Thursday

Hi everyone who reads this. Today is Thursday - didn't get a whole lot done today except for going to get a mammogram. That is something that is so important to me. With Felicia passing away with her breast cancer, I tell everyone that will listen to go and get a mammogram. I must have passed it, as they didn't call me back for more x-rays. The gal that did the mammogram also worked at St. Mary's Hospital in the Radiology Department when I did, and we chatted the whole time, and it was a piece of cake. They also have a place right inside the room to put the cassette in and the pictures comes onto the computer for everyone to see. It was amazing. I saw a good sized bleb of something on the screen, but then was told it was only fatty tissue. WHEW. I've got little boobs anyway, and if you take away any of it, I'll be flat chested.

Anyway - enough of that.

Jim is doing very well. He wore himself out the last few days - and between getting the garage in order and the basement, he's driving not only me, but himself crazy. He says that he dreams about what he needs/wants to do that day - woah - take it a little easy until you get your sea legs. LOL

We got our 'real' water in yesterday - it's only taken 40 years to get. I LOVE it. I took a long shower today - the water is so soft - and it only takes a bit of shampoo for my hair to lather up. It was wonderful.

We went to dinner tonight to celebrate the water and the fact that Jim has taught me how to install a carburetor on his John Deere. Yep, I can do that now - along with doing some of the plumbing and some electrical stuff. Not my favorite things to do, but at least now I don't feel as though he has to do everything. He is fairly patient with me when I ask him how to do things.

Tomorrow is the last day of work - and I'll miss my kids until next summer. I stopped with Jim today to see the kids off and had lunch with them. It's only three weeks until we go back to work and I'll be glad to go, although I don't think I'll like the winter again.

That's about it - nothing really new here.

Until next time.

Sunday, Sunday

Good morning to all who care to listen to my voice about things. It's Sunday again, and although Sunday is better than Monday, they are almost neck and neck. Nothing happens around here on Sunday, although it is a day off.

Theresa, John (her new DH) and the kids were here this week. I wish that I had had more time to spend with them, but when either Theresa or Tom comes home, it's always busy with them visiting people they never get to see. I am not one of those pushy Mom's who has to be in the forefront, when they have time, it's OK. John is a very nice person, and I would have liked to have gotten to know him better.

We have a well, which means we have a well pump, and the pump is now not working properly. So, everytime I want water for something, either to flush the toilet, wash the dishes, brush my teeth, etc. I have to go down to the basement to turn on the pump via the breaker. What a pain in the butt, but hopefully by tomorrow night, this will be fixed. We are getting 'city water' finally. I think we are the only people on our road who are still on a well. The only down thing to this is that I'm going to have to give up my spring water - that's part of the bargain. BUT that's ok - not having to depend on a well pump is great - so now even when we lose power, I can still have water coming into the house.

I've been stitching but yesterday I found a BIG error on one of the things I'm model stitching - so I had to frog quite a bit to get back to where the problem was. Hopefully today this will be done and I can get it back to the designer. She's a very patient lady and a true friend.

I will wait to hear from Theresa that she got back home to NC safely. She and the family spent the night at the cottage last night to get an early start this a.m. She still has over a 10 hour drive. I will miss her terribly but good thing I've got a phone that has unlimited talking.

Jim is doing wonderfully on his 4-drain a day dialysis instead of the overnight. He seems to have more pep and energy and is almost like a new man. He still gets tired very easily, but he seems to be getting more things done than in the past. Hopefully this will keep up. Just wish I wasn't tied to the dialysis bags like I am.

I guess that's it for now - will try to keep up my blog better.

Jim's Sick (Again)

OK - he's in the hospital again, no fault of his own, but I'm feeling like such a shit because I'm supposed to be going away this coming Thursday and thinking and blaming him that I might not be able to go. Peritonitis is such a terrible thing to have to happen to a dialysis patient, but I've been taking care of him almost 24/7 for the last two and a half years, and I need to get out of here and away from him for a few days. Jim is not the easiest person to take care of, not physically, but mentally. Physically it's easy - give him his meds, make his meals, remind him to do things that he forgets to do - but mentally seeing him sit in a chair every day because he can't get out and walk around (he's legally blind), gets scared if he walks in the driveway because he can't see the end and might walk into the road. I am going to avidly look into the Association for the Blind to see what is available for him to get out and do. He used to be such a 'get up and go' person, and now it's all gone.

Anyway - cross your fingers for me that things work out and I can get to CT for the retreat. I know in my heart that it's not his fault, but there is always something that comes up that I don't get to do things.

I know, I'm selfish at times, but this time, I really need to go away.

Birthday and Anniversary Woes

OK - I'm on a mission here - a mission to let people know that I exist. Not only on a birthday or an anniversary, but on any given day.

This past Saturday was my birthday - not a milestone one, but one that to me was important nevertheless. My husband completely blocked the day out of his memory bank, and even after I nudged him a few times about what day it was, he wasn't buying. The buying part was the part I was trying to get across. No card, no flowers, no candy, no present, nada. At about 8 pm I told him that he'd better get in contact with the guy who should be coming with either my card, my cake, etc. He refused to see the humor in what I was saying. He's been eating grumble soup for days now. I am speaking to him only if I am spoken to. It's just amazing how many things I can answer 'yes' or 'no' to. Now before you think I'm just a grubbing person, it's been years since he acknowledged my birthday. Sometimes I get a card that he has my daughter pick up for him, and in his defense, he can't drive anymore because he is legally blind. BUT it doesn't take much for him to ask Julie to get a card, and maybe some flowers of the day for me.

Now, since the birthday is over, our anniversary is on Monday - so we shall see what happens on that day after putting up with the nonsense for l8 years. He used to tell me that because my birthday was the end of May and our anniversary was the beginning of June, that two presents weren't needed. Weren't needed - you mean none.

Why are men born without the gene that makes women happy? Or should I say most men? I know gals whose husbands are wonderful - they go shopping by themselves, they pick things out that they know their wife will like/appreciate, and others get nada? Since I have a son, I was adamant that he learn about these things so that whomever they married would not live like I do. LOL

Anyway - got that off my chest now - it's Friday - and hopefully on Monday will have something positive to say - if not, then he's up for the grumble soup again.

Mother's Day

Hello - what exactly is Mother's Day? Is it a day where you are supposed to put your Mom on a pedastal or is it a day that your Mom gets unnoticed, or how do you think your Mom feels when no one remembers until the end of the day? Now, I didn't get unnoticed, all three kids contacted me, and I did get a couple of presents, good presents, but I get presents that I think they would like because "I never know what to get you" or "you have everything already". SO, in that vein, I will tell my children what I'd like, and what I don't have. I would like a pedicure, I would like some new PJ's, I would like a GC for a haircut, and I would like a GC from Barnes & Noble.

If I am so hard to buy for, why can I think of great things to give to me?

Theresa's birthday is Saturday - so a present will be going in the mail on at least Wednesday for her to have it directly on her day. I have put lots of thought into what to get her, and hopefully she'll like it.

I love being a Mom, just not on Mother's Day.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY

Good afternoon. I am in such a dither - we've not had a kitchen sink for two days - that means everything we eat, we either have to use the microwave oven with paper plates, or get take out. Yesterday we went and got Chinese, and today had the leftovers. We did have someone come today and look at the plumbing, but he wanted to tear out everything and have us start again. Where are you supposed to get the money for that I wondered? SO, I have called another plumber and guess what, no call back yet. Guess they have more work than they need, so they don't need any money.

Anyway - have been working very little on my stitching for the past week or so. Am doing better as far as my mental health, but with my knees, elbows, etc. bothering me, am wondering if I have fibromyalgia. Am going to see the MD this month at some point, so will ask and see if this is indeed the FM. Hope not - maybe it's just a healthy dose of arthritis - I know I have this in my knees, but don't know about the elbows.

SO, nothing else new here - Jim is still great - although you wouldn't think so. He still sits in his chair all the time with a blanket on him - and just cannot make him believe that he is not sick. I think he's been sick for so long that he just doesn't comprehend that he could get better.

That's it for now. Adios.

Thursday, close to Friday

Good morning everyone - about time I put into words what's been going on.

I have been stitching some, but not a lot - for some reason, I have been out of sorts. Nothing wrong that I can put a finger on, but just not me. I put in a few stitches, and then get called away for something, and then don't get back to it. BUT this will pass I know.

Have just made an appointment for a mammogram. It's been a couple of years, so it's about time. I still have to call and make an appointment for a DEXA scan and then to see the GYN. The doc I see is wonderful - we talk about computers or billing while he does his exam, so I don't mind going. I've had him for so many years that it's almost a pleasure to see him yearly.

I've been working on planning a retreat for July. The gals and I are all going to be meeting in Connecticut with Barb Cooley from Plum Pudding. She's a really nice person and it'll be good to meet her in person. We have these long talks on the phone, and good thing I use my cell phone or she calls me as she has unlimited long distance.

We have a May Day picnic today at the bus garage. Should be fun.

Well, that's about it for now - will write again soon.