Gift of RA

It has nothing to do with the post, we have a lovely day today and this feels right.  It is also the photo I have used for my websites and Facebook because I am using Ellen’s ocean photos for my book – Finding The Gifts In Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Plus it is a gorgeous photo.

It’s really has been the last couple of weeks that have made me feel a bit topsy-turvy – I know this week had a holiday, not sure why last week felt that way too.  Eddie had Monday off for Labor Day and I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday here in the house.  It didn’t feel confining at all, I really would have liked another day as well.  I’ve been cleaning out the office, my parents’ bedroom, they kept a lot of calendar pages either for flower designs or pictures of Scotland.  I ran across another North American envelope with 2 photos – they went to the Boeing archives with a note they were donated by Robert Paull.  I called the Center For Wooden Boats but no answer so far.  I wonder if a lot of people have taken this week off since the weather has been good.

It may not look as if I have done much, but I know I have.  I have thrown out things, sent things to the Goodwill and put things away for my sister Candy and myself.  It has barely made a dent, but it is finally some progress.   I had to start somewhere.

Wednesday we didn’t have Breakfast Club but I was out early because I had a chiropractor appointment.  Then I went to visit Mom, though she was very dozy.  I saw her yesterday and she was more alert – she is better when she sits at the dining table.  She spends time in the recliner because her legs hurt and she is more comfortable and relaxed.  Her knee has been bothering her a lot and she doesn’t want to get up.  I saw Didi yesterday and she was thinking about asking Providence for some Lidocaine pads for her knee.  She thinks that might the knee more comfortable so she can walk more comfortably – right now it is a real struggle to get her to use the walker because the knee hurts.

Mom is at the point where she forgets to eat in the middle of meal.  She loses focus and needs a prompt to eat.   I have noticed that lately with the chocolate.  The first piece goes easily but the other two take some time because she forgets she has chocolate to eat.  When she is in the recliner, she doesn’t seem interested in the cookies, so I leave them on the bureau for a later snack.  Yesterday at the table she polished off everything.  It gets harder and harder to visit her and I know it will keep going downhill from here.  She still seems to know me, or maybe just my presence, and is glad to see me.  I now ask if she would like a hug because she can get moody and not want anyone to touch her.  when I ask, she is pleased to have a hug and she definitely enjoys a gentle back rub.

Wednesday they called from the dealership to say my car was ready.  We decided to go down the next day when Eddie came home from work – they stay open until 7.  The loaner wasn’t a bad car, it just wasn’t mine and as Eddie said,  mine is “broken in” and the loaner wasn’t.  I am so happy to have it back all fixed and running properly.  Even with the transmission on warranty, all the 90,000 mile maintenance was a bit spendy.  However, we believe in preventive maintenance for everything – especially ourselves.

I have also been working on 2 websites for my show – one from the group who had my domain name and one with Wix.  I decided to try the domain group for a month, though I can’t get the template I want.  So I am making do and if I go to Premium, I might be able to have the one I like.  I wanted to see how the template works and if it is hard to do or I just have to get the hang of it.  I’ve got an email for the moment and need to check on Post Office box.  I checked with UPS ad they want $180 – I don’t think so.  The Post Office is less but I am not sure how big a box I need.   I don’t think it needs to be too big.

Thursday I went to Apple Group session for Pages – I have been working on a logo.  I would be interested to see what you think.

I also put together a Facebook page at Facebook.com/findingthegift            Unfortunately I missed the s on gifts.  I have also been in touch by email with the Morning Producer about the show and what I want to do.  I need to feel comfortable doing it anyhow it works  before I invite guests.  I have a list of people I want to invite, they do different things that help with chronic illness and dementia.  I have personally experienced how they work and definitely recommend them.

I have been helping Eddie with his PNAA stuff as well; looks as though we are going to be the repository for things for them.  Eddie certainly enjoys working with them.  A welcome change from the discord he sees most of the week.

Now back to clearing out – so many books to sort through.  I think the car books might go for the library at the LeMay Car Museum – they are putting together a library.

Tags: Apple, clearing out, dementia, Labor Day holiday, loaner, logo, Mom, my car, Pages, radio show, topsy turvy

This entry was posted on September 6, 2014 at 9:50 am and is filed under Musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.