Grossed out and need to vent—I just caught Mom using my toothbrush to comb her hair!

Well my mom was on a wierd roll last eve...really got me worried. She was saying crazy stuff to the caregiver before it was time for her to leave at 8:00. She was saying to her (and me over the phone) she needed scissors or a knife to make a hole in her pillow....the pillow did not have a hole. The caregiver said she was pointing to her comforter and not her pillow. She was getting really bizzare..I attribute it to having a nasty little fall on Monday eve when I was there. I tried to stop her before she walked into a dark room and fell due to me stopping her. Well yesterday her bum was really sore..like it would anyone who fell right on the bum-bone...ouch. So she was a little out of it. Well I told the caregiver where to find the Lorazapam and that seemed to help. So this morning I was tossing and turning about all this envisioning her sitting in a pile of shredded up bedding, so the crack of dawn I went over there and found her sleeping soundly with just the covers a bit askew and fixed her pillow....and she looked at me like I was nuts..(like where the heck did you come from....I told her it was 6:30 in the morning)...so she seemed comforted with a tiny smile upon her lips. I went to lay down on the couch and take a little nap before I went back home to get ready for work and I fell into a deep sleep WITH A REALLY CRAZY DREAM..wow...I was like kidnapped and I was trying to get my way back home...was a reall doosey for a dream..I was wacko for the next couple of hours until I finally got about 3 cups of coffee into me. Well when I get off work tonight and go to mom's will see if she is doing better....that craziness with wanting to cut a hole in the pillow with a knife or scissor had me wondering if I have to put her in hospital or home.....wow it was wierd and scary!

Harde.....medium length not so scary

Deef have you tried using a gate belt to secure mom in the wheel chair I cant tell you how many times papa fell over, and he was 179 pounds, so it was not an easy task at all... Finally started using the gate belt, it helped. Going to try some benadryl tonite, have not slept more than 3 hrs in a few days now. Not sure what is going on. Tried the sleeping pills the OTC and the prescr and nothing. Been hectic here family drama....... so tired of it, why cant people mind their own business, infact why werent they oh so concerned while papa was still with us. anyway that is my story..... wishing everyone sweet dreams and day of sunshine and smiles tomorrow to all my angels here.

ssk ! u hitchhike ! you wild thing ! callin ur dad uhh im in cailfonia ! man i wouldnt be happy camper either . now we stop and think about what we did when we were young , its amazing how we stayd alive . lol thank u jesus !
oh deef i so sorry ur mom likes to lean so much , pa tried that to pick up his dirty snotty rag i said oh nanana i ll get it , yuk ,
i just woke up from an nap . hubby just got up a bit ago took some nyquill and hope he ll start to feel better tmr ,
whats on tv tnite ? i thought isaw that dog excerise on abc while ago but didnt catch what they were saying about it , oh well .
rssella hope ur mom s feelin better , it is scary when theyre sick and not feeling good , pa was sick over a month , in and out of doctors oh gosh . hope she s well . xoxo

jsomebody - i agree it can be scary , believe me once u get in there and stat working ure gonna wish u did that years ago ? if u dont like that job u can always move on t o another one , believe me i know i been there and done that , i was a homemaker for 18 yrs till my youngest daughter started first grade i decided to go get a job . i did 4 other jobs till i found one i felt comfertable and like it . other 2 wasnt bad but needed more pay and more hours ,
jam . i never had short hair . so im not sure what kind of haitr style that is bowl ? makin me cry !! i dont like short hair waaaaaaa xoxo

I hate the type of woman who will marry a man just for his money, sleasy whore, be damned

I hope to get Mom in the car and take a drive to see the snow.

Got a few minutes! Mom just tipped over in her wheelchair trying to pick up crumbs off the floor! As I am trying to get her up, she is reaching for those crumbs!!! Man!!! When is the insanity going to end? I truly think she is going to outlive me!!!
Ted, It's nice to get Mom's place spiffed up for her, but this time is for you, so get out there and have some fun!!!
Rossella, So sorry to read about your Mom. How is she today?
Jam, Have fun removing those staples!!!
Miz, enjoy Disney World! Been there 5 times, but have not been back in over 15 years. Would love to see all the changes.
Bobbie, So happy you have such wonderful company! Boat back in the water soon, yay!!!
Maxine, How's the snow and ice up your way?
Headbanger, No sleep! Know how you feel. Besides Mom, I have restless leg syndrome.
Peach, Hope you are on the mend. Pirate, Caregivers, what can I say? I got lucky with Merry! Wish I could share her with everyone.
Chillout, Good to hear from you!
Rip, How's them walking trails?
Sskape and Linda. Mom leans back all the time! Can't let go of her or she falls backwards. Her feet are always too far in front of her. It takes mountains of strength to move her from place to place! Both of you should get new hairdo's! It will give you a lift for sure!!!
Jen, The last job I had lasted 10 years until I had to quit to care for Mom. I had stayed at home to raise my daughter for 18 years and when it came time to go for a job interview, I was terrified!!! It's definitely a scary thing for most people and not an easy thing to get through. But once you have the job, it gets a lot easier as you go along.
Got to get Mom to bed. I'll try to be here more often, but with all the snow and ice , Mom, and getting the empty apartment ready for tenants, I'm pretty busy! Hope you are all well and if I missed anyone, I apologize!
Oops! Christina! Knew I forgot someone! Hope you are loving that warm sunshine, but you are missing the pretty spectacular winter scenes that we are having here in New England!

I just hope to meet a "kindred spirit"

speaking of being terrified, I went back to school at age 42 and had to give a speach, speech, in order to graduate. Community college. I have a public speaking phobia. I got up to give my speech and was overcome by anxiety, I bolted out of the classroom, and got in my car and drove home. The rest of the classmates were looking for me around the campus. That night, the dean of the college called me up and tried to console me and I ended up comeing back to school in the face of all the embarasment. I ended up taking the dreaded "oral communications" class during the summer and got my degree . An associates of science degree of Physical therapist assistant at age 42. The fear of public speaking really stunted my growth as a human being. In high school I was an A student, but being a :"shy" type of person , I ended up dropping out of college at age 18 and roaming around kinda lost. It was the late 60's early 70's.. I hitch hiked my way to California from Massachusetts. Then, had to call my Dad and ask for money for a plane ticket home. My Dad was not a "happy camper".

Regarding the concept of going out, I would have to pay someone $15.00 per hour , so it would cost me around $80.00 to go to a movie, by the time I drove there , parked the car, etc.

Hi Jen, I worked for a temp agency once. They placed me in the office of the visiting nurses association filing and copying. It was kinda fun, doing the menial work and talking to the co workers. Actually, filing is hard work, my arms and shoulders were sore at the end of the day! But it was a good experience. No matter what the job, I always ended up making a new friend and moving on to something better.
I understand that you are terrified. Actually, I have adapted to this caregiver thing, it's just mom and me here, and when people ask, "why don't you go out somewhere? I guess that I am thinking, "where?" to a bar and get drunk? I think I have to wait till this "episode " of life is finished and then move on to the next thing. I'm just crazy, I guess.

Still alive, looking up temp agency listings....still terrified...

Weather fine, part two of taxes and they are gone an hour or two...

Not much else...

Hope everyone is doing good. Have fun in theme world Miz and hub.

Hi to Bobbie and rip and deef and Linda and everyone here...

linda.....gotta side with Christina on this one......your face shape would look perfect with a chin-length bob.....and you're always smiling in your pics.....you're a cutie ya know?
took staples out of hubby's noggin today.....looks good if I say so myself.
got about 3 inches of new snow overnight....sun is shining, supposed to be in the 50's by the weekend....woohoo!!!!!!
i'm trying to be so good today and not go OBMAJ.......lovely lady on another thread....and she's getting some silly ass comments to her dilemma......so i'm zipping my yap...:)
col had a bath without giving me too much grief....complained about satellite signal lost temporarily...told her to wait, the snow was melting fast and CNN would be back on shortly. Over 350 channels to choose from and she watches that ALL day long.....I have to wonder if that doesn't cause her some mental problems....every night when I take meds down to her she is watching how another child has been murdered, abused, hanged, burned, raped, mutilated.......it makes me depressed and I only see it for a few minutes.
I'm jealous of miz, hubby and bobbie.....all that fun and warm weather with it!!!!!
Hope everyone has a peaceful day......Hugz to all of you!!!

bet the dog can do jump rope . lol . oh yummie beef stew ,
dad has to have a sore raw ass before home health would come in and help me take care of him . lasted 90 days and waved me good bye ,
i make sure he dont have a sore raw ass , found the perfect meds to clear it up in no time . i didnt like it at first either till i got to know them hahaha , when i got to know them i missed em and want them to come back waaaaaaaa.

linda, I know what you mean when they need to side step over or pivot or whatever they just don't budge! The help I get is from the vna hospice. I didn't like it at first but now it's better. I have gotten to know the diffferent cna's and they are able to come in once a day around the right time to get her up. They can come in for 6 months, and then recertify for another 6 mo , not sure after that. I guess each state is different.
I'm cooking a beef stew today. got a Paula Dean recipe from google. Oh ya, I like the dog exercise video on FB
ssk

ssk- yes that is what dad is doing leanin back so damn hard while im trying to pull on him to get him to stand up , gosh ! after bfast i put him in recliner so he can watch tv with us and oh i gotta go peeee ! rush me around and tried gettin him in wheelchair ohhh lord behold ! i dont know how i got in him wheelchair but i did it , then off to bathroom oh he cant stand up straight and had hard time gettin him to move his butt over to toilet , finaly i said ok im going to put u in bed so i can change u , well im glad i took him to bathroom cuz he sure did filled up the toilet , guess im lucky .
im keepin him in bed , i dont want my back to break :-( .
ssk ure lucky u have help ,

yes my hair is long and straight and alotta gray here and there , . sure christina come on over do my hair . how much do u charge ? :-)
hubby came home and went to bed , says so sick with sore throat headache is blarin blastin . so no haircut for me today , stay home watch pa while hubby sleeps off his sicky , he got up 2 am to g o to work too and gotta do it again at 2 am later on .
lucky i went ahead filled up the woodbox for the stove enuff for tnite and tmr am and walked my dog and fed her too ,
now what ? guess i ll fix soup for supper right out of the can . aint life wonderful ?
miz and hubby- u shall have a blast , vacation is all about enjoying urself , am sorry u didnt get to float down the ocean in bobbie s boat , gotta go back again when the barbara is ready for floatin .
happy for bobbie to have company , soon it ll be time for them to go back home , hopefuly peachie be all better and be able to go down there .
ok gotta go take care of pa . u guys have a nice evening xoxox

Miz heading to disney!, I hear they keep adding new stuff to see and do. ! I remember going on a scary roller coaster , space mountain maybe. It's amazing what they can create there.
I'm still jumping and jogging and maybe will have to get a hula hoop too. And if Christina was around I'd hav her come over and give me hair advice as well. I think mine is like linda's, straight, just getting a grey hair here and there.
The thing that hurts my back is when mom starts leaning back and I have to hold her up while getting up or sitting down. I'm glad that the health aides can help out.
Marguerita's someday. on bobbie's boat with our feet up and some island music playing. It's hard to even imagine that with the cold wind blowing and ice on the ground. Our springs here are beautiful though, when everything starts to come to life again. gotta go , mom trying to get up

Hey Everyone!! Hubby and I left Bobbie's a little while ago. Hubby has wanted to go to Disney World for a very long time and now that they have the Harry Potter thing it is just a must for him. We had a wonderful time with Bobbie. She is such a good soul, makes such good sense, is the hostess with the mostest and we love each other very much. She's the kind of person you can totally be yourself with and that means so much. I just wish I felt better. It sure put a damper on things. I guess I got sick when I could get sick. Didn't have to be healthy for Mom or work so... Like Bobbie says, it is what it is. I know it didn't help matters running through the snow trying to catch that damn plane in Indy. What a debacle. He umm I mean we learned our lesson. ;) So, as Bobbie told me, we will be going back to see her sometime so it's not a one and done thing. Hugs to all of you. Don't catch my bug. Keep skipping that rope or whatever it is that keeps you sane. Jen, you are such a treasure.

love,
miz

Morning Bobbie, and all! Good news you bring us, Captain! Sounds like YOU are having a blast, too! Pretty soon it's Margaritaville on the water--WHOO HOO, Bobbie :))
It is so easy to know that Miz is a sweetheart--it exudes here in cyber space. It is always interesting to me how much of each one here "comes through", and it is so natural to love every one of the crew. omg--it is often overwhelming to me, like when I am telling someone in my life, and I can't ever get a whole sentence out without tearing up. Like right now.
You all mean so much to me, in your own unique ways.
I wonder how Rosella's Mom is today? Ted, are you seeing the sparkle yet so you can rest? SS, I'm with you, and please don't be mad at me. Jen, how's the job hunt. Jam--Pillow Talk! lol.
LindaHeart, wish I could cut your hair then go have a margarita with you, Truecolors, you know:)))Peach, Hope you're feeling better and having filet mignon. Headbanger, let's break some dishes and hide the silverware. Angie, Let's dream of our Daddys xo. Chillout, we missed you, good to hear from you.
Maxine, how's the dating scene? BonnieO, a peaceful day.
Cuz, you lift us up with your humor. Rare and Newbies, come on back and share the love and your gross outs.
Bobbie, you are at the center of us all, and we LOVE you. hugs

Good Afternoon Crew!

Miz and husband and I had a good time together and they are now on their way to a Major Amusement Park south of here!
husband wanted to go and hey, they need to have fun on their vacation! Miz still feels under the weather but i am hoping that a fun outing will perk her up.
They are 2 of the sweetest people you could ever want to meet.

Looks like the boat goes back in the water tomorrow or Monday. They are working on the hull as we speak and everything is coming along nicely.

I've read some great posts here while i was catching up. You guys are amazing!

lovbob

Linda--I used to do hair. Get a chin length bob, a little bit stacked in the back. Will be darling on you. Hair will look and feel thicker. Easy to grow out if you want it long again:)))

mm i shall buy me a jump rope . thinkin about getting all my hair cut off , longhair all my life . mmmmm want to go back to layers but i was told my hair is toooo thin ! . what the hell . maybe i shall roll em up in a bun and party with christina on a boat with jump ropes . we be rockin the boat wouldnt we ? that be fun .

LindaHeart--you better start thinking YOUNG, cause I'm not hangin' out with any old ladies on the BOAT! Start jumping rope like ssk and you'll get your balance back! You hear me, girl?!
Love you!!!!!
christina
more later feeding Mother her fruit and yogurt-- her favorite thing.

good morning you all !
headbanger - hope today is a good one for you . go with the flow . thinm of us all while ure out and about , like chirstina says dream we re on the boat and havin us a margaritta . :-) oh yum , good dream there ...
chillout - . good idea to send all silblings a valentione from mom !! what a wonderful idea ! that ;; make them siblings feelin like a fool ! wonderful idea ! am thinkin about doing that . :-)
hubby woke me up 230 am says i hear ur dad inthere a hoallrin
i said oh ok and laid there thinkin he s prob hungry , every 10 mins all night long is im hungry . i laid there and thought oh gosh and closed my eyes and re open em oh oops its 730 am , ahh better get up :-) went to ck on pa , he s all smiles ready for bfast . wasnt that wet so it made my day .
hope the crew s are havin a good time and sure hope miz s a feeling better .
bobbie- have u made the coffee yet , for miz to tatse it and fill me on in about it ? ive got to know . :-)
alrighty i think i shall get my hindend up and zoom . sittin here is killin my back . i fell backward last night lucky the couch was catchin my fall , cute dad was holdin my arm and covered the corner of end table . he didnt want me to get hurt . i thought awww bles syour heart pa . he still has his mind .
we all laugh so hard . i was helpin dad to get him in the recliner and wham i stumble backwards , ive been noticin i lose my blanace easy . shit !!! walkin like a old 100 yr old woman , back going out and balance way off .
well i think i shall go back to bed and sleep like a 100 yrs old woman . :-) good day to u all xoxo

Hello all......been reading through the recent posts and some wonderful stuff on here. Thanks to all that contribute....it lifts up so many. I don't have the time I would like to be more active on here, but it is what it is!!!!
To Ted I agree with most, it is great that you have renewed determination. When our enviroment is good we feel better as well. BUT please take some of this time for you and do things you enjoy.
PQ, I like the suggesstion about sending selfish family memebers a Valentine from Mom. Can't get around to all but am sending ALL good wishes and blessings.

Thanks Cuz...I read some of your postings.

It's 3 am and I can't sleep a wink tonight. One of my daughters is on a pregnancy power trip and isn't speaking to me. My mother is having dental work and I'm getting more shifts with grandma. The hospice nurse is coming at 8am this morning so our day is starting early. I need to stop freaking out and get some sleep!

I'm having an anxiety attacks over stupid stuff when I should be DANCING! This isn't a dress rehearsal...I only get one shot at making this life an award winner.

Lights, camera, action......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

/hugs and night!

NEVER HAVE REGRETS!!!!
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1.There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to
be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't
like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from
it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look
11.Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the
rude
remarks.
So...If you are a loving friend, send this to everyone, including the
one
that sent it to you. If you get it back, then they really do love you.
NEVER HAVE REGRETS!!!!
"FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE
TROUBLE."


"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might
as
well dance"

Would you have done the same

Every now and then you receive a message that stops you in your tracks.

Please read and enjoy this one as I did.

Don't look for a punch line. There isn't one. Read it anyway.

My question to all of you is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled
children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that
would never be forgotten by all who attended.

After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a
question.

"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does
is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay cannot learn things as other
children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe,
that when a child like Shay comes into the world, an opportunity to
realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way
other people treat that child." Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew
were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"

Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like
Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were
allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay
could play.

The boy looked around for guidance and, getting none, he took matters
into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is
in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll
try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but
was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a
glove and played in the outfield. Even though no hits came his way, he
was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning
from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with
two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and
Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, let Shay bat and
give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the
bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible cause Shay didn't
even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved in a few
steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make
contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The
pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards
Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground
ball right back to the pitcher.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the
ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have
been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher took
the ball and turned and threw the ball on a high arc to right field, far
beyond the reach of the first baseman.

Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!"

Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down
the baseline, wide-eyed and startled; everyone yelled, "Run to second,
run to second!"

By the time Shay rounded first base, the right fielder had the ball.

He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for the tag, but he
understood the pitcher's intentions and intentionally threw the ball
high and far over the third baseman's head. Shay ran toward second base
as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases toward home.

Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him
in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay
rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay, run
home!"

Shay ran to home, stepped on to the plate, and was cheered as the hero
who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team. "That day," said
the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,"the boys from
both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this
world."

AND, NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second
thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices,
people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene
pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is
too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that
you're probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren't
the "appropriate" ones to receive this type of message.

Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a
difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to
help realise the "natural order of things."
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us
with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up
that opportunity, and leave the world a little bit colder in the
process?

You now have two choices:
1. Delete this.
2. Forward it to the people you care
about.