Bye Bye AOL

Yesterday Nancy sneaked her dog Maria in to see Mother. She put her in a purse and walked right in. She had to wake Mother, but she knew Maria and even said "Oh look, Maria came to see her Meemaw"! They didn't stay long.

Tomorrow Nancy & I will be going to the Waukulla Springs Lodge for the 1st Fletcher First Cousins Reunion. Should be interesting. We'll go by to see Mother before hand.

I just ordered Embarq high speed internet. They said I'll be up and running after 7pm Monday. I've had AOL for so long, but they have really not given me the service I've needed this time...and high speed will be nice!

My flooring and cabinets were delivered yesterday. They are in my carport, but at least they are here! The builders had to jack the kitchen floor up from under the house and got that done yesterday, so I'm hoping (I know it's foolish) that the floor or something is done when I get home today!

I think my ankle is finally getting better. I had to go upstairs twice this morning (here at work) and it didn't absolutely kill me. Yeah!

Probably won't post again until Monday or Tuesday.

I saw Mother yesterday

I was with Mother for a little over 2 hours yesterday. She seemed the most lucid that I've seen in the beginning. She made a pitiful stab at her lunch eating a total of 5-6 bites. She asked me why her parents haven't come to see her and I told her to think about it. She thought for a while and then asked if they had died and how long ago. While I was hanging up some of her clothes I had my back to her...she said "oh look at him, isn't he sweet, look at how nicely he just lays there". It was like she had a kitten or something. When I went over to see what she was talking about it was her right hand in her lap and she was petting it. Next Tuesday she'll be moved to The Consulate Nursing Home. This is a very sad time.

My kitchen is painted!

The beautiful tongue and groove ceiling and crown molding in my kitchen was painted a bright white and the walls an off white...I can live with that...yesterday. Looks great, now if there were just some cabinets and counter tops, etc.!

My new French doors are almost installed. They are in the hole, but that's all. They put a board across them, so now when Shirley needs to go out I have to put her leash on her and take her out the carport to the fenced in area. I sure do hope that's finished today! and, I hope they'll take the plywood down between the living room and the funny room. Oh, the house is such a mess, I can't imagine that I'll ever get it put back together or clean. The building dust has made it all the way to my bathroom, Every lampshade is covered and my bed even feels gritty! What a mess, what a mess!

Will go see Mother for lunch today.

Change is the norm

Years ago it dawned on me that the only thing that's really normal is change. Nothing ever stays the same, relationships, health, jobs, and all of the various day to day things that we often aren't even aware of undergo change constantly. Damn it, why can't we just find that comfort zone and stay put? I am so tired of the feeling of being tossed into the air and wondering where I'll land.

Not much change with Mother. Don't remember if I mentioned that she'll be moved to a nursing home on the 2nd...which one is still to be determined.

Chilly this morning.

They put beautiful spring flowers on my desk yesterday. Dogwood, redbuds, loropetalums, cherrys and something else. Now my office matches outside! Pretty. Sweet!

Oh, the builders installed wonderful old crown molding in my kitchen yesterday! Didn't know they were going to do that and it's really, really nice! Love it! Of course, the rest of the kitchen is still empty...oh well...maybe it'll be ready for Thanksgiving!

Wild weather

Yesterday was extremely windy! Wild day.

Yesterday Mother was more lucid than I've seen her since her stroke.

My internet access at home has been down for several days. Posting at work is hard. I'm waiting on a disc from AOL...they say 2 weeks! Ish!

The wearing of the green

So far everyone coming in to work this morning is wearing at least a touch of green. I think everyone should always wear green here as we are a nursery!

Mother fell out of bed Friday evening trying to reach her water...at least that's what they say. She wasn't hurt and doesn't remember it.

Saturday Nancy and I spent hours and hours looking for her tax information. We went through one closet and didn't find anything for taxes, but found stacks and stacks of magazines dating back to 1996! We tossed them along with one of the most extensive stashes of used tissue paper I've ever seen. She had empty boxes and shopping bags which we also tossed and lots and lots of just plain junk. There is another closet which we plan to do on Sunday.

We had taken shampoo and blow dryer with us when we went to see Mothero on Saturday, but she was asleep both times we went there so we didn't wake her to do her hair. Yesterday Nancy went there and washed & dried her hair. It had gotten so bad and smelled. When Nancy called me after doing her hair she was almost yelling. She had worked herself up with so much anger and wanted to take it out on me. When I told her finally that she had to get hold of her anger she practically hung up on me. Wouldn't answer my calls later. Oh well.

I was gone from home for 13 hours on Saturday. I told Bert that I'll not be visiting Mother this week as I need to stay off of my ankle as much as I can and I'm very tired. Also, gas is eating me alive!

I reinjured my ankle Saturday by slipping twice on the piles of stuff we'd tossed out of her closet and now it's very swollen and painful again.

Smokey and Bandi spent all day Sunday outside. They loved it. The builder had accidentally let both of them out on different days last week and every time the door is used they both rush it. I really hadn't planned on letting them out at all, but now it's a done deal. I do hope they'll stay close!

The builder thinks my new French doors will be in the first of this week. No news on the cabinets. I pray they finish soon. The was I'm living at home is worse than camping and there is a thick coating of dust on everything, even the bathrooms. No wonder the cats and I sneeze lots!

Mother update

After work yesterday I went to the rehab center to see Mother. She was in physical therapy and doing much better than the day before. Her nurse had washed her hair and it looked terrible, but clean. She said she wasn't feeling clean and I asked her what was bothering her the most and she said her teeth. Among the items Nancy and I took to her on Saturday were her toothbrush and toothpaste, but they haven't been used. I went back to her room and got them out and put them on her tray. I couldn't stay as long as the day before as I had an appointment across town. When I told her I had to go she burst into tears and said "Oh don't leave me Mommy". Needless to say not only did I cry, but her therapist did also.

Spring has sprung!

Everywhere you look something is blooming! The dogwoods, redbuds, cherry laurel, azaleas, bulbs of all sorts are in bloom and the camellias are still holding their blooms from January. It's beautiful!

My kitchen renovation is coming right along. Last week they gutted it. When they tore down the ceiling tiles they uncovered the original ceiling which is a wonderful tongue and groove thing. I'm going to keep it! Monday they did plumbing, Tuesday electrical and yesterday the insulation and drywall went in! I'm trying not to be too hopeful, but I do believe I'm beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel! Yeah!

Monday when I got home from work I couldn't find Bandi. I thought she was just hiding and didn't really begin worrying until it was their supper time and no Bandi. She's never been outside and I know the workmen are careful about leaving the door open (I sorta yelled a lot about that in the beginning) so I was concentrating on the attic and the walls, in fact, last night I was sure she was behind the new drywall. But this morning when I let Shirley out I heard her and called and out she came from under the house. Thank goodness! My little group is now complete again!

I went to Tallahassee yesterday after work to see Mother. She was in physical therapy when I got there, in her wheelchair, slumped over with her head down and her eyes closed. Two girls were saying "Miss Jane, open your eyes, Miss Jane hold up your head" and she wouldn't. I walked over to her and said "Mother, what in the world are you doing?" Her head snapped up and her eyes opened and she said "Exercise"! I stayed with her for the remainder of that session and for her speech therapy. Then I took her back to her room and put her jacket on her as she was very cold. She was very cooperative. I'll go back after work today.

She's seeming much better!

When Nancy and I got to the rehab center yesterday Mother was in a wheelchair! First time and was much more lucid! She knew both of us and called us by name. First time. They brought her lunch and she fed herself (left hand). First time (as Bert fed her her breakfast).

She still has almost no use of the right side, though her nurse said she'd kicked the covers off the night before and she made a fist for us and flexed her fingers. She has trouble putting thought to word and trouble finding words.

We were so pleased with the progress.

Chilly here this morning.

Bill, thank you so much for your comment. I'm embarrassed, but do we know you?

More Mother news

They moved Mother to a rehab center late yesterday. The ccu unit nurse told Nancy that the main reason they moved her so quickly was that she was fighting them and was uncooperative.
Nancy and I will visit her there today. I pray this will be the stimulus she needs. The MRI of her brain showed massive damage. I don't know how much improvement we should expect. Her general physical condition has been upgraded from critical to fair. Her heart, lungs, etc. are good. This is so hard.

Yet another update

Bert called me at work twice this morning. He (and her attending Dr.) wanted to surgically implant a feeding tube in Mother's abdomen. I've heard such horror stories about people having to get court orders to remove same when the patient wasn't going to recover and told him that. I really thought we should wait a few more days before doing something that drastic. After all, she's being fed IV and the chance of recovering her swallowing ability should improve as she improves. Anyway he called Nancy and she was all for it, so they overruled me and did it. She came through the surgery quite well and I was there when she woke up in recovery. She was pretty alert, though her speech isn't good at all. She seemed to know me, or at least liked me. She tried to talk, but got very agitated when she couldn't. Bert went home for a much needed rest and I called Nancy who got there around 3 o'clock. We left at 4 o'clock. We told both Bert and Mother that we wouldn't be there tomorrow, but probably would be there on Saturday. Mother has no concept of time or days, etc. But I explained it to her a couple of times and I figure it may sink in some day.

Mother update

There is no significant change in Mother. The doctors say she had a major stroke and it will be a week to 10 days before we really know anything. They had a music therapist in with her yesterday and she tried to sing along and move her good foot with the music. That sounds good.

They began tearing out my kitchen Tuesday. It has been totally gutted, cabinets, walls down to the studs, floor and ceiling. Friday I bought a tomato and an avocado...can't find them...I suppose that if this cold ever goes away I'll be able to smell them out!

Mother

Mother had a stroke yesterday. She's stable now and in Cardiac Intensive Care. I haven't called anyone as I'm so scattered and can't find my address book. Rosie, I have your # on my cell and when I get it charged up and know something more I'll give you a call. Nancy, Bert and I were with her until midnight and then Nancy and I left. Bert stayed...we're worried about him as he is 90 and really not handling this well at all.

She is having speech problems (counts a lot) and is partially paralyzed on her right side and very confused, doesn't know her name or the date or what happened or where she is, etc..

We have a big storm coming in today with tornadoes, hail and such.

Daddy died on the 5th of March.

Back to work

Went back to work yesterday. Probably should stay out for a few more, but you know about the old pocket book! My ear is still bothering me even though I finished the antibiotic yesterday and I'm weak as all get out! This past week I did nothing but sleep and then toward the end of the week watched movies on DVD's. If you haven't seen it, "No Reservations" is really a feel-good movie!

We got over 7 inches of rain last week...really needed it...and we have more coming today. Yeah!

Work's work. Found some porn (actually, lots of porn) on the computer in my office yesterday. That idiot that moved to my old desk was dumb enough to leave it on the desk top unprotected scattered in with pictures of his grandchildren! Stupid! Sick! Ugly!

Catching up

I started the new job in Home Office last Wednesday. I have a lovely office with an antique computer. I'm filing, answering the phone and going to the post office. Not good.

HWB and the guys at the old job sent flowers and candy with a card saying it was for my first day on the new job and an early Valentines Day wish.

Wednesday afternoon I went to the dermatologist in Tallahassee. Several of the places my GP was concerned about were nothing. The place on my nose was removed and required a stitch inside and one outside. There were two places on my lip that he froze. The shots in my nose and the freezing were most painful.

Thursday was Valentines Day. Got several things of candy and another flower. One of the girls brought in homemade chicken and dumplings and a large salad. Nice.

I was sick all weekend and when I got up Monday morning was much worse. Was at my doctor's office at 7:30 when they opened and told them I wouldn't leave until I could see someone. They said they'd fit me in at 10:15. Went to work. At 10:15 went to the doctor. I have flu (had the flu shot, but it seems the shot is only covering around 40 percent of the strains going aroung) and a secondary bacterial ear infection and fluid on my lungs. He perscribed an antibiotic for the ear. Went on to the post office and back to work. Sorted the mail and came home.

Had only been home a short time when my builder called and wanted a key to the house. He came by and picked it up and asked if I could do without a kitchen for a few weeks. Ha!

Yesterday I called work and told them I didn't know when I'd be back.

Still feel rotten and the antibiotic has torn my stomach up!

It's been quite a week.

A little progress.

I still haven't made the big move to home office. I'm told it'll be this coming Wednesday. That also is the day my skin cancer surgery is scheduled for. I've already told them and I'll have to leave an hour early on my first day there.

I am seeing progress with my office. Monday there was a desk with no drawers. Tuesday there was a stack of drawers in the corner. Wednesday the drawers were in, two don't fit too well. Thursday there was a computer on the desk and today a red leather (old) chair had been added. There is still no desk chair and everything is rather dirty. Watching this has been fun.

I really was a wreck on Monday. I didn't sleep very well over the weekend because of fretting over the move. And a fellow who is moving into the office I'm leaving was there when I got in. He's a nice guy, but sharing a phone and a computer has had it's challanges! But, when I left today I was just fine and feel sure I will be this weekend.

Those storms that ran through our midsection (our as in our country) two days ago were unreal!
So many people have lost so much. Our driver said he saw several flat bed semis carrying what looked like FEMA trailers while he was on I-10 today.

Neither of my daughers, who live on the fringes of the horrid weather paths, have posted lately. That's not really odd, we all go through spells of not posting. I'm just an ol' worry-wart, always have been and probably always will be!

I've been cutting pennies a bit finer lately. I dropped Callwave, though I loved it and dropped the call forward busy feature that I had to have from Embarq in order to use Callwave. That's going to save about $12.50 a month. Then my sister told me about a calling package that she just got with Embarq that includes local and long distance (.10 a min.!) and is $19.99 a month. So I called and changed to that and that's another $10.00 a month savings! Then I changed my newspaper subscription from 7 days a week to Sunday only. That's going to save me about $12.00 a month! So with just a few changes I'm saving ball-park about $35.00 a month! That's $420.00 a year! That's a new TV or a tank of propane! I'm going to try to put $35.00 aside each month and at least I should be able to get at least one tank of propane! If I'd quit smoking that'd be another $140.00 a month...then I could stop eating and then stop feeding the animals and stop doing electric and water and damn it, that is how it feels! The prices of things are going up so quickly and the money in the pocket isn't!

Tomorrow I'm going to try to dig the lantanas out of the front bed. They do take over and are frightfully ugly in the winter and I want them gone. I was thinking that if I can't dig them out I'll tie a rope around them and into the tingy in the trunk of my car and yank them out. We'll see, it should be fun! The weather is supposed to be wonderful, 72-75 degrees day time and high 40's night times!

Still no progress to report on the kitchen. I'm down to 2 forks, 1 plate and three bowls. I'm ready. It'll take me less than 1/2 an hour to clear it totally! Need to call my builder.

A Wonderful Friday

Earlier this week I asked for a day off to take care of some things and HWB suggested Friday as both he and Paul would be gone off and on during the rest of the week.

Yesterday he told me that I would be going to the home office as of Monday. That's what he'd said earlier, but changed it a few days later because of painting. So now it's back on for Monday.

Anyway, I was off today and slept a little late, played on the computer, went to the bank, paid some bills, gassed up the car and went to Thomasville. Had a nice day and fretted the entire time about the upcoming change.

Today is Nancy's 59th birthday. I woke up this morning early, 3:40ish, and called her office and sang Happy Birthday to her answering machine. We'll celebrate both tomorrow and Sunday!

It's going down to the low 30s tonight and I'm out of propane. They'll be here Monday to fill 'er up, but in the mean time...thank goodness for pets! We'll sleep warm!

Another small delay

Monday HWB told me that I'd not be moving to the main office on Monday after all. It seems they are painting the floor in the office that the girl whose office I'm moving to is moving to and they think the drying time will be a bit longer in this weather, so he said to expect 2-3 days delay. Why am I not surprised? This has been hanging over my head since October...what's a few more days?

I voted yesterday at 7:15am...was only the 12th person in my precinct to vote, but heard this morning that the final turn out was quite large! November should be interesting.

Cold rain this morning.

No kitchen news other than everything, except for the few things I use daily, is packed away and in the dining room and what's left in there is in boxes and just will have to be moved when the time comes...hope that's soon.

Friday my sister will be 59 years old! Told her that I wasn't old enough to have a sister that old! Saturday she and I will be going to Talbot's to spend some coupons and later we'll meet Mother and Bert at the Seinyard to feast! Then on Sunday Nancy & I will be going to Quincy to see Bye, Bye Birdie. Should be fun.

And yet another rainy, cold Saturday

How fortunate can one be? Another rainy and cold Saturday. My favorite kind of day at home! I think weather like this gives me permission to stay in and bundle up and cook a little and watch movies and read. And, not to go anywhere!

I worked on the kitchen both Thursday and last night. All the upper cabinets are emptied, 2 drawers are emptied and about a third of the lower cabinets are done. I've packed up all the do-dads and stuff and taken all the pictures off of the 'fridge. I'm thinking I need to empty the refrigerator, or at least clear it of all but the bare necessities. I'm going to move the coffee pot to my bathroom and the microwave to the bedroom...maybe the electric skillet, too. Wonder how long I'll have to live like this? I started packing the kitchen the end of August and here it is the end of January. Not a real calming place to say the least. The kittens love it...new mountains to climb almost daily!

One more week to go at work.

There's something I don't understand about this tax rebate thing. How in the world is it going to make any kind of long term difference if they don't also slash income taxes? This feel like a bandage on a severed limb...the blood's still going to seep out.

I filed my income tax this past week. I am getting a small return, thank goodness! Last year I didn't do my withholding at work right and had to pay $270 something. My goal is to break even, not owe and not have any of my income being used without interest for a year and then have to jump through hoops with forms to get my own money back more than a year later. There's definitely something wrong with out tax structure.

There, I'm done.

It's Unofficial

Well, unofficially, I'll be moving to the home office on the 4th of February. That's a week from this coming Monday. I'm looking forward to getting away from the gloom and doom that covers us where I am, but I'm really dreading what it looks like from this side of the glass...I've been told twice (yesterday was the second time) that I'll be handling the phones and filing...yeah! Talk about potential boredom and really torn up hands! Oh well, I guess I can do anything for 31 months (that's when I plan to retire).

Leah Jane came by yesterday with soup and wine. I can tell this morning that I ate less soup than I should have and drank more wine than was wise on a "school night".

We've had almost 3" of rain since Saturday and more in the forecast!

I've almost emptied the kitchen. Ran out of boxes, but brought more home from work yesterday. My shoulders and arms and hips and legs hurt quite a bit from climbing up and down the ladder all weekend in order to get the things from the top shelves. I'd climb up get a small armful and climb down and put it in a box...must have done that 80 million times! Probably have another good mornings worth to do. I'm hoping that I'll not have to do more until this weekend.