I'm looking at today as the true first day of the New Year. The Schools reopened today, many parents went back to work. This is a great day for me to start the work on my goals. It isn't even nine o'clock in the morning yet and I've already knocked nine items off my to do list. I feel energized today, it just seems like a new beginning. This is the first time in three weeks when there wasn't snow or ice in my driveway or on my car. It just felt safe to walk again and everything felt right with the world.
Now on the list today is grocery shopping. Then maybe a movie. Both my brother and sister said Benjamin Button was a good movie so I might take that one in. It is showing at 11:30 in Sherwood. Then there is some time with Mom, she needs to go to The Dollar Tree. She wasn't feeling well yesterday so stayed in all day. I talked to her this morning and she sounded great. She said she kind of felt energized too.
Tomorrow I take my car for the regular service and will also take mom to dinner at Rose's tomorrow night. They have a special $9.99 dinner special that we want to try. No caregivers tomorrow night. Just my nephew staying with mom. He always comes to late for dinner so I thought this would be a great way to spend time with mom and save her from cooking. Wednesday is lunch with my old business associate and friend. Not to mention watching the first new Top Chef in three weeks! Thursday is my annual eye appointment. Friday is knocking things off my list that I have to get done before the job starts on the 19th. In between there is checking web sites for LA, Phoenix, Palm Springs, etc to see what living options they have there. How much winter homes would cost. What rent is, what property is selling for. I will also check the cost of living in those areas. See how many accounting firms each locale has. Next winter we will in one of those places!
Do you feel energized today? Does this feel like a start of a better year for you? What is on your to do list for today? DR how was the doctor appointment?
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18 comments:
Wow, Bill, you really are energized. I am impressed! I got a little bit energized when the kids left, and I cleaned out a Fibber McGee cabinet and got some books and clothes ready to donate. I also thought a lot about cleaning up the garage, but that's about as far as I got, as usual... the thinking about it part.
Today thru Wednesday, I have no plans beyond maybe getting rid of some more junk, picking up some Rx's and visiting mom. Maybe I'll get off my rear and go look at some cars. Thursday, going to lunch at Three Drunken Goats (named for a Spanish cheese) and then a movie (don't know which one yet) with some friends. There's something going on Friday that I don't remember at the moment. Have to get out reminders for the book group and an agenda for the investment one.
I got a new battery in my car while the kids were here. Got the cheapest one, as I don't intend to keep the car much longer, and Dave put it in for me, so it was fortuitous that it died just as they arrived, and they saved me some bucks.
Hope your eye app't goes well, and also your research into warm wintering places. Keep us posted.
It does feel like the start of a better year, politically at least. But not all that much better, since the country and the world seem to be in a lot of trouble. I'm cautiously optimistic, though, and more energized than usual, but you put me in the shade in that department.
Hi Pat
I bet you miss the kids! As you tax advisor I have to point out that you should have donated before 12-31 or lie and back date them.
Cleaning the garage is a major project. You only do that if you are going to sell the house.
As to a move I went to Benjamin Button today, it was great but probably a half of an hour to long.
You will have to report in on how the restaurant was!
This is a good time to have a good battery with it getting dark earlier and also colder.
I'm hoping with Obama there will more world cooperation with the US and more working together to solve the economy.
Bill
Great fun to read about how you're feeling, that things are getting back to normal and all your plans for the next week.
Not energized yet, but moving in that direction. I did get in an hour of editorial work, since I skipped the pool, so that's a start, althougn not necessarily in the right direction. Tomorrow is a total Mom day and I'm not sure where the rest of the week is going.
What fun to begin exploring possible winter living sites. Are sis and b-i-l still in town or are they back to Utah?
Hi Dr
With all you have had going on getting an hour of editorial work is wonderful!
My sis left the Saturday after Christmas. They were stopped at Pendleton (4 hours from here) when the closed I-84 due to high wins and no visiability. They were able to get back on the road the next day and made it safely back to Utah.
Bill
Thanks for the tip, Bill, but I donate stuff all the time, and have plenty to deduct for this year. I don't mind moving this bunch to my '09 taxes.
I do miss the kids, but OTOH, it's nice to have my own life back. They'll be here again in February, so that's fine.
We've been to Three Drunken Goats before, and it's very good. Spanish food, sort of like tapas... small plates, but enough that four people can share, so we pass things around. We've decided to see VALKYRIE, which was nobody's first choice, but was the one both geographically and timewise the best. With BENJAMIN BUTTON clocking in at something like 2:45, it automatically goes on my "rent it or wait for cable" list.
I need to clean the garage to make room for junk from the house. It's an endless cycle.
I share your wishes for 2009!
Hi Pat
I understand about the kids, it was nice to have my sister here but it is nice to get back on schedule.
I love Spanish food, if I make it to LA maybe we can go there for lunch!
I liked Valkyrie. Very well done. I had read about the assination attempt before and the movie was pretty accurate.
Bill
You asked for an update on Mom. I'll try to be brief, although it's all over the map. Yesterday we saw the ortho, who said there was no torn cartlige, since she has no cartlige. He also said he didn't think the gel injections were working, as she's in pain again after only three months and the latest twist and pain was not good. Also said she's not a candidate for surgery, given age, weight and health issues. Said she could go back to the walker (altho he never had her stand or try to walk). Yeah, well, she tried the walker last night and was back in the wheelchair this AM when I got there, because she couldn't put any weight on either knee and barely made it out to the chair. SO, not sure where we're going on mobility. See him again in 5 weeks.
Met with Martha from Com on Blind this AM and she has some positive solutions they'll provide, plus we'll see their doc on the 22nd to ascertain what magnification aids will help and have them geared to Mom's current vision. They provide wonderful services and all at no cost to the client. Some things they can't deal with, but I think Mom's encouraged at what they can do.
Met with ENT this afternoon, who says the sinus infection is gone, but the antibiotics caused a major candida flare and that may be part of the congestion and other issues she's fighting. He started her on nystatin again and wants her using a saline solution mist four times a day and says we should see improvement in four days. Fingers crossed.
At this point, mobility is as big an issue as vision. Jury is out. We can only go by what Mom feels, but the fact she voluntarily went to the wheelchair today and admitted she couldn't walk with walker is worrisome. We did talk about getting Interim in to do cleaning and helping her pack away Christmas and get organized and she agreed. Sort of. Talked about either getting someone in twice a week to help with bathing or getting a transfer chair. She promised to make a decision. We'll see. Gal across the hall got a new electric wheelchair a year or so ago and said she wanted to get rid of old one and Mom agreed to talk to her about it and ask her to hold onto it for a few more weeks, to see where things go. Sort of.
Email to siblings with above info, but more details, and emphasizing home health care was going to have to happen, to some extent, as there are certain things I can't do physically (like the bathing) and that I cannot continue to not work, if we're going to pay the rent and expenses, for both ourselves and Mom.
I don't think we're having fun yet, but maybe I'm missing a paragraph (G)
Hi Dr
All over the map seems like a normal life for anyone caring for elderly parents.
I don't think you should wait five weeks to see the Ortho again and I wonder if you shouldn't call him and ask him why he didn't at least ask to see her walk with the walker.
Yea for the Commission on The Blind. Finally someone that does what they are supposed to do.
I hope the change in medication will help your mom.
I appreciate you keeping your siblings informed but I don't think I'd wait for their opinion on what to do.
Bill
DR, I think it's good that your mom voluntarily went to the chair, knowing how she felt about it. I think it's much safer for her.
As to the ortho, my personal opinion is that you should find another one (if your insurance plan allows, grump, grump). To recommend the walker when he'd not even seen her attempt to stand is just not good medical practice, imo.
Comm on the Blind sounds like a really good organization. I'm glad you have them.
I"m really ambivilant about the ortho. He's been seeing her for three years or so and this is the first time I've been unhappy with him. I'm afraid he's right about the injections and know he's right about the surgery, but the cavelier treatment of the latest problem is what bothers me. Ironically, we have few orthos in the area and they're all in large practices. I'm not real sure which way to jump, quite honestly.
I'm so thankful Dr. R recommended I contact Comm on the Blind. THat's been the one positive in the last few days.
Yes, I'll keep the sibs informed, but at this point in time, unless Mom balks due to calls from them, she and I will be making the decisions and I'm going to be a bit more definite in my recommendations. As I said to Himself this morning, as I scarfed down a leftover baked potato before heading to Mom's, "There has to be more to life than this." Don't mean to whine, but I continue to know something has to give.
Please hold good thoughts that Mom will break her pattern and make some decisions that will make life easier for both of us, so I don't nave to play "bad cop."
Pat
I kind of agree with you about a new ortho. Sometimes they get to comfortable with us and don't take as much time with us as they should. And sometimes they have things going on in their lifes that cause them to give us different care then we are used to.
Bill
Hi Dr
See my note to Pat about the ortho.
There definitely has to be more to life.
down a leftover baked potato before heading to Mom's, "There has to be more to life than this." Don't mean to whine, but I continue to know something has to life.
You have all muy good thoughts and prayers!
Bill
Well, I'm not sure what happened, but something gave, maybe some of my questions and concerns, maybe the wheeelchair thing, whatever. Apparently Mom called Interim after I left yesterday, had an interview and assessment with them this AM and is having them come in once a week for three hours to help with cleaning, packing away Christmas, organizing closets. I think (not sure, because a neighbor interrupted us) they may also help with bathing, but if not, the gal who cares for Susan (across hall) has agreed to come in in my conversation with her. I'm somewhat stunned (in a positive manner), as this is the first time in I can't remember how long Mom's not only made a decision, but taken action on her own.I'm feeling quite encouraged by that fact alone this evening.
Will it mean I'll spend less time with her? Probably not, as we still have doctors, groceries and the like and I'd never abandon her, but I won't be trying to figure out how to get Christmas packed away and other things. Will it mean I'll have more peace of mind. I think most probably! I'm definitely holding good thoughts.
Hi Dr
WOW DR I'm so glad that your Mom finally took some action! What a relief for you! I like that it was her idea that way the siblings can't say anything to you.
You are wise of course to know that time doesn't always dwindle when you have help. When I back off caregiving the errands didn't stop and in some ways I probably ended up spending more time with Mom. It still, however. was a ton of peace for me and I am sure for you.
I'm hoping that this is a natural process on your mom that will eventually lead to assisted living for her.
Bill
Just catching up on everyone else's lives as things are quiet elsewhere ;-)
Great to hear you so energised Bill. I was also going to say "sounding so positive" but to me you always sound positive even in the worst situations!
Pat - You sound busy too! Like the name of the restaurant "The Three Drunken Goats"!
DR - fantastic news that your Mom has been able to take the initiative on some action. Let's hope this is just the beginning and you can get some quality time for YOU!
Hi Sian
Always good to hear from my friend from across the pond, especially when she says nice things about me, like I am always positive even when the Titanic is about to sink!
You didn't tell us how you were doing and we would all like to know.
Bill
Well Bill - I always think that being positive in the worst situation (even the titanic sinking!) means you are open to all sorts of opportunities which may make the situation better! I am always impressed at how upbeat you are and willing to explore and create new opportunities. You are a great example to me :-)
As to how I am - nothing much to report as am really busy work wise and head down getting on with things. I am glad of the New Year with new opportunties. Not feeling *that* energised at the moment but think that's due to recovering from the virus. But life for me feels OK at the moment which is great ;-)
WOW Sian
What a great message to wake up to.
I didn't think I was every anyone's example.
I am sorry about the virus and hoping that it will be in the past pronto. I am also hoping that 2009 will bring you a ton of opportunities.
Bill
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