The weather has worn out many people as anger, frustration and rage set in. The streets have been a mess. The stories of people in traffic - 3 hours to get out of a parking garage (yikes)! I know I would have turned around and went back to work as I did in 1983 with my friends in Virginia. The transportation system in Boston shut down this past week which ticked off many many, but the outdoor system froze and had drifts. They had a train get stuck outside with passengers on it. The system is closed again today, but they announced it Friday. And, of course, with the crazy streets in Boston, they have turned two-way streets into one-way streets until April. Thank goodness I do not have to go to the city at all until the day I go to the airport.
We had an exciting week at my dad's house. Yesterday we picked up the newest member of the family - Buddy. He is an Akita mix and rescued originally from Georgia. We got him via a rescue in South Carolina. I tried to prep the house this past week - having my dad pick up his snack food and trying to be sure things were put away. The transporter got him to Rhode Island - she was afraid to come further north with the impending storm. She had four different families meeting her at a truck strop. As we left yesterday morning it was minus 9 degrees (COLD COLD COLD). Buddy jumped right into our car and I had dad ride in the back seat with him to help keep him settled. Buddy is a bit bigger than I expected at almost 80 pounds. He is blind in one eyes so bumps into the furniture much of which he is either taller than or he equals. We did get a crate for him to sleep in at night and to stay while we are away during the day. He slept in it last night without any issues - we left the gate open and he is in my dad's bedroom. Many of you know the wonderful effect an animal can have on one's life.
I can officially say the snow is up to my butt on the patio. I could not even find the steps, but I powered through so I could walk Buddy. Buddy likes to eat the snow and put his snout into the fresh piles. Once we cleared the steps, Buddy led the way. He is not tugging too much as I expected he might. I came back in drenched from head to toe and the dog wants to stay out. If we had a fenced-in yard I might consider it, but we don't so I will walk him every few hours. My dad actually walked him twice this morning while I stayed in bed for a change. I think Buddy will be good for my dad because it will get him to walk a few times a day. Of course, I did not expect to have a dog at the same time as a blizzard.
Other than the dog and the blizzard the week was routine. My dad and I settled into our week of breakfast, visiting my mom and taking care of errands. As I wrote in my surprise blog, sometimes our communication is off, but we get through it. I was able to get out and get some of the ramp cleared and the beginning of a path to the service road. I asked the man who plows when he comes by tonight to try to create a path to the service road so it will make it a bit easier to walk Buddy. The service road definitely does not get the cars on it that the main roads get and there are no sidewalks. I have not seen the front steps of the house since I arrived on 1 January and I'm not going to until I return in March I believe.
I am trying to work on building my coaching business in my down time. I had let this business slide a bit in the past year with so many other things going on. I miss attending the seminars and dinners which help keep in touch with the coaching community. I am trying to be more active in LinkedIn and contacting others that may have some leads. I need to determine how much business I can handle and still take care of family. Oh well, this too will happen in good time. How about you? Have things prevented or challenged you to get things moving in your life?
My mom had a good week. She was very communicative and made sense most of the time. She ate well which always makes my dad happy. I was surprised the other evening by a phone call from her via the nurse. She wanted to let me know she would not be home as she was having a nice time and not to worry. I talked to her about it the next day and she said I don't have your numbers and I can't remember what they are. I said no problem that's why we gave them to the staff so they could call us for you. That seemed to satisfy her and leave her peaceful. She told my dad yesterday if the weather is bad stay home, I'll be fine. I have to say the nurses and cna's just keep telling me, I hope when I get old and in a home I have someone like your dad. He is here all the time and just sits with her. He brought her in flowers yesterday for Valentine's Day and all the staff made a big deal. We also brought mini cupcakes for the staff as they give up so much fun time to work.
This past week had the nursing home and the rest of the rehabilitation hospital dealing with the influenza-A and the stomach flu. At least four patients have been diagnosed with influenza-A and one/two needed to be sent to the hospital. Quite a few of the staff were also out. The nurses are ensuring my dad wears a mask because of his weakened immune system. Here is your funny story for the week: my dad said the other day - why do I have to wear a mask and you don't? I looked at him and said straight faced : you are 81 and old! He looked at me, chuckled and said well you are right. My mom just laughed. I said it's also because you had radiation and your system is compromised. He said ok I won't ask again. I will continue to say that for many of the staff it is definitely a devotion. Yesterday afternoon a couple of them were searching for hotel rooms closer so they could get in this morning.
I actually finished reading a couple of books this past week. Nothing fancy my standard murder mysteries and a love story. Who knows what this week will bring. I am excited when I can get the local newspapers read in the same day that I pick them up.
I think I will end it here today. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care if you are in the weather zone. Chat soon. Marie
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Joseph Campbell
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." Lao Tzu
Referrals are always appreciated.