Bye bye January!
WOW- one month down, 11 to go! Time, please stop moving so quickly! It's been a crazy start to the year and January has not been a very bad month. It's been a very busy Travel Business month, my second highest January sales in the last 5 years and that is with me being gone one full week! I hope this sets the tone for 2013 and that my overall sales will be up. I don't see any reason why they won't. The rest of my life has settled down a bit, giving me the time to actively promote some travel ideas.
We just got back from a week in Maui and it was a nice time away with my wonderful hubby. Warm weather & lots of chill time. But even more importantly, it gave me the time to test the waters (so to speak) and start walking again. I have been eager to see how my foot would fair with walking again (as in power walking) and Wailea has a beautiful oceanside path for just that purpose. I am stoked to say that I went walking on that path 3 of the 4 mornings that we were in Wailea and walked between 3-4 miles each time. It was fabulous! Once we relocated to Makena, Bill & I went for a walk through that neighborhood, while not as gorgeous with a beach path, it is still Maui & this walk included some hills, which was good training since my walks at home are filled with hills. I was able to take a yoga class one of the mornings and then also put some time in at the gym one other morning and did the Elliptical trainer. Ok, I have not used one of those machines in a very, very long time and today my legs are killing me! It's a great feeling though! I can't remember the last time that I took a vacation and did this much exercise. It's been a long time. I think I am now ready to get back into my daily routines and walking with Diane and experimenting with a few other classes at the gym to get my fitness on! Today, I planned on doing Body Pump at home and really wanted that to be "first thing", but had some things I needed to do for mom but made sure I did the full release in my living room before dinner. Served as a good review of choreography for teaching Saturday and it will also help for that class to not hurt too badly!
Tomorrow, I get back in the saddle again! I was offered a spin class at the Palo Alto Family YMCA and decided that I would jump at the chance. I had been emailing the director at Crunch letting him know that if any of the early morning spin classes became available, I would be interested- I sub those classes often and it's a good fit - my style of teaching and the participants. But so far, nobody is moving. Figured I would try this class at the Y out and see if I am a good fit for their members. It's always so hard to take over a class, but it seems as though this class has been shared by 3 other people, so maybe they will welcome the consistency. I have missed teaching spin, so I am ready to get back on the bike! This will bring me up to 4 classes per week and my goal by summer time would hopefully bring that up to 6-7 classes per week. Gold's Gym is looking at potentially adding more Les Mills programs and that is very exciting, so I may find myself in a position to train for another one of those formats!
I have resumed my Weight Watchers program with a twist. Not only am I counting my points, but I have been trying a lot of new things. I have been stepping out of the box and putting things in my body that I have previously labeled with the big red circle with the slant line through it! I have been drinking tea in the morning (not hot chocolate, not sugary cider), I made a green smoothie before my vacation (well it was brown) but it contained baby spinach, kale, strawberries, banana, peach, pineapple and I drank the whole thing and it tasted pretty ok. I bought some steel cut oats, but have not tried them yet. I don't drink sodas that often, but can say that I have not had one in weeks- previously I might have had one every 2-3 days. I have also cut back on wine (sadly), but have really limited wine to 2-3 days each week. While on vacation in Maui- I snacked on grapes and pineapple. I tried any veggies that happened to be served on my plate, without having my napkin ready to spit it out. After two weeks on Weight Watchers, I had lost 6 pounds and this was after being in Maui for 2 days! In fact, I was prepared to take my Wednesday weight for the week (I weigh in on Fridays), but when I was at the Spa on Friday for my massage treatment they had a scale, so I dropped my towel and jumped up! I was pleasantly pleased that it registered with weight loss for the week. I will weigh in tomorrow after the rest of our vacation and if the scale is the same or slightly higher, it's ok, I will bounce back quickly. In fact, I already feel it. I was chatting with my mom about vacation and eating/drinking/points and that prompted me to review my week in Maui or at least from last Friday (the last WW week) and yes I am -69 points, to be expected from vacation. However, it was the alcohol that put me in the deficit. I had eaten quite well throughout the week. I was able to control my eating environment for several meals. It felt good to be able to do that.
Back on track today, went shopping and picked up several fruits, a few veggies and plan to make another green smoothie tomorrow for lunch. I'm on a mission and my goal is to lose 1-2 pounds per week. I can do this. I will do this.
It's going to be a great weekend - a friday of spin, work, dancing. A saturday of Body Pump, work, Baptismal pre-party and then Super Sunday - starting with Baby Nash's Baptism and then 49ER SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! So ridiculously excited for the game and the fun time with friends. Might even see about taking Kristy's Body Flow class between the two making it an even more super Sunday.
Update on Mom:
Mom ended up in the hospital once again while I was in Maui, but fortunately she is out now after a 5 night stay. Darn Colitis and C-diff (related of course)...she just can't win. I started thinking a bit more about this tonight and for two weeks she had been experiencing some intermittent dry heaving in the morning or before her first meal of the day. This stopped after being admitted. I think we've concluded that it was the Iron Supplement that was upsetting her stomach and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this stomach upset left her vulnerable for the darn C-diff to creep back again. Hopefully, this is IT! The legs are considered "healed", which is AWESOME news - time for her to live and enjoy life! As Valerie from Dr Gillon's office said, let's hope for small goals- so right now we're saying no hospital visits for February. Also, time for us to figure out what we're doing with mom's house. Spring is a great time to sell, so we really need to get on it if that is the direction we are going to go. So TIME, please slow the hell down!!!!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Just Amazed...
I was just reviewing the pictures that I've taken along the way of mom's journey last year and now into this year. When I look at how her legs looked back in February and what they look like now, it is nothing short of a miracle that she has made the progress that she has made. For a woman who feels like she should have died in 2011, her body has been fighting the good fight so so long. We had our second appointment today with Dr Mike and his new bandage approach seems to be helping. Between the bandage and the Lasix, the swelling in mom's leg is next to nothing and without that inflammation, the circulation is improved. She is also not experiencing any leg pain, which means she is now sleeping better at night- something that is very critical for any sort of healing.
Dr. Mike thinks we probably have 4-6 weeks left of healing, which sounds like an eternity, but when you consider that the healing process BEGAN 2/3/12 and it will be just over a year hopefully by the time her legs are completely healed, yes it's a long time- but she was living with this pain and suffering for so much longer before she ended up in the hospital. I do blame her Doctors in San Francisco for not trying other things sooner. Her underlying problem was vascular all along because without blood flow, wounds won't heal- simple science. Just infuriates me that she has had to go through so much suffering and pain because others didn't do what should have been obvious.
I am also mad that I was not as involved, understandably- mom was living very independently in SF on her own and going to all her Doctor appointments alone. Little did I know back then how much more advocacy she needed. She would believe whatever the Doctors would tell her and I don't think I fully grasped what was really going on with her legs. I'm just so thankful that she did finally end up at the hospital and then even more thankful that she ended up here in Redwood City under the care of the great team at Sequoia Hospital. I feel like we are in the home stretch, that we can finally see a flicker of light at the end of this tunnel.
I hope that the vancomycin has been helping, but hope that it has not been the largest component of her healing. She has a few more days of the medication and then we'll see if the wounds continue their healing with the bandage. Although this drug has been wonderful in healing, I am also a bit cautious because I truly believe that this medication has also helped to progress the hearing loss that she has been experiencing. We have to look into hearing aids, but mom is not so fond of dishing out what they cost. I think we will experiment with a cheap pair from EBay to "test the waters".
Looks like things should be pretty easy while I'm away in Maui. Mom should only have one Dr. appt with Dr. Mike and my brother is more than happy to take her (this is the same Dr. who performed his surgery back in August) and no bandage changes- YAY! Fingers crossed that things continue in a positive direction!
If you are squeamish, I would recommend you stop reading now..but here are a few "progress pictures" of where the leg has been and where it is now....simply amazing.
I was just reviewing the pictures that I've taken along the way of mom's journey last year and now into this year. When I look at how her legs looked back in February and what they look like now, it is nothing short of a miracle that she has made the progress that she has made. For a woman who feels like she should have died in 2011, her body has been fighting the good fight so so long. We had our second appointment today with Dr Mike and his new bandage approach seems to be helping. Between the bandage and the Lasix, the swelling in mom's leg is next to nothing and without that inflammation, the circulation is improved. She is also not experiencing any leg pain, which means she is now sleeping better at night- something that is very critical for any sort of healing.
Dr. Mike thinks we probably have 4-6 weeks left of healing, which sounds like an eternity, but when you consider that the healing process BEGAN 2/3/12 and it will be just over a year hopefully by the time her legs are completely healed, yes it's a long time- but she was living with this pain and suffering for so much longer before she ended up in the hospital. I do blame her Doctors in San Francisco for not trying other things sooner. Her underlying problem was vascular all along because without blood flow, wounds won't heal- simple science. Just infuriates me that she has had to go through so much suffering and pain because others didn't do what should have been obvious.
I am also mad that I was not as involved, understandably- mom was living very independently in SF on her own and going to all her Doctor appointments alone. Little did I know back then how much more advocacy she needed. She would believe whatever the Doctors would tell her and I don't think I fully grasped what was really going on with her legs. I'm just so thankful that she did finally end up at the hospital and then even more thankful that she ended up here in Redwood City under the care of the great team at Sequoia Hospital. I feel like we are in the home stretch, that we can finally see a flicker of light at the end of this tunnel.
I hope that the vancomycin has been helping, but hope that it has not been the largest component of her healing. She has a few more days of the medication and then we'll see if the wounds continue their healing with the bandage. Although this drug has been wonderful in healing, I am also a bit cautious because I truly believe that this medication has also helped to progress the hearing loss that she has been experiencing. We have to look into hearing aids, but mom is not so fond of dishing out what they cost. I think we will experiment with a cheap pair from EBay to "test the waters".
Looks like things should be pretty easy while I'm away in Maui. Mom should only have one Dr. appt with Dr. Mike and my brother is more than happy to take her (this is the same Dr. who performed his surgery back in August) and no bandage changes- YAY! Fingers crossed that things continue in a positive direction!
If you are squeamish, I would recommend you stop reading now..but here are a few "progress pictures" of where the leg has been and where it is now....simply amazing.
February 2011
August 2012
October 2012
Today's pictures: 
Monday, January 07, 2013
I AM BACK!
Gosh, I can't believe that I have not blogged for over a month. Not for lack of thinking about it, I have had so much going through my head in the past month that I attempted to write several times but felt that my thoughts were so "all over the place" that it was just too overwhelming. Perhaps now, I can write a bit more intelligently and a bit more cohesively. We'll see, I'm going to try- but be warned that this attempt could still end up being a post that is any which way but loose.
The Holidays have always been one of my most favorite times of year and I think in large part because I am a huge traditionalist. It's not that I don't like change, I can go with the flow- but I really do love traditions. But this Holiday season was filled with a variety of things that really challenged me and my traditional self. We had our annual get togethers with my Travel Gang, with my sister's friends and our annual party with our friends. We go through great lengths to put together a really fun party for our friends. We don't entertain much throughout the year, mainly because our place just isn't that conducive for anything larger than 2-3 couples. Our house is not kid-friendly, so with most of our friends needing baby-sitters, it's just easier to go to their houses, so this one day out of the year we go all out to "treat" our friends to a nice night with a catered dinner, dancing, beverages. While I am grateful for all who attended- well between 25-30 people, I was still annoyed by the select few who are continually invited but then never come. Adding to that, they wait until the last 2-3 days to finally RSVP- really? I mean are you waiting to see what else is going to happen that night so you can pick the best offer? As a hostess who can see just how many times people view the eVite, shit or get off the pot and make up your mind if you're going to join us or not- don't lag. We give so much notice because it's important to us to have our friends attend and we want to be the first invite people get. On the flip side, I am extremely grateful and love all who attended, even the BFF who had a bit of an altercation with her BIL at the end of night that brought the fun times to a halting stop and mass exodus. S@!T happens! No use crying over broken wine glasses.
We had an absolutely AMAZING fun time in SF for Mike's 49th birthday...going out of the 40's in style in a party bus with a total of 12 fun fun people. Dinner, dancing- lots of laughs, it was a night that will go down in the history books. Diane kept saying all night how they have the best friends and we really are a great group of people- everyone gets along so well.
We had to set up our annual Gift exchange with the Yelinek sisters, usually Diane & family are on Christmas Eve, Linda & family are on Christmas Day and Janet & family are on the day after. This year we had to change things up a bit because Janet had to work the day after, so we got together the day before Christmas Eve and had a very nice dinner with her & Scott, exchanged gifts with them & Scott's kids, but Janet's kids weren't there yet, so didn't get to watch them open their gifts- but Janet did send over text pictures on Christmas of the kids (teens) with their gifts. Again, a bit of change in Tradition- but not too big of a deal.
Christmas Eve was all set to be a gift exchange with Diane & family around 3pm, then go to Church together (getting her kids to church is something I've been wanting to do for a long time) and then afterwards they were going to have a low key family night at home. But their schedule got out of whack and meeting before Church wasn't going to work and then they weren't going to make it to church at all. They ended up coming over around 10pm that night instead after dinner and after they stopped by another friend's house. I went with the flow, what I always do- but I was upset that plans had changed and felt a bit like we were pushed to the back burner. We still had a good time. After they left, Bill & I did our gift exchange & watched a movie and then crashed earlier than we normally do on Christmas Eve. Although my mom did come to church with me and stayed for dinner (Steve's famous Spaghetti dinner)- I did miss our tradition of opening gifts with mom and watching "White Christmas" together with Bailey's Coffee. We kept thinking we'd watch it the next day, but it never happened. I have NEVER gone a year without watching "White Christmas". Sad.
Christmas Day was EASY. Tradition once again- changed. Bill has been after me for years to change up the menu and this year we finally did Prime Rib and I will give Bill props because it was the easiest meal. I made a crock pot cream corn that was delish, made creamed spinach, rolls, mashed potatoes and it was a very good meal. In fact, I enjoyed my meal that night. Usually, with Turkey- I enjoy the leftovers, but don't enjoy the actual meal. Linda came over and was running late, but we did gifts with her girls and visited for a little bit and then my sister, Roger and mom arrived and we started doing our family gifts. Felt weird to send mom "home" because she usually spends the night- so another tradition that has changed forever. Aside from the fact that we don't have a guest room anymore, she would never be able to get up the stairs in her condition.
The next day Bill had to work, so I taught a 6am class and then mom wasn't feeling quite up to going to the movie- something we always do the day after Christmas, so that tradition was tweaked this year. I ended up relaxing most of the day and then taught class that evening. It was still good.
I think I really realized and I think my mom even realized that this might have been her last Christmas with us. I know she is worried about me and how I will be when she's gone. If I had blogged 1-2 days after Christmas, I would have said that it was our last Christmas with mom & I was having a hard time with that realization, but today I'm not so sure about that. She really is related to the Energizer Bunny!
Mom did end up in the hospital again before 2012 would end. She had been showing signs of shortness of breath before Christmas and I was keeping a close eye on it and asking her questions about it- but I didn't push and neither did she- I would presume that we both didn't want her to be in the hospital for Christmas. So 12/28 we went to the Doctors, tests were ordered and by 4pm, she was in the ER being admitted with fluid in her lungs and very low iron levels. Sigh. Fortunately, she was released on 12/31- just in time to ring in the new year at HOME! She was sent home with 2 more prescriptions and oxygen at night. She seems to have accepted the Oxygen at night and the more research that I do, I am convinced that her shortness of breath was brought on by the low iron, so I am hoping that her breathing will be much better once the iron levels are up to where they need to be. Her moods have been up and down, but the past couple of days I am seeing signs of her returning to her happy self. We finally went to the "after Christmas Day" movie yesterday and loved it.
We got some bad news right after the New Years, mom's favorite Doctor (Gillon) was in a car accident and is off for 4-6 weeks! I sort of felt like our footing got pulled out from under us. But she referred us to a Surgeon friend of hers and we met with him this past week. He decided to try a different bandaging technique since the two wounds, although almost healed- they are taking their sweet ass time in healing. The beauty of this bandage- it's on for a week until she sees the Doctor again, so no bandage changes for me! YAY! I might lose my touch! I am anxious to see the Doctor on Tuesday and hope and pray that the wounds show amazing progress. She is taking the strong antibiotics that do help with the MRSA infection. It would be such a blessing if these were healed or at least showing significant progress with a light at the end of this very long tunnel.
We rang in the New Year with a great group of friends- we met for dinner and got there by the nick of our chin after getting mom settled at home after her discharge. Was so happy to be spending the night and we really enjoyed the party- danced quite a bit and laughed a lot, it was a fun fun night.
Of course, reflecting back to the year 2012 and where I was at personally at the end of 2011, I can honestly say that I am ELATED that 2012 is over. This year was a tough year. You just never can understand what goes into caring for an aging parent unless you've done it yourself. I have had to do things for my mom this past year that I never imagined having to do, I have found that I am able to do things that I never thought that I could. It has been a year of growth for me in terms of emotional strength. In fact, my brother having seen a lot of what I do for mom sort of tossed his hands up about a week ago and shook his head and said "I don't know how you do all you do, I don't know anyone who could handle all you handle", he has sat and listened to me make the countless phone calls to Doctors or to Billing companies or to Insurance companies to make sure things are done properly. It's amazing how many people in "business" can't get things right. Even Doctors, don't get me wrong I love the team of Doctors we have at Sequoia; however, there is a reason they call it "practicing medicine". I about lost a screw when the attending Cardiologist told mom to discontinue taking the Vanco upon discharge because "that's just for c-diff", which couldn't be farther from the truth. I told mom, no- we're going to disregard that "doctor order" because we know better.
At the end of 2011, I had lost close to 30 pounds and I was feeling good. I was looking forward to going to Aulani with Diane & family in January and showing off my cute new belly button rings and cute bikinis. Now it's 2013, we are 16 days away from going to Maui and by the end of 2012 I had gained all of those 30 pounds back again plus a little bit more. I'm not at all excited about getting into a bikini or any swim attire. It's so disappointing, yet I can't beat myself up about it. I know WHY this happened and in large part it was not being able to take time to take care of ME. Yet, at the same time- because I didn't have time to go for my walks, because I was too tired to go dancing once the weekend would get here- it did force me to rest my injured foot. I know if mom's health didn't require so much of my time this past year, I would have continued to walk, to dance and probably would have ended up with foot surgery and still been laid up and probably gaining weight. I'm beginning to think that the Doctor's initial recommendation to rest was probably all I needed to do, I have not worn my orthotics in months and I'm not convinced that they ever did any good except for taking $500 from my savings account.
So I am back to square one with my weight, I went 7 years of keeping all of my weight off and the last 3 years have been such a roller coaster ride. But this past year has really been challenging. I know my diet is not the best but it's not terrible either. My main issue is that I need to MOVE more. I have had virtually zero cardio for 7 months and that is when the weight was creeping up. But the good thing about losing weight in the past, I know I can do it again. I need to get moving and I need to scale back my intake- everything in moderation. I've never subscribed to the theory of removing this or that from your diet. For some people, that works.
We went dancing at the Saddle Rack this weekend for the first time since July! Felt so good to be back, felt so good to see friends that we pretty much only see there. It was a great night. Of course, past drama came up in discussion, but I maintain that I will still be victorious in the end. I know that I have not done anything wrong, I know that my family has not done anything wrong. I know that I never subjected any mutual/common friends to the details of said drama. I know that I have never attempted to get people to take sides. Yet, there are plenty of people who have heard one side of the story (not mine), and some have decided that they have heard the truth and definitely treat us differently because of it. There is one common friend who has stood her ground that she doesn't want to know anything on either side, she loves us both and is friends with us both and I respect that and have not bent her ear on any of the details, but the other person has tried. It's a competition to her, she wants to be the chosen friend. I know that several people who have heard the other side who still remain friendly to us probably do so because they know better, but simply do not want to get involved and are probably smart enough to know that there is more than one side to a story. If someone were to ask me, I'd have no problem filling them in on the details. When people are always "the victim", things are always someone else's fault, or her third husband was not the man everyone thought he was...at some point you have to consider the source- three failed marriages by age 45 can't all be the other guys fault. Just sayin. As a 1 time divorcee, yes my ex-husband had an affair and that was wrong on every level, but I know that I had to play a part in the marriage to send him looking elsewhere. It takes two to tango, as they say. Oh well, water under the bridge. It's 2013 and this drama has been going on for way too long. I'm done thinking about it, I'm done writing about it and it's time to move on.
2013 is going to be my year, my year to lose the weight for good, my year to get moving more, my year to be happier. It's also going to be a good year for my mom. She deserves it.
Gosh, I can't believe that I have not blogged for over a month. Not for lack of thinking about it, I have had so much going through my head in the past month that I attempted to write several times but felt that my thoughts were so "all over the place" that it was just too overwhelming. Perhaps now, I can write a bit more intelligently and a bit more cohesively. We'll see, I'm going to try- but be warned that this attempt could still end up being a post that is any which way but loose.
The Holidays have always been one of my most favorite times of year and I think in large part because I am a huge traditionalist. It's not that I don't like change, I can go with the flow- but I really do love traditions. But this Holiday season was filled with a variety of things that really challenged me and my traditional self. We had our annual get togethers with my Travel Gang, with my sister's friends and our annual party with our friends. We go through great lengths to put together a really fun party for our friends. We don't entertain much throughout the year, mainly because our place just isn't that conducive for anything larger than 2-3 couples. Our house is not kid-friendly, so with most of our friends needing baby-sitters, it's just easier to go to their houses, so this one day out of the year we go all out to "treat" our friends to a nice night with a catered dinner, dancing, beverages. While I am grateful for all who attended- well between 25-30 people, I was still annoyed by the select few who are continually invited but then never come. Adding to that, they wait until the last 2-3 days to finally RSVP- really? I mean are you waiting to see what else is going to happen that night so you can pick the best offer? As a hostess who can see just how many times people view the eVite, shit or get off the pot and make up your mind if you're going to join us or not- don't lag. We give so much notice because it's important to us to have our friends attend and we want to be the first invite people get. On the flip side, I am extremely grateful and love all who attended, even the BFF who had a bit of an altercation with her BIL at the end of night that brought the fun times to a halting stop and mass exodus. S@!T happens! No use crying over broken wine glasses.
We had an absolutely AMAZING fun time in SF for Mike's 49th birthday...going out of the 40's in style in a party bus with a total of 12 fun fun people. Dinner, dancing- lots of laughs, it was a night that will go down in the history books. Diane kept saying all night how they have the best friends and we really are a great group of people- everyone gets along so well.
We had to set up our annual Gift exchange with the Yelinek sisters, usually Diane & family are on Christmas Eve, Linda & family are on Christmas Day and Janet & family are on the day after. This year we had to change things up a bit because Janet had to work the day after, so we got together the day before Christmas Eve and had a very nice dinner with her & Scott, exchanged gifts with them & Scott's kids, but Janet's kids weren't there yet, so didn't get to watch them open their gifts- but Janet did send over text pictures on Christmas of the kids (teens) with their gifts. Again, a bit of change in Tradition- but not too big of a deal.
Christmas Eve was all set to be a gift exchange with Diane & family around 3pm, then go to Church together (getting her kids to church is something I've been wanting to do for a long time) and then afterwards they were going to have a low key family night at home. But their schedule got out of whack and meeting before Church wasn't going to work and then they weren't going to make it to church at all. They ended up coming over around 10pm that night instead after dinner and after they stopped by another friend's house. I went with the flow, what I always do- but I was upset that plans had changed and felt a bit like we were pushed to the back burner. We still had a good time. After they left, Bill & I did our gift exchange & watched a movie and then crashed earlier than we normally do on Christmas Eve. Although my mom did come to church with me and stayed for dinner (Steve's famous Spaghetti dinner)- I did miss our tradition of opening gifts with mom and watching "White Christmas" together with Bailey's Coffee. We kept thinking we'd watch it the next day, but it never happened. I have NEVER gone a year without watching "White Christmas". Sad.
Christmas Day was EASY. Tradition once again- changed. Bill has been after me for years to change up the menu and this year we finally did Prime Rib and I will give Bill props because it was the easiest meal. I made a crock pot cream corn that was delish, made creamed spinach, rolls, mashed potatoes and it was a very good meal. In fact, I enjoyed my meal that night. Usually, with Turkey- I enjoy the leftovers, but don't enjoy the actual meal. Linda came over and was running late, but we did gifts with her girls and visited for a little bit and then my sister, Roger and mom arrived and we started doing our family gifts. Felt weird to send mom "home" because she usually spends the night- so another tradition that has changed forever. Aside from the fact that we don't have a guest room anymore, she would never be able to get up the stairs in her condition.
The next day Bill had to work, so I taught a 6am class and then mom wasn't feeling quite up to going to the movie- something we always do the day after Christmas, so that tradition was tweaked this year. I ended up relaxing most of the day and then taught class that evening. It was still good.
I think I really realized and I think my mom even realized that this might have been her last Christmas with us. I know she is worried about me and how I will be when she's gone. If I had blogged 1-2 days after Christmas, I would have said that it was our last Christmas with mom & I was having a hard time with that realization, but today I'm not so sure about that. She really is related to the Energizer Bunny!
Mom did end up in the hospital again before 2012 would end. She had been showing signs of shortness of breath before Christmas and I was keeping a close eye on it and asking her questions about it- but I didn't push and neither did she- I would presume that we both didn't want her to be in the hospital for Christmas. So 12/28 we went to the Doctors, tests were ordered and by 4pm, she was in the ER being admitted with fluid in her lungs and very low iron levels. Sigh. Fortunately, she was released on 12/31- just in time to ring in the new year at HOME! She was sent home with 2 more prescriptions and oxygen at night. She seems to have accepted the Oxygen at night and the more research that I do, I am convinced that her shortness of breath was brought on by the low iron, so I am hoping that her breathing will be much better once the iron levels are up to where they need to be. Her moods have been up and down, but the past couple of days I am seeing signs of her returning to her happy self. We finally went to the "after Christmas Day" movie yesterday and loved it.
We got some bad news right after the New Years, mom's favorite Doctor (Gillon) was in a car accident and is off for 4-6 weeks! I sort of felt like our footing got pulled out from under us. But she referred us to a Surgeon friend of hers and we met with him this past week. He decided to try a different bandaging technique since the two wounds, although almost healed- they are taking their sweet ass time in healing. The beauty of this bandage- it's on for a week until she sees the Doctor again, so no bandage changes for me! YAY! I might lose my touch! I am anxious to see the Doctor on Tuesday and hope and pray that the wounds show amazing progress. She is taking the strong antibiotics that do help with the MRSA infection. It would be such a blessing if these were healed or at least showing significant progress with a light at the end of this very long tunnel.
We rang in the New Year with a great group of friends- we met for dinner and got there by the nick of our chin after getting mom settled at home after her discharge. Was so happy to be spending the night and we really enjoyed the party- danced quite a bit and laughed a lot, it was a fun fun night.
Of course, reflecting back to the year 2012 and where I was at personally at the end of 2011, I can honestly say that I am ELATED that 2012 is over. This year was a tough year. You just never can understand what goes into caring for an aging parent unless you've done it yourself. I have had to do things for my mom this past year that I never imagined having to do, I have found that I am able to do things that I never thought that I could. It has been a year of growth for me in terms of emotional strength. In fact, my brother having seen a lot of what I do for mom sort of tossed his hands up about a week ago and shook his head and said "I don't know how you do all you do, I don't know anyone who could handle all you handle", he has sat and listened to me make the countless phone calls to Doctors or to Billing companies or to Insurance companies to make sure things are done properly. It's amazing how many people in "business" can't get things right. Even Doctors, don't get me wrong I love the team of Doctors we have at Sequoia; however, there is a reason they call it "practicing medicine". I about lost a screw when the attending Cardiologist told mom to discontinue taking the Vanco upon discharge because "that's just for c-diff", which couldn't be farther from the truth. I told mom, no- we're going to disregard that "doctor order" because we know better.
At the end of 2011, I had lost close to 30 pounds and I was feeling good. I was looking forward to going to Aulani with Diane & family in January and showing off my cute new belly button rings and cute bikinis. Now it's 2013, we are 16 days away from going to Maui and by the end of 2012 I had gained all of those 30 pounds back again plus a little bit more. I'm not at all excited about getting into a bikini or any swim attire. It's so disappointing, yet I can't beat myself up about it. I know WHY this happened and in large part it was not being able to take time to take care of ME. Yet, at the same time- because I didn't have time to go for my walks, because I was too tired to go dancing once the weekend would get here- it did force me to rest my injured foot. I know if mom's health didn't require so much of my time this past year, I would have continued to walk, to dance and probably would have ended up with foot surgery and still been laid up and probably gaining weight. I'm beginning to think that the Doctor's initial recommendation to rest was probably all I needed to do, I have not worn my orthotics in months and I'm not convinced that they ever did any good except for taking $500 from my savings account.
So I am back to square one with my weight, I went 7 years of keeping all of my weight off and the last 3 years have been such a roller coaster ride. But this past year has really been challenging. I know my diet is not the best but it's not terrible either. My main issue is that I need to MOVE more. I have had virtually zero cardio for 7 months and that is when the weight was creeping up. But the good thing about losing weight in the past, I know I can do it again. I need to get moving and I need to scale back my intake- everything in moderation. I've never subscribed to the theory of removing this or that from your diet. For some people, that works.
We went dancing at the Saddle Rack this weekend for the first time since July! Felt so good to be back, felt so good to see friends that we pretty much only see there. It was a great night. Of course, past drama came up in discussion, but I maintain that I will still be victorious in the end. I know that I have not done anything wrong, I know that my family has not done anything wrong. I know that I never subjected any mutual/common friends to the details of said drama. I know that I have never attempted to get people to take sides. Yet, there are plenty of people who have heard one side of the story (not mine), and some have decided that they have heard the truth and definitely treat us differently because of it. There is one common friend who has stood her ground that she doesn't want to know anything on either side, she loves us both and is friends with us both and I respect that and have not bent her ear on any of the details, but the other person has tried. It's a competition to her, she wants to be the chosen friend. I know that several people who have heard the other side who still remain friendly to us probably do so because they know better, but simply do not want to get involved and are probably smart enough to know that there is more than one side to a story. If someone were to ask me, I'd have no problem filling them in on the details. When people are always "the victim", things are always someone else's fault, or her third husband was not the man everyone thought he was...at some point you have to consider the source- three failed marriages by age 45 can't all be the other guys fault. Just sayin. As a 1 time divorcee, yes my ex-husband had an affair and that was wrong on every level, but I know that I had to play a part in the marriage to send him looking elsewhere. It takes two to tango, as they say. Oh well, water under the bridge. It's 2013 and this drama has been going on for way too long. I'm done thinking about it, I'm done writing about it and it's time to move on.
2013 is going to be my year, my year to lose the weight for good, my year to get moving more, my year to be happier. It's also going to be a good year for my mom. She deserves it.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
So nice, but so unexpected!
Tonight Bill & I went to dinner with our friends- Julie, husband Joe and Andrea. I have known Julie for about 22 years now, she was one of my first clients back in the day at June Jackson Travel. She chose to follow me throughout my career to my different agencies/positions and over the years we have become friends. I have sent Julie & Joe on various trips over the years and through Julie I have sent her & Andrea on a few "gal pal" trips. I have also traveled with Julie & Andrea on a fun weekend cruise! Our friendship was brought to a new level a few years ago when Julie & Andrea joined my Giants ticket partner group when I had an opening.
Of course with Facebook we are so much more connected on a regular basis and that helps to keep the friendship blossoming. We are in tune with each others lives and the trials and tribulations of having aging, failing health parents. So we are VERY connected. Julie had sent a message a few days ago to see if Bill & I were available to go out to dinner with them, they wanted to check out the Teppanyaki restaurant that Bill & I go to all the time. I'm always up for a fun night out with good friends...so we met them tonight. Well turns out that was all a premise with a purpose.
Julie & Andrea had rallied my ticket partners to put together a "thank you" gift for me for being such a great ticket owner. WOW. I have always been so grateful to my ticket partners because without them, I wouldn't have season tickets- it would be impossible to go to 80 games a season and very stressful to try to sell off that many games. I have very reliable, responsible ticket partners who all share a LOVE for our team- the San Francisco Giants. I feel so blessed to have them all and even though we only get together as a group once a year, to pick our games - it's a blast. It's like we all know each other intimately because we are all connected because of Giants baseball.
Well, the card and package brought tears to my eyes. A card that thanked me for all that I do for them and allowing them all to partake in the greatest game on earth. A gift card from Macy's and a beautiful Giants necklace and earrings. I found out that Bill knew about this, although he didn't put 2 and 2 together to know that I would be presented with the gift at dinner tonight. Apparently, they wanted to get the same bracelet from the Bradford Exchange that my sister bought me for Christmas that I'm not supposed to know about- but that's a different story of how Bradford Exchange sucks as a business and can't deliver anything in a reasonable amount of time. In any case...come April 5th- I will be sitting at AT&T park on Opening Day and I will be wearing my new jewelry PROUDLY and thinking of my wonderful ticket partners who have become great friends or some who were great friends first who became wonderful ticket partners after the fact. It works both ways.
It's so nice to be appreciated, so unexpected, so wonderful. I love my GIANTS family!
Tonight Bill & I went to dinner with our friends- Julie, husband Joe and Andrea. I have known Julie for about 22 years now, she was one of my first clients back in the day at June Jackson Travel. She chose to follow me throughout my career to my different agencies/positions and over the years we have become friends. I have sent Julie & Joe on various trips over the years and through Julie I have sent her & Andrea on a few "gal pal" trips. I have also traveled with Julie & Andrea on a fun weekend cruise! Our friendship was brought to a new level a few years ago when Julie & Andrea joined my Giants ticket partner group when I had an opening.
Of course with Facebook we are so much more connected on a regular basis and that helps to keep the friendship blossoming. We are in tune with each others lives and the trials and tribulations of having aging, failing health parents. So we are VERY connected. Julie had sent a message a few days ago to see if Bill & I were available to go out to dinner with them, they wanted to check out the Teppanyaki restaurant that Bill & I go to all the time. I'm always up for a fun night out with good friends...so we met them tonight. Well turns out that was all a premise with a purpose.
Julie & Andrea had rallied my ticket partners to put together a "thank you" gift for me for being such a great ticket owner. WOW. I have always been so grateful to my ticket partners because without them, I wouldn't have season tickets- it would be impossible to go to 80 games a season and very stressful to try to sell off that many games. I have very reliable, responsible ticket partners who all share a LOVE for our team- the San Francisco Giants. I feel so blessed to have them all and even though we only get together as a group once a year, to pick our games - it's a blast. It's like we all know each other intimately because we are all connected because of Giants baseball.
Well, the card and package brought tears to my eyes. A card that thanked me for all that I do for them and allowing them all to partake in the greatest game on earth. A gift card from Macy's and a beautiful Giants necklace and earrings. I found out that Bill knew about this, although he didn't put 2 and 2 together to know that I would be presented with the gift at dinner tonight. Apparently, they wanted to get the same bracelet from the Bradford Exchange that my sister bought me for Christmas that I'm not supposed to know about- but that's a different story of how Bradford Exchange sucks as a business and can't deliver anything in a reasonable amount of time. In any case...come April 5th- I will be sitting at AT&T park on Opening Day and I will be wearing my new jewelry PROUDLY and thinking of my wonderful ticket partners who have become great friends or some who were great friends first who became wonderful ticket partners after the fact. It works both ways.
It's so nice to be appreciated, so unexpected, so wonderful. I love my GIANTS family!
50 days and counting...
Yep, 50 days and I'll be blogging from Maui! I have had a few friends posting pictures from Hawaii this past week and it has gotten me in the mood for some hot weather and down time, but on the flip side- 50 days is not nearly enough time to get myself into bikini shape. Sadly. For the second day i a row Bill was snacking on celery- so not like him and when questioned- the answer was Maui.
Isn't it funny how we inevitably change our eating and physical activity habits when vacation is around the corner? I have not been able to get in the additional workouts yet- each day just seems to go by so quickly - between work, teaching the few classes that I teach and then taking mom to various appointments...well finding time to workout just gets put on the back burner. Part of this is my stubbornness- I only want to do the workout that I want to do...go walking, dancing or take Angie's Zumba class. I need to get over myself and just go get moving!
The other day my sister emailed me about having pain while walking on her trip in TX- she has knee and foot issues and of course she knows that losing weight will help these ailments and we have both always said that we are cursed with the Harper Fat Gene. But really- is there such a thing? Is it really genetic? I would certainly like to think so, helps to not feel so terrible about things. Even my Doctor said that I was probably just one of those fit people who will always struggle with weight loss. Damn it- I don't want to struggle. Then I wonder too if the whole menopause shit is really chiming in- my mom uses that as a defense for me everytime I bring it up- but is that really the reason for stubborn fat not wanting to melt away? Oye. Everytime I talk to people about wanting to lose weight- I get the reply "but you work out so much"- but the reality of it is that I really don't work out that much- I teach 3 classes a week. Period. If I'm lucky I get to 2 more classes to take- or I sub more classes, like this week I am subbing two spin classes and now a last minute Body Pump class for a sick instructor friend. It is certainly not the norm for me to teach everyday...I just need to get motivated. I need to get moving- be it walking dancing, swimming- something.
The time is now. Must get back in shape. It's going to be a long road. 50 pounds to lose - AGAIN!
3rd time's the charm- maybe?
Yep, 50 days and I'll be blogging from Maui! I have had a few friends posting pictures from Hawaii this past week and it has gotten me in the mood for some hot weather and down time, but on the flip side- 50 days is not nearly enough time to get myself into bikini shape. Sadly. For the second day i a row Bill was snacking on celery- so not like him and when questioned- the answer was Maui.
Isn't it funny how we inevitably change our eating and physical activity habits when vacation is around the corner? I have not been able to get in the additional workouts yet- each day just seems to go by so quickly - between work, teaching the few classes that I teach and then taking mom to various appointments...well finding time to workout just gets put on the back burner. Part of this is my stubbornness- I only want to do the workout that I want to do...go walking, dancing or take Angie's Zumba class. I need to get over myself and just go get moving!
The other day my sister emailed me about having pain while walking on her trip in TX- she has knee and foot issues and of course she knows that losing weight will help these ailments and we have both always said that we are cursed with the Harper Fat Gene. But really- is there such a thing? Is it really genetic? I would certainly like to think so, helps to not feel so terrible about things. Even my Doctor said that I was probably just one of those fit people who will always struggle with weight loss. Damn it- I don't want to struggle. Then I wonder too if the whole menopause shit is really chiming in- my mom uses that as a defense for me everytime I bring it up- but is that really the reason for stubborn fat not wanting to melt away? Oye. Everytime I talk to people about wanting to lose weight- I get the reply "but you work out so much"- but the reality of it is that I really don't work out that much- I teach 3 classes a week. Period. If I'm lucky I get to 2 more classes to take- or I sub more classes, like this week I am subbing two spin classes and now a last minute Body Pump class for a sick instructor friend. It is certainly not the norm for me to teach everyday...I just need to get motivated. I need to get moving- be it walking dancing, swimming- something.
The time is now. Must get back in shape. It's going to be a long road. 50 pounds to lose - AGAIN!
3rd time's the charm- maybe?
Monday, December 03, 2012
Reflective...
As I was perusing facebook tonight, I came across a High School friend's re-post of a picture, 3 generations: my friend pictured with her mom and daughter. I picked up on a comment about her daughter missing her grandma and started to chat with her privately to learn that her mom passed away this morning. The tears just ran down my face. She & I got together a couple months ago when she was down in the Bay Area with another friend and we all talked about our mom's and their various ailments. I knew at that time that her mom wasn't doing well. She had lost the will to live, wasn't trying to live anymore. God finally took her today. My heart goes out to Cathy and her family.
Of course, the tears just poured down my face as I typed to my friend and tried to console her and let her know that I'm here for her- whatever she needs. Then I look over at Bill and he's teary-eyed from what I was telling him about our meetup two months ago and our conversations about our mom's. We were both sniffling for quite awhile. I know part of the tears are in anticipation of when this same very time comes for me, when my mom passes. I'll admit, I do think of it and know that I will be a wreck, but I also know that I will have zero regrets.
I am very blessed to be such a part of my mom's life and to have her be such a part of mine. We have a very special bond, a very special friendship and I am so very thankful for that. As trying as this year has been on me, it has been so much more trying for her. She has been to hell and back and to hell and back again! Seriously! But she just keeps plugging along. She is amazing. I have no idea where this gumption comes from, but she is a steam locomotive!
I took mom to bingo this weekend at the Veteran's Senior Center and she was having SO.MUCH.FUN.!! She was doing her pull tab tickets, playing all of the challenging bingo games. It was not BORING at all! She complains about the Woodside Terrace bingo as being "boring" because all they play is straight line bingo. It is boring. We didn't win, but we had a blast. Everyone was so nice and mom was so amazed that they put on such a nice show at the Senior Center- oh boy we got a free hot dog and a free donut. That's just what they do! We will be making this bingo game a 1-2 times per month thing. It's nice that they play every Sunday and then the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month.
We had a fabulous time Friday night out to dinner and dancing with great people, stayed up way late visiting with Janet & Scott. Saturday although wiped out, still managed to teach my class and then we had a very low key Saturday night, watching TV and listening to the storms outside.
As I was perusing facebook tonight, I came across a High School friend's re-post of a picture, 3 generations: my friend pictured with her mom and daughter. I picked up on a comment about her daughter missing her grandma and started to chat with her privately to learn that her mom passed away this morning. The tears just ran down my face. She & I got together a couple months ago when she was down in the Bay Area with another friend and we all talked about our mom's and their various ailments. I knew at that time that her mom wasn't doing well. She had lost the will to live, wasn't trying to live anymore. God finally took her today. My heart goes out to Cathy and her family.
Of course, the tears just poured down my face as I typed to my friend and tried to console her and let her know that I'm here for her- whatever she needs. Then I look over at Bill and he's teary-eyed from what I was telling him about our meetup two months ago and our conversations about our mom's. We were both sniffling for quite awhile. I know part of the tears are in anticipation of when this same very time comes for me, when my mom passes. I'll admit, I do think of it and know that I will be a wreck, but I also know that I will have zero regrets.
I am very blessed to be such a part of my mom's life and to have her be such a part of mine. We have a very special bond, a very special friendship and I am so very thankful for that. As trying as this year has been on me, it has been so much more trying for her. She has been to hell and back and to hell and back again! Seriously! But she just keeps plugging along. She is amazing. I have no idea where this gumption comes from, but she is a steam locomotive!
I took mom to bingo this weekend at the Veteran's Senior Center and she was having SO.MUCH.FUN.!! She was doing her pull tab tickets, playing all of the challenging bingo games. It was not BORING at all! She complains about the Woodside Terrace bingo as being "boring" because all they play is straight line bingo. It is boring. We didn't win, but we had a blast. Everyone was so nice and mom was so amazed that they put on such a nice show at the Senior Center- oh boy we got a free hot dog and a free donut. That's just what they do! We will be making this bingo game a 1-2 times per month thing. It's nice that they play every Sunday and then the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month.
Taking mom to bingo on Sunday just finished off what was overall a pretty great weekend! Had an amazing time taking a picture with BOTH World Series trophies...just wish mom would have been able to make it. She was having tummy troubles and was afraid to go while not feeling that great. She was missed, it was an awesome experience and I know she was bummed because she had her orange sweater on and was ready to go! But I did get a very nice picture of me and my brother with the two trophies. Pretty AWESOME!! Now we need a third trophy..and I still need to attend a parade!
We had a fabulous time Friday night out to dinner and dancing with great people, stayed up way late visiting with Janet & Scott. Saturday although wiped out, still managed to teach my class and then we had a very low key Saturday night, watching TV and listening to the storms outside.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Look out Weekend, cuz here I come....
because weekends are made for fun! Yes, they are! I have had a very busy week, in fact Thanksgiving feels about a month ago and my birthday- did it really already come and go? Yikes! Oh well. This weekend will start around 215pm tomorrow! I am excited because tomorrow I get to see BOTH World Series Trophies and get a picture with them! I received the invite last week from Giants management and signed up, then I asked Bill if he wanted/could go and he declined- so then I asked my brother and of course he was in. I then raffled off the remaining 2 spots to my ticket partners, picked the names and then actually out of all those who could go it ended up being just 1 person who really could, leaving one spot available. Hmmm, what to do.
I thought long and hard about this and decided to see if my mom would be interested. After all, regardless of what physical ailment she was battling this year, she was always tuned into KNBR to listen to every Giants game. Her radio was her best friend in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities this year. I asked her and of course she had her first initial concerns and I assured her that I could drop her off very close to the portwalk and then park the car. Told her if she got tired walking, that is what her walker seat was for and worst case, she could sit and we could push her. She laughed and said "that's been done before". Told her to sleep on it and let me know the next day. Well, the next day we were discussing wardrobe and looking at her "orange" sweaters. She did express a concern for rain and that she couldn't possibly hold an umbrella and push a walker- my answer- duct tape. She laughed. So she is going and I think she is pretty excited, especially knowing that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I told her it was also something to give her bragging rights at the Terrace. Super excited! I'm just happy to give her the opportunity to have some fun - FINALLY!
Friday night we have plans to co-celebrate birthdays with my friend Kelli. Bocce Ball and dinner in Los Gatos with a small group of friends. Something different, something fun and it will no doubt be a night of laughs. Saturday is pretty open right now, but I'd like to see the downtown tree lighting if possible and who knows- maybe even go dancing Saturday night. Sunday I am taking mom to "REAL" bingo at the Veteran's Center. She's excited. In fact, she has been overall in pretty good spirits the past week and I think a lot of that has to do with purpose. She has been a busy bee working on my holiday cards. She's not as fast as my nephews, but she wants to help, she is happy to help and happy to have something useful to do. I'm happy that I could help!
It's going to be a great weekend and this is actually our last "low-key" weekend until next year. Seriously, we have at least 2 parties every weekend from now until 2013. But that is a huge reason why I get all my shopping, wrapping, decorating done by December 1st. Still not entirely done with shopping, almost there.
Have not been able to move forward with my fitness plan this week. Have not made it to any gym outside of my teaching. Hoping to get to Zumba tomorrow. That will require an early to bed tonight and get up early enough to work before going to class. I will do this, I have to because I am not a fan of my body these days - feeling very plump.
Remodel projects are somewhat underway. Cabinets have been ordered for both the garage and the Master Bath. I'm told that the cabinets for the garage will be hung in time for our Holiday party...hope so. I am not a fan of cutting things close, but I have a feeling I won't have a choice in this matter. I think demo starts next weekend on our bathroom..we have made decisions on wood grain, door style, tile..so think we just have to pick out fixtures, sink, counter tops and then we'll be all set. Exciting but not exactly what I wanted to have going on during the holidays. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
because weekends are made for fun! Yes, they are! I have had a very busy week, in fact Thanksgiving feels about a month ago and my birthday- did it really already come and go? Yikes! Oh well. This weekend will start around 215pm tomorrow! I am excited because tomorrow I get to see BOTH World Series Trophies and get a picture with them! I received the invite last week from Giants management and signed up, then I asked Bill if he wanted/could go and he declined- so then I asked my brother and of course he was in. I then raffled off the remaining 2 spots to my ticket partners, picked the names and then actually out of all those who could go it ended up being just 1 person who really could, leaving one spot available. Hmmm, what to do.
I thought long and hard about this and decided to see if my mom would be interested. After all, regardless of what physical ailment she was battling this year, she was always tuned into KNBR to listen to every Giants game. Her radio was her best friend in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities this year. I asked her and of course she had her first initial concerns and I assured her that I could drop her off very close to the portwalk and then park the car. Told her if she got tired walking, that is what her walker seat was for and worst case, she could sit and we could push her. She laughed and said "that's been done before". Told her to sleep on it and let me know the next day. Well, the next day we were discussing wardrobe and looking at her "orange" sweaters. She did express a concern for rain and that she couldn't possibly hold an umbrella and push a walker- my answer- duct tape. She laughed. So she is going and I think she is pretty excited, especially knowing that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I told her it was also something to give her bragging rights at the Terrace. Super excited! I'm just happy to give her the opportunity to have some fun - FINALLY!
Friday night we have plans to co-celebrate birthdays with my friend Kelli. Bocce Ball and dinner in Los Gatos with a small group of friends. Something different, something fun and it will no doubt be a night of laughs. Saturday is pretty open right now, but I'd like to see the downtown tree lighting if possible and who knows- maybe even go dancing Saturday night. Sunday I am taking mom to "REAL" bingo at the Veteran's Center. She's excited. In fact, she has been overall in pretty good spirits the past week and I think a lot of that has to do with purpose. She has been a busy bee working on my holiday cards. She's not as fast as my nephews, but she wants to help, she is happy to help and happy to have something useful to do. I'm happy that I could help!
It's going to be a great weekend and this is actually our last "low-key" weekend until next year. Seriously, we have at least 2 parties every weekend from now until 2013. But that is a huge reason why I get all my shopping, wrapping, decorating done by December 1st. Still not entirely done with shopping, almost there.
Have not been able to move forward with my fitness plan this week. Have not made it to any gym outside of my teaching. Hoping to get to Zumba tomorrow. That will require an early to bed tonight and get up early enough to work before going to class. I will do this, I have to because I am not a fan of my body these days - feeling very plump.
Remodel projects are somewhat underway. Cabinets have been ordered for both the garage and the Master Bath. I'm told that the cabinets for the garage will be hung in time for our Holiday party...hope so. I am not a fan of cutting things close, but I have a feeling I won't have a choice in this matter. I think demo starts next weekend on our bathroom..we have made decisions on wood grain, door style, tile..so think we just have to pick out fixtures, sink, counter tops and then we'll be all set. Exciting but not exactly what I wanted to have going on during the holidays. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Another day, another year older!
Yikes! How did I get to be 47? Really?? Ok- I won't focus on the age. It has been quite a year though and ready for a new chapter! Anyway, it has been a wonderful birthday. I received over 200 birthday wishes via Facebook, emails, text, phone, snail mail- pretty wonderful stuff. The wishes started coming in before Thanksgiving! Bill took me to SF for a romantic dinner near Union Square. The restaurant left a bit to be desired- if you're going to charge those sort of prices, you better be damn good and it just wasn't! Tonight's dinner with Diane & Mike was about the same cost for 4 of us and much better! Lots of celebrating, but I'll be happy to get out of food coma mode! I did something today that I had not done in a long time- I spent time with my mother on my birthday! Usually the family celebration is on Thanksgiving, so when my actual birthday falls on Thanksgiving I'm with her, but now that she lives so close, I was able to spend a few hours with her and had fun helping her to decorate her apartment with Christmas decorations. I also had a massage, which was excellent- the only thing missing from today was a much needed nap- HA! I slept so minimally last night due to coffee consumption, but I plugged through the day and am looking forward to a good night sleep tonight!
Thanksgiving weekend was productive. I decorated and wrapped all the gifts. Still have just a few more gifts to purchase. Mom is working on my greeting cards- getting them stuffed, stamped, etc. She is being a huge help and it's keeping her busy and giving her a sense of purpose. It's a win-win, although today she used a bad word when talking about the stamps! Bill & I watched a few good movies and a funny stand up comedy show.
Michael was home from college for the week and went back on Friday night. It was so good to see him! He has grown up. Yep, 3 months living on his own at college and he's a different person. He is more social, he is more mature looking and his aura is more mature. I know when I left him at RIT, I was confident that he was in a good place and in good hands with the staff and that he had a good roommate from a good family. Right on target! Found out that he has been going to church back there, which amazes me. It says that something was done right with this kid. He got it. He has values and stays true to them. It's very cool that he goes to church with his roommate and roomie's best friend. They really are the three amigos and are planning on getting an apartment on campus for next year together. I'm so happy for him and this experience that college is proving to be for him. Also excited that he received another $5000 scholarship to cover "the gap"- money that his Aunt Charl & I have been covering- so yippee- we are off the hook for the most part this year!
Now if we could only get through to his brother. I am very much at a loss. He is so disrespectful not only to his father to but Bill & I. I don't get it. We have done nothing wrong to him, we help to take care of him - offer him food if we're making something for ourselves, we try to talk to him..he just doesn't interact at all and when cornered, it's like pulling teeth to get any answers to questions. Yet, when talking to his instructors at school, they all say he is very respectful and courteous to them- so why do we rate such inferior treatment? I'm sure it's a reflection of his anger with his dad- but dad is simply being a disciplinarian, trying to make sure this kid does what he's supposed to do- his homework. It's that simple- just do your school work. But he doesn't and then his video game time gets adjusted to fewer hours and then he gets even pissier. I'm sure we're to blame because Bill controls the internet in this house and can set up rules that turn his computer on and off of the internet- this is something that his dad was never able to achieve. So hence we are the bad guys. He is addicted to his computer video games and can and has played them for hours on end- he has stayed up all night long (this is when the internet was unlimited on weekends)- then sleep all day. Of course, when the schedule has to change for the school week, he gets even nastier with any of us around.
It really makes me sad, it also pisses me off. Like I said- Bill & I have done nothing wrong. We've been loving and kind. We've tried to lend support. We don't deserve this treatment, but what do you do when someone doesn't talk to you or to anyone you know? How do you get through? I realize that part of this behavior is just plain "teenager" behavior, but I also know that he is very troubled by things that have happened in his life and he uses these situations as excuses to not try. Every once in awhile I see him laugh and/or exhibit some behavior that makes him appear to be happy, but that is very few and far between.
Yikes! How did I get to be 47? Really?? Ok- I won't focus on the age. It has been quite a year though and ready for a new chapter! Anyway, it has been a wonderful birthday. I received over 200 birthday wishes via Facebook, emails, text, phone, snail mail- pretty wonderful stuff. The wishes started coming in before Thanksgiving! Bill took me to SF for a romantic dinner near Union Square. The restaurant left a bit to be desired- if you're going to charge those sort of prices, you better be damn good and it just wasn't! Tonight's dinner with Diane & Mike was about the same cost for 4 of us and much better! Lots of celebrating, but I'll be happy to get out of food coma mode! I did something today that I had not done in a long time- I spent time with my mother on my birthday! Usually the family celebration is on Thanksgiving, so when my actual birthday falls on Thanksgiving I'm with her, but now that she lives so close, I was able to spend a few hours with her and had fun helping her to decorate her apartment with Christmas decorations. I also had a massage, which was excellent- the only thing missing from today was a much needed nap- HA! I slept so minimally last night due to coffee consumption, but I plugged through the day and am looking forward to a good night sleep tonight!
Thanksgiving weekend was productive. I decorated and wrapped all the gifts. Still have just a few more gifts to purchase. Mom is working on my greeting cards- getting them stuffed, stamped, etc. She is being a huge help and it's keeping her busy and giving her a sense of purpose. It's a win-win, although today she used a bad word when talking about the stamps! Bill & I watched a few good movies and a funny stand up comedy show.
Michael was home from college for the week and went back on Friday night. It was so good to see him! He has grown up. Yep, 3 months living on his own at college and he's a different person. He is more social, he is more mature looking and his aura is more mature. I know when I left him at RIT, I was confident that he was in a good place and in good hands with the staff and that he had a good roommate from a good family. Right on target! Found out that he has been going to church back there, which amazes me. It says that something was done right with this kid. He got it. He has values and stays true to them. It's very cool that he goes to church with his roommate and roomie's best friend. They really are the three amigos and are planning on getting an apartment on campus for next year together. I'm so happy for him and this experience that college is proving to be for him. Also excited that he received another $5000 scholarship to cover "the gap"- money that his Aunt Charl & I have been covering- so yippee- we are off the hook for the most part this year!
Now if we could only get through to his brother. I am very much at a loss. He is so disrespectful not only to his father to but Bill & I. I don't get it. We have done nothing wrong to him, we help to take care of him - offer him food if we're making something for ourselves, we try to talk to him..he just doesn't interact at all and when cornered, it's like pulling teeth to get any answers to questions. Yet, when talking to his instructors at school, they all say he is very respectful and courteous to them- so why do we rate such inferior treatment? I'm sure it's a reflection of his anger with his dad- but dad is simply being a disciplinarian, trying to make sure this kid does what he's supposed to do- his homework. It's that simple- just do your school work. But he doesn't and then his video game time gets adjusted to fewer hours and then he gets even pissier. I'm sure we're to blame because Bill controls the internet in this house and can set up rules that turn his computer on and off of the internet- this is something that his dad was never able to achieve. So hence we are the bad guys. He is addicted to his computer video games and can and has played them for hours on end- he has stayed up all night long (this is when the internet was unlimited on weekends)- then sleep all day. Of course, when the schedule has to change for the school week, he gets even nastier with any of us around.
It really makes me sad, it also pisses me off. Like I said- Bill & I have done nothing wrong. We've been loving and kind. We've tried to lend support. We don't deserve this treatment, but what do you do when someone doesn't talk to you or to anyone you know? How do you get through? I realize that part of this behavior is just plain "teenager" behavior, but I also know that he is very troubled by things that have happened in his life and he uses these situations as excuses to not try. Every once in awhile I see him laugh and/or exhibit some behavior that makes him appear to be happy, but that is very few and far between.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Not a GREAT weekend, but a decent one...
The only reason this wasn't a great weekend was the fact that mom ended up needing to go to the ER again today. Gosh, what else can go wrong? She was concerned that she had some bloody stools and although we didn't really get an answer at the ER about this particular symptom, we did get the results from Friday's urine test (something her PCP requested to help try to determine why she has been getting up numerous times in the night to pee for over a month now)- well turns out she has a UTI, let's add that to the "bucket list" of things she's had this year. The cure? Yep, antibiotics. Only 5 days and the ER Doctor said that he and her PCP discussed and both agree that a short dose like this runs a very minimal risk of aggravating C-diff. While I am usually a very optimistic person, I remain guarded on this one because she has been hit by that friggin relentless infection over and over again. It's just NOT FAIR! I told her that we are going to boost her immune system in any way that we can so that the nasty c-diff can't attack her system. She starts the 5 day treatment tomorrow after I pick up the prescription. As for the GI bleed, well we need to follow up with the GI doctor and I'm sure that will involve some no so nice tests. Based on my research (ain't Google grand?), I am guessing that the symptoms are related to the Colitis or else she now has something else like Hemmoroids, Diverticulitis...who knows! But the bottom line, we can be thankful that she did not get admitted into the hospital- she went home and she was very excited to go home.
But the rest of the weekend....Friday I hit a Zumba class to continue with my revived fitness goals and it was go great to see Angie and dance with her! Such a great instructor and I love her class! Hard to not smile while sweating up a storm! Took mom to 3 Doctor appointments and they all went very well. Heart Doctor was happy to see her doing so well, Vascular said the leg is still healing at a good pace and then the ENT said that her loss of hearing is probably related to her weight loss and it should come back with some weight gain. But she probably has some level of hearing loss that is common with age - we have a hearing test scheduled for next month.
Saturday I had a great Body Pump class, brought back an old release and it was a tough class. We had a full house with several new members. I always love getting new participants, but this close to the holidays, I just love them even more. After class, ran some errands and relaxed until it was time to head to our first holiday party of the season at Molly & Andy's house. A fun time with a bunch of crazy, fun-loving people! Really had a fun time, except my foot didn't allow me to dance as much as I would have loved. Maybe my boots are out of the question for awhile. Next modification.
Today, slept in and then Bill & I had massages and although our afternoon date of Mexican lunch and a movie was canceled due to the trip to the ER, we did go out to Mexican dinner once mom was back at home. Highlight of the day though is that Michael is home from college for Thanksgiving break! He brought with him a mustache and gotee... he looks so much older. But it's great to have him home, my brother is beyond excited to have his first born back and it was very heart warming to see both brothers sitting at the dining room table "geeking" out together over computer stuff.
Time now to get to sleep as this is going to be a short, but busy week. At the moment we don't have any Doctor appointments, but I suspect that will change since we need to follow up with mom's PCP and the GI doc. I have housecleaning and carpet cleaning scheduled for this week and then decorating commences on Friday. Almost done Christmas shopping- just 5 people to "finish up"- they are somewhat done, but final touches are needed. YAY!
The only reason this wasn't a great weekend was the fact that mom ended up needing to go to the ER again today. Gosh, what else can go wrong? She was concerned that she had some bloody stools and although we didn't really get an answer at the ER about this particular symptom, we did get the results from Friday's urine test (something her PCP requested to help try to determine why she has been getting up numerous times in the night to pee for over a month now)- well turns out she has a UTI, let's add that to the "bucket list" of things she's had this year. The cure? Yep, antibiotics. Only 5 days and the ER Doctor said that he and her PCP discussed and both agree that a short dose like this runs a very minimal risk of aggravating C-diff. While I am usually a very optimistic person, I remain guarded on this one because she has been hit by that friggin relentless infection over and over again. It's just NOT FAIR! I told her that we are going to boost her immune system in any way that we can so that the nasty c-diff can't attack her system. She starts the 5 day treatment tomorrow after I pick up the prescription. As for the GI bleed, well we need to follow up with the GI doctor and I'm sure that will involve some no so nice tests. Based on my research (ain't Google grand?), I am guessing that the symptoms are related to the Colitis or else she now has something else like Hemmoroids, Diverticulitis...who knows! But the bottom line, we can be thankful that she did not get admitted into the hospital- she went home and she was very excited to go home.
But the rest of the weekend....Friday I hit a Zumba class to continue with my revived fitness goals and it was go great to see Angie and dance with her! Such a great instructor and I love her class! Hard to not smile while sweating up a storm! Took mom to 3 Doctor appointments and they all went very well. Heart Doctor was happy to see her doing so well, Vascular said the leg is still healing at a good pace and then the ENT said that her loss of hearing is probably related to her weight loss and it should come back with some weight gain. But she probably has some level of hearing loss that is common with age - we have a hearing test scheduled for next month.
Saturday I had a great Body Pump class, brought back an old release and it was a tough class. We had a full house with several new members. I always love getting new participants, but this close to the holidays, I just love them even more. After class, ran some errands and relaxed until it was time to head to our first holiday party of the season at Molly & Andy's house. A fun time with a bunch of crazy, fun-loving people! Really had a fun time, except my foot didn't allow me to dance as much as I would have loved. Maybe my boots are out of the question for awhile. Next modification.
Today, slept in and then Bill & I had massages and although our afternoon date of Mexican lunch and a movie was canceled due to the trip to the ER, we did go out to Mexican dinner once mom was back at home. Highlight of the day though is that Michael is home from college for Thanksgiving break! He brought with him a mustache and gotee... he looks so much older. But it's great to have him home, my brother is beyond excited to have his first born back and it was very heart warming to see both brothers sitting at the dining room table "geeking" out together over computer stuff.
Time now to get to sleep as this is going to be a short, but busy week. At the moment we don't have any Doctor appointments, but I suspect that will change since we need to follow up with mom's PCP and the GI doc. I have housecleaning and carpet cleaning scheduled for this week and then decorating commences on Friday. Almost done Christmas shopping- just 5 people to "finish up"- they are somewhat done, but final touches are needed. YAY!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Back to Basics....
Long overdue, but it's time once again to start taking care of me. I had a really fun day with my mom today, took her out shopping. We found a chair at Hoot Judkins for her dining table- one with arms so that getting out of it is easier for her. Then we went to Kohl's to look for new chair pads (maybe) but found that they didn't carry them, but mom felt cheated since that was the purpose of our trip and insisted that we still "shop"...she wasn't sure what, but she wanted to buy something. So she ended up with 4 sweaters (like she needs any to add to the 50+ that she already has) a new kitchen towel and two bathroom washcloths. LOL. Well, of course I started "shopping"- I did pick up the bra that I intended on buying, but then came home with potentially 4 very cute "holiday" appropriate sparkly tops. I am keeping 2 for sure, returning 1 for sure an might gift the other. I may be inclined to buy another color of one of the ones I'm keeping, we'll see. After Kohl's we went to Safeway and then finally back to mom's apartment with all the goods to unpack.
I was able to load up her walker to get everything up to her apartment, I carried the new chair. Got everything unpacked, put away and then got her meds updated for the week in the little "days of the week" containers. We sat and relaxed for a bit and then I had to get back to work and also had my own groceries to unload.
All day long, my back had been bothering me. In fact, it was bothering me for the last two days and I can only guess that I either tweaked it doing God knows what or my Monday adjustment just didn't cut it for me. My adjustment was by Dr. John and I usually go to Dr Matteo and while they are both excellent chiropractors- my body is just used to Dr. Matteo. I may need to go see him tomorrow to get me back in gear. But that also got me to thinking about the extra weight I've been carrying around for months. I'm not proud, but I've gained back almost all of the 30 pounds that I lost last year. Without a doubt, I have been pre-occupied taking care of others and living a less than ideal lifestyle for losing weight. Eating on the run, not getting in any workouts outside of the 3 classes I teach, attacking any and all sweets that find their way into the house and yes I help some of them into the house as well. Much of it = stress eating. I am a stress eater, always have been and probably always will be, but ever since I initially lost all my "unhappy" weight back in 1999-2000, even if I stress ate, I was working out like a crazy woman so it did not impact my overall appearance.
However, I am not 35 anymore and the 40's are not kind to women going through "the change". I can't tell you how much I HATE when my mom tries to be nice and tells me "you're going through the change" - I know that I am, but I am also in denial that it will impact me in horrible weight ways. I know that she is just trying to be supportive and nice and give me an explanation. Oye.
I love chocolate, I love wine, I love pastas, I love sweets (cookies, cakes, donuts - you name it)...so any weight loss plan is very hard and challenging for me. But I have been successful in the past, so I know with the right set of circumstances, I CAN do this again. I just have to get over myself and realize that I do have to do this again. I need to work out. I'm not even going to say I need to increase my workouts-- I'm not working out. I am teaching 3 classes a week, this does not equal working out. Yes, I get a workout and damn Tuesday night I thought I was going to die. Today I took the first step. I saw a Facebook post by a fitness colleague who was teaching RPM tonight at the Y. Well, for the first time I was actually available on a Thursday and decided to go take her class. I can't even tell you the last time I've taken a class. RPM kicked my butt, I was so winded at the end that I thought I was going to barf. I worked out so much harder than I do when I teach. With the intensity with which I was working tonight, I couldn't talk. It felt good to be a student, to get in the zone, to not care about the other people in class, to engage one on one with the instructor with body language and facial gestures and not be the one who "matters". I mean instructors matter- but I wasn't in the spot light, I could just enjoy getting my workout on.
So here is the plan. I am going to get in 3-4 workouts per week, starting now. I'm going to start going to Angie's Zumba class on Fridays and Mondays. I think I'm going to try to get to Rosa's RPM regularly on Thursays, but may also try to get to Darlene's Spin at the OFJCC on Mondays and/or Fridays. I need to find some yoga classes that fit my schedule. I'd love to go take BodyFlow, but it's not offered at any of the gyms where I teach (aka - have access). Not sure if I can get into classes as an instructor guest, but will try. (Hint, Hint- if you are a BodyFlow instructor reading this blog, let me know if you can get me into your class). AND long overdue, but it's time to get back to dancing! My foot has not been bothering me at all lately, so perhaps it is heeled. There is only one way to find out - I need to dance, dance, dance! I am going to reduce my intake of my beloved foods. I can't cut them out completely and it would be sabotage to say "NO" wine, chocolate, sweets, etc. Hell, the holidays are here and I don't want to be deprived, but I will exercise "moderation".
Timeline of my goals. Goal #1 - lose 5 pounds by the end of the year. I'd love 10, but trying to keep it real, we have birthdays, parties, holidays.. OH MY! Goal #2 - lose another 5-10 pounds by Maui which is January 23rd. I would prefer to look at whales in the ocean on a boat vs. looking into the mirror and feeling like a whale! Goal #3 - A total loss of 15-20 pounds by March 21st- I just signed up for the Les Mills Super Quarterly in Vegas. A weekend of fitness bliss and I want to feel comfortable in my skin, I will be meeting some instructors who I am only friends with via Facebook and will be side by side with instructors from my area who I rarely see and I don't want to be the "fat instructor"- screw my Doctor and her comment last year that I will always be a "fit person with weight struggles" - I am determined to be the person I was 8 years ago when I met Bill. I was fit, I was skinny (size 6) and I had abs...YES, I did! I still do, but they are hibernating. :-0 So it is time, I'm ready to find that person that I once was. Things are much better with mom now, she is back to being at her apartment and although there are Doctor visits to tend to, it's just much easier having her "out" of institutions.
Time for me to go to bed and get up to work in the morning, then get to 930am Zumba class, work a bit more and then pick up mom for her trifecta of Doctor appointments!
Long overdue, but it's time once again to start taking care of me. I had a really fun day with my mom today, took her out shopping. We found a chair at Hoot Judkins for her dining table- one with arms so that getting out of it is easier for her. Then we went to Kohl's to look for new chair pads (maybe) but found that they didn't carry them, but mom felt cheated since that was the purpose of our trip and insisted that we still "shop"...she wasn't sure what, but she wanted to buy something. So she ended up with 4 sweaters (like she needs any to add to the 50+ that she already has) a new kitchen towel and two bathroom washcloths. LOL. Well, of course I started "shopping"- I did pick up the bra that I intended on buying, but then came home with potentially 4 very cute "holiday" appropriate sparkly tops. I am keeping 2 for sure, returning 1 for sure an might gift the other. I may be inclined to buy another color of one of the ones I'm keeping, we'll see. After Kohl's we went to Safeway and then finally back to mom's apartment with all the goods to unpack.
I was able to load up her walker to get everything up to her apartment, I carried the new chair. Got everything unpacked, put away and then got her meds updated for the week in the little "days of the week" containers. We sat and relaxed for a bit and then I had to get back to work and also had my own groceries to unload.
All day long, my back had been bothering me. In fact, it was bothering me for the last two days and I can only guess that I either tweaked it doing God knows what or my Monday adjustment just didn't cut it for me. My adjustment was by Dr. John and I usually go to Dr Matteo and while they are both excellent chiropractors- my body is just used to Dr. Matteo. I may need to go see him tomorrow to get me back in gear. But that also got me to thinking about the extra weight I've been carrying around for months. I'm not proud, but I've gained back almost all of the 30 pounds that I lost last year. Without a doubt, I have been pre-occupied taking care of others and living a less than ideal lifestyle for losing weight. Eating on the run, not getting in any workouts outside of the 3 classes I teach, attacking any and all sweets that find their way into the house and yes I help some of them into the house as well. Much of it = stress eating. I am a stress eater, always have been and probably always will be, but ever since I initially lost all my "unhappy" weight back in 1999-2000, even if I stress ate, I was working out like a crazy woman so it did not impact my overall appearance.
However, I am not 35 anymore and the 40's are not kind to women going through "the change". I can't tell you how much I HATE when my mom tries to be nice and tells me "you're going through the change" - I know that I am, but I am also in denial that it will impact me in horrible weight ways. I know that she is just trying to be supportive and nice and give me an explanation. Oye.
I love chocolate, I love wine, I love pastas, I love sweets (cookies, cakes, donuts - you name it)...so any weight loss plan is very hard and challenging for me. But I have been successful in the past, so I know with the right set of circumstances, I CAN do this again. I just have to get over myself and realize that I do have to do this again. I need to work out. I'm not even going to say I need to increase my workouts-- I'm not working out. I am teaching 3 classes a week, this does not equal working out. Yes, I get a workout and damn Tuesday night I thought I was going to die. Today I took the first step. I saw a Facebook post by a fitness colleague who was teaching RPM tonight at the Y. Well, for the first time I was actually available on a Thursday and decided to go take her class. I can't even tell you the last time I've taken a class. RPM kicked my butt, I was so winded at the end that I thought I was going to barf. I worked out so much harder than I do when I teach. With the intensity with which I was working tonight, I couldn't talk. It felt good to be a student, to get in the zone, to not care about the other people in class, to engage one on one with the instructor with body language and facial gestures and not be the one who "matters". I mean instructors matter- but I wasn't in the spot light, I could just enjoy getting my workout on.
So here is the plan. I am going to get in 3-4 workouts per week, starting now. I'm going to start going to Angie's Zumba class on Fridays and Mondays. I think I'm going to try to get to Rosa's RPM regularly on Thursays, but may also try to get to Darlene's Spin at the OFJCC on Mondays and/or Fridays. I need to find some yoga classes that fit my schedule. I'd love to go take BodyFlow, but it's not offered at any of the gyms where I teach (aka - have access). Not sure if I can get into classes as an instructor guest, but will try. (Hint, Hint- if you are a BodyFlow instructor reading this blog, let me know if you can get me into your class). AND long overdue, but it's time to get back to dancing! My foot has not been bothering me at all lately, so perhaps it is heeled. There is only one way to find out - I need to dance, dance, dance! I am going to reduce my intake of my beloved foods. I can't cut them out completely and it would be sabotage to say "NO" wine, chocolate, sweets, etc. Hell, the holidays are here and I don't want to be deprived, but I will exercise "moderation".
Timeline of my goals. Goal #1 - lose 5 pounds by the end of the year. I'd love 10, but trying to keep it real, we have birthdays, parties, holidays.. OH MY! Goal #2 - lose another 5-10 pounds by Maui which is January 23rd. I would prefer to look at whales in the ocean on a boat vs. looking into the mirror and feeling like a whale! Goal #3 - A total loss of 15-20 pounds by March 21st- I just signed up for the Les Mills Super Quarterly in Vegas. A weekend of fitness bliss and I want to feel comfortable in my skin, I will be meeting some instructors who I am only friends with via Facebook and will be side by side with instructors from my area who I rarely see and I don't want to be the "fat instructor"- screw my Doctor and her comment last year that I will always be a "fit person with weight struggles" - I am determined to be the person I was 8 years ago when I met Bill. I was fit, I was skinny (size 6) and I had abs...YES, I did! I still do, but they are hibernating. :-0 So it is time, I'm ready to find that person that I once was. Things are much better with mom now, she is back to being at her apartment and although there are Doctor visits to tend to, it's just much easier having her "out" of institutions.
Home Sweet Home!
Well, mom was released last Friday back to her apartment. YAY! She was a little nervous going back to her apartment and hoping that she'd be ok living on her own once again and I was confident, just needed to get her to believe she could do it. It's so cliche, but so true- if you believe it, it can happen - but as soon as you implement negative thoughts and words, you are setting yourself up to fail. Once she was all settled, I went home, but I have been over to see her everyday to take care of bandage changes and each day she does a little bit more.
She has had very warm welcomes from other residents and workers who missed her and that really lifted her spirits. Part of returning "home" was hoping that people would remember her. Things have been going pretty well for her so far. The Physical Therapist came on Monday and basically said if all her patients were like mom, she's be out of a job. She was very impressed with everything mom was able to do for herself.
Mom has had three Doctor Appointments in the last week. First to meet her new primary care Physician and we both really like him. He seems pretty real and very thorough. It was a nice long "getting to know you" first visit. Thursday we saw her Vascular Doctor and she is very pleased with the progress on the leg wounds- so that is coming along very nicely. Monday we saw her eye Doctor and everything remained status quo. So a few great visits. We have three appointments for Friday: check up with the cardiologist, weekly appointment with the Vascular Doctor and then an appointment with her new ENT to try to figure out why her hearing has been impaired the last 6 weeks. In doing a bit of research online today, by mom's request- it could very well be a side effect to the vancomycin medication she's been taking. She has had this hearing issue several times this year and we attributed it to "white noise" in hospitals and rehab facilities, but now maybe it has to do with the constant antibiotic she's been on and off of. It'll be nice to get to the bottom of that issue and put it behind us. I don't believe her hearing is lost, I do believe this is a temporary thing.
I have received so many compliments from the Doctors and the PT this past week about how wonderfully organized I am with regard to mom's medical history and health care. Her PCP asked me if I was an Engineer because of my attention to detail and lists and spreadsheets. Of course, I told him I was a Travel Engineer! HA! It's very flattering, but on the other side of things- do they really not come into contact with people like me who actually take care of their parents that often? It makes me sad. My mom has often talked about being a burden, but I reassure her that she is not a burden and that she raised me right- I wouldn't be her daughter if I didn't do this. She raised me and now is my time to payback to her for everything she has done for me. We remain the best of friends.
We have a fun day planned tomorrow. She wants to buy some new seat cushions for her kitchen chairs to make them a bit safer and would also like to find a new chair with arms for a bit of ease in getting out of the chair she sits in most of the time. So we're going to shop for that and then stop by Safeway to get the groceries on her list. It'll be nice to get her out for something other than a Doctor appointment.
She is enjoying her view from her apartment. She has mentioned multiple times that she is very happy her trees are still green and have leaves. I have no idea which trees shed their leaves and which keep them, but I think if her trees outside her window were going to shed, they would have by now. It's really a pretty view. She also now has her holiday windsocks hanging, so she gets a kick out of her Turkey windsock blowing around.
It's funny how it's so much easier to visit her at her apartment than it is at a hospital or rehab facility. I guess it's the comfort level, it's being in a colorful, happy place with happy things all around. Facilities are all white and bland and boring. They are not comfortable. Now to just keep her "home"...
Yesterday she said to me, "you're right, I need to overcome my fear." Something I've told her over and over again because I truly believe that once she had her fall at Lytton Gardens she was gun shy to do things. Then she says to me, "I used the toilet". I looked at her with a smile and said "ummm ok- well you do that all the time" and then she says, "no, I used THE toilet" - the one that she was unable to get up from on 10/3- the day she was then taken to the ER. She has been afraid of getting stuck on the toilet seat ever since and I think she finally realized that it wasn't that the seat is lower than she's like- it was that she was sick, she was weak, she was dehydrated and was unable to pull herself up. She is much stronger now, stronger again.
I have always said that what she has needed most from me and the family is for us to be her "cheerleaders" and reassure her that she can do this, that she can have a fulfilling life, that she can enjoy her new home and people that surround her. Hoping to get her out into her new city soon so that we can scope out coffee shops that she will feel comfortable "hanging out" in a few times a week so she can meet and socialize with non-senior citizens.
I can say that she sounds so much better now that she is home. Just a level of happiness in her voice that I have not heard in weeks...now we just have to keep this momentum going in the positive, upward direction!
Well, mom was released last Friday back to her apartment. YAY! She was a little nervous going back to her apartment and hoping that she'd be ok living on her own once again and I was confident, just needed to get her to believe she could do it. It's so cliche, but so true- if you believe it, it can happen - but as soon as you implement negative thoughts and words, you are setting yourself up to fail. Once she was all settled, I went home, but I have been over to see her everyday to take care of bandage changes and each day she does a little bit more.
She has had very warm welcomes from other residents and workers who missed her and that really lifted her spirits. Part of returning "home" was hoping that people would remember her. Things have been going pretty well for her so far. The Physical Therapist came on Monday and basically said if all her patients were like mom, she's be out of a job. She was very impressed with everything mom was able to do for herself.
Mom has had three Doctor Appointments in the last week. First to meet her new primary care Physician and we both really like him. He seems pretty real and very thorough. It was a nice long "getting to know you" first visit. Thursday we saw her Vascular Doctor and she is very pleased with the progress on the leg wounds- so that is coming along very nicely. Monday we saw her eye Doctor and everything remained status quo. So a few great visits. We have three appointments for Friday: check up with the cardiologist, weekly appointment with the Vascular Doctor and then an appointment with her new ENT to try to figure out why her hearing has been impaired the last 6 weeks. In doing a bit of research online today, by mom's request- it could very well be a side effect to the vancomycin medication she's been taking. She has had this hearing issue several times this year and we attributed it to "white noise" in hospitals and rehab facilities, but now maybe it has to do with the constant antibiotic she's been on and off of. It'll be nice to get to the bottom of that issue and put it behind us. I don't believe her hearing is lost, I do believe this is a temporary thing.
I have received so many compliments from the Doctors and the PT this past week about how wonderfully organized I am with regard to mom's medical history and health care. Her PCP asked me if I was an Engineer because of my attention to detail and lists and spreadsheets. Of course, I told him I was a Travel Engineer! HA! It's very flattering, but on the other side of things- do they really not come into contact with people like me who actually take care of their parents that often? It makes me sad. My mom has often talked about being a burden, but I reassure her that she is not a burden and that she raised me right- I wouldn't be her daughter if I didn't do this. She raised me and now is my time to payback to her for everything she has done for me. We remain the best of friends.
We have a fun day planned tomorrow. She wants to buy some new seat cushions for her kitchen chairs to make them a bit safer and would also like to find a new chair with arms for a bit of ease in getting out of the chair she sits in most of the time. So we're going to shop for that and then stop by Safeway to get the groceries on her list. It'll be nice to get her out for something other than a Doctor appointment.
She is enjoying her view from her apartment. She has mentioned multiple times that she is very happy her trees are still green and have leaves. I have no idea which trees shed their leaves and which keep them, but I think if her trees outside her window were going to shed, they would have by now. It's really a pretty view. She also now has her holiday windsocks hanging, so she gets a kick out of her Turkey windsock blowing around.
It's funny how it's so much easier to visit her at her apartment than it is at a hospital or rehab facility. I guess it's the comfort level, it's being in a colorful, happy place with happy things all around. Facilities are all white and bland and boring. They are not comfortable. Now to just keep her "home"...
Yesterday she said to me, "you're right, I need to overcome my fear." Something I've told her over and over again because I truly believe that once she had her fall at Lytton Gardens she was gun shy to do things. Then she says to me, "I used the toilet". I looked at her with a smile and said "ummm ok- well you do that all the time" and then she says, "no, I used THE toilet" - the one that she was unable to get up from on 10/3- the day she was then taken to the ER. She has been afraid of getting stuck on the toilet seat ever since and I think she finally realized that it wasn't that the seat is lower than she's like- it was that she was sick, she was weak, she was dehydrated and was unable to pull herself up. She is much stronger now, stronger again.
I have always said that what she has needed most from me and the family is for us to be her "cheerleaders" and reassure her that she can do this, that she can have a fulfilling life, that she can enjoy her new home and people that surround her. Hoping to get her out into her new city soon so that we can scope out coffee shops that she will feel comfortable "hanging out" in a few times a week so she can meet and socialize with non-senior citizens.
I can say that she sounds so much better now that she is home. Just a level of happiness in her voice that I have not heard in weeks...now we just have to keep this momentum going in the positive, upward direction!
Friday, November 09, 2012
It's going to be a GREAT weekend!
I am so ready for this weekend and excited to make it a productive weekend. We don't have much planned, which is on purpose. We declined two party invitations and I have lots of stuff on my "to do" list. I have photobooks to make, I have my website to update, I have my client list to get ready for holiday greeting cards, I need to make those cards and get ready to order them. I am going to get completely caught up with all trip quotes.
I plan to clean out the master bathroom and get ready for demolition, which I think will probably be next weekend. We have to pick out the cabinet wood and order the tiles and then it's project underway. I'm getting excited, but so hard to pick these things out. It's not my strength. Time is flying by way too quickly these days and I am a bit hesitant that things will get done "in time". The garage is so messy right now and it's going to take a miracle to get it ready for our annual holiday party. I am thankful that we have an extra Saturday in December and that I pushed the party to the 3rd Saturday- more time to get things ready!
The very good news is that mom gets to go home tomorrow. I think she is pretty excited to get back "home". Her leg wounds are healing very nicely and she still has about 2 weeks left on the vancomycin regimen. Although that is being given for the C-diff, it is also helping with the leg wounds too- so that is good. Now I just pray that nothing else goes wrong...she deserves a break and needs to start having fun! Going to stop working early tomorrow to get her transferred to her apartment and then going to the movies with my BFF and the two older kiddos! Great way to start off the weekend. I may even go dancing tomorrow night, although I'm also ok with staying home and continuing with my productiveness. We'll see.
I am so ready for this weekend and excited to make it a productive weekend. We don't have much planned, which is on purpose. We declined two party invitations and I have lots of stuff on my "to do" list. I have photobooks to make, I have my website to update, I have my client list to get ready for holiday greeting cards, I need to make those cards and get ready to order them. I am going to get completely caught up with all trip quotes.
I plan to clean out the master bathroom and get ready for demolition, which I think will probably be next weekend. We have to pick out the cabinet wood and order the tiles and then it's project underway. I'm getting excited, but so hard to pick these things out. It's not my strength. Time is flying by way too quickly these days and I am a bit hesitant that things will get done "in time". The garage is so messy right now and it's going to take a miracle to get it ready for our annual holiday party. I am thankful that we have an extra Saturday in December and that I pushed the party to the 3rd Saturday- more time to get things ready!
The very good news is that mom gets to go home tomorrow. I think she is pretty excited to get back "home". Her leg wounds are healing very nicely and she still has about 2 weeks left on the vancomycin regimen. Although that is being given for the C-diff, it is also helping with the leg wounds too- so that is good. Now I just pray that nothing else goes wrong...she deserves a break and needs to start having fun! Going to stop working early tomorrow to get her transferred to her apartment and then going to the movies with my BFF and the two older kiddos! Great way to start off the weekend. I may even go dancing tomorrow night, although I'm also ok with staying home and continuing with my productiveness. We'll see.
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Slowing Down...
It has been a crazy year and I am ready to slow down. Yes, you heard it right here from the Horst's mouth. Last week ended the baseball season and I had not realized just how much baseball had consumed my life- well certainly my October. What a fantabulous ride, but I look back on the month and I was seriously unproductive! But I do have lots of memories to last me a lifetime. Of course, the missing link to the season was the fact that I could not attend the Victory Parade on 10/31, but I did the next best thing. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get set up on the laptop to watch the parade online. I did get to see all of it and hear the speeches in front of City Hall. So very proud of my GIANTS.
It has taken me a week, but I finally changed my Facebook profile picture and cover photo and took down my "Orange". I also had my nails done and no longer done the orange & black nail color. A bit depressing, but then again I have 49er football to occupy my time and fortunately that is just about 4 hours per week! I need that to slow down.
Last week was very unproductive since our stay in CT was extended thanks to Hurricane Sandy, and then I came down with a very brief cold- enough to knock me down for a day. I do think that I was smart and instantly slowed down and was able to nip the cold in the bud. The weekend was not super busy, so that also helped and I realized that I am in need of some down time. Bill asked me what we had planned for this coming weekend and we had two "maybe" replies to parties and he said he'd rather stay at home and I concurred. He's been super busy at work and put in two back to back 14 hour days when we finally got back from CT. He also worked all weekend.
This week is my normal, lots of things to get done sort of week and add into that 2 Doctor appointments for mom and hopefully a discharge/move back to her apartment type of week. But I am really looking forward to a weekend of staying home- oh but wait, this might be demo weekend on bathroom #1, that might just change the "feel" of the weekend from relaxed to stressed. Hmmm.
Checked another thing off my bucket list last night, went to see Barbra Streisand in concert. Can't believe she is 70 years old! So happy that I got to see her in concert. She was amazing and played a good portion of songs that I wanted to hear. From "Memories" to "Happy Days" to "Lost Inside of You" to "Evergreen" and so much more. My only complaint was that I wish she would have done more upbeat songs, but she is 70 and I'm sure those upbeat songs take so much more to pull off. What a legend.
I'm absolutely stunned that we are in November already. Where the hell has this year gone? Oh yes, I've been a bit preoccupied taking care of mom. What a year. I just pray that the worst is over for her and that upon this discharge she can go home to her apartment and start living again. The leg wounds are almost healed, think the pneumonia has taken care of itself, she has been exercising a lot and getting stronger. It's just about time that she has an easy go of things. That she has fun.
I am not ready for the holidays and should be starting to freak out anytime now. I am not anywhere close in finishing up shopping for gifts, but I need to. I have bought Bill a gift even though we said "no gifts" this year in lieu of our remodel projects. I just couldn't resist. While I am not ready for the holidays, I am ready for 2013. A fresh start, a new year, a good year. Although this year has not been particularly bad, it has just been very challenging and I just want my family and friends who I care about to have a good year, productive, happy, easy year.
Now that I will be slowing down...I will also start to ramp up my fitness. It's time. I have rested my foot for quite a bit now and it feels pretty good. I'm ready to put it to the test and see how I fair with dancing and walking. Just walking to/from the car last night for the concert (about 15 minutes each way) seemed to be good and I wasn't wearing walking shoes. I need to get back on track and start to lose the same 50 pounds that I started to lose last year. Time to take care of me. Slowing down will be good.
It has been a crazy year and I am ready to slow down. Yes, you heard it right here from the Horst's mouth. Last week ended the baseball season and I had not realized just how much baseball had consumed my life- well certainly my October. What a fantabulous ride, but I look back on the month and I was seriously unproductive! But I do have lots of memories to last me a lifetime. Of course, the missing link to the season was the fact that I could not attend the Victory Parade on 10/31, but I did the next best thing. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get set up on the laptop to watch the parade online. I did get to see all of it and hear the speeches in front of City Hall. So very proud of my GIANTS.
It has taken me a week, but I finally changed my Facebook profile picture and cover photo and took down my "Orange". I also had my nails done and no longer done the orange & black nail color. A bit depressing, but then again I have 49er football to occupy my time and fortunately that is just about 4 hours per week! I need that to slow down.
Last week was very unproductive since our stay in CT was extended thanks to Hurricane Sandy, and then I came down with a very brief cold- enough to knock me down for a day. I do think that I was smart and instantly slowed down and was able to nip the cold in the bud. The weekend was not super busy, so that also helped and I realized that I am in need of some down time. Bill asked me what we had planned for this coming weekend and we had two "maybe" replies to parties and he said he'd rather stay at home and I concurred. He's been super busy at work and put in two back to back 14 hour days when we finally got back from CT. He also worked all weekend.
This week is my normal, lots of things to get done sort of week and add into that 2 Doctor appointments for mom and hopefully a discharge/move back to her apartment type of week. But I am really looking forward to a weekend of staying home- oh but wait, this might be demo weekend on bathroom #1, that might just change the "feel" of the weekend from relaxed to stressed. Hmmm.
Checked another thing off my bucket list last night, went to see Barbra Streisand in concert. Can't believe she is 70 years old! So happy that I got to see her in concert. She was amazing and played a good portion of songs that I wanted to hear. From "Memories" to "Happy Days" to "Lost Inside of You" to "Evergreen" and so much more. My only complaint was that I wish she would have done more upbeat songs, but she is 70 and I'm sure those upbeat songs take so much more to pull off. What a legend.
I'm absolutely stunned that we are in November already. Where the hell has this year gone? Oh yes, I've been a bit preoccupied taking care of mom. What a year. I just pray that the worst is over for her and that upon this discharge she can go home to her apartment and start living again. The leg wounds are almost healed, think the pneumonia has taken care of itself, she has been exercising a lot and getting stronger. It's just about time that she has an easy go of things. That she has fun.
I am not ready for the holidays and should be starting to freak out anytime now. I am not anywhere close in finishing up shopping for gifts, but I need to. I have bought Bill a gift even though we said "no gifts" this year in lieu of our remodel projects. I just couldn't resist. While I am not ready for the holidays, I am ready for 2013. A fresh start, a new year, a good year. Although this year has not been particularly bad, it has just been very challenging and I just want my family and friends who I care about to have a good year, productive, happy, easy year.
Now that I will be slowing down...I will also start to ramp up my fitness. It's time. I have rested my foot for quite a bit now and it feels pretty good. I'm ready to put it to the test and see how I fair with dancing and walking. Just walking to/from the car last night for the concert (about 15 minutes each way) seemed to be good and I wasn't wearing walking shoes. I need to get back on track and start to lose the same 50 pounds that I started to lose last year. Time to take care of me. Slowing down will be good.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Ode to the GIANTS:
A very creative & clever friend of mine- Dan St. Paul wrote this poem. I love it and wanted to keep it in a safe place because is so wonderfully summarizes the 2012 season:
The Giants 2012 season in verse
A season like no other. Jam-packed with thrills and spills:
The return of Buster Posey, his replenished wealth of skills;
Buster, Melky, Pablo, they owned the All-Star Game,
It looked while we were rolling and then the bad news came:
Cabrera was caught cheating, and thus besmirched his name,
Melkmen and maids departed, in the shadow of his shame.
Then Angel, Marco
A very creative & clever friend of mine- Dan St. Paul wrote this poem. I love it and wanted to keep it in a safe place because is so wonderfully summarizes the 2012 season:
The Giants 2012 season in verse
A season like no other. Jam-packed with thrills and spills:
The return of Buster Posey, his replenished wealth of skills;
Buster, Melky, Pablo, they owned the All-Star Game,
It looked while we were rolling and then the bad news came:
Cabrera was caught cheating, and thus besmirched his name,
Melkmen and maids departed, in the shadow of his shame.
Then Angel, Marco
, Hunter Pence suddenly emerge
The Brandons started belting, Barry Zito found his curve,
The Rockies, D-backs, Dodgers were left to eat our dust
We blazed into the playoffs, our confidence robust!
But Dusty and his Redlegs rode in with arms and bats;
They sprayed and whacked and crushed the ball. They racked up monster stats.
We watched in awe, we shook our heads, we stared without a grin.
Is October really over? We're only two weeks in!
Take three in Cincinnati? That's a feat that's not been done.
We're fight against history, after scoring just two runs!
Game One turned out a squeaker. We went an extra frame
Then Rolen boots a grounder and we play another game.
Game Two saw Zito struggle, but our hitters come alive,
And Timmy to the rescue, our hopes are now revived.
Game 3 brought Cain and with him pain, and the biggest blow of all
Mighty Buster at the bat. Grand slam! Son, touch'em all!
Now the Giants are still seeing red, but birds not legs this time,
The Cardinals are gamers, lots of hitters in their prime.
We drop Game One, but then come back, and go to their place tied,
But then we lose, and lose again, down three to one, we're fried!
It's all on Barry Zito, that's right, it's him again.
Can he go at least three innings before Bochy calls the pen?
But wait, it's the 8th. He's still on the mound. I can't believe my eyes.
He shut 'em out and struck out six, that's Sandy Koufax in disguise!
Still two to win, but coming home, returning to our yard
We've got momentum with us, this can't be all that hard!
Vogie's back up on the slab, all business, never smiles
He's waited far too long for this. He's traveled many miles.
He allows one run, 4 hits, one walk, and rattles off 9 Ks,
That's a record for the veteran, his fastball was ablaze.
Game 7 for the pennant and what did we all see?
Belt belting, Crawford leaping, Cardinal hitters absentee.
Affeldt, Lopez hurling, whirling, dealing smoke and pain.
Holliday pops out and I'm screaming in the rain:
"They did it, man! They did it! I can't believe it's true!
I said 'We're dead' two times before, but still these guys came through!"
Now the Tigers beat the Oakland A's and swept the pin-striped crew
But the fences here are long and the ball is smaller too.
You see, our guys are athletes. They run and stretch and dive.
Their bats aren't big but their hearts are, when down they come alive.
You'll outweigh us, not outplay us. That we'll guarantee.
You haven't played in seven days. We're on a winning spree!
Now to understand how Verlander would meet his fate that night
You had to know the Panda would record books rewrite.
A homer then another made Justin not so perky,
Then a boomer out to center went out past Albuquerque!
Suddenly the Giants are ahead one game to none.
I kind of like this feeling. It's not torture. This is fun.
Game Two, we're out of starters. Who's that tall guy with the stubble?
Oh that's Madison Bumgarner. He sure ain't no Carl Hubell.
He hasn't pitched for 18 days. The Reds, they spanked him good.
They say his arm, it's all worn out, it might just be dead wood.
But Gardy and Righetti, they work to make him ready.
They fixed his hitch, erased the glitch, his motion's faster, steady.
Madison he strikes out 8 and just allows two hits
Their fans are all frustrated, their hitters having fits.
Game 3 is Vogie's baby, but Timmy must come in
We've only got a 2 run lead. Let's shut 'em down and win.
He strike's out 3, allows no hits, two innings and third.
The Tigers must be hiding, only kittens can be heard.
Game 4. Let's go do it. Let's finish it today.
Don't let them bring back Verlander. Don't give anything away.
We're leading after one. We know we'll soon be cruising
When Cabrera sticks one in the seats and what’d you say "We're losing?”
We’ll take care of that. Go grab a bat. Things will soon be rosy.
A two run jack! That’s right, we’re back! Thank you, Buster Posey.
Then Scutaro, the guy you want when the chips are down
Knocks in his teammate Theriot to give us back our crown.
So I’ll see you daytime Halloween on Market Street I’ll cheer:
“Let’s go, Giants! You’re the champs! I’ll see you here next year!”
The Brandons started belting, Barry Zito found his curve,
The Rockies, D-backs, Dodgers were left to eat our dust
We blazed into the playoffs, our confidence robust!
But Dusty and his Redlegs rode in with arms and bats;
They sprayed and whacked and crushed the ball. They racked up monster stats.
We watched in awe, we shook our heads, we stared without a grin.
Is October really over? We're only two weeks in!
Take three in Cincinnati? That's a feat that's not been done.
We're fight against history, after scoring just two runs!
Game One turned out a squeaker. We went an extra frame
Then Rolen boots a grounder and we play another game.
Game Two saw Zito struggle, but our hitters come alive,
And Timmy to the rescue, our hopes are now revived.
Game 3 brought Cain and with him pain, and the biggest blow of all
Mighty Buster at the bat. Grand slam! Son, touch'em all!
Now the Giants are still seeing red, but birds not legs this time,
The Cardinals are gamers, lots of hitters in their prime.
We drop Game One, but then come back, and go to their place tied,
But then we lose, and lose again, down three to one, we're fried!
It's all on Barry Zito, that's right, it's him again.
Can he go at least three innings before Bochy calls the pen?
But wait, it's the 8th. He's still on the mound. I can't believe my eyes.
He shut 'em out and struck out six, that's Sandy Koufax in disguise!
Still two to win, but coming home, returning to our yard
We've got momentum with us, this can't be all that hard!
Vogie's back up on the slab, all business, never smiles
He's waited far too long for this. He's traveled many miles.
He allows one run, 4 hits, one walk, and rattles off 9 Ks,
That's a record for the veteran, his fastball was ablaze.
Game 7 for the pennant and what did we all see?
Belt belting, Crawford leaping, Cardinal hitters absentee.
Affeldt, Lopez hurling, whirling, dealing smoke and pain.
Holliday pops out and I'm screaming in the rain:
"They did it, man! They did it! I can't believe it's true!
I said 'We're dead' two times before, but still these guys came through!"
Now the Tigers beat the Oakland A's and swept the pin-striped crew
But the fences here are long and the ball is smaller too.
You see, our guys are athletes. They run and stretch and dive.
Their bats aren't big but their hearts are, when down they come alive.
You'll outweigh us, not outplay us. That we'll guarantee.
You haven't played in seven days. We're on a winning spree!
Now to understand how Verlander would meet his fate that night
You had to know the Panda would record books rewrite.
A homer then another made Justin not so perky,
Then a boomer out to center went out past Albuquerque!
Suddenly the Giants are ahead one game to none.
I kind of like this feeling. It's not torture. This is fun.
Game Two, we're out of starters. Who's that tall guy with the stubble?
Oh that's Madison Bumgarner. He sure ain't no Carl Hubell.
He hasn't pitched for 18 days. The Reds, they spanked him good.
They say his arm, it's all worn out, it might just be dead wood.
But Gardy and Righetti, they work to make him ready.
They fixed his hitch, erased the glitch, his motion's faster, steady.
Madison he strikes out 8 and just allows two hits
Their fans are all frustrated, their hitters having fits.
Game 3 is Vogie's baby, but Timmy must come in
We've only got a 2 run lead. Let's shut 'em down and win.
He strike's out 3, allows no hits, two innings and third.
The Tigers must be hiding, only kittens can be heard.
Game 4. Let's go do it. Let's finish it today.
Don't let them bring back Verlander. Don't give anything away.
We're leading after one. We know we'll soon be cruising
When Cabrera sticks one in the seats and what’d you say "We're losing?”
We’ll take care of that. Go grab a bat. Things will soon be rosy.
A two run jack! That’s right, we’re back! Thank you, Buster Posey.
Then Scutaro, the guy you want when the chips are down
Knocks in his teammate Theriot to give us back our crown.
So I’ll see you daytime Halloween on Market Street I’ll cheer:
“Let’s go, Giants! You’re the champs! I’ll see you here next year!”
Rock you like a HURRICANE!
Yes, Hurricane Sandy has rocked my world these past few days. She has rocked the world of so many but I must say that I am very lucky and so are the people who I love. Probably the very worst of this Hurricane (for me) is the fact that I have been delayed in getting home and this has been VERY HARD on my Mom. She was so disappointed when I first told her that my flight was canceled and replied with "So I won't see you until Wednesday?" and the tone in her voice broke my heart. Then I really was not looking forward to telling her that we were canceled again, but it had to be done. When I called her though she had already heard through the grapevine that I wasn't going to get home until Friday and she was so upset, but then happy to hear that I was getting home late Wednesday.
My plans for visitors while I was gone didn't quite pan out the way I had hoped. She didn't have any visitors Friday-Sunday for various reasons. But then on Monday she had 3 visitors including her best friend from San Francisco who felt compelled to visit after talking to her on the phone. My best friend Diane went to visit and brought her mom and then my friend Mary also went by. Mom seemed to be in much better spirits today after having those visits and the reports I got back from my friends were that Mom misses me terribly. :( I keep trying to be her cheerleader over the phone and reminding her of what she needs to go so that she can get back home to her friends at Woodside Terrace and she says she is working hard. Fear is her biggest foe. My brother was supposed to go by tonight and as far as I know, he did. My friend Sara who may have met my mom once or twice offered to go visit her because she works nearby and plans to go by tomorrow. I had a few other people who don't know my mother at all offer to go by and bring her anything she might need. Those offers seriously touch me. I am blessed to have so many good-hearted people in my life. I am hoping that Linda, my hairdresser will be able to go by tomorrow and give mom a haircut, she was going to go on Friday but woke up sick with a sore throat, so I can't blame her for not going.
The second impact of Hurricane Sandy is the fact that I won't be at the GIANTS VICTORY PARADE tomorrow. YES, my SF Giants SWEPT the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. I had so much fun watching games 3 and 4 with my cousin's boys. They made their own rally rags and cheered for my Giants - even though they are Yankee fans. It was fun and the games were good. Game 4 was particularly stressful, winning in extra innings. WOW. What a fabulous series and so exciting. Thank God for Facebook, it allowed me to celebrate virtually with my friends. I am super bummed that I will miss the parade; however, I plan to get to the airport early enough so that I can be settled in front of my computer at 2pm to watch the parade online. Let the tears flow- once again tears of happiness for my team, my GIANTS and also tears of sadness that I am not there live at the parade...AGAIN. So Giants- you just need to THREE-PETE and win the World Series next year so that I can attend the parade!
The positive note to Hurricane Sandy - I have had a great time with family. It was initially going to be a quick weekend visit. It's been a great time with my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Cousin Jamie's union with Jacqui was a beautiful ceremony, no Hurricane until everyone was safely at home- which was great considering the wedding location was waterfront! The Hurricane has extended our visit, so that has been nice. We didn't lose power, we didn't lose internet - so I was able to get some work done. We have slept in everyday, so I am rested and relaxed. So that is the bright side!
Off to Boston in the morning to return the car, check-in and board our evening flight and be home just after midnight. Then to file the insurance claim to get money back for our added expenses of a new flight ticket, extra car rental days and charges - so I am one happy camper that I do have Travel Insurance because the extra expenses were well over $1000 to get home tomorrow vs. Friday.
Ultimately, I am feeling very blessed. Watching all of the devastation on the news for people who have lost so much through this Hurricane and to know that I was so close to the devastation makes me feel very lucky. Perhaps this Hurricane was meant to slow me down. Stop to smell the roses a bit, so to speak. I am thankful that I am, by nature, a very happy go lucky person. I may stress out about things, but it doesn't take me long to bounce back and put things into perspective. I am the perfect mix of Personality A and Personality B.
Yes, Hurricane Sandy has rocked my world these past few days. She has rocked the world of so many but I must say that I am very lucky and so are the people who I love. Probably the very worst of this Hurricane (for me) is the fact that I have been delayed in getting home and this has been VERY HARD on my Mom. She was so disappointed when I first told her that my flight was canceled and replied with "So I won't see you until Wednesday?" and the tone in her voice broke my heart. Then I really was not looking forward to telling her that we were canceled again, but it had to be done. When I called her though she had already heard through the grapevine that I wasn't going to get home until Friday and she was so upset, but then happy to hear that I was getting home late Wednesday.
My plans for visitors while I was gone didn't quite pan out the way I had hoped. She didn't have any visitors Friday-Sunday for various reasons. But then on Monday she had 3 visitors including her best friend from San Francisco who felt compelled to visit after talking to her on the phone. My best friend Diane went to visit and brought her mom and then my friend Mary also went by. Mom seemed to be in much better spirits today after having those visits and the reports I got back from my friends were that Mom misses me terribly. :( I keep trying to be her cheerleader over the phone and reminding her of what she needs to go so that she can get back home to her friends at Woodside Terrace and she says she is working hard. Fear is her biggest foe. My brother was supposed to go by tonight and as far as I know, he did. My friend Sara who may have met my mom once or twice offered to go visit her because she works nearby and plans to go by tomorrow. I had a few other people who don't know my mother at all offer to go by and bring her anything she might need. Those offers seriously touch me. I am blessed to have so many good-hearted people in my life. I am hoping that Linda, my hairdresser will be able to go by tomorrow and give mom a haircut, she was going to go on Friday but woke up sick with a sore throat, so I can't blame her for not going.
The second impact of Hurricane Sandy is the fact that I won't be at the GIANTS VICTORY PARADE tomorrow. YES, my SF Giants SWEPT the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. I had so much fun watching games 3 and 4 with my cousin's boys. They made their own rally rags and cheered for my Giants - even though they are Yankee fans. It was fun and the games were good. Game 4 was particularly stressful, winning in extra innings. WOW. What a fabulous series and so exciting. Thank God for Facebook, it allowed me to celebrate virtually with my friends. I am super bummed that I will miss the parade; however, I plan to get to the airport early enough so that I can be settled in front of my computer at 2pm to watch the parade online. Let the tears flow- once again tears of happiness for my team, my GIANTS and also tears of sadness that I am not there live at the parade...AGAIN. So Giants- you just need to THREE-PETE and win the World Series next year so that I can attend the parade!
The positive note to Hurricane Sandy - I have had a great time with family. It was initially going to be a quick weekend visit. It's been a great time with my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Cousin Jamie's union with Jacqui was a beautiful ceremony, no Hurricane until everyone was safely at home- which was great considering the wedding location was waterfront! The Hurricane has extended our visit, so that has been nice. We didn't lose power, we didn't lose internet - so I was able to get some work done. We have slept in everyday, so I am rested and relaxed. So that is the bright side!
Off to Boston in the morning to return the car, check-in and board our evening flight and be home just after midnight. Then to file the insurance claim to get money back for our added expenses of a new flight ticket, extra car rental days and charges - so I am one happy camper that I do have Travel Insurance because the extra expenses were well over $1000 to get home tomorrow vs. Friday.
Ultimately, I am feeling very blessed. Watching all of the devastation on the news for people who have lost so much through this Hurricane and to know that I was so close to the devastation makes me feel very lucky. Perhaps this Hurricane was meant to slow me down. Stop to smell the roses a bit, so to speak. I am thankful that I am, by nature, a very happy go lucky person. I may stress out about things, but it doesn't take me long to bounce back and put things into perspective. I am the perfect mix of Personality A and Personality B.
Friday, October 26, 2012
What a wonderful WORLD...
SERIES this is shaping up to be! WOW! WOW! WOW! I have had the BEST two days going to the games this week! Both games wonderful, but so different; however, with the same fabulous and much earned end result. I sit here right now, remaining a super proud Giants fan. We are up on Detroit 2 games to zip in a best of 7 show. We are half way there and no we are not living on a prayer- we are living on talent. Our team ROCKS!
Yesterday was a super fun game. Brynn was dropped off at my house early, so I decided to pack up the day and catch an earlier train and I'm so glad we did because we needed every single of those extra 30 minutes! I fixed her up with tattoos on her face and we took a few pictures, then boarded the train for SF. This was her first train ride, which surprised me! She was very excited and on the train I painted her nails black leaving the ring finger unpainted so that the orange "SF" tattoo would show up. We got to the park, went "shopping" which was a nightmare, but we managed to pick out something for Brynn, her brother and sister and we watched the line up announcements, the National Anthem, Fly-over all from the TV in the Dugout store because we were there THAT long. We got to our seats in time for the 2nd pitch. I was bummed, but I'm a big girl- I got over it quickly. The Giants were on fire right away. It was clear that Zito was ON with his pitching and then the bats showed up. Such an exciting game and I'm so happy that it was exciting for Brynn. Pablo Sandoval made history and joined only 3 others who have hit THREE HOMERUNS in a single World Series game. He's right up there with THE BABE! Seriously, he hits one and we're excited, he hits a second and we're excited and then his third at bat, I jokingly said "THREE-PETE" and he did.
Overall, a great game, lots of excitement, lots of cheering and lots of energy. Brynn soaked it all in and she waved her rally rag proudly and a little recklessly. I made sure to keep my left eye closed so that I wouldn't lose my left eye! She would come up with some pretty funny "hollers"...at one point she yells to the umpire "are you kidding me?"..some of the people around us just turned and looked at her and smiled with a chuckle. She's holler out "c'mon Timmy" or "strike him out" or "one more strike"...it was really very adorable. Giants won this game 8-3 and there was a lot of great defense as well. The Tigers star pitcher didn't show up or if he did, he's not quite the star that he's supposed to be.
Tonight's game was so different and I am so happy that Brynn got to go last night. Tonight's game was also a WIN...2-0 and the two runs came very late in the game. It was a battle of pitchers- both pitching an amazing game, not a lot of offense- which for a 10 year old's first game could be viewed as boring. From my perspective, it's still a GREAT game. My brother and I had a great time and both were a bit sad that it was probably our last game of the year. If for some reason the Giants do not win 2 more in Detroit, there would be a game 6 and/or game 7 in SF next week. I don't have any extra tickets and I did draw names from my group and my name was not pulled. So it was my last game for the year at the park! Great energy, so much fun- I love my Giants!!
I will be watching them diligently on the TV this weekend and I'm packing my rally rag for CT, and I plan to use it. All I packed are clothes that are Orange and Black, I intend to live in those clothes all weekend long. Go GIANTS!
My mom called me tonight after the game and she was so excited that they won. I think secretly she didn't believe that the Giants were going to beat the Tigers and there are still up to 5 more games to play, but they are doing wonderfully. I spoke to her for a little bit and she seemed to be "ok" with me going away. I know she's going to miss my daily visits, but I have tried to line things up while I am gone. I have a variety of people set up to visit her- starting tomorrow with my hairdresser who is going to go and give her a haircut...my brother will be able to visit over the weekend and I have another friend stopping by on Monday. Might have one other friend stopping by on Saturday. Hoping.
Of course, the other shoe has dropped. Mom fell this morning in her bathroom at the nursing facility. Seems her non-slip sock didn't quite do the trick, but she's ok. She has cuts/bruises/scratches but nothing is broken, thank God! She does have a minor case of Pneumonia, but they are not going to treat it because that would mean antibiotics and we know what that will do! The treatment for her is to exercise, sit up and walk around and do her breathing and coughing exercises.
Off to NYC/CT in 7 hours, up in 4...must sleep now!
SERIES this is shaping up to be! WOW! WOW! WOW! I have had the BEST two days going to the games this week! Both games wonderful, but so different; however, with the same fabulous and much earned end result. I sit here right now, remaining a super proud Giants fan. We are up on Detroit 2 games to zip in a best of 7 show. We are half way there and no we are not living on a prayer- we are living on talent. Our team ROCKS!
Yesterday was a super fun game. Brynn was dropped off at my house early, so I decided to pack up the day and catch an earlier train and I'm so glad we did because we needed every single of those extra 30 minutes! I fixed her up with tattoos on her face and we took a few pictures, then boarded the train for SF. This was her first train ride, which surprised me! She was very excited and on the train I painted her nails black leaving the ring finger unpainted so that the orange "SF" tattoo would show up. We got to the park, went "shopping" which was a nightmare, but we managed to pick out something for Brynn, her brother and sister and we watched the line up announcements, the National Anthem, Fly-over all from the TV in the Dugout store because we were there THAT long. We got to our seats in time for the 2nd pitch. I was bummed, but I'm a big girl- I got over it quickly. The Giants were on fire right away. It was clear that Zito was ON with his pitching and then the bats showed up. Such an exciting game and I'm so happy that it was exciting for Brynn. Pablo Sandoval made history and joined only 3 others who have hit THREE HOMERUNS in a single World Series game. He's right up there with THE BABE! Seriously, he hits one and we're excited, he hits a second and we're excited and then his third at bat, I jokingly said "THREE-PETE" and he did.
Overall, a great game, lots of excitement, lots of cheering and lots of energy. Brynn soaked it all in and she waved her rally rag proudly and a little recklessly. I made sure to keep my left eye closed so that I wouldn't lose my left eye! She would come up with some pretty funny "hollers"...at one point she yells to the umpire "are you kidding me?"..some of the people around us just turned and looked at her and smiled with a chuckle. She's holler out "c'mon Timmy" or "strike him out" or "one more strike"...it was really very adorable. Giants won this game 8-3 and there was a lot of great defense as well. The Tigers star pitcher didn't show up or if he did, he's not quite the star that he's supposed to be.
Tonight's game was so different and I am so happy that Brynn got to go last night. Tonight's game was also a WIN...2-0 and the two runs came very late in the game. It was a battle of pitchers- both pitching an amazing game, not a lot of offense- which for a 10 year old's first game could be viewed as boring. From my perspective, it's still a GREAT game. My brother and I had a great time and both were a bit sad that it was probably our last game of the year. If for some reason the Giants do not win 2 more in Detroit, there would be a game 6 and/or game 7 in SF next week. I don't have any extra tickets and I did draw names from my group and my name was not pulled. So it was my last game for the year at the park! Great energy, so much fun- I love my Giants!!
I will be watching them diligently on the TV this weekend and I'm packing my rally rag for CT, and I plan to use it. All I packed are clothes that are Orange and Black, I intend to live in those clothes all weekend long. Go GIANTS!
My mom called me tonight after the game and she was so excited that they won. I think secretly she didn't believe that the Giants were going to beat the Tigers and there are still up to 5 more games to play, but they are doing wonderfully. I spoke to her for a little bit and she seemed to be "ok" with me going away. I know she's going to miss my daily visits, but I have tried to line things up while I am gone. I have a variety of people set up to visit her- starting tomorrow with my hairdresser who is going to go and give her a haircut...my brother will be able to visit over the weekend and I have another friend stopping by on Monday. Might have one other friend stopping by on Saturday. Hoping.
Of course, the other shoe has dropped. Mom fell this morning in her bathroom at the nursing facility. Seems her non-slip sock didn't quite do the trick, but she's ok. She has cuts/bruises/scratches but nothing is broken, thank God! She does have a minor case of Pneumonia, but they are not going to treat it because that would mean antibiotics and we know what that will do! The treatment for her is to exercise, sit up and walk around and do her breathing and coughing exercises.
Off to NYC/CT in 7 hours, up in 4...must sleep now!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
So Conflicted...
I really hate the way I am feeling right now. Yesterday was such a great day, today was so stressful and so filled with challenges and uncertainty. I didn't even feel very "on" with Body Pump- just very low on energy. So what is the deal...
Today was a day that just didn't go as planned. It was supposed to be a very productive day because I am running out of day this week. Yes, by choice- but still. I got a few things done this morning but was distracted by my phone and the long in waiting Android Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System upgrade. I was hopeful that this upgrade would give my phone the jump start it needed because its performance has been mediocre at best lately. Well, the upgrade has sent my phone into a new level of annoyance and just left me completely frustrated all day.
Go to visit mom and bring her the few things that she needs and don't feel too good about her disposition. She seemed very congested and was having a very hard time hearing me speak and she even admitted that she was having trouble hearing and felt like she was in a tunnel and that her ears needed to pop. Of course, when I got there her greeting was a bit unnerving because she seemed very agitated and although happy to see me, it was almost a desperate happy to see me. The problem with this? Well, I am going to be gone Friday-Monday and I am not feeling very hopeful that she will have anyone visiting her. My sister is also leaving Saturday for vacation and my brother is already way overloaded this weekend between his volunteering at Redeemer for the play, moving/cleaning out storage units and a few other things. He has so much going on that we agreed to postpone our Demolition of Bathroom #1 until next weekend, which I expected once I saw how his weekend was shaping up. So of course, me the overachiever is half considering canceling my trip to the East Coast. I think it will be a very last minute decision, but I just hate not feeling very secure with how mom is doing.
I made several calls to the Doctor in Charge at Lytton Gardens, only to find out that he checks messages at the end of the day. Seriously? The nurses had also left him messages and based on my mom's difficulty in breathing, the low Oxygen Saturation Level, they ordered a chest x-ray. I was fairly certain that they would either confirm Congestive Heart Failure or Pneumonia. We are still waiting now for a blood test tomorrow, but things seem to be pointing toward Pneumonia. This just friggin' baffles me. How does someone who is on such strong antibiotics contract something like Pneumonia? Really? I'm praying that she does not have it, but I'm also a realist and I just don't think her bucket list of health issues would be complete without a case of Pneumonia! Ugh. I'm really not sure how much more she can take and I'm really not sure how much longer I can remain the positive cheerleader. I mean when is the poor woman going to get a break and be able to LIVE again? Because this existence of life she has right now is by no stretch of the imagination anything close to Living!
Mom was getting so excited about leaving the Rehab place Thursday for a Doctor appointment with Dr. Gillon to check up on her leg wounds, but now I'm not even sure if we'll be able to leave if she has pneumonia. I doubt it. Today I spoke to the charge nurse and she said they were worried that mom had lost 6 pounds since being there and told me that she currently weighed 92 pounds. This just confirmed to me what I suspected- their weigh in when she got there has got to be wrong. Mom was so excited that she had "gained 2 pounds" being in the hospital and weighed 98 (we had weighed her at the transfusion center just 4 days prior) and I told her the other day that I didn't want to burst her bubble, but you don't spend 2 weeks in the hospital, barely eating anything and having an infection that does what C-diff does to you and gain weight. More than likely you have lost weight. So now I'm thinking that she probably weighed in at 88 when she got to Lytton Gardens and has now gained 4 pounds because she is eating much more and her C-diff symptoms are gone.
So I am going to try to have some fun these next few days. It's going to be a wee bit crazy with trying to balance everything. My Wednesday is going to consist of some work, then meeting with Social/Discharge Planner at Lytton Gardens, more work and then train to ATT Park for World Series Game #1, hopefully home with some time for a bit more work. Thursday, early 6am class, work, mom's Doctor appointment (i think), work and then train to ATT park for World Series Game #2. Friday morning- 7am fight SFO-JFK. Bill & I should be exhausted by then because he's been putting in really long hours at work - hope we can stay awake to have some fun back east!
Looking forward to the World Series. My brother will be joining me to game #2, but for game #1 I needed a companion and ran a contest..put all interested names into a hat and drew. Well, lucky little Brynn will be joining me.
Great story. Two years ago we were sitting fireside at the McClymond house and Bill was telling me he didn't think he could go to the Giants game the next day and I was thinking how was I going to get someone at this late hour, so Brynn showed an interest but when push came to shove she didn't want to go without her mom. Nolan all of age 4 pipes up, "Auntie Pammy, I'll go to the game with you". I was stunned and a bit uncertain how this was going to play out, so after asking him several questions I declared it a date and the next day he and I went on the train and to the game and he lasted all 9 innings, the Giants won, he got to see a Grand Slam Homerun and I got to share with my Godson the love of baseball and the Giants. It was a great day and a day that he has not forgotten about. Well, Big Sissy has always regretted not going that day and yesterday told her parents this and hoped that someday Auntie Pammy would invite her to a game again. She then asked her Dad if he would take her to the World Series. Well, Dad asked to put his name in the running and as luck would have it- Mike's name came up. When Diane & Mike gave Brynn the news tonight, they recorded her reaction and she was beyond excited...in fact her reaction sounded more excited than what you'd expect for a Justin Bieber concert! Brynn also called me to Thank me and then got right down to the game and things she needed - most importantly she wanted to know if I had Black nail polish because she already had Orange and was going to do her nails! Be still my heart. I am looking forward to teaching another McClymond the game of baseball and share with them the love for my team, my San Francisco Giants. Yes, Daddy- I may not have kids but I am doing my best to carry on the Legacy of what you gave me with the game, with the Giants!
I really hate the way I am feeling right now. Yesterday was such a great day, today was so stressful and so filled with challenges and uncertainty. I didn't even feel very "on" with Body Pump- just very low on energy. So what is the deal...
Today was a day that just didn't go as planned. It was supposed to be a very productive day because I am running out of day this week. Yes, by choice- but still. I got a few things done this morning but was distracted by my phone and the long in waiting Android Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System upgrade. I was hopeful that this upgrade would give my phone the jump start it needed because its performance has been mediocre at best lately. Well, the upgrade has sent my phone into a new level of annoyance and just left me completely frustrated all day.
Go to visit mom and bring her the few things that she needs and don't feel too good about her disposition. She seemed very congested and was having a very hard time hearing me speak and she even admitted that she was having trouble hearing and felt like she was in a tunnel and that her ears needed to pop. Of course, when I got there her greeting was a bit unnerving because she seemed very agitated and although happy to see me, it was almost a desperate happy to see me. The problem with this? Well, I am going to be gone Friday-Monday and I am not feeling very hopeful that she will have anyone visiting her. My sister is also leaving Saturday for vacation and my brother is already way overloaded this weekend between his volunteering at Redeemer for the play, moving/cleaning out storage units and a few other things. He has so much going on that we agreed to postpone our Demolition of Bathroom #1 until next weekend, which I expected once I saw how his weekend was shaping up. So of course, me the overachiever is half considering canceling my trip to the East Coast. I think it will be a very last minute decision, but I just hate not feeling very secure with how mom is doing.
I made several calls to the Doctor in Charge at Lytton Gardens, only to find out that he checks messages at the end of the day. Seriously? The nurses had also left him messages and based on my mom's difficulty in breathing, the low Oxygen Saturation Level, they ordered a chest x-ray. I was fairly certain that they would either confirm Congestive Heart Failure or Pneumonia. We are still waiting now for a blood test tomorrow, but things seem to be pointing toward Pneumonia. This just friggin' baffles me. How does someone who is on such strong antibiotics contract something like Pneumonia? Really? I'm praying that she does not have it, but I'm also a realist and I just don't think her bucket list of health issues would be complete without a case of Pneumonia! Ugh. I'm really not sure how much more she can take and I'm really not sure how much longer I can remain the positive cheerleader. I mean when is the poor woman going to get a break and be able to LIVE again? Because this existence of life she has right now is by no stretch of the imagination anything close to Living!
Mom was getting so excited about leaving the Rehab place Thursday for a Doctor appointment with Dr. Gillon to check up on her leg wounds, but now I'm not even sure if we'll be able to leave if she has pneumonia. I doubt it. Today I spoke to the charge nurse and she said they were worried that mom had lost 6 pounds since being there and told me that she currently weighed 92 pounds. This just confirmed to me what I suspected- their weigh in when she got there has got to be wrong. Mom was so excited that she had "gained 2 pounds" being in the hospital and weighed 98 (we had weighed her at the transfusion center just 4 days prior) and I told her the other day that I didn't want to burst her bubble, but you don't spend 2 weeks in the hospital, barely eating anything and having an infection that does what C-diff does to you and gain weight. More than likely you have lost weight. So now I'm thinking that she probably weighed in at 88 when she got to Lytton Gardens and has now gained 4 pounds because she is eating much more and her C-diff symptoms are gone.
So I am going to try to have some fun these next few days. It's going to be a wee bit crazy with trying to balance everything. My Wednesday is going to consist of some work, then meeting with Social/Discharge Planner at Lytton Gardens, more work and then train to ATT Park for World Series Game #1, hopefully home with some time for a bit more work. Thursday, early 6am class, work, mom's Doctor appointment (i think), work and then train to ATT park for World Series Game #2. Friday morning- 7am fight SFO-JFK. Bill & I should be exhausted by then because he's been putting in really long hours at work - hope we can stay awake to have some fun back east!
Looking forward to the World Series. My brother will be joining me to game #2, but for game #1 I needed a companion and ran a contest..put all interested names into a hat and drew. Well, lucky little Brynn will be joining me.
Great story. Two years ago we were sitting fireside at the McClymond house and Bill was telling me he didn't think he could go to the Giants game the next day and I was thinking how was I going to get someone at this late hour, so Brynn showed an interest but when push came to shove she didn't want to go without her mom. Nolan all of age 4 pipes up, "Auntie Pammy, I'll go to the game with you". I was stunned and a bit uncertain how this was going to play out, so after asking him several questions I declared it a date and the next day he and I went on the train and to the game and he lasted all 9 innings, the Giants won, he got to see a Grand Slam Homerun and I got to share with my Godson the love of baseball and the Giants. It was a great day and a day that he has not forgotten about. Well, Big Sissy has always regretted not going that day and yesterday told her parents this and hoped that someday Auntie Pammy would invite her to a game again. She then asked her Dad if he would take her to the World Series. Well, Dad asked to put his name in the running and as luck would have it- Mike's name came up. When Diane & Mike gave Brynn the news tonight, they recorded her reaction and she was beyond excited...in fact her reaction sounded more excited than what you'd expect for a Justin Bieber concert! Brynn also called me to Thank me and then got right down to the game and things she needed - most importantly she wanted to know if I had Black nail polish because she already had Orange and was going to do her nails! Be still my heart. I am looking forward to teaching another McClymond the game of baseball and share with them the love for my team, my San Francisco Giants. Yes, Daddy- I may not have kids but I am doing my best to carry on the Legacy of what you gave me with the game, with the Giants!
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