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I am not a caregiver. However, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. My dad passed away a little over a year ago to Covid. We are all still grieving his loss. It has taken a huge emotional toll on us all. My parents were married for 52 years. Never separated and did everything together. But now he is gone. And although, I have been my moms only female friend through the years, my mom is disappointed when I take time for me to rest and relax. Since my dad has passed away, I have been staying with her every other weekend. Now, she stays with me every other weekend. But there are times when I wish I can just stay home and relax. My mom sits pretty much all day long to watch tv. She watches YouTube videos of a lady cooking in Turkey, videos of animals, and religious programs and wants me to sit with her to watch it. It drives me crazy. She gets upset if I get on my phone or seem disinterested. Which I am. I love her dearly but I wish we could see other things. I live alone. My son is grown and has his own family and has his own place. I really dont want to move in with my mom or she live with me. I am expected to do what she wants, she questions whose calling me or texting me. And although, I know Im no spring chicken, I feel like I have aged 10 years suddenly. People are asking me if I have retired already. Im 53 years old. Ouch. I probably aged 10 years in the past year. I still work and have another 12 years before retirement with full social security benefits. My mom lives with my brother. But he doesnt sit with my mom all day long to watch tv and is in bed by 10 and she is not sleepy. I feel guilty feeling the way I do. I have 2 brothers. I am the one who spends the most time with her. And I am not a healthy person. I have Emphysema and Ulcerative Colitis.
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Janet: Much love and many hugs sent to you.
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My stepson is coming from Mane today. Not sure why. He was here not that long ago.
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Janet, Cut the amount of time you are staying with her. She needs to develop her own friends and interests. Do not allow her to take over your life and move you into her elderly world.
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Whine: Yet another acute infection popped up yesterday. I've been having some back-to-back issues since Christmas. I see the doc tomorrow. Counting my blessings that this is uncommon for me. Battling it with ginger, garlic, all the usual good stuff, and today a coworker suggested hibiscus tea. I had no idea it had antibacterial effects. The more you know!
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Ali, don't forget the colloidal silver. It kicks infections out the door.
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Ali: Hope that you fee better fast from the infection. Hugs.
ITTR: Good suggestion.💛
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Hibiscus tea feels wonderful on a sore throat, Ali. Give it a try. Feel better soon.
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ITRR, using a colloidal silver nose spray made a big difference in my chronic sinus infections a couple years ago. I get fewer infections now and if I do feel one coming on, then I use that spray and it seems to help. I'll look at other ways to use it. Thanks for mentioning this.
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Janetjouney5,
You have a lot of the symptoms of being a caregiver. But you cannot even pay a caregiver to sit with someone that long. It is not healthy.

Your parents may have done everything together for 52 years, but doubt that your Dad sat with your Mom to watch those same shows, for that long a time each day, giving her his undivided attention. Ask her. Did Dad like this show?

And you are not a replacement for your Dad. No one wants to sit with someone all day watching T.V. This is a sedentary activity best done alone.
Or in a group at an AL, where she could not choose the shows, and would not have other's undivided attention.

It would be most unfortunate if you continue to be there for your Mom in this most unhealthy way. Unhealthy for both of you. I get the feeling, by your description, that she is holding you hostage in her grief.

Start by going for tea in the kitchen while a longer show is on. Then just don't come back. When she gripes tell her you thought she was going to join you in the kitchen for tea.
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Barb,
Hoping Pickle's Birthday was a happy and stress-free day.

Ali,
Feel better soon!
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Ali, for internal I put about a half teaspoon under my tongue, the whole sublingual theory thing. I use it generously because I make it by the gallon. Super easy to do.

Then of course you can use it topically. Just spray on multiple times a day.

I read an article that a woman swears it cured the herpes virus in her eye. I don't know if it's true but, I have seen amazing results for everything we use it for.

Get well soon!
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(((((((ali)))))) hope you get well soon
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My son and stepson have been visiting me today, along with bickering with each other. They have known each other since high school and it's their routine. My son is an only child and somewhat spoiled. Stepson is the middle of five children. I got tired of hearing them and asked them to leave. Childish.

I'm sick of my leg and cast. Would love to get up and move around, but it's not happening. I've got to get some new reading material. I ordered some yarn today. Do some knitting.
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I have antibiotics today and I'm already feeling better, thank you all.

Since I didn't want my life to be too easy, haha, I ignored the instructions on my new mandolin slicer to "Use hand guard at all times." I was trying it out and figured I didn't need the guard since it was a 3 inch piece of cucumber. My right thumb is taped up and looking like a small lightbulb now. I'm happy I found a great mandolin slicer for $10. I've been wanting one.

ITRR, I looked at how to make colloidal silver at home and you're right, that's pretty easy. Before I invest in the few necessary things to make it, I figure I'll buy 4-8oz and make sure it's a good therapy for me and that I'll use it. And I learned a bit about the meaning of PPM amounts (it's not a measure of effectiveness or potency) and other helpful colloidal silver tips today.
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Ali: Edit - *feel* better.
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:) get better soon ali!!
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on my mind?

:) today is a super special day for me. and i’ll be setting off fireworks everywhere, literally and metaphorically :).

have an awesome day everyone! :) :)
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Celebrate, Bundle of Joy!! :)
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Ali: How is your thumb today? Please be careful the next time that you use the mandolin slicer.
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Thanks for asking, Llama. It’s fine, just annoying pecking out type with my index finger (like I’m doing right now lol) and I wear a glove in the shower to keep bandages on. Believe me, I’ll never do that again. ☺️😝
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“Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you.”
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Ali: You're very welcome. Feel better with the thumb soon. Ouch.
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Ali and IIRR
I found myself feeling around for something I could try the silver remedy on. Lol
Will it help anxiety? Just teasing
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wishing us an awesome weekend :).

good luck to all of us, helping our LOs and helping ourselves :).
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ali - how are you doing?

glad - how's the new job?

So thankful. It's been a while (40+ years) since I bought a house and went through the business of setting up insurances, utilities etc. It was a bit of a palaver. Now you can do it all online!!!! This is so much easier!!! 😊😊😊
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Boring day. Paid my cable and cell phone bills. Called my deceased husband's insurance and retirement. They handle my long term care insurance. They will start paying my care bills on May 1st. Yea! They are so nice and helpful.
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i finished my book.

and now i don’t know what to do with myself.
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Time to start another one Bundle.
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okey-dokey :).
walking over to my bookshelf. and then will disappear in my blanket.

more snow tomorrow.
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