What Did You Do Today?

[Janet]

Judy....Mom's memory isn't coming back yet...but she does pretty good in the moment. 10 minutes later...she'll forget. She is still asking why she is in the hospital. I have some things to get done before I head over to see her today, but wanted to stop in here first. Can't believe school starts on Tuesday, the time sure flies doesn't it!


Won't be long now Sandy and you'll be enjoying your new home. I bet you are feeling so good about all this now. I'm so happy for you.

Gayle it sounds like so much fun getting together with your friends every so often. I know when we had the informal class reunion the other weekend...it was so fun getting to see and catch up with everyone.

Guess I'd better get busy or I'll never be ready by Tuesday...lol

[judy]

Janet, at this point, the fact that she is feeling physically more comfortable, it is a good thing. It would be great if she recovers her memory, but physical comfort is much more important. Prayers.

Gayle, I don't blame you for wanting your kitchen back! It will be gorgeous, but a mess in the kitchen can drive anyone crazy!!! Soon, Gayle!

Sandy, you are really such a mover and a shaker! Bought a house, went on a date, went to a meeting about fostering children! It is so exciting about the house! When are you planning to move in?

I went to my writing workshop last night, and read my latest story. These are talented writers, some are published. I take their comments very seriously, and have learned so much from them. I worked on the same piece the whole time last summer. They were very supportive, and we were all happy with it by the end. This summer, I have read 3 pieces, and they love them! I keep hearing how much the group leader, Barbara, loves my writing. Last night, Henry, who is a film producer, came to the workshop for the first time this summer. When I finished reading, he looked at me with his mouth open, and said "The first thing I want to say is that your writing has gotten so good since last summer. I have to think now about the second thing I want to say." Their were no revision suggestions made. They all discussed what they liked about the piece, and what they felt was so good about it. Then, on the way out, Jodie, who has been writing for years, told me that she loves my writing!

I have to say, that I am thrilled, but that I also don't really understand what is so great about my writing. I know that I have gotten much better since last year, and have started writing with dialogue, and focus, and so on. These are things they taught me last year. I also began writing fiction, which I didn't know how to do before. Still, I am not sure what it is they like so much.

I can live with it though!!!

[Marilyn]

Judy, you should see if you can get published. I have a cousin who just got published. I haven't read any of her stuff. It's in a series called "Lawyers in Hell", which sounds depressing to me. She's always posting about it on FaceBook and sharing book covers and such. I do try to be supportive of her.

I'd love to read yours!!

[Janet]

That is so wonderful Judy. We all like to be acknowledged by our peers and it sounds like you've really got their approval. I'm so happy for you. I, too would love to read something you've written. Why not try and get something published...I think it would be wonderful for you. To top it off....your grandchildren can tell everyone their grandmother is a published author...

[gja1000]

Judy, that is so cool that you got such positive feedback from your writing group. I really admire people who can write. I can do scientific writing, but I hate it. I have lots of published articles, but I hated writing every one of them and if I never had to write another word, I would be happy.

So, that is why I really admire those who can write, because it is H A R D!!! Congratulations on your success!!!

[DianaB]

I don't mean to ignore everyone's comments but.......I feel like crap!!!! I started coming down with a head cold yesterday and didn't feel the best but today.......is another story. I didn't even feel like getting out of bed but I had the cutest little boy come in and get in bed with me.....chattering the whole time!!!

We're having a get-together and cook out tonight as a going away party for Damon, who is leaving tomorrow so there's no time to lay around and be sick. I've got food to buy and a house to clean up even though we're going to be outside......we're not sure how hot it's going to be so we're preparing for both. I sure hope I get to feeling better!! This is the pits!!!!!!!!!!

[judy]

I hope you feel better quick, Diana! It is good to see that Damon got in to Teen Challenge! I will be praying for him.

Thanks for the comments on my writing! I do not particularly want to publish my stuff. I wouldn't even know where or how to begin. I am reading a piece at a writer's event in August, and another one in September. That's my whole claim to fame, because all of us are writers and it's fun. There's always good food too!

I know what you mean about science writing, Gayle! I had to write in grad school, and I had to read all these scientific papers. It really could kill someone, just by boring them to death! And then, using all these scientific terms when you write....bleeeehhhhhhh! I consider myself to be lucky to have lived through that!!!

[gja1000]

Whew! What a busy day. We need some new baseboard for the kitchen and Gary got the wrong kind, so we went out to eat breakfast and then took the wrong baseboard back and got the right kind. Then I took Gary home and went and picked up my mom and took her to JC Penny's for some new clothes. She's gained a little weight since living in assisted living so she needed some new pants. She's also going to a class reunion next month and she wanted something new to wear. Penny's was having a great sale (we didn't even know till we got there) and we got 3 pairs of pants, two jackets, one blouse, and two knit shells for $180. Then I took her out to eat and before I took her home, she decided she wanted a few things at the grocery store. It was 2:00 before I got her home, and after that I had to do all my errands.

My toaster oven is as old as the hills and looks terrible. Well it looked particularly terrible after we got the new countertops, so I was shopping for a new one. Also, my red valance didn't look good with the new countertops either so I shopped for a new one. I had to go to three stores before I got the toaster oven. I got home about 4:30 and Gary was starving (its not as if there weren't things to eat in the house ). He wanted hot dogs and of course I didn't have any buns, so we ran up to a little grill in town that has really good hot dogs, several kinds. He had a chili/cheese and I had a kraut dog.

Then I had to go back to Target to get another valance (I thought there were two in the package but there was only). I also looked for mom a black knit top. She needs one to go with one of her jackets, but I didn't have any luck at two different stores, three if you count Penny's. Why doesn't anyone have a basic black shell???

When we got home I had to unpack all my stuff, iron the curtains, hang them and move the water in the yard. YIKES! This is the first time I've sat down all day. I'm pooped!!!

[Marilyn]

Diana, hope you got to feeling better, got your work done and had a nice evening!!!

Judy, sounds like you're enjoying your writing and that's the most important thing.

Wow, Gayle, you make me tired!!! I know what you mean about not being able to find a basic item. When you need a plain back cammy, it's the same problem!!!

Today, I washed again. I'm trying to keep all of Rex's clothes clean so when we get the call, he can pack quickly. He won't do it in a advance, and I can't do it for him. He's too particular.

Ran some ball caps to the embroider so they can put our company logo on them for a fishing tournament next weekend. I'm getting khaki Columbia fishing shirts and matching caps embroidered to give to the guys. I always look forward to this tournament, but have a substitute lined up to take care of things for me this year. I'm sure either Karen will have Emma naturally in the next day or two or they will induce early next week. I never dreamed that I wouldn't be back from California before next Saturday, but the best made plans....

Rex had a meeting with some prospective clients this morning and finished just in time for us to meet for lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, chicken, beef and shrimp fajitas will all the trimmings. Their flour tortillas are the best!!

Ran to the fabric store, and got some new Butterick patterns. They were on sale for $1.98. Bought some fabric and made me a new top this evening. With a 40% off coupon for the fabric and the sale on the pattern, I made it for around $7.50 and I have something new to wear to work on Monday. With all the flying we hope to do the rest of this year, everything we've bought for Emma, the software and computer expenses we just had, I really don't want to go clothes shopping right now, and I'm sick of all my clothes. So just have to get a bit creative!!

[Janet]

Gayle....just reading your post wore me out so not sure I can even type now...lol

Today I worked getting all the information for my bus route into my laptop. I did some yesterday, but I have it pretty much done. I'll finish putting the seating name tags up and put in the waste baskets tomorrow. Putting all the info in the computer is so time consuming. I have a total of 89 kids this year....not bad considering I can only seat 72...lol. Some won't be riding because they'll drive or ride with friends. I have 8 new kindergarten students. This should be fun.... NOT!

While entering all the info I did laundry. I have to do my whites again because somehow the softener got unplugged and now they have a bit of a yellow/rusty tint. I use this stuff called Iron Out and it makes them all bright white again.

I did go over and visit with Mom for a little while. She still isn't remembering much short term. Again, Mom asked me at least 10 times why she was in the hospital.....and then.....what's wrong with her....and then the subject changed and she told me it sure looks pretty out, is it hot? I would answer and then 7 minutes later....same thing. It is soooo hard to see her this way. I did get a chance to speak with the Dr. and he said most nursing homes/extended care facilities won't accept a patient with C-Diff so we'll need to get her over that first.

The boys and I went to town this evening and ate at Pepe's. It was so good and the beer was soooo cold.

Guess that about sums up my day today. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend. Diana....hoping you get to feeling better soon. It's awful being sick when it's so warm out.

[gja1000]

Janet, so if the nursing home won't take her with C-diff, will you have to bring her home. I don't think she can be left alone now, so what is going to happen. I understand the nursing home wanting the C-diff cleared up, but that might not happen before she needs to be discharged. And what if it comes back after she is in the nursing home???

[gja1000]

Oh and Diana, I hope you are feeling better. It is so yuky to feel badly and have to be up and around working.

[Janet]

I'm reallly not sure Gayle. I just can't see me bringing her home at this point. When I asked the Dr. when she might be released, the only thing he said was that they need to get the C-diff cleared up first before a facility would accept her.

If she HAS to be released and no one will accept her, I guess she'd have to come here, but she would have to pay someone to help take care of her. I know I would never be able to do it alone.

[gja1000]

It sounds to me like the doctor is thinking that she HAS to go to a nursing home after discharge, since he said the remark about the C-diff has to be cleared up. But then again, maybe he was telling you that you are probably going to have to take her home. Maybe you should start investigating home health care. It is pretty expensive, and I've been told it is hard to find good help for in the home. Also to consider is finding someone you trust to be in your home when you are not there. Again, I haven't experienced this but have been told by family and friends that is is a royal pain to find good trustworthy in-home help.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by gja1000

It sounds to me like the doctor is thinking that she HAS to go to a nursing home after discharge, since he said the remark about the C-diff has to be cleared up. But then again, maybe he was telling you that you are probably going to have to take her home. Maybe you should start investigating home health care. It is pretty expensive, and I've been told it is hard to find good help for in the home. Also to consider is finding someone you trust to be in your home when you are not there. Again, I haven't experienced this but have been told by family and friends that is is a royal pain to find good trustworthy in-home help.

I think the Dr said something about the nursing home is because I did tell him I didn't think I'd be able to bring her back home without lots of help. It would be hard to find someone to trust in my home, that's why I think it would be best for her not to come here. Tomorrow I will be calling a couple of different homes that are closer. In all this....I have a mandatory luncheon to attend (staff and new superintendent) so that is breaking up my day and we are also suppose to get our picture taken for out ID and then school starts Tuesday. I want to be able to visit the different facilities also.

I just knew something would happen when school was starting to make it all more difficult, but I can handle it....I hope.

Can't remember if I mentioned this, but I spoke with my Mom's attorney and he told me that the property Mom has in Florida is going to be a big headache...(great, right?). He can settle her estate up here, but an attorney, appraiser, and realtor will need to be hired in Florida. I was told it's best to not get a realtor/appraiser because we could end up with a lower appraisal. So isn't this something to look forward to?