Ruthie,
did you win the lottery yet? I'm still waiting for Paul. And now
that I know he goes shirtless on hot days...............
My one good thing today is that my Dad has an aide (from hospice)
who comes in daily; he really seems to like her I'm told. I haven't
met her yet, but she's showing kindness to my father, and she even
gave him a haircut yesterday. (he's in a NH)

Thanks for the reminder, Matnet -- gotta get a ticket on today's draw!! I told Paul that he has caregiver groupies, and he found the concept really amusing!

Today's OTG is that I heard from the brother of my dear Mexican friend. The brother has been eking out a living in Canada and wants to come to Vancouver to find work, but the friends he was staying with robbed him (some friends!!). So he e-mailed me in desperation, asking for help. I told him to come stay with us, and today, he e-mailed to say that he will arrive in early May.

What makes it today's OTG is that he now feels so much better -- I could "hear" the relief and gratitude in his e-mail. Imagine being in a strange country, not having strong English skills, being robbed, and not having anywhere to turn.

Ruthie,
glad I reminded you.....now, as soon as you win, please post so I can
give ya my address!
Sorry to hear about your friend being robbed; what a blessing you are
to your friends, welcoming him into your own home. Well, you're home
is so CLEAN after all! Yes, tell Paul he DOES have some groupies out
here, for sure!

being able to have contact with my two best friends today. Talking with both of them. Lucky me.

I woke up today. I'm aware that I'm alive and conscious. That's a good feeling. And it happens daily. I must be blessed. --Jim

Saturday morning 4:00 am,16 y/o daughter comes in to say good-bye. Has to be @ school @ 5:00 for yard sale to raise money for trip to Europe next year. Meeting friends for breakfast first-has been up all night washing old clothes for donation. Pulls out of driveway in out big truck loaded with items, my heart is doing flip flops-she just got license 4 days ago. Toss and turn, can't really go back to sleep, but dern it I need to, got to drive 85 miles one way to see Dad today. 6:22 phone rings, oh there goes my heart again-nothing ever good @ that time. "Can I go wake Danny up-he won't answer his phone and he isn't here yet? Of course Danny lives 10 miles out of town, on a narrow 2 lane country road, my heart just doesn't stop jumping. Forget sleep now, make coffee, wake DH up, get on road, because oh yea we are picking up her a car today also on the way to Dad's. OMG what a morning, and it is only 8:00.
Dad is sleepy today, but once he looks at me and says hello with recognition, so it made that trip worth it. Call DH when I leave DF's-did he make it home okay with "used" car. Ran great he says, but you aren't going to believe it, I ran out of gas!!! He looked at gas gage wrong!! Had DD come to get him with gas can from house. OMG she is getting her driving practice today.
She finally gets home @ 5:00, was never so glad to hear that truck coming up driveway. Of course she offers to bring everything that didn't sell to our house-"mom will take it Good Will". Truck is more loaded than when she left.
Yes, my beautifulAudrey-16 year old who still tells me all the time that she loves me, the one who scares me, makes me smile every day. I don't know what I would do without her. Okay I would have more money, but I wouldn't have all this love!!!

My OGT today was fitting an extra 2,000 steps in. I'm going to try to do it every day. How did I do this wonderous thing? I figured out that the circuit through the kitchen, dining room and living room is exactly 25 paces, so I walked 80 circuits, pulling a cat toy on a string behind me. The cat enjoyed it; I got some extra exercise; and I had some giggles when the cat found new hiding places from which to leap out at his prey.

I found this website and it's a very good thing!!

Well this OTG is especially for Matnet --

I recommended my housekeeper Paul to a neighbor, and the neighbor seems quite pleased with his first day there. I just received this e-mail from her:

"Is anything more appealing than the sight of a man on his hands and knees getting the fingerprints off your sideboard. I don't think so. "

This reminds me of a book I came across. The title is something like, For Women Only. It's not what it sounds like, what it is are pictures of model-like looking men, fully clothed of course, but the best part is that they are either cooking or cleaning, things along those lines. Very funny, but seriously, very attractive.

Ruthie,
The answer to your neighbor's question is....NO!!
I'm still waiting for you to hit that lottery jackpot,
so I can find out for myself!! My OGT today is my
husband and I took our kids (ages 22 and 20) out to
lunch; we actually all got along well, with no bickering.
This is big, considering our kids are rarely home, and
when they are, they're usually accompanied by their
boyfriend/girlfriend. Today it was like old times.....just
us four.

Psssst...Matnet....22 and 20 aren't kids any more!
*giggles*

My OGT today is that I had to use some new technology to send a client's weekly newsletter out...and it actually WORKED!

*twirls wildly*

Having to tell my MIL to stop sweeping the drive way before she swept her arms off.

HUGE Kansas Jayhawk fan here. After winning the National Championship Monday, which put a HUGE smile on my face for several days, today we learn that Coach Bill Self is staying at Kansas and is signing a long term contract!!!!YEAH!!!!!

I found an earring I'd lost in the car about 3 weeks ago. The garnet earrings are a present from my husband and my favourite. I thought I'd lost it in the truck of my car, but when I took my car in for servicing today, I asked the boy who vacuumed out the car to keep a lookout for it. There it was at the right of the driver's seat. What makes it so special is that when I lost it, I was having major problems with my husband's anger towards me (he has Alzheimer's), and in my sadness, I took the loss of the earring as a symbol. So all is not lost!!
Mary

Ruthie, you're right, my "kids" are no longer
kids! I wish THEY'D accept that and stop acting
they were!
My one good thing today is I'm thankful I'm
still able to laugh, even at the little things.

My good thing, is I'm like two weeks with no infection! And is sunny out today!

It's sunny to the North as well, Cheyna. It Sooooo lifts my spirits.


My other good thing is:
(CHEERING)
I FOUND THE LAST TWO 1099's that I searched high and low for. Oh, I feel better.
In the process I kept my shredder right by me and shredded a big barrell full of things. COMPACTED! (I save so many invoices, statements throughout the year---until I get the year end statements in January).
It's such a relief that I think I'll take a break and go enjoy some sun. ( sometime today)

The daffodils and forsythia are in bloom!!!

one bad thing I have to consider other living arrangments for grama
one good thing I had my cousin there to back me up and help me keep my cool

the other good thing is this board, you all have excellent things to say honest and no bull
thank you

Phyllis and I went for a long car ride today. great time....Great BBQ.......ferry ride.....
OOPS...one bad thing....I had the top down. No hat.....shaved head.....now red head with no hair.....lol

Roger

Oh Roger!!! Get that sunscreen on!!!

My OGT today is we bought my neighbor's Toyota Camry!! It's a '92, but in great shape, regular oil changes, one-owner car, and we know she's really taken care of it. Now for the first time, we have two nice, normal cars in the carport. Woo hoo!!

Yesterday's OTG was lolling on the couch in the evening, watching recorded episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report.

Today's OTG was seeing bright red and yellow tulips with mom on our way to coffee this morning.

MIL is happily sorting her silk flowers...gave her a few baskets and she's making wonderful arrangements for her room....giving me time to catch up on email and go to the bathroom by myself (it's the little things, ya know?)

My OGT today was I mailed off our tax returns. The bad news is we owed
the IRS $$
I'm thankful we were able to pay it.......I think........

I told myself to do a couple things every day for just me.

#1 take my vitamins. they make me feel better!
#2 remember theres HOPE

So.....with that being said and done, I am having an easier day.

Now, can I give PoA to someone else?? Maybe I dont want to have it anymore!

OGT,
I woke up this morning and the sun was shining, and I was felling well.
Everyday that happens, I thank the Lord, even if it is rainging, but we had to have a talk with Him recently, enough is enough, the near by rivers have crested above flood stage three to four times in the last month!!! So I asked Him pretty please, no more excessive rain, we need to dry out. Of course HE only agreed to a couple day respite-more rain the end of the week!!!

LOTS of good things today! The sun is shining, for one. That's always a good thing. But my bestest good things today are that I get to have supper with two of my sons. One is in town for only a couple of days, and we're all going to pick up Mom at her ALF and take her out to eat. Life's good! Hope all of YOU have a good day, too.

Bev

Today's OGT was a delightful coffee and home-made lemon tart with a small group of pie buddies at my friend's place this morning. As well, he entertained us with some Debussy on his piano. What a bright spot in my day!

Yeep, I'm behind on my OGTs!

Yesterday: My step-daughter really and truly appreciated my offer to do her laundry because she was strapped for time.

Today: The wind is really brisk, and there are whitecaps on the ocean. I love that!!

My OGT is that hubby and I are going to the city ( Nawlins...New Orleans !!!! ) tomorrow for a concert and sleep over.

The last time we went away together was 4 years and 9 months ago. I know this by counting backwards from youngest childs birth date. LOL !!!

I promise to be very....careful.
Peace,
Dani

My OGT is actually from Wednesday, April 16th;
our daughter Sarah is expecting her first baby;
she had an ultrasound and found out its a boy!!
Actually, I have one more thing: I played $2
on the "big game" lottery today: if I win, I'll
be able to fly Ruthie-Ray's house cleaner Paul
down to NJ; my house could certainly use his "magic."

Didja win, Matnet? Didja didja??
The other day I told Paul about the latest comments from his groupies, and he giggled like a schoolgirl. lol

My OGT so far today (and it's only 0746 here) was waking up with the neighbor's cat all snuggled into a furry ball on my shoulder, pressed up against my head, and purring like crazy.

Hey Ruthie Ray,
Ask Paul if he wants to meet in 'Nawlins for Southern Decadence weekend over Labor Day.
He will know what I mean.
Tell him I used to fantasize about Brad Pitt but now it's all about Paul.
You should post his pic on Mickies Thread.
If you can get a shot of him cleanning a bathroom. WOW now that's a fantasy.
Peace,
Dani

My husband is LDS, he was going to the Temple today to get sealed (I know you have no idea what that means) to his mom and step dad. Well, everyone from his ward (church) konked out on him, as far as them going went. So, I drove him to the temple instead. The temple is three hours away and it gave us some "us" time. Plus, I had the three hours back, by myself.

No Ruthie, I did NOT win! No Paul for me
this week! Oh, I love Dani's idea of fantasy:
Paul cleaning a bathroom!! I don't think it
GETS any better than that, does it girls?
My OGT today is, even though Paul's not around
to assist me, I cleaned my bathtub.....and I
hope to get some more cleaning done. But, some-
times hopes get "dashed," ya know?

oh dani, you crack me up!!!!

deeplysaddned, don't sell us all short! I'll bet there are many here who know that "sealing" is a way to solemnize family relationships so they extend beyond death. How wonderful that you got "us" time AND "me" time!!!!

I really must call Paul and tell him about dani's photo shoot idea. Heck maybe we can raise funds by selling posters!!

When I drive in to work in the morning, I pass through a "green strip" canyon. Since I go in early to beat the traffic, there are often animals playing along the edge of the road, and sometimes running across it. I go very slowly, to watch them and to make sure I don't hit one.

This morning, a baby bunny ran across the road. He was so tiny, he had to try three times before he could clamber over the curb. Too cute!

My conservator papers arrived! Finally!!!

My Mexican houseguest, who arrived this morning, is in my kitchen, chopping, frying, grating, and whirring. It smells delicious, and I didn't have to do a thing!!

(Oh, and JRB, no, he is not shirtless!)

I got my dad an historical book on the neighborhood he grew up in, Potrero Hill in San Francisco. He enjoyed looking at the pictures and even recognized one of the people in the pictures. We talked about the old neighborhood, I like listening to his stories. He talked about going AWOL during the war to go visit my mom, he got stopped in Chicago heading to San Francisco by the MP's and sent to the brigg. I asked him how that was and he said it was okay, I got three squares a day and nobody bothered me. I have to write these things down, I want to remember them.

Ruthie-Ray:

For me, there is nothing more attractive in a man than when he's cooking and cleaning. Ahh, no matter if he's got his shirt on, just cook and clean, that's all I ask.

My OTG today was making a rhubarb pie for my Mexican houseguest. He had never tasted it before, and when I showed it to him in the grocery store, he thought it might be some kind of weird celery. He loved the pie and had two pieces!

OK Ruthie,
now THIS is just too much!! You have a man who cleans your
house,now a man who is cooking authentic Mexican food in
your very own kitchen? (clean kitchen I might add!) Can I
come live at YOUR house??
My OGT today is I have my health and am able to do what
I have to today.

My baby is 16 years old today.
I went to bed late last night, but woke up at approximately the same time that he was actually born. Couldn't go back to sleep for quite a while.
Anyone of you Mom's have that happen? Waking at approximately the same hours of your childrens births on their birthdays?

We have a caregiver for my dad who has been coming five mornings a week, two hours each AM to oversee breakfast and meds, the rest of the time, seven days a week evening and two AMs, my sister and I have been covering for dinner and meds. The caregiver called us and her scheduled has changed and she can do two evenings a week as well. This is such good news for us. I work full-time and this will definitely give me a break. It was a big hurdle to get the caregiver in for my dad, he didn't want anyone expect daughters. He likes her very much and she is very attentive and observant. She plays ping pong and Yahtzee with him. He doesn't want her to do any housework, but he's getting more and more accepting of things she's willing to help out with.

She took care of her own mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and then Lewy Bodies until her mother's death.

She called us to let us know that our dad was wanting to give her things from the house and she wanted us to know in case he was also doing this with his neighbors.

I am very grateful we were able to find a good caregiver.

JRB this is going to make such a difference for you. She really sounds like an angel. How I wish my mom would accept just a little help.

My OGT today: I called my neighbor today to ask if she was going to walk her dogs, and could my houseguest and I tag along. She was in the middle of something she couldn't leave, and she had been worrying about not being able to walk them -- so we did her a favor and did ourselves a favor at the same time. Dog therapy!! We had a great walk along the creek near our house, through the forest, and back. We all had a great time, and my neighbor got her chores done.

Ruthie-Ray:

There's hope for your mom accepting a caregiver. I never ever thought my dad would allow a caregiver, he pretty much kicked and screamed the whole way, my dad has always been the most resistant man around even before AD. It took quite awhile to have this set up, lots and lots of talking. It started with a small step, then we snuck in another step. I think this caregiver reminds him of my sister and me, she jokes around a lot with him, too. That's the key I think, finding somebody who is willing and able to work with the loved one and treat them like they are family. It's one hurdle at a time, that's all we can do. Her husband is a retired SFPD officer, that somehow makes me feel a sense of comfort, too. We got lucky. For now, today, and hopefully a few tomorrows, everything is okay.

I'm crying as I write this....

My one good thing today was finding this message board and reading so much good advice. I feel as though it will be a lifeline for me as I go through this journey with my Mother.

God Bless each and every one of you....

Nicks Mom,

I wrote almost the same thing over a year ago when I found the message board. I tentatively typed out a message in the "Who Am I" and burst into tears when a reply (from Lee55) popped up.

"OMG, there ARE REAL PEOPLE here who know how I feel."

By the way, Welcome. Glad you found this place.