I wanted a place to post all those little victories and good news. Mini celebrations and such.
I will start. My mother is always fighting UTI's and each one takes a little more out of her, mentally and strength wise. After not speaking to any of us caregivers for days and becoming so weak that moving her is like moving a 170 pound sack of potatoes....
Last night, Mom initiated conversation (it was gibberish but she tried), she used her legs a little when I was lifting her to move her and the best part was when I was moving her to the toilet she misunderstood my instructions about where to put her hands and ended up grabbing me in a big bear hug. I jokingly thank her for the awesome hug (just about the very first hug she has given me in my life) but needed her to grab the grab bar. Well, we both ended up in a huge long belly laugh. Her interaction, good mood and her strength lasted until she went to bed.
Maybe her latest antibiotic had finally worked, maybe it was a fluke but I am celebrating anyway.
I have a celebration to share. :) Or, the start of one. It's a sunny, spring Monday morning here and I am up and at it for MYSELF and MY LIFE fully for first time in a long time. There's still a few things outstanding and will be ongoing detachment/boundaries needed but my dad lives a whole state away, is in a safe place, and is in others' care now. I really, really want to go after my life now. So -- where to start?
I'm not going to make job stuff a priority this week (though I do have to make a few contacts) and instead do a Re-entry To A Self Caring Life. Juicing, a little jogging, light gym routine, tanning (yes, why not), and all out at the salon (whatever beautifying, relaxing, and nice things I can think to do for myself).
That's what I want to do this week, for myself, to remind myself that I matter. I need to post it here so I can come back and make myself accountable to tell you guys how much I cared about MYSELF this coming week. Here's to MEEEEEE. lol (That would sound so self absorbed coming from anyone except a caregiver who just got out of "jail" lol).
My celebration is that I had a very good refreshing sleep last night. CFS/FM makes you overly sensitive to light, noise etc. I had the TV off most of the day, and partially closed the venetian blinds. Trying that again today!
My dear you have come to the right place - where is your husband when his father is on the floor or needs a shower ?
Although it is the middle of the night there are plenty of night owls among us
Please start your own post with a question and I'm sure you'll see some helpful replies
My LO is coming along fine in MC. Her spirits are excellent!
And......I have now lost 25 pounds! I may not be down to bikini weight by summer, but, definitely some cute shorts!
Mom let a caregiver give her a shower tonight !
Her as she threatened to do
Jeanne, glad the leg is better!
For me:
Celebration: the taxes are done! Mine were completed at almost zero hour last night, but they're done, filed, accepted by the IRS and on time. That's all I care about. Did Mom's final return as well. One more "final" thing done for her after her passing. Now I just have to get this house mess handled.
Our yard guy came and mowed today for the first time this season. I thought he was coming tomorrow and didn't get the doggie landmines cleaned up in time. Oops. Good thing he's a friend and understanding. Makes it truly seem like spring when the mowing starts.
Maybe not so brilliantly, but by next year, maybe I can learn more.
SIX DAYS, it took six days!
Monday is a good day for me.....do taxes or die.....
It's been awhile-somewhere in the back of my mind, I recall a State of CA form to sign and file...or does the IRS take care of if? Was so spoiled before, sign here, the tax atty. did the rest. I've got this-well, I have doubts, but I can find out, there is still time. Brilliant, I can become brilliant overnight! No worries, refund expected.....
The "problem child" client I recently eliminated resurfaced in my email inbox today, asking if I would come back to work with her, promising she'd sign my contract and pay in advance every month. I have some thinking to do. I could definitely use the extra income right now, with the house needing a roof and some required travel coming up this summer....but this client used to stress me out *so much*. I'll have to do some deep thinking about this one, but it's a good opportunity. I can do her work with my eyes closed, almost, so there's no learning curve involved. Hmmmm.....
DD got a letter in the mail yesterday from the local housing commission, indicating she was nearing the top of the wait list. Must be the last cull they did of the wait list was larger than normal, with people having already found other housing or just not responding to their letter, so she was bumped up several spots. Last month, she was in the high 30s on the list, so we fully expected it would be several months before she even heard from them. This letter was a welcome surprise. She's let them know she's definitely still looking for housing, so hopefully after the middle of the month, she'll know more about a time frame. Not looking forward to the move, because I know that's going to fall on me, possibly with some help from brother and nephews, but will be so happy to have them in their own place so I can get back to a somewhat normal life.
Anyway, so glad you got to get away for such a fun day! Very nice!
Everything fell into place for me to take a quick trip to the Epcot Flower and Garden Show this past Sat. The flight loads were ridiculously low (I fly stand by so this was crucial) My son (14) needed money and said he would watch Mom for the day. I asked him several times if he was sure he could handle her and he said yes.
I set off to the airport at 5:30 AM (an hour drive), arrived at the park at Noon. Ate my way around World Showcase. Almost decided to leave my family for a Raspberry Macaroon near France. Fell in love with a Lamb Chop. Met my niece and her husband for drinks. Found out she is pregnant - couldn't be more excited for them. Made it home by 1:30AM. I walked 11 miles, according to fitbit.
On the negative, Mom was a hot mess in the morning and Dh had to help DS get her up. He said she was speaking Greek only and was not able to do anything for herself. DS was afraid to take her to the bathroom because he feared that she would fall. Suspecting a UTI flareup, I told them to call 911 and ship her off to the hospital and I would pick her up when I got back. I decided not to cut my one day trip short and have no guilt about it.
They ended up calling one of her daytime caregivers who happened to be close by. She came over and helped and all was well without an ambulance ride.
Mom was much improved yesterday so I am now suspecting low blood sugar rather than UTI.
Flights loads are ridiculously low so lots of empty seats on the plane there and back for this standby girl.
It is all in place for me to go to EPCOT for the day for the Flower and Garden Festival.
I have already picked my snack choices from the 15 food booths. I am ready!!!
Starting to make progress on the MERP mess so I can get this house settled, one way or the other. I feel that they're probably going to go for deferral, which means I can keep the house until I die, or sell it and give the money to the state and have to start over from scratch. Not happy about that, but not much I can do. I just want to get it done and over with so I can move on with my life, whichever direction it takes.
Found out I don't have to pay $400 for an appraisal, which is a huge relief. I can get a CMA done by a real estate agent for free, and the MERP office will accept it. Yay!