Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Lesson learned......don't pre-judge!!

I've been sitting here for over an hour, with my laptop open....and yet, I just seem to be staring into space. 

I either have brain fog....Or....a way too tired mind.  I'm not even interested in checking out Facebook tonight.   Perhaps, it's the weather?! 

The wind has really been blowing today and it's cold outside!  All I want to do is curl up on the sofa.....and watch TV.   Oh no.....I just realized that this is the exact thing that I did all of last week!     The verdict is:   I've become LAZY!

I did gather up enough energy to go see my dad today!!  I try to go everyday, with the exception of last week.....when I could barely walk.   

You know.......for the past year or so......I have fought with all my being, NOT to put my dad in the very Memory Care facility that he is in at this time!!   

The reason?  Because I did not think it was good enough!!  

I'm just being honest here!!  It's an older facility and when my brother and I first visited this site.....I  was the one who said:   NO WAY!   I'm guessing that I had something much more prestigious in mind.   Why?  Because I wanted the very BEST for my dad!  

Let me tell you about a lesson that I have learned...... Stay with me here!!!!

My dad was in the hospital for 14 days and then he was released to a Nursing Home.    It was a New Place with a lot of up-to-date equipment.   Dad was there for about three weeks, before we got a phone call saying that the director felt that dad needed to be in a complete memory care unit.

I was almost devastated......    Private pay care in our area can be very costly!!!!  $5,000 or more per month!!!!

What to do?    We only had two choices.......One was to bring dad home and try once again to take care of him.....OR.....move him to the Nursing Home that I had fought sending him to.

My brother took care of getting dad's things moved....(because this all took place last week when I was so sick)


At the first "newer" and more updated place......I had to make his bed (myself) almost every time I went.    There were several days when he would be wearing the same clothes that he had on the day before and the day before!     There were numerous times when I would have to clean his face because he had dried food on it.

There were several days when I would go in the early mornings and dad would still be in bed with his pants, belt, and snap up shirt on.  In other words......he slept in them all night long.  

Dad had so much anxiety, and there were several times when he would not get the medicine he needed {ON TIME} to prevent the stressful anxiety from becoming worse and making him upset and start shaking.

Since he has been moved..........

I have been over every single day,  to see my dad.......sometimes, twice a day.....and can I tell you, that he is receiving STAR treatment!  

Not once have I  visited, that he was dirty or in need of his clothes being changed.    At night, they make sure he gets a shower and that he has on his pajamas.   In the mornings....they get him up and put clean clothes on him.   

His hair has already been trimmed and it is combed every single day.......they also shave him every morning and they dash on his after shave that he has always loved.

Not once have I had to make his bed!!!!!  It is always made and the bed coverings are always changed.   His room is neat and very clean, and his dirty clothes are in the hamper.

  Dad is content and he looks happy.   !!!!!!   I've not witnessed one single anxiety attack since being there.

What I have learned is:   God knows what is Best!   I have spent many hours, praying for God's will......but yet, I was fighting it.

   It has taken me a while to realize that in life......things are not always what they seem!!   In the same way that a person can be BEAUTIFUL on the outside and very uncaring on the inside..........So can the things of life be!!    A building is just a building.   It can be beautiful on the outside..... but if the people on the inside are not loving.....then what do we gain???

Don't pre-judge the worth of something by it's outward appearance.    

My dad is now being taken care of by loving, caring people who are making a difference in his life!!  It's not the "BEST" in town.....but it is what is BEST for my dad!

Shug.......











Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Weather.....

December was the official start of Winter.....but, here in East Texas, our Winter seasons are nothing compared to a lot of areas in this Country.   

It was cold this morning.....below freezing....but by the afternoon, it had warmed up a bit.   I saw several people in shorts and sweat tops!  Fer REAL!!

My bird bath was even frozen over this morning, as well as some other shallow pots of water that I have on the side of the house. 

As for me.....I love it!  I like the cold weather.....and because I am a stay at home wife, I can enjoy wearing sweat shirts and PJ bottoms all day long....every day!!


Of course, I'm not one of those Walmart shoppers who wears their PJ's to town!!!  No...if I'm going somewhere, I do make an effort to get dressed.  I Really do!!



This could be recognized as my "Winter" daily attire + socks!

I'm all about the comfy feel....

Back to the weather....

I know that so many of my blogging friends live in areas that have been, or that ARE really being hit with some serious Winter storms. 

Praying that you all will not experience any electrical outages and that you all will be safe and warm. 

Around here, our temps may drop down into the upper 20's, but never do they stay in that degree range for any length of time.  I can't possibly imagine temps of minus degrees!

Prayers from Texas.....

Shug

Monday, January 5, 2015

A shocker

I couldn't believe it......do you ever come across things that totally shock you?

This happened to me today...   I went by "Fresh" grocery and did a little "fresh" grocery shopping!!  LOL.  ("Fresh" is the name of our newest big grocery store in the area....)




This place has so much to offer...

Of course, you know what that means, don't you?  When a place like this takes all of the WORK out cooking, it can only mean ONE thing!  Higher prices!!

I must admit....I don't often shop here, but today....I needed something quick.

As I was leaving to get in my car....I noticed that out of all the parking places in the entire HUGE parking lot, a trashed up car decided to park.....not only in one parking spot, but in half of mine as well.   

My words went something like this:
"You have got to be kidding me!!"

I placed my groceries in the back of my car and then I plowed ahead to engage in a huge struggle to get into my car.  I had to twist and turn and wrestle my way into position...just to lift my right arm high enough to pull myself in.

Yes, it probably was a sight to see!!

After I got seated....I turned to look out my window.   I honestly, do not think that I have EVER seen such a mess!!  I'm thinking: "This person loves McDonald's!!"

My goodness.....I kid you not, there must have been a hundred empty McDonald sacks, papers and Styrofoam cups, just thrown around everywhere in that car.
   


I can't imagine what this person needed from the grocery store!!!! It definitely looked like most of their food comes from the McDonald's drive thru!!!


I guess it's "To each His own!"

How clean do you keep your car??

I try to keep my car clean..!!!

shug ~



Saturday, January 3, 2015

Seeing White!!

Our home looks bare....I mean like almost empty! 

This house has been filled with all kinds of Christmas decor...since the end of October!! (It was the Christmas tour that made me do it)

There was no way that I was going to be able to pack away the Christmas....not now for sure! 
  
Both girls came over this past Monday and within hours.....I could declare this place "A White House!"

A white house???.... The shelves are empty, the walls are naked, and the place is clutter FREE!! I can see the white shelves and everything looks crisp!!

I LOVE IT!!!   For Now, Anyways!!

How about you?  Are your Christmas decorations still hanging around...Or, are you now seeing white as well??

Shug....


Thursday, January 1, 2015

Hello Sunshine.......

I was thinking....what is it about the ending of a year that gives us such HOPE for the future? ...there is a New Year in front of us!  A brand new beginning!!

Is it the anticipation of something NEW....the saying goodbye to things that we no longer want to exist in our lives...Or...is the excitement of having intellectual wisdom from years past, that will guide us forward?

In my lifetime, I have seen at least 49 fascinating New Year's...come and go. Did any of these years change me significantly?  I like to believe that with each new day, each new year...I have become more dedicated to the POSITIVE details of life.   

With each December 31st...as the clock strikes 12:00 p.m., there is such an excitement in the air....as I realize that I am about to embark upon a New Journey in life!!   

I do believe that it was Brad Paisley that once said: "Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!" 


Today....is that day!!  While I might not be able to predict what my entire year may consist of....I do have the ability to press on with strength, determination and a positive attitude.   How can I go wrong with these 3 great advantages in front of me??  



In your book...Will your pages remain blank....will they be torn and stained....Or, will you stamp  a ray of beautiful sunshine in the corner of each new day?

Something to think about!!

Shug.....

Sunday Thinking

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