What Did You Do Today?

[gja1000]

We moved the rest of our things over to the new house today. Darn! Now I have more boxes to unpack. Actually, not very many and I've already unloaded several of them.

I also went to the doctor with Gary - his asthma is acting up so he had to get some prednisone. I hope it helps him breathe better. It should

[Lindsey]

Now you're really all moved, Gayle!!

Last night we went to see Bridesmaids because we had a couple of coupons for free movie snacks that expire at the end of the month It was a funny movie, but very very raunchy! We were excited to see it because we're big fans of a British tv show called The IT Crowd, and one of the guys from that show plays the policeman in this movie

When we got home I still had lots of work to do but I was SO tired. I tried 3 times on the computer to open my program, but everytime it froze. The computer needed a restart. I was so frustrated I just went to bed instead. It was 11:00 and my earliest night this week!

Today I am swamped and stressed but I keep remembering it's my last day! I called a meeting this afternoon to explain my projects and hand them all off. I am counting down to 5:00!

[Janet]

After I got home from the route, I started laundry and then started in cleaning, dusting and running the sweeper.I was able to get it all done before the Physical Therapist came for her evaluation of Mom. She was 2 hours late, her GPS wouldn't accept our address for some reason. I've sold puppies from all over and this was a first for me.

I wasn't as thrilled with her as I am about the nurse. I think she's Chinese and she was a bit hard to understand, especially for Mom. She is also 6 mos. pregnant and couldn't help Mom get up. I helped and don't mind but I just can't figure why they would send someone who isn't physically able to do her job at this time. Oh well...we'll see. Sometime next week we have an OT coming and and a speech therapist.

It feels good to have the house cleaned up before the weekend. I was wanting to go with Lynne or to some garage sales but as usual, everyone is busy so I'm stuck at home again. Haven't had time to myself but once since December, and I'm getting really sick of it.

Tonight I have time to play on the computer for awhile.

[gja1000]

Not having time for yourself is definitely a bummer. You really need some alone time. I had my mom for 6 years, and she didn't have any physical problems, just couldn't drive so I had to take her everywhere she needed to go. BUT, she wanted to talk and visit with me when I got home from work and all I wanted to do was collapse, vegetate, or get some work done. Sometimes I just wanted to scream! I understood that she was home alone all day (or with Gary) and she needed to talk to someone, so I tried, but there were days I just couldn't do it. So, I do know how you feel.

[DianaB]

Lindsey, does this mean that you're ready to leave on your Europe trip? I hope so....you've been working so hard!! I hope it's relaxing and a lot of fun!!!

Janet, you'd think that whoever that was sent over would be able to do all the work. Maybe you should talk to the nurse about it and maybe they can send someone else. While they're there maybe you could run to town and just spend some time alone!!

I've had Dae Lynn's kids, Karlie's out of school now, all week. Yesterday and today I've finally had time to get some cleaning done. My bedrooms finally getting finished after cleaning out the closet!!!!! Kera's planning on coming over after lunch and helping me clean. She doesn't do the greatest but at least the floors are clean and things are somewhat dusted!!!!

Also, I've bought a LOT of hostas and I've been trying to get them all planted. We made another flower bed on the corner where you turn into the house and I moved my larger hostas there......so I'm not only planting new hostas....I'm moving the old ones!!! I'm always switching things around to hopefully make things look better. I've decided that I'm addicted to hostas!!!! I just love them and they look so nice when they're grown!!!

Some of my aunts and uncles are at my Mom's house this weekend so Glen and I are gong over there this evening for a fish fry!! I just love being around my aunts and uncles so this will be a real treat!!!!

[Janet]

I would like some hostas too. We've gotten
the area I want planted tilled finally...now I just have to find some that I can afford ....they are so pretty.
Your family sounds like so much fun Diana and the ones I've met are nice and funny. Maybe I should think about Kansas when it's time to retire.

[judy]

I took myself shopping today. I've been needing a table lamp for one of the nigh tables in the bedroom, and a brown summer quilt for the living room.l I love to stretch out and watch TV on the couch, and I need a blankie.

Walmart didn't have the quilt I want, so I'll order it online. I also need a floor lamp that has a swing-away light for doing things and reading on the couch. Home Depot has one that's okay, but I think they have free shipping this weekend. I didn't want to carry it home, I did find just the perfect bedside lamp at Homegoods. It is perfect!

The ride is about 35 miles each way, and I hate to go just to browse because gas is so high. I had a list today, so it was fun.

[gja1000]

Your shopping trip sounds like fun! I know what you mean about gas being so high - I just hate to drive! But I think you did great on your trip.

[judy]

It was a very good shopping trip! I ordered the quilt and the lamp online. I saved $5 with a promo code, and got free shipping from Home Depot. Walmart doesn't have good promo codes, but their shipping fees are very low.

Today I went to see Mackenzie audition. There is a venue nearby that has great shows in the summer, and they audition teens to be the opening acts for their artists. It's a great program for teens. Mackenzie performed there last summer.

She was very upset because today's performance was not as good as she wanted. Then, the girl after her was terrific! She is used to being the star!

I feel bad for her. These young teen years can be difficult. She isn't part of the popular crowd outside of school, although she is friends with them in school. I don't think she has the know how to negotiate herself into a tight crowd. There is a lot of phoniness and sucking up involved until you are accepted, and then there is the back stabbing once you are in. I don't think she even wants to do all of that. Then, she has liked 2 different boys who live on her block, and they are not interested in her.

I know she will find her niche, but it still hurts my heart to see her struggling. Kassidy has no such problems, and is on her second boyfriend. This only makes matters worse for Mackenzie, although she is happy for Kass. She just doesn't understand how Kassidy does it.

Brandon, on the other hand, cares about wrestling. He is so cute!

[gja1000]

WE DID IT!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!

We got the entire Austin house emptied out and ready to be rented!!! I'm soooo happpy. And the family who will be renting the house came over this afternoon and they are so thrilled with it. It was just heartwarming to see their joy. They want to buy it but do not know if they can qualify for the loan - I hope they can, not only because I want to sell the house, but because this will be their first home purchase and they really seem to love it.

I am so tired and so happy to be done over there. I still have some boxes to empty here and some things to hoist up in the attic, but it is nearly DONE!

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

[judy]

Congratulations Gayle!!! Finally all moved in! How nice that the new tenants love your house.

[gja1000]

Hi All! Well Gary and I cancelled our fishing trip to Arkansas. There was a confluence of events that converged to make it unfeasible to go. We are both fine about it, a little disappointed of course, but just fine.

First, Gary is not feeling well. He is having trouble breathing and we saw both his pulmonary and heart doc last week and we changed his medicince a little bit and started him on prednisone for his asthma. It's been a week now and he still isn't feeling much better. So, I'm not sure what is wrong. I was getting very nervous about getting on the road, going out to timbucktoo with him not feeling well.

Second, we have a new Dean at school and we are in a pretty significant budget crunch. I'm as assistant dean and although my contract is only for 9 months (September-May), she told me a couple of weeks ago that she was going to pay me for 5 weeks this summer. I am supposed to get a couple of weeks of summer pay each year for the administrative things I do - but I haven't gotten paid the past two summers. When she discovered this, she wanted to make up for it - which is great! She needs me to do several things by the fall semester, and since I will be teaching from July 11-Aug. 10, it was going to be very difficult to get everything done this summer. She knew I had planned this time in Arkansas and she was fine with that, but of course, since she was paying me, I feel obligated to be here and help with all the things going on at school. "Being here" only means 20 hours a week, so it's not bad at all. I had told Gary that I needed to come home a couple of weeks early to work on some of the things she needs me to do. He immediately said that we probably shouldn't go since we had to come back early and more importantly (although he didn't say it outright), he wasn't feeling well.

Third, our campground is closed until JULY 1ST due to all the rain and some flooding. By the time we found this out we had already decided not to go, so #1 and #2 really are moot points! LOL! We couldn't have gone even if we'd wanted to!

I'm feeling much calmer now about everything. We are both exhausted from getting all the things done at the Austin house so our renters can move in. We could not have gotten ready to go by tomorrow - the day we had set to leave for Arkansas. We are just too tired. I was also stressing out about leaving my yard - not being able to water it for 5 weeks. I have spent a lot of money, time, effort, and sweat getting it looking halfway decent and I was not looking forward to letting things die while we are gone. It was 99 degrees today and without water my yard would have been horrible by the time we returned the first of July. I'm so happy that I will be able to be here now and take care of it through the summer.

We will be going to Oklahoma for Memorial weekend, and then we will travel on to Oklahoma City (yeah I know, tornado alley), so Gary can see his sons and grandsons a couple of days. We'll be back in Austin by June 6th or before.

[judy]

It's funny how things work out. isn't it? I hope Gary gets to feeling better very soon. That's the most important thing, of course.

Sometimes it is a good idea to sit back and recoup. You two have been so busy. Now you can take a break, enjoy your new home, and not worry about Gary's health on the road, do the garden, etc.

This new dean sounds good! She knows when she has a good thing! Paying you for your administrative work is very smart on her part. You should be paid, of course, but I understand why you would do it anyway. You love your school.

[Janet]

I'm so glad Gayle that things really worked out for the best. It wouldn't have been good to be on the road or off the beaten track if Gary wasn't feeling well. I would think you your stress level would have been on high the whole time.

It's also great to be able to stay home....and just relax. I hope your renters are as good as the ones we have.

Yesterday was such a busy day. The nurse came...I really really like her. Also a different PT and we really like her too. Mom also got a bath from the HHA and Mom just loves her. They just happened to be here at the same time or nearly the same time so it got a little hectic, but they have sorted out their schedules so it should be better now. Today the OT came. He's really nice, but Mom was being a real butthead again. I had the talk with her just a little while ago....AGAIN....that if she didn't start building up her strength I wasn't going to be able to help her anymore....that if she became wheelchair bound....it would be too hard for me to move her in and out of the chair. I don't know if she gets it or not, but when I made her do the exercises again....she did them without complaining. Maybe there's hope out there after all....

[judy]

She wouldn't be Mom if she didn't give you a little bit of a hard time!!! It sounds like things are working out well with the assistance you are getting. I hope they come at all different times., Keeps Mom busy!