Monday January 9

202.  Should be dropping.  I am being forced to stock my house more militantly than in the recent past because I have my 7 and 8 year old grandsons living with me temporarily.  We have to be up, dressed, and out of the house by a certain time to get to their school (20 miles south) on time.  So everything needs to be planned and prepared to go-- breakfasts, lunches, drinks, snacks, clothes, coats, hats, gloves...

I have to plan/prepare dinner to be eaten as soon as possible after picking them up after work so there is time for homework, visiting mom at the hospital, baths, reading and getting them to bed as early as possible so they can get up rested in the morning. 

The school offered transportation in the morning, but I stop at my daughter's house every morning to check on my son-in-law and bring him breakfast and coffee.  I was stressed out about not being able to do everything my son-in-law needs, so I called his sister and told her she has to take care of him while my daughter is in the hospital.  She is not doing a very good job, but I am hopeful that his friends will pick up the slack, because I cannot.

This will be life for a while, but the boys are happy and stable, so it's all good.

Just keep swimming...

Boy, oh boy, you sure do deserve a break soon! Best wishes for strength, peace and healing for your family! 

I'm glad those grandsons have you, but worry you with all of your caregiving plus your demanding job. Maybe find a few minutes to just close your eyes and breathe deeply?  (Seems woefully inadequate but perhaps will calm some nerve endings.)

Hang in there - you have a lot going on!

Had a great, great day yesterday. Didn't get everything done I would have like to get done (specifically, trimming Ella), but I went to Costco and bought lots and lots of meat-enough for the rest of the month I think. I came home and portioned it out and put it in FoodSaver bags and into the freezer. I also went and got a massage while Ron went to sing at 5:30 mass. Food was on point the entire day, too. Made a nice dinner, got my food prepped for today and was relaxing when the call came in. 

It was my brother telling me my dad was being carted away by ambulance to the ER with chest pain and BP totally out of control. (It was 190/something.) Got dressed and went to the hospital. He was okay when I got there and the docs had pretty much ruled out a major coronary event. He had been given lots and lots of aspirin and then a few doses of nitroglycerin. He was feeling better. The pain came back around 3:00 am and he was given morphine. That helped a lot and he was able to sleep for a while. He's now been transferred to Kaiser where they will run more tests including a stress test. Dad's side of the family has never had any heart disease, that we know of. Heck, his dad lived to 99. His older brother is 92. Therefore, I'm not really worried. Positive thinking in this arena, too! 

I am zonked and got a sub for the day. Didn't get to bed until late, late!

Weight was basically the same today as yesterday. Down .2. I also was able to not eat due to the stress. I was hungry when I got home in the wee hours. However, instead of going for the whole grain muffin my dad had brought over earlier in the day, I opted for a blob of peanut butter. Did the trick and off to bed I went.

Hope you all have a great start to the week. I am hopeful for and planning for another week filled with positivity and progress on the downward trend.  

Greetings Marvelous Maintainers

We really are marvelous to keep working at this as long as possible. 132.5 today. Aw shucks.

Paula, get thee to the doctor. The arm thing needs help. 

And Joey, what a lot you have been handed. Those kids are lucky to have you. Why can't son in law take care of his own breakfast? Hope your DD recovers soon. 

Got a haircut today. Its different than the past - hairdresser kind of did what she wanted but its a good cut. I'll take it because my main hairdo is bed head. 

Kairk I hope your dad will be alright. My mom is 91 with advanced Parkinsens disease and every time the phone rings at an odd hour it scares me. I wonder whats up with your dad if its not a heart thing. Glad you have a brother to help.

Well its not raining right now but boy did it pour last night. I think it hailed about 1 am. I have some friends  inland and there has been this big mudslide and the main road is closed. Not sure which side they are on. Gotta call. 

Still not sleeping well. DH wants me to go have a sleep study but I don't want to. 

Yesterday I went to the mall for new shoes and other trinkets. Then to Costco and a couple of other places. Costco shrimp does rule. And of course I found a few other things like roasted red pepper soup, berries, yogurt and so forth. 

Well off to the studio. Hope there are kilns running which helps heat up the place.

Stay warm and dry everyone. Happy maintaining.   Diane S

My son-in-law had a massive stroke in August and is paralyzed on his left side.  He falls often, drops stuff and never closes up and puts anything away (never has).  It's easier to bring him breakfast after dropping the kids at school than to clean up the messes.

He keeps forgetting that my daughter is my first priority.  His sister is mostly worthless but I have been reminding her to take care of him because my daughter and I cannot.

Oh Joey I am so sorry. How presumptuous of me to comment on your son in law. He obviously needs help and you are a saint to be doing so much. My apologies for assuming things I shouldn't. Best wishes. Diane S.