hi everybody!! It's a cool but pretty afternoon here...

Sandy, bless yours and Jim's hearts for planning on bringing your mom to live with you. I hope you can find a support group for yourself...you have an awful lot on your plate, and it is so very challenging dealing with the elderly...:hug::hug: Don't forget to take care of yourself...

Vonn, I think that we as patients realize how little control we flawed beings really have. The most control we have is how we think...I have been on a real negative-thought bender recently, but I'm calming myself down and realigning my thought process. That is the only thing I have control over (most of the time). It sure isn't the rest of my body:p

Jenn, red wine is beneficial to your body in so many ways...glad you're enjoying!:)

Barb, don't you just love when the upper echelon tells the little people how they need to make due with less...tell them to sell their nice leather office chairs and use IKEA chairs:D...oops, negativity slipping in again.

I had to go over to DS & DIL's apartment to wait for the cable guy...they were a bit late, and I didn't get out until 2pm. Had a handful of cereal I found in their kitchen for lunch...hope that helps me lose weight:rolleyes:

Hope everyone has a great evening!!:D

thanks .. .

I know, I know ... I get ants-in-my-pants to move .. .but, will that bring me joy and happiness?? part of it ... but, really - everyone has their own life ... and now that most of my friends are married and WITH children .. having single friends very rarely survive camaraderie anymore ...

the question that's always thrown at me - so, where do you want to go that will make you happy? ... :eek: I'm suppose to answer that???

GOAL - buy land, build my lighthouse ... and studio!!

UPDATE: made some fun changes to the website!! changed-up the slide show of all the quilts that have now found new homes!!

Sandy, sorry to hear about the fur baby. :(

Barb, I think losing that illusion of control has been the hardest part to come to grips with.

Everyone, Big :hug::hug:
~~~~~

We've got some wind here, but the nip makes me think it's coming from the north. :eek:

I plan to burgandy my hair on Friday. Beyond time to get rid of those stubborn white roots. Often wonder if my hair is gonna go all white like my dad and grandmother's. Miss Clairol to the rescue for now. :)

Got an interesting email today. Signed up an account with CreateSpace, a self publisher associated with Amazon. Must have clicked a box when I signed up. Got an email from one of their publishing consultants. Verified the guy's legit too. Feeling a bit like Alice and wondering to where this rabbit hole will lead...

well I went with dr info, mom and sister thoughts too.. to take it once this morning and see if less effects...

blahhhh was doing great at work, but at one point.. hard to explain feel like heart is racing but think my pulse was normal!! but also chest feels tight... waves of extreme nausea.. so far held anything from coming up!:eek:

anyhow, I gave it one more try... as I thought if not I gave up too quick... but no NO not for me!! tomorrow suppose to call neuro... and update them. I am telling them the racing stuff and the nausea are too extreme.

Then I will stick with my two meds and do as much stretching and relief stuff I can think of for the pain. Maybe see upping that baclofen. If he will!

ok off to lay down, buzzed galore.. so tired but do not feel sleepy like... but blahh in tummy so laying down.


sandy, glad she is on the mend, sorry about the cat and car!! when it rains it pours.. you know that morton salt saying.. my great uncle came up with that for the salt company... too bad no money for it lol

to all hugssssss

vonn, keep thinking thru ideas but do not over think them, I tend to do that with decisions... heck the medicine this morning I had it about in mouth then stopped then took it lol

hugss all, sarah

Hi Everybody! :grouphug:

Sandy, I'm so happy that your Mom is coming to live with you! :hug: God bless you, you're such a good daughter, and a wonderful wife and mom too. I second what Deb said that you plan on getting help, you're going to have your hands full! I hope your kitty recovers well, Rocky had urinary issues when he was a kitten but not since then, knock on wood.

Everybody else: Hugs, blessings and loving thoughts going out to you. :grouphug:

My update:

I've been studying Excel to take an exam but the people at employment services haven't called me back. I guess I'll stop over there tomorrow to make sure they haven't forgotten about me.

I had a phone job interview today and I'm supposed to get a second in person interview within a few days. It's a sales job with a very good company, so keep your fingers and toes crossed for me. :D It's in telecommunications, something I know pretty well. :) I hope my age doesn't play against me because I'd really like to work for this company selling something I already know a lot about. :Head-Spin:

I better close and relax for awhile now so I can be up early in case they call in the morning to schedule the next interview. ;)

Good morning all Well all sorted cars away and off to the classic show Off :cool: Now relax time. Hope you have a good day . :hug::grouphug::grouphug::hug: xxxxxxxxxxx

Sarah, If the heart racing thing happens again, My advice is to call your doc's office and let them know. :hug::hug:

Wiz, congrats on the interview. Crossing fingers!

Everyone, :hug::hug:

morning everyone ...

hugs to all ...

Sarah - listen to Jenn ... she's your older sister ... and I could be another 'mom' ... ;)

UPDATE:
off to have the liver biopsy done this afternoon .. not sure what to expect ..

have a great day!! :hug:

Mom's had a bit of a setback. She was kind of out of it last night. They are going to move her today because she apparently wanders in the night and keeps her roommate awake. The staff didn't tell us this and when I spoke with the nursing supervisor she told me mom is on elopement risk. Sheesh, you think they would have told us she's still a risk? No, they tell us she's better everyday. Anyway, the nurse last night told me if I bring her home I need to have a security system. :yikes: Only time will tell if she pulls out of that risk. Heck, it could simply be she wants out and when she says that they think she'll run. Ugh, not knowing is sooooooo hard!

:hug: to everyone. Our cat is still at the hospital and doing better but time will only tell with him too.

Sandy, have they ruled out dementia for your Mom? I'm not sure how old she is but my Mom started getting "worrisome" right about sunset each night. She was pretty much okay during the day but as soon as evening came she got confused and started wondering. Maybe they could try some of the new meds and see if they help. My Mom went for "walks" and by the time my Dad realized she was gone she was half way down the street! :eek: She was alot quicker than he was, too.

Vonn, I hope all goes well with the liver biopsy. Do they have to put you to sleep for that or is it outpatient?

I had to go get prescription cat food this morning and stopped by an apartment complex that I have wanted to see. I loved it! It's so nice and very small. The lady that showed me the model was so nice and I really liked the model apartment. I couldn't believe how roomy it was. They even had a built in computer desk and area. Plus a good sized laundry room that had a storage area.

I need to go to the grocery store so badly but just do not feel like it. Guess I should go on and get it over with. :rolleyes:

Happy Thursday everyone! :grouphug:

Kelly .. as far as I know .. outpatient .. they didn't tell me nothing ... so, apparently this is norm ..

I'll be pooped when I get home tonight ... :Zzzz:

Kitty, it's quite possible the seizures have intensified dementia. The nurse explained it as each seizure causing damage on top of damage. So sad. :-( Her short term memory is shot right now. They said she repeats herself and I noticed that before this last one.

Good morning everyone! (Well, it's still morning here so I can say that. LOL)

Sandy - :hug: Have you posted a thread in the Epilepsy forum on NT? Someone there may have some advice, suggestions, and/or be willing to share their experiences. Anyhow, keeping you all in my prayers.

Vonn - Prayers being said for you. Good luck today. I hope all goes well for you. Check in when you can and let us know how you are doing.:hug:

Sarah - Well dang it all! I was hoping the Cymbalta would be your magic ticket. Have you thought of trying another AD to see if it helps? After I reacted to Cymbalta they put me on Paxil to help manage the pain and break that pain cycle. It worked really well - actually a little too well. :rolleyes: I could have cared less how much pain I was in. My affect went flat - no personality. But it did really help with that pain cycle.

Kelly - That's cool that you liked the apartment AND it has the washer and dryer in the unit. I so wish I had that. I either have to carry it/drive it up to the laundry room or bring it to DBF's and do it there. Such a pain. Look at other ones as well so you can make a comparison and thus a better decision.

Supermoo - Glad you got all the cars out. Now you can kick back and relax some.:hug:

Wiz - Keeping everything crossed for you. I hope this works out and you get the job.:hug: Excel is such a fun and cool program. There is so much that you can do with it.

Hi everyone else! Hope you all are doing well and have a great day!:hug:

Yes, I did some time back trying to understand what was going on. I've looked and read some things and it seems this happens. The big question for mom is will it get better or has it done damage. Time will only tell in her case.

Sandy, :hug::hug::hug:

sandy...hugs to you!:hug::hug:

vonn......thinking of you today, I hope all goes well:hug:

Not too much time on the computer...my youngest had relapse of flu, he
is much better today and I think he will go back to school tomorrow. I
am beat.:( Just thankful everyone seems healthy at the moment.:o

Love to everyone:hug::hug:

Here is the website for the second apartment community I'm considering. It's a little farther out of my area but it's newer. I'm looking at floorplan #4. Ya'll tell me what you think. :)

http://www.2batlanta.com/

The other community is closer to where I am now. Here is their website.

http://colonialprop.com/property-inf...ns.php?cid=909

I like this one (Colonial Grand) better just because it's a smaller community and seems friendlier.

Kelly, I like the idea of having two full baths. I'd be torn too. Pretty neat!

~~~~~

Been an interesting day so far.

I have a cat reliving her kittenhood by having her mommy play fetch. Ok, it's not really fetch - LOL! She loves to play with pop bottle caps, and she's been carrying them back to me to throw again. She'll go off and play with it for awhile. Then it's rinse and repeat. :D

New experience. Almost had a spider added to a painting. I'm scared to death of them, but he really didn't fit into what I was trying to create. So managed to get him out of the paint and fixed what he crawled on.

Now on pins and needles. That publishing consultant set up a time to call me later this afternoon. Not sure what's going to happen.

That has been my day in a nutshell so far. Take care everyone. :hug::hug:

Kelly, Even though I live alone, I love having two full baths -- master bathroom and company bathroom. Pictures of the first look really nice -- appliances, counter tops, etc. But I think I would prefer a smaller community too. Would you get one on the first floor? Is there parking facilities? Make sure you ask about utility costs, etc.

Vonn, Hope the biopsy goes well. Let us know how you are doing.

Just watched last nights Top Chef and now getting ready for my weekend getaway -- laundry and packing. We are leaving after my morning class.

Sandy, I'm praying that they can get your mom stable. I know how hard it is on you being so far away. :hug:

Kelly, those are nice apartments. A smaller community would be my choice too. ALso be sure to ask about local noise ordinances for night time. I was just reading about a new apartment complex in my area that is having trouble with thumpy stereos all hours of the night!

Vonn :hug: and prayers!

:grouphug: to all!

Not much new going at my house...thank goodness! I took a short drive to the country today just to look at the Fall leaves. It is amazing what a lot of rain will do for Fall colors!

Good morning all,

thanks all for the advice sisters, moms and all !!! hugsss

Sandy hugssssssssssss and hey evening in the regular hospital is when all seem worse. I recall my dad, in day he would seem like wow recover soon to come home, then evening he seemed LOST! good luck she will be home soon with you I feel!!

Well yes I called neuro, told nurse about the same feelings and that I do not think my body can take it... she said she would talk to him and call back. Her message back was to yes stop taking it, wait a week or two then call them, to talk over any other ideas he might have.

My focus, since I hate meds anyhow, is to do all I can physically and nutritionally to help the body too. Yoga and stretching, the massage when I can.. and the meds I am on. I will call them in two weeks.

hugss and thanks again all, hugsss,sarah

Hi every one. I am sending heaing wishes to you all lots of love to. Those appartments look fantastic Kelly could fit my bungalow it thm twice.:p
Sandy still burning candls for you all Keep your chin up special lady.:)
Vonn fingers crossed all goes well. Candle for you to :)
Sarah hope you get sorted soon hun. :)
Snuggle huggs all round :hug::grouphug::hug::grouphug: xxxxxxxxxxxx

TGIF!!!:D:D:D

Getting ready to teach my class and then leaving at 11:00 on weekend shopping trip with friends. Hope you all have a good weekend!

Hi All ..

thanks for the hugs and prayers ... I'll need to take a raincheck :rain:.... I was TOLD it was the biopsy appointment ... but, it was only the consultation ....:Doh:

this is my 5th doctor I've seen now - with new issues .. he wants some blood, too (imagine that!) ... LOL

UPDATE: the REAL procedure is on Wednesday, Nov 25 at 830am ... and should be done at 1230-1p ... I have to register, get ready, blood drawn, Ultrasound to mark out where my liver is, then the procedure at 1030 ... w/anethesia ... then biopsy and stomache scoped ... then sleep - and done!

thanks for listening ...:Bow:

Vonn, still praying for ya hun. :hug::hug:

Well the publishing consultant was a bit of an overglorified salesperson, lol. :rolleyes: Still wasn't a total waste and got some good advice. Thinking of doing the "pride on the line" thing and contacting a couple of agencies. A few that I really wouldn't mind working with is looking for newbies, so feel like doing that first. If that fails, I'll take the tiger by the tail and self publish.

Now if I can only remember how to do a synopsis. It's tougher squishing a story to about 5 pages. :rolleyes:

The day's been blah so far. Woke up at 9, wandered out to my living room, and the next thing I knew it was almost noon. :eek: Been in uber pain, particularly the hands which has made getting stuff done difficult. Got to put off my painting until later.

Take care everyone. :grouphug::grouphug:

Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful weekend.
:hug::grouphug:

I thought I had escaped the flu but think I am coming down with it now.:(
We have had the flu in our house since the week BEFORE Halloween.:(
Im so "sick of it", literally.

Im going to bed. Love to you all!:grouphug:

sorry Sox hope you feel better soon!! hugss

thanks Moo, hugss

hugss all, worked, resting then going to the movies with hubby tonight. hugss,sarah

Aw, Sox, I'm sorry you're feeling icky. :( I hope it's not the full blown flu.

Vonn, I'm sorry you have to wait even longer to get the biopsy done. What are they looking for? It sounds like a fairly invasive procedure. I hope everything goes well for you. I imagine you'll need someone to give you a ride.

Not doing much today. Just getting a few things done for the garage sale. I've done about all I can do till it's time to set up. I still have to get the 8 ft. tables but that's the last thing.

DS is going to a friends tonight at UGA in Athens so I'll have another Friday night by myself. I'm going to watch The Wizard of Oz!! :D It comes on TBS tonight. I love that movie!

Everyone have a good weekend! :grouphug:

Looks like we will need to make arrangements for mom to be moved to the nursing facility in Fayetteville where my grandma and all the other sisters went. She is insisting on being there because she "knows" people there. She hates the place she's in and maybe if we go ahead and move her she will feel better and be less stressed. We'll talk to them on Monday and see what we can do. I don't care for the place in Fayetteville but at this point mom needs to not be so stressed and out of her element. Thanks for the prayers. She is getting better but her short term memory is shot for sure. She didn't remember talking to me earlier. If she is less stressed maybe she'll come back a little.

Sox, hope you feel better soon and the flu doesn't last long. :hug:

Kitty, I love the Wizard of Oz!

Vonn, Jim is still smiling from your beautiful lap quilt. :hug: That's right, our sweet Vonn made him a Chicago Bears lap blanket and he loves loves loves it!

Sarah, what are you going to see? I'm thinking 2012 looks good. Might have to squeeze some time in to see it. Thanks for the info on your dad. We've always teased mom she has sun-downers. When the sun goes down, she goes down.

Jenn, hope your feeling better soon. :hug:

Moo, thanks for the prayers and well wishes for mom. :hug:

Wiz, any job prospects?

Gotta go pick up my cat, he's being released!

Everyone :grouphug: Don't know what I'd do without all of you. :hug:

Morning all! So mom has kind of forgot about going to her home town. She forgot we talked about it. She brings it up but doesn't understand why. That's the short term memory thing so we'll proabably just leave her where she is since she has only two weeks left before she sees the neuro on the 30th. We'll see what he says first and move from there. I need to know if he thinks she can live with someone or needs 24 hour care. Because I care for Jim I have to know if she's a flight risk. Anyway, one day at a time right?

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm going to pull my xmas lights and start checking them today. It's a nice day to do that and try to get into some mood for the holidays. :hug:

Sandy .. continued thoughts and prayers for you and the decisions you need to make with your mom ..

went out with some members of the HOG chapter last night (Harley Owner Group) ... for fish fry ... it was fun to get out ... and I was home by 9 .. and pooped!!

off to the quilt shop - just to go for a ride on a beautiful day .. overcast - so that helps me feel better!!

have a great day!!

I got up early and drove to get my H1N1 vaccine today. I got there 15 minutes before it started and there was a line about half a block long outside of the building. It was done at a high school about 20 minutes away from us.

I was out in less than 45 minutes so not too bad. By that time the lines outside were gone but still winding around throughout the school hallways inside.

I got a refusal letter from the county for that low paying but easy job I applied for. Still haven't heard back about the second interview for the sales job. I had a mental block during the first interview when she asked me where I see myself in five years (it took me about 15 seconds, a very tense pause). I hope that didn't hurt me.

Still studying for the Microsoft exams, I take them next week. The guy doing the testing said they are very poorly designed though and they've only had one person pass one test!! :eek: They give you a very short time (50 minutes) and ask many advanced questions. He's a teacher and he said he's never seen something so poorly planned and executed in all his years of teaching. So I'm hoping I can squeak out a D+ on the tests, at least. :D :confused:

I'm going to do some housework soon here so I better get off the computer. Have a good weekend everybody!! :grouphug: Hugs going out to all!

Morning, all
Sandy, continued thoughts and prayers re: Mom...it's so difficult to know what decisions should be made...sounds like you're doing the wise thing, going by what docs say concerning the level of care she'll need.:hug:

Sox, hope you're on the mend soon:hug:

Vonn, continued prayers for you as you face these new challenges...hope the biopsy goes well.:hug:

We're going to drive to watch our neighbor's daughter play soccer in the first round of NCAA playoffs. Then we're going to stay to watch DD's alma mater play...DD and her DH are driving down from WI to watch also...she grew up with neighbor's daughter, and this will probably be the only time she'll be able to see her play. Plus, she can say hi to her former teammates and coach...

Surgery's still on for Monday...went in for a preop gynie check and talked about all of the risks...:eek: oh, that made me feel so much better about deciding to go through with it...plus, there's a possiblity I might have to havea catheter for a week:mad::mad:. No housework for 3 mos.:p but also no intimacy, either:( But at least I'll be raring to go by mid March, when DH and I head for Hawaii...:D

Hope everyone has a good weekend...can you believe Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away?

Focus on Hawaii Deb, focus on Hawaii. ;) :hug:

hey all

Sandy, yes we seen 2012 and I liked it, it was quite action, but touching.. you know it was worth the theater price!!

hugsss to all

not much, worked today and about to do yoga, my back is similar in and out of pain with spasms.. but coping...

hugssss, sarah

Morning all :)

Sitting here while the mad chef is preparing one of his awesome omlettes. He was gone last week, and we spent yesterday spending time together.

Later on today we're going to a friend's house. Hoping to have fun.


Sandy, still praying for your mom. :hug::hug:

Take care everyone!

Good morning all,

Took a few of the kids to church, we picked my mom up, as dad headed out the other day to hunting camp. He is doing well, but memory is pretty scarce... like mom worrys about him even taking his memory pills and vitamins while at camp. It took him forever to get ready for camp.. he left one day saying out to get his license.. then the next day he came home from camp saying he stopped in town as he needed to get his license. Or he was trying to find the papers about his new cell phone... saying he needs to program it before using... but he had already used it twice from camp to call my mom.

boy hope she is not too worried while he is out there, but sure it would be hard not to worry.

Anyhow, baking a cake for hubby, his birthday today!! he is sleeping as he was up most of the night. well gotta run hugsss all, sun is shining so a walk or outdoor play a bit today I am sure. hugsss,sarah

hi all ..

working on making more surprises!! gosh - it's sure fun to do things for others!!

that's about it ... have a great Sunday!! and a great week!:D

Good afternoon! Talked with mom today and she sounded a little more with it. Boy Sarah I sure understand how you all feel about your dad's short term memory. :hug:

Cleaned the pond fountain today and shut down the waterfall. I will be glad when all I have to do is put the heater in. LOL Oh, and good thing I checked the pond, the electrical wire attached to it was burning. :yikes: We cannot figure why it didn't trip the circuit but just glad I saw it and took it off.

Back from shopping trip and exhausted. I think this may have been my last shopping weekend with the "girls." I just don't enjpy it that much anymore and feel like I am being a drag. Posted this other message in the Stumble Inn.

I just returned home from a shopping trip to Chicago to receive an email from our university president about a possible 30 day furlough for all university employees. Plus,summer classes may be canceled. The great state of Illinois is a gigantic mess!!! It has not paid any payments to the universities this academic year. They are now getting fined for interest on health care bills as they have not paid our insurance premiums since March. Some doctors and dentist are now refusing to see patients who are states employees if they do not personally pay their bills.

Debbie, Good luck with the surgery.

Soxmom -- Hope you are doing ok.

Sandy -- :hug:

Hey to everyone else. Will chat more later.