10/31/18, Hump Day Halloween

Calories 811. On my plan for getting the vacation and other few pounds off. I am JFDI!

My last Savvy Caretaker class went well and they gave us some suggestions on websites to help share updates and coordinate care. CaringBridge, which Paula used, was one of them but I also found CaringVillage which supposedly can coordinate with CaringBridge, and has an app. I'm going to try it out. It was suggested that we srart asking for help as soon as possible so people will understand the situation and it will make it easier for them too. I'm trying to figure out how to not just set up specific events on a calendar for requests, but have a list of ongoing to-do's that people can volunteer for as needed. I'm not sure how to do that but hopefully will figure it out.

Now it's time to get a shower (family dropping by in 1/2 hour for a few minutes) - not necessarily convenient, but we won't see them until Christmas otherwise. Then I have to do bills, pack boxes for Florida, do some food shopping for the next few days...

Happy Halloween (not sure if we might just go dark from 6-8)!

I think the whole idea of putting DH's needs (and yours, by extension) out there, brilliant! The disease is so isolating for both the patient and caregiver. People who might want to help, don't know what to do.

And setting it up now, before DH is further advanced, might make it easier for people to continue to help. (With MIL, eventually people started saying they didn't want to see her "like that." I understood, but, they were the very people MIL remembered and could converse with)

And while some people might not be keen on hanging with DH (like those people that know you, but not DH,) there are likely tasks they WOULD be happy to do, if they only knew. Please do reach out.

People will give money, time and work if they see a need. It is hard to expose the need but giving is so fulfilling. If you are able to let other people give to you and your husband it really does make people feel good.

Good morning, all!

I'll remote into work for a while today but otherwise have the day to myself.

DianeO, safe travels....you will be going to bed in CA? Enjoy!!! BB, fingers crossed for DH and job in Oklahoma. I do consider you more capable than most, but I worry about you with 2 babies, full time job and DH out of house regularly. Ann, I see you peeking in, hoping you are having a blast.

Peps, when Ron wasn't walking, I wondered if he was afraid it might literally kill him. But now I see the intense fear has just hit? Self identity is a funny thing, esp when it is so positive in contrast to the obvious reality. People tell me "but, I was always thin" (for example) but I have 10 years of chart records in front of me telling me a different story. I never know how to effectively move past these self-health affirmations because I don't have the same sort of positivity in my past self. (Someday I should just ask "so, that's no longer the case....so what's next?) Glad your healthy eating has settled in. Good for you....I am glad you have found a rhythm --- I do much the same. I do deliberately skip treats sometimes because I don't want to be triggered for hours for 20 seconds of fun (that should be today's mantra)

Happy Halloween! DH buys the candy in this house, it is usually pretty good stuff.

Shel

Yes, I'm peeking in just a little. Having a blast. Was at a party last night with TWO Freddie Mercurys! And the costume winner was a blood-spattered Saudi Crown Prince. People down here are a whole different kind of weird! ;)

The big finale tonight will start with a neighborhood street party (the friends I'm visiting are the hosts) focused on kiddos and trick or treating. And then we're off for some adult downtown fun and the music scene.

The weather couldn't be any better. Walking in the park and everywhere has been great here. Yesterday I clocked almost 20,000 steps!

Later, gators. :)

Today's theme: Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Good morning all.

Weight up: 167.4

Good news-bad news sort of day.

DH's job interview went pretty well. Doesn't think it went as well as the first (which he says he knocked outta the park). He heard back from the would-be boss who said she thought the interview went really well and they would let him know one way or the other by the end of the week. Blame my job--I overanalyze wording. I think that's a pretty positive report, but I wish she'd left off the "one way or the other." Then again, maybe she's just reassuring him that since they've strung him along so long and he has another job offer that he will know very soon, promise.

Found out this morning that my aunt found her boyfriend dead in the shower yesterday. They didn't live together and he hadn't returned her calls all day. Apparently he had an aneurysm. 60ish. All death is hard to stomach, but these young deaths are just so senseless. And my aunt has had a particularly rough time in the past. She was the one there when my grandfather died. Then a couple years later she found out her husband of 31 years had been cheating on her for several years, and went through a nasty divorce. She doesn't have any kids, and she's somewhat alone out in California. This last break must feel like nothing good ever comes and stays her way :( I wish I could do something for her. She desperately wants to move back with family. But she's in that awkward age where she can't really retire yet, but finding another job is difficult.

I want to reassure you that "one way or another" is a throw away phrase that very likely meant nothing more than the obvious.

But, I would also wi**** had been left off of the otherwise positive report!

I am sorry to hear about your aunt's loss. What a reminder of how quickly things can change.

Greetings My Spooky Ones

152 today. I got into the Halloween candy in a big way and picked out most of the Reeces. Sorry kids.

What an adorable Adalyn and costume. Pricelessly perfect. You are a lucky grandpa Dave. Glad your healing is going well.

Loads to do today since I goofed off yesterday playing scrabble all afternoon. It was fun. It was sunny so we played outside on the deck. Now there is laundry, SWAT team picking up, gotta go get beer for the one guest who drinks it, and grab a ready made veggie tray plus Dove Dark that I can't have in the house until the last minute. We got a little rain last night but its supposed to be clear for this night.

Liz good on you for setting up with Caring Village to get the help you need. You seem to have loads of friends and they will be willing to run errands, bring meals or sit with DH but they have to know what you need. It reminds me that I have a friend here in a similar situation so I need to reach out and see how I can help her.

Ann what fun - a blood splattered Saudi Crown Prince. Have a great time tonight!

Shirley, you have lovely cows. Nice to see them in a large open pasture which is how cows should be.

Safe travels DianeO. Soak up a little sun for all of us.

Well, gotta finish this coffee and then get to work. Have a great Halloween all!

Diane S

Good Morning All - 2nd last day of the week for me and we are getting a taste of summer with temps expected to reach nearly 100. I was out on the tractor with the water trailer last nigh****ering trees after DH left to drive back to the city.

Happy Halloween to you all :)

Bit of adrenelin yesterday afternoon just before I finished work. We noticed a fire on the hill directly across from us. The neighbour we could see had started cutting hay. Quick clothing change and on with the boots - DH and I hooked up the fire trailer and went to help. Arrived just as the fire trucks did. I drove while DH started to put it out. Then I did the spot cleanup. He took a photo to show his family. I think at times hes proud of how his city girl has adapted. We hadnt met this neighbour so it was nice to meet him in a cir****tance where we had come to help. He hugged me a couple of times - dear old man. Hes one of the locals who has been here for a very long time. Felt good to help and all DH's instructing re how to fight fires etc obviously stuck. Our good deed for the day.

Ocean - Our cows - Breeders are B8, C1, C2 & C4 (or exploder cow as DH calls her) Priscilla (black and white one) and Steer are being grown out for the freezer to feed our families. Michaela is B8's calf from last year and will likely become a breeder too - we can really only have 6 on the place long term. All the big girls should be calving in April next year - fingers crossed

David - Oh my Adalyn is just totally gorgeous. Give her a big kiss on one of those cheeks for me. Little cherub

Liz - we have friends in San Fran whos daughter has cancer and they use caring bridge. From what I have seen it works really well and is a great way to keep communication and help schedules etc in one place. Think its good to get as much support in place as early as you can for all your sakes x Be kind to yourself x

Ann - you sound like you are having a hoot :) Cant wait to see the pictures

BB - More good luck coming your way re DH job. So sorry to hear about your aunts loss. Thinking of her

Diane - hope your halloween went well - pictures please

Well I best go start the day - 7am here

Keep smiling all :)

Shirley

Trick or Treaters better show up pretty soon if they want candy. Halloween candy is the devil. And I am apparently not a fully formed grown up, because I can't seem to. stop. eating. them. I will do better.