Once In A Lifetime

This morning on Table Talk, I told Denise about decorating the float for the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th birthday.  The float was seen in the Rose Parade on January 1, 2010. For us, this was a once in a lifetime experience because we honestly didn’t like it enough to do it twice.  The work is done in a large warehouse, and because the flowers have to be kept as cold as possible, it is not heated. ...

Happy New Year

Hi everybody, I’ve been stopping in at caregiving.com because I think of all of you often, and want to know what is going on in your lives, but I haven’t posted in quite a while. I want to think all of you again for being such an amazing support system this past year. We got through the holiday season, although it was very strange and empty without Mom being with us. On the 29th of December, we had six...

Finding Humor In As Much As We Can

After the last few weeks in reading several of the blogs here, I decided to acknowledge only the humor today… The department that Greg works in came for a New Year’s celebration and lunch today. There were about 15 of us. I got up early in hopes to avoid any added clean-ups for my mother.  We always have some clean-up required, but today I wasn’t quick enough to avoid any larger needs. On a...

2012

As we wind down 2011 and look ahead to 2012 I like to set goals for the year… don’t like using resolutions. I would like to lose a nice little chunk of weight … lets just say it’s over 20 lbs. but under 50 lbs. I will start eating better which basically means portion control and not as many sweets. I will also try to motivate myself to do a walk video three days a week and some weight...

Life Lessons From Star Trek

Late last year our son became interested in Star Trek. Star Trek Voyager and Next Generation (Next Gen) are his favorites. We watch Star Trek episodes more than we watch anything on TV. When his homework schedule allows, we’ll watch one episode on a school night if we have taped one from the TV or have DVDs we haven’t watched. For Christmas our son’s uncles gave him the last two seasons of Star Trek Voyager....

In Six Words, What’s Your Wish for 2012?

We make a list of what we want for Christmas, why not make a list for what we want in 2012? And, to make it more fun, let’s write our list in six words or less. Here’s mine: I want the best. What’s yours? Share in our comment section, below. We’ll choose a winner to receive Take Comfort, the CD set and book. Resources —I’ve had the flu so our December webinar will take place on...

Another Caregiving Hat

Hubby goes in tomorrow for surgery to replace his intrathecal pain pump. It’s also my birthday (let the singing begin)! Hubby has been in pain since I met him (although I try not to take it personally). Mere weeks after hubby’s son was born, Hubby was traveling back to his baby from working out of town when he was rear-ended by a drunk driver (the person who hit him was driving on a suspended license and it was...

Don’t Give Up

Hey everyone, hope you all had a wonderful weekend with your family. Ours was very lonely. We didn’t have any family come by because they are scared of seeing my parents the way they are. But we were together and have a nice time. I have yet to get back to about dad and hospice. That is the problem trying to do important things around the holidays. All I keep getting is the answering machine. Well when they...

Sharing My Son’s Gift

My “baby.” One hopes you’ll allow parental bragging rights on this – at least it’s a happy post for me. Here’s a headshot to go with the link; click “Comfort Ye” first then “Ev’ry Valley” to maintain program order....

Adding Good Mornings and Happiness in 2012

As we turn our attention to the start of the New Year, we often make resolutions to look better, like losing weight. How about feeling better emotionally? We’ve got two books to help you feel better about your days: Good Morning! Sunny Reflection to Start Your Day Good Morning! includes sunny salutations to start your day. The journal includes greetings, gratitudes and goals for 365 days. The journal is...

Resolutions

Usually around the last week of the year we all have our New Years resolutions and what we want to achieve for the New Year. Around this time every year my resolution has always been to lose weight. I achieved that this past year and joined a program to change my lifestyle and eat healthier. I have several New Year resolutions for 2012. The first one is to have peace in my heart and to give my Mom the best care...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Confession:  After Robert woke up from his nap this afternoon and ate some candy from his stocking, I asked him to finish his last Christmas card. Yes, I know today is Christmas. No more Christmas cards! Please! Robert was so close to having them done last Sunday. So close!  He was down to two more to go when we had to leave to make it on time to a Christmas program at church. Robert would...

Surprises

The differences in our house today are very apparent. The kids, particularly Marah, are very excited. Marah laid her clothes out last night for our Christmas Eve Service and laid out her pajamas for bed tonight.  She’s been sitting by the tree, talking about what Santa will do tonight when he comes into our living room. Every once in a while she comes over and gives me a hug and tells me how excited she...

A Holiday Wish

For this holiday, I wish for you: 1. A moment of faith that helps you continue; 2. A smile that reminds you that love surrounds you; 3. A glimpse into a future that inspires you; 4. A connection that shows you who you are; 5. A time that brings enough laughter to calm the fears. Happy Holidays! Thanks for making our year and our days very special. Related Articles Holiday Talk (caregiving.com) Show Recap: Your...

Meryl Christmas

I know this year there is a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. I saw Mom today and she wants me to find out about getting her into an assisted living. She feels she is too young to be in a nursing home. We have been down this road before and I remember most assisted livings would not accept her because she cannot change her own colostomy bag. On Monday I will make some calls to see if I can make this...

Today

Today I went to work. It may be two days before Christmas and relatively quiet but a military base never completely closes. Today I saw new “Welcome Home” banners posted on the fence line outside the base. A unit must be returning soon. I pray they make it back in time for Christmas, it’ll be close. I remember those days and smile, happy for the returning Marines and their families. Today I took my Dad to yet...

Not the Expected Answer

As the year ends and we are now at the two-year mark from Paul’s diagnosis, it still is almost impossible to accept that this is not just some sort of bad dream from which we will awaken tomorrow, happy and whole. Yet we know that it IS real and we need to keep going on. This was to be a quick post today, mostly in answer to a question Denise asked; she asked what kind of support I most need right now....

A Dollar a Day…

Back on November 10th Denise did a show with Ellen Rogin in which they talked about saving a dollar a day toward your future. I haven’t listened to the show yet but I did read the blog that Denise wrote the next day about it. I thought, wow, what a great idea. Some of you know the financial struggles that we have gone through. Nicole was diagnosed in January 2010 and in March 2010 my husband, Rick, lost his...

No Sick Days

Caregiving, at least in my house, has no sick days. So what’s a gal to do? I suppose whatever it takes, and take whatever you have. Seems like a cold attacked me and beat me up. I’ve been fighting it with all I have. Day meds, night meds, allergy meds, cough meds, whatever it is I hope to conquer quickly. Caregiving has been pretty lax though. I’ll pick it up later. Just wipe the shirt off, it...

What’s Your Holiday Tradition?

I presented workshops in November and December about surviving the holidays. During the workshops, attendees shared their favorite holiday traditions. A few stood out for me, including: —Take time to give thanks with a Thanksgiving gratitude tree. I love this tradition, started by a family many years ago, which you can adapt for New Year’s Eve. Each family member writes one gratitude on a piece paper...

Fighting Change With Change

2011 has brought some significant changes in our house. Because of dementia, my mother has declined cognitively. My connection with her sometimes feels unsettling. Caregiving has intensified for me to a degree that I never could have anticipated.  My mother cannot say more than two or three words together that make sense. She is not aware of her needs and cannot do simple things on her own anymore – like...

Hanukkah and Mom

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. After work I went to see Mom to spend some time with her. I still have not been feeling that great but decided I would go at least for a little while. Mom couldn’t wait till I got there. She was all smiles. Last week Mom said, “Your Mother is back” and lately I have been feeling how true that is. It’s scary because I...