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I used that very same sentence a few months ago... "It's my God given right". Let's just say I will not say it again. Least no to the local law enforcement :)

glad, same here... must be the moon or even the date... she's been a firecracker all day and lookin like all night. Never heard of those medications? I agree... their brain can shut out almost any medication when they're on a roll they are on a roll.
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horrible cold snap here in indiana . i thought we might work tomorrow but the wind chill drops all day long . by 1 pm id say mortar would probably freeze in the mixer . the framing carpenter has been battling the cold and wind all winter BUT he just bought a 2015 camaro , i did no such thing . cracky aint gonna like it but i dont plan to leave the house tomorrow .
i dont need a car but if i ever decided i did , i have a 63 falcon futura sitting out back that could be made to run like new for probably 5 k . it is one year too old to require seat belts and in fact never had any in it even when it was new . back then if i wanted to hit a tree and fly thru my windshield , by god , it was my face and my windshield .
all this high tech crap is beginning to annoy people . cleveland motorcycle works has begun building replicas of ancient american motorcycles with no electronic gadgetry and british enfield is doing the same thing . when i drive thru a mudhole i expect the ignition to drown out and the old drum brakes to work like crap for the next 30 minutes -- just like the old days . when the carb pisses down my leg , its my god given right to have fire dammit !!
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Geez!!! She has been up six times in three hours and into the bathroom! I guess I should be thankful in some ways. Taking her to urogynecologist on Monday, talk about another med that should reduce the frequency and help her sleep better. So far, we have tried toviaz and mybetriq and they are not cheap. I really think that the brain just does not process drugs correctly, or as anticipated.
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Honestly... it sounded magical.

Those are the moments that makes this easier.
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Well, we got through today relatively unscathed. Mom was up, showered and dressed by 8am (so was I), just in time for her Valentine's surprise - a caravan of about 5 vehicles pulled up in front of our house, and 10 Barbershoppers trooped into the house to sing her 3 beautifully-harmonized songs and present her with a rose and small box of chocolates. Totally worth the $30 it cost me. She was SO happy. My dad was a Barbershopper for about 20 years, until he couldn't stand during the concerts any longer. We still have his suit, black dress shoes, white spats for the shoes and his flat-top straw hat. Mom was just grinning from ear to ear the whole time.

Mom did feel up to going to the funeral, so that was good - it was important for her to be there, since this was her sister's husband that passed. She didn't feel up to going to the meal, though, so we just went home after the funeral. It was COLD out there today, wind chills in the single digits and sometimes dipping below zero, so it's better that we just came home. She slept most of the rest of the day away. Stuff like this just wears her out anymore.
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I bought ma a yellow rose plant (her favorite), some chocolates and gum, and her favorite KFC. I said, 56 years ago tomorrow you became a mom. So that led to asking/talking about all her kids and she thought my oldest brother died, I said no that was the youngest. Oh, God. Broke her heart all over again. I can usually dodge the subject but couldn't this time. That led to asking if her folks were gone. Told her they were all together in Jesus's arms and we'll see them again some day. Turns out my plans to spoil her for the night went horribly wrong. I've got to learn to deal better. Poor mom. I thought my heart was going to break watching hers break all over again. I gave her dinner and some chocolate. She told me I was good like her mom. I told her I was honored she thought so. She told me I was the love of her life. Oh gosh, I love her so much. Later I'll read her James Herriot's book and try to end the night on a more positive vibe.
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dee....My birthday is October too!! No good news about my truck...turns out the job I anticipated to cost between $300 and $350 is going to be $1,750....I almost passed out...I also decided that I am not going to do it right now, so I called the tow driver to come and get it. This is a man who our hospice aid does business with and he told me that he does this type of work as well and he will give me an estimate..he is licensed and bonded so why not give him a chance..couldn't hurt....so now will just focus on getting the car in and getting the motor handled and that is all I know....Shoot, had my hair all fluffed up and even threw on some makeup today..all ready to go get my little truck when the bad news came....but who knows...maybe the bad news will turn out to be good news in disguise...

It sure is getting cold...And cold weather makes me crave something spicy and so I am thinking I may just order out tonight. I deserve it today...Mama is pretty non responsive today and it has been hard. My right shoulder almost feels separated and it is almost impossible to change Mama using my left side...I know it will not but right now it feels like it is killing me..can't lift an arm, can move, can't do anything but just lie there and stare that sad sad look back...that is when it is hard....she's back tonight to not seeming to know who I am .....what a day....but to quote Mama, this too shall pass......
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November!! LOL! Close enough!
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Jeanette, yes, very small world! October's my birth month.
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Good luck looloo, sure hope everything goes much smoother for you and your mother! Everything is high tech now... hehe, except most of my stuff ;)

dee... isn't it amazing how small this giant world really is? Is your birth month in November? LOL, I'd probably fall over if it was! My 2nd oldest just turned 57 and then there's that other one, he's 52.

So, apparently the Governor of Oregon resigned and the local news is ALL over it. Mom used to be a news junkie, way back when... she's listening to it and started telling the dog to "shut up, just shut up and listen to me you stupid SOB"! LOL!
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Thanks, Katie. Still no appointment set, but it ain't over yet :)
I think kitchen appliances have way too many bells and whistles now, and are too expensive, and aren't made to last. I can't believe how high-tech refrigerators are now! I just need something to keep my food cold.
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looloo, good luck with the doctor's appointments. All that should not be such a battle for us with all else we have to worry about! I have been there with specialists and there is so much red tape to cut through and I believe they make things harder than it need be.
One more comment about cars...freqflyer, you are so right about the kids in back nowadays. I used to love to look out the window when going shopping with Mom or visiting etc., that I could tell you pretty much where a certain house was in the neighborhood or even across town when I saw a picture of it. I have to wonder if kids today will even be able to find their way to the corner store or home from there when they do get their driver's license because they never look out the car windows anymore as they are watching DVDs or on an Ipad! I guess that is what GPS is for nowadays....sure glad I had to use my brain as a kid! What if the power grid ever goes down someday?!!
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I refuse to buy a newer vehicle mainly because I don't want to have to learn where everything is in the car :P

Dee, I agree, give me a vehicle with a simple dashboard... I don't need GPS because I can read a map.... I don't need Bluethooth because I refuse to use a cell type phone while driving.... I don't need Pandora music or whatever that is, I am not in the vehicle long enough to listen to more than 2 or 3 songs.... forget the moon or sun roof, those tend to break down, nothing like having the roof open and you can't close it [that's happened to me] :P

If the auto markers want to give me something fancy, give me a self-cleaning car !!
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Well, for a Friday the 13th, it's shaping up to be not so bad. Those referrals that had been pending all week are now authorized, PHEW!!! They canceled one of them (the orthopoedist), explaining that the neurosurgeon referral should be enough, so now I just have the surgeon consult and an MRI appt to schedule. Glad I pestered them on the phone all week. Also, another good thing - I thought we'd have to trek out at least 50 miles to see the neurosurgeon, but he practices in my mother's area, so that is going to make things more manageable. I left messages to schedule appts., because of course it can't take just ONE phone call, it's gotta be phone tag. If I can get just 1 appt set up before the weekend, I'll celebrate.
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Wow, Jeanette...my oldest brother's birthday is Valentine's Day, too! I'm 51 - he's turning 56 tomorrow.

I really wish we could purchase new autos that are "stripped down" without all that crap in it! I just need it to get me from point A to point B and back again.
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HA! Very funny hobbesmom! :D Yeah yeah I noticed the typo (auto correct) by then though, it was too late, yet another reason we need an EDIT button!! As many times as I use the word pibble on here, you'd think auto correct would know by now!.... then again, as a kid I used to rescue pebbles, just the unique shaped ones :)

planes, trains and automobiles... gads, it's always something that needs immediate attention isn't it? I suppose the sooner we get them back on the road again the sooner we can move onto the next catastrophe. Hey FF... I'm pretty sure some of those fancy limo's have microwaves in them and therefore you can make popcorn!! LOL!!

Sally, that is such a touching story... I've been trying to think of something that mom will enjoy and bring a smile to her face and her eyes sparkle. I KNOW what would do it but I doubt I get cooperation. Valentine's Day is also my oldest brothers birthday. He turns 60. A few years ago I would have made him a cake, scrumptious dinner and had a fun li'l party for him... mom enjoyed their teasing and playing with her. Ah well.... times do change.
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Freq...love that..."you feel like you are driving the family room down the hallway" hahahaha...pretty accurate....yep, most cars now feel like the cockpit of a jet plane...I remember one time when I first got my car when it was brand new and at the time pretty pricey for a car, but I had to have some minor thing adjusted and it was insane what all had to be moved just to get to that. the man told me then that they did not build these cars to have problems and did not intend for normal folks to be able to work on them..I believe it....and if you do the tiniest little thing wrong, you could blow the whole thing...I leave most of the engine components alone because I know I don't have a clue how to fix them...I can check some things, but no way can I fix most of that...I am just thankful I can still reason well enough how to figure out what I need to do ...the only hurdle that remains is to find a way back to the car repair place when my truck is ready for pickup...I swear I would rather walk there than ask for any help from my acquaintances....and if that didn't mean leaving Mama for too long I'd do it....I think I have found someone who will take me over there for a small pittance...and I'd rather pay them than ask anyone for help..then let them all wonder how on earth I got it all done... and I get to tell them..same way I have done everything all my life..I did it myself...
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Katie222, you are so right about the older cars, they were built to last... and so much simpler to use. Back then they were meant for transportation.... today one feels like they are driving the family room down the highway, surprised auto makers haven't found a way to install a popcorn maker :P

I remember if one wanted music in the car you had either AM radio or you had to sing yourself. You wanted a window opened, you use the hand crank, good exercise :) You needed something out of the trunk, you had to go to the back of the car and put in the key to open the trunk.... and to shut the trunk you had to reach up and pull it down yourself, again good exercise :)

As a kid I use to look out the window and soak in the environment... today kids are either watching a movie in the car, or have their necks bent down to use their iPads or Smartphones. Will today's child know the difference between a cow or a deer since they rarely look out the windows of the vehicles?

And long ago you were able to tell one brand of car from the other. Sorry, auto markers, all your sedans and SUV's all look alike now a days.
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I agree with the cooking, I'll ask my dad what he wants and he always responds 'whatever you want to fix', then after I lay food out of the freezer will he say how about pasta or something different than what I have taken out of the freezer. I must say he'll eat anything I fix and usually doesn't complain a lot. I have so much to do at home, I wish I could be there more. There's never enough time.
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I almost forgot how awesome it feels to be independent...I have lived my entire life having to handle all the messes on my own...The last three years I made the mistake of thinking other folks might pitch it..it never happened..and all it did was delay the inevitable to count on them...So now I remember what an amazing feeling it is to be self sufficient...I LOVE IT...heck no...I don't ever want count on anyone again....
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awww...I have set Mama's hair in her little pink rollers too! I had bought Valentine's Day cards to send to folks and then all the vehicle stuff started again and I didn't get them ready to mail, then I could GET them to the mail, so I will put them in my card box and have ready to send next year. I got one for Mama and that is really the only one that matters....

Thanks Captain...I think you're right...I fear the car engine is definitely toast...My car is by no means a newer model...but new enough that way too much stuff is operated with the digital crapola that once it starts going it is nuts....I have decided I am going to handle all this vehicle stuff on my own...same way I have had to handle everything else around here. I guess he meant well, but I think back to my brother having my car for over a YEAR and now a little over a year later, this happens...why the heck didn't he just put a reman. engine in then??? Lord knows it would have costs less in the long run than this...but it is this way with anything he does for me...cheapest way he can do it possible...now, as for HIS home...it looks like he got some high end contractor to do their repairs and rennovations..he does excellent work...as long as it is not for me...beats all I've ever seen...masking tape all around the windows that has left so much cruddy residue even that gorrila goo gone stuff won't work...it is like everything he does CREATES more work for me..that is why I don't want him to do anything...same with the car....and yet he tells me just run the defroster or ac wide open (IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER) and that will keep it from overheating for a while...he didn't even consider apparently there could be other issues going on...but since he initially told me not to go far in that car I am guessing he already knew this was coming and he was not going to pay for it....so be it. Like everything else, I am going to get it done the right way. I am waiting for the tow truck to take my little work truck and have made the arrangements with the place I get my stuff fixed right...I know them well now and they were very VERY fair on their price..they have given me the names of two places who do rebuilds at a fair rate, so once I get my truck up and going I will take my car to one of them and get it fixed RIGHT...good grief..this is why I would always prefer to just do it myself..I have never in my life had anyone do anything for me that didn't end up costing more in the long run...when I do it I know it is done right....that is all.
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brinoz, The hair styling with the pink rollers sounds like a lot of fun! I hope you and your Mom enjoy your day!!
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I hope everyone can get their car problems resolved. I agree that the new model cars and even appliances are built to be disposable....they sure want lots of cash for something that isn't going to last. All this computerized stuff in the cars goes haywire. The tire light comes on and gives anxiety that I am going to get stuck somewhere and can't get back to Mom, no matter if there is a nail in the tire...or just needs a couple pounds of air. The restored classic cars look so cool. Back when cars actually had nice colors...not the 3 or 4 drab gray or red that seems to be the norm today. My Dad had a '57 Chevy that was white and turquoise and I wish I had that car today! Very simple under the hood, and I see some of these driving around periodically especially when the car shows start in the Spring and Summer....
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Katie222, Your comments made me feel so sad, but I enjoyed reading them. I long to be with my husband and grandchildren, but I need to do something to make my Mother happy. Planning on baking some cakes to take to her friends that have been helpful in the past months. Also going to fix her hair, that will be fun as I like to have a "blast from the past" and use pink rollers and "pickies". I as well, wish all caregivers love and thanks for being part of the "club".
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a rebuilt ' long ' block engine can be bought from autozone for around 1500.00 but again the labor to have it changed out gets expensive and youll have inexperienced kids working on your automobile ( usually ) .
restored classics are still the best buy imo . most have been rebuilt and babied by auto enthusiasts and are only being sold because the owner ran into more serious obligations -- like buying a home or starting a family . i like old straight 6 cylinder fords and chevy's . they are virtually indestructable
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hope, your engine is probably toast . the metal is from seriously worn babbit bearings that work around your crankshaft and crankshaft connecting rods . if it does hold up for a while longer it will definately use some motor oil . the worn bearings allow oil to be slung all around inside your engine and the bottom of the pistons are literally swimming in oil .
in the future find a shop that does oil and filter changes cheaply . they can do it cheaper than you can do it yourself because of the great price they get on 55 gallon barrels of motor oil .
no partial repair will save the engine . the metal shavings have been pumped thruout the engine and worn the cam lobes and bearings among other things .
good used engines are reasonable enough but the installation can really be costly and is very seldom done neatly and thoroughly .
if i needed to buy a car id borrow about 10 k from a bank and buy a restored classic . these are usually sporting new engines and sell cheaper than youd think .
these late model electronic nightmares are meant to be disposable -- usually more expensive to diagnose and repair than theyre worth when all that electronic crap starts breaking down .
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I don't really have a whine this morning...(yet), but I wanted to share something I saw that really made my heart go out to all people that are caregiving. My neighbor is 89 and also very ill and I saw her young home health aide arrive, braving the sub zero cold and icy sidewalk out front, and carrying a red envelope with bright pink ribbons on it...It reminded me that tomorrow is Valentine's Day and that she was bringing my ill neighbor a Valentine! How sweet is that? Only we as caregivers understand what it truly means to care for someone....all the difficulties, surprises, and dismaying things that spring up, things that many "suddenly invisible siblings" will never know or understand....So, I am going to "by pass" friday the 13th and send all caregivers much understanding and love and good wishes a day early!!!
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Both the kids are in now....yay! so I get to go to bed. Hobbesmom...I didn't see whose post that was, but if it was Jeanette I'm pretty sure she meant pibble... (pittie)
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I hope you are able to get a good nights rest Jeanette! goodnight! I see one of mine waiting to come in...hopefully the other one is not far behind.
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You rescued a pebble? I'm hoping this is metaphorical. Sorry, it's late. I couldn't get past that.
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