Don't Waste the Wonderful

I cannot say that I am sorry to see February go.

In my January planning phase, I had different ideas about how my February was going to play out than what actually happened.

Needless to say, I am well aware that one does not always get what one wants.

Although I AM happy to report that my dad is improving and REALLY wants out of the nursing home. The upside to his being there? He has been able to see for himself that my mom is very content at 'the home'. It is not a sad place for her at all.

In my dad's case, he hasn't felt this good in months and wants to get back to his life of going places and doing things.

Making a tu-tu wasn't on my list of things to do in February either, but yesterday I made one for Famke. I was busy playing 'catch up with the laundry' when I stepped into my sewing room to grab the scissors. Right next to the scissors was a spool of tulle and a short length of pink ribbon. "HEY!" I thought. Soon, I had a tu-tu. So much for the laundry...

Last year I won a copy of the book "The Chronicles of Narnia" in a random contest at Brandywinebooks.net. Since I had never actually sat down and read them for myself I thought that would be a good thing to do while I am donating blood plasma. So far, I have read "The Magician's Nephew", "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", and am part of the way through "A Horse and His Boy".

Tonight I had to remind THGGM that I had a WONDERFUL day today. That's because he looked at me and announced, "I feel like we wasted the whole day."

Hmmm. What feels like a GREAT day to me, feels like a waste to him.

Much to ponder. This might be because he did not get to completely revamp a room, changing both it's color and it's furniture. The man LOVES to paint. And rearrange.

Well, I guess I'd better put away my Valentine's day stamps until next year. My plan was to send Valentines since I missed with the Christmas Cards.

We did do some thrift and antique shopping today. To see my purchases visit http://www.simplythrift.blogspot.com/ .

(i need to start a blog called simplythIRft, since that is how i usually spell it.., i miss my brain.., )

Got Milk?

These two are waiting for me to arrive with my cup of coffee.

I had to go back for the camera.

They take their milk break very seriously.

Ten Months Until Christmas

Really, truly.

Ten Months.

That is all.

Every year I SAY I'm going to do this, but so far I haven't.

I think it's a good idea though, so I shall pass it on to you.

Whenever you buy/make a birthday present this year, buy/make that person's Christmas present also.

And, if you do this, tell me how it works.

Pachelbel Meets the Little Drummer Boy

This is a scene from my day on Monday.

By Tuesday, I was out-smarted which, with the major migraine that has been inhabiting my head lately, isn't hard to do.

In the afternoon while we were happily making musical instruments out of Tinker-Toys, Jonge looked at me with an absolutely irresistible expression and said "Hey, Beppe! Why don't you play the piano?"

Me? He wants ME to play the piano? Is the boy developing a keen sense for the classics? How COULD I refuse him?

So, I did not refuse him.

I played.

Only to notice that he had left the room.

Where was he?

Apparently, he figured out that piano playing is an all-consuming event for me and this gave him time to open up my 'random acts of unfinished crafts' drawer and find something strange yet interesting to play with.

He found two 'pom-pom' makers, and I spent the rest of the afternoon showing him how unfun making tiny pom-pom's out of thick yarn really is.

A Happy Visit to the Nursing Home

This week Daughter is training full-time for her new job.

THGGM started work at 5:00 AM.

I'm still scratching my way out of a deep deep very deep migraine fog.

So, just for fun we decided to take an afternoon trip to the nursing home to see Pa and Grandma.

Jonge and Famke are used to seeing Pa several times a week. They were a little bit concerned about Pa's O2, but got over that quickly.

Grandma was SO happy to see them, too!

We got there just after the afternoon activity.

Pa and Grandma were enjoying punch and peanut butter cookies and were happy to share with us.

I think my dad looks great, and I want to get him home. Apparently, nursing homes do not follow strict low-sodium diets. They just do not add any extra salt.

This cannot be a good diet for my dad, as salt is his enemy. But, he is doing well with his physical therapy.



I got to feed Grandma her pudding - pudding full of extra nutrients. She is doing very well and this month gained three more pounds.

The chocolate pudding looked really good to Famke, who is trying to trade Grandma her peanut butter cookie for the pudding.

Here, Grandma gives the cookie back to her.

Now that my dad has a 'backpack' for the O2 he is moving around the home freely.

When we left, Famke called out, "I LOVE YOU!"

It was a very good visit, for all six of us.

Random Meanderings

Does this not look like Famke is wearing a lit hat?

I'm presently trying to claw my way out of a rather nasty migraine fog. That isn't going so well.

Due to that, and being unbelievably tired, I have only a few very random thoughts.

Very few.

Let's see...

Today is Saturday.

THGGM had yesterday off. We had big plans. None of them happened.

Today we had plasma donating appointments, which meant we had to drive in horrible conditions to get there.

Thankfully, we were both able to donate this time. I had to sit out two due to some odd reason. On our way home we came very close to being knocked off the face of the earth by a pick-up truck with a plow who thought he could just pull out into traffic like it was the 4th of July. I was too tired to scream.

THGGM dropped me off at my favorite thrift store right after that. My heart was still pounding. I wasn't in the store five minutes when a shelf FULL of china came crashing down right in front of me. I would have bought some, too. It was Buffalo restaurant china. It WAS, although now all it is is bits and pieces of china. What I did buy is pictured at SimplyThrift http://www.simplythrift.blogspot.com/

The roads were so horrible today that I did not get to the nursing home to visit my mom and dad. Although, I did talk to my dad a few times today. He had physical therapy at 7:00 this morning. I'm so glad that he is a morning person. He now has twenty white socks with his name printed neatly on the bottom.

I've finished reading "The Magican's Nephew" and have started "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

I'm on my way to go do that right now.

That's because I was tired ALL DAY. Now that it is approaching midnight, "The Wiggles" have begun singing Turkey in the Straw, Black Velvet Band, and English Country Garden in my head all at the same time.

Migraines are cruel. I would not wish them on my worst enemy. Even though at last check I didn't have any enemies.

There IS going to be an end to this 'always winter' scenerio going on outside my window, isn't there?!

Please say yes.

Guest Photographer

Jonge took this picture of Famke today. I think he did a very good job!

And, an update.

Tomorrow my dad will be moved from the hospital to have his rehab at the home my mom lives in.

(I have a headache.)

My Morning

Hospitalized or not, my dad calls me at exactly 8:10 every morning. He is just like that. If he says he will do something, he does it.

Today, he did not call at 8:10. Right away, I knew something was up. Most likely he'd been taken to x-ray or was doing physical therapy in the hallway, I thought.

At 8:30 his doctor called. Heart-failure-wise, he had made great improvement. Infection-wise, things are clearing up.

But..,

We all know that there is ALWAYS a but.

He was confused and disoriented.

But then, aren't we all?

He hadn't been able to breathe well for days and had been fighting an infection,

and was also sleep deprived.

Sleep deprived?

I've seen my dad when he is awakened from a deep sleep. He CAN be a bit disoriented. This happened two weeks ago when I woke him up from a nap.

That was NOTHING like what he was like today. NOTHING.

If it wasn't so scary, it would have been funny.

I got to the hospital expecting to sign him out and drive him home.

What I found was a confused and disoriented dad trying to figure out where he was.

He thought he was at a school, but didn't know which one. He could not remember the who, what, when or why about getting there.

He was seeing numerous things that I was not seeing. Condos being built, murals being painted on walls, animals in cages, to name just a few.

The hospital had him on a 'bed watch' as he had been found wandering the halls during the night looking for my mom.

At one point he tried to crawl under the bed, because he could not figure out why it was up like it was.

And, he tried to take apart the bed tray because he insisted that there was a fork stuck in it.

Of course, there was NO WAY I was taking him home in that condition. I hope to NEVER ride in the back of a police car again, looking for a parent.

His nurse went over his medications with me, and nothing seemed to be enough of a change to cause this.

So, they labeled it 'sleep deprivation'.

He didn't even look to be a teensy bit tired.

If you know my dad, he is a man of few words. Very few words.

Except for today! He was extremely talkative and entertaining.

Two nurses settled him into bed after lunch. I turned off his TV and closed the curtains. Then, it seemed best that I leave so he would stop talking and GO TO SLEEP.

I went home. Wrote my sisters an email. Curled up on the couch with my cat and went to sleep.

Tonight, THGGM talked to the night nurse on duty at the hospital.

Was dad doing better?, he inquired.

MUCH better, she said.

They now believe it was an adverse reaction to AMBIEN.

AMBIEN??? He cannot TAKE sleep aids! EVER!

Hmmm. Seems this should have been on his chart when I talked to the day nurse this morning!

And, now it all makes sense.

I am going to bed. I am going to read. I am going to sleep.

Soon, I shall be listed as one of the dangerous side effects of Ambien.

What I'm Reading

I've got one chapter left to go in "Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass". I'm in no rush. It's such an enjoyable book!

Still cannot believe I've made it to 50 without reading all of "The Chronicles of Narnia". I'm starting with "The Magician's Nephew". Now I know how the lamp post came to be in Narnia. Today, while searching for a misplaced pillow case in my linen closet I was tempted to climb in and see if there might be something else back there.., although it can never be 'only winter but never Christmas', please. I've had enough winter already.

But, I've cast those books aside to read "Dancing with Rose". Kris recommended this book to me, and since we share a lot in common, I ordered it at Amazon.com knowing that if she liked it, so would I.

What an amazing book!

If you have known, know, or will know someone who has had, does have, or will have Alzheimer's (that means YOU!) you will gain much from reading this book. Much!

But you don't have to take MY word for it, Kris liked it too.

And in other news...

My dad should be coming home from the hospital tomorrow. His infected leg is much improved and he is no longer connected to IVs or O2.

He tends to bounce back from these episodes much faster than I do.

You Might as Well Laugh

Oh, I am tired. It's after midnight and I should be in bed. Instead, I am losing to myself in Pathwords, which for some strange reason relaxes me.

Anyway...

My dad seems to be making some improvement. I still haven't talked to his doctor yet. They are removing fluids and also taking a closer look at the ankle that has been giving him so much trouble lately. Something on his chart caused him to be put into isolation, but no one 'in the know' has any idea why. This isn't much of a hardship, as it means he gets a private room. And I get to play 'dress up' with cool gowns and rubber gloves. I take my entertainment anyway I can get it.

THGGM arrived home at the same time I did. We made the hasty decision to go out for dinner.

Remember how I have been trying to go for a more 'vintage 40s' look in my kitchen? I've been experimenting with vintage linens flung over wobbly old wooden kitchen chairs. It's a charming look, in my opinion anyway.

Although it wasn't so charming when THGGM took off his jacket at the restaurant only to discover that he had been WEARING a vintage strawberry print table runner. He must have grabbed that too when he took his jacket off the back of the chair he had hung it over.

Our waitress was very sweet, but it was the 'early bird' hour and I must say that I admire her for the kindness she was showing to the elderly crowd. The couple behind us could only be described as rude. Yet she patiently answered every one of their questions. The very same questions, numerous times. They had menus, but didn't seem to care to read them. Just ask me, and I could repeat back to you EVERY soup, vegetable, and dressing available. And, I could tell you that you may choose ONE side with a sandwich and TWO sides with a dinner. I only know this because I heard it SOOOOOOOOOO many times.

Of course, we looked weird too, as we had a vintage table runner with us.

Dinner was lovely. I have no idea what THGGM had, but I had the Chicken Monterrey (TWO sides - green beans, and salad with blue cheese dressing).

THGGM had some sort of hamburger. He asked our overworked waitress for ketchup but before she could get it she was hailed over by the rude couple.

We were in a hurry and I was hungry (ONE side with his 'sandwich', so I had more food to eat). Most likely this is why THGGM was noticing my food more than he was noticing his. Or at least I hope that is why he leaned across the table and said to me:

"That's an awfully small breast you've got there."

Listen. Can You Hear That?

It is very windy here right now.

I'm listening to the plastic that is covering my breeze-way windows as it flaps around. It isn't a pleasant sound.

Late this afternoon I had to call an ambulance to take my dad to the hospital.

When he called me he could just barely talk, he was so very short of breath.

It was nap time over here. I don't have a car and had two sleeping children. So there wasn't much else I could do BUT call an ambulance.

His doctor's office requested that he be taken to Butterworth Hospital as they have the city's Heart Center. I made this request when I called.

Daughter made it here quickly and I waited for THGGM to drop me off at the hospital.

This would have worked just fine.

Except that he wasn't at the hospital I was dropped off at.

He was at Blodgett Hospital.

Thankfully, Youngest Son and Cousin Chris arrived first, caught the error and came to my rescue. I cannot begin to tell you how happy that made me. I believe it was at this very moment that the migraine that had been trying to dance in my head all day went away.

What a wet and nasty drive it was from one hospital to the other.

But, I arrived.

Of course, by the time I arrived my dad had already been there for nearly two hours.

He'd had blood work, x-rays and knew he would be spending the night.

This same thing happened last June.

I'm hoping that the hospital stay helps him as well this time as it did then.

One can always hope, and pray.

Brothers

Yup. That's what she will have in June.

Another brother.

It's going to be a BOY!!!

Jonge is just a touch upset.

He wanted it to be another sister.

Which, says A LOT about how much he loves his little sister.

Did I Actually SAY That?

THGGM and I didn't have the time to go to the 50% off sale at our favorite thrift store until the very last day.

Yet, we left with a bag full of treasure.

I commented to him:

"Isn't it great to know that we want the junk that other people who want junk don't want"?

Great, just great.

He didn't actually SAY that with words, but the rolling of his eyes deep into the back of his head said it all.

Not So Random Thoughts

Yesterday was one of those rare winter days in Michigan when the sun shines, the wind blows, and the temperature reaches into the 50's.

It was also the day that my favorite thrift store was still having a 50% off sale.

THGGM, who isn't much into MY kind of thrift shopping got there as soon as the door opened. He bought that thing he has had his eye on for weeks and weeks, just waiting for this particular sale. After he paid for it, he came home to get me.

Such a busy Saturday we had. Thankfully, in the middle of all the running around we had our blood plasma donation appointments. That gave us an hour of "rest" before we hit the road again.

We went out for lunch, antique shopping and even to the mall.

It felt really GOOD to get out.

That brings me to my not so random thought.

I have a deep and long time struggle with agoraphobia.

Today, wild horses could not have dragged me from my house.

I'm just sayin'.

Oh, and many of my happy finds from yesterday are newly posted on my Simply Thrift blog at www.simplythrift.blogspot.com

Clinique

Oh, Clinique, my one remaining extravagance!

Those deals they have, where you spend so much and you get a bunch of stuff for free.

I love that!

And, it coincided with the arrival of our income tax return.

Ten Things I Do Every Day

I am borrowing this from Karen at Over the Back Yard Fence (www.overbackyardfence.blogspot.com), a lovely place to visit!

TEN THINGS I DO EVERY DAY

1. Drink two mugs of coffee, to wake up.

2. Read from the Bible, a read-through-in-a-year NIV, because I need this.

3. Catch the news and weather updates at 7:55, to know what's going on.

4. Talk to my dad on the phone, because I love him.

5. Make the bed, one of THGGM's simple requests of me.

6. Feed the cat, to stop the whining.

7. Check my e-mail, because someone might write to me.

8. Play Pathwords, because I've become addicted to catching up with Daughter.

9. Pick up something, start reading it, and lose all sense of time, because I'm me.

10. Watch "The Wiggles", because one can never have enough 'ear worms'.

Friday Is It?

Often on Fridays I find myself wondering why I wanted it to BE Friday all week long.

Fridays around here are not all that fun.

Machines are humming a happy tune, making dirty things clean and all that, but still. It is I who must prompt them to do their singing.

It took me over an hour just to pick up and sort all of the fun Jonge, Famke and I had in the living room all week.

I am STILL looking for three dice (die? dye? dices?) and a small thin blue triangle and a small thick yellow triangle. Were could they be? The living room isn't all that big.

I should not be surprised. The 'Baby Jesus in the manger' figure hasn't shown up yet. I'm not putting the rest of the nativity away until it's found.

Although I did find a pacifier that has been missing for over a month, and half of a peeled orange.

And just to keep it all interesting, my dear old cat did TWO separate nasty things on my kitchen floor. I don't think he is doing so well lately. At this precise moment he would be delighted (his glazed green eyes tell me) if I would feed him. I'm not too eager to do that quite yet. Were there homes for aged cats, old Uncle Barb would be there.

Next on my list is to break for lunch.

My FAVORITE ever Friday lunch.

Two mugs of coffee and a bowl of popcorn.

Do I know how to live, or what?

(or what. i know, i know...)

English Country Garden

The very first song that I ever learned to play by ear on the piano was a simple little tune, but I have no clue where I picked it up. I had never known the words.

Often I would play it just to ask someone what it was.

No one knew.

Well, not that I asked HUNDREDS of people, I really don't know very many people.

But this is one of my very earliest memories.

I even remember that the piano that we had was sort of a pale gray color with flecks in it.

This week, while watching "The Wiggles" with Famke, they began singing a song that went:

"How many kinds of sweet flowers grow in an English country garden?"

THAT'S IT!

Famke seemed really excited about it too.

Not that she understood.

Althouhg I do sometimes 'borrow' her keyboard to tap it out, so she was at least somewhat familiar with my need to bang out that tune from time to time.

Okay. So no one cares but me.

But just know that I am supremely happy to FINALLY know the name of the song after over forty-five years.

And the words? They do not ring a bell in the least. It was only the tune that I recalled.

Carry on.

A Moment from My Day

The short video is a random moment from yesterday. We had a great time rolling dice and seeing who got the highest number. In the background, Jonge is loading up his pockets with the dice. I found a baggie full of them for 25 cents at the thrift store. Several days worth of fun already!

Famke is all about "The Wiggles" which is what she is saying with varying degrees of success. I would follow her anywhere, which is actually a wise thing for me to do. Especially since I do like knowing where the remote is.

I've only the brain power for random thoughts lately. Really REALLY random thoughts. So here they are:

I wish I were as fat as Jessica Simpson.

Why didn't they just have ONE weather report back in November that said "Cold and Snow for Months and Months" and then pink-slip the weathermen until they can think of something GOOD to say.

"Alice in Wonderland" is such an enjoyable bedtime read. Lewis Carroll certainly had a handle on dreams.

If I could be given a grant to study any one thing, I would study dreams. Especially the dreams of THGGM. His dreams are incredible. Mine are boring, just the way I like it.

I am seriously enjoying making bread.

I've totally had enough of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight". The kids are still cute and all that, but the 'my kids deserve this' pushed me over the edge.

Seriously. I LOVE being a mom, and am my utmost happiest being a grandma, but EIGHT kids at a time? What was that California woman thinking? Whatever the species, one must first count the number of nipples on the mother before proceeding. I wish those eight newborn babies well, but someone PLEASE get this mother help. And not just the diaper changing kind. Something looooong term. I truly hope this woman does NOT get a TLC show.

I DO like to watch the Duggars though. Last night I turned to THGGM and told him the secret to the Duggar family. Mrs. Duggar never has the opportunity to experience PMS. Wouldn't it be fun to just ONCE watch her lose it?

I still don't have a 2009 calendar.

Could someone get a note to President Obama about pointing the end of his pen towards his shoulder? It's not the 'done thing' to write with a hook like that. Unless of course one is writing in calligraphy. Even I do that then.

Daughter got a new job! We are all very pleased. Especially in this economy. She had applied for it earlier, then turned it down. This time, they came to her. Even though she is pregnant, they still want her.

Now I am off to plan an exciting activity for the young crowd. What should we do today...

Only a Month Late

This weekend THGGM took Jonge to Build-a-Bear as part of his birthday present.

His birthday is January 1st, but things are so crazy then that we had meant to hold off for a week, then two, then there were storms, then there was illness, then FINALLY they went this weekend.

Although Jonge didn't know anything about it until they were actually there. Somethings we do learn with age.

Anyway.., as they were driving into the parking lot Jonge found a parking place. THGGM, as he is wont to do was looking for a better spot.

Jonge called out to him from the back seat saying, "Pake! I am SERIOUS. You need to park right there!."

I am 'SERIOUS'? Where DO they get this stuff?

Seriously.

Anyway, Jonge made a really cute Koala. He is wearing a Detroit Pistons jersey and he named him Braeden. Cute name. What a funny kid.