What Will You Dive In and Try?

We’re breaking for summer! We’re taking time this week to reflect and to enjoy some down time. We’re also posing daily questions which prod reflection or action. Today’s question is: What will you dive in and try? Today, if you are new to our site, I hope you will dive in to our discussions (we’d love to meet you!). Today, it’s about taking a chance, about diving into discomfort. Talk openly with your...

Uphill, Through the Slick Mud, Trudge

I try really hard to be optimistic. I really do! But lately it feels like it’s taking every bit of my optimism just to get through the days and I’m feeling completely exhausted. Mentally and physically I’m not looking for sympathy here just sorting out my feelings. I’ve been trying to get my own head wrapped around just what it is I’m feeling. I can’t quite place it other than...

Forgiveness: Opening the Door You Kept Shut

This afternoon on Your Caregiving Journey, Bette joined me to share her story of forgiveness. You can listen to our show via the podcast at the bottom of the post. Bette’s forgiveness story involves her mom, who is also her caree. A difficult childhood relationship created a relationship in adulthood that Bette dodged. But, the dodging became more difficult when Bette’s mom moved in with Bette’s...

How Will You Jump Into a New, Different, Better Way?

We’re breaking for summer! We’re taking time this week to reflect and to enjoy some down time. We’re also posing daily questions which prod reflection or action. Today’s question is: How will you jump into a new or better or different way? Thinking you should try a new service? Find a better way? Choose a different perspective? Today’s the day to do it! Jump in, get your feet wet, swim a few laps. Test...

It’s Officially on Paper

My husband’s appeals court disability judge decision came on paper, the medical records and exams, CT Scans and MRI’s, show more than I ever knew or the disability evaluation doctors never shared for me to know. Claimant has the following disabilities/diseases: Thoracic Spina Bifida-post repair, hydrcepholus – status post – ventriculo peritoneal shunt chronic headaches cervial and lumbar...

Standing Tall After the Storm

My family and I fared fine in the “Storm of the Century” and I’ve been reminded of the importance of knowing which way is “down wind” when walking your dog during a hurricane. Broken limbs and fallen branches have created a mess in our yard. When my kids asked who was going to clean this up I countered with the question who’s yard was it?  We spent a long day yesterday raking and cleaning creating...

How Will You Make a Splash Today?

We’re breaking for summer! Today’s question is: How will you make a splash today? You might make a splash by saying, “To heck with chores! It’s all about R&R today.” Or, by choosing to wear your tie-dyed t-shirt and flip flops. Or, by contacting everyone who has made a difference in your life and saying, “Thank you.” Make your splash. Then, tell us about it in our comments section. When you...

Helping Family Caregivers Legally Expand the Definition of Family

Denise inspired me to write this post which I am cross-posting from my www.robertssister.com site. Denise, you inspire me daily! Denise M. Brown, founder of Caregiving.com, caregiver advocate and my good friend was recently quoted in a New York Times article addressing the challenges of caregiving while working. As a caregiver who is both an employee and a manager, I have a bit of a unique perspective about...

What Thought Will You Break From?

We Break for Summer! starts today. Every day this week, we’ll pose a question to help you reflect and find a perspective. When you share an answer in our comments section, below, you’ll be entered into a chance to win one of our daily gift baskets (you’ll love it) and our grand prize (four free coaching sessions with me). Here’s today’s question: What thought will you take a break...

…sigh…

Every time I think about this week and writing about it, I sigh. Actually one comment goes back to last week, too. Last week Steve informed me that he likes TV now. I didn’t know that he didn’t enjoy watching reruns, but he said he doesn’t remember how TV shows end, so he doesn’t mind watching shows that seem familiar. This week on Tuesday after getting home from the Boy Scout meeting, our son and I were...

How Do You Manage Caregiving and Your Career?

The New York Times published an article this afternoon with tips on how to manage work while you’re caregiving. (You can read the article here.) The tips mentioned in the article include: using the Family and Medical Leave Act in order to create plans, manage emergencies, transition your caree into another care setting; checking with your HR Department to learn about resources available to you which can...

Bittersweet

It’s been a while and hopefully you all know that with fall approaching my time becomes more compressed as the meetings and class preps start for the fall semester. I know I’m feeling it, for sure! I believe there were two things “up” the last time I posted; one was Paul’s potential chemo choice and the other was my preparation for a presentation. We have yet to hear back about...

Storm of the Century

Last year I posted my first blog here on Caregiving.com, titled “Never Thought of This One“.  You guys graciously welcomed my ramblings.  My subject then was the many considerations involved in placing loved ones into a facility including, I discovered suddenly last year, destructive weather considerations. Fast forward almost exactly one year and once again I find myself considering what to do...

Your Best Day Ever: What’s Your Six-Word Story?

So many days in caregiving are just bad days. And, some of the bad days are days you couldn’t imagine would ever be this bad. Days when your hands bleed, your heart aches, and your eyes hurt. Because caregiving brings too many days like this, let’s take a break by remembering our best day ever. And, for fun, let’s describe our best day ever in just six words. (Thanks to SMITH magazine for...

Vacation from My Problems

What About Bob? Seriously, one of my all-time favorite movies. I often quote it and can’t quit laughing at myself (I do this when I think I’m clever!) for thinking of lines from the movie at just the right time. “I sail!” “Baby steps!” “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t.” (How does someone not like Neil...

Meditations and Comforts

This morning, I mentioned to Jane that I have a meditation that may be helpful. The meditation, which takes you to your personal paradise, helps you relax and regain your footing. I thought you might all enjoy the meditation; you’ll find the recording, below. The meditation is the third recording. You can listen here or download to your mp3 player to listen at your convenience. I also recorded two more Weekly...

Denise’s Journaling Class…

This is the second time around that I am taking Denise’s journaling class. I can’t tell you how much I love it and what I have learned from it. I will be sad for it to be over. Yesterday, I was talking with Denise about fears and I told her that I have always feared that something would happen to my daughter, Nicole. I always thought it would be abduction etc. Never did I think that it would be from a...

Easy

We may spend some of our day looking around at others and think, “Their lives seem so easy. I wish I were them.” What looks easy to you, though, may be the cover of a life that’s tough for them. Easy is in the eye of the beholder. So, rather than judging another’s life of ease, focus on wishing everyone a life of blessings. And, know you have blessings, too, even in the unease of your life....

I Try to Look on the Bright Side But….

I just feel like I can’t catch a break no matter how hard I try. I called AARP this morning because Rick turns 50 next week and I know that they offer insurance at a discounted rate for their members. I spoke with three different people. I was initially told they use United Healthcare but the second lady said it was Aetna so the third person asked me questions such as is anybody being treated for a chronic or...

Update on Appointment…

Nicole had her follow-up appointment today to get the results of her testing. Just as I suspected they found no reason for her pain. Her liver was enlarged but not a lot and this is from her cardiac issues. Supposedly not something to worry about but I will make sure her other doctors are aware of it. It does seem like she has some constipation issues and she probably doesn’t realize it. The x-ray they took...

When Anxiety Climbs

Today has been a particularly trying day in our house. The kids started school – I’ve been homeschooling for several years and for the past 15 years have always had one of them at home.  Greg took today and tomorrow off from work. We’ve been a strong support for each other. Last night, he had second thoughts about school and this afternoon it was me. Our oldest has been hit the hardest with this...

Pat Summitt Discusses Her Diagnosis

Pat Summitt, who coaches the women’s basketball team at University of Tennessee, sat with a reporter from The Washington Post to discuss her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.  She announced her diagnosis yesterday as well as her plans to continue coaching.The 59-year-old Summitt has more wins than anyone else in college basketball history, woman or man. I thought you’d like to watch...