My Day

This may be a really boring post tonight. But let me tell you about my day.

First of all, I had to clean the house. Since I lost my cleaning lady, I decided that I could save some money by just cleaning myself. I used to really enjoy cleaning. Not so much anymore. But I did it and got it done in less than 3 hours. And as good a job as my cleaning lady did, I think it is cleaner. I’m a bit of a clean freak so it never really is dirty, but I paid close attention to getting it really clean. And I just love a clean house.

Then off to see dad. We had a nice chat. He is still unhappy about them transferring his favorite aide, but I think he is finally adjusting. Tomorrow I am drafting a letter to the administrator of the nursing home to express my displeasure for their total disregard of their patients. Dad and another man went to see the director of nursing on Friday and she was patronizing to them and totally ignored everything they had to say. I’ve never met this woman, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like her.

Off then to get dad’s oil changed. We are trying to sell his ramp van and he didn’t want me to get the oil changed. But it needed to be changed and he will never know. LOL

Grocery store was my next stop – ugh! But now I have something to eat again. It has been an adjustment since we used to eat out nearly every night and now I’m eating at home.

Next was to finish up my book cover and get everything uploaded. Of course I was having issues with the formatting. But, thanks to a friend, it is now perfect and I didn’t pull out too much hair. And my book cover was giving me all kinds of fits too. But a really good friend didn’t just help, she called me and talked me through it. I’m happy with it finally. I’m still hoping that I can have everything ready to go by 2/1. That’s a few days past my goal publication date, but I would rather it was done correctly and late than wrong and on time.

So much to be thankful for today – a clean house, good visit with dad, food to eat, friends willing to help out on my book. And now, I’m off to finish up a good book and write a couple of reviews.

Thanksgiving Project – Blessings Galore

This has certainly been a memorable birthday. I spent it in the hospital with dad. He had a sleepless night followed by a morning of vomiting. Got all of that under control though and then waited all day to talk to the social worker about a rehab facility for dad. Long story short…she was supposed to see me at 5 but didn’t show up until after 6. Not one single facility in our town was on dad’s network. Since he won’t leave to another town 12 miles out of town, he has a co-pay. Just a fiasco. And he was getting whiny with me…only me. Everybody else, he’s his normal sweet self. I’m already exhausted and when he gets like that, it makes me cry. But today is over. I still have my dad here on earth with me so it is all good.

I had soooo many birthday wishes…Facebook, texts, emails, cards, phone calls and personal visits. And the best was all the blogs and poems and animated cards. Thank you my dear friends for thinking about me and putting forth the effort for me. You have made me feel special. I love you all.

And if you haven’t seen those blogs, check out Ionia, Charles , Susan, Bradley, and others. You guys are the BEST! 💛💙💜❤ and for Green Embers 💚.

I’m thankful for so much today. Thankful for my dad and his medical caregivers. I’m thankful I could take time from work to be with him. I’m thankful I’m home tonight to sleep in my bed. I’m thankful for all my friends who have sent me birthday wishes. I’m thankful tomorrow is a new day.

Thanksgiving Project – Daddy

Another long day at the hospital. Dad had surgery at 9 am. Back in his room before 11. No pain or discomfort all day. He was able to get some almost normal food (cream of wheat and pudding). He had been able to do all the things he needed to do to be released. But his doctor didn’t release him until almost 6. So, lots of sitting and waiting.

So, the mass they saw on day’s kidney when they did the cat scan on Tuesday…they ordered an MRI in Wednesday and his doctor said they were looking to see if it was positioned so they could do a needle biopsy to check for cancer. Now, he has our attention. My dad is already a natural born worrier. And I was hoping he didn’t hear any of that. So now he was upset. Had a minor meltdown on Wednesday.

But the good news is, his doctor called me after I had left (and dad was asleep) the hospital for the night. He wanted to tell me that it was likely a fatty cyst and since he hadn’t had any symptoms, he didn’t think we needed to pursue anything. The urologist would still look at the film, but he would need to make a really compelling argument for any further tests. I should have driven the ten miles back to the hospital to tell my dad…but I didn’t. Wish I hadn’t been so selfish. When I got there this morning, he said he didn’t sleep all night. I gave him the news and he was so relieved.

Today, I’m thankful for my daddy. He is my beacon. I know someday I will likely have to live without him, but I just cannot imagine that.

I’m staying at his house tonight just in case. I expect an uneventful night though. And I’m looking forward to going home tomorrow and resting lots this weekend.

Hug the people you love today. Tell them you love them. Don’t wait…you don’t know how much time you have.

Thanksgiving Project – Daddy’s Girl

I remember when I was growing up that all of my aunts and uncles (my mom had 10 brothers and sisters) and my cousins (too many to count) would all congregate at grandma’s house. One year we even took family pictures. There was enough food to feed a small country I think. We always had a birthday cake for baby Jesus. It was a perfect time. We didn’t have presents…we had each other.

Now that is the memory of a young child. It could have actually been much different to the adults. I don’t know. It seems like any time you have families gathered, there is some under current of drama or dislike. I’ve never been a big one for family gatherings. I appreciate them much more now than I used to though.

Because my dad is so limited on where he can go, my sister has everything at her house. I wish I could have them here, but it isn’t physically possible. And because of that, there are always ‘extra’ people included. I don’t really like that. But I won’t be there or Christmas this year.

Soren is getting to the really fun age and I want to spend it with Andrea and him.

I’m so thankful today that I was able to spend a few hours with my dad though. It was just the two of us. Erv (dad’s caregiver) was out doing something so dad and I could talk freely. He will be 78 in a few days. I think he will live forever and sure don’t think he is old. But in my head I know my time with him is limited. I love my dad more than words can ever say. I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. And today I can’t imagine much I am more thankful than my times with my dad.