The Caregiver & Dysfunctional Families: How are you doing?

I find my mom prefers food that was what my kids liked when they were 5-8 years old. Simple things, easy to eat with your fingers, uncomplicated flavors. Chicken fingers, fish fingers, beef stew, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, potatoes, hamburgers especially, anything fried. Here in Minnesota we exist on hot dish/casserole. She liked some of them. Here's the Cheeseburger Casserole hotdish. I actually found the recipe in a Junior League of Georgia cookbook years ago. Look away Julia Childs!

1 box of macaroni noodles/whatever noodle you like, cooked.
1 pound of ground meat + 1 chopped onion, browned together and drained of fat. Season well.
1 can cream of mushroom soup + 1/2 can milk
Velveeta cubes. I use about 2 cups. You can do more or less. Real cheddar does not melt and perform correctly.

In a Hurry Method:
Brown your meat, boil your noodles, and combine everything into a skillet. Heat through and serve.

Standard Method:
Combine everything into a baking dish and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Bon Apetite!

Hi Margeaux,
That is a good one, "My kitchen is not a restaurant". Ha. My people won't eat salad. I try to sneak veggies into things. Like you would with a two year old who won't eat his veggies.

Funny thing happened too. MIL is obsessed with bowel movements. Both theirs and the little darned dog of theirs. Well, she decided the dog was constipated because she wouldn't poop when she was taken outside. So she gave her a small spoonful of butter. And I am cleaning up the dog poop from my carpets every day, so nothing wrong with the dog's digestion! Haha. It is a trial, I am not fond of lap dogs to begin with. We have a border collie/lab mix, who is polite and trained. I probably lose it more over that little dog more than over the parents. :)
Thanks for listening,
Christine

Camaryllis,

Oh I'd forgotten about the fact they may not be in touch with other kinds of food.
But if you've gone for three weeks without repeating a menu, that is pretty good.
Well I hope they don't get too fussy on you. My husband at times gets picky.
I then tell him, that, "my kitchen isn't a restaurant." Last night I made lentils, which I usually would accompany with a salad. I was too lazy to make the salad.
This was fine, though. He has a palate for richer food than I do, and I am trying to cut down a bit on that. Our diet has become too acidic. When the temps warm up, I will be doing the sandwiches also.

Much Love & Light! Margeaux

Warning, WAAAH ahead...
OK, so last night was really hard on me. I am sensitive and am dealing with FIL during his worst time of day...I feel for him, and can see that his behaviors are from fear and insecurity. I can't fix that, but spent a few hours trying to just be soothing. After I finally got him to go to bed, I called the Alzheimers caregiver help line. The number is 800.272.3900 if anyone ever needs it. They are there 24/7, and the counselor there talked me down from the rafters. I felt like I didn't know what to do with FIL. What to say to him. Intellectually I know this is part of the disease, but it is really hard for me to sit there and try to listen and help him. I was freaking out. I have known a mentally ill person, who had schizophrenia. And talked crazy. FIL is talking crazy. He is in a different place. At least he wasn't being aggressive. But he told me this delusional story about a woman sitting in a chair out in the yard, and that he offered her money to drive him home. Then he said she stole his car. The woman was his wife, who he did not recognize at that moment. And his car has never been here. He kept saying that he needed to report it to the FBI. And that he didn't know how he had gotten to our house. I tried to remind him once or twice, which did no good as he asked me again a minute later. Then I tried just reassuring him, that the car was in the driveway at his house, that his niece was checking on things there every day, and that he was safe and we were so glad he was visiting us. He would just look at me with an unfocused look and start all over again. The night before I got him to sit and watch An Officer and a Gentleman with me, I watched most of it with my eyes closed but he seemed to like it and it made him talk about his days in the Navy. And there was a commercial for a candy bar that he was remembering that he liked. So I stopped at the store and got him some of the candy. Of course he didn't remember but he seemed to sense the kindness, which is what I am thinking will maybe help reassure him.
Oh, I know I can't fix this, and that it won't get better. The counselor last night said that it might take some time for him to adjust to the new living arrangements. But it has gotten worse. He is really out of it most of the time now. He talks about going to work, and keeps obsessively counting the money in his wallet, although he never knows how much he has, thinking he needs bus fare.
What I need to do is walk away and go to my room for a while. I have no time to myself anymore. And I am feeling like a real wimp, falling apart after only three weeks of this.
MIL is really upset about FIL, she is avoiding him, I can see why she is upset to see him this way. But her distress is not helping, and I can't help her either.

I imagine there is some kind of respite care available, I just have to figure out how to get it. Charles is trying to do some of the phone call things as he is home in the mornings. But he is not having the same problem as I am, he has better boundaries with his parents and he is not falling apart so isn't in the same sort of hurry as I am to get things done. Story of my life there. Anyway,
Thanks for listening
Christine

Hi Margeaux,
Slight complication as they do not have much experience with foods other than what they are 'used to'. Everything else is looked at askance. I did do the sub sandwiches last night, seemed to work. Wish they liked more things...I have been craving mexican food myself. No way for them. Anyway, I will get it together. I am laughing at myself because my dinner 'vocabulary' only is about three weeks worth. Guess I can start repeating now. Ha.
Thanks for listening,
Christine

Party planner par excellence - that wouldn't be me, unfortunately, but I am doing my best. Thank you for asking Emjo. Acceptances are trickling in, we should have a respectable muster of family and friends and neighbours. I actually got to have a long talk with Darling Wonderful (DW) brother last night (DW because mother still thinks the sun shines you know how, not because I'm that keen on 'im). BP SIL, it turned out by happy accident, was out seeing a friend so he was more talkative than usual. Also in the FOULEST temper, but that's because he's been called up for jury service, second time in only a few years, and he can't afford the time or money it takes. Which would be fair enough, but my goodness he's being a grumpy bugger about everything.

Anyway. The reason I had to ring was that I decided to pick on my son, as Senior Grandson, to give a short, affectionate and amusing speech in honour of his granny at this party that I'm beginning to regret ever suggesting. Son, as ex-officer and (I hope not ex-) gentleman, said he would be delighted to but didn't want to usurp his uncles' prior claim to the privilege (ironic? A child of mine? Surely not); he insisted I check that they would not object. Well I did tell him I was quite sure they wouldn't, especially seeing as one would be out of the country and the other would rather cut his own toes off than speak in public… but he was correct, I suppose, and now we have it confirmed. Senior Grandson to deliver speech and propose toast.

Gosh, I hope he'll keep it clean.

Now he wants material for it. I'm considering suggesting he consult his siblings and cousins, and ask each to contribute a favourite memory/anecdote/moral tale learned from/saying of their grandmother - wouldn't that be cute? And touching? Is this a good idea or am I losing my mind? There are seven of them, not including quasi-step-sisters, so that should cover quite as much time as anyone will want to listen for. Hm. Have to remember this is her birthday, not a wake, and she'll be there to hear it of course. I'm also a little afraid that it's only my children who've spent very much time with her over the last thirty years and it might look as if I'm making a point. But surely Lovely Nephews 1, 2 and 3 and Lovely Only Niece can rustle up something to say about her?

I have been a total coward and dropped the idea of making the birthday cake. I was enjoying the initial design stages, but then the reality of the baking, construction, icing and decoration began to dawn and I realised that instead of being fun and lovely it could turn into a major stress and I never would get to the hairdresser - I'd be up at four in the morning desperately trying to turn a blob of icing into a snow leopard or trying to print pictures off the internet onto rice paper. Know thyself, I told myself, and rang the baker to order one. If she gets to 100, I'll do the Carnival Cake. Promise.

Emjo, please take good care of yourself. Can you estimate in weeks how long it will be before you can really expect the bulk of arrangements to be more or less settled down? I always think it's easier to grit your teeth if you've some idea of how long you have to grit your teeth for. And there do seem to be some old stress symptoms bubbling up, are there? Hope you've got some breaks timetabled in, days or weekends when you can just relax and please yourself. Sorry G is having a worrying time with the horses.

Speaking of Gs, ours upstairs has a severely blocked nose, can't sleep and is feeling terrible: I've been up to administer paracetamol and decongestant vapour and soothing hot drinks, so I hope he at least feels cared about even if we're not a couple any more. The pollen count is horrendous just now - everybody is sneezing, me, the cat, the dog, Alice the hen - but he's really suffering. I think it's the stress of waiting, too; he had an MRI and a bone scan the week before last and was told he'd get the results in a fortnight, which means by this Friday. It's reasonable to hope for good news, but the waiting is very trying all the same.

I'm not even going to think what happens if it's not good news. It will be. Fingers crossed.

What's for dinner tonite? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
I made spaghetti last night.
But I'm trying to stay away from meat right now, trying to clean up my diet a bit.

Margeaux

Camaryllis,

Oh do I know about coming up with dinner ideas, and sometimes we just don't know what to prepare. I cook a lot here at home, which I don't mind, because for us it's way healthier than eating out, or take out, etc. Plus, where I live it's quite pricey, and quality is low, so I'm not going there.

What I do on what I like to call my low maintenance dinner menu's is,
sometimes I'll pick a day when I'm less busy. I'll make beans, lentils, etc.
Then I'll use these ingredients to make things such as burritos. For the burritos of course you'd need tortillas, don't know where you live. But I saute up some chicken, make some white or brown rice. Of course, it's easier if you've made most of these things before hand. Then you can just assemble it, by placing some of the chicken in the tortilla, little bit of rice, then the beans. On top of that you can shred some cheddar or your choice cheese. Actually you can put whatever added things you want when you saute the chicken such as onions, garlic, "making myself hungry."

Another very easy: Quesadilla. Flour or corn tortilla, here. Shred the cheese,
add some onions, fresh cut tomatoes, cilantro and place all of that on the tortilla.
Warm it up in a fry pan, (no oil involved here), only to heat the tortilla, and melt the cheese. If you really want to get fancy w/these, you can add beans, and small cut pieces of cooked chicken. These are easier than the burritos, if you don't have things prepped before hand.

What about a soup and salad menu? Soup is easy to prep before hand, also better tasting next day, anyway (my opinion). Then you just get your salad going.
Voila! Bon appetite. The casserole ideas are good too!

Mmmmmmmm! If you have any questions, just give me a holler!
Now I have made myself real hungry,

Much Love & Light! Margeaux

Alison,

I realize you have done so,, so much for your father, which is a good thing!
Who else in your clan would do all that for him?

But.....I will say also that if this behavior of he placing the chair in front of your supply place, short of it being something unsafe try to look at it also as possibly the few ways he takes the initiative to do something, since I'm aware that you've told us he doesn't want to go get his groceries. In other words, it's getting him up out of his bed/sofa, etc. to do something. My sister who is the one who moved in w/mother, also has complained to me of how she dislikes it whenever mother barely hints at the idea of my sister taking over things such as re-decoration of mother's house w/lot's of sister's own furniture, and pictures, etc.
Even if they are elderly and their homes many times suffer from neglect and disrepair, I've reminded my sister too......that it is still mom's home. So in other words, try ignoring their attempts at displaying some kind of control. They really no longer have real control anymore, so it could be coming from that angle.
Yes, and I agree with you, that this is for crazy making! But you've done and continue to do a wonderful job with your dad. He is more than a fortunate man to have such a great daughter such as you.

Hugs,
Much Love & Light! Margeaux

OK, thank you Sandwich for that idea! Got sub sandwiches for dinner, big hit. I told them we were having a picnic. HAha.
Good grief, tonight I came home to hear that FIL was going to offer people money to drive him to his home. I can't get the straight of it, if he asked a neighbor or one of the visiting nurses that come to see MIL.
I am going to be crazy soon.
Thanks for listening,
Christine

Sometimes I'll do a baked potato bar or taco bar. Apparently I like bars, all sorts. (ha ha ha). For the potato bar, I'll add on blanched broccoli in tiny pieces, green/English peas, turkey or ham cubes, chili or sloppy joe meat, salsa, etc in addition to the normal baked potato condiments. It can be as simple or fancy as you have time for.

This is new to me - Caregiver College videos by Caregiver.org. Basic training on routine ADL tasks the home caregiver performs, and how to do it safely. (All the CNA stuff nobody teaches us!)

youtube/watch?v=xUjOarB8XUc

Hey Sandwich, I hear that! I think I might try that. I made grilled cheese and tomato soup for them now and then, but it feels like I am cheating somehow. I feel really good that MIL gained nearly 10 lbs since she has been here, and is a lot more relaxed than she was when she was taking care of FIL by herself. Of course, I now am stressed! Anyway, good idea, thank you.
Christine

Hey Christine! Personally, I find absolutely nothing wrong with sandwiches. :-D How about a sandwich bar for dinner once a week? Cold cuts, cheeses, whatever the folks in the house might like to assemble on their own sandwich.

The repetitive money counting is a symptom of dementia. Teepa Snow discusses that behavior in one of her training videos. I'm 90% sure this is the one: youtube/watch?v=pqmqC-702Yg

My ride didn't show this morning. Waiting to hear from the SW re a report of mother's account with the hospital. My stomach is churning at the thought of going back to her apartment - too many bad memories.

bunny, I can identify with the worthless presents - not as bad as you have it but it doesn't take too many instances of being treated like that to leave a lasting effect. You mention anger and resentment. They eat at you and affect your physical health too. The past few months I am better realising the negative effect her disease has on me, as I have a break from direct contact with mother. It is not just the past, but the ongoing abuses which are bad enough on their own, but also trigger the past. Glad the ACT is helping. You should not allow her to destroy your life - definitely get off the merry go round.

Christine, you are handling this all very gracefully. I do hope you and your husband are looking into a placement for his dad. The stress of having the two of them with you, declining is significant.

marg - good for sidestepping your sis, though she will try to take advantage of any opportunity...

Sharyn - sounds like you are getting a handle on that co worker. Yes, you will have to visit your daughter. New life brings changes.

glad - wonderful that the probiotics are working so well. I would not be surprised if more seniors would benefit from them Too many antibiotics upset the gut balance.

Grace - I hope you stop beating yourself up over what you perceive as your deficiencies. "no matter what my heart offers it is like throwing pearls to swine on a bad day" Yes, it does feel like that. How many times I have gone to visit mother, to reassure her, to take her out for a nice meal, to do something for her, to have it thrown back in my face, or have her try to start an argument with me, or have her accuse me of something. It is a lose - lose, but they win by the losing, as they have that kind of nature. To me, it sounds like you are pretty stressed and need to look at some alternate arrangements for your parents and start putting you and your healing first. I do not believe that God wants you bitter and broken down. Sharyn mentioned detaching. It is necessary to survive, not just endure, narcissistic parents.

sandwich -wow - seen a few like that over the years and too many bosses who fall for it, or the cleavage they show. Usually it works out in the wash, but can take years. I know one who used to boast about using her physical attributes to get what she wanted from men. probably good for Aunt B to see how your mum is, but what a shock for her.

Alison - I can see why that would be aggravating - with everything else you have to deal with. Crazyville is not a nice place to visit and you definitely don't want to live there.

cm -how are the plans going?

everyone - have a good day and do something good for you.

Haven't heard of any vet reports. One of their main points is their analysis of the leftovers of one bale of hay, while they ignored the 9 bales the horses hadn't eaten yet.The RCMP don't use horses much - only on ceremonial rides. They use vehicles like the other police. Like I said, they are scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to get G to agree to their terms. I think if they had a strong case it would have gone before the judge by now.

Well Emjo and vet can tell the difference between a lean horse breed and an emaciated one. The old RMPC should know the difference too .Maybe he just did not care about his horse and thought of it as a motor cycle!

Christine I know it is hard for you to come up with dinner ideas every night when all you want is a sandwich. Have you thought about making up caseroles etc and freezing them for dinner during the week and maybe bringing in take out one evening if you can afford it. Maybe a crock pot one night you can put together the night before and turn on before you leave for work. throw in some some either brought or home made and fresh or canned fruit and you are good to go. You are doing an excellent job and it does not matter how often he counts his money at least he is doing something and has become calmer that is progress.

Sandwich,

Great post about your ex-coworker! I once too worked in a big law firm and there was one secretary that missed so much work. Our office manager was such a sweet, nice woman too! I couldn't understand how someone like this worker got away with the absences and kept her job. Well, when the company was laying off, back in the Reagan Era I was the one who got laid off, since I was the one with the least senority. I was so disheartened by this, as it was for a good company, and my wages were pretty good! After I left, I often wondered whether they kept that other employee. It's often so unfair what we go through at jobs....the putting up w/people who are just taking up space, or causing chaos.

I'm sorry that you're mother is being so mouthy with you!

Hugs,
Much Love & Light! Margeaux

Hello again,
Well, yesterday I came home and MIL told me that FIL had been sitting at the kitchen table all afternoon, counting the money in his wallet repeatedly. She doesn't know what to think or do. I thought, well, at least he was happy. His tone has changed a lot...he is living way in the past, thinks he is 20. Going to get a job tomorrow. I think this is where the money counting is from, he wants to make sure he has enough for bus fare, I guess.
I am feeling sad that he is so far gone, but glad he is peaceful. Even calm like this, though, I am not sure I can handle it. I have been feeling so exhausted lately, not by anything physical but from the emotional part. I have to get a handle on that. I can't fix this. It is also a little stressful having to come up with ideas for dinner every night. I like to cook, but am coming home and making full meals when I used to not, I would just have a sandwich or something when I was by myself. I feel like I am whining, too, it has only been a couple of weeks. I guess it takes me longer to change.
Thanks for listening,
Christine

Alison, that is so strange. My mother has a chair she keeps moving, too. She also has a blanket she lays on the floor by her bed. She puts the chair at the foot of her bed. I move the chair and pick up the blanket, she puts them back. This goes on and on. I haven't been able to determine what the purpose of either one is. I'll just have to do what you did and look for the why.

ABB - good thing you figured it out in time! - I've known less puzzling Sherlock Holmes outlines. "What the… WHY are you..?"

Sandwich if anyone else spoke to you like that, I assume, they wouldn't be doing it twice. Seems to me you're taking an awful lot on the chin - which is brave of you, I'm not criticising, well done you; but how much more of this can anyone be expected to handle?

ABB, I would not have noticed that and came up with your scenarios. Maybe, it's all 3! Will you be asking him if he wants to move it to his room? Thanks for sharing. Sometimes we all need a little light-hearted touching story. {{hugs}}

This post maybe should go into the "Failures and Accomplishments" thread, but I haven't posted anything here in awhile, so... (and btw, haven't posted largely because I've been pondering, mulling over, brooding on many personal topics and have zero "conclusions," so have been just reading and empathizing with everyone else's situations, Thank You All.)

So my dad has many habits that drive me crazy and I do try to by-and-large understand that this is his home and he's a hoarder and sees clutter as necessary and good while I see it as a Big Problem since when I came here, I had to go through this house full of floor to ceiling piles of miscellaneous items and I've put much work - much work - into making this home clean, livable, and organized. So when my dad starts placing a chair in front of where I keep cleaning supplies in the basement, I put the chair back in its designated storage spot. Next time I'm in the basement storage/laundry area, I see chair is back in this weird, random, right-in-the-middle-of-things spot that it shouldn't be in. I put chair back. Dad and I play this game for the past week, and today I see that he used the wooden table I use for folding clothes to anchor his chair placement, taking the time to lift the table up and place the table leg through the chair arms, so that the chair cannot be easily moved. Now, my dad is completely capable of just doing things like this for no reason, HOWEVER I realize that my dad's shoe rack is sitting in this corner and just completely by accident was overlooked when everything else was moved back into his room in the finished part of basement from basement storage area. (There was construction, mold remediation, so all dad's items went to storage area.) That shoe rack should've come out and been placed back into his room in basement area, but just by sheer coincidence, it was overlooked. And now, I don't know what is more funny to me: that I didn't NOTICE that the reason my dad is dragging a chair to this weird, random area is because he needs to sit in it to put his shoes on - OR - that my dad didn't make the logical decision that he could now move his shoe rack back into his room where it goes! Or even that he didn't just tell me that he was moving the chair there to sit and put his shoes on... its just strange all around.

I realize some of you fight much harder battles than this, but I do feel like I live in crazy town much of the time. And I'm glad I have friends to share this with who understand. :-) (((hugs)))

Took mom's special pink walker to her today. She had been using one from PT, but today was the last day for that, and the walker will have to go back. She sat and crabbed the entire time about being in a h*ll hole, eating slop, and how she'd asked me 10 times to bring a finger nail clipper and I won't because Blah blah blah blah.

I had brought my husband's Aunt B with me, so she could see how mom is. I should have known better than to go visit after 4 pm.

I was getting an angry tongue lashing the entire time about how I've done this to her deliberately and she doesn't like the way I do anything blah blah blah blah. I also brought her more clean clothes, and she looked right at me and said "It's like you think I'm going to stay here longer and I'm not." More hot & spicy verbal abuse happened. I have to say I'm bored by it today. It didn't upset me at all. I expect her to be mean as a snake and twice as ugly, so it's not in the least bit shocking to me.

Finally the elevator showed up, not a moment too soon. It was very shocking to Aunt B. I'm used to it.

About two hours later, I get a call from mom, but don't answer. She left a message as long as the machine would allow. I could hear her tone of voice, but didn't go back to listen to the content. A second call came in later. "Hey Sh-thead bring me bathrobes blah blah blah blah wah, wanh, wanh, wah....etc." She has forgotten she has a bathrobe I guess. And nobody by the name of Sh-thead resides here, not even Steve Martin's dog.

Lesson: swearing heats up mom's neurons pretty darn quickly. Also, never ever ever go visit after work again, unless it's an emergency where somebody's eyeballs are on fire.

Hi Veronica - no, they are not elderly. Just thinner than the quarter horses which are very well muscled. Think of dogs - greyhound vs boxer. They just are not the same build. The case was postponed again. Really they are trying to harass G into caving into their requests/demands out of court, I think because they really do not have much of a case. The SPCA guy is ex RCMP so he has cronies, and the whole thing, according to G, is crooked. Meanwhile G is paying a lawyer for not doing much at all except turning up. I think if they had a case it would have been over by now, but it seems they don't want to go before the judge.
Good for you for caring for elderly horses - 37 is quite an age!

Went to a walk-in clinic and got some meds for the candida and F/M. I am so bloated I look 6 months pregnant!!! Got the coconut milk yogurt too, and some other things, so am well set up for the rest of my stay. The sun is shining and no rain clouds in sight at present. It was lovely walking, G and I will hot tub and have dinner one of these evenings. :)

Emjo are Gary's thin horses elderly? It is almost impossible to keep weight on a horse when it is old even though you keep their teeth floated. They also tend to get problems with their thyroids and often grow a very heavy coat that may not shed out in the Spring. I have cared for several elderly horses with these problems. My last one died at age 37!!!!!

Margeaux maybe your sister wants notice of your visit so she can be sure the house is clean for your visit!!!!!!!!!!!1

Emjo,

I'm trying to get some ME time in also. My sinuses got so bad after this last week,
my husband became Smokey the Bear, burning old bills. I was aggravated when it turned out this way, for precisely my sinus/allergy conditions. Oh!!! Heavens to Murgatroy! Also, as he burned and burned......I thought, "I hope none of the neighbors complain about smell of smoke." We live in a crowded community which wants people to follow environmental rules, which I totally understand!

I think I'm going into the tub this evening myself.
This coconut yogurt sounds really good, I'm going to look for some.

Hope your flare up calms down.

Hugs,
Much Love & Light! Margeaux

I finally went to mother's yesterday, unannounced to my sister.
As some of you know, some time in the past I'd check in with her, to coincide visits w/some relief CG time. When I arrived, which was 11:30 a.m., the caregiver was there. She's a CG from the past my sister had let go, however I think she is having her come in again. That's good, because she's very affectionate with mom, and does the do.

So I went into mom's room and she was in her little bed. She had her legs propped up, w/the blankets off her. I'm not sure whether she was feeling hot,
or just wanted to have her legs in another position. The first thing she said to me,
was "Hello, and Oh......I'm exposing my a** to you." I started laughing. She did have underwear on, her legs were exposed. She looked pretty good. After that, she got up, and we had breakfast together. Later she went to the living room couch, w/the TV on, fell asleep. So I was talking to the CG.

Later at least 2 hrs., later there was an incoming call from my sister to the CG. The CG told her I was there. When the CG got off the phone she says to me that my sister had stated, "She didn't tell me she was coming." HAAH! Interesting.......I guess I'm supposed to dock in w/her (or so SHE would like),
before I drop in.

Then later there was another call from my sister. This time the phone was passed to me. My sister tells me, that the CG was to be there til 5:00 p.m.,
if It was o.k., w/me she leave about 4:30, and I stay til 5:00. The CG had told me she was going to a small gathering for her grandaughter's "B," day. I reluctantly said O.K., as I'd already been there about 3 hrs. I really did this more for the CG. But I did have some moments of angst of feeling the trapped feeling by my sister. But I did answer her in a serious tone, so as not to give her the impression she could show up beyond said hour. I don't know where she was, nor did I ask any questions to the CG. My sister told me on this phone call that she didn't want to have to rush home. She was at her daughter's having a small cake & ice cream, since her little grand daughter's birthday was also yesterday. There's a party for her next weekend. I thought to myself, "well, I've been here since 11:30 a.m." so obviously you're not rushing home. She showed up at a little before 5:00.
We talked briefly, for about 15 mins., then I told her I had to go. I could tell by her tone and the way my sister stares at me, that she was thinking all kind of things, and even probably puzzled at the fact I didn't ask, bring up conversations I've allowed for her to engage in, in the past. Really trying to keep my distance with her. This was the best I could do, because I was hoping just to drop in visit unencumbered by my sister's and her youngest daughter's energy.

Overall, mom was real cute. I also found out that it they'll be taking her off of Hospice, because they think she's recuperated enough from the last hospital stay.

Much Love & Light! Margeaux