RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. Surviving an Active Shooter Event - English

This is not the usual type of thing I post, however I feel it is important and I want to share it with you. It is upsetting to watch, but it could save your life. (please ignore the short ad at the beginning) Trust me, it is worth your time to see this.

"Slow-Starter"

I'm a Slow-Starter.

But, change is coming to the Bayou, and I'm not just talking menopause.  Mom will be here to live with us in about a month.  The house is ready, but I'm not.

I've had the luxury of going to bed when I want and getting up when I want for a very-long-time.  I like it this way.  This little life luxury is gone now - I kissed it farewell the last day I slept well into the morning.  I've put myself on this new-fangled schedule so I'll be at least somewhat used to it when Mom arrives.

Now, I've got to go to bed at a reasonable time.
And then, the kicker, "I've got to get up at a unreasonable time."

I like organization.
I like order.
And if I want things to move as smoothly as possible I've got to gear my schedule to that of my Mom's.  From now on my alarm is gonna go off at 7 am.  Ready or not.

(Yes!  7 am is VERY early to me!)

My family has laid odds I can't do this.
I so love their support.

Flower Power.

Mister brought this beautiful rose home for DD yesterday.
It was "Gotcha" Day - marking the date of
her adoption many years ago.

Today he brought me home these beautiful roses -
"Just Because", which is actually the best reason,
don't you agree?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I've been a little off my game this week.
A couple of days ago I tried a new recipe which would have been great if I had put the right kind of  peppers in it.  As it was, it was so flaming HOT that we could barely eat it.

Then yesterday my errands took longer than I had anticipated so we dined on sandwiches for dinner.

Today I cooked a big pot of soup and even if I do say so myself, it-was-WONDERFUL, perfectly seasoned and well suited for a winter supper.

Flower Power!

hi.ber.nate

This is how I roll most mornings in January.

There's just something about this time of the year which makes it extra hard to get one's engine going.  Are you feeling it too?

I want to run.

I want to dance.

I want to make beautiful music.

But what I want most is to get someone else to do it for me.

Know what I mean?

*giggle* 

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hi·ber·nate

intransitive verb \ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt\

hi·ber·nat·edhi·ber·nat·ing

Definition of HIBERNATE

1

: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state

2

: to be or become inactive or dormant

— hi·ber·na·tion \ˌhī-bər-ˈnā-shən\ noun

— hi·ber·na·tor \ˈhī-bər-ˌnā-tər\ noun

Peek-a-Boo!

Today was such a SPECIAL day - Mister and I went with our DD for her 31 week ultrasound.  We loved the peek-a-boo the technology allowed.  We oo-ed and ahh-ed with each vision of her bald head, her brain, her kidneys, her feet and toes.  It's seems such a magical world to be given the right to view.  Everything checks out "perfect" for dd and for our granddoll.

We are thankful.
We are in love!

I couldn't have begun to imagine this last year at this time.
God is good!
I am weak, but how thankful I am that HE is strong!

"Do you see what I see?" and other ramblings.

Do you see it?

No.  Not the weeds!

Look closer.
A bud; the first of the season on my Hydrangea.
Can Spring be far away?!
(Yes.  It is a rhetorical question.)

Before.

After.
We gave everything a good "haircut".
Now we're ready for Spring whenever she comes calling.

I am so NOT a winter person
and I'm so thankful to live where Spring
usually comes early!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I bought a new can of Lysol, a BIG one.
I gave it a few sprays then the sprayer refused to work again.
I sent an email to the "Lysol" people.
I told them my situation and asked if they would
replace it.  I'll be waiting to hear back from them.
Do you ever write to the company when you're disappointed or have issues with their product?
I do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tuesday is a big day - I'm going to the OB with DD for her final scheduled ultrasound.  Mister is gonna meet us there too.  We're excited to get to see our Granddoll in "action".  We've seen her previous ultrasound pictures, but never the actual, moving, ultrasound.
I.Can.Hardly.Wait.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I know that a few of my recent posts have been heavy reading.
Thank you for your comments and encouragement.
I DO want this Blog to be light-hearted and mostly positive, so for that reason I am beginning another blog which will be exclusively about my Mom as she navigates her way through the dementia diagnosis.  If you're interested in following along on this new Blog, I'd love to have you as a FOLLOWER.  The new Blog is called, "Dink".    You can find it HERE.
I have not set up a new blog in a while so I hope I have it fixed where you can sign on to "follow" if you wish.   If you have any problems signing up to "follow" please let me know.  If you know anyone who is dealing with dementia issues, or has an interest in such things, please invite them to join the new blog.  I'd love to have you join me there too, if you'd like; however, this Blog, "SWEET TEA", will continue on and will remain as it has always been - whatever that means!  LOL

http://dink83.blogspot.com/

It's a New World . . .

We made yet another trip to Tulsa last weekend.
My sister and I, along with our Mom, had to make a court appearance.  Mom is currently receiving "respite care" in an assisted living center while my sister and I go through the court system of being appointed as Guardians for our Mom.  Mom has been evaluated and told by doctors that she can no longer live alone. We  have been advise to seek Guardianship for her.  Mom has dementia that has began to progress very quickly since November...Mom doesn't understand what is happening and is refusing to accept her diagnosis - therein lies the rub. 

When I first arrived in Tulsa I went to see Mom at the assisted living center.  When I saw her I hugged her.  She hit my arms and told me to keep my hands off of her.  I knew she had done this to others in the family, but somehow I thought I would be different.  Wrong!

We sat and visited with her.
She was clearly agitated and angry with us at times.
We talked about court and what was going to take place.  It was not a pleasant visit, though Mom seemed healthy and reasonably "settled" into her new environment.

The next day we visited Mom again, briefly.
I knew better than to approach her with a hug this time.  We talked about when I would pick her up for court the next day and what she would wear.  She was in a pleasant mood and seemed happy to see me.  When it was time for me to leave I "asked" her if she would give me a hug.  She did.  She teared up a bit at this time and apologized for behaving as she had the day before...I was pleased she had remembered.  I was pleased this had been a good visit. I love my Mom.

We (Mister, DD, and I) picked Mom up as planned the next morning.  I had feared she might refuse to go, but she was in good spirits and we left without incident.  We had pleasant conversation on the drive to the courthouse.  Their was laughter and light conversation on the drive.  We met my sister and her husband at the courthouse and we all waited outside the courtroom door for 1+ hours, until it was our turn to see the judge.  When the judge began to explain why we were in court Mom became agitated.  She cut her eyes to look at me and made a face.  She then told the judge that she had been brought to the courthouse under false pretenses.  She also said she had no idea why she had been brought there...Dementia is an ugly disease.  The judge asked Mom if she wanted an attorney.  "Yes", she certainly did.  Court dismissed so that Mom could obtain counsel.  Bummer!

We will make another trip to Tulsa for the next court date on Jan. 28.  Oh how I hate the thought of making another road trip. The irony is that because of the dementia Mom is fighting my sister and I who are trying to follow the doctor's orders by providing the needed care for her.  We want to bring her here to live with us (Mister, DD, and I) for as long as is possible.  It is my hope that this will happen soon so Mom can get comfortable here before our new granddoll is born in March.

After court Mom told both my sister and I that she hated us and she hoped we died before she did.  There was some profanity woven into her words.  If you're not familiar with dementia you will probably find this very offensive - if you understand dementia you will recognize this as simply "the disease talking". I tried to calm her, to no avail.  We took her back to her assisted living center and we began the long, cold, drive back to Louisiana.  It was a very long day!

I waited three days (hoping she would cool down) then I called Mom.
I expected her to refuse my call, but she didn't.
She was happy and upbeat.
There was no mention of court.
She was actually in somewhat of an excited hurry to be off to her Bingo game. 
My heart soared!

It's a  new world every day when dementia calls the shots.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Let the record show that I am now reading all sorts of materials about dementia.  I see some of the mistakes I made when visiting with Mom.  Some of her behavior is directly related to mistakes I made.  I should not have approached her quickly and tried to hug her - mistake #1.  I'll do a better job next time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Please understand that I write this to document my life.
I'm definitely not pining for sympathy.
I understand that life has seasons and I feel honored (and a little scared) to make this journey with my Mom.  When I think of all the life journeys she has made with me, I am humbled.

"It's a _____________ Life"

Here's my computer and a favorite picture/poster on the wall right beside me.  It's so true, isn't it?  It IS a "wonderful" life.  It sounds cheesy, and if we're all keepin' it real we know there are MANY other adjectives that could go right alongside  the "wonderful" in this title: crazy, fun, mixed-up, messy, funny, alarming, scary, joyful, happy, stressful, etc. etc. Even though in blogland most of prefer to write about the wonderful side of life, there are the occasional times when things are not so wonderful.  Aren't we fortunate that the wonderful usually far outweighs the not-so-wonderful?!

So, what's your word for today?
Right beside "wonderful", what would you write?
Fill in the blank - just keep it "real".  OK?
"It's a beautiful, ___________ life."

NOT REQUIRED!

I was privy to some GREAT relieving news yesterday! If you're squeamish or happen to be a needle-phob like me, you'll get this.  If not, this will seem like a "non-issue" to you, but to me it was BIG news.

I went with DD (dear daughter) to her OB/GYN appointment yesterday.  This was her first appointment with the doctor here, since she was living in TX at the beginning of her pregnancy.  The doctor was going over all the rules/requirements for the next two months.  We thought that DD (and her pregnancy coach = ME) would be required to attend "Epidural Class" that many hospitals require.  I have been dreading this class since I am a "Big Time Fainter".  How embarrassing would it be to faint during this class, especially when I'm not even the Mom-to-be"??!!  Yes.  I have done this sort of thing many times before...Imagine my relief when he said it was "NOT REQUIRED!".  *Insert Happy Dance here!

I'm from the school of thought that sometimes one can actually have too much information.  DD wants the epidural, and knows what/how it's done.  Spare us the pictures and the video of the actual procedure.  I've had them before but don't care to "see" the nitty-gritty!

Pity DD who has me for her labor coach, as I'm not very good "nursing" material.  I think I can do this.  I watched my last child being born (but I'd had some good drugs at that point), and I also saw my youngest granddoll born.  I think I can do this.

With all the adrenaline that comes with the excitement of a birth,
and a good dose of Valium,
I should be "good to go"!

Practicing my deep breathing as I type this.
"Whoo Whoo Hee Hee"

Friday Night Live!

Princess went to bed at 8:20.

Mister went to bed at 9:00.

Heck, even Boudxy is sound asleep!

I got out of the shower and yelled into the snoozing house,

"I'm clean! I'm clean!

Over, under, and in-between"

Yes, I say that every night, and every night Princess and Mister react as though they've just heard me say it for the first time.  They laugh and pretend I'm quite the comedian, which is one of the reasons I love them so!  Tonight my little shout of humor fell on sleeping ears.  Ah well, tomorrow I'll say it twice!


Actually it's kind of nice.
Everyone is snugged in and accounted for and I get some "me" time.
I've donned clean pj's and fuzzy socks.
"Beauty" rules, while the Beasts are asleep!"

Another quiet winter's night.

Happy People

I read an interesting online article about Happy People and some of the traits they all shared.  I'm hoping we are all one of the "Happy People" in the new year!

1. Happy people say YES more than they say NO.
2. Happy people laugh, joke, and have a sense of humor.
3. Happy people live with a feeling of Gratitude.
4. Happy people speak well of others more often than not.
5. Happy people Listen.
6. Happy people believe in something and they let go of control.
7. Happy people accept imperfections and are willing to forgive and move on.
8. Happy people are of service to others and have positive expectations
9. Happy people are detached from the approval of others.
10. Happy people actively focus on health, exercise and work/life balance.

For me personally, I would have to add that "Happy People need some sunshine on a regular basis".
AND
that "Happy People have a relationship with God", but perhaps that's under the umbrella of #6.

Agree with the List?
Disagree?
Can you add something to this list?

Love and Hate

Ten Things I Love About January

1. Soup
2. Lysol
3. Warm pj's
4. No need to shave my legs. (No judging allowed!)
5. Sweats and Yoga pants
6. Good TV programming
7. Kleenex
8. White sales
9. Hot Baths
10. It gives me great appreciation for the Summer months.

Ten Things I Hate About January

1. Cold Weather
2. Flu
3. Cold Weather
4. Eating dinner when it is dark outside
5. Cold Weather
6. Runny Noses
7. Cold Weather
8. Snow/Sleet
9. Cold Weather
10. It lasts for 31 days

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I can do this,
even in January!
Everyday is truly a gift, isn't it?!