My overall week went very well. I got to the gym five days in a row - always a good way to start the day. Trying to do a little bit of trotting on the treadmill and now I know that I need some new shoes. I brought a pair of my old walking shoes with me, but they are definitely too heavy whether it be walking or trotting on the treadmill. One of these days I'll find the time to pick up a lighter pair. I am definitely not as motivated in going to the gym, but at least I get my butt up in the morning and head there.
My mom had a good week. She requested that I bring her cards and pick up gift cards for the staff. I was trying to get a list of staff members so I knew how many items to pick up and it took a few days. My mom finally said, "boy are you slow, what's taking so long." I said I'm waiting for a list of names since you have not told me how many cards to buy. Finally, got all of that taken care of. My sister helped my mom fill out the cards and sign names while I ran to get the gift cards. We then had the day staff come over to her and she gave each one the item. The nurses then took the rest to hold for the different shifts since I don't know anyone, but the day shift. Today, mom said to me, I want you to bring me in some more cards and I said for who we just passed them all out. She said I'll tell you when you bring them in. My mom was right on target with sarcasm and smart answers.
There is a new patient in the unit and he is a big man and loud. My mom is much more on the quiet side and so are most of the patients. The nurses told me yesterday that my mom told the new patient the rules at his first breakfast. Told him that his behavior was not acceptable. The nurses the man stopped mouthing off and sat to eat his breakfast and they were happy. He is a talker and a walker - sometimes not great combinations. As usual my mom has been watching and observing so she was filling me in on everything happening. She has told a couple of people where I used to work so sometimes the staff will come and ask me to be sure they heard her correctly. I start laughing and say yes I was a federal employee for 32 plus years and recently retired. They are fascinated.
I had a wonderful evening on Friday with my sister's family. My niece is in the choral group in her high school and it was the fall concert of all the different groups. There is a lot of talent and it was fun to see them all dressed up and supporting each other.
Saturday was a crazy day in the life of Marie. I had arranged for the roof to be repaired - not a bad thing since we did not have to be here. The roofer had to disconnect the satellite dish because it was not installed in a good spot on the roof and caused some leaking. We also had an assessment planned for my dad's vision which would be done in the home. Of course, they all ended up happening at the same time. I'm on the phone with the satellite company while the roofers are banging and trying to answer/listen to the assessor for my dad. Also, knowing that I have to leave because of a planned engagement. I left after the assessment was done, but the satellite company said we can not come out for 10 days. I was not happy and think about leaving an 81 year old that can not get around without a TV for 10 days. I thought I'm going to lose it! The roofers were still banging. The roofer agreed to put the satellite back up, but not completely so we could get the satellite repositioned. I left the house hoping the satellite would work by the time I got home.
I had a lovely afternoon planned for my sister and kids with myself to attend the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Show. None of us had attended previously and since I have been trying to create new memories I thought it would be nice to attend and support the local arts. We had a wonderful time at the 2 hour concert in a beautiful old building. They also collected toys. I did not realize it was going to be a kids march to turn in the toys and my 13 year old nephew ended up marching in the parade - he was the last one in the parade at almost 5'9". But he is a good sport and went along to donate the toys - I'm so proud of him. My niece was going to spend the night so after the concert her and I went to dinner and picked up some groceries.
We got home to my dad pacing because there was no TV and he was in my face to get something right away. I called another satellite company and they would be able to hook up everything today. So although we had a family dinner planned, I said send the installer. I then called the initial satellite company and cancelled service - my dad did not care that there was a cancellation fee. I said to the company, you installed the satellite wrong which caused a leak, your poor customer service to resolve this issue is why I'm cancelling and yet I have to pay a cancellation fee. You make no sense to me and I thank heaven that I don't have to use you again. I even said, I'm not asking you to pay for the roof or anything else, just to cancel service and yet again your poor customer service means you'll charge me a cancellation fee.
Not knowing the weekend would be so disruptive, yesterday morning I started the spaghetti sauce and last night I made the meatballs and added sausages. I wanted to let the sauce settle and enjoy an evening with my niece. In my head I had a whole bunch of items planned with her including making cookies and watching a Christmas movie or something. That did not happen as I was trying to finish the sauce. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and I don't know why except I felt like I was disappointing me niece as I could not devote time to her and attend to my pacing father. When I fell into bed last night exhausted - I really just wanted to cry. I am hoping she had a nice time any way.
We just finished dinner today when the installer came and he left four hours later. But we have TV which made my dad happy. My dad practically followed the guy from room to room to be sure it was installed. If he could have, he would have been on the floor with him. We provided him a cup of coffee and a gingerbread cupcake to keep him going. So now that everything is right with his world, I have not seen him in a while.
I feel now that the weekend is ending like my world is returning to normal. As I sit here I can not believe how much pressure I put on myself to create some type of perfect weekend. I know there is no such thing as perfection so why did I try so hard? How would you have handled the weekend with the disruptions? I did try to go with the flow when I could, but it's hard with someone pacing around me. Would you have been a whirling dervish or a calm cool collected person?
I am participating in a group and one of the challenges this week was to come up with three accomplishments from 2014. They could be big or small and it was entirely individual. Here is my list: 1. I completed two walking 1/2 marathons; 2. I retired and had two of the best parties ever - after all, not everyone has a flash mob appear; and 3. being able to spend more time with my family. What would your three accomplishments be?
I am going to end it here for tonight. I'm tired! Hope I did not bore you with my story! I hope you have a good week. For those celebrating Hanukkah - enjoy the Festival of Lights! Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“Minds are like flowers, they only open when the time is right.” ― Stephen Richards
“You have to open up to the world and learn optimism...Contentment with the past, happiness with the present, and hope for the future. Learned optimisim.” ― Jennifer Crusie, Agnes and the Hitman
“It's not strength, it's PERCEPTION that makes you stronger. If you change how you SEE it, you'll change how you FEEL about it.” ― Yvonne Pierre, The Day My Soul Cried: A Memoir
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