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I had her since she was a baby birdie and that's about 3 months. I had a big german sheperd before I moved here and I had to give her away which broke my heart. I can't live without an animal companion so I got Lulu. Lulu won't trip Grampa or jump on Grama, and she is very loveable. She makes a very good friend for me.
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Debbie, her picture is beautiful........
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Sonny and I set outside everyday and watch the birds.. that is one of the times he seems at peace, he always comments on all the different sounds the birds make...I would love to get him a bird, but Marie would have a fit, and he would forget he had it... but he loves his birds... I'll tell him about Lulu.. that will make him smile.....
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Ahhh, Ladee, how well you understand,

Ya'll want to repeat after me? I love my friends more than my siblings, I love my friends more than my siblings, I took time last night and tagged every damned thing that I got together, the note above the stuff that was look then donate went out the door by the "ugly" brother and friend, primarily the friend.. Afraid my temper went with it, by the time they were ready to leave, I was yelling.. either I am not speaking english or those two are about as stupid as they can possibly get. I am betting on the later.

I primarily concentrated on the stuff I needed to get prior to those idiots emptying the house, I told them this morning that the other brother was interested in the round shipping containers that are on the back porch, what does the friend have to go do? start snooping through them, and saying oh, that's all junk...I don't give a damned if it is.. it's not their right to decide who gets what.

My younger brother has never been spiteful, and right now, I feel he is being about as spiteful as he can get, he doesn't want anything and doesn't want anyone else to have anything.. maybe I will get lucky tomorrow and neither one of them will show up.

Was there till 2 this morning, and back at it at 6, fixing to go lay down and sleep for a few hours and then start again, prefer to do it while there is no chance of anyone getting on my nerves, neither the brother or friend come out after dark.

Jerry acts like if he calls Tuesday Morning to the people that have Mom's double wide financed, and let them know that she's passed, that they will be out Tuesday afternoon, which is the excuse he is using, "wants all this stuff out before they come out and throw it in the yard" told him he knows just as well as I do, how long those guys take to get out here, it was over 8 months when the friends mom passed away before they came and got her trailer.
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I'd get what I want, put a price tag on everything else, have an estate sale, take the money and have one hell of a good vacation, and tell the "ugly brothers" that they were so busy "being in charge" that they let you get away with all the good stuff AND some extra money..... so there, dumbasses!!!!
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God Bless you Ladee, you are such a sweetheart, what I really want out of there, I believe I have gotten the most of it, Mom left me the pictures of her, us, etc..and her jewelry, somewhere in the 20 or so boxes, is a ring that belonged to my grandmother, right towards the end, Mom thought she had given it to me already, she had not, I know with the ugly brothers in there, I would never see anything, while they might not donate it, they would sure keep it and not tell anyone, there's a cookbook missing that Mom had for ages, and I am willing to bet that if I searched the "friends" house, I would find it..

She left me the double wide as well, but it comes with a 17,000.00 mortgage on it and there is no way I would be able to handle the payments on it, on the bike Hubby had to have, we're down to just under 13,000.00 from 15,000.00, My disability came through but it's only 935.00 per month, something happens to hubby and I am screwed. At least with the motorcycle, I stand a chance of resale.

Just got the bad news from my SIL that their brother in CT died this morning, I was hoping that hubby would be able to get up there and see him, prior to this, but when the daughter called last week and said that it was a bad time for company, I suspected this was what was up. Had a hard time trying to explain to hubby, that sometimes a family doesn't like to have others around during times like this, and it didn't matter he was "family" too.

Had to fight with Mom just to get her to let her son's come see her...actually she didn't let them, I told them to show up whether she liked it or not...they had to have the opportunity to visit prior to her getting where there was no chance of having a nice visit.

SIL wants to go to the service, but didn't have the money for the plane ticket, I did a quick search, found some reasonable prices, and told her to just tell me when, and the ticket would be sitting at the counter for her. I don't mind putting off the vacation for a month or two, to make this happen for her and for hubby.

They both got screwed from being able to grieve their mom's passing because of their father. Hubby has been harboring that resentment for 59 years. Told her she would be flying economy instead of the first class we flew her the last time.. Glenn had gotten a bunch of money for back pay, and she'd never flown first class, so we booked her a round trip in first.. She had a great time.

Anywho, still have not laid down yet, Hubby is in North Carolina riding with some buddies, he got the bad news but seems to be doing ok at the moment. Talk with you after a while...don't believe I will be going back over there this evening, the 'uglies" are done for the day, so I don't have to worry about that, not to mention the fact that the house is locked up and I have the only key..lol..

Big Hugs.
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You gals are just awesome!!! I love the sense of humour that pervades this thread and the love you all so freely give. I am not in the same situation as you are (care taking at a distance) so feel I don't really belong here, but do share some of your feelings, and at 73 I have to care take of myself too and see some humor in that. Oh and I do have a pet - a 12 year old tab by cat named Toonie who is a wonderful cuddler and still an avid hunter. 2 summers ago I spent a couple of months nursing my beautiful 16 yr old Springer until I finally had have him put down. As Bette Davis said "Old age is no place for sissies."and that applies to being old, but in my mind also to caring for the elderly.

Much love and blessings to all
Joan
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Welcome Emio, we are glad to have you here with us, don't think for a moment that you don't belong.. care giving whether up close in your face, or from a distance is still care giving. I am sorry to hear about your springer, I don't know that I would be able to do that..would hurt to much.

Toonie sounds like a wonderful cat.. caught mine playing with a chipmonk the other day, she'd let it run for a while, then play some more, run a bit and then play some more, she finally got bored and let it take off.. For the most part, she just plays with them, only found one body that I knew she'd done it.

Amen on the "old age is no place for sissies"

We look forward to getting to know you.
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Well good afternoon all. I have just caught up on two days worth of posts.
I took notes!!!!!!1
Indyrose, all I can say is choose your battles wisely. The older generation grew up in a different time. There weren't showers and freshly laundered clothes everyday. Some habits are hard to break. My dad has 2 showers a wk. His skin is very dry and fragile and he never sweats. Of course he has "spit baths" and clean clothes in between. But not clean cloths everyday unless he spills food on them.
But if it will make hubby happy and keep the peace just put their clothes into the laundry when they undress at night as someone else suggested.

Alwaystired, when we take on this care giving roll it is because we want the best for our loved one. But we need to do the best for ourselves to. Don't beat yourself up about putting mom in an ALF. It may be what is best for both of you.

Debbiecakes, I understand what you said about not wanting to talk about your situation because it is exhausting. I was there when my mom was still alive.
People would ask how we were and I would just say "fine". How could they ever know what I was feeling, they didn't live in the dysfunction. My mom had mental issues that made life miserable.
Mom died 3 mths ago and I find that I still don't want to talk about it because I am still exhausted deep down inside. I think you should take sometime and think about your situation and then do what you think is best at this time in your life.
Your grandparents are so blessed to have such a wonderful granddaughter who loves and cares for them. Just don't let YOU get lost in all of this.
Oh and I just love birds. I used to have some but found out that I was terribly allergic to them. Now I just enjoy the one's outside.

Emjo, anyone who quotes Betty D. is a friend of mine!!!!!!

When times get over whelming I just remind myself that I can't change others but I sure can change myself. Peace to you all.
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I love when Lulu walks on my head. It feels so good. :) I am currently preheating the oven for dinner. Salmon steaks, tortellini alfredo and salad. I probably won't be able to eat any though because I have been so sick today. I am sure Lulu will have some. Maybe I will feel better by then. :) I hope you are all having a good day. Hugs.
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Good Afternoon Posse!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the new posters....I think you will enjoy being here and we always love to make new friends. And we miss those who haven't posted for a while....HINT HINT!!!!

I've been lurking here for a couple of hours...finally caught up on posts.

Debbie you sound better today....I'm glad for that. Our "other daughter" hasn't posted for several days, so she's in time out. She'd better have a good excuse...lol.

To get everyone caught up.....the col got her hair cut yesterday and looked so darn cute.....took 10 yrs off her. Care giver gave her a nice bath, put her in clean clothes and she had a great day. Fed her supper then went down around 10 pm to put her to bed and she had slapped some hot rollers in her hair and just ruined her new do. It was cut for "wash and wear" so she would quit messing with the hot rollers. She yelled at me for a bit, I took the hot rollers away from her and put her to bed. Today, I'm the next best thing since peanut butter..."You're so good to me"....I guess it didn't hurt that I bought her some of her favorite snacks....cheesy popcorn and a bunch of chocolate pudding...lol. And her hair still looks really cute. She was wearing her snow-white hair past her shoulders and resembled an electrified Q-tip. She hasn't remembered yet that the rollers are gone....when she does I would appreciate a prayer sent in my direction.

Had a little excitement here earlier.....I was about asleep and we heard a funny noise....my blind poodle was eating and her airway obstructed. Hubby got to her and did the Heimlich and got it cleared! I've done CPR on a dachshund that was overcome with smoke in a house fire, yes it lived for a while, but this was a first for any of our dogs.

Has anyone heard from johnny? Rather worried about him and Miss Betty. I hope things are okay and they are enjoying the weekend with their children.

Everyone else, please send a short post to let us know how you are doing......or do we need to put you in time out with ASG?

I'm making Target go with me when I go to fix dinner for the col in case she has remembered the rollers......just call me a chicken.

Love and Hugz to all,
Jam
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Starri, happy to hear you got what meant something to you and hope you find the ring.. I would cry every time I would think about some stranger wearing my moms jewelry.. I am still angry about this, all these years later...Sorry to hear about hubby's brother, but you are the sweetheart for giving up your vacation for awhile so he and his sis can go to the funeral... Hope you get some rest now....
emjo, you DO belong here.. I would think long distance care-giving has another whole kind of stress attached to it.... the not knowing from day to day, the trips you must have to make.... like Starri said, doesn't matter how we do the caregiving, it is stressful... so you keep coming here and sharing, we will relate to your feelings...we do tend to be a sensitive bunch here, thank God for friends....
I love the name Toonie, why did you name her that,,, what kind of cat is she...

YR, It's not been that long since your mom passed and crazy time or not, we still grieve it, plus your soul being exhausted on top of it all, so just know we are here for you when and if you get ready to talk about it..And yes the notes help us to not sound like the ones we care for... and no I can not change anyone, but I CAN change phone numbers and addresses.... if they can't find me, they can't bug me..
Debbie, why are you sick today????? But am happy to see you are back posting and seeing we love ya and care...
Jam, Let's see, maybe 5 kids out of school for the summer may be a good excuse for ASG, ya think???? The col will forget she ever had long hair, get her some of those old pink sponge rollers and let her go, you can always spray her hair and blow dry it, at least she isn't trying to climb the fence yet,,,, pick your battles.....Glad blind doggie is ok...I have a friend who could never remember "Heimlich" and called it "Herkermer", had to do that on my step daughter once.. that meat flew out and hit the wall, then we all got hysterical laughing from the fright of it all...I can still hear that meat hitting the wall...
And you are not a chicken, you are getting smarter... at least now when you turn around and walk out of the room she won't be alone......
Seeme, where are you?????
Yes, I am worried about Johnny too, hope everything is ok for him and his wife..
Ok, am going to do some cleaning, get it over with so I can enjoy the rest of the weekend...
Hugs across the miles to you all....
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Ladee, I am sick because I had 2 wine coolers last night, forgetting that they actually contain wine, which I am allergic to. I don't often remember that I am allergic to wine until I am violently ill after drinking some. There is a high amount of something called sulfates in wine and I am just very sensitive to sulfates. There is one kind of wine that is specially made with low sulfates that I can have without having a severe reaction. I thought at first I got food poison, but then I remembered "Oh crap, I had wine coolers". Obviously, I don't drink often enough to remember that.
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Sorry to hear about the upset tummy. Might just have to get you a bottle of wine that you can drink and keep it in your purse...... just a thought... love ya.
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Well, me and my friend went and got some wine coolers and I forgot about the allergy and actually never even thought that I would be allergic to wine coolers. Next time I will just get that other wine, lol. Or even better, a bottle of vodka and some oj haha.
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I'm allergic to alcohol too, it makes me break out in bad behavior....
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I just get a case of funny stupid drunk.....and 2 wine coolers would do it for me....I'm what you call a cheap drunk !!!
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Once I was even cyber drunk.....
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I've been cyber high, too.
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LOL you guys are funny! I don't drink often, and at first I thought that I was just a lightweight and couldn't hold my alcohol, but then I realized, I can drink...a lot...and be just fine...if I drink anything else, but no wine. It about kills me. I'm feeling a lot better now though. Whew. And then the dr enlightened me about sulfates, oh fun.
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Hi all,glad to see everyone has had a decent day. For me time off was great! Didn't get anything done at my house...seemed like I was in a fog. Oh is should takethat back. The clothers are done and neatly shhok out on the bed!, haha. My kitty was very happy that I got to stay awhile. She is a tabby from the pound that we have had since she was about four months.. Think we have had her about10 years now.
Debbie, love your bird but I do like watching birds. We had a mockingbird nest with four babies... The hawks ended up getting them even thoug my husband and I tried to keep a watch but the hawks got them all. We have a bluebird nesr that just hatched three babies the other day.. So much fun to watch.
Believe me I dont have a good attitude all the time. This morning the words just came. I pray everyone has a good nigt. Have to get dad ready for bed, then I will be right behind him.. Maybe get a few hours of good sleep before he starts calling. Thanks and thanks for this thread. Night all.
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Starri, sorry for the loss in your family. You were very kind to buy a ticket for your SIL.
Vic... what a busy day you had! I realized that when one day is peaceful, it's busy enough. I mean, the days where you don't have anything to do, you have enough to do.
Seeme, any more news from the doctors?
'nite everybody
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I didn't do any cleaning......too busy listening to this crazy woman who at one time I believed was my mother.......must be another UTI already.........she screamed all day.........even when I was napping, I heard her and answered her............I'm REALLY multi-tasking. She screamed so loud and constant about needing to talk to the dentist about the pain in one upper and one lower teeth. Told her it was Sat. We had to cancel her appt on Monday cause we put her in the hospital........ and ......SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY UPPER TEETH.....and didn't believe me when I told her !! I said I would take her to the ER, and she was ready to go !!! That is not my mother. So I told her I would get her something for the pain if she would stay in bed.....go get Hubby to come in the house....run to Walmart....everyone who lives in town who is not at the beach is in Walmart.......I grab $30 worth of Oragel, pads, wet wipes.....and when I get home, there is no tooth pain.......

We both lay down to take a nap and of course that doesn't work, but I slept and answered her at the same time.........Just put her to bed and before she starts hollering, I am going to paint my toenails. The End

Emjo, Don't know why you would say you don't belong........course you do.......and did I read your mother is 99 ??? What a long life she has had. Imagine all the things she has lived through in the last century...............

JOHNNYCARES......where are you ?????

YR, are we gone yet? Can't remember....I just know I am not all here !! heeheehee

Starri, you are a real doll, just love you......wish I was there to listen to you and help you clean up.........I wouldn't throw anything away un less you told me to......and Jerry is being a poophead? I wouldn't have thought he had it in him...but what do I know......

Time to paint the nails..........later
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Seeme, I remember the night ya'll got cyber high, I went to a 12 step meeting and shared about my "new friends"......NOT REALLY, but I did sign off early that night...
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I thought maybe you were with us, Ladee. I needed the relief so bad then...I remember just laughing and laughing....did we get too stupid for you? Guess we were a bad influence that night...............

Vic....let us know what you did with all the time off......I'm afraid I would just sleep mine away in a nice hotel room.........

Rosella, you are so right about the easy days being just what you have to do. I had such plans for the day when I got up and almost half of it got done. Talked to Kathy, my helper earlier and told her I am so glad tomorrow is Sunday and she will spend the night. If the lung doctor doesn't clear mom for surgery, I will just send her home with him and let her scream for him all night and I bet he changes his mind. HAHAHA I can see it now..........

Jamboree.....ooo I like that.......hide the rollers before you let col in the bathroom !!! When does she go to the dentist? Does Target write long distance prescriptions? I'd ask for a pain killer, but the pain I'm thinking of killing would put me in jail, so I'll settle for lortab to get rid of my tension headaches........

ah, well, I'm getting stupid, so I'll check in later.....

Hubby is cleaning his old new truck...won't see him till tomorrow sometime...
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Debbie, my mom is allergic to sulphates, too. She never was a drinker, her father was the town drunk.. but she can't take certain antibiotics, use neosporin, or the medicine that is put on burn patients. I blistered her good before she told me about neosporin. Do you have those same issues?
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Seeme, no ya'll weren't a bad influence on me, I laughed too, ,ya'll were having so much fun with your imaginary drugs....hey, can't get
busted for pretending... sorry mama just won't stop with the hollering.. that would drive me nuts.... and sending her home with the Dr. is a great idea.... that reminds me of years ago, going to a Dr. for PMS, of course it was a man and he said there is no such thing, that let's ya'll know how long ago that was... So I told him I would go
home with him for a month or two and I'm sure he would change his mind.... he gave me Xanax, what a good Dr. he was.....!!!!! Do you have allergies like you mom???
Jam who got the last cow pattie??? You are falling down on the job girl, you need to get those damned hot roller out of YOUR hair and tend to bidnes !!!


Happy to hear everyone has a semi good day... if we didn't come on here and get silly we would loose our minds... love you all, hugs across the miles...
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ladee.....have you been smoking the Pattie you won? That was 800......haven't gotten to 900 yet.....:) I'm trying to get caught up.....you guys are having too much fun without me!
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I take after my dad more than my mom, I think, although with age I have gotten more sensitive to topical things, like bandaids and aloe vera, especially aloe in sunscreen is a no-no. I have dad's vericose veins, OCD......not fertile myrtle like mom was.....

Heard mom holler something and she was awake saying she had to go grocery shopping......not looking good for the rest of the night. Got her to take some meds that may make her sleep for a while.....just her regular ones....no sleepy pills. I would love to take a xanax one time to get some sleep, but I am so susceptible to sleep for a week, I'm afraid to do it.

Oh, hubby get notifications about FB, so if you send something there, I will see it. I am too busy with this thread and the Kindle page and emails, that I don't go on FB much.....also too long-winded........

I've got the munchies, so I'll be back in a bit...hubby has come in for a breather.... may go say hi to him................
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Toenails painted....now you can call me Suzy Floozy..........or Floozy Suzy....a nice dark burgundy.....
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