On our walk this morning (yes Lady was up early!), my mind kept wandering to old English murder mysteries involving foggy nights. I was writing a screenplay in my head or seeing old movie scenes. I guess it's good to let the mind wander sometimes. Lady and I just meandered our normal route, but because it's Sunday there were no work trucks or many cars/people around.
Lady has been very antsy for the past few days. She just can't seem to settle down. She's not a lap dog so it's not like she comes to me for a little love. If I try to pet her, she goes the other way. She wanders the house room-to-room; up and down off the couch; not sure if she is feeling energy or seasonal shifts, but sometimes she gallops around. Usually the galloping means I need to go out, but I take her out she squats and wants right back in the house - no walk. She was funny last night, even the visiting angel noticed how she could not settle. After her normal treats (yes she knows what time to get these) she wandered the house until it was time for bed. And, yes, we have a routine for bed as well. She has definitely been sticking by my side, when I move, she moves. I did almost trip over her the other day when I was carrying laundry...thought she was sleeping in the living room and did not hear her approach. Luckily, I felt her before before I could step on her. As my sister said, I may have to think about a life alert for me...LOL!
I would like to write a little bit about caregiver support and how I've come to realize that they probably provide me more support and assistance than I ever thought they would. I know they are here to help my mom physically, but they are definitely here for me mentally. Whether it be the hospice nurse and aid; the visiting angel; or the private aid; they always take the time to speak with me; of course about my mom; but usually about anything and everything. I have used my coaching skills to support them as well. The hospice caregivers are here for about an hour, but if I need to run a quick errand will stay until I return. The visiting angels are here for two separate three hour stints on Saturday which provides me the time to grocery shop, run errands, etc. Six nights a week I have a private aid come in for 1 to 2 hours. I normally have the same aids so we have definitely gotten in many ways to know each other. They are the lifeline, in my crazy life, as they may be the only adult conversation I have for the day. I know for them it's a job and when it's over they will move on to someone else, but for many of them they give so freely of their heart. Many aids have told me how their patients become like family and how they impacted them. In so many ways, it's a thankless job. I thank them all the time, but thought I should put it out into the world how grateful I am for all the, by do.
Mom had an overall good week. She was up in her chair a couple of days in a row and wanted to stay up until the evening aid came. She even let me transfer her from chair to bed one day and she tried to assist (she usually stiffens up). She is sleeping more and it seems more peacefully. She did scare me the other day, when she looked at me and said, "I only have to put up with this for another hour!" Then she shut her eyes. I was a bit scared and closely monitored her for the rest of the day. There are lots of angels visiting and having conversations with her so I catch snippets here and there. I smile and cry almost every day, but it's not a bad thing. As I am here and have to stay present in whatever moment she provides.
My heart and prayers are with all of those in the Carolinas and dealing with Hurricane Florence. Thank you friends and family in the area that checked in and provided status updates via FB. I have found sometimes in these types of emergencies the benefits of technology.
My heart and prayers are also with those in the Lawrence/Andover/North Andover area of Massachusetts where they were devastated by gas explosions this past week. What a catastrophe. My prayers are for the young man that was killed. I can't believe that after 80 explosions only one person was killed so that is a blessing in itself. They had to shut off in these three areas, gas, electric and water. So many people had to go to shelters until it is declared safe to go back home. I have to say the Mayor of Lawrence - Dan Rivera is amazing to watch. He truly cares about his community and taking care of the people. He has called out the gas company for non responsiveness and with that, the Governor declared a state of emergency and appointed another utility to take over the investigation and get things moving.
I finished reading one of my murder/mayhem books I keep handy. I'm in the middle of another book that I'll probably mention next week.
Trying to decide if I'll go to the Friendship Club (LOL) annual meeting today. It might drive them crazy to see me walk in as you never know what I may say or do. I don't really care about any of it any longer, but it might be fun just to see what happens.
A friend asked me the other day what I'm cooking these days. I said, I don't cook any more there is no point in cooking just for me. I enjoy cooking just not for me only, I would rather cook for 10. I told her I cook dinner most Sundays and if people show up fine, I'll send them home with leftovers. If no one comes, I'll eat it for a week. It's just as easy for me to pick up a couple of salads and eat throughout the week or grab a bowl of cereal. I'm all about easy these days.
Thank you to those that walked in the ALZ walk yesterday. There were several walks across the country and I know many friends that participated.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
16 American Legion Day
16 Collect Rocks Day
16 Step Family Day
16 Mayflower Day
16 Mexican Independence Day
16 National Play Doh Day
16 National Women's Friendship Day - third Sunday in September
16 Wife Appreciation Day - third Sunday in September
16 Working Parents Day
17 Citizenship Day
17 Constitution Day
17 National Apple Dumpling Day
18 National Cheeseburger Day
18 Yom Kippur - begins at sundown
19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day
19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day
20 National Pepperoni Pizza Day
20 National Punch Day
21 International Peace Day
21 Miniature Golf Day
21 World Gratitude Day
22 Eid-Ul-Adha - date varies
22 Business Women's Day
22 Elephant Appreciation Day
22 Hobbit Day
22 International Rabbit Day - Fourth Saturday in September
22 National Hunting and Fishing Day - Fourth Saturday in September
22 Oktoberfest begins in Germany - date varies
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." Khalil Gibran
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." The Dalai Lama
"Put your heart, mind, and soul into even our smallest acts. This is the secret of success." Swami Sivananda