Yesterday was heavenly. I slept in, went and got a massage, came back and had lunch, went for a haircut and then for a mani-pedi. I feel like I am livin' uptown.
This morning I went to the neighborhood ladies breakfast. It was my lunch too because then had to pick up two band members and head to the VA home for our gig.
It went really well. We played over an hour, the motorcycle club brought in beer and snacks and really seemed to enjoy themselves. Cowboy was brought over (we played for the general population wing) and sat and listened and smiled. He got up to leave and I lost my place and messed up "Danny Boy" but no biggy. He headed for the mens room but I didn't know that. Afterwards I found out he soiled his clothes. I took him back to the memory unit and asked them to clean him up.
While there I talked to the nurse. She said this morning he was trying to get out of the unit. Kept trying the door. When she asked him what he was doing he told her he needed to out and check on the tarps on the trucks that were being loaded. Some kind of reference to his army days. They were able to distract him and everything was OK.
I was talking to the girls coming home. One of them used to be a nurse at the VA. We were on the subject of agent orange. I am fairly convinced that Cowboy's problems are all related to that. He comes from a family with members that live into their 100's, has always been very concientious with his health, exercise, diet, etc. It makes one a little sick sometimes.
Came home tired and plan to do little if anything this evening.
Tomorrow a handyman is coming to install the water softener and the microwave and do some wiring for me. Am going to use Cowboy's old closet for a room to do makeup, etc. and some linen storage. There is no linen closet in the master bath. go figure......
Will go see Cowboy again on Sunday/
Friday, November 15, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Wednesday, November 13
Monday I went to the social committee meeting. A pianist and I are going to do some Christmas music. We have it all lined out and when she returns from a cruise we are going to practice. We are having the party catered. I don't believe I have ever attended a couples Christmas party by myself but will be among friends and have a place on the program so won't have time to worry about it much.
In the PM the band rehearsed. We are playing at the Va home on Friday and are ready to go. One of our members is doing a very poor job of being prepared and took a call today during practice and talked for the longest about another gig with another band. We were all a little miffed. Thinking things may be fixing to change, again. I am ready for a break so is OK by me.
Yesterday I went to the home. I went rather early because I had to come back for a meeting at 1PM. Cowboy was napping but I got him up and we walked around inside for about 20 minutes or so. It is too cold to go outside. Then the activities aide set up bowling and we did that for a while. Cowboy really enjoys it and is always ready for his turn. I helped the other residents as well. They just are so sweet and are like little children in their enjoyment of this simple game.
Emergency Management sub-committee meeting in the PM. Made my report and took the minutes for a friend. I am going to cut back on my involvement with this committee once we have finished our current project. Really, (really).
Today I had to go to the dentist and have a crown replaced that fell out on Saturday. That took about an hour. At least they were able to re-cement it rather than having to replace it. A lot less money.
Came back and met the housekeepers to get the floors and bathrooms cleaned. Feels good to have that done. Also managed to catch up on laundry today.
I went and bought a new microwave. Now I just have to figure out how to get it out of my car. The handyman who is coming to put in the water softener on Saturdayand can do this as well.
Talked to a sweet neighbor this afternoon and they are heading to West VA Friday. His younger brother is ill. He seemed really upset. He is the nice neighbor that does so many things for me (like killing bats).
Tomorrow I am going to take a pamper day. I need it really bad. Have scheduled a massage, a haircut and a mani-pedi. Yea !. Now am hoping nothing comes up.
On Friday will head to the home to perform.
I am hoping to get up to see my family soon. Maybe this following weekend. Need some more baby time. Maybe I can figure out a way to get the electronic piano in my car and take it to my daughters. She wants it for the grandchildren when they visit her. Now that I have the keyboard I am set without it and it is very out of date. Uses floppy disks, no less.
In the PM the band rehearsed. We are playing at the Va home on Friday and are ready to go. One of our members is doing a very poor job of being prepared and took a call today during practice and talked for the longest about another gig with another band. We were all a little miffed. Thinking things may be fixing to change, again. I am ready for a break so is OK by me.
Yesterday I went to the home. I went rather early because I had to come back for a meeting at 1PM. Cowboy was napping but I got him up and we walked around inside for about 20 minutes or so. It is too cold to go outside. Then the activities aide set up bowling and we did that for a while. Cowboy really enjoys it and is always ready for his turn. I helped the other residents as well. They just are so sweet and are like little children in their enjoyment of this simple game.
Emergency Management sub-committee meeting in the PM. Made my report and took the minutes for a friend. I am going to cut back on my involvement with this committee once we have finished our current project. Really, (really).
Today I had to go to the dentist and have a crown replaced that fell out on Saturday. That took about an hour. At least they were able to re-cement it rather than having to replace it. A lot less money.
Came back and met the housekeepers to get the floors and bathrooms cleaned. Feels good to have that done. Also managed to catch up on laundry today.
I went and bought a new microwave. Now I just have to figure out how to get it out of my car. The handyman who is coming to put in the water softener on Saturdayand can do this as well.
Talked to a sweet neighbor this afternoon and they are heading to West VA Friday. His younger brother is ill. He seemed really upset. He is the nice neighbor that does so many things for me (like killing bats).
Tomorrow I am going to take a pamper day. I need it really bad. Have scheduled a massage, a haircut and a mani-pedi. Yea !. Now am hoping nothing comes up.
On Friday will head to the home to perform.
I am hoping to get up to see my family soon. Maybe this following weekend. Need some more baby time. Maybe I can figure out a way to get the electronic piano in my car and take it to my daughters. She wants it for the grandchildren when they visit her. Now that I have the keyboard I am set without it and it is very out of date. Uses floppy disks, no less.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Sunday, November 10
I went to see Cowboy this morning. He was in bed napping when I got there at 10 AM. Still coughing and stuffy. We went outside, it was about 70 degrees and the sun was starting to show through the clouds. Very nice out. He started asking what time it was right after I got there and kept asking every few minutes. He said he was hungry and ready for lunch. Maybe he didn't do well with breakfast or maybe his imagination is working. Not sure.
He wanted to know if I was going to take the maple tree home. I asked him "what maple tree?". He said there was a maple tree in their outdoor area that I said I was going to take home. I told him he must have misunderstood me. He seemed agitated about it and said that he was glad I wasn't going to take it.
We had a nice lunch but he seems rather sluggish. When we got back to his room he laid back down on the bed and was dozing off in no time. I decided to come on home.
On my way out one of the wives asked me if I was coming tomorrow night. I had no idea what she was talking about. Seems there are some soldiers coming over from Ft Hood at 5PM to talk to the residents. I doubt if I will add that to my list for tomorrow. I don't like driving after dark (although it is much better since my surgery). I35 is bad enough during the daytime.
I took the dog for a long walk this afternoon. It is such a beautiful day.
Tomorrow I have a social committee meeting in the morning and a rehearsal for the band in the PM. On Tuesday I have a EMC committee meeting. Wednesday the housekeeper comes. I have to find time to buy a microwave. Mine is threatening to completely die any minute. That means the handyman will have a water softener and a microwave to install this next weekend.
I need a haircut. Friday the band plays at the home. There is just no end. Wish I could find a happy medium that allowed me to have more downtime.
He wanted to know if I was going to take the maple tree home. I asked him "what maple tree?". He said there was a maple tree in their outdoor area that I said I was going to take home. I told him he must have misunderstood me. He seemed agitated about it and said that he was glad I wasn't going to take it.
We had a nice lunch but he seems rather sluggish. When we got back to his room he laid back down on the bed and was dozing off in no time. I decided to come on home.
On my way out one of the wives asked me if I was coming tomorrow night. I had no idea what she was talking about. Seems there are some soldiers coming over from Ft Hood at 5PM to talk to the residents. I doubt if I will add that to my list for tomorrow. I don't like driving after dark (although it is much better since my surgery). I35 is bad enough during the daytime.
I took the dog for a long walk this afternoon. It is such a beautiful day.
Tomorrow I have a social committee meeting in the morning and a rehearsal for the band in the PM. On Tuesday I have a EMC committee meeting. Wednesday the housekeeper comes. I have to find time to buy a microwave. Mine is threatening to completely die any minute. That means the handyman will have a water softener and a microwave to install this next weekend.
I need a haircut. Friday the band plays at the home. There is just no end. Wish I could find a happy medium that allowed me to have more downtime.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Friday, November 8
Really busy week. When I got over to see Cowboy last Sunday he had a cold and was not feeling all that well. I talked to the nurse. There seems to be a bug going around. One of the problems of lots of people together. They are doing a chest x-ray and breathing treatments.
Monday I was a driver for a ladies luncheon in Austin. There were 11 of us. Nice lunch and lots of shopping for Christmas type goodies. I bought some dip mix, an ornament, a cute X-mas wine bottle stopper. I drooled over some other things but kept from going overboard.
Monday night was bunco. It is always fun and I love visiting with everybody.
Tuesday I went back to check on Cowboy. He seems a bit more chipper and energetic but still has a cold. He ate a good lunch and then we went back and he went to sleep.
I headed back and went to Sears and bought a new water softener. Over $500 ! I grew up with hard water and we used a lot of vinegar to cut the film, even when shampooing our hair. I thought for just a moment maybe I could return to that approach. But hard water is hard on the plumbing and your appliances, etc so guess will do what is necessary.
Wednesday it was pouring down rain and was a good day to stay in. I stayed in my pajamas all day. Didn't feel so great myself, had a headache, so mostly diddled around. Did do some laundry and clean the toilets, etc and did some cooking. It is nice to just diddle now and then.
Yesterday morning I took the car in for an oil change, tire rotation, etc. All is good. I then drove to the PX and ordered the prescription glasses the doc prescribed (even though I am doing great without glasses, will be interesting to see if it makes a difference.
Then I went to see Cowboy. He was doing a breathing treatment when I got there. The nurse said his X-ray was clear and he has no fever but is stuffy. She thinks maybe it is just allergies. I know I have been having a time with mold lately and fighting headaches and fatigue. Maybe one and the same.
This morning I went to the Emergency Management Committee meeting and presented a proposal from our task force. We got their blessing to go forward with a plan to document those persons with special needs in all our neighborhoods and a little money for start up.
Then off the play at an alzhiemers facility with the dulcimer group. Will follow this with a little shopping. About out of a few things. busy, busy, busy.......
Monday I was a driver for a ladies luncheon in Austin. There were 11 of us. Nice lunch and lots of shopping for Christmas type goodies. I bought some dip mix, an ornament, a cute X-mas wine bottle stopper. I drooled over some other things but kept from going overboard.
Monday night was bunco. It is always fun and I love visiting with everybody.
Tuesday I went back to check on Cowboy. He seems a bit more chipper and energetic but still has a cold. He ate a good lunch and then we went back and he went to sleep.
I headed back and went to Sears and bought a new water softener. Over $500 ! I grew up with hard water and we used a lot of vinegar to cut the film, even when shampooing our hair. I thought for just a moment maybe I could return to that approach. But hard water is hard on the plumbing and your appliances, etc so guess will do what is necessary.
Wednesday it was pouring down rain and was a good day to stay in. I stayed in my pajamas all day. Didn't feel so great myself, had a headache, so mostly diddled around. Did do some laundry and clean the toilets, etc and did some cooking. It is nice to just diddle now and then.
Yesterday morning I took the car in for an oil change, tire rotation, etc. All is good. I then drove to the PX and ordered the prescription glasses the doc prescribed (even though I am doing great without glasses, will be interesting to see if it makes a difference.
Then I went to see Cowboy. He was doing a breathing treatment when I got there. The nurse said his X-ray was clear and he has no fever but is stuffy. She thinks maybe it is just allergies. I know I have been having a time with mold lately and fighting headaches and fatigue. Maybe one and the same.
This morning I went to the Emergency Management Committee meeting and presented a proposal from our task force. We got their blessing to go forward with a plan to document those persons with special needs in all our neighborhoods and a little money for start up.
Then off the play at an alzhiemers facility with the dulcimer group. Will follow this with a little shopping. About out of a few things. busy, busy, busy.......
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Sunday, November 3
Saturday morning I was a volunteer for a drill of the Emergency Management Plan. I got to be an evacuee with injuries. The ham in me was on display. It was fun and the drills are very useful preparation.
Found myself running from that to dulcimer practice from 10 to noon.
In the afternoon my daughter and one of her sons was here. We went to lunch at TGI Fridays. I enjoyed it. Don't go to nice eating places as often as I used to.
When we returned my grandson helped me clean off the patio and the front entry with a hose. He then proceeded to knock down what we thought was a mud dabbers nest up on the roof of the porch. Turned out to be a bat! That bat was knocked pretty silly and fell down but none of us wanted to touch him. I had them push him over into the dirt thinking he would die. He didn't. That rascal literally crawled back to the wall on the porch and started trying to climb it.
I sent the Maserati home with my grandson. He and his family needed a second vehicle (his wife's car recently bit the dust), just had a baby and he recently lost his job. They are doing OK but this will help til things sort themselves out.
Now, what to do about that bat. I finally decided to get some help. I went to my neighbor across the street and ask him the best way to handle it. He said "wait here", took a mallet and a plastic bag and went to my house and disposed of the bat. He is such a sweet fellow, didn't even want me to have to watch the expiration of that critter.
Time changed last night so I was up earlier than usual and it really cold this morning. Enjoyed my paper, made a good breakfast and am now sitting here thinking I need to get cleaned up and dressed and head over to see Cowboy.
Found myself running from that to dulcimer practice from 10 to noon.
In the afternoon my daughter and one of her sons was here. We went to lunch at TGI Fridays. I enjoyed it. Don't go to nice eating places as often as I used to.
When we returned my grandson helped me clean off the patio and the front entry with a hose. He then proceeded to knock down what we thought was a mud dabbers nest up on the roof of the porch. Turned out to be a bat! That bat was knocked pretty silly and fell down but none of us wanted to touch him. I had them push him over into the dirt thinking he would die. He didn't. That rascal literally crawled back to the wall on the porch and started trying to climb it.
I sent the Maserati home with my grandson. He and his family needed a second vehicle (his wife's car recently bit the dust), just had a baby and he recently lost his job. They are doing OK but this will help til things sort themselves out.
Now, what to do about that bat. I finally decided to get some help. I went to my neighbor across the street and ask him the best way to handle it. He said "wait here", took a mallet and a plastic bag and went to my house and disposed of the bat. He is such a sweet fellow, didn't even want me to have to watch the expiration of that critter.
Time changed last night so I was up earlier than usual and it really cold this morning. Enjoyed my paper, made a good breakfast and am now sitting here thinking I need to get cleaned up and dressed and head over to see Cowboy.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Friday, November 1
Wow, it is November. Doesn't feel like it. Still too warm but has been a little cooler and drier. We had a terrible flood a few miles south of us the night before Halloween. So sad.
Got a lot done on Wednesday. Laundry, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. so much fun.
I went to see Cowboy yesterday. The rain quit about 9AM so headed North. The roads were dry and the skies were blue. Good drive. Took Cowboy out for a walk around the outside area. We went around 3 times ! Then sat for a while outside. This was followed by lunch. Fried chicken, brown beans, corn on the cob. I need to have a talk with their nutritionist. Sure doesn't seem like the best diet. But then, if you are 85 and have dementia, maybe this is one of those small pleasures.
Cowboy was in a good frame of mind. He enjoyed walking around and sitting outside and also enjoyed his lunch.
This morning I went to Home Depot and bought lightbulbs, filters, and some fluorescent bulbs. Have a handyman coming this evening to change out summer bulb in bathroom, replace a burned out bulb in the laundry room, fix a broken panel in the garage, change the batteries in the smoke detectors and the filters in the HVAC. Learned my water softener is not working so need to buy a new one. DRAT ! Am going to need a new microwave any day now as well. It is always something. What we need is a simpler time when we didn't need or use these things.
I went through my music and put together a binder for the Christmas gigs for the dulcimer group, a binder for the violin and piano gigs am doing and tidied up the band music. Will have to put together a binder for the Nov 15 gig at the VA home and one for the Christmas gigs soon. Three different sets of music for three different groups.
Got a lot done on Wednesday. Laundry, ironing, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. so much fun.
I went to see Cowboy yesterday. The rain quit about 9AM so headed North. The roads were dry and the skies were blue. Good drive. Took Cowboy out for a walk around the outside area. We went around 3 times ! Then sat for a while outside. This was followed by lunch. Fried chicken, brown beans, corn on the cob. I need to have a talk with their nutritionist. Sure doesn't seem like the best diet. But then, if you are 85 and have dementia, maybe this is one of those small pleasures.
Cowboy was in a good frame of mind. He enjoyed walking around and sitting outside and also enjoyed his lunch.
This morning I went to Home Depot and bought lightbulbs, filters, and some fluorescent bulbs. Have a handyman coming this evening to change out summer bulb in bathroom, replace a burned out bulb in the laundry room, fix a broken panel in the garage, change the batteries in the smoke detectors and the filters in the HVAC. Learned my water softener is not working so need to buy a new one. DRAT ! Am going to need a new microwave any day now as well. It is always something. What we need is a simpler time when we didn't need or use these things.
I went through my music and put together a binder for the Christmas gigs for the dulcimer group, a binder for the violin and piano gigs am doing and tidied up the band music. Will have to put together a binder for the Nov 15 gig at the VA home and one for the Christmas gigs soon. Three different sets of music for three different groups.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tuesday, October 29
The band played a gig this past Friday night for an Octoberfest party. It was the last one. Good thing. We were getting sick of so much oom pah pah type music.
The dulcimer group went over to the VA home yesterday and played for the guys in the memory unit in the morning and then for the rest of the home in the PM. We had a good audience and they really enjoyed it. Cowboy was really having fun. At one point he got up and went to the bathroom and he almost "danced" down the hall.
In between sets we had pizza and they let Cowboy come over and eat with us. I don't think he had pizza since going into the home, at least nothing this good. He really enjoyed it.
There were 12 of us, including 8 dulcimers, a bass fiddle, my fiddle, an accordion and our percussionist who plays everything from a drum to a triangle to a washboard to a tambourine. It is a challenge to pack up, drive there, take our own chairs, set up in a space not meant to hold that many people and keep things going. I am so grateful for the group and their willingness to do this. Before we had even finished our second set one of the staff was asking when we could come back.
The flowers are doing better and I now have hopes they will stay pretty through the fall. The guys really enjoy them as well.
this afternoon I am going to a dulcimer practice and a pot luck. Made some broccoli slaw to take. It will be good fellowship.
tomorrow I plan to do some housework and other chores around here. Will head back over to see Cowboy on Thursday.
The dulcimer group went over to the VA home yesterday and played for the guys in the memory unit in the morning and then for the rest of the home in the PM. We had a good audience and they really enjoyed it. Cowboy was really having fun. At one point he got up and went to the bathroom and he almost "danced" down the hall.
In between sets we had pizza and they let Cowboy come over and eat with us. I don't think he had pizza since going into the home, at least nothing this good. He really enjoyed it.
There were 12 of us, including 8 dulcimers, a bass fiddle, my fiddle, an accordion and our percussionist who plays everything from a drum to a triangle to a washboard to a tambourine. It is a challenge to pack up, drive there, take our own chairs, set up in a space not meant to hold that many people and keep things going. I am so grateful for the group and their willingness to do this. Before we had even finished our second set one of the staff was asking when we could come back.
The flowers are doing better and I now have hopes they will stay pretty through the fall. The guys really enjoy them as well.
this afternoon I am going to a dulcimer practice and a pot luck. Made some broccoli slaw to take. It will be good fellowship.
tomorrow I plan to do some housework and other chores around here. Will head back over to see Cowboy on Thursday.
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