Day 6 of January

And the deep freeze is gone. The temperatures are back to tolerable again. It amazes me how our sense of what is cold changes through out the year. For example - -10 is not as cold after we have been living in -38 weather.
It's been a busy couple of weeks. The good news is Mom was moved from the Foothills Hospital to a transition place near the Rockyview Hospital. I am proud of how well she is adapting. I visited her the night she was admitted and she was not impressed. On my last visit there (which was today), I went in the morning and she was actually a little disappointed that she might miss out on the exercise class (because I was there) So being the "open to anything" daughter, I told her I would join her. Let me tell you, my quads were getting a little tired. It was a nice visit, and I think Mom was actually ready for me to leave - she wanted to see her shows before she went for lunch.
I spent the rest of the morning/afternoon running errands - picking up fridge parts; hot tub parts; and some banking stuff. What did I ever do without a GPS before. Trying to find some of these establishments was mind boggling. Turned on the GPS and realized I was closer than I thought.
Both kids are going away over the family day weekend. The son is heading to Florida and Ashley will be working in Palm Springs. I guess this will be the true "empty nesting" feeling for a month.
I am hoping to get caught up on my many projects this weekend. Writing in my blog has just been crossed off my list, so now only 2,433 left (hahahahahh).
I have also been playing a new Facebook game. (which might explain my lateness in the blog) I don't usually play these type of games (I like black jack and cards), but I heard about this game from the Ellen Degeneres show. It's called Wetopia. Now according to Ellen, this game actually does some good. The more you play and collect things, some "good" is sent to different charities. Now I am hoping this is not a farse, but from what I have read and heard, it is a legit game. So I figured, if I'm going to play a game anyways, I might as well be doing some good. The bad news; it is actually fun. So if you decide to try it out - or get your kids to try it out, I'm looking for more friends to help open my soccer fields. (it will make sense if you end up playing)
Anyway, better get some laundry thrown in so I can start on my other projects (and no laundry is not a project)
Enjoy the weekend.
Stacey

Day 5 of January

Well if there was any thought that winter might skip us this there, that theory can ben put away. But if the truth be told, we have had colder weather than this; it's just a shock to our system after such milder weather for the past three months.
So trying to get some order or at least organization to my life right now. Every once in a while, the feel of overwhelmness creeps up on me; and quite frankly, I'm the only one letting it in. So I'm trying to stay on top of important things and remember to take care of myself.
It's official, and I have approval to blog about it (no details), but Patrick and his girlfriend of two years have split up. It was sad for everyone (especially for me!) Thankfully the break-up has been kind and friendly. But I did spend a few nights up skyping with the son and listening and inputting. I'm glad he's got a great group of friends to support him. I know the girlfriend will be fine as well; she is a strong lady and very smart and talented.
Throw in Mom's new home at the Foothills Hospital. We are still waiting for transition services to find her a bed for her rehabilitation. Every time you talk to mom, she thinks she is going home soon. I never realized how much stuff she actually does on her own, or with the help of the people at the manor. It can be very demanding. Hats off and many thanks to the nurses and doctors who give the good and take the bad.......
Busy week with work this week. Hopefully I can get the important stuff done.
And finally, with all these thoughts spinning around in my head last night; I again had trouble falling asleep for the second night. I came down stairs and slept in the son's empty bed. Did some meditating; some "thankful for's; some what could I change moments; nothing seemed to help and of course knowing how busy my day was going to be on Monday, I started to panic. Panic equals ativan. Sure enough my last three hours of sleep were amazing (but quite dreamy) Note to self: When it says on medication pacakged to not handle large machinery when taking the medication - this also means treadmills. Darn near stretched my entire body from the front to the back of the treadmill. Closed my eyes for two seconds and my balance was way off - thank goodness for walls.
Well - off to get the rest of the day finished.
Stacey

Day 4 of January

First I want to show an amazing picture. Here is the story behind this picture. Mom is still in the hospital and each time I go to visit her, I try and take something to talk about. I have in my possession Mom's autograph book. This book is from when mom was a young teenager to even after she was a young mother of two. In addition to the many autographs she has in this book, there are these wonderful pictures that friends drew in the book. This is just one of the picutres. I look at this picture and think, wow, what a wonderful artist, and how proud this person must have felt to have these beautiful, colorful pens. I can't make out the signature, but when I showed mom the picture, she automatically knew who have signed her book. I wanted to share these pictures and one idea I have is to scan the pictures and make them into cards for Mom. When she sends a note to someone, she can share these beautiful pictures. Here is another one. Apparently this one is from Dad's old girlfriend Ethel Nugent. (not sure if it is a self portrait or not)

There are a couple of poems in the book from my Dad to my Mom.

The first one is dated December 30 (no year) in Midnapore, Alberta. it reads:

Dear Pee Wee

When you are looking through this book

And see this little note

remember that I am the one

that almost got your goat.

Squirt & one half.

Now mom just giggled when I read this one, and maybe it's an inside joke. But what I found very "hummmmm" is that we sometimes call Patrick, P Wee. Talk about "a moment"

Here is the second poem, it is dated Dec 30, 1946; Midnapore,

Dear Hon

Your troubles won't be many

Your kids, well you've got two

You said at first, (not any)

Make sure its not a few.

Do your duty to your kid's

Never get a stick to blister

Cause I am sure they said to me.

Send for a baby sister.

Ted.

Wow, I now know where I get my silly poetry gene from! To think I've had this book in my possession for a very long time and I'm just appreciating it now. I can remember looking at it many times before, but my true appreciation has just tuned in.

I am inspired to go and find my old autograph book from elementary school. I know there are no artistic pictures, but it will be filled with memories abound.

Stacey

Day 3 of January

Just so we're clear De, my new year's resolution wasn't to get a blog out before you and Alisa started your taunting......
Todays blog was going to be written yesterday. And yesterday's blog was going to be about some health changes I am making in my life. But around 9:30 am yesterday morning, that story got put on the back burner (as they say in the newspaper industry) Todays topics: 88 year old mothers, and should they be handled and monitored with kit gloves?
I'm sure this could be a very hotted, and lenghthy debate, but honestly, it's my blog and we're going to hear my opinion. And the answer to that question: Should 88 year old mothers be handled and monitored with kit gloves? is ........... I don't know. Frankly I would never make it as a debated. Maybe that's because I have a split personality. One part of me says, "leave them alone and let them experience life - don't treat them like babies." The other part of me says "You don't need to do that, someone can come in and do it for you." Where does that fine line between dependance and independance cross. So I'm going to leave that for you to ponder while I go one with the story that brought up the debate.
Friday morning, Mom was cleaning and rearranging a few items. She received a tall, plastic storage unit and wanted to get all of her CD's put in it. Well she accomplished that feat without incident. Then of course, the cd tower wasn't where she'd like it and it needed to be moved. She lifted up the tower, the bottom came off, and Mom lost her balance and down she went. Or as mom likes to embelish the story, she went "Ass over tea kettle" - technical term "knee over CD Tower."
Well I got a call at work around 10:00/10:30 from Robin. Seems the Manor had contacted Robin and it was decided she should go to a walk in clinic(minus the walking) Robin and her "gang" headed to a clinic where mom was seen, but told she'd need an xray and then if anything was broke, she'd have to go to the hospital. Robin being the smarty pants she is, skipped the xray and went right to the hospital. That was around 11:00. I joined the "party around 5:00 pm and gave Robin and Sharry, a much needed break.
Without going through all the details of the night, like the misdiagnosis, the missed bedpan, and the missing doctors; here's the short result version. Seems Mom has two fractures. But apparently they are good fractures; they are not out of place and should heal correctly. Good news is she won't need surgery, but will have to wear a knee brace (from her ankle to her hip) So once that was in place, it was decided that maybe she could go home......like back to the manor home.........REALLY. All mom had to do was get out of bed (after the morphine, no food for 12 hours) lean on a walker (with no wheels) Life up her non weight bearing leg (don't stand on it Mom) put Sam on her shoulder (her air buddy) and move her walker ahead of her and hop on her good leg! I have to pee just thinking of it. This was the doctors suggestions, but everyone of those nurses expressed their doubts. They were even wondering if she went back to the manor, that the workers there would be able to help her.....20:1 ratio - I'd be worring about the bathroom breaks. Finally the young Irish admitting doctor came over and concluded that Mom would have to be admitted until they could find a transition bed or a rehabilitation center where she could go to get her strength back.
Finally around 2:00 am they got mom admitted and put in her new room. Its a very special room; 4 occupants and there are even 2 correctional officers guarding outside the room. (mom must have a repitation or maybe it's the guy next to her in the shackles) So that's how I spent my Saturday.
When I left mom was in good spirits, tired. I hope she got a good nights sleep (she didn't know about the guy next to her, so she didn't have to sleep with one eye open) ;
So I will save my health blog for the next time.
Off to have a quick nap and head back to the hospital!
Stacey

Day 2 of January

I didn't make any New Years Resolutions again this year. I've finally come to the realization that anytime is a good time to make changes that are for the better. I have many flaws or imperfections that I would love to change, but as the saying goes "I pick my battles!" So the nose will always be a Zoback nose; the boobs will always be - well bigger than some; and I could go on - but one thing I do love about myself is the ability to not get embarrassed over most things. I mentioned back on December 29th about running into an old teacher from Junior High School. Well today, I was at Chapters working on my cards. I was sitting on the floor trying to organize some Valentie's Day cards, when I hear this polite, quiet voice say "Excuse Me, could you tell me where I could find the Diary of Anne Frank!" Now I was shocked at the request, because I am always getting asked for some type of non-card help. But as I looked up, I said to myself "I know this lady!" The memory lapse kicked in so I could remember her name, but I knew it was our old neighbor from Edgemont. So instead of answering her question about the book, I proceeded to question who she was. And yes it was Joanne, our neighbor from Edgemont and now our neighbor in the Hamptons. In fact, I know she only lives a block or two away. We had a great visit and got caught up on the kids and the husbands. Her husband and Bill did their Masters in Engineering together while I was pregnant with Ashley. Joanne's final words to me were "Thank you for speaking up and remembering." My final words to Joanne - "The biography books are over by the Starbucks!"
So tonight I'm putting a prime rib roast on the BBQ. Ashley and the boyfriend said they would be by for supper. (That was after they heard what we were having). I am going to make a great effort to get that Christmas tree back into the box that is half it's size.
Stacey

Day 1 of January

Happy New Year Everyone!
Wow 2012 already. Thank goodness I don't write alot of cheques anymore. That was my biggest dilema with a new year - it would take me half of the year before I would get the date correct on the cheques.
We had a nice New Year's Eve. Bill's tequila buddy was hosting a New Year's party, and against my better judgement, we went. Bruce and Diane had a small gathering; there were 11 adults and 6 kids. We ladies spent a lot of time upstairs playing Taboo and the men were gathered downstairs around the pool table and the tequila bar. We had an excellent view of the city and could see numerous firework displays. But of course these did not compare with the fireworks Bruce presents - right out the back of the house. Except for one "little, tinny, tiny" mishap; like hitting the deck, it was a beautiful display. Thank goodness we were out in Douglasdale and not the Hamptons.
The past four days since New Years have been pretty quiet. Patrick left on the 3rd to go back to school. So I've been revamping his room. He actually called me when he arrived back in res. and admitted that he has too many clothes...... Took him long enough to figure that out. I love having this week off of work from preschool - it just seems more productive with no one around. The tree is empty and ready to come down; and there will be no more evidence that Christmas was just here.
I'm still working on my autobiography. I need to get more batteries for my recorder, because I keep getting these great ideas after I've gone to bed. And of course, I can't remember them by the time I get up in the morning.
That is also playing on my mind, what happens when I start forgetting a lot of things. I have 403 different passwords for everything in my life - how will I remember them? Wonder if I should do some condensing before it's too late.
Today's temperature reached plus 14. This is January, right! Except for the horrific winds that are causing havic in Southern Alberta, this is a remarkable weather day. Hopefully those brush fires will be under control soon and no lives will be lost (people and animals.)
Off to finish laundry.
Stacey