We Had Freezing Rain Today

 Yay, it was fun.  Well, at least since I work at home.  I was safe and warm inside my home.  The bug guy came to spray today, so that was chaos.  We have 4 dogs and 2 of them are chihuahua's so, they bark and bark and bark non stop.  We have to put them all outside while he sprays inside, then we put them inside while he sprays outside.  They were making some weird noises, it was cold out there!  So, it spurred me to say to the guy, "well, we better get going - they are freezing out there"!  He is a talker!

We did mention to him since he is from this area and knows a lot more people than we do...we would love to find our big baby girl a home - it is just too much having 4 dogs and DH health is not great, so I think we have a lot on our plate right now.  We just took them all 4 to the vet and bought their heart worm and flea/tick meds...over $600 for all!  The vet should be ok for rest of the year, but the meds are just 12 weeks for the heart worm prevention and 6 months for the flea/tick.  Well, not totally true - we need to set another appointment for the male chihuahua as he needs his teeth cleaned, that will be another $200-$300.  

I was let off work early friday as our system was giving us issues, so they let us leave 2 hours early.  I was due to drive up to the lake to see my cousins and spend a couple nights with my aunt - one of my cousins has cancer, so I try to be supportive to them.  They have a big family and a lot of support.  My aunt is special to me, she has been such an important person in my life, alway has!  Especially after my mom (her sister) died in 1991.  She means a lot to my sister and me. 

My sister could not go, she and her husband were recovering from covid - said it was very mild.  I was not sure if the weather was going to cooperate with me, was supposed to get bad late Fri night or Sat - so when I was let off work 2 hours early I checked the forecast and was likely to outrun the bad weather - so I did.  Thank goodness the bad weather came Saturday in Mid Missouri.  I worked from the lake that day and they let us log off a half day early - as our computer system was down still.  Yay.  

My aunt spent time at the condo (more about this later!) while her sons were able to spend time at my cousin's house.  We gave them time together and she and I ate frozen pizza, granola bars and microwave popcorn (that's all we had in the condo!).  By Sunday it was at least sunny again (cold!) so we did not have any bad roads to deal with.  Sunday my cousin who is well came over and saw the condo and we went out for breakfast, then we went back over to see my cousin who is fighting cancer.  He went to bed really early Sat night and stayed in bed all day Sunday.  We were all really worried that he would not be able to take his chemo yesterday, but he did.  it was only his 4th dose and I think he has like 8 or 10 planned and he is already feeling so bad!  I HATE it for him.

Anyway, just finishing up with dinner here and i go to bed early on work nights!  Wed night we listen to music and read.  Enjoy your week!

wooooo weeeee i am tired

So I worked my 40 hours early last week, so i could take off at noon and drive up to the city.  I met my work friend B, we had sushi at one of our favorite places, downtown.  It was delicious.  Especially since it has been 11 months since our last sushi!  We had sushi here at this same place Oct 2019 when I had finished my 6 months of work last year.  

Then I spent the night at my Aunt's house and bright and early Friday I went to my dear grandmother's old independent living apartment to start moving her stuff to her new place.  She is moving from a facility to a traditional apartment, but she is right  next door to my aunt (her daughter).  

I completely filled my large SUV 3 times and took to the new place where I had to open 2 fire doors each trip (one with a key) all by myself and go down one flight and up one flight at new place.  It is a nice place where she is going - i just worry it will be so much for my aunt to be her sole caretaker, meal prep, laundry, etc.  But since it is her mother, she did not want to move her to skilled nursing.  So, we bought a baby monitor, an automatic doorbell that rings and flashes a strobe light (my Granny is almost deaf and blind) and we bought a riser for her toilet and bunch of LED light bulbs and night lights.  I moved all her clothes, knick nacks and utility closet.  

At 5:30 I drove back north to where i used to live and I got to see my good friend and went out to dinner with her and her daughter/daughter's family.  It was nice to see them.  They had steaks, even the kids - a 7 year old and a 11 year old - eating steaks.  It was something.  I had shrimp and a baked potato and took most of mine to my aunt.  

Saturday there could only be 2 people at my grandmothers place + movers, so I went up to my friend's farm and picked apples.  2 cousins were there at new place to help organize.  The planning was that my sister and I would finish what the movers did not get on Sunday before i went home.

These are the apples I picked Saturday.  I had a nice time catching up with my friend and his 4 dogs.  He has 200 acres and enjoyed the visit too.  He got us a pizza for lunch.  From Caseys - so good!

Sunday, my sister met me at my Granny's old apartment and helped me with all the kitchen and bathroom stuff, all the pictures on the wall, the window sheers.  On, and her African violets.

Then my cousin and I went and bought the toilet riser, door bell, baby monitor, lights, etc  And I bought her a huge about 3 foot tall clock that we hung right over her TV!  We did some organizing and unpacking and my aunt served her some yummy home made vegetable soup.  Then, i finally got on the road to go home about 5:00.  I got home about 8:30pm.  Man, did my bed feel good!

Here is a picture of my new fountain, it is in the courtyard right outside of our living room/bedroom and it sounds nice.  

It has turned pretty cool here.  I am just getting ready to go for a walk before i start processing (cut up and core) some of the pears and put them in the freezer.  

To help my aunt I have informed the old apartment I am handling my grandmother's account, i wrote them an e/mail yesterday hoping they would waive the 60 days notice and not charge her a month's rent ($1900+) because my aunt did not have 60 days notice when she received word that they could move her mom in to the apartment next to her.  The office manager called me today to ask about the issues i eluded to.  My grandmother fell several times and they never informed us, my grandmother would tell her daughter.  The call button worked off and on and one time after she pressed the button for help, the woman came to assist, then said "I will be right back" and left, never to return!  There were at least 2 times my grandmother was not served any food while being quarantined in her room.  I realize these things happen, now it just depends on how they handle know that we have informed them.  I explained that my aunt called several times and was not getting call backs from people (so she said).  I am not sure how many times/how long she waited for calls back, but i know that does happen.  So, the woman I talked to said she would let us know.  I know much of this is due to covid (my grandmother declined markedly due to her state of mind not having visitors and having hard time feeding herself - all they were feeding were sandwiches, so she could not really open cans of soup or fix herself something if she wanted somethng else).  But, I just don't understand not letting my aunt know about the falls, the office manager said it is not the facility's job to notify family about falls (?).  But it IS their emergency button that each resident depends on (?)  It felt like she was being very defensive and I did not even get the their policy not to let family in to help residents, but they would let hired care people to get in.  When we hired an independant 3rd party in to stay with my grandmother, she FELL ASLEEP WHILE SITTING WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.  UGH, maybe it is just a lot of factors that all came together in a bad way, but i am praying that my grandmother does not have to pay another month ALONG with the cost of this latest move + the $2,500 "community fee" she had to pay to get into this place that she planned to stay longer than just one year.  

Hope you all are well out there and not too isolated.  We are all going to have a long winter.

So I Have Been Busy Again

So I have been busy.  Chiefs winning the Super Bowl.  We watched from home.  This was after I came back from whirlwind trip to city to see my cousin whose mom died (my great aunt and my Granny's best friend). She was 95.

Then I got to see my Uncle who went on hospice and support my aunt.  I am so happy my uncle got to witness another Super Bowl win for his beloved Chiefs.

Then I had to turn around after the visit and pack and go to my Great Aunt's funeral back at the lake in my hometown.  It was nice to see my cousins and all our family from all over...Texas, Colorado, Ariona, Georgia, Missouri...  My sister and my cousins and I rented an Airbnb with a pretty view.

Then we did get to enjoy Super Bowl from our own home, DH and I (and our dogs!),

I have also been lucky enough to enjoy some pretty hikes lately.

I am getting spring fever.

This is what over $100 gets for a funeral now a days.  Crazy.

Back to Friday Feeling

Now that I worked this week, I am back to that feeling of elation that it is Friday.  I need to work on this and recreate it everyday.  Be more conscious of my gratitude for every day.  But, there is no denying that I miss my DH and I miss my dogs and I miss my garden and I especially miss my mattress.

I have slept on a sofa bed since Monday night!  But it is not too bad.  I did yoga again last night with my friend T at our old yoga studio.  The studio that we started going to back in 2012 and enjoyed a session with my old instructer, J.  So nice. 

Then I spent some time visiting with aunt and uncle and uncle has been very interested and entertained by my recounting of all the free food I got this week since I started back...free lunch my first day, free fruit and left overs Tuesday, free cookies from the parking garage Wed (actually $107/month cookies!), free leftovers Thursday and donuts today. 

My uncle has the cheerful happiness of a child, nowadays, more than ever.  What is a blessing.  He always has been really happy and positive, but lately even more.  He will be 85 this year.  He is so loved by everyone.  Just a basic reminder of how much happier we all are when we are around other happy people.

Anyway, he told me last night that his favorite is the apple fritter and I agreed wholeheartedly.  They were so large this morning, that I had to cut mine in half.  It was crunchy around the edge and soft in the middle and lots of frosting.  SOOOO good.  I had not had any treat in a week, so I relished my 1/2 apple fritter this morning.  And I am going directly home from here, so I sent aunt a text with a picture of the donuts so she could show my uncle.  He will get a kick out of it.

I hope you have the equivalent of a nice crunchy, frosted apple fritter today!

Heavy Weekend

Thursday, drove back up to city to see my terminal ill cousin, she was being helped by her brothers.  Her son is an alcoholic and absent.  So that has been very hard on her.  She said her mother so angry at son, mother (my great aunt) was writing him off. 

After that, I drove on up and visited with my Dear Grandmother and took her some cookies.  Then took her tax stuff to tax place, got that done.  I stayed with my aunt.   Had dinner with friend from 3rd grade.  She getting married Memorial weekend.   So we caught up.  Enjoyed chat with my aunt and uncle.   Cant believe how uncle failing.   He has lost 90 pounds since his fall last August.

Friday I talked to my old project manager.  I was a temp fir 11 years.   I can still do projects at my old rate.   Nothing work from home, unfortunately.   Then saw bunch of work friends, then lunch with B and T, my fave.

Friday afternoon visited with aunt and cousin, K1.  They got in argument,  I tried to help.  I failed.   I had coffee with friend T.  She totally understands this type stuff.    By time I got back, aunt was back to normal.  I just want no drama, I guess.  I can see where my experience can help, but of people dont want to try, justcwsnt to be "right" and not respect boundaries   nothing I can do.  So I prefer direct my energy where it matters.

Back by DGM and great Aunt on way home.  I made changes to GA wishes she had written out ( she is 95), but reminded her her grandson is sick and we prayed God gets through to him.   I was honored to try to be there for her such a difficult time st the twilight of her long life.

Tired, spending a day recouping today.

Happy Sunday!

First Weekend in Extended Stay

We are pretty much accustomed to the noises and limited space and limitations of the extended stay hotel.  But, we are sleeping fine and managing to get our meals taken care of and the dogs are adjusting and doing fine.  There are many things that i appreciate such as the limited space to take care of, we are on the southeast corner (cooler than west side) and we can crake the AC and keep it really cool and we are paying for the electric or cable!  haha.  I also noticed that we cannot hear the fireworks in the neighboring housing additions very much which is good for the dogs.
We went out with friends Friday evening who all have June birthdays.  It was good to see our friends we had not seen in a while.  I ended up going to watch BIL band.  We were not going to go this time, since it was so hot and it was outside.  Then DH heard a rumor that one of my favorite singers was going to show up at this small dive venue.  DH told me to go and he was going to hotel to be sure dogs were ok.  Since it was in the opposite side of the city, i went with a girlfriend.  The rumor was false but I had fun.  Sat I shopped for my Granny and visited with my aunt who had been in the hospital for over a week.  Then I went home and DH and I went to a housewarming party for my good friend.  That was nice seeing people too.  We have been so focused on packing and moving, that we had not done much else the past 6 months.  Sun it was cool from an early morning rain and we went to one of our favorite state parks and hiked 3 miles, then lunch.  I got a few groceries and we relaxed Sun evening.  It was a full but fun weekend.

A Weekend Lived Deep

After couple hours at work Friday, went home to be there for home inspection...then walked the dogs and left to pick up my Aunt.  We drove to her son's home, near where I grew up.  Had a lovely meal out with my cousin and aunt Friday.  Sat, I did relatives' cemetery circuit, including my mom's grave.  Then my friend's mom's memorial.  It was a lovely Catholic mass in a quaint little chapel, then we had graveside with her husband's plot.  He passed in 1972.  My friend now has neither parent, like me.  He has a lovely wife and daughter.  I enjoyed visiting with them.  Then, back to cousins and another fun meal out.  My friends even joined us.  It was great.  Then, Sunday 3 hours to my niece's wedding.  it was lovely and fun, quirky just like her and her husband.  My sister and husband were beaming as happy as the bride.  We got to know my niece's husband and his family more.  What a lovely occasion.  I was so happy to meet my nephew's adorable girlfriend too.  My face hurt from so much smiling.  Then 4.5 hour drive home and bed!  Whew, I am tuckered out!

Can This Day be Over Already

So, we had a great visit to another state to visit family and go to a relative's wedding.  The wedding was beautiful, the bride was stunning...Saw so many relatives, far and near.  It was just a great trip.  However, it was also tiring. I drove 8.5 hours Thurs and 9 hours back Sun.  We did take a 30 min detour and pop in to my retirement home on the way back yesterday.  My Uncle got to see my RH and we checked in on the tile work in progress. 
I think I am really going to love it.  Looks really nice with the cool gray and white of my bathroom.  The tile is warm yellowish beige tones.  Warms up the room.  My contractor complimented my choices.  I think all he has left to do is grout and clean up.
It was great to get home to my DH.  He stayed home with the doggies.  He was not thrilled at the prospect of being in the car with my VERY hard of hearing aunt and uncle.  And repeating one self over and over, practically yelling is tiring, but I was honored to be able to drive them and take care of them.  They have done so much for my sister and I.  Letting us come stay with them in the summer, showing me how much they love me, etc.  GREAT people. 
So, DH had dinner ready for me when I got home.  He even did grocery shopping and did some packing!  I was so proud of him and so glad to be embraced in a comforting hug.  Seeing my cousin's lovely young daughter and just all the reminiscing just made me tired and emotional.  So, I just chalked it up to that...then I relized that today is the day my Dear Belated Husband died in 1993 at age 32.  So, I have that making me blue, it is cold a raining here, so that adds to it...it is Monday, eta.
Except those things are not the main source of my emotion today...Our older dog, he is about 11 years old...well he is just not doing well.  He is declining in movement and sleeping a lot, but he still eats and drinks and gets around pretty good.  Well, DH said he has begun intermitten yelping once in a while.  DH thougth at first he was just dreaming, but he did it 3 or 4 times after I got home last night.  I was convinced he waited for me to get home and would not make it through the night, but he did and DH took him to vet today.  I missed 2 days next week, so it is hard to miss this week, but I am leaving early because while he is at the vet having tests, I am just sick to the point of distraction.  I realize he is getting older and I accept that dogs have a much shorter life span that I would wish...but I am really upset thinking it is so near and worrying that he is in distress.  Also, I told my DH I really am going to be devastated when he dies not matter what/when...but the possibility of it being so soon and before we move to Arkansas breaks my heart into a million pieces.  I see the pain in DH eyes too.  So, we have to be strong and grateful for every second with him. 
Wish us luck.  I will try to be back tomorrow.  Have a great Monday.  My lovely cousin is off to her enchanted honeymoon, where I bask in the happiness of my cousin - its her daughter and she is so happy.  I am going to hang on to that, because they are both special to me. 

Birthday Flowers

Forgot to post a picture of my flowers I got from DH Friday for my birthday.  I had a great day.  We had a nice seafood dinner at a restaurant I had aa gift car for.  Then, Sat went out with 6 girlfriends to celebrate couple of our birthdays in March.  DH and I wanted to use our gift cards we got for Valentine's Day for massage, but they were booked solid, so we are going to try for this Sat.

I thought we were going to go to RH this weekend, but we aren't.  Our master bath is torn up by contractor redoing shower and floor - DH also used this opportunity to replace both master and guest toilet.  So, we gained another weekend to do stuff in the city.  I will work on freshening up some trim paint and more deep cleaning/packing.  We hope to get our massages too!  I told DH after this move is finished, we are going to have an entire spa day!

Friday I am going to get my brows tweezed professionally for a wedding I have next week in Texas.  I am driving my Aunt and Uncle.  DH staying home.  It will be a nice break. 

The weather finally really pretty today.  Will be high of 70's!  I hope you have a great day where you are.  Last night helped DGM with her bookkeeping.  I have such a hard time with it.  Should be easy, but is such a mental block for me.  So, she is good for another few weeks.