It doesn't seem possible that it is almost April. The bluebonnets are blooming everywhere and I hope to have a little time to drive around and look at some of them. It's not something you see in Dallas.
Cowboy turns 84 on Friday and I have bought him a card and plan to get cupcakes for everyone when I go back to see him Friday. In the meantime must focus on packing.
I packed all day yesterday to the point of exhaustion but made good progress. How do we accumulate so much stuff? I look at something and try to think about getting rid of it and have a hard time doing so. I have been cleaning out and downsizing for a year and still have way too much stuff !!
Why would anyone need two roasting pans and two big pots and two of practically everything in the kitchen and then I think about how much my daughter likes to cook and decide to hang on to it.
I went to see Cowboy this morning. Went early and stayed until about 2. He was doing OK. There is a new resident that follows him around and is constantly asking him how to get out of the home and how to call for a bus and how to find an unlocked door. Cowboy is rather cross with him and it is not helping Cowboy's mood much. Hopefully the fellow will settle in and be a bit less agitated. He kept asking me if I would call him a bus, if I would take him home, if I knew how to get out of there? I asked him his name but he didn't answer me. His wife came around about 11 and stayed maybe 20 minutes and left. It must be hard to deal with him and not have any good answers.
I decided to take it easy today. My body is sore and I needed a break. Took a long walk and have been catching up on my reading. Nice day and beautiful outside although a bit windy.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 27
Got back Monday night and have been to lunch every day. On Tuesday a friend from the dulcimer group took me to lunch and Tuesday night the dulcimer group had a little party. It was good to see them and we had a good time. On Wednesday two neighbors that I frequently see and go to lunch with bought me lunch and then we went shopping for a little bit. I will miss the cool little shops we visit.
This morning I went to see Cowboy. He was in a good humor even though it was raining and he could not go out. We sat in the day room and looked at the paper and watched some of the fellows playing a word game. They have a new aide who is really enthusiastic. She told me that Cowboy sang with them for kareoke yesterday.
While I was there he got up to pick up a book and fell. He was not hurt but one of these days........He gets cranky if anyone wants to help him but it took two of the ladies to get him up out of the floor. I worry about that fall he may take where he will injure himself. He sure knows how to fall easy. Must be the military in him.
I am going to lunch with another two good friends today and then to a neighborhood luncheon tomorrow. It is a chance to give everyone a hug and say goodbye. I suspect I will see a lot of them again before I leave on April 7th.
Packing is coming along, although slowly. I really wish I had more energy for this very large task.
This morning I went to see Cowboy. He was in a good humor even though it was raining and he could not go out. We sat in the day room and looked at the paper and watched some of the fellows playing a word game. They have a new aide who is really enthusiastic. She told me that Cowboy sang with them for kareoke yesterday.
While I was there he got up to pick up a book and fell. He was not hurt but one of these days........He gets cranky if anyone wants to help him but it took two of the ladies to get him up out of the floor. I worry about that fall he may take where he will injure himself. He sure knows how to fall easy. Must be the military in him.
I am going to lunch with another two good friends today and then to a neighborhood luncheon tomorrow. It is a chance to give everyone a hug and say goodbye. I suspect I will see a lot of them again before I leave on April 7th.
Packing is coming along, although slowly. I really wish I had more energy for this very large task.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday, March 25
I am back at home and very tired. Got back from Costa Rica at 10PM on Thursday night and got up Friday morning and drove to Dallas to close on the house. Stayed over the weekend because my daughter was in town and we had to work out some things on furniture placement, improvements, etc.
Yesterday I came home and stopped to see Cowboy. I had talked to him twice on the telephone and when I spoke with him on Saturday he was a little agitated. Wanted me to come to see him. I spent a lot of time there yesterday. He was fine, not upset, didn't question where I had been or anything. It was a very nice day and we went outside for a good long while. He went on and on about the "redbirds" he sees in the trees. Not sure if he is talking about cardinals, robins or something his mind only is seeing. He was very happy about it.
The staff tells me he spends a lot of time outside and he is spending more time in the day room as well. This is good. He is interacting a lot more with the other residents.
It has been two weeks since I was there and came back to find that three of the men had passed away and been replaced with new people. Wow, that really hit me. In just two weeks. One of them didn't surprise me but there was nothing to indicate the others were close to death.
The trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. I had a great time. There were several single ladies, two traveling together from Canada, a mother and daughter from California that were rather annoying, two young ladies from Chicago that were very nice and fun and one other single lady traveling alone. She was from Arizona. There were 40 people in all but I was the only one from Texas. I actually became good friends with a couple from Florida. She just kind of adopted me and we got on great. I could go on and on about what we did and where we went but not at the moment. I have so much to do to get ready to move. Maybe later.
Yesterday I came home and stopped to see Cowboy. I had talked to him twice on the telephone and when I spoke with him on Saturday he was a little agitated. Wanted me to come to see him. I spent a lot of time there yesterday. He was fine, not upset, didn't question where I had been or anything. It was a very nice day and we went outside for a good long while. He went on and on about the "redbirds" he sees in the trees. Not sure if he is talking about cardinals, robins or something his mind only is seeing. He was very happy about it.
The staff tells me he spends a lot of time outside and he is spending more time in the day room as well. This is good. He is interacting a lot more with the other residents.
It has been two weeks since I was there and came back to find that three of the men had passed away and been replaced with new people. Wow, that really hit me. In just two weeks. One of them didn't surprise me but there was nothing to indicate the others were close to death.
The trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. I had a great time. There were several single ladies, two traveling together from Canada, a mother and daughter from California that were rather annoying, two young ladies from Chicago that were very nice and fun and one other single lady traveling alone. She was from Arizona. There were 40 people in all but I was the only one from Texas. I actually became good friends with a couple from Florida. She just kind of adopted me and we got on great. I could go on and on about what we did and where we went but not at the moment. I have so much to do to get ready to move. Maybe later.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Tuesday, March 11
It is all set up to close on the new house on the 21st. As far as I know everything is done.
I went to see Cowboy yesterday. There are still a number of residents that are ill but the memory unit is about past it so we were able to have lunch and visit. He had a touch of the bug but was not really sick just some stomach upset. That is a relief. I explained to him about moving again and he just looks at me. Not sure is registering. I told him I was packing and he asked me "what are you packing?" I explained again and he asks me again "what are you packing?"
I also told him I was going on a trip to Costa Rica. He just said "OK". It is interesting how much his not caring about anything affects you. I noticed it first when one of the grandsons said "he just doesn't seem to care about me !". That was some time ago but it is more and more true. I try to explain it is the disease but it seems hard for them to accept.
I have quit packing for the moment. Must concentrate on getting ready for my trip. A different kind of packing. I have not thought much about what I am going to take but I think I have bought everything I need. Sun screen - check, insect repellent - check, bathing suit - check, shorts - whoops, better try them on. Anyway I will get that done today and then will leave really early in the AM.
I am not sure if I will have a chance to post while I am away. I understand there is internet access at the hotels but don't know the cost, etc. Will return on the 20th, but have to leave early on the 21st to go to Dallas to close the house and start there.
I am off to get the car filled up and washed and then have to pick up a prescription, then home to get things ready to go.
I went to see Cowboy yesterday. There are still a number of residents that are ill but the memory unit is about past it so we were able to have lunch and visit. He had a touch of the bug but was not really sick just some stomach upset. That is a relief. I explained to him about moving again and he just looks at me. Not sure is registering. I told him I was packing and he asked me "what are you packing?" I explained again and he asks me again "what are you packing?"
I also told him I was going on a trip to Costa Rica. He just said "OK". It is interesting how much his not caring about anything affects you. I noticed it first when one of the grandsons said "he just doesn't seem to care about me !". That was some time ago but it is more and more true. I try to explain it is the disease but it seems hard for them to accept.
I have quit packing for the moment. Must concentrate on getting ready for my trip. A different kind of packing. I have not thought much about what I am going to take but I think I have bought everything I need. Sun screen - check, insect repellent - check, bathing suit - check, shorts - whoops, better try them on. Anyway I will get that done today and then will leave really early in the AM.
I am not sure if I will have a chance to post while I am away. I understand there is internet access at the hotels but don't know the cost, etc. Will return on the 20th, but have to leave early on the 21st to go to Dallas to close the house and start there.
I am off to get the car filled up and washed and then have to pick up a prescription, then home to get things ready to go.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Saturday, March 8
The band practiced on Monday afternoon. The new lady that plays violin was there and she is good. I feel much better about leaving them without a fiddle. I will miss these guys. We have become good friends and I will miss them (and the music).
On Tuesday some friends from the Emergency Management Committee took me to lunch. I got a sweet card and we got to visit a bit.
I went over to see Cowboy on Wednesday and found that things were shut down due to an bad stomach virus running rampant in the home. They recommended I not visit so I left.
I had been to a social committee meeting earlier on Wednesday. The ladies had a little party for me, gave ma a framed picture, card and a wine stopper. It was so nice. While I was there I managed to tangle my leg up in a chair and fell. No harm done except for my pride. Don't know how I managed to do that. Have a bruised knee and ankle but I am fine.
We closed on the house on Thursday and it went well. I think the new owner is a sweetheart. He has been very easy to work with.
On the Arlington end, things continue to be less than smooth. The bank called and needed another letter explaining the monthly deduction from the checking account for HOA dues. They have been very nit picky. I am thinking it might be because they had to pay billions of dollars in fines for being sloppy back during the mortgage debacle. Anyway, the title company also said since the owner had the property for less than a year that another federal law that went in effect in January meant there had to be a "desk review" of the appraisal and then it had to be sent to me US MAIL for my approval. This entire process has been handled by email, fax and such and they actually passed a law this year that requires the use of the US MAIL !!
Anyway, couldn't close on Friday. It will get done after I return from my trip on the 21st.
I called the home yesterday and was told not to come. They still have a lot of folks sick. I feel sorry for the staff having to deal with vomit and diarrea all day.
This morning I went to Home Depot and looked at flooring and counter tops. Am hoping to make some changes in the house. Found out there is no way it will happen in less than a month or two so can't get it done before move in.
I have been packing the rest of the day. Slowly it is getting done.
On Tuesday some friends from the Emergency Management Committee took me to lunch. I got a sweet card and we got to visit a bit.
I went over to see Cowboy on Wednesday and found that things were shut down due to an bad stomach virus running rampant in the home. They recommended I not visit so I left.
I had been to a social committee meeting earlier on Wednesday. The ladies had a little party for me, gave ma a framed picture, card and a wine stopper. It was so nice. While I was there I managed to tangle my leg up in a chair and fell. No harm done except for my pride. Don't know how I managed to do that. Have a bruised knee and ankle but I am fine.
We closed on the house on Thursday and it went well. I think the new owner is a sweetheart. He has been very easy to work with.
On the Arlington end, things continue to be less than smooth. The bank called and needed another letter explaining the monthly deduction from the checking account for HOA dues. They have been very nit picky. I am thinking it might be because they had to pay billions of dollars in fines for being sloppy back during the mortgage debacle. Anyway, the title company also said since the owner had the property for less than a year that another federal law that went in effect in January meant there had to be a "desk review" of the appraisal and then it had to be sent to me US MAIL for my approval. This entire process has been handled by email, fax and such and they actually passed a law this year that requires the use of the US MAIL !!
Anyway, couldn't close on Friday. It will get done after I return from my trip on the 21st.
I called the home yesterday and was told not to come. They still have a lot of folks sick. I feel sorry for the staff having to deal with vomit and diarrea all day.
This morning I went to Home Depot and looked at flooring and counter tops. Am hoping to make some changes in the house. Found out there is no way it will happen in less than a month or two so can't get it done before move in.
I have been packing the rest of the day. Slowly it is getting done.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Sunday, March 2
I just realized this morning I had not thought about the blog in days. I have been very busy and thinking about all kinds of things.
I am not sure I can even recount the week. Mostly packing, running here and there and then went to Dallas on Friday for a walk thru of the new house.
At this point we are hoping the house here will close on the 6th and the new house on the 7th but still waiting on a couple of things on that end.
On Wednesday when I visited Cowboy he was OK. He was rather "staying within himself" and didn't have anything to say. At one point he didn't know me but then later I asked him and he said I was his wife but couldn't tell me my name. He ate a good lunch and then napped. I have told him about the move and a couple of times he has asked me about it but not this week.
I actually drove back Friday night and was really wiped out. Yesterday I slept in and had a "pajama day" but then last night I had a ticket to attend the Menuhin Competition. It is a competition of young violinists under 22 from all over the globe, first time ever held in US. There were four finalists. I don't believe I have ever been so enthralled. It is absolutely truly amazing the talent that is coming up. I liked this 18 year old Korean lad the best. Wow, dreamt about it all night.
I am on my way out the door to go see Cowboy.
I am not sure I can even recount the week. Mostly packing, running here and there and then went to Dallas on Friday for a walk thru of the new house.
At this point we are hoping the house here will close on the 6th and the new house on the 7th but still waiting on a couple of things on that end.
On Wednesday when I visited Cowboy he was OK. He was rather "staying within himself" and didn't have anything to say. At one point he didn't know me but then later I asked him and he said I was his wife but couldn't tell me my name. He ate a good lunch and then napped. I have told him about the move and a couple of times he has asked me about it but not this week.
I actually drove back Friday night and was really wiped out. Yesterday I slept in and had a "pajama day" but then last night I had a ticket to attend the Menuhin Competition. It is a competition of young violinists under 22 from all over the globe, first time ever held in US. There were four finalists. I don't believe I have ever been so enthralled. It is absolutely truly amazing the talent that is coming up. I liked this 18 year old Korean lad the best. Wow, dreamt about it all night.
I am on my way out the door to go see Cowboy.
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