Fair Adventures, the story

I love Fairs, I don’t know why, but I LOVE Fairs…. I love the idea of the nomad life, I like the idea of running away with the circus… I just like the whole thing… the songs, the sounds, the smells, the crowds (which for me is a first…I typically HATE crows)… but I love the Fair.

 

Ok, now that we have that established, I told the girls I would take them to the fair on “arm band night”.  What is that, you ask?  Well, it’s simple - $13 for ALL YOU CAN RIDE.  What?  Yep – slap on an arm band and have fun!!!  Bonus?  The kids are officially out of school for the fall break as of, you guessed it folks, LAST NIGHT.  Now me, I have to work today (Friday), but the girls get to sleep in and enjoy relaxing today.

 

Anyway, it all went sort of wrong for poor Liz and the girls – plural – became Angela and a friend.  The bonus?  The friends parents HATE the Fair and their work gives them free tickets.  Bonus!  So the three of us got in free, however let the money FLOW from that point forward!  Ha!  I get our arm bands and head over to get them put on and the guy sees me with two tickets and two kids and assumes the bands are for them.  Hee hee hee, no sir, that one is for ME!  Yep, I’m the OTHER kid in this here group!

 

We head off to the rides.  We hit the BIG Farris wheel, then the boat (love the boat – love sitting in the BACK of the boat and going completely weightless at the highest height!  Whoop!  I think I look like a fool walking around the fair with a perma-grin on.  The girls start to pull away from the mom.. which was the plan, but I’m enjoying the rides with them… sigh.  Oh, well, they go off and ride a spinny ride and I head to the swings… LOVE the swings!  I ride the swings and catch up with the girls as they are getting off their ride, THEY want to ride the swings… so I go back, go with them, get a picture…   embarrass them a bit. 

 

They stayed on for a second ride as there are NO lines for this one,  and I had off on my own.  I wandered from the south end of the midway to the north, making my way through all the car dealerships, shopping for cars, then through the outdoor things.  For once I skipped all the camper trailers… let’s be realistic folks, the travel trailer is NOT going to happen for me.  I’m happy with hotels and eating out, thank you very much!

 

I looked at the sheep being sheered for their showings, I wandered through farm equipment, drooled over the gazebo with a glider on one side and a picnic table on the other, I glide for a while, just chilling out, drinking some water from a church group (sweet of them!).  I end up talking to the builders, I find I can put TWO gliders in instead of a picnic table… and it screened… it’s looking nicer and nicer!  I have to admit, it was nice just sitting in there, gliding and enjoying my time….

 

Ok, back on the road, looking and wandering.  I didn’t find the chicks and the bunnies… bums me out, I enjoy that demonstration and seeing those critters.  I went through the beef display and the milk cow display… they have a REAL cow for this now, not a fake one.  Saweet!    By this time, I’m in FOOD heaven… the smells.. I’m shopping for dinner at this point.  I sit down on the shady side of the street and am thinking food when who would call but the girls – wanting – FOOD.  What timing.  After much discussion by text – they figure out where I am so that we can get a Turkey leg to gnaw on…. And between me, Angela and now TWO friends, we polish off a turkey leg, a hamburger (one friend) and a big plate of curly fries.  YUM!  The kids, fully sated, are ready to head back to the rides… I choose to head on over to see more critters and through all the sales stuff.  

 

I did find the Christmas tree setup for the telescoping flag pole we have… SO want one of those!!  It fits in a tiny box as well, so it’s a true bonus as it takes  up NO room, but it’s 16’ tall  Love it!!  I may talk Butch into going back to get it, or just convince him we can do this on our flag pole for the Christmas season…. I’m sure we can figure out how to make our own (yeah, right, in all our spare time, right?). 

 

Anyway, shopin’ and wanderin’ and I came across a vendor with the chemical heating pads – reusable.  LOVE those things.  So I’m chatting with the gal, she wanted to know where I got my Chevy bag. WAY on the other side of the midway at the other end.  For the price of a survey.  She commented she would never be able to make it over there and I told her if she talked REALLY nice to me, she could have mine (like I REALLY NEED another bag – for those of you unfamiliar, I have a bag fetish as well as a blanket fetish, oh and according to my kids a table cloth fetish as well!).  She offered me the vendors deal and it was a really good deal as I’ve said I’m in LOVE with these things.  I love that they are completely reusable as well as portable – just use, boil and reuse.  It’s at this point when we’re talking the prices of them that I remember I only have my ID, not my Credit card.  POOP!  Ah, well, I tell her I’ll have to come back when I come back the fair with the other child… BUT I’ll still trade her a plastic bag for my Chevy bag.  To which she is twitterpated and throws in two of the small hand warmer sized units J  Score!!

 

About now, it’s closer to 8:30, so I head back to the rides and manage to find the girls, walk with them a bit – they are outpacing me by a mile and my tootsies are screaming by now… AND I’m in my good walkin’ shoes.. but the plantar fasciitis is kickin’ today!  So, I let them run… and I head over to the “High Flyer” I have found a new “love” when it comes to rides.  That thing is UP THERE and doesn’t really rock back and forth like the yoyo … but it sure zips around!  Loved it!!  I also snuck in a ride on the boat again J  Another favorite of the fair!  Love the weightlessness of it all!  I get back in touch with the girls – BTW, now down to 4% battery… what’s UP with that????  My battery is sucking on this thing lately (down to 78% this morning too after being at 100% at 6:30)… sigh.

 

I find the girls, we head over to get funnel cake – yum! Then we head on out the gates at 9:30pm… whew!  LONG night.. but it’s not over, we head over to the other side of the freeway and sit in a parking lot and wait for the fireworks to start at 10pm – I wanted to be out of the fair lot before the fireworks started and the fair shut down J  Success – we watch the fireworks across the freeway, then head on to the house… tired, worn out, but everyone’s happy!  Well, except poor Liz who’s friends all bailed on going to the fair… and she was left behind because practice wasn’t over until 5:30pm.  Poor Liz – she’ll go another night with friends !

Photos from the fair

THIS is the look you get on the first ride and you keep asking said child to please look @ you and smile! Ha!


Our favorite - the yoyo swings



My NEW favorite... The High Flyer - sweet! It doesn't "rock" stays flat but WHAT a view!!


And me without a good camera. Der!!

Hello, my name is Donna and I'm a TV-aholic

We were comparing new shows here at work today and I realize I really, really, really enjoy TV. 

I have been watching all the “new” shows – trying to determine which ones will be worthy of my DVR space, and I realized at home that it’s bad when you have FOUR shows you want to record in any given time slot.  Yes, it’s THAT bad.

Now some of those, I know will record in the front room as they are favorites of everyone in the house.  Bones, Warehouse 13, The Mentalist, White Collar”  to name a few.  HOWEVER there is starting to be quite the dilemma on what I choose to record and what I choose to go and look for “on demand”. 

 

I discovered one yesterday called The Neighbors about a human family buying a house in a subdivision of all aliens.  It’s so slapstick funny.

There are a few more that I have watched and enjoyed – Last Resort – could go the way of “Jericho” as it’s a war/military based one.  Submarine crew is given orders through a secondary/less secure means of communication to fire on Pakistan.  They question the orders and request proper more secure channels of communications.  They are then fired on by US ships, duck into an island nearby (just happens to have a NATO base on it) and take it over with threats of retaliation if someone threatens them… they are pushed, fight back and are at a stalemate at the end of the first episode.

Revolution is another one that I’m watching… I’m “on the fence” about this one still…. Has the chance to do something good and be like “walking dead” or something similar without zombies.

Elementary has me intrigued as a good crime drama as well… we’ll see how it pans out with its actors

Mob Doctor was surprisingly good to me as well

 

There are still a few more on the DVR and ‘on demand’ that I will check out as time permits.  Last night was dedicated to catching up on OLD shows – Grays Anatomy – which I’m VERY disappointed in them tossing us in on our heads into the middle of the story without finishing off last years story, they’ll do that next week.  Come on folks, really?  Confused me.  I went back to ‘on demand’ a few times to see if I had missed a show prior.  Really NOT right.

 

Private Practice did a good job of putting us right where we left off and moving on with the stories of the day.  Worked for me.  I enjoyed it.  It was comfortable, and anticipated.

 

Liz love the show Once Upon a Time.  I’m OK with it, but it’s a stretch for me most nights.

I have yet to watch The Mindy Project, The New Normal, Nashville

I'm not sure I should admit to this one...

I saw this and could not resist... and I'm not even sure why!

A closer picture 

Why?  Not sure... It just screamed buy me!  I could not ignore it... I know, I know - silly me!

Flower beds

Way back in this (http://donnasworddoodles.blogspot.com/2012/09/saturday.html?m=1) post I said I needed to work on the "garden" flowered? Yes, I have worked on it today... It's not done - need more mulch however it now has a new drain line that is a slim line one. Looking NICE. Now to have a good rain to see how it REALLY does ;)

And as of this afternoon a bit closer to done.

That's 10 bags of mulch! Yikes!!
I also planted an aster that was a 1/2 off plant but should come back nicely next year, I'm sure.

And a butterfly bush

I couldn't resist as the butterflies were lovin it @ Lowes.

Dad update

Dad could have been out of the "clink" on Tuesday the 25th, however left it up to the voting few who are driving to Macon a LOT... and we opted to listen to the physical therapist and have Dad stay a few more days to get him his best shot at rehabilitation AND five full days of therapy to boot.

You see, when he comes home, he goes from having therapy 5+ days a week to 3x a week.  So, there you go - he's getting MUCH more therapy this week by staying a few more days.  I think he's pretty well done with the place and is just there to "gain more strength" and confidence.

Dads main therapist, Gary, is determined to get him on a cane before he goes home... we shall see, we shall see.  Right now he's gaining a lot more dexterity in his left hand, I went out yesterday and he was playing cribbage with Robert - I hadn't played him in a week and you could see a huge difference in dealing the cards and handling the pegs.  Much improved, much improved.

So - other than that news, I have nothing.  I'm just in a funk... big funk.  sigh.  Need to drag myself out of it ... tomorrow... yeah, tomorrow I'll work on that!

Dad update

I went to see Dad on Tuesday this week... or was it Monday? Who knows, all I know is that one day in the last seven, I went to see Dad when Mom had gone that morning to "witness" his rehab and learn what we can do to help.  How we position, etc.  So, mom had been there all morning and I went in the afternoon to sit, chat and catch up.  I had kid stuff in the afternoon, so I was a bit later than dinner, so I missed most of that, he was finished with the turkey from his turkey salad - and all the goodies that were in the salad were gone along with the fruit and juices and the nurses commented he would be considered 100% with all that he did eat.  Yay Dad!!

That being said, we chatted about this and that and I got to meet Dr. Speigle, and I say "meet" very loosely as he breezed in with a "hi" and went to talk with Dad.  He asked him to move his foot, to which the answer was "I can't"... he encouraged Dad to TRY to move his foot and noted that Dad has "tone" in his leg when he's instructing it to move, however, just not enough strength in it to lift it off the sheets... so there you go - connections are coming back, slowly, but coming back.

Fast forward to today, I went a bit early as I had Angela out for her Dr's appointment - go down until you see the update on her height!   She's going to outgrow her sister for sure because she has a few more years of growing to go yet!!  Go Angela Go!!

Anyway, I got done with Angela later than I thought due to an 11am visit with the Dr and I'm thinking he was the only one in the clinic still... but we were seen before noon, but then had to sit in the waiting area at the pharmacy to pick up some meds before heading out.  Nothing serious, just "maintenance stuff"  Anyway, we then went to lunch - sorry, you get drug out to the Dr's you get a good lunch to boot.  So we went to Dai Itchi's for lunch - yum, I hadn't been there in a long while!
Back home, looked at the clock and through "I have a few minutes to lay down"  (35 to be exact), but the phone rang, it was Mom asking some questions and asking if I was coming out today.  Well of course, M/W/F are my days...along with Saturday afternoons.  Anyway - I decided to head on up so I could catch some of the rehab and see what Dad was up to.

Well, he has a good amount of "tone" in his left leg.  You can see his knee flexing, so I'm sure in time, he'll have full use again, it's just a matter of making him use it, walk, walk, walk... He still favors his left arm and forgets to bring it forward when walking on the bar... but I'm sure that will come too as the whole left side is improved 100% from the original stroke.  He'll still need an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic - brace for his ankle)... you know I knew what it was from all the preemie boards, but NEVER looked up why it was called and AFO until now...some 14 years later.  How funny is that?  Anyway, he'll be fit with his own to keep control of his ankle. 

In addition to that and a few other "aids" he'll get, He and mom have made the decision after talking with the physical therapist to keep him in a few more days.  He was to go home next Tuesday the 24th - instead, he'll come home on the 28th or the 29th.  Because when he goes home his therapy will drop from 5+ days a week to 3x a week, they feel that these extra days will really give him a big boost in his recovery.  Who are we to argue?  Well, we could... and we could come up with exercises to work when he gets home to push him and get him working the muscles he needs to work.  I'm still surprised that when you ask the PT folks what practical daily things can we encourage him to DO that would exercises these same areas not one can look you in the eye and say " putting things on the left side of his chair on the floor to encourage reaching down there"  When it was obvious from his movements that would move the same sets of muscles.  Sigh.  They don't think in practicalities... they think in terms of their gym and what they have there to work him on - not what is around a house.  Weirdness.

So, folks if you want a future business, there it is... teach people practical ways to exercises after injury in their own home that will help them with recovery better.  such as, when rolling over on the bed, roll over from one side to the other so you can do sit ups to both sides of your body - sleep on xx side of the bed to encourage sitting up and pulling with the non-dominant muscle to help build it.  Drink with only your left hand for a 1/2 day to encourage hand/eye coordination.  Go to the grocery store and be the "high shelf" reach-er to encourage over head movements.  Practice doing this with left hand going cross body, grabbing a can at shoulder height and placing it nicely in the cart.  Silly things that would be the same as sliding a silly ring from one side of an arch to the other... come on folks, these people are going back to the real world, give'm something to work with!  And how about a partial car IN the rehab building that would allow a person to PRACTICE getting into a car with lots of helping hands...where it padded for the "ah crap" moment when you THINK you have your head low enough...   Maybe I'm just dreaming... and I'm sure in more affluent neighborhoods/cities, there are such things.  Just not in this town.  Sigh.

OK, I'm off my soap box. 

Suffice to say that Dad is making major improvements daily.  I see in in how he's got more confidence to stand up and readjust his seat in the wheel chair, I see it in just sitting period - he doesn't slouch nearly as bad. That's not to say he doesn't still "lean" to once side or the other.. but it's really not as BAD as it was in the beginning.

Next up - Carpet and waking in a walker on carpet.
Oh, and he's on a full walker too - so he's got enough stregth in his left hand te encourage them to use the full walker rather than the hemi walker - that says a lot too.

Homecoming Dance

Liz decided to go to the homecomeing dance and had a themed dress with one of her friends.  Her friend had on a leppard skin dress

Ohhh, lala!

BAD mom! School photo and other random animals (ha!)

The start of the school year came and went and I NEVER posted pictures of the first day of school - BAD mom!  Then, well, life took over... so here it is, my catch up post with LOTS that has happened (and been on the camera) since 1 August (pool pictures were a DIFFERENT camera, thus the snafu on this one!)

Liz is a SENIOR this year

Angela is EIGHTH grade!

 

On a side note this is the hawk that has been scaring all the squirrels and OTHER birds away from my nice mornings of bird watching.  There was actually two in the trees, this one flew over the house, the other headed to the back of the property to those trees

 

Oh, yeah, he was watching me CLOSE as I came off the porch and took his picture... guess he's been shot at a time or two?

 

A different day, or this would be suicidal bunny.  I spotted him late one evening hunkering down in the back of the yard... I LOVE the zoom on my camera because even from that far away, this one was skittish... wonder why?  ha!

 It finally did stick it's head up a bit more... but not for long - then zoom, zip, he was gone!

 

Height check Angela

Official reading is 5 foot 3 and 5/8th inches! Going to outgrow her sister. Official height will be here for Elizabeth on Monday. It's doctor visit week at the Ashwood house!!

100 Items to Disappear First

Right up my ally as a “Closet Prepper” at heart however, I’m sorely lacking in 99% of these things!

 

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers (hum, I have two drinking ones, but have thought about a whole pool solar pool filter too so that there will be a source of water at least while there is rain…)
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.  (we don’t have anything BUT these – I know I’m unusual, but no electric can opener in my house)
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item) (I don’t even know what this is!)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels (Check – for a short while, but we have a lot of “rags” around my house too – as well as old sheets (kids play sheets) and beach towels galore!)
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST) 
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies 

40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food) 

41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators (lots of this in the kids school supplies area – even wooden pencils as they refuse to use them!)
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.) 
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times) 
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape (who doesn’t have this around the house?)
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid) (wonder why they want liquid?)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)

62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

 

From a Sarajevo War Survivor:
Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and
friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.

1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate
    near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war
   quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to
   do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without
    heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of
    the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs
    enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in
    bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more
    valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival
    guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll
    have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many
    people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of
    toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to
    lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches

 

Visiting hours

Hanging out with dad. Mom was in talking to the case manager and I had opted to save the chair for her. I couldn't figure out how to lower the bed so got comfy to chat while dad finished up dinner :)

Eating much better and getting stronger by the day!

Saturday update

I went up to see dad after his physical therapy yesterday. He had PT from 1-2.

We rolled on our to the garden area and shared a table with another nice man.

Dad really got some good Occupational Therapy from it because I made him deal all but one or two of his hands.

Shuffling us out and even dealing does present some good challenges for him on how to grab just one card. He was turning them on their side to see if it was just one and I kept accusing him of looking at my cards :) ha!

It was good memory and concentration work for him too working with numbers. I told him I would be nice as this was his first game back and wouldn't steal his points ;) all in all good "workout" for his brain but after an hour of physical therapy it tuckered him out. He caught my nibs point (didn't steal it) but missed only a few counts. So good practice in thinking skills.

Oh and he still skunked me so he's still sharp as a tack and chooses better card combos than me!

First Outing

Dad had his first appointment outside of rehab yesterday morning.  BOY was that an adventure.

Mom came to my house at 7:00 to make it to the hospital at 7:30.  I was outside witnessing my “unauthorized swimmer” … so showed the little froggy to her and we were on our way.  I was even a good mommy and made the kids some eggs and toast as well – bonus for them – however not enough bread for me, so I just made something for them.   I thought I would grab a bowl of cereal, however never did.  We were a few minutes early so I opted to go to Mc D’s for a biscuit sandwich.  It was HUGE.  They usually have normal size biscuits, this one seemed extra fluffy!  Oh, well – it was VERY filling.

Off to the rehab hospital to find dad sitting at the nurses station.  As he’s a fall risk, if he’s out of his bed, he’s supposed to be at the station to make sure that if he falls, someone will be there to avoid the fall – help him if he slips or something.  I’m not sure.  Anyway, they had him up and going at 5:30 for this appointment… had him bathed and shaved and fed so he could leave.  He ate ½ a grilled cheese sandwich and most of an ensure juice… getting better, getting better! 

7:45 the transport lady came up and was getting him situated to get on the van, so mom and I went to the car and pulled in behind the van…. And waited… and waited… and waited.  I think it took them a while to get the next gentleman ready to roll.  Anyway – we got on our way and headed over to his appointment.  I think we got there at 8:30 or 9:00am.  One lesson learned bring a urinal – they don’t have those at Dr’s offices (or anything similar)  Good thing is that there are “preparations” made in place for this issue if it occurs.

Anyway – sit in the Dr’s office, fill out paperwork, muddle through drugs, amounts, things like that that really – we have no clue when he’s in there what the heck they give him.  So, I tell the nurse point blank – they sent paperwork over, I wonder if it’s in there.  Yep, low and behold it’s in there – more meds than we even knew about!  There was a page and a half listed.  Is it really that much?  Not really, but I guess it has the “just in case” and the “as needed meds as well… and included the “motility” drug he’s on.  It’s not Zophran, it’s something else that isn’t necessarily for nausea, but getting the gut moving.  Another discovery from this place is that narcotic type drugs will slow the whole GI track down and wouldn’t you know it, the day he was really nauseated and didn’t d a lot of PT due to it was when he had his pain pills 3 times – one at 9am, two during PT and one that night.  AND he’s not getting sleeping meds at night, he’s getting pain pills.  He could hardly sleep last night with the anticipation of this “field trip”.  More concerns on how it would all go… where he would go… what would happen.

What else we discovered on this trip is that getting around in a wheel chair that is not your own, and not maintained properly is really a pain in the butt.  I’m thinking the one he’s using is super old and the left foot rest of the dang chair hung out about 7” father than the freaking chair.  So, the only way to get in through doors was take the chair, rub the left foot rest along the door to shove it in where it should be.  Goodness.  ** more to come on this freaking foot rest**  BUT I got him in, into the room and woven through the TIGHT configuration of chairs that really didn’t seem so tight until trying to maneuver them with a chair.  Eye opening.

We got into the meeting with the doc and she’s thinking that most of this is the pain pills, wanted to do an upper GI test with barium swallow to see what they could see as some of the issues with things getting “stuck” has been there since before the stroke and could be exacerbated by said stroke.  Really, it was left up to Dad at that point and he turned it down.  He can always have it done at a later time.  Right now the nausea is seeming to ease up with the motility drug and if we can get him off the pain pills, the rest could resolve and we’ll be in like Flynn (where does that saying come from?)!

So, appointment now ‘over’ with no real outcome, but with some more knowledge and suspicions that the pain meds are causing some issues with nausea.  Good enough for now.  He’s eating… he’s improving… as long as it keeps improving, we’ll keep moving forward.  So, we offer to have him go outside to sit in the warmth … it had warmed up nicely, but with the Coumadin he’s not to be in the sun, so we put his blanket over his legs and parked him with legs in the sun to warm and body in the shade.  Worked out well and he warmed up nicely and enjoyed the fresh air.  He did comment that if he could stand up, he would pee in the bushes… I told him I would do it, I’d lock his knee and help him do it.  He passed.  Can’t understand why… hahaha – would have been a sight, eh?  Ha!  Well, the transport issues are something else with rehab hospitals.  I think it took a full HOUR for him to get his ride to come get him, however, the sunshine did him good and we took the opportunity to trim his nails while outside and not having to worry about where they all flicked J  Do what you can, right?  So manicure in the fresh outdoors!  Talked with Linda too – so it was a win/win all around! 

After transport got there, I was wheeling him down to the van, headed down the little ramp and that stinkin’ left foot rest came OFF… dragging poor dads foot, tipping us forward just a hair… scared both of us, but neither freaked out.  I held it there while the nurse tried to reassemble… I finally had to tell her to just lift his leg so I could get to the bottom as it was hard to hold him on the slope!  Thank goodness he had a seat belt on just in case!!  Whew, close call, my wheelchair drivers license has been suspended until further notice!

Back to rehab – by the way it’s now 12pm… talked with Richard, his case manager.  The date is still set to the 25^th and Mom is going to be tested on what she can and can’t do to assist with him movements as she’s NOT strong.  I’m scared that she won’t be able to do what needs to be done… but we also have a week and a few days of rehab before he goes home, so pray his stamina improves and we graduate to a walker during the day… so we can be assured that with minimal assistance he can get up and to the bathroom, car, etc..

That’s another thing… they give you lessons on how to do these things, but there is no practical “training” of “how to get in a car” … there are stairs, but there is no CAR in there.. I guess you just practice with a chair and when it comes to a car, you figure it out?  I don’t know.  There is no shower, no shower stall, no shower chair – well, there may be, I haven’t seen them, however.  You would think you would have a dummy car set up with a seat to try to get into without bonking the crap out of your head, a shower to get in and out of… practical things.  Things that will make our break you when you get home.  I wonder if they even teach them how to get up after a fall if that happens… how to recover if the worst happens… you get to the chair and miss… now what?  Do you know how to roll just right to get to XYZ position to get to a kneel, then a stand?  Hum… makes me wonder.

Ok… back the adventure.  Dad was pretty set on just going to bed, but they told him it would take an hour to get him his food.  I knew dang good and well if he went to bed he would rather sleep at that point rather than eat… so I asked if we went with him, would he go to the dining room.  Yep.. so mom and I went to the dining room and got his lunch with him (we didn’t eat)… and sat and chatted while he ate.  He ate an small bowl of beans  - my thoughts were – yes, protein!!  I did tell him every time they rolled him he was to toot a little J  He ate about a ¼ portion of meat, a little of his roll dipped in the gravy from his potatoes and ½ a bowl of pears.  Doesn’t sound like much, but for him, it’s a HUGE improvement!  He did opt out of PT for the rest of the day as he was exhausted from doing the whole transport appointment thing… and with that, we rolled on back to the room, stopped at the nursing station to ask for an assist on transfer to the bed and a change in clothing.  I fully expected it to take  while, but low and behold they were coming in right after us to get him settled. 

By that time it was 1pm.  WOW – one appointment now equates to a full day.  They’re in for a BIG changeup in lifestyle.

So next week, mom goes in for family training one day (Tuesday) and I go in later in the week for the same thing – and we can both be there for that one.  AND next Tuesday we do a true evaluation if mom is able to do the heavy lifting/helping that will be necessary to let him come directly home.  What happens if he can’t come directly home, you ask?  Nursing home with therapy there… that is a dreaded one.  The thing that will let mom have him come on home will be him to assist more and her to be able to help enough to not strain either one of them.  The options are home rehab where someone comes to the house to help dad every week day for his therapy - less “toys” to work with and less of their tools available.  Less pressure for dad to get up and attempt to dress and do the things necessary to leave the house too…. So it’s good to have it out of the house…. But can they do this?  Can they manage?  Scary prospects.  I’m “on call” for a while.  I’m working on seeing when we bring Robert out… and really just holding our breaths right now…

New "Short Bus" Moment!

While at the tag place today (can you say “procrastination”?), I decided to do the unthinkable and prepare for my bank trip that is MONTHS overdue to cash some checks.  I fill out all the paperwork and low and behold that took about all the time needed for my number to be called.  I received a bright new shiny tag for my efforts (mine is now obsolete - as is a lot of things in my life!).  So... I had through a fast food place to grab a bite to eat, and head to the bank.  I pull up - quite proud of myself having filled out the deposit slip and everything AHEAD of time... she takes my stuff and then returns to the window with a very puzzled look and a request for me to "fix" the date on my slip.  I had written 9/14/65!  hahahaha - talk about HABIT when you write a date, eh?

 

Updates from Rehab

Well, all the siblings have gotten mom’s update about our adventures this week.  Trips to car repair places, drives up to Macon to visit Daddy-o in rehab.

 

It was really nice to meet his Physical therapist and get some more info on his leg/hip and the issues he’s been seeing there.  He’s had a lot of hip pain and they have x-rayed him to make sure it wasn’t broken or damaged in any way.  It’s not.  Mostly it’s “low tone” issues.  Now, I have heard all those terms when dealing with the preemie boards and Cerebral Palsy issues, etc.. so if you don’t get what I’m talking about holler and I’ll fill you in.  Basically his muscles are just what it says – having low tone – they’re too relaxed and letting his hip socket sort of “slosh around” which is not good for a hip.  Add to this, since he has limited movement/mobility in that leg, he’s NOT moving it enough… and after hearing that I looked him dead in the eye and said “hum, you need to MOVE more”… ha!  Gary said we should come to PT and tell him that as well – “move more” hahaha.  I told him we weren’t allowed to go to his PT sessions or we would come and be his cheer leaders.  This, as you read in mom’s update (well, only if you’re one of her kids) was got us invited to his PT session today.  Yeah – we finally get to see what he’s up to in this PT stuff.

 

Now Gary also updated us with his accomplishments and the fact he had moved more than 30 feet with minimal assist.  He’s not holding him up; he’s simply pushing the left foot forward as Dad’s hip/low tone isn’t getting the job quite done yet on pulling that foot forward.  He also said he was a “super star” in rehab and always doing as he’s asked and not complaining or quitting.  So these are all great things to hear.

 

I’m not impressed with the reactions to his nutrition at this point… and the fact that I’m sure he’s down a little more in weight and only being given broth and Jell-O when he really needs the energy to get the muscle and strength.  However VERY happy that someone finally listened that it’s the SMELL that is doing him in, nothing more.   The nausea med is one that melts under his tongue – Zofran.  So they are finally listening and it seems to be having the desired effect.  NOW we need Dad to speak up and ask for it when he’s going into OT as its’ right next to the kitchen and he commented that his stomach starts to do flips when he smells all the foods.  We’ll see if he’ll start to do that – I think once you get to feeling ill, there is no going back… but maybe this will work for him.  Time will tell on that one.

 

Oh, and he’s off his Coumadin as well lately – I guess his levels were too high there for a while, now he’s in therapeutic ranges, but he’s not on it… so they will wait and see what the doc will do about that issue.  I asked about Plavix, but was told it’s not a thinner, it’s an anti “stick together” med, so it doesn’t reduce the amount of cells, just discourages them from clotting…. So an ant clotting factor, but not a thinner.  I don’t get why it not be an option, but that’s up to the docs to decide which will be the best for his situation.

 

Other than that, Dad gets a field trip to see the gastro person tomorrow – I guess they want to rule everything else out as he’s having such issues with eating… then again, I am highly opinionated and hear him when he says the smells make him want to hurl.  It’s been consistent since the stroke.  He does not do well with strong smells.  I guess mom will have to figure out what smells trigger him when he gets home.

 

Speaking of home, we’re making some minor changes to the house to accommodate both Mom and Dad – I’ll get some feedback from dad on placement of the grab bar in the shower.  I have Steve coming out to install that as it will take some bolstering between the shower and the 2x4’s in the wall (inserts aren’t right against the 2x4’s and I remember this from when we took our shower out).  I’ll quiz dad on how he thinks he can do getting in and out of the shower with just a handle on the right as he enters the shower, or if he would be more comfortable with one just outside the shower door that would go from wall to floor as well…. that one we can wait on a bit more, as we can have someone there to assist until we can better assess his strengths and weaknesses in that area.  For now mom is leery to make any big changes until we find out just how much will be needed when he gets home.

 

And so, the Saga continues.  I’m trying to get on a schedule and the $%^&*  schools keep messing with me!  I had Liz’s schedule down pat… Monday’s and Wednesday’s she had practice until 5:00pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm.  So, I was planning on getting her at 5:00 on Monday and then heading to Dad’s..   Yeah, that got shot to heck… she is now out at 5:30 M/W  AND to add insult to injury, she’s also switched back to afternoons on T/Th to boot.  #$%^&*() freaking schools don’t think we parents have anything better to do that adjust our schedules constantly?  Really?  The child needs her own car, but the husband (yes, I’m talking about YOU Butch) wants her to work for it.  Something about responsibility.  Ok, I really think she’s responsible.  She gets good grades, she does what she’s supposed to do 99% of the time – she’s just not actively seeking a job, but really?  Isn’t working at school and maintaining a 90% GPA (with advanced classes) for her ENTIRE high school career enough to qualify you as responsible?  REALLY?  Sigh.  So I really think a car is for MY sanity more than for her enjoyment.  But, hey, what do I know… I apparently am the only one sweating when I can’t get in touch with her after school after she texts me with an “I’m coming out in just a second” from someone elses phone and I can get in touch with NO ONE to tell her to get her own ride home… ½ hour later the hubby leaves work to get her… really?  I’m more of a “drop everything and dash out there” type… he’s more of an amble out there apparently.  Sigh.  My sanity is seriously on shaky ground right now and having that extra worry out there just isn’t helping.

 

I DO have Angela with ONE make up test happening tomorrow; however, I think I can make that one without issue…. Or so I say.  HA!  My boss told me about a class being held on the 27^th… I told her I could promise her nothing…  and really I can’t promise anything at this point.  Who knows what will happen tomorrow that will pull me away?  I can’t tell ya.

Projects and plans

Time to show you whats on my agenda. First up:



Recognize this table family? Yes it's mom and dads the rail is broken so in considering removing the rails and tiling the top and painting the bottom.
Next up:



This is my $15 chair from Salvation Army. Dad cut put a new board for the back. Now to pull off the seat and the back, sand it a bit, re-seal it and put a fun color on it with better padding.
Next up:



HUGE frame street find (yep picked the garbage!). Considered making a BIG bulletin board. Have some cork board from another thrift shop run... Still debating.
Next up:



Street find (yep garbage again) it needed some TLC and some glue with clamps. That was ax imploded. (Hum wonder what that sentence was to be? Cell phone auto correct did me wrong!) Now to paint or just shine it up and sell it? Hum...Tempted to tile the top and use it for plants.
Next up:



A donation from my MIL. still debating what I'm doing with it.
Next up:






My nifty $5 find today a folding rolling cart. I can see this in a bright cheery yellow!!

Project

My next project. An antique ironing board. I'm in LOVE with the architectural feel to these and honestly NEVER thought I would find one!
And Linda will be happy to hear there is no paint in this projects future.
I also have. A cute wood chair to redo. AND do you guys remember the round coffee table? I think it will be painted and the rail removed AND a tile top put on it. Mosaic style. What do you think? Pictures to come in those in the "before" mode as well.

Odds and ends

Cool mushroom at M&Ds house

Cooler lacy mushrooms @ work

My bulletin board @ work. Yep, I did this. Shoulda been a teacher. Naw, doesn't pay well enough!
Detail in the motivational sayings:



This was accomplished on my "work avoidance" Friday ;)



Hahaha. I need this sexy beast for my car !!

Saturday update

I have nothing....sad, I know. I should... Mom and I went to find the body shop recommended to her... They're not open on Saturday. We'll go back Monday lunch time. So today was a morning jont to get moms car back to her. I didn't have a set if keys - woops!! Then a trip to see dad...a drive home...a bit of nothing after that....
So here's moms "newsy" letter...
I’ve been telling everyone that Dad won’t use the telephone and Robert called me to tell me to tell Dad that there was a BYU game on TV today and I told him that Dad doesn’t watch TV. Then I look at the answering machine a little while later and there is a message from guess who? Dad.
Donna that I was going up there on the freeway and if the light fell off the car, so be it. She suggested that I tape it on! Why didn’t we think of that before? So I got my trusty duct tape out and taped it on and off I went.
The reason I wasn’t home when he called was because I went to Wal-Mart to find strawberry Ensure and small puddings and Jell-O in hopes of getting him to eat something.
Then when I get there guess what he’s doing? Watching a football game on TV. So needless to say, he’s feeling much better.
The nurse did get him some meds to calm his stomach and he said he ate more breakfast and lunch than usual but just picked at his dinner while I was there. He didn’t want the stuff I brought except for the Jell-O so I left some there for him and will take some more tomorrow. He tasted the pudding and said it was OK but didn’t want any then so I left some of that too. That’s OK though as long as he’s eating better I’ll not worry anymore. The nurse that brought his dinner in tonight said she would have the dietician come in and talk to him so she can see that he gets what he likes. I brought Honey Nut Cheerio’s but he forgets to tell them that there is some in a bag on his end stand and they serve him plain cheerio’s with lots of sugar on it. Yuk. But he said it’s hard to think when they wake him up to feed him early in the morning. Donna came up about 3 and we were talking away and look over and Dad’s sound asleep. His hip was hurting him so he finally called for a pain pill and it put him to sleep. So Donna left and I laid on the other bed and took a rest for about ½ hour until his dinner came.
He was so happy to have a rest from the all day PT. They did do about an hour’s worth in the morning but he got to lay in bed and relax the rest of the day. He’ll have tomorrow off too.
He got sucked into a football game at 5:00 so I left to come home. I had planned to leave at 6:00 and should have because as soon as I got on the freeway it started pouring down rain and rained hard all the way home until I got to the peach county line as usual.