Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Come sit a spell...

merry Christmas everyone

Diesel, Chaos and I wish you a Merry Christmas. May your day be everything you want it to be.

Deb, hope weather is as grand as our is for travelling, hope they all live locally.

Liz what will you and Kenny be doing today? Is it sunny California today or chill in the air.

Thank you Dianne, wish all of you the same..is it too slippery that you will not be able to take them for their Christmas walk? Calling for freezing rain tomorrow.

Jeff is waking for the boys to get up, giving them another 1/2 hr then up and at it they must. I’ve been up early, just waiting for boys to get up and breakfast is ready..

Wish he could stay for Christmas dinner but boys are having supper with their mom..this mom is making a care bag, have 2 large containers of spaghetti sauce ready for him to take home, made a little batch of mashed potatoes and because I cooked one of the turkeys yesterday, I can send him home with Christmas fixings.

Mom just got up,Jeff and I just mellowing but 8m getting antsy to put my house back
in order before the next gang comes around 4

Must call Suzanne to see how she is feeling, 9 shouldn’t be too early to call

Ohh had an extra guest for Christmas Eve festivities

Enjoy your day!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Have a few minutes, as too am waiting for my son and daughter in law to get here. The drove in yesterday, got here about 6. Amarillo is an 8 hour drive. We had pizza, then the went to their motel to crash. They should be here any minute for breakfast.

not a whole lot, fil is in a home now mil need to get him to sign power of attorney. he is in his 3rd home due to fighting and being violent with the staff, but he just cant be home he falls to much and mil cant lift him, just sad all the way around.
so we forfeted xmas.
my family we will have it after new year
so it actually is a stressless holliday which is good for us.

Liz because of Alzheimer’s the wanting to fight? Rough situation for sure..is Kenny an only child? Sure wish you lived closer.

Mom just went to lay down for half hour, I’m laying on sofa making note of what time I do what..I’m ahead of the game but know I’ll be thrilled to have Christmas behind me..I’m plum tuckered out.

Tomorrow will be a Jammie day, I’ll pack up a few things..they say freezing rain tomorrow morning, sure hope it passes us by

no he had 2 strokes, and he basically just gave up, he is extremely suborn.
fil has 1 son,
Kenny and his sister are step children

get in a good nap you will be busy later

We had a lovely, quiet, day. First opened a few gifts from friends, called my daughter, and Bob's son, then went for a full turkey dinner at the Legion @ noon. Afterwards we came home and had scrambled eggs & salsa for dinner, followed by some snacks, etc all evening :)
I really think my cough is going away, finally.
I think someone asked if I'd found my wedding ring? No, sadly.....

Pat, you have quite the chore on your hands. Thankfully the med understood what is needed for Ben.
Liz - this sounds terribly hard on your mil - very stressing for her. I'll et you're looking forward to celebrating in the new year.
Betty - you've been doing a lot of running around - get some rest, too

This message was edited Dec 26, 2019 1:51 AM

susan, yes now I look forward to it.

betty I bet your exhausted lol
Karen I tried the cell phone pillow omg it was easy thank you for sharing that.
pat, I hope all is well with ben
lk im going to write down that fudge recipe it sounds sooo good
deb I love all your animal pictures on fb
diane how are you and the thundering heard

Let me know how it turns out Liz. Nuts are optional if you don't like them.
Glad to hear everyone had a good Christmas. We did too. Lots of extra food to put in the freezer. Why do we cook so much?

Afternoon, had called for freezing rain but didn’t get it yet, cold out but to be expected, it is winter.

so wanted to post before to check in on all of you but I was totally exhausted, actually beyond exhausted..


Sat early this morning and thought while it’s mild I should be putting totes in back shed, living room and dining room almost done, just going to wrap 3 parts of Christmas tree and canput bench back in front of window so Ziggy can enjoy looking out. He will be glad when it’s just he and I.

Noah had his dog here last night, an 8 month old pup who wanted to play, then mom has her dog here so Ziggy is out of sorts.

Taking a little break, if I sit for much longer that will be it..

I imagine by tomorrow night Christmas will be no longer.

As for food LIndakay, much like you, I could have another Christmas dinner today and could feed 20, deserts galore.

Think SHARON said she was coming for supper, hope she knows I’ll be in bed early so best we have an early supper.

Mom has been here since Sunday, going home tomorrow, maybe I’ll take a run to Barrie, Caleb and Braedon gave me $100 gift card for michaels which 8m not a fan of, keep telling them that in a polite way but they don’t know of other sewing stores so Melanie was here doing a bed throw with large Bernal wood, think I’ll spend my $$ buying wool and making myself one for bedroom which I want to redo.

Are you all resting, taking it easy?

Karen did your family like the phone caddy’s and LIndakay, the gnomes?

I’m done in, 11 totes to back shed, other than Christmas bedding and a few major pieces on the wall I’m done upstairs..

Now needs a good dusting, vacuuming and washing of floors but that will wait till basement is packed up

Crazy lady, had a hot bath, took meds..

Sharon is coming at 4 to eat, wanted her to come earlier but she said 4 would be better but 4 it is..did tell her she would have to eat then run..

Upstairs looks so bare

Don't know how you do it Betty. Please don't overdo.
Yes, everyone loved the gnomes. I also made them each a snowman hat. Along with the fudge I made, they were very happy m

Social worker called me after 5, they found one facility willing to take Ben & can move him tomorrow. I don't even know if they told Ben! His #2 daughter came today and is up at the hospital visiting with him now. . I stopped to see him at 10 AM but he was asleep and did not wish to disturbed so I left. I didn't go up this evening, I wanted him to have time with Rebecca.

I guess we will see what progress Ben makes in 3 weeks and can reevaluate how much he WANTS to come home and will work hard enough to remain home. I know there are plenty of family members (his & mine) that think the move should be considered permanent. We'll see.

Karen, would you post the link to the cell phone holder again? I would like to try it.

Glad to hear they found a place for Ben.

Here is the link for the phone pillows.

https://youtu.be/uWOZ0jo25YM

Morning everyone, raining here, if I soon don’t get those totes and trees to back shed there will be no,snow for the toboggan lol

I did work all morning, mom is just packing her van and gett8ng ready to leave..she will stay at aunt Muriel’s for a few days then travel home tak8ng auntie with her for a few weeks..she said “I guess you are anxious to be al9ne in the house” said I enjoy being on my own..hint hint

Pat, God bless them for having a place for Ben, now for you to relax some..it’s also wonderful that your and his family know what pressure you are under re his care and know it’s best he has alternate care. Where he will be staying is it close to you for easy visiting?

Thanks for link again LIndakay..

Sharon wants me to go to Barrie she needs fabric from Lens Mills, I would like to go to michaels for 10 skeins of blanket wool and if we are that close maybe a trip to Cookstown, would like to buy one of those wool ir9ning Matt’s, why I don’t know lol

So as soon as mom leaves I’ll leave, best I check to see if Cookstown is open before going though

Betty you had better check your weather. We are in the midst of freezing rain and just plain rain. It looks like you are under the freezing rain storm watch too.

Oh Pat I am so glad they were able to find a place for Ben. You need to rest and regroup.

Good to see you Liz. The TH are full of beans. Santa was more than generous with them so they are in seventh heaven toting toys around and making them squeak.

BBL

It is one of the closest facilities but not one of the better ones. I am REALLY nervous, I just don't get the feeling that the facility knew what they were to expect . Usually the facility provides all the medication incontinence supplies etc AND when with Ben, what his needs were. I talked to Ben this evening he still didn't have a urinal! I dont' know.... hopefully they will get it all figured out.

thanks for the link, I'd like to make a few of the phone pillows. They would make a nice gift to have on hand.

Sure hope they can get him what he needs. Was he upset when he was told he was going?

Happy birthday Dianne. Have an awesome day. 🎂

Morning all, not raining yet but feels like it is coming..

Happy Birthday Dianne, will you do anything special today..bet the TH will cuddle a tad more than usual...you usually get new books for reading, are you reading anything special?

Pat, I so hope things change and Ben get good care..what are his thoughts?

Did go to Barrie, Michael’s had nothing I could spend my $100 gift card so it came home with me. Went into Cookstown, needed flesh for Floridian Santa’s, got that and bought with Linda’s gift certificate the 18x24 wool mat, haven’t tried it but will this afternoon.. stopped into Lens Mills and got some plastic pellets to try the telephone piece Karen will have us addicted to. Lol

This morning I went into town, Canadian tire, the dump, Walmart and a few furniture places..saw a table/chairs and bench set that might do, big old oak tree needs to find a new home..likely it would last me another 50 years but I want a change. Have to think about the set, not sure I like built on cushions on chairs and bench.

Grrr think I need another iPad, every 10 or so words I have to correct as a number shows up..

Did buy that blanket yarn, variegated with colours of living room, now to figure out if I want to crochet or knit?? Want it airy, throw for couch

Hungry, did not eat yet..going to have leftovers, bought a roast to put in slow cooker for tomorrow and make ruby’s Applesauce cake..all the pies not eaten went to the dump.

Happy Birthday, Dianne!! Hope you're having a great day!

best wishes diane, hope you had a wonderful birthday

Well, Our Christmas is over. Everyone was loving the phone pillows. Managed to give away most of my extras too. I was so pleased all the kids really seemed to like their pillows and books. Of course the scramble was enjoyed and all happy hubby made jerky.
I'm so glad we had the extra time here. Spent time with my aunt, wish I could take her home with us but she isn't ready yet. Also visited with friend who has done much of my long arming both QOVs and personal. We had a nice long visit.
Was wonderful to spend time with kids, grands and greats.
We'll head home Monday to avoid traffic. A bit more visiting I want to do here too.

Morning all, turned up the furnace, Lordy I had it down to 71, not a wonder I feel chilled this morning.

Karen, sounds like your Christmas couldn’t get any better, not a wonder the family loved their gifts.

Has my bath, seems even though I think Christmas is set away in totes I find more to pack up..I’ve 6 totes, 2 trees and a bundle of wood pieces to be set in back shed..then comes the 2 giant Santa’s and take down outside lights..lights can wait until tomorrow but then it might mean in a storm so know I will push myself..daylight is just breaking, need daylight to work in back shed as there is no hydro in it..sled sure made life easier, 4 totes at a time and easy to pull.

Now to put craft room in order, not sure if I mentioned it but bought an embroidery package of Christmas ornaments the other day, cute as a button, would like to embroider a few but not sure my old desk top will download them, there seems to be a problem with it, going to try though..also boughtsome type in in the hoop towel holder lol

Coffee time

Got up from having coffee and saw movement, by the time I got my iPad almost missed them they were running, one did stop to look as me watching him

Glad to hear you had a good Christmas Karen. Please drive safely going back home.

Sounds like you have your Christmas all but put away Betty. Love the deer photos. Do you feed them?

No I don’t LIndakay, that being said I plant a lot of shrubs that have berries lol

Rita just called to check in, I haven’t stopped since I got up, asked her what time it was, 9:30a.m. Omg thought it should be late afternoon

Had my break, think I best get up and get another hour in and I’m back to square one

while having my coffee have the card I was given re the table and 4 chairs I was looking at, bench extra so I will phone tomorrow and get them to deliver it providing they can take the other to the roadside..it’s solid oak, well built, maybe somebody would pick it up.

Sorry to be late with the birthday wishes Diane. I hope it was wonderful. Full of joy and deep contentment.

I have marked the phone pillow tutorial and will get the plastic beads bought. I hope to get some made soon.

Ben is of course "not impressed" but I stayed for his first physical therapy session and although he told me that he "thought it was too short", I pointed out that he was exhausted and could not have done more! With refection, he agreed.

It becomes more clear to me to take ANYTHING Ben says with a grain of salt. Mostly he is not trying to misrepresent something, but his perceptions and memory is so poor. I will visit him again today after church. My game plan is to visit daily, plus a phone call before bed. I will just have to advocate for him, trust that with monitoring, the facility WILL meet his needs. Even if I have to get more doctors orders and remind, remind, remind!

It is difficult to decide WHAT to bring to the facility. It's a given that anything can be stolen or misplaced. Of course I am labeling EVERYTHING. I am bringing him his old computer, he got a new one for Christmas. I have not switched out his old phone for new yet, mostly because of this. Anything that I am brining CAN be replaced without undue expense, all things that are outdated and the pleasure it will bring him, outweighs the risk of theft.

I hired help at home yesterday, my favorite 2 neighbor boys. In an hour and 15 minutes they did what it would have taken me all day IF I could at all! They brought in and assembled heavy duty metal storage rack. Hauled out heavy table, ran boxes in and out of barn, took things down from top shelves and moved to the new desired location. Many of things I COULD have done but it takes me so long.

Christmas tree and all wreaths are taken down and all put away. I'm working my way thru the sewing room and bedroom drawers to downsize and better organize. I have a HUGE stack of mail to open & deal with. Feels good to get some stuff down. I even hope to get out to the shop & finally fix the kitchen table. I added a spacer and put a piece of wood on it so it had an end that Ben could get his wheelchair under. It has set there now for over a year with clamps holding it in place rather than trimmed to size & made permanent. NOW is the time, while Ben is out of the house. I can cure the new finish & let the glue set up proper.

Sorry for the rambling narrative.

I enjoyed what you called “rambling narrative” as it warms the heart to know you seem more at peace even though you are working hard..are you back to work tomorrow? Sad that what you take to Ben can easily be taken away by others..how nice you had the boys today..

I remember my grandmother when in a home missed her dog Buddy terribly, they had just come out with a dog that was so realistic, when you pet it make sounds, nurses found it annoying and would take the batteries away, not truly out of malice but it took much joy from her.

I ordered my table/chair/bench set, they deliver tomorrow mid afternoon.

tired so thinking if I crawl into bed I can play with iPad games until I doze off

Waiting for the ice storm to hit. Betty are you awaiting ice or snow ? If the Weather Liars are right this is a freezing rain event that will last for a couple of days.

Pat it was not a rambling narrative. We are all good listeners. Glad you hired the neighbour boys. I feel the same way. I could do something but Keiran can do it so quickly. I imagine once he turns 16 he will be looking for a steady PT job. I'll certainly give him an excellent reference.

Thank you for the birthday wishes. When I was in my 30's I thought 70 was old ..... now I am 70 I don't feel old.I had a wonderful day yesterday.A long time friend of ours picked me up and we went to Westport in the afternoon. Westport is a trendy village with lots of unique shops. Turns out neither Frank nor I are shoppers but his sister who joined us sure was. We then went to Walmart and I stocked up on all my kitchen, bathroom and personal items I need to get through the winter.We had a fantastic meal at a Greek restaurant in Kingston.

Betty I still catch my breath every time I see the deer. There was 1 last night very interested in the area under the lake side deck. I think maybe my mulch pail was the attraction.

Stay safe and well.

Pat, feel free to ramble anytime you feel like it.
When my Dad went to nursing home, it took 3 days for his hearing aids to vanish. My sister reported them missing, and let the staff know how expensive they were. The next day they were back in his bedside table.
Betty, someone will enjoy getting your old table for sure.

I'm up. You too Betty?

Waiting for the freezing rain to start. The WLs say it is on its way !

BBL

Morning, yes Dianne, heavy rain here this morning, if it continues for much longer there wall be no snow..am hoping to doesn’t turn to freezing rain.

Dianne, glad you had a nice outing, I’d have loved to visit those antique shops.

Thought of you this morning, odd day I get up and I’m dizzy as old heck, today is one of those days, guess laying on couch for the day won’t hurt..Jammie’s look nice so might not get out of them, furniture delivery men likely have seen worse.

I was mistaken..... we DID have freezing rain overnight. It just doesn't want to stop. The TH slid right down the front stairs.Getting back up the stairs was difficult. There was no way I was even going to attempt going down to help them. I figured if worst came to worst I could have opened the gate to their enclosure and the TH could come in that way. Part of their enclosure has a roof so no worry of slipping there.

Betty I wouldn't wish a vertigo attack on anyone.They are scary. When everything around you starts to move around I freak. Did it seem like the floor came up to meet your face?

Generator is all gassed up,,cell, Kindle and laptop all charged. I'm ready if the power goes out.

Stay safe everyone. And Betty that couch looks inviting to me too.

Tad of freezing rain but morning isn’t over yet, doubt they will bring dining room set today..best place for you and the TH is near the fireplace you reading them a story.a

Yes it’s a mild form, get it here and there, got up to go into bedroom, thank goodness there is a railing or over the side I would have gone..had a bowl of cereal, hoping something in my tummy will help, that and a few hours and off the couch I be.


Haven’t seen the municipal trucks out yet, do you have someone that sands your road Dianne? Drats, tree limbs all over, glad I got those totes to back shed.

Guess I’ll just wait for call from furniture place re not coming today.think I was smart and i paid extra for them to put it all together, not going to even try.

Dianne did see a few sets on wayfair and seeing you order a lot from them was going to order, few sets nicer than what I bought but had to put them together.

Here comes the freezing rain

Please don't go out in that freezing rain.
Betty, do you have pills to take for your dizziness?

No, actually that was also reason I went to emerge a few weeks ago,we talked about everything else and told to see my doctor which is on holidays for a few weeks.

Will get up shortly and see if I’m still unstable..lots who are sick have that symptom but I’m not sick

Don’t know about Dianne, but feel like the wind is coming right through the walls..n
Thermostat at 74, up it goes..I’d turn fireplace on but if I do the furnace thinks downstairs is as warm as upstairs, guess I could go put downstairs fireplace on..think that’s the answer,off I go

Our weather has been really mild, so blessed. I HATE freezing rain. When I lived in Portland OR we had freezing rain that always brought down power lines. It was NEVER a question IF you were going to lose power. It was HOW long, you would be without power, more than a week once. The winter after we moved out of a duplex, that area was without power for two weeks!

I meet with the treatment team today and we discuss their plans & schedule. I am also taking up the hair cutting equip to give Ben haircut and beard trim. He was way overdue. I don't know why we don't get that done as often as it should. Well, I know PART of the reason. It takes him FOREVER to eat his dinner and by the time he is done & I have cleaned up, it about time for bed or I've gotten involved in a project!

Ben gave my sister $2,000 and told her to spend every penny of it on Christmas gifts for me. She bought stabilizers in every style, an external hard drive for all the embroidery software, couple of embroider patterns, two hooping stables & magnetic hoops, every imageable type of specialist scissors and other gadgets. I will try to get a picture before I get it all put away.

Sis bought me a new color printer, one of the cool ones that have BIG ink resovroir and will even print from your phone, scan & send to phone! Pretty cool.

Time to go, treatment meeting, visit with Ben and go buy / or price storage bins for the sewing room. Drop of donations & start all over again.

Good luck on your meeting with caregivers...holy wash, those items are every embroiderer’s wants..you use so much of it, your sister sure knows how to shop. Lol
Even though you are visiting the hospital you must find it quiet at home...do you think he is aware that it is too much for you and that it would be better to find a permanent place to live?? That would be such a difficult conversation to have..

Sharon who lives 8 minutes away got ice storm but I got just a titch of it, melted almost as quickly as it fell thankfully, hardly any snow left..local ski hills must be hurting seeing it’s not cold enough to make snow

My table set did arrive, the 18” leaf will rest under my bed..will take a bit of getting used to.,really clean cut..cushions match the silver grey in couch...I need to get light mesh type placemats so it will give me something to go to Barrie for.

Still on couch, knitted for awhile but needed to rest

What are you all up to???