More changes are here.

I finally wised up and got Mom's doctor to give me a prescription for a hospital bed. The benefit of this type of bed for my Mom is ease of getting in and out of bed by herself. Her old bed was too tall for her to easily scoot in but, with the hospital bed, it's much easier as I can set the height to about 10" from the ground (well, she's not that short!).

I checked her 3 times last night when she got up to use the commode. I stayed clear and watched her from the door. She easily got up and got back in bed on her own. Besides taking off her oxygen each time (which I replaced), she had a pretty good night. I'm hoping the bed continues to be a good thing as, one thing I've noticed is that, depending on the day, she might love or hate something which she loved or hated yesterday. I just have to stay patient through the 'hate' days and know she'll be fine with whatever changes I put in her path.

Carina and I tried hard to set up Mom's bedroom so there were few changes, except for the addition of the new bed. We did leave her old bed in the room for 1) her emotional comfort and 2) for me to sleep in if I should have to. Currently, I sleep in the "dog room" (aka, the guest room) which is right across the hall from Mom's room when I need to keep an eye on her.

Carina and I are hoping to get Mom out today to Bed, Bath and Beyond (which Mom loves) and maybe to one other stop (to be determined). It's going to be a gorgeous day over here and no reason at all not to hit the streets!

Been busy writing articles of Squidoo and am actually starting to make some money there. Just got my first half of my payout from eHow purchasing all of my articles which was a welcome addition to my PayPal account.

I'm trying to keep this Squidoo lens in the top 2000 - it just fell today to 2200 range. I'd appreciate my readers clicking the link and leaving me comments (that boosts ratings). Thanks!

Dessert Shooters - The new mini dessert craze

Anyway, here's some of my Squidoo articles dealing with the challenges of growing older (and caring for someone doing just that):

Causes of dementia in the elderly
Resources for Caregivers of Aging
Caring for the elderly. Birdwatching from a lazy boy recliner
Cooking a low sodium diet for the elderly
Senior Citizen Gift Ideas
Good Gifts For Caregivers

And, AWAAAAY we went!

John and I actually got a night out on Friday night, thanks to Carina volunteering to spend the night with Mom. I took full advantage and left at 10 am when Carina came in - headed down to Solomon's Island where John joined me a few hours later (he had to work, poor sot...).

Somehow, I actually got to drive the Miata which is about the most fun I've had in a car for, well...awhile. John brought the Solara, top down, towing the jet ski - a set up that turns heads as he's just gorgeous and he has toys!


So, I settled into the room before John got there and had a few hours of just "me" time which is also very valuable as I rarely get away alone any longer. Had a great time all by my lonesome but, I will admit, I had a MUCH better time once John knocked on the door!


We immediately put the jetski in and off we went. Solomon's Island is at a point where the beautiful Patuxent River meets up with the Chesapeake Bay. The Patuxent was like glass on Friday (and most of Saturday too) so we tooled right on over to the Tiki bar where we bar hopped around this island for a bit and had a general fabulous time. There was an acoustic guitar guy playing at the Tiki bar, and, after sitting a spell and having a few Mai Tais, Alfonso (John's ex-dockmate) showed up and joined in the merriment. Alfonso's boat, the aptly named "Imagine", is docked right across from the Tiki bar. We miss him at Harrington Harbor but, boy, I can see why he swapped spots.


So, we bar hopped, caught up with an old friend, and had a wonderful time.


Saturday morning at 6 am found us downing coffee and breakfast before hitting the jetski again. We headed up the Patuxent for about 40 miles! It was so beautiful and very few people were on the river so it felt like it was all ours. Great Blue Herons, Anhingas, and Osprey were all looking for breakfast. So interesting to watch these beautiful birds dive from amazing heights and come up with fish.


Anyway, we had just an amazing ride. Did a few nice dips in the very warm river before heading back to check in with Alfonso again. Along the way, we buzzed good friend Kim who was down camping with her family at the Naval installation there. A quick wave later and we were off again!

Trailered the jet ski and headed up to John's marina to hit the pool before I had to come home. After an hour or so lazing in the pool, a huge thunderstorm came up so we raced back to the boat and took a wonderful nap as the skies opened up. Just 30 short minutes later, it was time for Cinderella to return to her normal life so I climbed into the Solara (no Miata ride this time...so sad) and towed the jetski home. All in all, a great weekend.

A few pics to document this mini-vacation!

John's 3D camera

Ok, so first, it was the 3D laptop that is really something! I mean, the picture on the computer monitor is so 3D it's a little freaky. So, the next logical purchase was a 3D camera. I can't WAIT to show this stuff to friends and family!

John shot a still photo of Killian and, in 3D, it looks like he's coming right through the monitor. As John says, Killian is sort of frozen in time as he is still but his head follows you wherever you move - reminds me of a picture of my Dad's grandmother (Sanasora) that we have. Back in the day (1800s), Jewish women wore wigs and looked very severe in photos. This particular photo used to hang in my Aunt Gertie's house and I think it was Ron who was scared to death of it. It now hangs in my foyer and is still a little creepy...

Anyway, with the 3D camera, the pictures sort of come alive as you move. It's very strange and interesting.

John's been taking some videos of Mom lately which is very sweet and will be nice to have in the future. It's kind of weird though as the 3D videos are like watching a miniature Gert. It's like you can touch her, Very weird indeed.

We're supposed to go to Mom's dentist today, but she's quite confused this morning so that trip is off. Not a problem though as I think she healed faster than I would have - no ramifications at all (or pain) from having the tooth root pulled last week. She's been brushing daily with flouride toothpaste in the hopes that we can keep the rest of her teeth in her head!

I just got a prescription for a hospital bed for Mom as she can't easily get into be alone which means I have to be up more at night. If Lori ain't happy, ain't no one happy and getting even less sleep than normal is not good for me. So, we should have that bed on Monday. It will be nice as it can be lowered or raised so it will work better for both of us.

The changes - they're a comin'

Mom's had a few bad "off" days the last 3 days. Not exactly sure why she's been mentally floundering as she's drinking her water, but I know she's in a fair amount of pain from her knee which can cause confusion also. I've been trying to be patient as I walk behind her at a snail's pace (it took us 10 minutes to get from the steps to the kitchen yesterday) but I find these changes frustrating, confusing and sad.

John though, has been a saint in the "Keep Gertie pink" campaign. He gently takes me aside and gives me small pep talks about how to accept these changes. He's got the best advice ever. He told me just yesterday that I need to remember that the woman I care for today is not the same as the woman I cared for yesterday, last week, last month, or last year. And, he's so true.

There are moments still though when she looks in my eyes and I know she is who she was. That sweet smile that comes over her face and her "I love you, Lori" let's me know that my mom (as I knew her) is still in there somewhere and still visits frequently.

So, the only thing I can really do is stick even closer, hug even more, tell her I love her as often as possible and practice patience, patience, patience.

As an interesting side note, I'm sitting on the deck with her right now writing as she's napping, waking, sipping her coffee, and napping again. I picked up yesterday's paper and, for lack of anything better to do, I read the horoscopes. I probably haven't done that in a year as I'm not a big believer in that stuff but, yesterday's were almost too spot on to ignore.

Here's my horoscope (Gemini):

A loved one's situation is complicated. Maybe there's some way to help that you haven't thought of yet. Try to imagine what you would like for yourself if you were in the same situation.

And here's Mom's (Scorpio):

As the sign of tranformation, you have a natural grace when it comes to making changes. Your secret is to concentrate on who you are becoming and let go of the rest.

Amen to both of those. Amen.

Outing with Mom

Well, yesterday was my birthday and it was a great day, all the way around! Scooped Mom up and Carina, Mom and I headed off to La Mex to meet up with Bobbi. Favorite bartender Mo was on board so we sat and chatted and had a cocktail for a few hours. Came home and got ready to be picked up by John for dinner at Angler's Inn. OMG! That place is still the best dinner around. Sat outside in their beautiful garden and had a great time. Delicious food and, more importantly, a delightful man by my side.

Life, dear readers, is good....Here's a few more fun pics:

I, of course, look like crap here but everyone else is darling

She's just too darn cute! It was a good day!

She's too darn cute too! What would I do without Carina?!

Steve is one of the locals - he's a huge fan of Gert's

Me and my very significant other in the backyard pre dinner

What an amazing man. I'm not sure what I did to get so lucky but I'm so glad he's the second half of my life...

Well, Gert's about as happy as can be...

Not only is Doris (the new caregiver) totally spoiling Mom, but, now, Carina is in on that game too (well, she always has been actually) but she's moving her game up a notch.

I came home 2 days ago to find Carina giving Mom a pedicure, including a nice soaking and massage. I told Mom not to expect this kind of treatment when they're not here.

Not a bad life if you can get it...

We're planning a girl's lunch out today. Carina, Mom and I are heading to my favorite watering hole, La Mex, as Mo, the bartender has specifically requested to see Mom. So, off we'll roll. Bobbi is coming up and Kimberly is going to try to make it too. Loads of fun.

I've got a caregiver until 11 pm so John and I will head out for some dinner and dancing fun tonight. Date night, here we come!

I've been writing more articles on Squidoo where the money is finally starting to come in. It's slow but steady at the moment and, with eHow no longer in the picture, it's the cream of the crop so far in replacing that residual income.

Here's my latest efforts. Please share these links as I need all the love I can get!

The Dukan Diet

Dessert Shooters - The new min...

Delicious Dessert Shooter Idea...

Chocolate dessert recipes

A Low Sodium Oven Fried Chicke...

Gertie vs. the Dentist...

Queenie holding court outside

The Dentist won. In just 30 short minutes, the root of the tooth that broke off was extracted with no pain. I have the best dentist in the Washington, DC area - he's incredibly skilled and has a very soft manner with patients. Dr. Chan in Kentlands. Great dude.

So, I drove to the office and forgot her wheelchair! Shoot! Luckily, they had one so crisis averted. I got her settled into the dentist chair and was grabbing my Macbook to head to the lobby to do some research. I told her I'd be in the lobby and she just looked at me with that damned hang dog look. Dammit! I asked her if she wanted me to stay and 'yeth' was the soft reply. So, stay I did. But, letmetellya, dentistry from the other side of the chair ain't pretty. I spent a lot of time working on my computer and reading a book - ugh....

When the offending root was finally in Dr. Chan's grasp, he held it up and proclaimed, "Look Lori - got it!" I looked up and, ugh....A 94 year old tooth root ain't pretty although I think he thought it was. So, one small stitch later, we were on our way home.