friends, she learned how to SHOP. Then she had the good fortune of meeting a really good man, and having a happy second marriage.
Also at lunch on Tuesday was Susie. Susie's special gift is serving others. She raised a large family, taught FIRST GRADE for gosh sakes, and now, in retirement, works on many special boards, church activities, and helping her kids and grandkids. If you have a really hard office to fill in an organization, or a really hard job you want done, call Susie. She will not only get it done, but she will still be smiling when it is all over. AND, she always answers the phone with a smile in her voice.
Today, I was with Ginny. Ginny is fiery, fast moving, full of energy, and lots of fun. Now, she isn't shy about speaking her piece. If you don't want an honest opinion, don't ask her for one.
And often she lives to back down, and take back what she said in haste. But Ginny's gift is showing how to do a good deed, help others, and never, ever embarrass them with the effort.
If someone is sick, she is there with food, and insists that she made no special effort doing it.
She shows up with flowers, or a loaf of bread, or some token that shows she cares. Today she surprised me by taking me to a funny little new Deli for lunch. It is in a teeny, tiny building located right by a railroad track. It is painted the brightest yellow and red on the outside. I thought, "Oh, no, what am I getting into?" But it is a new little business being started by a young family in her church. They were all there: Dad making the sandwiches, Mom, a latino with little English, helping him. The oldest boy taking the money. And the two little ones were just being charming. They were so sweet, and we had a wonderful time. Oh, and the sandwiches were delicious. We are definitely going back. Oh, I hope this little family experiences great success with their little business. But leave it to Ginny to give me the gift of how to best help others.
Then Ginny and I visited Barbara, my dear friend and fellow Friends of the Library worker.
Barbara's special gift right now (she has many others) is showing us all how to die with grace.
She has lung cancer, is unable to get out, is unable to get dressed any more, and must have round the clock assistance. But she always welcomes us, appears pretty happy, is so accepting of her situation, and makes our visits so easy. Barbara has always been a classy lady, not wonder she is ending her life in a classy way.
Tomorrow I will be with two nieces: Brenda and Liz. I count these sweet girls as good friends, also. But I shall save more about them and other good friends for another day.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
F2 - Finding the Right Beautician and Salon
Of the many decisions confronting a woman in her life, one of the most serious and crucial is choosing the right beautician, and hence the right beauty salon. Every woman has her own unique set of problems when it comes to her hair: too straight, too curly, too gray, too thin, too thick, etc. Just ask any woman, and she'll explain. And somewhere in the world there is the perfect beautician who can solve all your hair woes. Or so every woman believes. It is just finding that person.
Now I have thick hair with a little wave, and a lot of body. It seems that no matter what beautician attacks it , it comes out doing its own thing. So, I can pretty much go wherever for hair care, and in long years past, I did just that. But, when I moved to Redbud, and my eyesight became so bad that driving was scary, I decided to go to the shop right in the neighborhood.
Now, notice that I said beauty shop, not beauty salon, not even beauty parlor. I purposely downgraded the language to match the reality. It is just a shop, a tiny little building erected on the back of Helen, the owner's yard ,behind her house. It has a tiny gravel parking lot that is more mud than gravel, and it has a pet squirrel, Buddy, that the "girls" (the three sister beauticians) hand feed. Oh, they hand feed him outside where he lives in his tree. He does not come into the shop. At least, he hasn't as yet. With just a little more spoiling, we will see.
I know some women spend fifty to a hundred dollars for that perfect haircut. My haircuts cost ten dollars, and that includes the tip. The "girls" have had most of their clients for years and years, and they just hate to raise the prices for all these little old ladies. I hear or see in the movies that some women go to salons where they serve wine. I gave the girls one of my coffee pots. I think the first arrivals in the morning might get coffee. The girls are always cooking something for their own lunches. Some days it includes sauerkraut. Phew! There is always a running argument on Wednesdays, because it is sister Ruthie's turn to furnish lunch. Helen and Dorothy don't like her choices, or else she neglects to do it at all.
I know that some salons sell fancy brands of toiletries, shampoos, and cosmetics. In my shop they sell homemade noodles, or some days they might be having a bake sale to send some child to camp or on a mission trip. Currently they are selling some hand made hand towels for your kitchen that one of the clients brings in to sell. In fact, if you have anything at all to sell, they will be glad to give you a little space, especially if it is a worthy fund raiser.
Some salons have fancy tanning beds that are actually used for tanning. At my shop there are two tanning bed rooms that are NEVER used for tanning. Room #1 stores things - like extra noodles and baked goods. Room #2 is home for the stray cat that they adopted. The cat that is only allowed out of that room at night when the shop is closed.
Some salons have swanky, swanky decor. My shop is minus swank. Some of the chairs are repaired with duct tape. There are a couple of old door mats leading in from the door. They are usually covered with the mud from the gravel-less parking lot. Now, the shop is clean. The girls do scrub it clean. It is just very minimalist, and everything is used until it dies. For a long time there was Helen's old kitchen stove sitting right inside the door until she could dispose of it. She swore that it was a valuable antique, and she was looking for the right buyer.
Some salons have very young, hip, chic beauticians. My shop has the "girls." I'm not sure of their ages, but they are all three grandmothers. As I said before, they are really sisters. So we do get to hear a lot about their family crises. But they are equally glad to hear about yours, and will always pray for you, and for a solution to all your problems. Helen, the owner of the shop, readily admits that she is the bossy sister. She is an excellent stylist and does both men and women of all ages. She does Mother's hair, and is very attentive to her. Dorothy is very sweet and is the peacemaker in the family. Dorothy does my hair, and is very good with those who want a good hair cut, and wear it in a natural, wash and wear style. Suits me! Ruthie is the
absent-minded, ding- aling sister who drives her sisters crazy. Ruthie does a lot of older women who have very thin, problem hair. Ruthie is the back-combing queen. She sends those little old ladies out with hair that stands four inches away from their scalps. They love it.
What I do know is that there is a good reason why the clients stay with this shop for years and years. The girls are honest and would do anything for you. They are good Christians, and they really, truly love their clients. If you need a ride, they will come, pick you up. If you are in the hospital, they will visit, and do your hair, too. If you are home-bound, they'll come to the house, or the nursing home. They listen when you talk, and offer good advice. Dorothy even has suggested on several occasions, that she would come in on her day off and do my hair when I had some very special happenings. They come to the funeral home if there is a death in the family. It is a kind of a party in there some days, because you get to know all the ladies who have standing appointments when you do. One lady brings Mother magazines every week.
So other women can have their swanky salons. I am just going to stick with my happy beauty shop family.
Now I have thick hair with a little wave, and a lot of body. It seems that no matter what beautician attacks it , it comes out doing its own thing. So, I can pretty much go wherever for hair care, and in long years past, I did just that. But, when I moved to Redbud, and my eyesight became so bad that driving was scary, I decided to go to the shop right in the neighborhood.
Now, notice that I said beauty shop, not beauty salon, not even beauty parlor. I purposely downgraded the language to match the reality. It is just a shop, a tiny little building erected on the back of Helen, the owner's yard ,behind her house. It has a tiny gravel parking lot that is more mud than gravel, and it has a pet squirrel, Buddy, that the "girls" (the three sister beauticians) hand feed. Oh, they hand feed him outside where he lives in his tree. He does not come into the shop. At least, he hasn't as yet. With just a little more spoiling, we will see.
I know some women spend fifty to a hundred dollars for that perfect haircut. My haircuts cost ten dollars, and that includes the tip. The "girls" have had most of their clients for years and years, and they just hate to raise the prices for all these little old ladies. I hear or see in the movies that some women go to salons where they serve wine. I gave the girls one of my coffee pots. I think the first arrivals in the morning might get coffee. The girls are always cooking something for their own lunches. Some days it includes sauerkraut. Phew! There is always a running argument on Wednesdays, because it is sister Ruthie's turn to furnish lunch. Helen and Dorothy don't like her choices, or else she neglects to do it at all.
I know that some salons sell fancy brands of toiletries, shampoos, and cosmetics. In my shop they sell homemade noodles, or some days they might be having a bake sale to send some child to camp or on a mission trip. Currently they are selling some hand made hand towels for your kitchen that one of the clients brings in to sell. In fact, if you have anything at all to sell, they will be glad to give you a little space, especially if it is a worthy fund raiser.
Some salons have fancy tanning beds that are actually used for tanning. At my shop there are two tanning bed rooms that are NEVER used for tanning. Room #1 stores things - like extra noodles and baked goods. Room #2 is home for the stray cat that they adopted. The cat that is only allowed out of that room at night when the shop is closed.
Some salons have swanky, swanky decor. My shop is minus swank. Some of the chairs are repaired with duct tape. There are a couple of old door mats leading in from the door. They are usually covered with the mud from the gravel-less parking lot. Now, the shop is clean. The girls do scrub it clean. It is just very minimalist, and everything is used until it dies. For a long time there was Helen's old kitchen stove sitting right inside the door until she could dispose of it. She swore that it was a valuable antique, and she was looking for the right buyer.
Some salons have very young, hip, chic beauticians. My shop has the "girls." I'm not sure of their ages, but they are all three grandmothers. As I said before, they are really sisters. So we do get to hear a lot about their family crises. But they are equally glad to hear about yours, and will always pray for you, and for a solution to all your problems. Helen, the owner of the shop, readily admits that she is the bossy sister. She is an excellent stylist and does both men and women of all ages. She does Mother's hair, and is very attentive to her. Dorothy is very sweet and is the peacemaker in the family. Dorothy does my hair, and is very good with those who want a good hair cut, and wear it in a natural, wash and wear style. Suits me! Ruthie is the
absent-minded, ding- aling sister who drives her sisters crazy. Ruthie does a lot of older women who have very thin, problem hair. Ruthie is the back-combing queen. She sends those little old ladies out with hair that stands four inches away from their scalps. They love it.
What I do know is that there is a good reason why the clients stay with this shop for years and years. The girls are honest and would do anything for you. They are good Christians, and they really, truly love their clients. If you need a ride, they will come, pick you up. If you are in the hospital, they will visit, and do your hair, too. If you are home-bound, they'll come to the house, or the nursing home. They listen when you talk, and offer good advice. Dorothy even has suggested on several occasions, that she would come in on her day off and do my hair when I had some very special happenings. They come to the funeral home if there is a death in the family. It is a kind of a party in there some days, because you get to know all the ladies who have standing appointments when you do. One lady brings Mother magazines every week.
So other women can have their swanky salons. I am just going to stick with my happy beauty shop family.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
E2 - Excellent Speaker, Eats, and Exciting Evening
Today was the regular luncheon meeting of the Christian Women's Club. I have been going to these luncheons since, I think, about 1995 or 1996. I have held many offices, including chair for three years, and I am still on the planning team. This group is affiliated with an international group called Stonecroft Ministries, whose headquarters are in Kansas City. It is an excellent group that supports missionaries and helps affiliates manage their clubs.
Stonecroft trains speakers, and maintains its own speakers group. These speakers travel to the various club meetings to speak at the monthly meetings. They are just ladies like all of us, who have a story to tell about how being or becoming a Christian has changed their lives.
Today's speaker traveled to Anderson from Manteno, Illinois to bring us her inspiring message.
Anitra was an excellent speaker with a delightful sense of humor. She told us about their 3000 acre farm, their four sons, and about eventually almost losing everything including the family homestead, before finally selling their acreage to a huge conglomerate. They did , however, manage to hang on to the original family homestead. And now her sons rent and farm the acreage for the conglomerate. She had many funny stories about the antics of four boys, and her experiences in helping work the farm. But it was their faith that saw them through all the hardships, and enabled them to accept the challenges in their lives.
Now, about the eats. We meet at what looks like a rag tag motel, The Days Inn. It is one of those old motels that has been bought by someone from another country needing to invest and start a new life. That is fine, but they have been unable to put any money back into maintenance of the building, itself. But at one end of the building is a pretty decent conference center that houses about three nice sized banquet rooms, and must have a good-sized kitchen.
Jim leases this part of the building, and has been banquet manager under various owners since the early 1990's. And Jim know his business and does an excellent job. He keeps the banquet rooms looking good, prepares delicious food, and with a minimum staff does an excellent job of serving us and clearing up. Our buffet luncheons are always delicious. Today we enjoyed three kinds of salad, roast beef and roast pork, potatoes, old-fashioned green beans, rolls, and
German chocolate cake. Great!
I also enjoyed the fun lunch conversation with good friends: Elaine, Heather, and Susie. Just a
perfect day.
This evening was just like every evening this week - very hot and very humid with storms threatening to arrive at some point. Well, this evening we didn't take off and leave the house.
We listened to the weather news which just called for heavy rain in Madison County, so we stayed home and braved the storm. Boy, it did rain and it did blow. Our lights and phone were out for a bit, also. But then it was over, and all is peaceful.
At about 9:30, I just happened to look out a window to the West. Wow! There was the most glorious sunset after all that storming. Far down on the western horizon it began with a soft peach which blended more and more into a vivid orange, then light lavender that blended more and more into deep purple in the night sky. It was just beautiful.
Perhaps a harbinger of the weather tomorrow. I think we are supposed to have some really nice days to end the week.
Stonecroft trains speakers, and maintains its own speakers group. These speakers travel to the various club meetings to speak at the monthly meetings. They are just ladies like all of us, who have a story to tell about how being or becoming a Christian has changed their lives.
Today's speaker traveled to Anderson from Manteno, Illinois to bring us her inspiring message.
Anitra was an excellent speaker with a delightful sense of humor. She told us about their 3000 acre farm, their four sons, and about eventually almost losing everything including the family homestead, before finally selling their acreage to a huge conglomerate. They did , however, manage to hang on to the original family homestead. And now her sons rent and farm the acreage for the conglomerate. She had many funny stories about the antics of four boys, and her experiences in helping work the farm. But it was their faith that saw them through all the hardships, and enabled them to accept the challenges in their lives.
Now, about the eats. We meet at what looks like a rag tag motel, The Days Inn. It is one of those old motels that has been bought by someone from another country needing to invest and start a new life. That is fine, but they have been unable to put any money back into maintenance of the building, itself. But at one end of the building is a pretty decent conference center that houses about three nice sized banquet rooms, and must have a good-sized kitchen.
Jim leases this part of the building, and has been banquet manager under various owners since the early 1990's. And Jim know his business and does an excellent job. He keeps the banquet rooms looking good, prepares delicious food, and with a minimum staff does an excellent job of serving us and clearing up. Our buffet luncheons are always delicious. Today we enjoyed three kinds of salad, roast beef and roast pork, potatoes, old-fashioned green beans, rolls, and
German chocolate cake. Great!
I also enjoyed the fun lunch conversation with good friends: Elaine, Heather, and Susie. Just a
perfect day.
This evening was just like every evening this week - very hot and very humid with storms threatening to arrive at some point. Well, this evening we didn't take off and leave the house.
We listened to the weather news which just called for heavy rain in Madison County, so we stayed home and braved the storm. Boy, it did rain and it did blow. Our lights and phone were out for a bit, also. But then it was over, and all is peaceful.
At about 9:30, I just happened to look out a window to the West. Wow! There was the most glorious sunset after all that storming. Far down on the western horizon it began with a soft peach which blended more and more into a vivid orange, then light lavender that blended more and more into deep purple in the night sky. It was just beautiful.
Perhaps a harbinger of the weather tomorrow. I think we are supposed to have some really nice days to end the week.
Monday, June 14, 2010
D2 - Drenching Rain and Dreams
Today was so humid that you could get wet just standing still outdoors. You could just tell, even though the sun was shining brightly, that eventually we would get a doozy of a rain storm. The doozy came about 8:30 tonight.
Since we live in a mobile home, and everyone tells us to get into a sturdy building when there is a storm warning, we watch the weather news rather faithfully. Or rather Don watches the weather channel nonstop when storms are on the way. He kept saying it is a half houf away, then twenty minutes, then fifteen minutes, etc etc. etc. So I went and changed from my pajamas back into clothes. I saw that Mother, who doesn't understand the concept of storms, was heading for the closet to get ready for bed. I told Don that we might as well leave and head for St. John's before she gets out of her clothes. So we did. It was bone dry, no rain drops, children out playing, and clear, beautiful skies to the East. You only knew a storm was coming if you looked behind you, and saw the navy blue threatening skies to the West.
We always go to St. Johns Hospital to wait out storms. It is close by. They have a nice, secure lounge with a television and no windows, right in the center of the nice, strong building. So we just read, rest, and follow the storms progress on TV. That was just fine, except that we left too early. Now, I could sit there and read until the cows come home. But patience isn't Don's strongest point. And he inherited that from his mother. So just as soon as the TV said that there was no longer a threat of tornados in Madison County, they were ready to head for home.
The TV didn't say that it had stopped raining. In fact, I think the rain was at its peak when we headed for the car. We laughed all the way home driving sightless through the downpour at 10 miles per hour. I said how nice it was that we went to a safe place to avoid the storm. Ha!
We did make it home. The house was all nice and safe with lights still burning.
After Don and Mother headed for bed, I watched my Netflix movie. It was "I Dream of Africa" with Kim Basinger playing Kuki Gallman. It is an excellent film, a true story, with breath taking
pictures of Africa. It is a story, of a woman, her husband, and son, who leave Italy to pursue their dream of running a ranch in Africa. They face unbelieveable hardships and great tragedies. The story is very sad in parts. But Kuki and her daughter, who is born in Africa, do survice to establish a foundation to promote conservation of the continent. A good story of
one woman's dream and determination.
Storms and movie are over, I think I shall head for my own happy dreams. Good night.
Since we live in a mobile home, and everyone tells us to get into a sturdy building when there is a storm warning, we watch the weather news rather faithfully. Or rather Don watches the weather channel nonstop when storms are on the way. He kept saying it is a half houf away, then twenty minutes, then fifteen minutes, etc etc. etc. So I went and changed from my pajamas back into clothes. I saw that Mother, who doesn't understand the concept of storms, was heading for the closet to get ready for bed. I told Don that we might as well leave and head for St. John's before she gets out of her clothes. So we did. It was bone dry, no rain drops, children out playing, and clear, beautiful skies to the East. You only knew a storm was coming if you looked behind you, and saw the navy blue threatening skies to the West.
We always go to St. Johns Hospital to wait out storms. It is close by. They have a nice, secure lounge with a television and no windows, right in the center of the nice, strong building. So we just read, rest, and follow the storms progress on TV. That was just fine, except that we left too early. Now, I could sit there and read until the cows come home. But patience isn't Don's strongest point. And he inherited that from his mother. So just as soon as the TV said that there was no longer a threat of tornados in Madison County, they were ready to head for home.
The TV didn't say that it had stopped raining. In fact, I think the rain was at its peak when we headed for the car. We laughed all the way home driving sightless through the downpour at 10 miles per hour. I said how nice it was that we went to a safe place to avoid the storm. Ha!
We did make it home. The house was all nice and safe with lights still burning.
After Don and Mother headed for bed, I watched my Netflix movie. It was "I Dream of Africa" with Kim Basinger playing Kuki Gallman. It is an excellent film, a true story, with breath taking
pictures of Africa. It is a story, of a woman, her husband, and son, who leave Italy to pursue their dream of running a ranch in Africa. They face unbelieveable hardships and great tragedies. The story is very sad in parts. But Kuki and her daughter, who is born in Africa, do survice to establish a foundation to promote conservation of the continent. A good story of
one woman's dream and determination.
Storms and movie are over, I think I shall head for my own happy dreams. Good night.
C2 - Making a Collage for Mother
I have been gathering together as many pictures of Mother as I can find. It has been hard because when she was a little girl, they didn't take many pictures. But I have been able to find enough pics from different phases of Mother's life to put together a nice-sized collage.
So Saturday evening I gathered together all my supplies: pictures, foam core board, glue, staples, stapler, background papers, etc, etc, etc. I decided to work at the dining room table.
What fun! All evening Don and Mother passed through and offered to clean up my mess. They are both neatniks, and any artistic pursuit drives them nuts. I politely declined their offers of help, and promised that by Sunday I would have it cleaned up.
Well, it took me until 1:00 am, but it was mostly finished. I just needed to locate a picture of her brother, Max, and her mother and dad. So Sunday I found these pictures, and finished up. Don and I went out shopping and found a large frame for the collage. Don put it all together and it looks just great. We hung it on Mother's bedroom wall.
She has studied it and studied it, She brings everyone back to see it. She has laughed and she has cried good tears. In other words, she loves it. If you have anyone suffering from any disease that causes a loss of memory, try the picture collage. She knows her own pictures, she knows that these are all people that she loves. It doesn't seem to matter that she can't recall their names. It is enough to know that these were happy moments in her life, and that she loves and is loved in return. And, oh yes, she can say that this is her mother and daddy. All parents should know that they are NEVER forgotten.
Another "C" post script. Our good neighbor, Carol, was here this weekend. She has been out East in Connecticut, her home, caring for her mother and working a job she loves. Carol and her sister were here working on her yard and landscaping. This is Carol's line of work, and they did a super job. Her house is really adorable inside and out. She has done so much work on it. She knows that she should sell it, but is reluctant to let it go. Anyway, we have a key. And if anyone wants a super nice home in Redbud, she is willing to listen to offers. And we are good neighbors.
So Saturday evening I gathered together all my supplies: pictures, foam core board, glue, staples, stapler, background papers, etc, etc, etc. I decided to work at the dining room table.
What fun! All evening Don and Mother passed through and offered to clean up my mess. They are both neatniks, and any artistic pursuit drives them nuts. I politely declined their offers of help, and promised that by Sunday I would have it cleaned up.
Well, it took me until 1:00 am, but it was mostly finished. I just needed to locate a picture of her brother, Max, and her mother and dad. So Sunday I found these pictures, and finished up. Don and I went out shopping and found a large frame for the collage. Don put it all together and it looks just great. We hung it on Mother's bedroom wall.
She has studied it and studied it, She brings everyone back to see it. She has laughed and she has cried good tears. In other words, she loves it. If you have anyone suffering from any disease that causes a loss of memory, try the picture collage. She knows her own pictures, she knows that these are all people that she loves. It doesn't seem to matter that she can't recall their names. It is enough to know that these were happy moments in her life, and that she loves and is loved in return. And, oh yes, she can say that this is her mother and daddy. All parents should know that they are NEVER forgotten.
Another "C" post script. Our good neighbor, Carol, was here this weekend. She has been out East in Connecticut, her home, caring for her mother and working a job she loves. Carol and her sister were here working on her yard and landscaping. This is Carol's line of work, and they did a super job. Her house is really adorable inside and out. She has done so much work on it. She knows that she should sell it, but is reluctant to let it go. Anyway, we have a key. And if anyone wants a super nice home in Redbud, she is willing to listen to offers. And we are good neighbors.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
B2 - B-b-b-b-Bubbles, Tiny Bubbles
Do you remember the song that goes, "Tiny bubbles in the wine, tiny bubbles that make you feel fine." Well, my bubbles were not in wine, but just the tiny bubbles of joy that make up life.
I'm writing yesterday's blog this morning. Last evening I worked on an art project, and didn't get finished until about 1 AM, so I was too bleary eyed to blog. I'll tell about the project in tomorrow's C blog. But yesterday was just filled with tiny little bubbles of joy. The kind of joy that all of us should take time to really notice, because they can really make life worth living.
Bubble #1 - Berries. Don paid a visit to the outdoor market, one of summer's greatest attractions. He came home with berries, lots of strawberries, and some great big summer -tasting tomatoes. We had berries for every meal yesterday. They were scrumptious.
Bubble #2 - Butter. Not only did he bring home berries and tomatoes, but also corn on the cob. Is anything any sweeter than hot, buttered, salted corn on the cob? I recall a story that someone told me about having a foreign exchange student who was horrified when served corn on the cob. In his country they only fed it to the animals. Well, I was one happy animal.
Another butter story - butterflies. Where have they gone? We hardly see any in our yard anymore. The other day there were a couple flitting among the flowers. I think Rod said they were yellow swallowtails. I am wondering if our lawn service treatments have anything to do
with the dwindling population.
Bubble#3 - Buddies- Yesterday, while out and about, we ran into two long time buddies of ours, at two different times. We were so happy to see them. Both of them had suffered really terrible hardships and tragedies in recent years. But, yesterday they were full of smiles, and seemed to be doing really well. The resilience of the human spirit continues to amaze me. Two bubbles that really gave us joy.
Bubble #4 - A Hot Bath- Is there anything that re-invigorates the body like a good hot bath?
Well, in our case, it is a good hot shower, because we've changed both tubs to showers with safety bars. But good hot showers work, too. It certainly helps loosen all the kinks, take away some of the pains, makes you squeaky clean, and smell like soap.
Another bath story. I believe that there are no creatures on earth who enjoy their baths as much as the birds. We have a bird bath right outside my bedroom window, and also viewable from the porch. I get such joy from watching them bathe. Now, with birds it is no gentle soak.
They really attack that bath. They wiggle, flap, splash water everywhere. They even have pool parties, where whole bunches wiggle and splash together. It is a happy sight. Get a bird bath, it is worth the investment to witness such fun.
Bubble #5 - Bedtime phone calls- Now, I am referring to the callers' bedtimes, not mine. I went to bed several hours later. But, Cheryl called and we had a long conversation about all her day's happenings. She does live an interesting life. I love hearing all about it. Then Ginny and Chuck called to congratulate me on my winnings. Chuck says he will no longer feel guilty about eating our ice cream. Chuck, you know you never felt guilty, anyway.
You can try champagne for your bubbles, if you would like. But, let me tell you, the bubbles above work a whole lot better.
I'm writing yesterday's blog this morning. Last evening I worked on an art project, and didn't get finished until about 1 AM, so I was too bleary eyed to blog. I'll tell about the project in tomorrow's C blog. But yesterday was just filled with tiny little bubbles of joy. The kind of joy that all of us should take time to really notice, because they can really make life worth living.
Bubble #1 - Berries. Don paid a visit to the outdoor market, one of summer's greatest attractions. He came home with berries, lots of strawberries, and some great big summer -tasting tomatoes. We had berries for every meal yesterday. They were scrumptious.
Bubble #2 - Butter. Not only did he bring home berries and tomatoes, but also corn on the cob. Is anything any sweeter than hot, buttered, salted corn on the cob? I recall a story that someone told me about having a foreign exchange student who was horrified when served corn on the cob. In his country they only fed it to the animals. Well, I was one happy animal.
Another butter story - butterflies. Where have they gone? We hardly see any in our yard anymore. The other day there were a couple flitting among the flowers. I think Rod said they were yellow swallowtails. I am wondering if our lawn service treatments have anything to do
with the dwindling population.
Bubble#3 - Buddies- Yesterday, while out and about, we ran into two long time buddies of ours, at two different times. We were so happy to see them. Both of them had suffered really terrible hardships and tragedies in recent years. But, yesterday they were full of smiles, and seemed to be doing really well. The resilience of the human spirit continues to amaze me. Two bubbles that really gave us joy.
Bubble #4 - A Hot Bath- Is there anything that re-invigorates the body like a good hot bath?
Well, in our case, it is a good hot shower, because we've changed both tubs to showers with safety bars. But good hot showers work, too. It certainly helps loosen all the kinks, take away some of the pains, makes you squeaky clean, and smell like soap.
Another bath story. I believe that there are no creatures on earth who enjoy their baths as much as the birds. We have a bird bath right outside my bedroom window, and also viewable from the porch. I get such joy from watching them bathe. Now, with birds it is no gentle soak.
They really attack that bath. They wiggle, flap, splash water everywhere. They even have pool parties, where whole bunches wiggle and splash together. It is a happy sight. Get a bird bath, it is worth the investment to witness such fun.
Bubble #5 - Bedtime phone calls- Now, I am referring to the callers' bedtimes, not mine. I went to bed several hours later. But, Cheryl called and we had a long conversation about all her day's happenings. She does live an interesting life. I love hearing all about it. Then Ginny and Chuck called to congratulate me on my winnings. Chuck says he will no longer feel guilty about eating our ice cream. Chuck, you know you never felt guilty, anyway.
You can try champagne for your bubbles, if you would like. But, let me tell you, the bubbles above work a whole lot better.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A2 -- All or Nothing At All
I completed the first phase of the blog from A to Z. So, now it is on to phase 2, and back to the beginning of the alphabet. It is good to be back to good old A,B,C. Maybe these letters won't challenge my mind so.
If you will remember from yesterday, things weren't going so well. Mother had a very hard day.
Her mind was just cloudy, and that must be very upsetting to her because I think she realized for the first time, that, just maybe ,things weren't clicking just right. She did have a good night's sleep, and seemed to wake up this morning rested and happy. All day she was pleasant, and did not experience the fears and worries that seemed to be bothering her last evening. She enjoyed supper out at Bob Evan's, having her very most favorite french toast. She talked of being there before remembering other dinners there with her Mother and Daddy. That was impossible, but we don't correct these things, because what's to be gained from doing that. She enjoys her memories just the way they are. So, where yesterday nothing was ALL RIGHT, today everything was AOK.
And, if you remember yesterday's sad stories, Don and I had gone to the casino and won
Zero, Zilch. I rarely win anything, because I will only give them just a little money, and I play only penny machines! OH, big gambler. But, since today was an ALL day, let me tell you what happened. First, I was playing my usual little penny machine, where, if you get three bonus symbols, a little wheel goes around and lands on your fabulous bonus, usually anything from
50 cents to a BIG win of 15.00. Well, suddenly I spin, and the wheels go bonus bonus bonus bonus bonus! That has never happened before. When the wheel appears on the screen it says
$300.00. I couldn't look as the wheel spun around. Don nudged me and says, "Look where it stopped." Yep, you guessed it, on the $300.00.
Well, I was still feeling faint from all this excitement, when a lady's voice came on the speaker system and says, "It is time for our very first drawing for $1.000.00 for our weekend special give-away. And our very first winner is - Phyllis Smith from Anderson!" I mouth flew open, and I about fell out of my chair. Then I had 10 minutes to get to the Club Centaur office to claim my winnings. When I got there they said I had to have my photo ID. I had left all that at home.
But they did let us go get it, and return for my winnings.
So you see where yesterday was a "Nothing at All" day, today definitely had it ALL.
And last night I lay awake until 4AM thinking about how we were going to solve all our problems. They aren't solved this evening, but things seem a whole lot brighter. Tonight I
will either sleep or think about how to spend my money.
Blogger.com gave me lovely new format options. Don't you like it?
If you will remember from yesterday, things weren't going so well. Mother had a very hard day.
Her mind was just cloudy, and that must be very upsetting to her because I think she realized for the first time, that, just maybe ,things weren't clicking just right. She did have a good night's sleep, and seemed to wake up this morning rested and happy. All day she was pleasant, and did not experience the fears and worries that seemed to be bothering her last evening. She enjoyed supper out at Bob Evan's, having her very most favorite french toast. She talked of being there before remembering other dinners there with her Mother and Daddy. That was impossible, but we don't correct these things, because what's to be gained from doing that. She enjoys her memories just the way they are. So, where yesterday nothing was ALL RIGHT, today everything was AOK.
And, if you remember yesterday's sad stories, Don and I had gone to the casino and won
Zero, Zilch. I rarely win anything, because I will only give them just a little money, and I play only penny machines! OH, big gambler. But, since today was an ALL day, let me tell you what happened. First, I was playing my usual little penny machine, where, if you get three bonus symbols, a little wheel goes around and lands on your fabulous bonus, usually anything from
50 cents to a BIG win of 15.00. Well, suddenly I spin, and the wheels go bonus bonus bonus bonus bonus! That has never happened before. When the wheel appears on the screen it says
$300.00. I couldn't look as the wheel spun around. Don nudged me and says, "Look where it stopped." Yep, you guessed it, on the $300.00.
Well, I was still feeling faint from all this excitement, when a lady's voice came on the speaker system and says, "It is time for our very first drawing for $1.000.00 for our weekend special give-away. And our very first winner is - Phyllis Smith from Anderson!" I mouth flew open, and I about fell out of my chair. Then I had 10 minutes to get to the Club Centaur office to claim my winnings. When I got there they said I had to have my photo ID. I had left all that at home.
But they did let us go get it, and return for my winnings.
So you see where yesterday was a "Nothing at All" day, today definitely had it ALL.
And last night I lay awake until 4AM thinking about how we were going to solve all our problems. They aren't solved this evening, but things seem a whole lot brighter. Tonight I
will either sleep or think about how to spend my money.
Blogger.com gave me lovely new format options. Don't you like it?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"Z" Going to the Zoo with Zelma
When I started this A toZ blog, I knew that some letters would prove to be a challenge. But, strangely enough, most days have fallen into place- until today and the last letter of the alphabet. Don and I batted some Z ideas back and forth as we drove to Muncie to see Dave this morning. What conclusions did we come to? Zero, Zilch.
While visiting with Dave, I explained to him what I was doing with this A to Z blog. He laughed and said, "That's probably hard to do."
Now remember that some disease is certainly attacking David, and the doctors say it is Alzheimer's. But his mind is a hundred times better than Mother's, who has never been diagnosed with anything but senility. So I asked Dave if he could think of any Z words.
Immediately he answered with a big laugh, "Zelma!" Who knows, with Dave's many girl friends from his young days, maybe there was a Zelma.
Anyway, we all laughed, and I told Dave that I thought that X would be my hardest challenge.
"Do you know how many X words are in my dictionary?
Dave said, "Five?" Well, he wasn't far from right. There are eight!
On the way home from Muncie I remarked that I wished that "ME ZOO" was still open. We could visit it today, and have Z all taken care of. Although, after all the many, many zoo visits we have made over the years with kids and then grandkids, I have a little trouble working up much enthusiasm for trudging around with my new hip on a hot summer day. So, instead, we decided to drive through Cammack and have lunch at our newly discovered, secret, favorite place to eat lunch, Cammack Station.
HELP! The whole world seems to have discovered our secret. Cammack Station was, indeed,
a ZOO. It was packed with diners, both inside, and the outdoor patios, too. It was very noisy and crowded, and their pick -up- order- system was overwhelmed. No one could hear the speakers. When the girl called out, "Don, your order is ready.", a woman (who said her name was Dawn) ran over and picked up the tray. Don very politely asked if she was sure that was her order, and she said, "Yes, did you get tenderloins?"
Don said, "No," and slunk back to his seat. In a few minutes Dawn came sheepishly back across the room, and brings us our BLT's. We all had a good laugh.
Later in the afternoon, after we all had naps, Mother awakened thoroughly confused. She didn't know where she was, who she was, or who we were. She kept insisting that someone was coming to pick her up and take her home. Well, once we had her settled down, we needed a break from the frustration. So we escaped and went to play the slot machines for a half hour.
God bless the new casino. Without that escape, Don would never survive this ordeal with his mother.
SO, how much did we win? ZERO! ZILCH!
Hmmm - is "slunk" a word?
While visiting with Dave, I explained to him what I was doing with this A to Z blog. He laughed and said, "That's probably hard to do."
Now remember that some disease is certainly attacking David, and the doctors say it is Alzheimer's. But his mind is a hundred times better than Mother's, who has never been diagnosed with anything but senility. So I asked Dave if he could think of any Z words.
Immediately he answered with a big laugh, "Zelma!" Who knows, with Dave's many girl friends from his young days, maybe there was a Zelma.
Anyway, we all laughed, and I told Dave that I thought that X would be my hardest challenge.
"Do you know how many X words are in my dictionary?
Dave said, "Five?" Well, he wasn't far from right. There are eight!
On the way home from Muncie I remarked that I wished that "ME ZOO" was still open. We could visit it today, and have Z all taken care of. Although, after all the many, many zoo visits we have made over the years with kids and then grandkids, I have a little trouble working up much enthusiasm for trudging around with my new hip on a hot summer day. So, instead, we decided to drive through Cammack and have lunch at our newly discovered, secret, favorite place to eat lunch, Cammack Station.
HELP! The whole world seems to have discovered our secret. Cammack Station was, indeed,
a ZOO. It was packed with diners, both inside, and the outdoor patios, too. It was very noisy and crowded, and their pick -up- order- system was overwhelmed. No one could hear the speakers. When the girl called out, "Don, your order is ready.", a woman (who said her name was Dawn) ran over and picked up the tray. Don very politely asked if she was sure that was her order, and she said, "Yes, did you get tenderloins?"
Don said, "No," and slunk back to his seat. In a few minutes Dawn came sheepishly back across the room, and brings us our BLT's. We all had a good laugh.
Later in the afternoon, after we all had naps, Mother awakened thoroughly confused. She didn't know where she was, who she was, or who we were. She kept insisting that someone was coming to pick her up and take her home. Well, once we had her settled down, we needed a break from the frustration. So we escaped and went to play the slot machines for a half hour.
God bless the new casino. Without that escape, Don would never survive this ordeal with his mother.
SO, how much did we win? ZERO! ZILCH!
Hmmm - is "slunk" a word?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"Y" Is For Yesterday
Yesterday was our anniversary - number 53. Isn't that just astounding? I'm sure that all couples feel this way. It seems impossible that so many years have passed, and that we still like each other, most days.
Amazing, isn't it, that we could have made such good mate-choices when we were such dumb
kids, barely out of our teens? I think it was not so much dumb luck, as that we really had a lot of fun together -- maybe a little dumb luck and a whole lot of determination.
We almost forgot that it was our anniversary this year. We were eating Monday evening, and Don said, "Do you know what tomorrow is?" I didn't, until he reminded me. A couple of years we did actually forget our anniversary until the day was almost over. One year we helped Rod move when he was working in Richmond. We were driving back to Anderson that evening- hot,
dirty, and exhausted - when it dawned on us what day it was. We stopped for supper at the Blue Moon Cafe in Losantville, probably the only place that would have let two very dirty movers in to eat. We still laugh about our Blue Moon Anniversary.
Five years ago we moved into this house on our anniversary, only because it was the only day
that we could reserve the movers. That evening, moving completed, we were sprawled in the
living room, totally wiped out. And our kids showed up with pizzas, drinks, and ice cream cake,
and served Mom and Pop their suppers.
Don and I have had a custom all our married lives, of leaving some breakfast treat and a card on
the kitchen counter on special days like birthdays, and valentines day. Well, I was sure after his reminder on Monday evening that he had remembered to buy a card. Too late for me! So,
after he went to bed, I decided that I would bake a coffee cake. I knew I had a cake mix in the pantry. Oh Ho! Surprise for me! Our pantry was very nearly empty. Don had cleaned it out
to give food to the Postal Service Food Drive! So I just made a computer card with a poem,
and found out in the morning that he had already bought a coffee cake with his card.
We were able to go out for a quick anniversary lunch by ourselves. We intended to go for the
spiffy luncheon buffet, but we weren't hungry enough after all that coffee cake. So we opted
for a deli sandwich, and it was more fun, anyway.
Now, some couples go for the champagne on their anniversary. Not us, we went straight for the
hard stuff! Last evening we took Mother, and went to Fraziers for strawberry short cake!
You know that the 50th anniversary is the golden one. Well, I have it on good authority that
the 53rd is the strawberry short cake anniversary---------------or, anyway, it should be.
Amazing, isn't it, that we could have made such good mate-choices when we were such dumb
kids, barely out of our teens? I think it was not so much dumb luck, as that we really had a lot of fun together -- maybe a little dumb luck and a whole lot of determination.
We almost forgot that it was our anniversary this year. We were eating Monday evening, and Don said, "Do you know what tomorrow is?" I didn't, until he reminded me. A couple of years we did actually forget our anniversary until the day was almost over. One year we helped Rod move when he was working in Richmond. We were driving back to Anderson that evening- hot,
dirty, and exhausted - when it dawned on us what day it was. We stopped for supper at the Blue Moon Cafe in Losantville, probably the only place that would have let two very dirty movers in to eat. We still laugh about our Blue Moon Anniversary.
Five years ago we moved into this house on our anniversary, only because it was the only day
that we could reserve the movers. That evening, moving completed, we were sprawled in the
living room, totally wiped out. And our kids showed up with pizzas, drinks, and ice cream cake,
and served Mom and Pop their suppers.
Don and I have had a custom all our married lives, of leaving some breakfast treat and a card on
the kitchen counter on special days like birthdays, and valentines day. Well, I was sure after his reminder on Monday evening that he had remembered to buy a card. Too late for me! So,
after he went to bed, I decided that I would bake a coffee cake. I knew I had a cake mix in the pantry. Oh Ho! Surprise for me! Our pantry was very nearly empty. Don had cleaned it out
to give food to the Postal Service Food Drive! So I just made a computer card with a poem,
and found out in the morning that he had already bought a coffee cake with his card.
We were able to go out for a quick anniversary lunch by ourselves. We intended to go for the
spiffy luncheon buffet, but we weren't hungry enough after all that coffee cake. So we opted
for a deli sandwich, and it was more fun, anyway.
Now, some couples go for the champagne on their anniversary. Not us, we went straight for the
hard stuff! Last evening we took Mother, and went to Fraziers for strawberry short cake!
You know that the 50th anniversary is the golden one. Well, I have it on good authority that
the 53rd is the strawberry short cake anniversary---------------or, anyway, it should be.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
"X" - XM Radio Xperiences
I mentioned yesterday that we listen all the time to XM satellite radio. Dad especially loves his
XM radio, well most of the time. For several years now the kids have extended his subscription every gift-giving occasion. If fact we have never had to pay for either XM at home or in the car.
Last year on Father's Day, Randy and family sent Don a card with a XM gift card inside. This he had purchased on the internet, and it was mailed directly from the XM radio offices. The directions on the card said to call a certain number and activate the card. Don did this, but was
told that this gift card had expired. To this Don replied that his son had just purchased the card, and it had been mailed directly from their offices. Now, you need to know that he was probably talking to a call center, and the person was not too fluent in English. The person on the phone said that they would "escalate" his request to a higher office. The next higher up person promised that the card would be activiated right away.
A couple of weeks later Don received a bill stating that he must pay or lose his service. Don
called the "escalated" office, and explained that he had never gotten credit for his gift card as they had promised to do. This person said they would "escalate" his request to the next higher office. The next higher office said that they would take care of the problem. Again, Don received
a bill saying that he was about to lose his service. He was not a happy radio listener, and he was
a tiny bit prickly when he made the next call. This person sensed Don's unhappiness, and immediately forwarded his call to the Vice President in Charge of Marketing. Whoa, Nellie!
Well, this smooth talker promised Don that there was no problem. He said just to forget that gift card, that someone in the office must have sent it out mistakenly. So he would send a new gift card immediately. NO PROBLEM.
When we received the new card, just guess what it said to do? Yes, you are right. It said that
we must call and activiate the card. Now, guess what they told Don when he called to activate the card that THE VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF MARKETING had sent him. They said,
(in broken English) "We are sorry, Sir, but that card has expired."
Don replied, "Would you transfer me to the Vice President in Charge of Marketing?" I don't believe he used those words exactly, because the call was forwarded in record time. The
VPICOM (that smooth talker) promised immediately to take care of the matter. He should have stopped right there, but then he said, "Mr. Smith, for just another $200.00, I can give
you a life subscription."
"Thank you, Mr. Vice President, but no thanks. All this stress has probably shortened my life so much, I wouldn't get my money's worth."
Father's Day is coming soon, and our gift subscriptions have just expired.
XM radio, well most of the time. For several years now the kids have extended his subscription every gift-giving occasion. If fact we have never had to pay for either XM at home or in the car.
Last year on Father's Day, Randy and family sent Don a card with a XM gift card inside. This he had purchased on the internet, and it was mailed directly from the XM radio offices. The directions on the card said to call a certain number and activate the card. Don did this, but was
told that this gift card had expired. To this Don replied that his son had just purchased the card, and it had been mailed directly from their offices. Now, you need to know that he was probably talking to a call center, and the person was not too fluent in English. The person on the phone said that they would "escalate" his request to a higher office. The next higher up person promised that the card would be activiated right away.
A couple of weeks later Don received a bill stating that he must pay or lose his service. Don
called the "escalated" office, and explained that he had never gotten credit for his gift card as they had promised to do. This person said they would "escalate" his request to the next higher office. The next higher office said that they would take care of the problem. Again, Don received
a bill saying that he was about to lose his service. He was not a happy radio listener, and he was
a tiny bit prickly when he made the next call. This person sensed Don's unhappiness, and immediately forwarded his call to the Vice President in Charge of Marketing. Whoa, Nellie!
Well, this smooth talker promised Don that there was no problem. He said just to forget that gift card, that someone in the office must have sent it out mistakenly. So he would send a new gift card immediately. NO PROBLEM.
When we received the new card, just guess what it said to do? Yes, you are right. It said that
we must call and activiate the card. Now, guess what they told Don when he called to activate the card that THE VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF MARKETING had sent him. They said,
(in broken English) "We are sorry, Sir, but that card has expired."
Don replied, "Would you transfer me to the Vice President in Charge of Marketing?" I don't believe he used those words exactly, because the call was forwarded in record time. The
VPICOM (that smooth talker) promised immediately to take care of the matter. He should have stopped right there, but then he said, "Mr. Smith, for just another $200.00, I can give
you a life subscription."
"Thank you, Mr. Vice President, but no thanks. All this stress has probably shortened my life so much, I wouldn't get my money's worth."
Father's Day is coming soon, and our gift subscriptions have just expired.
Monday, June 7, 2010
"W" - What Was I Thinking?
We listen to satellite radio all the time, in the car and at home. We like to listen to all kinds of music, but mostly 50's-60's, country, pop, and folk. One of our favorite artists is Christine Lavin. To tell the truth the songs she writes are more comedy than music. One of our favorites that she wrote is called, "What Was I Thinking?" In the song she talks about those moments you embarrassingly wish had never happened. She sings about deciding to get a permanent, and
then looking like Art Garfunkle. "What was she thinking?"
Then she rags on famous people and their disastrous moments. She talks about Dan Rather taking on George Bush. "What was he thinking?" And Prince Andrew wearing a nazi uniform to a costume party. "What WAS he thinking?" Etc, Etc.
I identiy with the song. I think that most of us can. We've all had those moments that we wish we could live over and do right the second time. My friend, Sarah ,talks about when she was a teen dating. She says that she was always so nervous that she broke out in zits on first dates.
One time she carefully covered each zit with Clearasil Coverup. When she got home from the date and looked in the mirror, each Clearasil spot was bright orange! "What was she thinking?"
My regrettable moments usually have to do with something I bought, or items of clothing that I shouldn't have worn. I buy a decorative item that I believe is perfect for a certain spot at home. Then I get home and place the item in that perfect spot. "What was I thinking?"
And will I ever learn that items of clothing, when out in public and being lived in, never look like they do when you are standing straight and tall in front of a mirror. And, horrors, people are always taking pictures of you slumped in a chair, with your mouth full and chewing, or , the worst of all, from the rear! "What was I thinking when I wore that?" Or, more to the point,
"What were they thinking when they took that picture?" A GOOD friend or family member would never take your picture from the rear.
Which reminds me of the Christmas when I bought all my adorable little grandchildren disposable cameras for their Christmas stockings. They were early elementary ages. I thought what fun they would have at the big Christmas party. My very, very ornery grandson took pictures of EVERYONE'S backsides. I don't think his mother ever had them developed, bless her." What was I thinking that Christmas?"
I had one relative (an in-law) who is no longer living. I don't know, it just seemed that I could never say or do the right things around this relative. Once I bought him an electric toothbrush for some occasion. It wasn't until later that I learned he wore dentures. "What was I thinking?"
Thank heavens that most people are forgiving of our lapses in judgement. I think it is more important, though, that we are able to forgive ourselves for the stupid things we sometimes do:
forgive ourselves, laugh at ourselves, and then forget our faux pas.
then looking like Art Garfunkle. "What was she thinking?"
Then she rags on famous people and their disastrous moments. She talks about Dan Rather taking on George Bush. "What was he thinking?" And Prince Andrew wearing a nazi uniform to a costume party. "What WAS he thinking?" Etc, Etc.
I identiy with the song. I think that most of us can. We've all had those moments that we wish we could live over and do right the second time. My friend, Sarah ,talks about when she was a teen dating. She says that she was always so nervous that she broke out in zits on first dates.
One time she carefully covered each zit with Clearasil Coverup. When she got home from the date and looked in the mirror, each Clearasil spot was bright orange! "What was she thinking?"
My regrettable moments usually have to do with something I bought, or items of clothing that I shouldn't have worn. I buy a decorative item that I believe is perfect for a certain spot at home. Then I get home and place the item in that perfect spot. "What was I thinking?"
And will I ever learn that items of clothing, when out in public and being lived in, never look like they do when you are standing straight and tall in front of a mirror. And, horrors, people are always taking pictures of you slumped in a chair, with your mouth full and chewing, or , the worst of all, from the rear! "What was I thinking when I wore that?" Or, more to the point,
"What were they thinking when they took that picture?" A GOOD friend or family member would never take your picture from the rear.
Which reminds me of the Christmas when I bought all my adorable little grandchildren disposable cameras for their Christmas stockings. They were early elementary ages. I thought what fun they would have at the big Christmas party. My very, very ornery grandson took pictures of EVERYONE'S backsides. I don't think his mother ever had them developed, bless her." What was I thinking that Christmas?"
I had one relative (an in-law) who is no longer living. I don't know, it just seemed that I could never say or do the right things around this relative. Once I bought him an electric toothbrush for some occasion. It wasn't until later that I learned he wore dentures. "What was I thinking?"
Thank heavens that most people are forgiving of our lapses in judgement. I think it is more important, though, that we are able to forgive ourselves for the stupid things we sometimes do:
forgive ourselves, laugh at ourselves, and then forget our faux pas.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"V for Vexations
Here I am, writing in the morning again. But, as the title of this entry indicates, yesterday was a
day filled with vexations. I guess we might blame it all on the weather. It was very warm, very humid, and threatening storms all day. I think that kind of weather works on our bodies as well as our minds, and makes us all irritable.
Mother had a hard day, and hence so did we. She was extremely mixed up, and very disoriented. We couldn't get her settled to anything. She changed clothes dozens of times, and thought all day that someone was going to come and take her for an outing. Even after we took her for an outing, she came home and resumed her unsettled ways.
We are realizing more and more, that our care is going to have to be stepped up to the next level.
She has always been able to take care of her own bathing and dressing, and her own grooming needs. But that too is going by the wayside. And she is not understanding why we need to help her with these tasks. What do we do? Well, we are planning some adjustments, and we shall see.
Each day brings new challenges. Anyway, today is breezy, cool, and low humidity. Ahhh, what a welcome relief. We have opened all the windows. Perhaps a new breeze is blowing into our lives.
day filled with vexations. I guess we might blame it all on the weather. It was very warm, very humid, and threatening storms all day. I think that kind of weather works on our bodies as well as our minds, and makes us all irritable.
Mother had a hard day, and hence so did we. She was extremely mixed up, and very disoriented. We couldn't get her settled to anything. She changed clothes dozens of times, and thought all day that someone was going to come and take her for an outing. Even after we took her for an outing, she came home and resumed her unsettled ways.
We are realizing more and more, that our care is going to have to be stepped up to the next level.
She has always been able to take care of her own bathing and dressing, and her own grooming needs. But that too is going by the wayside. And she is not understanding why we need to help her with these tasks. What do we do? Well, we are planning some adjustments, and we shall see.
Each day brings new challenges. Anyway, today is breezy, cool, and low humidity. Ahhh, what a welcome relief. We have opened all the windows. Perhaps a new breeze is blowing into our lives.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
"U" Just Wait Until.......
This is the first time that I have waited "U"ntil morning to post the day's blog. Not that yesterday was a bad day. Fridays are just busy and flew by. Yesterday morning we spent much longer breakfasting on the porch because Rod came by with a delicious home-made rhubarb coffee cake. So we visited with Rod, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the same time. Who would ever believe that a sour weed could make such a delicious coffee cake.
Then in the afternoon, I worked at the library. Our Friends of the Library Friday crew are a great bunch. We work hard, but then we take a cookie break about 2:30. We are mostly retired teachers, and the conversations are soooo funny. They remind us all of the old teachers' lounge times. Ginny, Norma, and I got our bargain corner looking good, because next week is the monthly sale, and we wanted to leave it all ready for the sale. We take care of jig saw puzzles, magazines, home school materials, and all the books that are marked down to "last chance" prices. After all that work, I was tired. But Don came to get me and had a delicious supper all ready when we got home.
After supper I took a good nap! I needed it. Then we went to H.P. for about a half hour. It was my lucky night! I came home about $80 ahead, and I never win! We watched the Nat'l spelling bee. Such a sweet, pretty girl won. And then I tried my best to finish the mystery I have been reading before I went to sleep. However, sleep won out. I will have to finish it today.
I am thinking so much about the kids and grandkids who are in Californing on vacation right now. Avery left right after her graduation with her friend, Chelsey, to spend a week visiting Chelsey's aunts. It was a graduation gift for the girls. Then Randy, Elaine, and Lydia flew out on Thursday. They plan to visit with Elaine's sister and her family, then drive up the coast to
San Francisco area. They will see Don's dad, Grandpa Jack, who lives in Oakland, and is 99 years old. More about him in a later blog. He is a story unto himself.
Rod and Debra fly out to be with them in San Francisco tomorrow. Acccch. Three fourths of the family will be out there with the earthquakes! Will everyone please hold their breaths "U"ntil they are all back home?
So, "U"ntil tomorrow, or maybe tonight, that's it.
Then in the afternoon, I worked at the library. Our Friends of the Library Friday crew are a great bunch. We work hard, but then we take a cookie break about 2:30. We are mostly retired teachers, and the conversations are soooo funny. They remind us all of the old teachers' lounge times. Ginny, Norma, and I got our bargain corner looking good, because next week is the monthly sale, and we wanted to leave it all ready for the sale. We take care of jig saw puzzles, magazines, home school materials, and all the books that are marked down to "last chance" prices. After all that work, I was tired. But Don came to get me and had a delicious supper all ready when we got home.
After supper I took a good nap! I needed it. Then we went to H.P. for about a half hour. It was my lucky night! I came home about $80 ahead, and I never win! We watched the Nat'l spelling bee. Such a sweet, pretty girl won. And then I tried my best to finish the mystery I have been reading before I went to sleep. However, sleep won out. I will have to finish it today.
I am thinking so much about the kids and grandkids who are in Californing on vacation right now. Avery left right after her graduation with her friend, Chelsey, to spend a week visiting Chelsey's aunts. It was a graduation gift for the girls. Then Randy, Elaine, and Lydia flew out on Thursday. They plan to visit with Elaine's sister and her family, then drive up the coast to
San Francisco area. They will see Don's dad, Grandpa Jack, who lives in Oakland, and is 99 years old. More about him in a later blog. He is a story unto himself.
Rod and Debra fly out to be with them in San Francisco tomorrow. Acccch. Three fourths of the family will be out there with the earthquakes! Will everyone please hold their breaths "U"ntil they are all back home?
So, "U"ntil tomorrow, or maybe tonight, that's it.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"T" is for Thumbs Up Thursday
I have a few thumbs-up ratings to give to this Thursday. First of all, I enjoyed a lovely lunch with Elaine today. We were celebrating her birthday, which will happen on Saturday. We decided to go to lunch at the newly managed and redecorated Edgewood Country Club. And I must say that the new owners have struck gold on all counts. The newly redone dining room is gorgeous. Of course the large windows and views of the golf course have always been there. But
they have done a masterly job with the decor - sunny yellow walls, blue, green, gold stained glass
headers on the windows, snowy white linens. and more.
The menu was great. It was hard to decide what to order. The prices were very moderate. Our
waitress recommended the turkey, cheese, with chipotle sauce, on grilled wheat bread. It was outstanding. And Elaine said her Reuben was delicious. I look forward to having lunch there again, for sure.
I had so much fun finding Elaine's birthday gift. We both love reading Janet Evanovich's
Stephanie Plum detective series. They are laugh-out-loud funny, and good mysteries, too.
About a month ago we had a discussion about whether or not someone had bought the movie rights, and, if so, when were they going to make the movies. We also speculated about which actress would be best to play Stephanie Plum. So I went home and looked for Janet Evanovich's web site. Sure enough, it was reported there that Sony had the movie rights, but had never done anything with them. Janet wanted her readers to get after Sony, and see of they could hurry up the movie making. Janet also said that Sandra Bullock would be her choice for the Stephanie role.
Well, I also found on the web site that I could buy many items of Stephanie Plum gifts. So I ordered a purple tote that is embroidered with a likeness of Stephanie, and under it says"Plum
Crazy." - one of her book titles. I also ordered her newest book, "Plum Lovin" which Janet
autographed to Elaine. OH, I think she liked her presents. What fun.
This evening I watched another Netflix movie ordered instantly to my computer. Well, you
know how I am about all things British. Yes, I ordered another British flim called "Greenfingers".
Thumbs-Up to the movie, well actually a Green Thumbs-up. It is a story about a criminal who
gets a new lease on life behind prison bars by becoming an
award-winning gardener. It is based on a real life story. Clive Owen plays the criminal, and Helen Mirren is Georgina Woodhouse a
renowned gardener who helps the prisoners in their gardening efforts. This movie is charming,
funny, and very sweet. Georgeous English Gardens, too.
Hmmm - I'm afraid that this bloggy diary makes it sound like I eat lunch out every day, read
mysteries in the afternoon, and watch movies every evening. WELL, thumbs-up to that!
they have done a masterly job with the decor - sunny yellow walls, blue, green, gold stained glass
headers on the windows, snowy white linens. and more.
The menu was great. It was hard to decide what to order. The prices were very moderate. Our
waitress recommended the turkey, cheese, with chipotle sauce, on grilled wheat bread. It was outstanding. And Elaine said her Reuben was delicious. I look forward to having lunch there again, for sure.
I had so much fun finding Elaine's birthday gift. We both love reading Janet Evanovich's
Stephanie Plum detective series. They are laugh-out-loud funny, and good mysteries, too.
About a month ago we had a discussion about whether or not someone had bought the movie rights, and, if so, when were they going to make the movies. We also speculated about which actress would be best to play Stephanie Plum. So I went home and looked for Janet Evanovich's web site. Sure enough, it was reported there that Sony had the movie rights, but had never done anything with them. Janet wanted her readers to get after Sony, and see of they could hurry up the movie making. Janet also said that Sandra Bullock would be her choice for the Stephanie role.
Well, I also found on the web site that I could buy many items of Stephanie Plum gifts. So I ordered a purple tote that is embroidered with a likeness of Stephanie, and under it says"Plum
Crazy." - one of her book titles. I also ordered her newest book, "Plum Lovin" which Janet
autographed to Elaine. OH, I think she liked her presents. What fun.
This evening I watched another Netflix movie ordered instantly to my computer. Well, you
know how I am about all things British. Yes, I ordered another British flim called "Greenfingers".
Thumbs-Up to the movie, well actually a Green Thumbs-up. It is a story about a criminal who
gets a new lease on life behind prison bars by becoming an
award-winning gardener. It is based on a real life story. Clive Owen plays the criminal, and Helen Mirren is Georgina Woodhouse a
renowned gardener who helps the prisoners in their gardening efforts. This movie is charming,
funny, and very sweet. Georgeous English Gardens, too.
Hmmm - I'm afraid that this bloggy diary makes it sound like I eat lunch out every day, read
mysteries in the afternoon, and watch movies every evening. WELL, thumbs-up to that!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
"S" - The Summer of the Schwan Affair
I admit it, I am in love with the Schwan man. But then, so is Don, and so is Mother, and so are all the kids and grandkids who visit us. After all, he does show up every other Wednesday in a big yellow truck full of ICE CREAM, and, oh yes, some other kinds of food, too. Actually, he is not just a summer visitor, he arrives every other week all year long. But we love him and his ice cream especially in the summer.
Our big decision every other weekend is which flavors do I order when I submit my E mail order? Which delicious flavors are the most tempting this time: raspberry rumble, dulche le leche, caramel brownie, cookies and cream, orange dreamsicle, strawberry? Oh the indecision, the deliberation, can I possible limit my order to just two? The greatest bit of wisdom I can give to all of you is this: "Thou shall not let one day pass during your lifetime without at least one serving of ice cream." I am very certain that it is the only food served in heaven.
The Scwan man was not our only visitor today. Alfreda and I went to lunch. Cheryl and I saw Alfreda at Panera Bread on Sunday. She was resplendent (I looked that spelling up in the dictionary) in her lavender flowered hat and lavender flowered chiffon Sunday dress. Alfreda loves her hats, and loves to dress up. We were just finishing our lunches when she came in and sat with us, and we were on a limited time schedule, so we promised to meet soon and finish our visit. So Alfreda and I went to lunch together today, then she came back here so we could share all the latest news about all our kids and grandkids.
Alfreda is a delight in that she just doesn't mind at all if you brag about your kids and grandkids.
In fact, she admires them all right along with you. What a friend! Of course, she has 4 very fine,and handsome grown children with 4 very fine and handsome spouses who have produced 8 even more handsome and accomplished grandchildren. So I was happy to give her equal time in
the bragging department.
In April all these lovely families of hers flew in from everywhere like Texas and Florida to give a great big 80th birthday party for Alfreda. Was she ever surprised. They reallly got her! Then,
when her daughter, Jane, came in May to see her son graduate from A.U., she brought a scrapbook of pictures from this party. So I got to see the whole clan. What fun they must have had at that party. She also had pictures she had taken in Texas where Julie's daughter, Jessica, graduated from Texas A. & M. You know, I do believe that her kids and grandkids are as good-looking and smart as mine!
Then, this evening, we were surprised by a drop-in visit from Chuck and Ginny. Don and I were both in our PJ's, but they didn't care. They were coming home from Pendleton, where they had met their daughter, Julie, and granddaughter, Erica, at Sahm's Restaurant for supper. We sat on the porch and enjoyed the cooler breezes, the lower humidity, and, as always with Chuck and Ginny, a lot of laughs. Ginny has few computer skills, but has been trying to find this blog.
She said, "I tried to find your Blob, but just got some religious stuff!" Oh, Ginny.
Ice Cream, breezes. friends, and family pictures. Indeed, life is beautiful.
Our big decision every other weekend is which flavors do I order when I submit my E mail order? Which delicious flavors are the most tempting this time: raspberry rumble, dulche le leche, caramel brownie, cookies and cream, orange dreamsicle, strawberry? Oh the indecision, the deliberation, can I possible limit my order to just two? The greatest bit of wisdom I can give to all of you is this: "Thou shall not let one day pass during your lifetime without at least one serving of ice cream." I am very certain that it is the only food served in heaven.
The Scwan man was not our only visitor today. Alfreda and I went to lunch. Cheryl and I saw Alfreda at Panera Bread on Sunday. She was resplendent (I looked that spelling up in the dictionary) in her lavender flowered hat and lavender flowered chiffon Sunday dress. Alfreda loves her hats, and loves to dress up. We were just finishing our lunches when she came in and sat with us, and we were on a limited time schedule, so we promised to meet soon and finish our visit. So Alfreda and I went to lunch together today, then she came back here so we could share all the latest news about all our kids and grandkids.
Alfreda is a delight in that she just doesn't mind at all if you brag about your kids and grandkids.
In fact, she admires them all right along with you. What a friend! Of course, she has 4 very fine,and handsome grown children with 4 very fine and handsome spouses who have produced 8 even more handsome and accomplished grandchildren. So I was happy to give her equal time in
the bragging department.
In April all these lovely families of hers flew in from everywhere like Texas and Florida to give a great big 80th birthday party for Alfreda. Was she ever surprised. They reallly got her! Then,
when her daughter, Jane, came in May to see her son graduate from A.U., she brought a scrapbook of pictures from this party. So I got to see the whole clan. What fun they must have had at that party. She also had pictures she had taken in Texas where Julie's daughter, Jessica, graduated from Texas A. & M. You know, I do believe that her kids and grandkids are as good-looking and smart as mine!
Then, this evening, we were surprised by a drop-in visit from Chuck and Ginny. Don and I were both in our PJ's, but they didn't care. They were coming home from Pendleton, where they had met their daughter, Julie, and granddaughter, Erica, at Sahm's Restaurant for supper. We sat on the porch and enjoyed the cooler breezes, the lower humidity, and, as always with Chuck and Ginny, a lot of laughs. Ginny has few computer skills, but has been trying to find this blog.
She said, "I tried to find your Blob, but just got some religious stuff!" Oh, Ginny.
Ice Cream, breezes. friends, and family pictures. Indeed, life is beautiful.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
"R" - For Really Tired, Revisit, and Reread
I am really tired tonight, and was very tempted to skip writing a blog. But I know my undisciplined self. Once I skip, it is a slide down a slippery slope, so to speak.
I got up about two hours earlier than usual, so I could keep a friend company on her first visit to
the Orthopedic Hospital. She is really suffering with her bad knees, and decided to go for her first visit to their Walk-In Clinic. I just went along to show her where things are located, and to
keep her company.
It is the place where I spent so much time this winter getting my new fender and rear end alignment. Wonderful people there who do amazing work, but I was glad to be just a visitor this morning, not a patient. It is very nice to be on the recovering end of the long process. I did see one of my physical therapists in the hallway. It was good to get all the news from that department. Friend Sarah was happy with the results of her visit. She did get cortisone injections in both knees. I hope it gives her some relief.
I am really embarrassed, being an old school teacher with a red pencil, at how many typos and misspellings I overlook in this blog. I really do reread at least once. But then when I go back later and look at the published blogs, I always find at least one mistake.....often more.
Makes me wonder about all those graded papers I sent home over all those years. Oh well, I am
probably the only person who reads these. And if you are reading these, come armed with a red pencil. I deserve it.
Oh, man, I am really tired..........it's off to bed!
I got up about two hours earlier than usual, so I could keep a friend company on her first visit to
the Orthopedic Hospital. She is really suffering with her bad knees, and decided to go for her first visit to their Walk-In Clinic. I just went along to show her where things are located, and to
keep her company.
It is the place where I spent so much time this winter getting my new fender and rear end alignment. Wonderful people there who do amazing work, but I was glad to be just a visitor this morning, not a patient. It is very nice to be on the recovering end of the long process. I did see one of my physical therapists in the hallway. It was good to get all the news from that department. Friend Sarah was happy with the results of her visit. She did get cortisone injections in both knees. I hope it gives her some relief.
I am really embarrassed, being an old school teacher with a red pencil, at how many typos and misspellings I overlook in this blog. I really do reread at least once. But then when I go back later and look at the published blogs, I always find at least one mistake.....often more.
Makes me wonder about all those graded papers I sent home over all those years. Oh well, I am
probably the only person who reads these. And if you are reading these, come armed with a red pencil. I deserve it.
Oh, man, I am really tired..........it's off to bed!
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