Not A Happy Camper

August 4, 2013

This week has not been the easiest for my husband, he went in to Home Depot to buy something for work, only gone a very short time, and he found a bad scrape on his bumper.  Looked like some big cat had come by and raked its claws across it.   No note, no apology.   It had been a difficult day at work as well, so he was quite cranky when he came home.

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        This is best I can do for photos.

I went to Breakfast Club on Wednesday morning and talked to Vickie, our insurance agent and to Pat who  does collision repair to let them know we would be coming to see them in the early afternoon.  They both know how finicky her is about our cars,  fortunately Pat does work up to his standards.  Plus, Pat made a new door for the old simulator when someone pulled it off its hinges.

We had a nice visit with Vickie, plus found out we have a $300 deductible – that didn’t help his mood.  Not only did the person not leave a note, now we have to put out money to fix it.  So then we went over to Pat’s and while they were out looking at the car and I wouldn’t be surprised if Eddie was venting as well, I visited with Lisa and Wendy.

Looks as though it is going to cost a little over $800 to fix it, so he wants to go ahead and fix it – it will bug him if he doesn’t.  I wonder if he will be like his Dad?

He has told the story of his Dad in Jerusalem and how he felt about his cars.  He had  Opels and Mercedes, I am not sure which car it was that had a dent.  As far as his Dad was concerned, it wasn’t the same car after that, so he sold it and bought another one.  I wonder if that is where Eddie gets his feelings about cars.   His Dad could work on the car, kept it spotless and took excellent care of them.

He told me about the time he and his Dad took his Mom to visit friends and the two of them went off on a mission.  His Dad was very quiet about the whole enterprise until they went to the Opel dealer.  He had arranged to buy the car and trade in his old one.  So they spent time doing the deal and then went to pick up his Mom.  I don’t know how long it was before she finally realized it was a new car.

There are times I feel as if I have a large target painted on my left front bumper – twice people have hit me there.  I was driving one of Eddie’s Volvos a few years back and a guy didn’t stop on the red light and hit the rear panel on the car, spinning me around 180.  Must not have been a big enough impact because none of the air bags deployed.  That was scary.

I am not as finicky as Eddie, though I certainly don’t like anyone hitting my car.  He is out now washing his car, washed my yesterday as well.  He prefers to vacuum them here and of course none of them clean the wheels to his satisfaction.  He tends to bug me about getting the car dirty – as if I have any control over it.  I’d say is less finicky than his Dad but more finicky than I am.  Heck, he could be out doing other stuff, so it isn’t a big deal for me.

Where Do I Start?

July 28, 2013

One good place to start is with a couple of adorable pictures from my sister Candy while cat sitting.

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      Kittyboy Litterfoot (Petey)      The Zen Purr Master (Emma)

I have been neglecting this blog for a while because of the kitchen remodel – haven’t been able to let those who like my post how much I appreciate it.  I am even more amazed and delighted to find I have almost 60 followers – that means quite a lot to me.

No doubt (or maybe not) you are wondering what I have been doing for the last few weeks.  There is my Mom and where she is at this point.  I have begun to visit her in the morning, not always easy, because after lunch she is ready for a lie down or a nap.  She is a bit more with it in the morning, we have a visit.  She is having trouble saying what she wants, she tends to mumble more and more that I don’t really understand  it.  There are times when she is with it a bit more and I tell her what I have been doing.  I haven’t told her about the kitchen remodel, I am not sure what she understands and I wonder if it would agitate her.  I tend to go with “If you aren’t sure, don’t”.  Maybe I am just chicken.

She is having trouble with arthritis in her knees, one especially.  She doesn’t like to walk or move because she knows it will hurt, though some days she is doing well and uses the walker.  If it is a bad day, they will have in a wheelchair.  They don’t want to make the wheelchair a habit or she will not walk again.  Last Wednesday was her evaluation with DSHS – I learned things I didn’t really know – or didn’t want to know.  Essentially she needs help with everything,  she can wash her face if they give her soap and washcloth ready to go and she can eat by herself but someone needs to be there to keep her on track.  Otherwise, she needs help or have it done for her in everything else.

I knew she had to have help with a lot, but I didn’t realize the extent – threw me for a loop.   I am still digesting it, I am not sure how I feel about it – I am not sure I feel anything at the moment.  I knew it would come to this and she would only go downhill, I am not sure I am ready for it.  Looks as if I will have to be ready for it.  One thing I have learned recently is to do something after I see Mom, even if it is just to go to Lowes for something for the house.  Or wander around somewhere just looking and seeing what’s there.  I am working on doing an errand after I see her, though I sometimes forget.  Then I go earthing on the Allen’s grass because it is softer and nicer than ours.

She can be very feisty sometimes, not wanting to shower, wash her hair or change her clothes.  However, Judy told me when she is having a good day, she is a darling.  I know it is the dementia that is causing a lot of this,  still hard to see it happen to Mom.  My sisters call her, but now it is hard for them and for Mom.    I had an email this morning from Candy, she had called Mom the other week and this was how she described it.

” I can tell that Mom is “disappearing” by our phone calls. She managed an “I love you, too” at the last phone call, but mostly it is a couple of minutes of me talking, and any answer she gives is so garbled it makes no sense. I tell her we are all fine. I tell her she’s been a wonderful mother and is free to leave, that we will be all right. I tell her I love her. I’m not sure she really knows who she’s talking to, though it is made clear at the beginning of the conversation that it’s her daughter from Nashville.”

A lot of other things have been going on as well, plenty of things for several posts.  I always hesitate to  publish things about my Mom, she is a very private person and she might be upset for the whole world to know.  Yet I also hope that writing about what is happening for our family can be of help and benefit to others dealing with a similar situation.  More early childhood training.

TIMBER!!! The End of The Story

July 15, 2013

I was so glad the branch was taken away after it fell, though the question continued as to what about the other that leans.  Last Monday I was leaving to see my chiropractor and there were two trucks out on the road with three guys.  I though they were reading meters, then I saw the were City of Burien trucks.  I didn’t wait around to see what they were doing.  When I came back around noon, this is what I saw:

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Would you believe there is no more tree?

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The whole tree was cut, so there is a hole of light for the street.

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It looks as if they cut it in slices.

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It seems to have been spread over  quite a span of street.

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I find it interesting to see how the tree had grown in 3 sections.

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Not sure the last time the sun saw this spot after the Madrona tree started growing.

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Some of the slices are thin (relatively) and others are thick.

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With all the pieces more in the bushes, it is surprising to see some by the side of the road.

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I am really astounded at how big that tree really was.

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Glad I wasn’t around when all of this was happening.

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This is a small section that shows the three  branches formed.

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I love the shapes of the sections (now that the tree is down).

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Makes me wonder what made it grow like this.  Now we don’t have to wonder if the other branch hanging over the street will come down or would it be when.  Someone can have some firewood and we can all relax.  Seems an appropriate ending for our forest adventure.

A Very Oddball Week – Part 2

July 8, 2013

This has nothing to do with my week except that I really enjoyed seeing Candy’s photos of the blue heron at Lake Radnor.  She sees all kinds of interesting subjects for her photos.

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I went in for my rheumatologist and infusion Tuesday at 10.  The test show a small reduction in inflammation and she is encouraged.  Since the Orencia has to work its way through 42 years of RA, it will take a bit longer for me.   I told her I was looking forward to having more energy – unfortunately that is the last to happen  It is always very pleasant at Infusion, I didn’t get my corner suite this time, they were quite full.  However, every cubicle has a view west, sometimes I can see in between the buildings to the harbor.  I usually relax, read my book and it seems in no time, I am done.

I came home for lunch and then went to see Mom.  She was in the dining room and I brought her cookies – she loves cookies.  She doesn’t walk very much because it hurts her knee, it is probably some kind of arthritis.  If she goes from walker to wheelchair, she will never walk again. so they want her to walk for as long as she can.  Judy thinks the reason she doesn’t like to go from bed to table to bed is because she knows it will hurt.  Fortunately they are watching her progress and there may come a time when they could give her something for it.  I don’t like the idea of giving her a lot of meds, but I also want her to be as comfortable as possible.  This time I had a lot to tell her.

Wednesday was Breakfast Club for me; Eddie wasn’t going to the archives and decided to sleep in rather than go with me.  he has been weeding the garden beds and has found it hard work, but he is pleased with the results.  He also helped Brad and they had time to talk together as well.  I came home and then we went out grocery shopping.  The weather has been more comfortable, low 80’s instead of 90.  When Brad was ready to leave, he and Eddie put the fridge back where it belongs – another reason for keeping the cardboard on the floor.  Once he is finished, we will take it up and  I’d like a support rung by the sink.

We went to Macy’s on Thursday to buy Eddie a couple of pants for work – he said he is messing up his good trousers at work.  He found two pair, but had to come back Friday for the tailor to soften the legs.  Mostly we started moving into the kitchen – slowly while we decide where we want to put things.   It feels the way our other houses felt, can’t wait to paint the rest of the upstairs so it feels more like the houses we had as well.

We also went to Lowe’s for some shelf liner and a couple of other things because we decided to slowly move into the kitchen.  After a few days, some of the places we put things aren’t very convenient, living with it for a while helps us know what works and doesn’t work.  It was a very noisy night, plus the night before was also .  All those firecrackers, fireworks and especially the bombs  – all going off until the wee hours of the morning.  Sometimes it sounded as if it was going off just outside our door.

Friday morning I had some things to do here – I finally have the project for the vintage aircraft museum shirts in the works and the pins were delivered Friday afternoon.  I have also been working on an order for new volunteer pins for the Museum of Flight – I think I made a huge Ooops, I will know for sure tomorrow.

In the afternoon I bought some sugar-free lemon pound cake for Mom and her  housemates for dessert that night.  I didn’t visit with her because she was fast asleep – looks as though visiting in the morning is better for her.  Judy tells me she has been sleeping a lot – sleeps until about 5 a.m., then has a nap after breakfast and a nap after lunch.   Some days she is feisty and doesn’t want them to do anything, other times she is very wiling to have a shower and get dressed.  Maybe it is because of her knee.  She did say Mom’s appetite is a little less, but she is always ready for cookies.

Friday night we went to dinner with Vickie and Rich.  They wanted to see the new kitchen and the bathroom – they admired it a lot.  We went to Il Fornaio in downtown Seattle for dinner and had a wonderful time.  They are such great people – Vickie is our insurance agent, a very close friend, a client, a great resource and a wonderful person.  I am so glad she accepted my invitation to Kent Breakfast Club – I knew her from BPW, so I knew her and how she did things.

Saturday we slept in, went to Whole Foods, then over to Macy’s for the tailor.  It was lovely to relax, I was feeling really draggy, so I had a lie down after we came home, I might even have slept.  I felt a lot better after my nap.  Must be the week catching up with me.  I felt the days all scrambled up this week, I kept thinking it was another day than one it was.  I may not have know which way was up, but this little guy certainly did!

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A Very Oddball Week

July 7, 2013

It has been over a week since I wrote last, seems as if so much has been going on that I haven’t been able to figure out what day it is at any given time.  However, it has been quite interesting and some accomplishments.

Last Sunday Eddie was MOD at the Future of Flight, he invited me to come with him – of course, I said yes.  I checked with charlotte to see if she was available in the afternoon and she was.  Decided to go to Pacific Fabrics in Everett, there is an IHOP across the way.  Not my favorite place, but I was mostly interested in seeing Char.

Eddie didn’t have to be there until about noon, that meant we could sleep a bit later, have a leisurely breakfast and take our time.  Last weekend was really hot – for us – and being outside wasn’t all that comfortable.  We had fun at lunch laughing and talking, bringing up old memories – we have a lot of them because we have been friends since 9th grade.  She has been checking out my remodel blog plus making comments.  We have decided it is her turn to come down this way again and she will be able to see the kitchen and the new bathroom.

They were great at IHOP, we asked for a quiet table and she had one in the back.  I asked if she would not bring kids back there – my friend is a kid person but I’m not.  She laughed and there were no kids while we were there.  When we came out of the restaurant it was hot, unfortunately no parking spots in the shade.  So we did the next best thing – had the rear of the car facing the sun.  Still hot when we got in, but there was no solution for that but to run the air conditioner.

The last time I had been to Pacific Fabrics, I had seen a folded square that intrigued me.  I showed it to Char to see if she had done it,but she hadn’t.    They had instructions for a 4″ square and I decided to buy it and some fabric to make it.  Definitely needed her help – I can get the first three but it is the last fabric that  frustrates me.  She found the last one and now I have to have one made the next time we meet.

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I have been looking at the pattern all week trying to figure out how it works – not much in the way of illustration, mostly text.  I think I have figured out the first row, but it took several days before it finally hit me how to the make second row on the diagonals.  I think I have the idea but the way I would do it isn’t according to the instructions.  I am going to just have to  actually make one and see how it works.

We always have fun in the fabric stores and Char seems to know everyone.  She is very friendly and  rather a motormouth like me, so we have such fun together.  She found some fabric as well, so we both did quite well.  I usually help her spend her money, this time she also helped me spend some of mine.  I haven’t been quilting in a long time since I burnt myself out a few years ago.  I am beginning to be interested again, though not sure when I will have the time.  I have a big problem in the fabric store, I see fabric I want to buy but not anything to use it for at that moment.  I promised myself I wouldn’t build up a stash – I have but sometimes I see fabric and I just WANT it.

I slept poorly Sunday night and Monday morning I had a chiropractor appointment and a massage.  Oh how good those felt.  I found myself a bit depressed Monday and was able to release what was bothering me during my massage.  Brad spent the first three days of the week working, then he had a family holiday over the 4th and will begin a new project Monday.  He still has some work left here and when he knows what’s happening with the new project, he will come back.  I told him to come anytime since he has a key.

Monday was probably the hottest day of the week, Brad put up the kitchen blind and it made a big difference.  Although we didn’t have the back screen door on for a breeze, we opened all the windows on the other side of the house and we did rather well.  I slept so well that night and Tuesday I was feeling so much better.

Hmm, this is getting a bit long for my posts, looks as if I will have to do a Part 2.  Either that or write more often.

Where Did The Time Go?

June 29, 2013

P1140441Ellen sent a gorgeous hydrangea photo and I wanted to share it because I love it.

Once again I was spending a lot of time taking pictures this week, I missed some but no doubt overcompensated on others.  I now have a sink, water, disposal, dishwasher, stove and microwave/convection oven.  Oh yes, we do have the fridge, though still in the living room.  Amazing how things ebb and flow to and from places.  We haven’t used the stove yet, but we have dishes in the dishwasher, just have to read the directions to find out how all the appliances work.

When I wasn’t taking pictures I was working on an order for the new client.  Yesterday I received a tracking number for the first order, so they will have them for the Fly-In.  Now the shirts are in, though my group won’t receive it until Monday – it went in just after they left for the day.  That three hour difference can be frustrating at times.  Eddie told me that Barry said one of the guys  at the client’s said he could get t-shirts for $10.00 – Barry told him what we charged, a whole lot less.  That shut the guy up in a hurry.

I am working on something for another client, this one really bothers me because she is also a really good friend and I didn’t get her the item by her deadline.  That is the first time that has happened.  I had an idea and proposed it to my group, not sure anything is going to come of it because I haven’t had an answer.  Not the way I want to do things.

Wednesday morning when I left for Breakfast Club, I noticed the street was very tidy – someone had come by and cleaned up the wood from the fallen branch.  No idea who but wonder if it was the City, the Community Club or one of the neighbors who wanted firewood for the winter.  It’s nice to see it tidy again.

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This is a better angle of the other part of the tree that hangs over the street.  No idea if it too will come down or not.

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Now it is neat and tidy, even the Allen’s mulch pile as well.

Thursday I met Mom over at the Center, her new shoes arrived and Scott wanted to fit her.  She and he were late, but it worked out.  However Mom was agitated and a little cranky, not sure what kind of night she had.  I know she is confused about a lot that goes on and this would qualify.   She was not happy about walking in them with the aide, she told her to leave her alone.  She seemed to be willing to come back where we were sitting, maybe because I was there.  Anyway, a ter a bit she was better and said the shoes were “all right”.

We have been having wet, sticky weather – I don’t remember humidity here in the summer.  Usually when it rains it is cold and raw, but this week it was warm and humid.  Now the humidity was in the 60% range, not like the stuff we had on the East Coast or Fort Wayne.  For us spoiled Pacific Northwesterners,  it is humid and uncomfortable.  Yesterday it went up to 83 and by Monday or so it is supposed to reach into the 90’s.  I was concerned the house would be hot when we went to bed, but it was surprisingly comfortable.  The shades definitely make a difference.

Eddie’s computer has been a problem again.  Another virus made it impossible for him to connect to the internet.  Then there were other things, so I called Jon from Breakfast Club on Monday to see if he would look at it if I brought it on Wednesday.  He has just brought it back now – Eddie was not pleased because he wants to send his report out by the end of the month.  Unfortunately he hasn’t been able to figure out what to do with the Mac for his report, that means a One To One for both of us to see how it is done.

I have been learning new things on my computer as well, now I know how to select all the pictures and upload them to my blog library – I had been doing it one at a time and it takes a long time.  It still takes a while to upload to the library, but I can do other things while it is doing its thing.

I bought the knobs for the cabinets, though I cleaned out Lowes in Southcenter.  They didn’t have enough, so I had to go to Kent the next day after my massage.  They are sitting in a white bucket under the table by Mom’s chair.  I think I have an extra and I want to put it on the old pantry door, that will make it so much easier to open.

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We had the most beautiful sunset the other day.  I almost didn’t take a picture, so I am very glad I did.  We have some gorgeous ones and it is such a pleasure to see it change color as the sun goes down.

TIMBER!!!!!!!!!

June 25, 2013

The remodel has had many surprises, not all were planned or anticipated.  Last Thursday, late in the afternoon, Brad Eddie and I were talking in the kitchen when we heard a loud crack, then the sound of possibly a tree going down a hill.  We looked over at Eric’s across Shorewood Drive because he has been thinning trees on his property.  The I realized we hadn’t heard the sound of a saw, then didn’t think any more about it.  Brad left and it wasn’t too long before he was back, he couldn’t leave because there was a tree blocking the road.

It was the big Madrona branch we have all wondered when it would come down – this was the day.  Eddie and Brad went out together, I called John next door to see if he had a saw.  He said he would be out shortly to see what the situation was.  Then I called the Shorewood Community Club President to find out what the drill is for a situation like this.  I never did get out to see how it looked, it  was a few days later that I finally was able to take pictures.  It fell at an angle and landed on Bob Allen’s mulch pile.

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These were some of the smaller branches.

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They were several yards up the road by the time they had been able to open the road.

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Some of the branches were thick.  The Dusslers from down the hill came, Bonnie couldn’t get through.  Eddie said some one else came up the hill with another saw, so they dispatched the branches in short order.

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It was a big branch that has been hanging over the street for quite a long time.  when the wind blows, it would creak and groan as if it was on its way down in the next five minutes.

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That raw space is where the branch was.

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There are other branches that could also come down.

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After it has been dried, I am not sure how well Madrona wood burns.  Good sized pieces for the fireplace to experiment.

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A lot of leaves and smaller branches must have been attached to that branch.

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This is Allen’s mulch pile, apparently the top landed right on their pile.

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They are going to be very surprised when they come home after 4th of July and see what has happened.

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This branch also hangs over the road, not sure what condition it is in.  If it goes, it will probably hit our hedge – that has grown so tall they are now trees.

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I had no idea that branch was so thick – everyone is just glad that no one was there when it happened.

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This is the place the branch came from, just a bit more to the right.

I was surprised that so many neighbors came out to help, also to see what happened.  I am glad we have such good neighbors here.

New Experiences This Week

June 23, 2013

Ellen sent a lovely beach rose photo the other day:

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I have spent so much time catching up with pictures and my kitchen remodel blog that I have not had time or energy for this one.  Working on the remodel takes more time, downloading the pictures, rotating and that need it, a little adjusting, etc.  Then it takes quite a while to upload to my media library; then it goes more quickly.  I usually have a comment on each picture – that takes the least amount of time.  I admit it has been an interesting adventure the past 3 weeks – especially now that it is definitely looking more like a real kitchen than that just my imaginings.  I am so delighted with how well it has turned out so far, Mary Ellen was such a big help in choosing colors, flooring and counter tops.  Plus I have  received compliments on the blog – I started it to show my two sisters what was happening to house we grew up in.  They have been very supportive and really like what we are doing.

Also, this week has been busy as I was putting together quotes for the new client.  He wants denim shirts, polos and tees; I put together each category in separate quotes.  Then I had my group price them for me and Friday morning they came back; then I put them in each quote and sent them off.  The proof for the lapel pin has been approved to put them into production.  He is very pleased with how well I have been doing things for him – a lovely compliment I am very pleased to hear.  Especially as  I have been having trouble delivering an item another client wants – my group has not worked with any of the suppliers and that makes them nervous.  I proposed I would pay for it and to order the one the client likes.  I haven’t heard anything yet, though that was on Friday and I can’t remember when I sent the email.

Friday was an important day for my Mom – we went to the oncologist to find out the options for her breast cancer and treatments.  She doesn’t really know what is going on and I am not sure she would understand, so I haven’t said much to her about it.  I have explained what we are doing but I think it is confusing for her.  I am amazed at how calm I have been about the whole thing because I am usually a worrywart about things.  The part I have been somewhat apprehensive about is how she would deal with the whole experience.  Many times she has asked why are we doing this but so far has been fairly calm and cooperative.

I went over to the house by 1 pm when the van was due.  I had brought my bag again with kleenex, cookies and chocolate plus my book.  The van didn’t arrive until about 1:45 – our appointment was for 2.  By the time he secured Mom’s wheelchair and I finally got in, we were off.  The van is a high one and I couldn’t quite bend my left knee enough to  use the bar to pull myself up.  Ricky must be used to it because he held my right leg and lifted me up and there I was!  Traffic was somewhat heavy, so by the time we arrived, it was waaaay after 2.  The traffic was somewhat heavy but we moved most of the time.  I was surprised we were at the Polyclinic – that is where my rheumatologist is and Infusion Therapy .  We had gone to swedish 1st Hill for the other two appointments.  I was able to slide down to the curb, much easier coming out than going in.  The office is on the 5th floor, not too far from Infusion Therapy, so I felt on more familiar ground.

The doctor is a young Chinese man, though I have to say he looks like a high school kid.  He is not that tall and has no wrinkles in his fave, but after a bit I realized he had some grey in his hair, so he can’t be that young.  He was very nice and had all the records, so that helped a lot.  He examined Mom and asked questions and had some good news for us.   He is not one for invasive or heroic measures.  He said the stains show it has to do with estrogen – good news – and intermediate aggressive.  He recommends Tomoxifin (I think that is right), a once a day pill.  It keeps the estrogen from turning on the growth message to a cell, so the cell dies.  He thinks it may even shrink the 1 1/3″ cancer – too big to  just scoop out and having surgery to remove it would be very hard on Mom.  He feels this is a good option for Mom.  He has spoken with Dr. Myre and she will arrange for the prescription.

We were finished about 3:30, so I called Tri-Med to pick us up – it was close to 5 before they arrived.   Darryl was very friendly and helped both of us into the van.  Mom sat in front because she couldn’t bend he right knee to have all legs in.   It took some doing for me to get in the back seat – I couldn’t get my right leg to bend enough to be tucked in.  Finally I found a way to do it and had to side sideways and out my feet in the middle of the van; then would be the how do I get myself out.  Even though it was 5, the traffic wasn’t very heavy going south – usually on a Friday everything is so backed up.  I called Eddie to let him know where I was and what was happening, then I would call when I was ready to leave Mom’s house.  That meant I would have to figure out how to get out of the van.  Finally I realized I could put my left foot on the floor and stand a bit until I had my right foot out enough to  leave the van.  however, it wasn’t easy to get to the ground because I needed enough leg length to reach the ground.  I felt myself falling backward but found Daryl was behind me to keep me from falling.  Those Tri-med guys are so great.

By the time I was ready to leave for home, it was almost 6.  I told Didi what the doc said and that Dr. Myre would be sending the pills.  She has received the anti-psychotic pills and has been taking them for  a few days.  Mom was really tired when she came back, but they decided to give her dinner first and  I suspect she went to bed early.  They had given her a small can of apple juice at the doctor’s office but was able to drink it until we were finished.  I asked if she would like a cookie and she was definitely open to that.  I brought three and it probably held her until dinner.   Never did get to the chocolate, I’ll save it for another day.

I came home and Brad was gone and Eddie was taking me out to dinner.  I didn’t feel so tired and worn out this time, that helped a lot.  We had a quiet dinner at California Pizza because going into Seattle wasn’t appealing at that point.  I had a chance to take pictures for my blog afterwards and just stand and admire the kitchen.

That was my week.  I loved Ellen’s beach roses but it was hard because she also sent a gorgeous clematis.  So I’m putting in both photos.  Thank You so much Ellen, you have such lovely pictures.  Next time it will be Candy and a set of really wonderful photos.  Won’t tell about it, so wait and see.

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Busy Week

June 16, 2013

imagesThat’s how I felt Friday night – I was knackered.  Besides, when in doubt, put a cat picture in the post.

I’ve been so busy catching up on the remodel blog and keeping current with pictures that I haven’t had time to do a post here.  It has been an interesting time  during the remodel, I though it might be very difficult.  How glad I am that it has been fairly easy – having the fridge and the stove make a big difference.  Also, before Brad leaves for the day, everything is neatly  packed and and stacked, plus vacuumed – very tidy.  I think the thing I have some trouble with is not having a sink and water.  I have to consciously remember it isn’t there.  Otherwise, it has gone rather well.

Some days I am here and others I have things to do outside.  Monday was the day for the electricity to go off, so Dr. Cheryl and my caregiver support group helped a lot.  I was here on Tuesday morning, then went out to see Mom, felt rather down when I came back because she was nodding off holding her bear after a little while.  So I decided to see her in the morning on Friday, I brought cookies for the house.  She was holding to one of her little bears at the table and after a while she started nodding off.

I talked to her doctor and she suggested something to help her sleep since she doesn’t sleep very well at night.  She said it was a choice between a sleeping pill that would just put her to sleep at night but would greatly increase the chance of falls – something she has had trouble with for quite some time.  Or an anti-psychotic drug that would help lessen her anxiety, confusion and fears.  As my sister Candy pointed out, Mom has always been anxious as long as we have known her.  I will admit the mention of anti-psychotic sounds very dire and not my Mom at all, but once she explained what it can do, I feel a bit better about it.  The anti-psychotic drug is her recommendation and if it can calm some of the anxiety, fears and confusion while helping her to sleep as a result and have less chance of increasing falls, I have gone along with her.  I don’t know how soon it will start, she said it would take 4 to 6 weeks to see if it is working.

Eddie and went to look for light fixtures and I couldn’t find anything that would work and I liked.  So Thursday, my day at home, was spent at the computer going bug-eyed looking at fixtures.  I found one I like, but I still haven’t found one to put over the sink that will go with it.  I did find one for the porch that we both like – not sure Eddie is all that keen on the light fixture.  I also went on Friday to pick up samples of the knobs I like.  I’m glad I did because with something to occupy my mind, I didn’t feel down after seeing Mom.  So I think I need to do that again, otherwise I am not very good company for a while.

Later

Back to the post – I have now posted all the pictures I have for the remodel, this coming week should be interesting because we are supposed to get the cabinets later in the week.  However, Brad mentioned putting them together, so I wonder how long it will take to make it look like a kitchen.  I had planned to relax this weekend and not use the computer, but that didn’t quite work out the way I planned.  I also have a new client who wants a lapel pin and now shirts.  So I am working on quotes for that this week.  I never know what is going to happen from one day to the next these days, I feel I am taking it in my stride so far.  This Friday is Mom’s appointment with oncologist, then next week she gets her new shoes.

I’m looking forward to what the week brings – I keep thinking in terms that it is an adventure.

Working On Link For Remodel Blog

June 9, 2013

Let’s face it, technology sometimes defeats me for a while, but I am determined  to see if I can get this link to my other blog working.  I am going to see if I can also have a link on the front page so you don’t have to keep looking at old posts to find it.  Let’s try again.

http://www.eekaplanian1.wordpress.com

AT LAST!!!!!!!!!  It is working finally.  It drives me crazy when things don’t work properly and then when I finally have success, oh so sweet!

It seems to take me longer to do the Remodel blog than this one because I am uploading pictures and it takes awhile for each one.  this one I just write with an occasional photo.  I had a lovely email from sister Candy and she sent a gorgeous picture:

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I wish I knew what they are – almost like a rhododendron but very delicate.

Thank You so much Candy, it is gorgeous.

Yesterday we checked out  light fixtures – one for the porch light, the other is for the kitchen overhead light.  I like the carriage light for the back porch, fortunately we both agree on that.  For the kitchen he likes the modern one but I prefer something more in keeping with the style of the house.  So we will keep looking.  Also knobs for the cabinets – I thought they came with knobs, but apparently they don’t One more thing on the list to ask Brad.

Not a long post today, I just finished another one for the Remodel blog.


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