This afternoon, I headed to Mom & Dad’s; Babette already having called to tell me that Monica had already taken Dad over there. I stopped at Albertsons to pick up a few groceries for Mom. It was packed and it took me a while to get back to the car. I also bought some things to make a light supper for the three of us.
When I got to Mom and Dad’s, Monica was still there. She told me right away that she and Mom had been searching the entire house and garage, looking for the box that had come in the mail from Chris and Anne for Dad. When I saw Mom, she was worn from worry. She was distraught that she could not remember where she had put the box. She continued her harried searching.
I joined the search and worked my way to Mom’s sewing room. There I found the box, in the bottom of the closet. Mom expressed immense relief, but then returned to her fretting again, repeating the question, “What am I going to do? I can’t remember anything anymore!” I turned to her and said, “That’s what we have Petra for.”
First her eyes went wide, and then she smiled from ear to ear, her face alight with delight. She took both my cheeks with her hands, brought me down to her face and kissed me.
The crisis over, Monica said her goodbyes and I put away the groceries. We went on to have a very pleasant visit. They both ate well; we had a good time and laughed.
We delighted in going over the contents of Dad’s goodie box, trying to translate ever word and identify every language on the boxes. We opened the mustard (Dad had to smell it, so I had to taste it – good!)
We identified as many photos as we could in the little digital photo displayer that Phil had sent Dad (later in the evening, after I had returned Dad to the foster home, Phil called me while I was picking up some things at Lowe’s to finish the dog house that I’m making for Aaron’s dog, Chuy. He was surprised that Dad had not waited for his birthday to open his present! {Phil, not Chuy} Phil may retire from the military, but the military will never retire from Phil! Actually, that’s probably not true either, because Dad opened his present before his birthday, didn’t he?!)
Well, so went my visit.
Patrick
Sunday, August 31, 2008
...My Trip To....
Hey GUYS & GALS...
Just a 'lil heads up... By the time this reaches you I should either be on my way (on the road) to E.P. ; or, pretty much about to... to visit the "other" part of the
family (especially Mom & Dad, of course...they already know; not to get excited, ...okay?) ... I'll give you full update (day or so after my arrival...& decent net connection...etc...)
Well that's it for now, Gang... Hopefully I'll update my Saga on this blog soon enough for your enjoyment pleasure...(that sounds original, right?...)
Love To All...
Hang In There...!
-BC-
PS (Pray for those that have to prepare for "GUSTAF"...It's really sad
isn't it... Hope it doesn't affect Phill / Family..?)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Claire and Erin
Bernadette wanted to share this photo. Thanks Bernadette! I'm happy to put this up for you.
I can't believe how they've both changed since the last time I saw a picture.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
An Update
Hi, All,
My time is becoming more and more limited since I've returned to school so my updates will probably be mostly on weekends, unless, of course, there are significant changes!
Mom started off this week on a negative note - on Monday, she tried to give Petra a check and told her once again not to come back as she didn't need her. Debbie and I decided to check out Desert Springs, an Alzheimer's facility on the West side of El Paso. Very nice place, and we liked what we saw. However, it's private and cost $3,600. per month - and they do not accept medicare or medicaid. Debbie says she will check out other facilities in Las Cruces as there are many more Alzheimer's facilities there than in El Paso. Ralph and I had dinner (Debbie's crab cakes were wonderful!) at Pat and Debbie's that evening and decided we need to wait and keep trying to get Mom to accept Petra as that is the best option for her at this time. However, we know that "down the road", she will be needing more intensive care as her illness progresses. The GOOD NEWS is the rest of the week went better insofar as Mom seems to be accepting Petra more now than at the beginning. We also think her meds are kicking in as it's been over a month now that we know she is taking them regularly (esp. the Exelon for her Alzheimer's). It's very likely that we will need to increase Petra's hours so that she is with Mom for most of the day. What you all need to know is Mom had not been bathing regularly, had not been changing her Exelon patch (she is now taking capsules as the patches irritated her skin), not eating regularly, making herself sick, and not taking care of herself nor the house. This is why we need someone to care for her. Most of this is due to her diagnosed illness (i.e. dementia and Alzheimer's). She has an appt with Dr. Crouse (her neurologist) on Sept. 12 in the morning. Debbie and Ralph will be taking her.
Please make efforts to contact and talk to Dad as his morale has been low since Mom's mental faculties continue to spiral downward. At times, she has hung up on him, saying she was too sick to talk to him. She is now on Nexium and this seems to be helping alleviate her "upset stomach" episodes considerably. In fact, her overall demeanor was much improved during this week (after the Monday episode).
Gotta get ready for church - may edit this later in the day after I see Mom and Dad today.
Postscript: Dad is not doing well. He in once again having trouble finishing a sentence and is becoming incoherent once again. He is now up to 5 liters of oxygen. His balance is also diminishing. We did pick him up and it took both of us to get him to the car and into the house. We'll be going a bit later to help him to the table so they can have lunch together. His next appt. with his primary care doctor is September 12 in the afternoon. Not sure yet who will be taking him there. Sorry the news regarding Dad is not so good...
My time is becoming more and more limited since I've returned to school so my updates will probably be mostly on weekends, unless, of course, there are significant changes!
Mom started off this week on a negative note - on Monday, she tried to give Petra a check and told her once again not to come back as she didn't need her. Debbie and I decided to check out Desert Springs, an Alzheimer's facility on the West side of El Paso. Very nice place, and we liked what we saw. However, it's private and cost $3,600. per month - and they do not accept medicare or medicaid. Debbie says she will check out other facilities in Las Cruces as there are many more Alzheimer's facilities there than in El Paso. Ralph and I had dinner (Debbie's crab cakes were wonderful!) at Pat and Debbie's that evening and decided we need to wait and keep trying to get Mom to accept Petra as that is the best option for her at this time. However, we know that "down the road", she will be needing more intensive care as her illness progresses. The GOOD NEWS is the rest of the week went better insofar as Mom seems to be accepting Petra more now than at the beginning. We also think her meds are kicking in as it's been over a month now that we know she is taking them regularly (esp. the Exelon for her Alzheimer's). It's very likely that we will need to increase Petra's hours so that she is with Mom for most of the day. What you all need to know is Mom had not been bathing regularly, had not been changing her Exelon patch (she is now taking capsules as the patches irritated her skin), not eating regularly, making herself sick, and not taking care of herself nor the house. This is why we need someone to care for her. Most of this is due to her diagnosed illness (i.e. dementia and Alzheimer's). She has an appt with Dr. Crouse (her neurologist) on Sept. 12 in the morning. Debbie and Ralph will be taking her.
Please make efforts to contact and talk to Dad as his morale has been low since Mom's mental faculties continue to spiral downward. At times, she has hung up on him, saying she was too sick to talk to him. She is now on Nexium and this seems to be helping alleviate her "upset stomach" episodes considerably. In fact, her overall demeanor was much improved during this week (after the Monday episode).
Gotta get ready for church - may edit this later in the day after I see Mom and Dad today.
Postscript: Dad is not doing well. He in once again having trouble finishing a sentence and is becoming incoherent once again. He is now up to 5 liters of oxygen. His balance is also diminishing. We did pick him up and it took both of us to get him to the car and into the house. We'll be going a bit later to help him to the table so they can have lunch together. His next appt. with his primary care doctor is September 12 in the afternoon. Not sure yet who will be taking him there. Sorry the news regarding Dad is not so good...
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hudson Household
We have had a very interesting Saturday so far as Richard & Miki went skeet shooting this morning while I had to work and then we all went to a luncheon I planned for an old coworker.
Betty Dodd is 86 years old and just the end of last month finally fully retired. After her 80th birthday she retired from full time but only after she had arranged for a five year part time contract to continue running our amputee clinic. Something she had set up over 30 yrs ago when EAMC was still in wooden barracks like the old Beaumont when we were kids. The luncheon was a combination of retired therapist, PT,OT,Nurses and current PT staff both civilian and military. We all met in a back room at Carrabba's Italian Grill and she was brought there by her son and one of her two daughters thinking they were having a family lunch out. She was thrilled and we all had a good time. Richard & I had picked up a small book called "Better to age with attitude than die with dignity" lots of funny pictures and we encouraged everyone to pick a page and write a note. It was great! She will remember it well with the book and all the cute and sweet notes from everyone.
We are planning our (somewhat late) 25th Anniversary celebration spending a week at DisneyWorld and are looking forward to at least a short visit with Phil, Lis & the boys either on our way down or on the way back home whichever fits their schedule. Miki will take care of Baba while we are away (her grandmother here) as well as all the pooches.
Betty Dodd is 86 years old and just the end of last month finally fully retired. After her 80th birthday she retired from full time but only after she had arranged for a five year part time contract to continue running our amputee clinic. Something she had set up over 30 yrs ago when EAMC was still in wooden barracks like the old Beaumont when we were kids. The luncheon was a combination of retired therapist, PT,OT,Nurses and current PT staff both civilian and military. We all met in a back room at Carrabba's Italian Grill and she was brought there by her son and one of her two daughters thinking they were having a family lunch out. She was thrilled and we all had a good time. Richard & I had picked up a small book called "Better to age with attitude than die with dignity" lots of funny pictures and we encouraged everyone to pick a page and write a note. It was great! She will remember it well with the book and all the cute and sweet notes from everyone.
We are planning our (somewhat late) 25th Anniversary celebration spending a week at DisneyWorld and are looking forward to at least a short visit with Phil, Lis & the boys either on our way down or on the way back home whichever fits their schedule. Miki will take care of Baba while we are away (her grandmother here) as well as all the pooches.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
This weekend turned out really well on more than one account. Friday was "organizational day" for the Landstuhl Dentac (which includes Baumholder), and as I mentioned earlier, it was at an amusement park. Steve had to work, but I took Emily with me. We enjoyed the company of some other contractors for the day - a couple of dentists and a hygienist (all of the same generation) and also a 16 year old boy who didn't feel like spending the day with his parents. It took some convincing, but Emily went with the boy, Dylan, and for the first time in her life rode a rollercoaster!! She was grinning ear to ear when she got off. It was a corkscrew type, and though not the biggest one they had, there is no way I'd ever get on it! I believe there is a Stafford gene that keeps us off those things, am I right? Which of you goes on these rides? This is a picture of it, "Superwirbel" - super whirl.
At the end of the day we drove the 30 min. or so over to Anne & Alfons', to celebrate Alfons' birthday. We spent the night, and did a little shopping for goodies in France the next day. I got help from Alfons in looking up the tickets for the new bullet train line that goes from Kaiserslautern to Paris in just 2 hours (by car almost 5 hours), and followed his tip on making the purchase over in France for a better price than what I'd pay in Germany. Anne of course did all the talking at the ticket window. So, thanks to the two of them Emily is getting her weekend in Paris! I also got help from our cousin Pierre, who I'd emailed with a request for recommendations for a hotel. http://www.hotel-palais-bourbon.com/ Isn't it great to be so well connected :) We'll arrive early afternoon Saturday and leave Monday afternoon on Labor Day weekend.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Wedding / and an Update
Wow! What a wedding Ralph and I went to this week! Fascinating...and beautiful! The setting was the NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum which has the backdrop of the gorgeous Organ Mountains at sunset. The color theme was "hot pink" and black. Each table was adorned with a very long elegant vase with an arrangement of "hot pink" roses. The chairs and table linen had the same color theme. The wedding ceremony was a combination of Lakota Native American, Hispanic, and Christian traditions. The Lakota part of it was the most fascinating to me - it included flute music, a peace pipe, symbolic gifts, and water. The celebration also included a dinner and dance. Both Ralph and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the wedding ceremony. I also felt honored to be invited to such an occasion. However, I should add that not only did Dr. V and I work together to create and develop a successful program at the university, but we also became good friends. He has also offered to come to the high school to speak to my students (his own story is one they can relate to since he grew up in a very large and very poor Puerto Rican family in southside Chicago).
The Associate Dean of the College of Ed. was also there and when I introduced him to Ralph, he told him that my leaving was a great loss to the program. I had had my exit interview with him and let him know of my concerns regarding the changes in leadership and direction of the program. He had expressed regret about my leaving and had also asked if there was anything that would help me reconsider my decision. I had already interviewed at Gadsden and had made up my mind that I wanted to return to teaching. On that subject, I've now completed my first two weeks in the classroom and I do feel I've made the right decision. Of course, there are always some students who will attempt to challenge any new teacher - but what they don't seem to realize is that though I may be new to Gadsden, I'm actually a very seasoned educator! LOL
Mom is doing OK - and seems to be getting used to Petra being with her daily. She still has her moodiness, however, and when that happens, she "shuts down" - simply doesn't want to talk. We're hoping that once she feels more comfortable with Petra, that she will start confiding in her about her true feelings of the situation she is in. The main thing is she is no longer spending days of being isolated and alone. Though she fought the idea of this change in her life, we're hoping that she will become more and more accepting of the caregiver being with her.
Selim called this week and asked if we could all meet in San Antonio to be with Deniz during Labor Day Weekend. He even offered to pay for Ralph and my plane ticket!! So we will be taking a short trip to S.A. at the end of this month - it will be a nice break for us. I worked it out with Pat - they will be here that weekend and will be going with the Blettes to Gila Nat'l Park on the weekend of Sept. 20. Our next trip will be the week of October 12 since I have a week off from school (Fall Holiday). We may take the RV to Fort Davis State Park. If we go, it will be the sixth anniversary of our first trip there - in fact, it was the first trip we ever took together and was very much the event that cemented our relationship!
Sure would like to hear from all of you - this family BLOG has been way too quiet lately! : )
The Associate Dean of the College of Ed. was also there and when I introduced him to Ralph, he told him that my leaving was a great loss to the program. I had had my exit interview with him and let him know of my concerns regarding the changes in leadership and direction of the program. He had expressed regret about my leaving and had also asked if there was anything that would help me reconsider my decision. I had already interviewed at Gadsden and had made up my mind that I wanted to return to teaching. On that subject, I've now completed my first two weeks in the classroom and I do feel I've made the right decision. Of course, there are always some students who will attempt to challenge any new teacher - but what they don't seem to realize is that though I may be new to Gadsden, I'm actually a very seasoned educator! LOL
Mom is doing OK - and seems to be getting used to Petra being with her daily. She still has her moodiness, however, and when that happens, she "shuts down" - simply doesn't want to talk. We're hoping that once she feels more comfortable with Petra, that she will start confiding in her about her true feelings of the situation she is in. The main thing is she is no longer spending days of being isolated and alone. Though she fought the idea of this change in her life, we're hoping that she will become more and more accepting of the caregiver being with her.
Selim called this week and asked if we could all meet in San Antonio to be with Deniz during Labor Day Weekend. He even offered to pay for Ralph and my plane ticket!! So we will be taking a short trip to S.A. at the end of this month - it will be a nice break for us. I worked it out with Pat - they will be here that weekend and will be going with the Blettes to Gila Nat'l Park on the weekend of Sept. 20. Our next trip will be the week of October 12 since I have a week off from school (Fall Holiday). We may take the RV to Fort Davis State Park. If we go, it will be the sixth anniversary of our first trip there - in fact, it was the first trip we ever took together and was very much the event that cemented our relationship!
Sure would like to hear from all of you - this family BLOG has been way too quiet lately! : )
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Family posts/ Ralph's birthday
Glad to see more and more family members posting. Hey, Pat, it's been a while since you wrote your first post - where are you?!! It would be nice if we could hear from some of the grandkids as well. The more, the merrier!!!
Today, in honor of Ralph's birthday, I made my "signature quiche" and a salad. Then we decided to take it over to Mom's since Dad was coming over (we picked him up so he could have lunch at the house). I had bought an Oreo Cream Pie which we had for dessert Monica came at that time with Communion for Mom and Dad so she also joined us for Ralph's b-day pie. Mom was in good spirits as she has been since Friday! So nice when she has her "good days"...Also found out that Dad fell at the home - lost his balance right in front of the TV. Fortunately, he only scraped his arm but it bled quite a bit so they had a thick bandage on it. He's looking a bit "drawn" today.
Last night we went to a Springfire Band Dinner Show at Great Land and Cattle. It's been ages since I've seen them perform, and Ralph never had. It was a fun evening! This week is a busy one - on Wednesday, we have a dinner at the Church Hall (yes, the same one where we had our wedding reception), and on Thursday evening we'll be attending a wedding dinner/dance at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces - a very nice place. Here's the link: http://www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/ It's the wedding of the son of Dr. Vazquez, my former boss at NMSU.
Let's all hope that Mom (and Petra), Dad, and the rest of us have a good week this week!!
Today, in honor of Ralph's birthday, I made my "signature quiche" and a salad. Then we decided to take it over to Mom's since Dad was coming over (we picked him up so he could have lunch at the house). I had bought an Oreo Cream Pie which we had for dessert Monica came at that time with Communion for Mom and Dad so she also joined us for Ralph's b-day pie. Mom was in good spirits as she has been since Friday! So nice when she has her "good days"...Also found out that Dad fell at the home - lost his balance right in front of the TV. Fortunately, he only scraped his arm but it bled quite a bit so they had a thick bandage on it. He's looking a bit "drawn" today.
Last night we went to a Springfire Band Dinner Show at Great Land and Cattle. It's been ages since I've seen them perform, and Ralph never had. It was a fun evening! This week is a busy one - on Wednesday, we have a dinner at the Church Hall (yes, the same one where we had our wedding reception), and on Thursday evening we'll be attending a wedding dinner/dance at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces - a very nice place. Here's the link: http://www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/ It's the wedding of the son of Dr. Vazquez, my former boss at NMSU.
Let's all hope that Mom (and Petra), Dad, and the rest of us have a good week this week!!
You're not alone there, Bernadette.....
Bernadette, I know just how you feel! I, too, am not very "savy" as for this whole thing...I still have never learned how to load down pictures from my digital camera. I am at the mercy of Robin here. Alfons has never done it either, although I suppose he doesn't consider it such a challenge as I do(him working all day, practically on PCs). I have my theories about this all too. I know that I have a very low level of frustration-tolerance. I cannot begin to count how often I have written a whole email or whatever and at a moments wink of an eye..for whatever reason...poof! All disappeared! So, I do what I can....or know that I can do. I used to know how to make "attachments" with AOL. But we no longer have AOL(since Easter) and I have no idea how it works with my "web.de" provider. I am hesitant to admit any of these "backwoods-qualities" of myself, or should I say lack of because the reaction from others is like I am trying to shock them on purpose. I guess we all set our priorities and up until now more than "surfing" and emails just haven't been one of mine as for PCs etc. But who knows one day.....and yes, its not that I reject it altogether...because it is on my list (sort of long one, actually) of things "to do" (accomplish)still. Being a natural optimist, I am sure that one day will come. And I judge that amongst us siblings that Phillip is in our"league" there too, Bernadette. ;-)
Ok, gotta go and get the laundry..then its "cleaning" day for me...not so lucky to have a cleaning person to do it all for me....but "duty is duty" n'est ce pas :-))
ya'll have a good Sunday!
PS How many of you were able to watch the Olympic openings....I saw it Friday evening..and i was in AWE!!! I know...politically I 'm not awed by them at all...but WOW, what a show.. its those masses, incredible.
Ok, gotta go and get the laundry..then its "cleaning" day for me...not so lucky to have a cleaning person to do it all for me....but "duty is duty" n'est ce pas :-))
ya'll have a good Sunday!
PS How many of you were able to watch the Olympic openings....I saw it Friday evening..and i was in AWE!!! I know...politically I 'm not awed by them at all...but WOW, what a show.. its those masses, incredible.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
OK ya'll I'm tryin this but am not sure what will come up as I've made two comments already and can't see either of them. Please bare with me :) my family's teasing about how technologically challanged I am is not undeserved. Nothing really exciting here this week other than taking Richard's mom to meet her new doc at EAMC ~ that was actually a little funny and a little embarrassing all together. Then was challenged to track down the July petty cash for Jack which Richard & I were quite sure we'd dropped off but no one seemed to be able to find. It seemed all Jack had to do was threaten to bring me down there and it magically turned up, hmmm wonder what that means? I'm really a nice person, honest!
Our 103 degrees with 98% humidity really doesn't bring out the sweet part of me though ;)
Our 103 degrees with 98% humidity really doesn't bring out the sweet part of me though ;)
This week's saga with Mom - and more!
Got home from school on Wednesday and Ralph told me that Mom had just called and asked to talk to me. Before I could dial her number, she called and immediately stated that I was to call Petra and tell her not to come again because 'she had reproached her about not bathing" and she was not going to accept that from a "maid"(it turns out that Petra had merely asked her if she had bathed this week). I told her that Petra is a caregiver - not a maid, and that if she was reminding her about bathing, then she was doing her job. Mom said she still wanted me to call her because she didn't want her at the house anymore. I told her since we had ALL signed an agreement ( Dad, Mom, Pat, Petra and me), that we all had to agree to any changes in the agreement. She said she did not know of any such agreement. I told her I had a copy of it and it had been signed last Sunday when we were at the house with Dad. What ensued was an argument of sorts as Mom kept telling me she didn't want her anymore. I finally told her that if she didn't accept Petra, that the other option would be less to her liking. It didn't matter what I said as she would not back down with her ranting and raving against Petra. Since I wasn't getting anywhere, I told her I was "hanging up" and proceeded to do so. First time ever that I hung up on Mom! Then I called Pat and let him know of the situation. He called Mom and in the course of the conversation, he let her know that the "other choice" was a nursing home as she is no longer able to take care of herself. He also let her know that we would be chargedwith neglect by Adult Protective Services if we did not make sure she was taken care of by having either a caregiver at home or having her placed in a nursing home - and those were her only choices. She then hung up on him! Pat proceeded to call Dad and informed him of the situation. Fortunately, Dad continues to agree with us on the fact that Mom needs someone to assist in her care. Dad also called Mom and apparently told her that she needed to accept Petra into her home.
Ralph went over on Thursday morning before Petra arrived. Mom would not speak to him, and, in fact, she totally ignored him. She had treated him similarly earlier in the week as he had gone to the house each day to "prepare her" for Petra's arrival. However, on Friday, she was completely different - smiling, calm, and seemingly accepting of the situation. When I went over after school, she was telling me some of the stories Petra had shared with her and speaking of her in a tone of admiration as Petra takes care of a paraplegic man in the afternoons, after she leaves Mom's house. She had also asked Petra for the name of the man so she could pray for him! When Ralph had gone over, she had been equally pleasant, and had asked Ralph to pick up some roast chicken (legs and thighs) at Albertson's. He bought enough for her and Petra and suggested that they have lunch together. I wish I could say that this mood of hers will last, but as we all know she has constant "mood swings", so who's to know how long this change in her will last. On the other hand, the fact that she is taking her Alzheimer medication consistently now might improve her all-around demeanor. We're just taking it "one day at a time".
Meanwhile, we're looking into getting full guardianship - financial and otherwise - so that if we have on-going episodes with Mom, we can take whatever action is needed and do so legally.
Ralph also checked out a facility on the West side of the city - named Desert Springs. He was very impressed with the facility and the quality of care the patients receive. In fact, a woman who was visiting her husband was extremely complimentary of the facility and the people who worked there. It's good to know that it's there if and when the time comes to place her in such a facility.
Oh, and I did survive my first week of returning to teaching - though with all that has been going on with Mom, I wasn't so sure that I could handle her and the job simultaneously!! Ralph has stepped in, however, and he is the one who has dealt with Mom on a daily basis. He's also taking care of having dinner ready when I get home! I am happy to be back in the classroom and am already enjoying the kids - they are more enthusiastic about learning French than I had expected - it's great to see high school kids that are motivated to learn!! Of course, I do have a passion for teaching French - and I suspect that carries over to them!
Ralph went over on Thursday morning before Petra arrived. Mom would not speak to him, and, in fact, she totally ignored him. She had treated him similarly earlier in the week as he had gone to the house each day to "prepare her" for Petra's arrival. However, on Friday, she was completely different - smiling, calm, and seemingly accepting of the situation. When I went over after school, she was telling me some of the stories Petra had shared with her and speaking of her in a tone of admiration as Petra takes care of a paraplegic man in the afternoons, after she leaves Mom's house. She had also asked Petra for the name of the man so she could pray for him! When Ralph had gone over, she had been equally pleasant, and had asked Ralph to pick up some roast chicken (legs and thighs) at Albertson's. He bought enough for her and Petra and suggested that they have lunch together. I wish I could say that this mood of hers will last, but as we all know she has constant "mood swings", so who's to know how long this change in her will last. On the other hand, the fact that she is taking her Alzheimer medication consistently now might improve her all-around demeanor. We're just taking it "one day at a time".
Meanwhile, we're looking into getting full guardianship - financial and otherwise - so that if we have on-going episodes with Mom, we can take whatever action is needed and do so legally.
Ralph also checked out a facility on the West side of the city - named Desert Springs. He was very impressed with the facility and the quality of care the patients receive. In fact, a woman who was visiting her husband was extremely complimentary of the facility and the people who worked there. It's good to know that it's there if and when the time comes to place her in such a facility.
Oh, and I did survive my first week of returning to teaching - though with all that has been going on with Mom, I wasn't so sure that I could handle her and the job simultaneously!! Ralph has stepped in, however, and he is the one who has dealt with Mom on a daily basis. He's also taking care of having dinner ready when I get home! I am happy to be back in the classroom and am already enjoying the kids - they are more enthusiastic about learning French than I had expected - it's great to see high school kids that are motivated to learn!! Of course, I do have a passion for teaching French - and I suspect that carries over to them!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Just spent 2 days 1 night at the most gorgeous hotel I have ever seen! Lifepoint, the company that owns Memorial, had a leadership conference in Nashville TN on Thursday, and my boss asked me to go with her. Unfortunately it was a very short trip: left Tuesday am at 0800 and arrived in Nashville at 3:00 pm. Had a reception from 5:30-7:30 but left early and hit the sushi bar! The hotel is the Gaylord Opryland and is > 50 acres the rooms surround botanical gardens that include streams of water, fountains and waterfalls. Maybe because we live in a desert, but we were so impressed with all the GREEN. We had to leave the conference on Thursday a few minutes early in order to make our 6:45 flight, much to our dismay. We had tried to get the hospital to let us stay an additional night to no avail--maybe because the rooms were > $200. And because we had to take a late flight, we didn't arrive home until after midnight. That made a very long day. Maybe another time........
anyone planning a trip to Nashville needs to check out this hotel
love ya all
Debbie
anyone planning a trip to Nashville needs to check out this hotel
love ya all
Debbie
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
*sigh*
As I said before,I had hoped that this would serve as an easy way for all of my family to stay connected even though we (or some) are separated by such distances. But I guess those I didn't hear anything about will remain in the shadows, maybe they're lurking (reading but not contributing), and that would be okay. I'm interested to know the trivia, you know, what made you laugh today, whose kid/grandkid/nephew/cousin has a new job/car/broken arm....are you following me here? Pictures are nice, of course pictures of something/someone I haven't seen would be nicer. Like, I wonder what Claire's Erin looks like now? Thinking of Claire because her responses on that questionnaire that went around were droll and made me laugh.
Next week the cleaning lady starts! Color me happy.
Next week the cleaning lady starts! Color me happy.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Family Reunions
Yes, you're right, Anne! I should have guessed why it was such a great summer - it was for us, too!! I loved ALL of it - and now that we're back, it seems almost surreal! We packed so much in a relatively short time! Definitely, though, the highlights were the reunions we had with family and friends. I'm glad we were all able to get together in Reims - what fun it was to wander around the streets of the city, just the four of us! Though I'm still sorry that you got stuck with our breakfast bill!!! I got very emotional during our visit in Reims - (I'm sure because I was thinking of how much it's all a part of our family history). I even cried when I said goodbye to Jocelyne and Roger! I grew very fond of them while I was in France last time. Spent time in their vacation home in Bretagne and visited them several times in Reims....they even came to visit me in my tiny hamlet in Monnieres and then took me to La Rochelle. I also enjoyed visiting Colette and her brothers, my colleague Claudine (glad you liked her!), and Francoise and Pierre. By the way, I think it's wonderful that you and Chris get together as often as you do. And, Anne, you were a life-saver for me during the year I was in France - just as you've been to Chris. Your knowledge of European life is/was invaluable!
Family is very important to me, too, Anne, and I do understand how you feel since I also lived far way from the family for a good many years. While I'm on the topic of family, I'm beginning to see more and more the value of having this blog - a space "just for us" to communicate with each other! It's especially comforting to know that we are all here to support each other. So Chris, as Dad would say "this definitely is a winner!" : )
Family is very important to me, too, Anne, and I do understand how you feel since I also lived far way from the family for a good many years. While I'm on the topic of family, I'm beginning to see more and more the value of having this blog - a space "just for us" to communicate with each other! It's especially comforting to know that we are all here to support each other. So Chris, as Dad would say "this definitely is a winner!" : )
Sunday 02/08/08
Well, gee, I thought that was understood. Of course I 'm referring to Ralph's and your visit. You coming here...then meeting up with the French cousins in Reims (inspite of lesser culinary experiences ;-)and Chris and Emily being there so that I understand why that Philippe referred to it as the "reunion of the cousins"...Again meeting you in Noirmoutier, spending the afternoon there together...the meal, the island...too bad we hadn't coordinated the stop at Amboise. That would have been cool, too, I'm sure.It was all just so great, it measures for me as one of the "tops" of my summers ever. You know, I really am a "family-freak" type.
Maybe because, over all these years, I have not had so many opportunities to take part in vacations- family events etc. that for several of you were so.....normal or natural. I recall quite well, wishing to have be able to take part those summers that you all would spend, with nephews, nieces, mom and dad.. at the lakes of Brownwood(?) or wherever you guys were back then. So, yeah, I am thrilled when these things happen.
I loved that weekend in 2006 that we'd spent in Ruidoso as another example. I don't know how it is for others, I can only speak for me. And I certainly do hope that these kind of things keep "happening" as we all get older and have maybe more time for one another. Anne
Maybe because, over all these years, I have not had so many opportunities to take part in vacations- family events etc. that for several of you were so.....normal or natural. I recall quite well, wishing to have be able to take part those summers that you all would spend, with nephews, nieces, mom and dad.. at the lakes of Brownwood(?) or wherever you guys were back then. So, yeah, I am thrilled when these things happen.
I loved that weekend in 2006 that we'd spent in Ruidoso as another example. I don't know how it is for others, I can only speak for me. And I certainly do hope that these kind of things keep "happening" as we all get older and have maybe more time for one another. Anne
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Family Blog - comment
So good to see more and more family members posting! This might actually work, Chris!! And, Anne, I would love for you to write why "this was the best summer ever"! We don't need to write only about morose/stressful topics! : )
I am back in school now - kids start on Monday. Surprised to see how excited I am about going back to teaching!! Guess I missed it more than I realized! Yesterday, Ralph came and helped me set up my classroom so today we both have aching muscles! If he hadn't come, I'd have had to go back today (Saturday) as I could never have done it all in one day. Besides three 90 minute classes of French 1, every two weeks or so I will meet with an advisory class - that will give me lots of opportunities to share stuff from the college prep program I developed for NMSU.
I just hope and pray Mom gets used to having Petra with her...it will give me such peace of mind - not to mention how much it will help her!
I am back in school now - kids start on Monday. Surprised to see how excited I am about going back to teaching!! Guess I missed it more than I realized! Yesterday, Ralph came and helped me set up my classroom so today we both have aching muscles! If he hadn't come, I'd have had to go back today (Saturday) as I could never have done it all in one day. Besides three 90 minute classes of French 1, every two weeks or so I will meet with an advisory class - that will give me lots of opportunities to share stuff from the college prep program I developed for NMSU.
I just hope and pray Mom gets used to having Petra with her...it will give me such peace of mind - not to mention how much it will help her!
Friday, August 1, 2008
....The Staffords Now (Few Years Later?)...
....This to me is much more accurate and I tend to favor this one myself; not to say I don't favorthe other more nostalgic version it does has its' place & importance...I guess what I'm trying to
put across here is that "time does change and so do people" (family here)... Is this not so, my dearest FAMILY members (brothers & sisters)...?
.................................................................................
(Anywho, I wish there was some way to put both of these side-by-side; if you know what I mean... Any suggestions/ideas?)
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PS (We actually look happier here, I think...don't you agree; if I recall right, we were forced
as younger siblings in the other portrait/photo...which wasn't the case here?)
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-Love-
-Bernard-
Hi, I hope this works since I'm not so well versed in the functioning of such here.
When Chris started this, I'd wanted to write about how wonderful this past summer...that's to say, I wanted to "classify" it as one of the best I've ever had since I came to live here.
But now the current events, though none too surprising...well......
I have had a numer of patients(elderly..and a few younger ones,too) who make their family and loved ones lives a hard course to follow. I am currently treating an 86 yr old woman with Alzheimer diagnostic...twice weekly(for just 45min per therapy)and I NEVER know what to expect when I ring the bell. She does have a young and quite pleasant Polish woman who takes care of her(roughly 16 hours a day)....She lets me in. What I'm saying, I've gotten used to it now. Some days Fr. G. will ask me what I want from her(like who are you type thing)and will let me know she doesn't want me there. She stays polite but trys to inch me towards the door,like, nonetheless. Two days later she'll welcome me with a bright smile and afterwards invites me to definitely come back for another"visit".The prescription calls for 20min physical and 20 min braingym(jogging...).So...
I, too, would like to know if Petra is the friend of Monika and is she of German origin such as Monika herself?Is there any way we can be in contact with her? I would like to talk/thank her...even on the phone, if thats the only way...
Robin returns tonight from his 6th "tour" in Sudtirol with the 300+children(ages 5 to 16) from all of our state(financed by the catholic church organization)for the underpriviledged.
For the first time he had a leadership-roll...thats to say, he had to work out the details, the finances, bus reservations etc. along with 2 other adults. Before he was just one of the 20 "chaperones"(Begleiter).I'm anxious to hear how it all went for him this time, of course.
Now I'll try giving dad and mom a ring...its Friday evening over here.
Anne
When Chris started this, I'd wanted to write about how wonderful this past summer...that's to say, I wanted to "classify" it as one of the best I've ever had since I came to live here.
But now the current events, though none too surprising...well......
I have had a numer of patients(elderly..and a few younger ones,too) who make their family and loved ones lives a hard course to follow. I am currently treating an 86 yr old woman with Alzheimer diagnostic...twice weekly(for just 45min per therapy)and I NEVER know what to expect when I ring the bell. She does have a young and quite pleasant Polish woman who takes care of her(roughly 16 hours a day)....She lets me in. What I'm saying, I've gotten used to it now. Some days Fr. G. will ask me what I want from her(like who are you type thing)and will let me know she doesn't want me there. She stays polite but trys to inch me towards the door,like, nonetheless. Two days later she'll welcome me with a bright smile and afterwards invites me to definitely come back for another"visit".The prescription calls for 20min physical and 20 min braingym(jogging...).So...
I, too, would like to know if Petra is the friend of Monika and is she of German origin such as Monika herself?Is there any way we can be in contact with her? I would like to talk/thank her...even on the phone, if thats the only way...
Robin returns tonight from his 6th "tour" in Sudtirol with the 300+children(ages 5 to 16) from all of our state(financed by the catholic church organization)for the underpriviledged.
For the first time he had a leadership-roll...thats to say, he had to work out the details, the finances, bus reservations etc. along with 2 other adults. Before he was just one of the 20 "chaperones"(Begleiter).I'm anxious to hear how it all went for him this time, of course.
Now I'll try giving dad and mom a ring...its Friday evening over here.
Anne
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