Saturday, April 26, 2008

Short Brain cells much?

I am annoyed. Again. My 17yo son is impossible and not only that he sucks at lying and trying to be sly. He wanted to go meet this girl. hrm.... Now I find out that HER parents think my son is an 8th grader because she fibbed to her parents about him. I swear he thinks I am stupid or something. He's trouble from the word go. He's goth wanna be.. he's not good at it. So as a teenager he's really quite annoying! Short brain cells much?

I am sooo busted!


I swear she sleeps anywhere! Silly kitty!




I opened the fridge to get something out and she decided she wanted something. She's got no idea what she wants -- but she knows there has to be something good in there for her. I did not boost her to the ledge. She pulled herself up on the freezer handle just below the fridge door.

Does she look worried to you?! Probably not! Silly kitty.

Pretty Texas Yellow
for you!
Enjoy!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Light and delightful reading!


Last night was a rough night at work for me and there was a book settled into a basket in the room. It had this beautiful yellow labrador on the front cover and its name was, Marley and Me, and written by John Grogan. This book is wonderfully written and delightful in the life and fun of a loony, obnoxious, fun loving dog and his family. John does an excellent job of descriptions that leave you giggling at the silly stuff and in an outpouring of tears at the heartbreak of loss. I will never view a slinky in quite the same way! Thank you John Grogan!
If you love dogs and the families that have them you will find this book to be a delight.

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I am mad!

Okay -- I don't care if you get mad reading this. I am mad. I am hurt. And I have had enough.
I work as a caregiver to most people whom are well older than 65. And I am all about respect and allowing elders to do as they please as they have likely earned it. Many of them have worked hard to get what they have just like the rest of us. Many of the elders have family that has us there to help in day to day care and are responsible for medical care of their loved one -- NOT us - the caregiver.
But for the LOVE OF PETE!!!! DO NOT allow them to NEGLECT BASIC CARE!! To include their feet. Those toe nails still grow -- and they need trimmed and they need care if a nail gets ingrown!
I sat with a client last night that refuses to bathe. Luckily she's not a smelly kind of person but she will refuse to get up, she has days she refuses to eat, she will refuse to bathe and she "just wants to die". Well, hello?! I can understand not wanting to live sometimes -- but she truly is a SPOILED ROTTEN BRAT! And as a result of refusing even basic care she's got an ingrown toenail. (ingrown toenails HURT beyond belief!) She cried and wailed and boo hoo'd for HOURS! I can deal with her being up all night reading. I can deal with her being grouchy. I can deal with getting her snacks at any and all hours. I can even deal with her wanting to go walking the halls all hours of the night!
BUT I CANNOT deal with her wailing and gnashing and begging, "Please God Let ME DIE!"

And you people with training as a nurse or doctor -- DO NOT EVEN TELL ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT A DOCTOR KNOWS! For GOODNESS SAKE - I am a person with a God given gift called a BRAIN and contrary to POPULAR BELIEF I DO KNOW HOW TO THINK AND USE IT! (Unlike some doctors AND nurses who forgot basic thinking skills when they became a god! -- toss in rotten bed side manners and you really have a winner! NOT! By the way, if you are a nurse or a doctor and you have been told you have a bad bedside manner -- TOO BAD!)


My MIL of 58 yrs young died this last weekend and she fought with every bit of her being to stay alive. She wanted to live! She couldn't and doctors could do nothing to stop her progressive illness. She went to doctors and got care! And this client I sit with? no care whatsoever by her choice and she's still here! WHINING!

GROW UP!

(I did tell her to stop saying to please let her die -- that really hit a very RAW nerve!)

Anyone know of patient advocates that look into cases like this?! This old gal refuses treatment but when does the caregiver or nurse on duty have a right to over ride the patient's wishes for things that really are basic needs and care? I can understand not wanting to take meds for say high blood pressure, or heart disease, or other "life threatening" long term medical conditions -- but for basic stuff like bathing, and hand, foot, hair and skin care?! Especially when neglecting these things leads to infections that are painful, non-life threatening and easily treatable?!

Update to add: My employer has been contacted and is making sure the client does get seen for her toe -- so that is being handled thankfully. I went so far as to say, "Ya know, someone needs to piss in clients wheaties and make her do something about her hygiene!" My employer giggled and agreed.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

You are missed!


"Liz" Vlasek


You are greatly missed by Sean, myself and the boys.
The Obituary for Liz
*provided by Grimes Funeral Home of Kerrville Texas.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Be sure to say, "I love you."

Anyone who knows me will find that this will not be a light of heart post in many respects. My mother in law of 4 years passed away this last Saturday. She was a 58 years young. She died of complications due to lung cancer. (Otherwise known as small cell carcinoma -- and is a smoker's cancer.) She is going to be dearly missed by my husband and myself. If you have family you dearly love and want to spend time with now is the time to take stock of what your relationship is like and spend time with them. Those we love and trust are not going to be around forever. Do not take for granted that it won't happen to you, because you may very well be next on that list.

Moral of this: Spend time with those you cherish and love because tomorrow you may not get to say,'I love you.'

The flip side to this -- my mother in law is no longer in pain. She was a vibrant, energetic and amazing woman! And she's likely with her dad pulling pranks on the living just because she can!

GOD is Busy

If you don't know GOD, don't make stupid remarks!!!!!!!
A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.' The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.

The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'

The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.'

Longest weekend on memory....

I am going to start with this -- I have gained about 3 pounds from all the food I consumed starting on Thursday last week until today! I have eaten enough goodies and junk and bbq and goodness knows what else! Needless to say -- I have not been very hungry since returning home. And I really need to start exercising too.

This is an exceptionally long post.. and has some sadness in it. If you choose not to read it that's okay.

Anyway to start off our week last Monday we learned my husband's mother was only given a week to live. Her anniversary and birthday were both coming up this same week. On Thursday night we went to her home and celebrated both the anniversary and birthday, and got to tell her we loved her and would miss her. She was asked by a few to say hello to a few that have already gone to be with the Lord. We didnt get home until about 10pm. And we were exhausted!

Friday --- we had been planning the trip that I have already posted pictures of for about 6 weeks. And my step daughter was supposed to visit. She'd been having car trouble since getting into Oklahoma -- and it didnt stop giving her trouble even after she arrived in San Antonio. She was going to stay with us, but learned that they had nice guest quarters on base where her husband is currently in school. So she's opted to stay there. My husband had to go rescue her north of San Antonio and got her running just long enough to make it to base. My husband returned home to learn that one uncle would be making it into town later in the evening. Calvin, TJ and I packed and headed out for our planned Dallas trip at 5pm. We arrived in Dallas area and hotel at midnight. We crashed out about 1am -- but I understand many of the other students didnt get to sleep til 3am. 8am came bright and early for them. I woke up on my own at around 630am -- and started getting ready for the day. We left the hotel at 930am for Sandy Lake park. (sandylake.com -- if you want to check it out.)

Saturday -- We got up early, bathed and readied for the day. We went down for brekkie at 830am in the hotel's breakfast room.

9am was a turning point for my day. My husband called me and let me know his mom had passed peacefully with her husband, brother, sisters, and grandma at her side. I told my older son, but not the younger one at that time. I know my boys well enough to be able to determine reactions to this kind of news. (And I was right on the money - more later.)

At 930am we loaded up into our two vans and headed out for Sandy Lake Park. Upon arrival we were given our tickets for lunch and rides, and asked to be back to the vans at 2pm. Mine and another group teamed up and we headed for the rides. I am not up to getting a beating on the rides that they have at the carnival settings! So, I didn't get on the Spider or Tilt-A-Whirl or any of those other rides that leave you gasping for breath and bruised from head to toe. I did however, brave paddle boats and enjoyed the fun. After the paddle boats we went to the arcade and the kids played several games a piece. I often see the fun toys they have and wonder what it would be like done up in papermache and on display over having yet another stuffy! So, no new stuffed toys for me (yet). My younger boy had a knack for the JackPot on one arcade game and was able to hit it twice consecutively! What a lucky dog! He got himself a cute lil tiger stuffy, and a few other lil trinkets. While at the arcade me and the other "group leader"(another mom) decided to turn the teenagers loose. Why in heaven's name should we make them tag along with us?! They are teens and most of them are good kids, and this group has been turned loose at Fiesta Texas from what I understand. After the arcade I opted to eat lunch. I had asked for the bbq plate - and it was awesome. I was totally stuffed. I was also grateful I had opted for it -- as the only "pizza" they had was pepperoni, and am allergic to pepperoni. And eating a hotdog? No thanks! After wandering solo for a while -- and finding some shade to enjoy I just sat and relaxed for a while without any teens. They enjoyed being let loose though too. At 2pm we met up at the vans and gathered instruments and made the way to a practice tent. At 230 they called the band up for their performance. At 330 the awards ceremony took place. We left for a place called the "Main Event" after the awards were done. I was already exhausted! I enjoyed some fried pickles, and wandered around. The kids had a wonderful time! We left at 7pm or so. On our ride home I finally told my younger son about his grandmother passing that morning. He cried and clung to me for a while and we talked about how she's with angels now and gets to do all the things she's dreamed of doing for the last few months since she's been ill. (my husband later informed me she's likely with her dad and pulling pranks on the living! and yes, that's the truth! LOL) We arrived back in our little home town at 1am in the morning. So, counting from start to finish we were on the road and crammed a ton of activities into 32 hours of what has had to be the longest weekend on my memory in a while! (5pm Friday to 1am Sunday)

I didn't wake up until 1130am on Sunday -- and we went back to my mother-in-laws house to meet up with family for the last time for the weekend. We arrived back home tired and grumpy. The kids were sent to bed at normal time -- 9pm and me and hubby crashed out too.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

And the last of it!


They did an excellent job! Way to go Band!



I should have known better than to hand him that camera! LOL



The Lazer Tag bunch! They had a Blast! (No pun intended!)

They had a Put Put Golf in the Main Event -- this is my shirt in there!
If you think that's bad?
You should have seen the Orange hair on that one girl!! LOL

Saturday, April 19, 2008

After the fun... we had work to do


Ride the PONY!



He won the Jack Pot TWICE! Wow!



Who did you have do your beautiful hair!?



Time to go to work! He looks ready to me....



They had an excellent warm up! They are mostly new kids too!

Lions, Spiders and Paddle Boats - OH MY!


The Lion Got His Lunch!



TJ won the battle! No MORE Lunch!



Waiting in line to ride the Spider...
I wasn't fast enough to catch them ON the ride!



The Paddle Boat Bunch! We were soooo tired after paddling around!



The OTHER Girls found the shade! We made 'em share!

The trip part 1


TJ feeling good on the way to the park! We had a long drive!


Our driver! And the band director! Did I mention we all LOVE her?!



YAY! We finally arrived -- the next morning after
maybe 4 hours of sleep at the hotel.


Unloading the vans...... we had a total of 17 teens and 6 adults!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Diamond Has Grown!



Remember when I posted this picture?
Diamond baby picture

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Sean's always hiding.....



Under the closest car for that ever elusive gremlin!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

ICMYT and my clothing....

Welcome welcome.... I have some pictures that I am going to work on in the morning to post. Tonite the computer will be taken up by my dh doing some work on it so it wont be available and right now I have a headache and keeping it simple is best for me.

I got some clothing over the Christmas holidays. And by March they didnt fit me anymore. I have never gained weight quickly enough that I had clothing that didnt fit in a few short months. This week I have been able to fit back into the jeans that I got over the holidays. And I have been exercising too, when I can.

Also, want to pass along that it is a good chance I won't be blogging often over the next two or so weeks as my Mother In Law has been diagnosed with cancer in her brain. She's not expected to recover, and they have already done everything they can for her. I am already losing work hours as I have asked to take time off to make it to different functions with my husband while we work through this trial in our life.

Many blessings!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

ICMYT - two weeks later

Okay, I have lost about 3 1/2 pounds since starting this program. I have not been able to sit still long enough to watch parts 3 and 4. I do the tapping but I noticed I don't need it very often. And I have started on a light exercise program. I am definitely eating less, eating much more consciously and really enjoying and savoring foods I choose to eat.

You can check it out at www.mckenna.com ---

Have a blessed day!

Two quick spring pictures...

Late spring for us -- most of the trees are already in full leaves. I wanted to get one sooner but alas life has been throwing plenty of wrenches in my day!




My first fire rose of the season.



Have a blessed day!