Trying to get Mom settled.

Some of you who have been visiting here awhile may recall that I've been trying to get my mother to move to another place. She lives in a 30 year old mobile home that has seen it's better days and now is having trouble getting ready for the new analog conversion that is taking place for TV signals. She changes her mind from day to day as to whether she is willing to move elsewhere or stay where she is. She's in her right mind but very forgetful. It's been such a stresser for me and yesterday after talking to my SIL, it seems that right now, I'm in this alone. They are having their own issues and may have to move. I've called around at various apartment complexes. Subsidized houses which is the only thing that Mom could afford on her own has years waiting lists. I found one that may be vacant by June 1 - a one bedroom for a price that she can't afford on her own. I've come to the conclusion that my budget can't stand the extra expense either, at least for a sustained amount of time. So, I'm back to trying to get better TV reception, perhaps with a DISH network and finding someone to fix some of her flooring. She does not want to move in with me, even if my landlord would be agreeable. And, personally, I don't think it would work either. It's becoming very stressful and I'm wondering if all this is why I'm not sleeping well lately.

I've also been thinking about my upcoming Disney vacation the first part of June. Though reports are mixed, there doesn't seem to be any confirmed reports of swine flu in Florida yet although, there was a rumor about someone coming from Mexico to join family at Disney World. If this gets out of hand, I really am wondering about the wisdom of going to a place that has such crowds. I have about 3 weeks to make up my mind and still cancel and receive my deposit back. Not sure what to do. If it was just me, I'd go ahead and back out but this trip also involved me son and DIL.

On a positive note, it sure is nice to be back at our own facility. We are up to 7 residents now, with another coming on Friday. I love getting in my car after work and being home in 5 minutes!

I'm off to visit some of you and see what's going on in your lives.
Until later...

Starting out the week tired!

I don't know why it is lately that I'm having such a difficult time with my sleep. I'm so tired when I hit the bed but can't get to sleep and then when I do, it's fitful. This morning, I'm so sleepy and so it will mean getting a nap in before work today. I've learned to feel less and less guilty when I unplug the phones and do that. It's become a necessity.

I can't begin to describe just how thankful I am to be back at my own facility at work! We all are so happy. I only had three patients last night. The others are being moved over today. It was a slow night but I didn't mind. It was just so good to be "home"!

I've been reading about the outbreaks of the swine flu that are becoming global. It's a scary thought to think of something as virile as that going all over the world. I've heard of no cases in Florida as of yet. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid, but it makes me rethink my trip to Disney in June. I'll see how things go. I'm thankful that so far, the strains here in the US have been mild.

I had a very enjoyable lunch with my friend on Saturday. Her jasmine is in full bloom and it was nice to sit on her porch and sip iced tea and take in the fragrance. Later we went to an Italian restaurant that she had heard about - very good food and a lovely atmosphere. Cannolis are my down fall but I managed to not succumb - mostly because I was so full from my meal. We always enjoy our time together.

My grand son leaves for Marine boot camp on May 11 and my daughter is getting teary eyed thinking about it. He is her first-born and my first grand child and it's difficult to think of him growing up and doing this. His parents had a going-away party for him on Saturday night and it sounds like it was a huge success. He's very excited about the future and looking forward to going to San Diego.

I've really felt like a lazy slug the last few weeks. I have so many things I want to get done but just don't seem to have the energy. And now that Mom is again agreeable to move out of her mobile home, there is the difficulty in finding her a place she can afford and then moving her. It's not something I'm looking forward to.

Well, I guess I'll close here and try to get something done before work. My Simple Woman's Day Book entry is up and running should you be interested. Have a great day!

At last!!!

I got a call from work today that my hospice house is opening back up today and so when I go back to work on Sunday, I will be "home"!
I'm so relieved. I'll have 3 patients with the rest coming on Monday. Words cannot describe how happy I am at not having to drive so far to and from work any longer!

I've got all sorts of plans for working around home this weekend - some rearranging and cleaning. Let's see just how much of it gets accomplished. I've felt so sleep deprived this week. I haven't gotten home so tired from work after the 45 minute drive that I guess, I'm over tired and can't get to sleep right away. Last night was no exception. So, my ambition is a bit lagging this morning. We'll see just how much I get accomplished.

We've been under red flag warnings and a burn ban all week. I see no rain in the immediate forecast or for all next week. This is our dry season so no really big surprise but I'd like to see some rain soon. We have a lot of state forests near here and if they caught on fire - it could be bad. I understand that South Carolina is battling that now.

Well, I guess I'll visit some of you all for a few minutes and then try to put my weekend plans into action. Or maybe just take a nap!

Have a lovely day and weekend!

Up early

I took yesterday off work to assist my mother with some banking issues etc that needed to be taken care of. This morning I've had to get up early for a team meeting at work. My supervisor has wanted to have one of these for some time. As a team, we seem to have had a lot of issues: work related and interpersonal that need some straightening out. I think that this situation with our facility being closed temporarily has helped in many ways. I think it has brought us closer together. When we run into each other at other work venues, we're so happy and relieved to be together.

Word has it that the needed inspection at the facility went very well on Monday. Now we were are just waiting for the paperwork to be finished. Nobody knew on Monday when the move would take place to move back "home". The con census was "sometime next week" to "maybe the end of this week". I hope Maura has something more concrete info for us today. I am very tired of the long travel after midnight!

My grand daughters found out their parts for their local production of "Wizard of Oz". Candace is the wicked witch. Molly has three parts - the manicurist, a tree and a "winkie". They'll be hard at it with rehearsals until mid July. These productions are pretty intense - near professional in their caliber. Last year they did "High School Musical". I'm planning on going to see it in July.

Not much else going on right now. I'm planning a low intensity weekend. I have so much I want to do around the house, so except for a trip to the grocery store, I'm staying put.

Have a great day!

Some chit chat

I intended to post yesterday but just didn't get around to it. In fact, I didn't get much of anything done yesterday except trying to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Doc's appointment on Friday went well. The vet and I decided to split up his injections and so he only got the rabies one on that day. He didn't have any reaction at all which was a relief. In a couple of weeks I'll get him in for the rest. He also needs to have his teeth cleaned and we're planning on that for June. He has to be anesthetized for that.

Friday evening, I had a very pleasant time with my son Mike and DIL. We're planning a Disney World get-together in June for his birthday which will be so much fun. His band's CD is just about ready for release. It's in post production and mixing. I'm very excited to get it! They also have t-shirts and bumper stickers and I got some of those as well.

My hope is that I will be back in my own facility by the end of the week. There are inspections to be done on the 21st and 22nd (which I find out weren't done correctly at the opening) and hopefully, we can begin moving back in on the 23rd. Until then, I don't know where I am being sent to work until at least noon of that day when I call into general staffing. I hate that uncertainty but what can I do? Oh well, I thankful to have a job.

We've been having such pleasant weather lately! Temps have been in the 50's and low 60's at night and high 70's to low 80's during the day. So glad to be enjoying it before the really hot temps set in.

My grand daughters in Oklahoma have been auditions since yesterday for their community's yearly drama production. This year they are doing the "Wizard of Oz" - complete with "Over The Rainbow". Both Candace and Molly are hoping for some principal roles. I plan on visiting them all in July to see one of the shows. That will be fun.

Oh well - not much else to report. I'll be back tomorrow with my Simple Woman's Day book. Hope you all are having a lovely day.

Vet appointment and grocery shopping

That pretty well sums up what my day will be. I have to get Doc his yearly shots. I really dread it because he was so miserable after his rabies shot last year. But, it's got to be done.

Work is so stressful lately - I can't even begin to describe. Last night was a particularly awful shift! A patient of mine died (which was expected) but I couldn't get her pain free and relaxed during the process. Her family was very upset and I was upset. Sometimes families wait too late to get hospice in and I think that was the case here. I hardly slept when I got home thinking about it. Sometimes it's very frustrating.

Hopefully, we'll be back in our own facility by the end of next week. We don't know for sure until probably the day before we would move back. I'm am praying that it will happen quickly. I'm being sent to a care center 45 minutes away and it's very tiring!

Not much else to talk about and I'd better scoot or I'll be late for Doc's appointment. Hope you all are doing well! I'll check in again later.

An award!

I have an award! It actually came from two lovely blog friends - the first one came Thursday and the other yesterday! I apologize for getting it up so late. Life has just gotten in the way! My kind friends were:
Barbara at The Ivy Path and
Joyce at Mom's Musings.
Thank you so much, my friends for the award and kind words.

The rules are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

Because of my lateness and time element today, I'm listing the names of those who have been special to me but without comment. But, each of these lovely ladies are such a treasure trove to visit and never fail to encourage me when I'm down or need a special visit from them! They are truly the sisters I never had! Thanks to all of you!

1. Susan at Susan's Sayings
2. Deb at A Fine Feathered Nest
3. Charlotte at Cozy Home Cottage
4. Suzanne at Create Fun & Mess
5. Darylynn at Darylynn.com-ments
6. Marge at Living Little
7. Kathy at My Home & Heart
8. Katy at The Country Blossom
9. Judy at My Grateful Heart
10. Molly at Molly's Country Memories

Well, gotta go. My work is sending me about 50 minutes away from my home to work at another of their care centers until my facility opens back up again. Hopefully, sometime next week! It sure isn't fun driving home for 45-50 minutes after midnight! Pray for me!

Have a great day!

Tornado watch

As you can tell by my icons, I'm having some rather stormy weather this morning. We're under a tornado watch until 2 pm. I hope the worst of it is over before I go to work.

I am feeling better and am headed back to work today. It feels good to be getting back to normal things. Thank you all for your concern and thoughts.

Not much going on here so this will be a pretty boring post if I don't cut it short. I have some laundry to catch up on and some straightening to do. I've tried to keep up with dishes while I was ill, but not much else and the place looks pretty shabby.

Hope you're all doing well. Have a great day and I'll check in again in a day or so.

Food poisoning?

This will be a short post. I did my Simple Woman's DayBook entry but that's about as ambitious here as I'm going to get.

I think I was suffering from food poisoning over the weekend that has extended into today. Mom and I had lunch Friday at Applebees and then later I had a sub at a local sub shop for dinner. I don't think it was the Applebees as Mom had the very same thing and she was fine. But that night I started vomiting which later turned into diarrhea. Today, I can tell I'm dehydrated. I'm thinking that it must have been the sub I ate. Whatever it was, I lost an entire weekend!

Hoping you all are having a great start to the week. I'm in hopes mine will get better!

What the day is all about.

Anyone remember the "BC" comic strips. They were created by a very talented artist, Johnny Hart who passed away in 2007. They could be funny, irreverant and thought provoking. They still continue today, I understand, even after Johnny's death with his children at the drawing board.

Each Easter morning for years, Johnny created a special strip which left no doubt where his heart was. I collected a few of them and I wish I had a scanner to be able to include one here. The first Easter edition I came across was a poem written my Wiley, the peg legged caveman who was a quite a character. He was also a poet. Here is the poem, unfortunately without Johnny's wonderful art.

"What is this day all about?
Hiding eggs for kids to rout?
Cakes and cookies shaped like lambs?
Pink chapeaus on pink madams?
That's not what it's all about!
Who got buried then got out?
Leaving no one any doubt,
'He is risen, hear them shout!'
That's what this day's all about."

Wishing you all a very special Resurrection Sunday!

Weather report, family news..the usual

We have warm, sunny temps this morning after having a couple of nights of cold again. Some areas of the country had snow again...in April! My two fur babies are lying in a patch of sun on the floor and are loving it!

I am so thankful to be off work for a couple of days after my shift tonight. Work is continuing to be stressful - not the work per se but dealing with the management. It looks like it will be at least the 23rd before we can move back into our facility and that will be if all goes well with inspections. I wish I even knew the whole story of how this all had to happen to begin with but we are still pretty much in the dark. I honestly don't know how much longer I can hold out here. It's not the job itself that gets to me but the management and their decisions. It's a very frustrating place to work right now!

I am having lunch with my mother on Friday but lunch with friends, originally scheduled for Saturday has been put off until next week. I have no great plans for this weekend except to relax and perhaps attend a Passover service on Saturday night. That depends if Mom feels up to going. With work the way it is, I feel beat by the end of the week and don't have much ambition for anything. Sad.

Some of you have commented on the visits from my male neighbor. He hasn't been around since Sunday although he was out checking his mail and waved at me as I went by to go to work. I saw him out of the corner of my eye but didn't acknowledge his wave. I sound so rude and unfriendly, don't I? I guess I just don't want to encourage anything. Hopefully, he is taking the hint and looking elsewhere for a girl friend.

My Vermont son has informed me that he and the family are pulling up stakes and moving to Tennessee in a month or two. They've had it in their mind to do that for awhile and the last winter pretty much convinced them. They always wanted to live in a New England state and gave it a try but the winters there are so severe and the cost of living very high. So, they're coming back near where they were when they lived there before. It will be closer for me to visit now. I never did get up to Vermont while they were there. I had always intended to and had planned to visit my home town in upstate New York when I did....but I don't think that will ever be.

My daughter and her family in Oklahoma have taken in a foreign exchange student from Korea. The original host she was placed with was no longer able to accommodate her and since she was friends with my grand daughters, it seemed a very good solution for them all. She's very sweet, I understand and since she will be with them until December, I'll have a chance to meet her when I visit in July.

To round out the family news....my son Mike and his band are finishing up recording and mixing their CD and it is supposed to be out in a couple of months. They are very excited about it all and have some shows booked for the next few months, some as far away as Nashville and Illinois. For those of you who don't know, he is in a Christian rock band called Stria. Their pre-release is up on their record label's myspace. Stria's song comes up automatically but if it doesn't you can scroll down and find it there. Just another plug for the son!

I'm off to visit some of you now and see what's going on in your lives. Hope you all are having a lovely day!

A rainy, dreary Monday!

I woke up to rain and wind and it's pretty ferocious out there right now. I was able to get my mail out to the box before it got too bad and now I hope I won't have to chase my garbage can down the street. (It's garbage collection day today!)

The latest word at work is that the soonest we can hope to move back to our own facility is April 23rd. That is, if all the inspections go okay. We are so wanting to get back to our own building and to a semblance of order!

I have a new complication in my life. There is a man across the street who has come over to my house two days in a row, just to say "hi". He's probably in his 70's and in an electric scooter because he's waiting for a hip replacement. He told me Saturday that his wife died in January and he's looking for companionship. And then comes the questions...."are you married?"..."do you have a boyfriend?" etc, etc. I've been polite and tried to be nice. But, it's obvious that he's looking for a friendship that I am not interested in providing. He gave me his telephone number. The next day, he showed up again and I excused myself from a visit because I had things to do before work. I think that if he shows up again, I'll just have to be very direct with him and tell him that I think he's looking for something that I'm just not interested in providing. I don't want to hurt his feelings but I certainly don't want him to think that I would be interested in a romantic relationship.

Well, I guess I see what has to be done around the house. Hope all of you are having a good beginning to the week. Until later...

Just checking in.

Not much going on here but I thought I'd better check in. Had my hair cut yesterday and the color touched up and then groceries. Today, I want to go to the library. And that's about it! Not very exciting.

Still no word as to when we will be moving back to the House at work. There are some inspections scheduled for the house and so maybe after the 22nd, we'll be back "home". Everyone will be so glad.

It's a nice thought that 2 months from today, I will be on vacation - even if just for 5 days. I'm still up in the air about what to do or where to go since I've had to postpone Oklahoma until July. Money is the factor here, I'm afraid. But I sure do need to get away somewhere.

We've had some much needed rain. Thursday night, coming home from work, it was blowing and it was very windy all night with a shower occasionally. We were even under a tornado watch until 5 am. Then at about that time, the heavens opened and we had a down pour. It was very windy and I was alert for any possible hail. It rained like that for a little while and then passed. I've thought more than once about getting a weather alert radio that goes off if there is a tornado warning or the like. A lot of tornadoes here in Florida seem to touch down at night and if you're asleep, you have no warning.

As I warned you, not much going on and so my post is rather slow going. I'm off to visit some of you. Hope your weekend is going well.