We Do Dumb Things

Mom takes Gabapentin, and its a med that you can't just stop taking.  Her Rx was running low and she was expecting to see her doc on Wednesday to get a new refill.  But he called out sick and we rescheduled for Monday.  Mom being Mom, she started panicking about running out.  Calls to the pharmacy. Calls to the doc. More calls to the pharmacy. More calls to the doc.

I sent her a text to expect a call from doc office today, but she didn't answer back.  So in my panic, I dashed over this morning.  When I talked with her yesterday, she had enough pills to get thru Thursday morning.  But then what??

My Mom can be a wreck at times when she gets anxious about things, and it happens often.  Really often.  At the same time, she likes a "perfect" house.  She keeps her daily pills in a pretty basket on her dresser. The ones that don't fit in the basket go into the cabinet.  

Her gab Rx is so many pills (and they aren't small!) it comes in 2 bottles.  She had tucked one bottle away in the cabinet and forgot about it.  

Today, she decided that she needed to check the cabinet.  Well lo and behold, there's another bottle of gab!!!!

Talk about doing a dumb thing!! 

At least I'm over being worried about her having withdrawal symptoms from running out of her pills!! But the reality is maybe were getting closer to the point where she needs someone monitoring her closer, every day.  That'll be my next job.

The Fine Line

I haven't written often lately because I have been very busy helping MrJ get things ready for Academy.  And helping Mom, always finding that fine line...

We have a busy month ahead with Dr appts, dentist appts, a friend from out of town, and a musical show to attend. 

The musical show is dinner theater. My cousin likes to go, go, go, and tends to drag us along at times in her wake.  SO not my thing, but it gets mom out.  I sometimes wonder if mom didn't imagine that we were going to be "pals", doing stuff together.  As it is, we do enough. I don't need more time with her. And I should be doing more on my own. 

Things get kind of weird. She has me helping MrJ and I don't mind! but then she mentioned yesterday that after she's gone, I should move into her house so I can be close to MrJ and still be able to help.  What she doesn't understand is that I LIKE my own house, and my last years aren't going to be spent taking care of her fav grandson.  It's my own hope that I move closer to my own daughter, be able to give her a hand. 

Why is dealing with family such a fine line??

Policing

My nephew, MrJ, is in the police academy.  It has been his dream to be a policeman,  and now he's begun the training.   Last week we had "family night", mostly a seminar about what to expect in the way of stresses.  And there is going to be plenty!

There was a lot of talk about stresses on the recruits, but just as much talk on how it affects the family as well.  While some of the info was covered in a joking way, there was a lot of reality hiding underneath it. 

I know that mom and I will do what we can, but it won't be the same as if he had a life partner helping him at home. 

I was impressed with the young folks taking on this as a career, and hope its the right choice for each of them!! 

I pray protection over all those who serve. Amen

Learn Something

When my kids were growing up, as we sat around the dinner table each evening, our question to them was "What did you learn today?"  And each had a turn to tell us about something. It usually led to all kinds of discussions. 

While I don't have dinner with Mr Z, I do pick him up from school.  He's 7, there are always questions.  Last week it was "Whats a sensor?"  I explained a bit, and then at home, Google helped us.

Today's topics were dream cars (a mustang) and a billboard for Stomp.  We sat down and looked it up on Google.  He prefers the recent mustangs, not the 1965 version (my preference!)   Then we checked out Stomp, a musical show where folks stamp their boots and smack a broom on stage in rhythm to sound musical.  He was fascinated! 

I hope he didn't go home and try to imitate that in his mom's kitchen!! Haha

Kids today are more savvy, plugged in to more than I ever was at age 7. And back then, questions weren't often answered or we were told to look it up in the encyclopedia.  I've always been the kind who prefers to have things out in the open.  Somwtimes, its not always possible, but I don't let myself ignore a question or a conversation.  Sometimes the answer is brief with an added explanation that if you want to know more, ask a parent.  

Although I find myself doing this with mom as well.  She'll ask or wonder about something,  I say let's check Google and then we both know! Just today, we talked of roller rinks making a comeback and yes, there is one close by!  (I don't see her strapping on skates though!!)

Go out and learn something, and teach kids the power of information!  And don't leave questions unanswered.  Kids need to be heard too.

Two Households

We love in a digital world. And its basic set up is for one user to handle their own stuff.  But since mom is 86, digital isn't very easy for her.  So when we need to shop for something, its on my phone.

Last week, she didn't feel up to walking through the store to grab groceries, so we ordered for a pickup at Walmart near her.  This week, I am in the middle of painting so I ordered my own groceries.  I got the text that said my order was ready.  I hopped in my car and zipped over, grabbed my phone to check in and the app told me I was at the wrong store!!! 

Ended up driving across town to get my order.  I dislike when I'm forgetful and  don't change the store location!  Not the first time, probably won't be the last, either!  lol

Happy weekend!

Proposals

There was a discussion on the radio today about how over the top wedding proposals have become.  I remember how a "will you marry me" on the jumbotron at a sporting event seemed like a big deal.  

The DJ talked about how expectations to outdo the latest and greatest for proposing has gone over the top.  But is that really necessary?  Do women want all that?

It got me thinking about my own proposals.  I cannot remember the first one. Does that mean it wasn't memorable?  I remember the second,  and the third.  I know all I ever wanted was the simple question. I didn't need a whole to-do.  I'm too simple for all that hoopla.

Maybe this new trend is has to do with expectations, and/or the value placed on things over people and feelings.  Just my opinion.  Or else I'm just too old to get it!

Maybe Too Much??

I woke up full of energy this morning. Probably because we had clouds roll through which raised the humidity and the temp felt much warmer.  So I decided on a whim to start taking things off the walls in Brian's room.

Then I dashed over and bought 3 gallons of paint.  I'm going to paint??  I guess I am, because I got started. Is it going to be too much??  Oh well, I committed!

Its been 8 years since I last painted this room with the help of my son in law. It was blue, but now I'm going to a grey shade called Smooth Pebbles.  I thought it would be a bigger change than what it is, but it will be clean and fresh! 

Chilly Weather

January usually has cold spells here in the Valley of the Sun.  And they are upon us.  Its a chilly 33 degrees right now, with a hint of frost on the neighbor roof.  It doesn't last long once the sun hits it, but it doesn't make it any warmer.

I always liked bundling up and being out in the cold, taking a walk, but I find I've been preferring to cuddle in my cocoon of blankets until there's a reason to crawl out! Or 8am hits.  

Life has taken some odd detours now that I'm retired and there are moments when I'm at odds with it.  Yesterday at 10am I was sitting in a beauty shop getting my hair cut. But I couldn't help thinking in that moment I should be doing something more than just being indulgent.  But what? And why? 

On the other hand, I'm keeping my commitment to help my nephew with Mr Z, picking him up from school and taking him to Tae Kwon Do lessons.  He makes me smile every day!!

I love cloud porn!

Dreams Get Weird

I woke up just past midnight last night from a dream.  Now how these come about is a mystery to me......

I was at my parents old house, the house I grew up in.  Louis Litt was following me down the hallway.  We turned left into the master and left again into the bathroom.  

I was explaining that the next stock to buy was DDD Bags.  He was more interested in opening the bathroom's second door, which led outdoors to a big game sanctuary with giraffes and elephants.

The other bedroom door led outdoors to a covered breezeway, where double doors opened into other parts of the house.  There were a dozen boys or so playing, running, making a mess.  I told them it was time to leave, or I was calling the cops.  

-----

I jotted notes on the phone so I could remember details.  For some reason I thought it important to remember the stock tip!  

I had no idea what DDDBags was or is.  When I googled, I found a company called Deep Dark and Dangerous.  I can't imagine how that got into my brain, or subconscious.   I also found 3D Systems, which is a publicly traded corp.  

So .... was that just a screwy dream? Or some kind of stock intuition?  I don't usually like stocks that don't pay dividends.  But its something to keep an eye on!!!

Busy Week

This was the first full week of picking up Mr Z from school.  Its a purpose, a good commitment to keep to help out my nephew.  I've always been a planner, a very organized person, and prefer everyone else to be the same. And they're not!

My nephew has a lot going on with 2 kids and 2 baby mamas and his new job.  And he ends up being in the middle of the mamas and me when it comes to schedules.   The only snafu was a mix up on the start time of Tai Kwon Do on Wednesday.  Good thing its close to the house!  Next week should go better!!

Its Friday now, and I got busy early doing my weekly chores, laundry, wash the car, houae cleaning; and trying to make the chores part of my exercise routine as well.  

And then it's time to relax with some green tea and trail mix.  Happy weekend!

She's a Hoot!

Spending time with Ms J is always a hoot.  Yesterday, after family dinner, she wanted to spend time outside.  She hopped in her Little Tykes car and announced she was headed to Target to get some dog food.  She stuck a rock in the "gas tank" and hopped in, looking so casual as she stuck her arm on the window's ledge.  Hehehe 

Kids are the funniest! 

Pajamas

Buying new pajamas is not my idea of fun.  We live here where its hot, and I like cotton ... not the easiest to find!  And since I'm the one who drives mom everywhere,  she doesn't get to shop on her own so we each pick out something we want whole we're shopping. This year it was pajamas.

I saw this set of jammies in a luscious lavender and grey plaid. The minute I touched them, I wanted them!  I am a very tactile person and these felt heavenly!  Then I saw them in black with gold moon and stars.  I grabbed them and showed mom, told her that's what I wanted for Christmas.  She saw the lavender and said she wanted that one!  

They won't be worn in the summer, but they sure do feel fantastic right now!  I'm not sure what qualifies as the perfect pajamas, its probably different for each of us, but these are fabulous!

Have a good sleep!

Focus, or a Lack of

I was reading a book today and one of the characters is a writer.  And a thought struck me about my own writing.  I tend toward fictionalizing my life story because I want to tell the story.  

But what holds me back is the outline of most stories is to get from point A to point B and then a conclusion.   I liken it to the Brady Bunch episodes.  There's a problem or conflict, there are struggles to work it all out and then there's the solution, which is usually a happy ending. 

But thats not how real life works, is it?  Our direction of travel isn't a straight line from A to B.  If your life is anything like mine, its A to c to F to w to B ... no straight line, lots of side trips and do we ever truly get to the solution or happy ending?

Which brings me back to my main struggle in writing: how to narrow the story down to a main idea, A to B ??  Which is why it probably won't be a completed story. 

I wonder if acknowledging this will be a way to bring my story in to focus?

Lunch Al Fresco

Its a gorgeous day in the Valley of the Sun. Temps expected in the high 70s.  My neice, Ms J, came over for some cornhole and lunch.  We had lunch in the sun on the patio!   For her, lunch of choice is waffles.  Of course that's her goto for breakfast or dinner too!! 

Back to Rights

Mom is finally feeling better, and started early this morning putting her house back to rights.  While I might know how she likes her dishes washed, if they're not in their right place, she moves them back.  A place for everything and everything in its place.   

While I try to do that in my home, when its not exact, I don't stress over it. Much.  But I definitely don't rearrange every little thing. 

I always find myself pondering, thinking about how she became so fanatical in her ways.  She and her sister were raised on the same farm by the same parents. Aunt Margie was so much more relaxed about things, about life, than my mom.  How does that happen?  Life is funny that way.

But at 86, she is how she is and won't change.  I just have to deal, and accept it.  That's putting things back to rights for me.   And with a bit of luck,  I'll sleep in my own bed tonight! 

PS add: I slept in my own bed and it was fabulous!!