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Mzdaisy, sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you have found something that will get you back on track.! Good luck
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Msdaisy, no need to apologize. I may not comment much on what you write but it interests me about your journey. I am so glad that you found volunteering to be so satisfying. I like hearing about how peoples days are going. Whether good or bad. I try to be supportive when I can yet sit quietly in the background reading all the advice and opinions and suggestions. So many marvelous people on this site. Blessings
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Deef, that is pretty bad where u have to dig out to find your car. That is a lot of snow n after all that shoveling u ort to be sleeping real good fashion. Sorry that you r sore n I can see why.
As for the toilet seat cover, I see what you mean but after I went back n read about it some more, it suppose to be just a 'soft cover' that u can stretch over the toilet seat. Supposedly, u can stretch it back off the seat n wash it as well. Not sure if it will be more work than what it is worth. I am not sure if it will crack either for I don't need to add any problems for her either.
I thought I had a website so someone could check it out too but now I don't see it n my previous post above. I am going try again.
easycomforts
It's pouring down rain n thundering tonight. I hope it done with by tomorrow for I don't won't to have to drag both of us n the rain n get sick. Both of us r already been sneezing n I have a slight sore throat. Of course that can be from the acid relux.
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Lil is right, internet is a godsend for being a clearing house for elder care gear...I mean till about 2017 the average store just isn't gonna cover a lot of this "specialty stuff". Have had mail order catalogs that go online and it is very quick with the credit card. Can find stuff under disability or specifically home care needs.

Same old here, but no snow, will send sun shine to East Coast! For everyone digging out. Only had two winters like that in my life too. Once about six or seven years ago? and once when I was about 10. It were way more fun at ten!
Go sledding Deef tell us how it went!!!
Diane sorry your mom got upset about respite, I can't imagine, ONE: No way mom will do it, TWO: I wouldn't care if he got upset we "dumped him off". He doesn't care he is killing us.

Just waiting for Dowton Abbey here. Like the new Sanjay Gupta series Monday Mornings so far too. Hope it doesn't turn into L A Law.

Good week everyone, how ever you make it! Jen
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Stepmother passed away Friday night. My stepsister didn't call and tell me until Sunday morning. Don't blame her. It isn't a fun call to make. Besides her brother just went to pieces, and she was up all night trying to console him. He probably feels guilty, since he visited his mom maybe twice a year, while my stepsister spent every weekend cleaning and taking care of everything. Of course, my stepbrother was his mothers favorite, go figure.
Got the oil changed in my car today. My step dad taught me how to do that when I was a teenager, and I enjoy doing it. It is cooler here today, but the wind has died down, so not bad. Got the grapes pruned this afternoon.
Had better get to bed, have an appointment with a lawyer in the morning to file my late husbands will. Have been putting that job off.
Take care everyone. Shirley
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Shirley, sorry to hear about your stepmom.
What kind of grapes do you grow? I have a huge concord grape vine that we make jam with every summer. Better than Welch's! I'm sure that when you finish at the lawyers, your mind will rest easier. I can fix and do a lot of things, but I don't mess with cars! Would rather pay someone my last dollar to do that. Sure wish I had learned how though!
Jen, I order all of Mom's wheelchair gadgets and other medical assisting devices online. It's way cheaper than a medical supply store and most offer free shipping and very prompt service. If you can't find something, you may be using the wrong term for it, so keeping trying different descriptions until you find what you are looking for.
Bobbie!!! How's that boat coming along?
I see Mom is stirring, Better go check on her!
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Mom was up at 6am today. Quite unusual. I begged her to go back to sleep and she did till 8. If she gets up too early-her whole day is nodding off on the couch and she is miserable. Today-she has a real purpose though. She has to watch the news and EWTN to see every bit of info she can get on the Pope resigning. She just informed me that EWTN will have some special tonight that she can't miss. Funny how some things snap her right back!
I must admit that I am happy that the Pope has the reasoning and forethought to resign before he is incapacitated. I thought they had to be Pope till they died-whatever their mental state! Can you imagine?? haha
Been walking in the snow and wow! What a work out! Out in the woods with no pathes made-really makes you lift those legs high! The dogs are happy too.

Meanwhile-so sorry about your step mom. So nice of you to be there for your step sis to talk to.
How you feeling Flex? Hope you have a few moments-or more-of feeling good before mom comes back.
Jen-you are right-winter was a blast when we were 10!!! So many ppl are talking about Downton Abby that I cued it up in our Netflix and am going to watch it from the beginning. Hope we love it too!
Deef-that jam sound yummy! My mother never canned so I never learned. We made pies out of the different berry bushes that are around....
Lildeb-hope you are not getting sick! Stay dry in that rain!
Miz-so sorry about your mom....and happy that you have found something wonderful to do in her honor! And your kids being involved is super!
Hello Yogi! And hello to everyone else out there lurking! And hello to all the regulars writers!
"Mame, they are talking about the Pope...come watch." will be all I hear today!!! Have a decent day all! Mame :)
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Mame, No walking in snow for me! I'm only 5'1" and the snow here is up ti my thighs!
It's raining now, but was snowing then freezing earlier. Most towns are no school or 2 hour delay, but not here. Mom is at daycare. I guess Conn has a good stretch of I-91 shut down due to icing. Need to keep an eye on things around here water wise. May need to keep things moving away from the house. Don't want water in the cellar! My hands and forearms are throbbing today. Too much shoveling has my arthritis screaming! I was going to get some things done today, but guess I'll take it easy and sit in front of the TV for awhile.
Hope everyone has a decent day today!
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Good Morning Crew,

Have been in Lurk Mode but carrying my phone all around hoping for a call from my cousin Mike. (Our Cuz's brother.) I know that they have got to be busy and Orlando is a ways from here and I am just glad that they get to all hang out together and hope Mike is hitting all the fun spots. Or, if he's anything like me, he's holed up in a hotel watching good tube.
Ahhhh. A break.

One day Cuz!

It's been gratifying to read all of your posts and how things are progressing for us as caregivers and how we all move through the different phases of this journey.

From snow angels during the historic snowstorm at Deef's house to ranch angels yanking a bale of alfalfa out of a pickup with the fencepost trick, we've got it all.

You guys continually amaze me.

Boat time for me. Let me put greasy pants on.

lovbob
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Ha. I really did get boat time!
Deef! Glad you're taking a day.

lovbob
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Bobbie-Boat Time!!!! hahahaha... can one of us be captain for a day???
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Bobbie!!! You are the boat!! How about when we get our boat time, we pamper you! It's the least we can do when you are offering your boat for respite time. I know just being away from here will be enough for me. I will gladly pamper you for a few days just for the privilege of being on the "BOAT"!!!!
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Sorry about your step mother meanwhile. Reactions not too surprising. A, men do not generally handle death and loss and emotional pain well, and B, if he really loved her, he may not have been able to "watch" her fade, you know. Some people just do do dying....
fp sister is possibly on her last bit of time here as well, only met her once myself. but they were close. Not saying anything to him till we know, they are in CA.
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Jen, that was too funny about dumping him off anyway for he doesn't care if he is killing you. That is way I feel about the mil when it's that one day a wk for 4 hours respite break. Of course for the last few wks she hasn't been going for it's been one health thing after another with her. She did manage couple hrs last week. She will be going this Wed for i need it to do the errands without her under my skin. ; )

Shirley, Sorry for your loss. Sending you cyber hugs n prayers.

Deefer, home-made jelly n jam is very good. I stop by somewhere near Valdosta, GA called, The Plantation when visiting my family in n FL just to buy some Fig jam jelly with ginger n its so good. Fresh grapes sound tasty too n without all those nasty pesticides. Sorry to hear your hands r hurting from digging all through that snow. Good grief! up to your thigh area is very deep. Is their anything u can take that will help relieve the pain? I think sitting n front of the t.v. n staying warm is an excellent idea. Of course, n between the mom calling you or u having to check n on her.
We just have 100% rain today n 90% tomorrow. I think the north n south area of GA got the most rainfall. We do have an area where their is a dip n the road where cars have stalled due to tons of rain water. Try to stay warm.

Bob, it's amazing how we all learned these little tricks n trades n they help pay off.. Now, don't get too greasy, we don't won't to be reading on the news, 'person slid right off a boat due to oil slicked pants.' lol
I hope everyone else n northern snowy area are staying safe n warm. Everyone else I hope y'all have a good night rest.
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bobbie check your e-mail. I gave you a number. They were coming back from the Keys and stopped in Daytona for a couple of days. They have turned around 2600 miles so far.
We got about a foot of snow last friday and maybe another 1" since then. Temp has been around mid 30's with a 22 mph wind all day. I shoveled a roof Sunday for a friend and it took me and the wife over 4 hours. We need some more snow to suplement the social security. This fixed income crap stinks.
lovCuz
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Deef, sorry about your arthritis. Hope you are feeling better. We have 6 grape vines, 2 are seedless concords and 4 are seedless red grapes. They grow really well here. We usually get over 100 pounds of grapes from those 6 vines, and all I do is water them. No spray, no fertilizer. We mostly make a lot of grape juice and can it.
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Somewhere there is a song in "Oil Slicked Pants" I am hearin it here....
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I am making my Grape Jam made by Deef last here....last one, of Xmas giftie.
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oil slicked pants, oil slicked pants
Once upon a time bout a year or so ago
I discovered the lure of fashion and I am here to let you know
They say, some do, that beauty is pain, and in the eye beheld
But I'm here to warn ya now, by fad you can be felled
It ain't no bell-bottoms, plaid, colors, or stripe,
It was a truly incendiary choice I made one summer night
oil slicked pants oil slicked pants
Wore my shiny new togs to the ol'e barn dance
I arrived in good time found me a seat and some wine
Smilin' and beguiling justa waitn' for my chance
oil slicked pants oil slicked pants
I knew I was styling in my Crisco seamed jeans as
I gazed about the room an' I took in the scene
oil slicked pants oil slicked pants
I saw her a standin just there by the door
so a sidled up to her once I had crossed the floor
but them oil slicked pants had a mind of their own
and next thing I found I was half way home
Some cast off ciggy with the butt still a glow
rode gravity and fate and landed at my toes
then them fumes from my pants set my ass alight
and the whole of West County saw as I took flight
oil slick pants oil slick pants
I crossed ore' the moon such a blazzin sight to see
Them damn pre greased flamin drawers got the best of me
By the time I hit ground bare, burnt and deflated
I knew in that moment greased pants is Over-Rated
No matter the tag line, or honey voiced rants
You'll never agin' see me buyin no Oil Slicked Pants....

Jen. who Clearly has nothing better to do!
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I love you Jen. You are wonderful.

Did you ever get the boat pic?

lovbob
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Mom comes home today and I'm sick as a dog. God help me
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Oh Diane.
We're all pulling for you.
Everybody stay as sane as you can.

Just picked little oysters out of the main engine strainer basket.
That is one bad rinse cycle.

A little progress every day.

Boat. Hahaha.

lovbob
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Bwaha you picked oysters out? can you eat them or contaminated like?

sick last night here too Diane, but not dealing with fp. duct tape for her and rest for you...prescription

had to join facebook to sing up to win the Jelly Belly contest. ginger ale...secret flavor.
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Jen, that was great. (the oil slick pants).
Oysters for dinner Bobbie?
Diane, hope you get to feeling better.
Didn't have to work today, yeah. but have to get ready for work tomorrow. Mother is walking around like normal. I just don't know what to do with her. Even when my sister and I were very young, I can remember my mother playing the invalid. Then after awhile she gets tired of it and gets moving again. She has cried wolf so many times in her life, won't know when there really is something wrong with her.
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Hey Meanwhile: Just saying, trust your gut. You know your situation better than anyone, but if you feel you can't cope with your mom's constant need, then please don't try. She might be happier somewhere where there was a staff to address her needs. Not suggesting I know more than you, just saying trust your gut.
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Jen,that is just too much n creative. lol. Thanks. ; )
I caught the mil again standing or squatted on the toilet seat like a freaking monkey. Why oh why? It drives me crazy n scares the shit out of me! I told her that people just don't do that! If you slip n fall, your head n body is going to go through that sliding glass shower door n onto that ceramic hard floor. Then, u will probable crack your skull open n be in a freaking NH! I told her I cannot help u once u crack your freaking noggin. Being she has done it before, I thought maybe if I scare the shit out of her that of me not around if she cracks her head that, just maybe she won't do it again. I know wishful thinking. I can put things for safety so she don't fall n slip in bathtub but I don't see anything to prevent her from standing on toilet-squatting with her feat on the seat like a freaking monkey. I just don't see it anywhere. Give me strength n patience.

Now, the wooden toilet seat has broken on one end of the connections so, we will have to replace it. This is probable why her gutt/butt hurts for she is straining or plucking poo out.
What the hell am I suppose to do with that problem. She cannot be constipated for she is on a prescription Miralax twice a day everyday. Plus eating whole grain bread with white turkey, n a glass of apple juices once a day too.

I also, had the pleasure of finding tons of USED wadded-up toilet paper stuffed in her shoes in the shoe bag hanging on her closet door. So, this is about 20th time so I just took the freaking shoe rack out of the room n most of the shoes too. I left four pair in their for her. Of course,as i was cleaning I found wadded up toilet paper behind toilet? behind the dresser drawer n etc. I asked ? why n she said, "she afraid it will clog up the toilet." She has been told it will not before. She never worried about that when she didn't have alz. so why is that bothering her now? So, now I have to go around an disinfect those areas for they were used toilet wads, Yuck!

I finally got the house mopped n vacuum and a load of clothes done today. I started thinking about us sneezing so took a peek-a-poo at the filter n the house. A whopping 20x30x1 filter n they can get expensive so, I took my vacuum cleaner, attached the hose n vacuum away the dust n re-inserted the sucker back in the vent. Just saved us $10.00- $14.00 bucks. I will probable have to change it next time.
Any suggestion with the mil n squatting on toilet seat with her feet, please throw me a few freaking bones. Help for I am going insane.
I hope everyone else had a better day than I.
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Lildeb, sometimes I am very greatful mom can't get around by herself. At least I know she isn't moving once I put her in bed. The worst she can do is throw things or try hit & kick you. I just tucked mom in and I'm heading to bed too. Good night everyone
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Lil' deb- I wish I could give you some suggestions about your mil and the bathroom problem. I don't see how in the world she can balance to get herself on the toilet like that. I would have already fallen in the toilet. I'm sorry I couldn't have been of more help. Good Luck with finding a solution.
Diane- I hope you feel better tomorrow.
Deef- Well, did you get on top of the roof? And is the snow starting to melt some? Play in the fluffy stuff for me cause it looks like we aren't going to get any again this year. Be safe!
Cat- I'm glad that you had a good birthday!
Jen- I hope you get to feeling better soon.
Bobbie- I heard you got boat time, Congratulations to the captain!!!
Meanwhile- I think cat is right, you just have to go with your gut feeling about when they are being for real or when they are just doing it for attention. I'm sure her crying wolf all those years does make it difficult for you to tell when she is telling you the truth.
I hope all of ya'll have a good nite and a great wednesday(hump day). Love and hugs stormy.
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Morning. Somehow I have become the Dog sitter. I suppose I have done this to myself but it is funny how things snowball! Hard to say no when you are here all the time...not like it matters having an extra dog or two around!

Flex, soooo sorry you are still sick and have to bring mom back. That totally sucks.
Lildeb-my mom hides things but nothing like that!!! ICK! Maybe she had a toilet problem when she was young and is remembering that...who knows??!
Jen-hope you feel better! Ginger ale jelly beans?? Yum!
Hi Cat! How are you doing?
Hi Stormy!
Bobbie that is one way to catch some Oysters!!! haha
Meanwhile-that is wierd...but this rollercoaster ride sure has some twists and turns we can't figure out!
Hey Cuz! Hubby is still looking up jokes in his spare time-the punnier the better!

Was really starting to fall into the black hole yesterday...after doing pretty good for a couple weeks. I am a little better today... It is just the winter doldrums, being down a car and feeling trapped cause hubby got in a little fender bender-in the good car! ugh. Stupid things siblings say... some days I can just let it roll off my back.... ahhh well. Mom woke up early this morning and asked me who I was...I went thru the whole mantra I do everytime she asks...and she says, "Do all you kids get along-or do you fight?" HAHA....Always the mom!
Love and hugs to all you out there! Mame
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lilde - my mil has the same pblm about toilet paper , she refuses to drop it in the toliet too . back then they know not to put in the toilet cuz it ll plug up . she too throws a wad of it anywhere ! even tho the trash can is right next to her . i cry everytime i see it here and there and amazes me its over there ! im always afraid to pick it up . the worst part is she keeps em in her hand , wipe down my kitchen table ohh lala stove too ! she does that alot with her socks too .
she also spits mucus in her hand and flung it where ever it lands at . im scared of her house .. bless my brother in law . he has to deal with her 24-7 , all the time going to bathroom . bladder pblms .
it be about time for me and my daughter to go release my bil so he can get a break .
saw robins birds , yippy that means its gonna be warmin up real soon , heard the cold fronts comin too , ah i know spring is right around the corner . am so ready .

meawhile - sorry for you loss ..
a old friend of mine takes care of her mother . lived with her 8 mos now . found her mom dead this morning . she died in her sleep . shes in her late 80 s . a pleasant way to go . she even had dr s appt today for a check up ,
u all take care , wheres austin ?? xoxo
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