Emma has been acting weird lately.
I mean, more weird than usual....sometimes, I've wondered if she's 'on something'....although I'm not really good at deciphering that.....it's the one thing that I haven't been given a very good perception about.....
I mean,...have a kid lie to me an I can usually spot it a mile away, have a kid try to deceive me and it's glaring in my face, ...have a kid living with me, 'on something'..well, I will admit to being kinda dense about it.
Of course, Emma wouldn't admit it to me..most kids in their right minds wouldn't.....finally, last night, when she was driving me bonkers, (as she's been doing daily for a couple of months now...at least a couple of months...time does pass quickly, the only saving grace..)....I spoke to her about it.
'Emma, what is going on with you.....you're 16 years old, but you're certainly not acting it....you go around talking very dramatically, reacting dramatically to everything ...why aren't you at least acting like you're 16 years old?'
Emma started to flounce off...yes, flounce...if anything, she's dramatic......she says....
'I act normal at school, but here I'm just bored...'
Bored,...so, I've been subjected to this obnoxious behaviour, for I don't know how long because she's bored......
Good grief....Lord help us.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
A Beautiful day...
Good Morning Company Girls!
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood,..would you be mine, would you be mine......
Okay, okay..so I used to watch Mr. Rogers with my kids many moons ago....he was always so calming.....
Anyways, it's a good day today...we've had rain on and off all week...this morning is overcast but so far..no rain....one marvellous thing with ll the rain and the warm weather we had before the rain is the beautiful green grass that is changing everywhere....I sit here looking across at my neighbor where I see beautiful bright green grass with gorgeous yellow forsythia blooming ...the yellow against the green is so...spring like.....I love spring....it is my most favourite season! I was thinking about the forsythia blooming and thought that the grass isn't usually green when it blooms..it's usually still that ugly yellowy-brown.....the forsythia blooming also reminds me that I'll need to figure out how to prune my rose bushes...some people do that in the fall but my grandfather, who grew a lot of roses always did it in the spring...when the forsythia blossomed...so that's what I do...or should I say...my mother always did...she'd faithfully come over every spring and trim my roses and my Rose of Sharon bushes. I don't think she can do that anymore so I guess I'll have to figure it out!......or....see if my sister could help me...her gardens always look fabulous, whereas mine always look like a dog's breakfast, as my mom would say.....maybe I could see if she has a spare few minutes to give me pointers...hmmmmmm.
Hubby came safely back home from California last night which I am eternally grateful for....there's nothing like a comforting, two-armed hug to make the world seem right! Today, he is taking his Friday Day Off....we have to go to the bank...I got a phone message yesterday telling me that my debit card had been compromised and I needed to come in and get a new one.....good grief, why cant these scammers just get a legal job.....then we are going to go and pick up hubby's new (previously owned) car...that we just signed over our lives for the next five years to pay for.....you may remember that he blew the engine on his other car last week.....since it would cost twice as much to fix it then the car was worth, this was the wisest option! Still haven't heard from good old Norman, the tow truck driver (previous post)....maybe hubby will try and call him today too.....then the kids have youth group tonight....I hope we can go and see my dad while they're at that...he's doing a wee bit better.....now they say that when he's gotten rid of this Norwalk that they'll transfer him to rehab to get him stronger before he can come home....a long road I think.
So, it is a beautiful day, heard my little grandson laughing on the phone last night, while his mama tickled him...ever so cute....hope yours is a beautiful day where ever you are....God is good...all the time...even when we cant see it....
Have a good one!
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood,..would you be mine, would you be mine......
Okay, okay..so I used to watch Mr. Rogers with my kids many moons ago....he was always so calming.....
Anyways, it's a good day today...we've had rain on and off all week...this morning is overcast but so far..no rain....one marvellous thing with ll the rain and the warm weather we had before the rain is the beautiful green grass that is changing everywhere....I sit here looking across at my neighbor where I see beautiful bright green grass with gorgeous yellow forsythia blooming ...the yellow against the green is so...spring like.....I love spring....it is my most favourite season! I was thinking about the forsythia blooming and thought that the grass isn't usually green when it blooms..it's usually still that ugly yellowy-brown.....the forsythia blooming also reminds me that I'll need to figure out how to prune my rose bushes...some people do that in the fall but my grandfather, who grew a lot of roses always did it in the spring...when the forsythia blossomed...so that's what I do...or should I say...my mother always did...she'd faithfully come over every spring and trim my roses and my Rose of Sharon bushes. I don't think she can do that anymore so I guess I'll have to figure it out!......or....see if my sister could help me...her gardens always look fabulous, whereas mine always look like a dog's breakfast, as my mom would say.....maybe I could see if she has a spare few minutes to give me pointers...hmmmmmm.
Hubby came safely back home from California last night which I am eternally grateful for....there's nothing like a comforting, two-armed hug to make the world seem right! Today, he is taking his Friday Day Off....we have to go to the bank...I got a phone message yesterday telling me that my debit card had been compromised and I needed to come in and get a new one.....good grief, why cant these scammers just get a legal job.....then we are going to go and pick up hubby's new (previously owned) car...that we just signed over our lives for the next five years to pay for.....you may remember that he blew the engine on his other car last week.....since it would cost twice as much to fix it then the car was worth, this was the wisest option! Still haven't heard from good old Norman, the tow truck driver (previous post)....maybe hubby will try and call him today too.....then the kids have youth group tonight....I hope we can go and see my dad while they're at that...he's doing a wee bit better.....now they say that when he's gotten rid of this Norwalk that they'll transfer him to rehab to get him stronger before he can come home....a long road I think.
So, it is a beautiful day, heard my little grandson laughing on the phone last night, while his mama tickled him...ever so cute....hope yours is a beautiful day where ever you are....God is good...all the time...even when we cant see it....
Have a good one!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Oh my....
Oh my. It's been a very, very difficult week...and it's only Wednesday!
My dad has been in the hospital for over a week. Last Sunday, Easter...hubby and I went to visit him, as well as our eldest son and his wife and their new little one, William. He's four months old now. Well, when we got there they had gowns and gloves outside the door for us to wear. My brother, who was there with my mom, came out and said that dad had a very bad night, that he had been vomiting all night. Poor dad ...he did look very frail. We really didn't think too much of the implications of him being physically ill because quite often, especially on dialysis days , this is what happens. We kept the visit very short and just after we left the room, and were washing our hands, after removing the gowns and gloves.,,,,the nurse comes along. She looks at William and says...you didn't take him in there did you...we said yes...she said, well we just got the patients' tests back and he tested positive for Norwalk Virus! Oh my goodness!
I will admit to being very worried about my dad and about my grandson. My dad is medically so fragile at this time that I truly wondered if this would take his life...and my little grandson....oh, I was so torn....my dad was so thrilled to see him..the joy on his face was so special...but to think that I had put him in this risk area.....oh, I felt so bad.
Hubby left early Tuesday morning for Longbeach, California....I really just 'exist' when he is away....before he left we had to make arrangements for our car that died last week and was still at the 'garage'. It needed to be moved. We were just going to have it towed to our house where we needed to arrange for it to go to the wreckers where hubby wanted to get the tires and battery removed. Both were fairly new...the tires about three months and the battery just two weeks. Hubby didn't want to give those up! So I went to the garage and waited for the tow truck...when he arrived he looked at the car and offered to buy iy...well,....I don't do that kind of selling so I called hubby on the phone...they talked and made a deal...the tow truck guy would bring the car to our house...I'd sign the ownership over to him and get the car cleaned out....then he was going to take it 'where ever' and then later in the evening he'd bring the tires and battery. Well, when hubby got home from teaching he had been talking to 'Norman the tow truck driver'...he wasn't able to bring the tires and battery til the next day....after hubby had left the country! So, by the middle of the afternoon of the next day...dear old Norman still hadn't shown up. I called him....'oh ya, I'm just on my way now'.....
About 20 minutes later, he calls.....sounding a little stressed....he was bringing the battery and tires, on the back of his tow truck...when the battery just jumped off and landed on the highway, where some unsuspecting poor person hit it!!!!!
Now dear Norman didn't come forth with any suggestion of repayment so I get on the phone to hubby...who has just landed at LAex.....when he had the opportunity he called dear old Norman and told him that he wanted to be reimbursed for our loss....Norman assured us that he would....so far, nothing from dear old Norman......
My mom and dad are scheduled to move into the retirement home, hopefully next week when he's fully recovered from the Norwalk Virus. I think that next week just may be just as long as this week has turned out to be.
Oh my.
My dad has been in the hospital for over a week. Last Sunday, Easter...hubby and I went to visit him, as well as our eldest son and his wife and their new little one, William. He's four months old now. Well, when we got there they had gowns and gloves outside the door for us to wear. My brother, who was there with my mom, came out and said that dad had a very bad night, that he had been vomiting all night. Poor dad ...he did look very frail. We really didn't think too much of the implications of him being physically ill because quite often, especially on dialysis days , this is what happens. We kept the visit very short and just after we left the room, and were washing our hands, after removing the gowns and gloves.,,,,the nurse comes along. She looks at William and says...you didn't take him in there did you...we said yes...she said, well we just got the patients' tests back and he tested positive for Norwalk Virus! Oh my goodness!
I will admit to being very worried about my dad and about my grandson. My dad is medically so fragile at this time that I truly wondered if this would take his life...and my little grandson....oh, I was so torn....my dad was so thrilled to see him..the joy on his face was so special...but to think that I had put him in this risk area.....oh, I felt so bad.
Hubby left early Tuesday morning for Longbeach, California....I really just 'exist' when he is away....before he left we had to make arrangements for our car that died last week and was still at the 'garage'. It needed to be moved. We were just going to have it towed to our house where we needed to arrange for it to go to the wreckers where hubby wanted to get the tires and battery removed. Both were fairly new...the tires about three months and the battery just two weeks. Hubby didn't want to give those up! So I went to the garage and waited for the tow truck...when he arrived he looked at the car and offered to buy iy...well,....I don't do that kind of selling so I called hubby on the phone...they talked and made a deal...the tow truck guy would bring the car to our house...I'd sign the ownership over to him and get the car cleaned out....then he was going to take it 'where ever' and then later in the evening he'd bring the tires and battery. Well, when hubby got home from teaching he had been talking to 'Norman the tow truck driver'...he wasn't able to bring the tires and battery til the next day....after hubby had left the country! So, by the middle of the afternoon of the next day...dear old Norman still hadn't shown up. I called him....'oh ya, I'm just on my way now'.....
About 20 minutes later, he calls.....sounding a little stressed....he was bringing the battery and tires, on the back of his tow truck...when the battery just jumped off and landed on the highway, where some unsuspecting poor person hit it!!!!!
Now dear Norman didn't come forth with any suggestion of repayment so I get on the phone to hubby...who has just landed at LAex.....when he had the opportunity he called dear old Norman and told him that he wanted to be reimbursed for our loss....Norman assured us that he would....so far, nothing from dear old Norman......
My mom and dad are scheduled to move into the retirement home, hopefully next week when he's fully recovered from the Norwalk Virus. I think that next week just may be just as long as this week has turned out to be.
Oh my.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Changes
Good Morning Company Girls!
This picture of my mom and dad was taken this past Christmas. They are in their mid eighties and have been going through some difficult times lately....and that means, as their children, we've been going through the difficult times too. My mom has dementia....anyone that has experienced a loved one with this condition will understand the frustration and heartache that this condition brings for the person with the disease and the family who must interact with her. She's very aware of everything that is going on around her to the point of even being somewhat irrational in her comprehension of her actual living situation. Her homemaking skills have deteriorated and when we tried to get homemaking help in for her she became angry..she would get up early to get all the work done so that she could tell the homemaker that there was nothing for her to do. She caused more than one microwave fire at home and at the dialysis unit that my dad must visit during the week. Everything she cooked was usually burnt. She still feels that she's doing just fine. Up until this week she steadfastly refused to consider moving into a retirement home.....it's caused a lot of friction between her and my dad...they've been married for 66 years. What changed her mind? Well, my dad has many physical problems....renal failure, diabetes, lymphoma, ulcerated colitis, and glaucoma...to name a few! One of the side effects of the ulcerated colitis is not being able to leave the bathroom.....if you get what I mean....my poor dad started with this last Saturday and by Tuesday it still hadn't let up...he missed his dialysis...never good...his doctor decided to admit him to the hospital.....
The first night, that my dad was in the hospital, my mom, in her dementia stupor declared that dad could go to the retirement home...she never would....now, even though you know that it's the dementia talking, it still wounds, it still upsets.....
...the next morning, when my sister called my mom to see how she had fared, on her own..(we didn't like leaving her, in her condition, but she insisted...and when mom insists you can't convince her otherwise)...my mother stated that she thought that they needed to move into the retirement home, that dad needed it....glory be....just 20 minutes before my sister called to tell me this I had been having my morning devotions and praying that God would change my mom's heart....we had been trying to for weeks......and now this...she finally agreed...reluctantly, she still doesn't like it...but she agreed.
So, now it's going through the process, the medical forms and such....getting stuff packed...although, they're small rooms so they wont be able to take much...it's going to be an emotional few weeks to be sure...I'm also sure that it wont end there..it'll take a while for them (especially my mom) to adjust......
....oh, if you want to say a few extra prayers our way...my hubby's car died last night....completely..it would cost at least twice as much as it's worth to fix it...just when you think thinks are going okay...isn't always the way?....So, we have to find another one...which will probably involve a trip to the local bank, ...I just love loans...they give you something to work on don't you think?
Please have a wonderful Easter...this morning, I woke up to the words from a very old hymn going around in my head...I know I haven't sung it in at least 20 years......maybe you know it.....
' In times like these, you need a Saviour,
In times like these, you need an anchor,
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock'
I think the Lord reminded me of this, this morning....He knew I'd need the reminding.....this Rock is Jesus, yes He's the one..the only one.....be very sure.
The Lord is Risen.....He is risen indeed!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Stow Away!
Good Morning company Girls!
Well, once again I'm doing my post on Thursday night because I have to be at the local childrens hospital by 8:15a.m. tomorrow! Our youngest, Megan was born with a fairly serious heart condition and once a year she must go through multiple testing to see if it's still functioning properly. Then they will send her home wearing a heart monitor halter, that she will wear for 24 hours. Then ...we go all the way back to the hospital on Saturday for them to remove it. Fun times! So, I thought I'd better get my post done tonight.....
It's been quite a week, getting back into the routine of things...although things changed a little since my son-in-law and three of my grandchildren form same family came down with the flu....this impacted me, besides being concerned for my grandkids because Maya, my almost 18 year old usually stays at their house during the week to be closer to her co-op school program...she can walk from their house, whereas from here it's a half hour drive.....anyways, Maya was unsure of staying at eldest daughters since they seemed to be dropping like flies, so she's been staying here and I and hubby have been getting her to co-op and picking her up....sure does eat up your your day!
My mom and dad are still being difficult in our attempts to get them into the retirement home.....my dad really wants to but doesn't like to distress mom...she refuses to go....her dementia has changed her tremendously. This has been very stressful for my sister, brother and I.
One more week til Easter....eldest son, his wife and their little guy, William are suppose to be coming for the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them! I've decided that I think Saturday will be the best day to have Easter dinner....it's very difficult to have a big meal for a large number of people and have all of your activities at church in the morning too. Just toooooo exhausting! A couple of months ago I was able to give up my class to a very lovely man at our church but in the last few weeks it's become apparent to us that the littlest class of kiddies needs a teacher til the end of June and guess who's it! This is a weekend of birthdays in our family....my son-in-law is tomorrow and on Tuesday of next week, eldest grandson Jairus will turn 9!
After Easter, hubby is suppose to fly off to California for a few days.....maybe I can stow away in his luggage! :0)
Well, once again I'm doing my post on Thursday night because I have to be at the local childrens hospital by 8:15a.m. tomorrow! Our youngest, Megan was born with a fairly serious heart condition and once a year she must go through multiple testing to see if it's still functioning properly. Then they will send her home wearing a heart monitor halter, that she will wear for 24 hours. Then ...we go all the way back to the hospital on Saturday for them to remove it. Fun times! So, I thought I'd better get my post done tonight.....
It's been quite a week, getting back into the routine of things...although things changed a little since my son-in-law and three of my grandchildren form same family came down with the flu....this impacted me, besides being concerned for my grandkids because Maya, my almost 18 year old usually stays at their house during the week to be closer to her co-op school program...she can walk from their house, whereas from here it's a half hour drive.....anyways, Maya was unsure of staying at eldest daughters since they seemed to be dropping like flies, so she's been staying here and I and hubby have been getting her to co-op and picking her up....sure does eat up your your day!
My mom and dad are still being difficult in our attempts to get them into the retirement home.....my dad really wants to but doesn't like to distress mom...she refuses to go....her dementia has changed her tremendously. This has been very stressful for my sister, brother and I.
One more week til Easter....eldest son, his wife and their little guy, William are suppose to be coming for the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them! I've decided that I think Saturday will be the best day to have Easter dinner....it's very difficult to have a big meal for a large number of people and have all of your activities at church in the morning too. Just toooooo exhausting! A couple of months ago I was able to give up my class to a very lovely man at our church but in the last few weeks it's become apparent to us that the littlest class of kiddies needs a teacher til the end of June and guess who's it! This is a weekend of birthdays in our family....my son-in-law is tomorrow and on Tuesday of next week, eldest grandson Jairus will turn 9!
After Easter, hubby is suppose to fly off to California for a few days.....maybe I can stow away in his luggage! :0)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Welcome to Florida!
Good Morning Company Girls from Orlando!
This happy foursome is our children..well, the youngest four anyways..that we chose to bring with us....that was possibility a very big mistake! We wont go into that though because hubby and I had planned and saved for this trip for almost a year.....and I for one and hubby also are glad we came. Ever since I was a child, and there was only a Disneyland in California, I always wanted to go to Disney but never thought I'd ever get the chance to go...I'm not a big amusement park ride person but just to be there was something that I found difficult to take in all at once...there was just so much going on at the same time and sooooooo many people...my gosh, I found myself constantly counting up to four...my four kids...I really don't know how people handle it when they have little ones.
It started out last Friday morning when we left the house just after 7:30 a.m. and arrived just inside the border of South Carolina just after 7:30 p.m. After spending the night in a hotel we set off the next morning, just after 9:00 a.m. and landed in Orlando about 5:30 p.m. We were all very weary but happy to be here!
Thanks to good friends of us who sold us some of their points in a Hilton Vacation resort, we have a beautiful 2 bedroom suite to stay in for the week. The kids love the pool and hot tub and have been in it everyday although Florida's been experiencing some pretty cool temperatures!
We did the Disney thing, and we took the kids to a new outlet mall on one of the days it was supposed to rain, but this resort has a lot of things for the kids to do so we haven't done a lot of other pricey things. Hubby and I have been able to relax and do some reading...I worked on grandson's quilt...and that's about it!
Today is our last full day in Florida,.....tomorrow morning we will start the long trek back to Ontario...wouldn't you know it...the temperatures there have been almost the same as here....they are expecting possible snow showers next Monday or Tuesday..wouldn't you know it....just when we return.... :0)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A New Occupation!
Good Morning Company Girls!
Well, actually this is Thursday evening....I'm not sure what my morning is going to bring so I thought I might be wise to try and do this post tonight.
This week has been very tiring...my mom and dad have been doing quite poorly...we're not sure if my mom had the flu or food poisoning..she really hasn't been keeping track of best before dates plus I even found, in her cupboard, a frozen(no longer frozen and not smelling so great) entre. She insisted it was just fine and could still be used. My sister and I had difficulty convincing her that these must remain frozen until they're used..(or at least refrigerated!) My mom has also been very upset that home care has started this week...she's been wearing herself out trying to prove to us that she doesn't need any help. My dad spent one day, in bed, the whole day...exhausted. We were concerned because his breathing was laboured at times, making the sound suggesting congestive heart failure...it broke my heart to see him lying there with his arms up on his chest, his hands clenched under his chin...just lying there...staring at the ceiling.
Today, I had to take Emma to the dentist...less than an hour after I dropped her back at school, the school called...'would I please come and get Emma,...she had been involved in a fight'....so, long story short....Emma's been suspended for at least 3 days....tomorrow is hubby's day off...last night he mentioned that he thought it would be nice to go to the Home and Garden show .....well, those plans are done...so much for a day off!
On the bright side...I have a list of at least 10 things that I have decided that Emma will do during her suspension! Things that I can no longer physically do.....like washing all the windows, washing walls, floors.....cleaning out cupboards and shelves, washing and polishing the pew..yes..we have a pew..it's the seating for the one side of our dining table..it's about 8' long and pure oak wood....with a number of grandchildren it could use a good scrubbing and polishing!
Next week, there are a few appointments and then packing! We plan, Lord willing, to be on the road, early Friday morning for Orlando, Florida! It'll take us two days to drive down there....two days down and two days back with four teenagers!!!! The place where we are going has a lot that should keep our teens busy and best of all...no appointments! None, nada, zilch! I'm thrilled that I will have a whole week without one doctor, therapist, social worker, dentist, orthodontist, teacher...or anyone else that I've missed, appointment!
So, I hope everyone has a great weekend...I'll be doing my best impression of a mother turned suspension guard...it should do a lot to improve my relationship with Emma! Ah...don't you love being a parent!
Well, actually this is Thursday evening....I'm not sure what my morning is going to bring so I thought I might be wise to try and do this post tonight.
This week has been very tiring...my mom and dad have been doing quite poorly...we're not sure if my mom had the flu or food poisoning..she really hasn't been keeping track of best before dates plus I even found, in her cupboard, a frozen(no longer frozen and not smelling so great) entre. She insisted it was just fine and could still be used. My sister and I had difficulty convincing her that these must remain frozen until they're used..(or at least refrigerated!) My mom has also been very upset that home care has started this week...she's been wearing herself out trying to prove to us that she doesn't need any help. My dad spent one day, in bed, the whole day...exhausted. We were concerned because his breathing was laboured at times, making the sound suggesting congestive heart failure...it broke my heart to see him lying there with his arms up on his chest, his hands clenched under his chin...just lying there...staring at the ceiling.
Today, I had to take Emma to the dentist...less than an hour after I dropped her back at school, the school called...'would I please come and get Emma,...she had been involved in a fight'....so, long story short....Emma's been suspended for at least 3 days....tomorrow is hubby's day off...last night he mentioned that he thought it would be nice to go to the Home and Garden show .....well, those plans are done...so much for a day off!
On the bright side...I have a list of at least 10 things that I have decided that Emma will do during her suspension! Things that I can no longer physically do.....like washing all the windows, washing walls, floors.....cleaning out cupboards and shelves, washing and polishing the pew..yes..we have a pew..it's the seating for the one side of our dining table..it's about 8' long and pure oak wood....with a number of grandchildren it could use a good scrubbing and polishing!
Next week, there are a few appointments and then packing! We plan, Lord willing, to be on the road, early Friday morning for Orlando, Florida! It'll take us two days to drive down there....two days down and two days back with four teenagers!!!! The place where we are going has a lot that should keep our teens busy and best of all...no appointments! None, nada, zilch! I'm thrilled that I will have a whole week without one doctor, therapist, social worker, dentist, orthodontist, teacher...or anyone else that I've missed, appointment!
So, I hope everyone has a great weekend...I'll be doing my best impression of a mother turned suspension guard...it should do a lot to improve my relationship with Emma! Ah...don't you love being a parent!
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