Tweetie tweets!

Well, the bird has spoken. I suppose his frequent tweets mean that his little birdie self is getting more comfortable in the house. His training is coming pretty well - I was working with him/her (won't know until he's/she's older) and he/she will now comfortably get his birdy-self "up" onto my finger without drawing blood - a big success. That's Tweetie on my finger in his cage yesterday.

I, being me, of course rushed his beginning training and brought him out of his cage where he proceeded to flop to the floor and take off running under the sofa. I haven't seen Mom laugh as much in a while - I had to crawl around trying to recapture Tweetie - I'd get close and he'd take off to another spot. Took me about 5 minutes to corral the little sucker and put him back in his cage. The funniest part, I suppose, was my issuing commands I use for the dog such as "STOP", "WAIT", "STAY!" Definitely not effective on a bird - at least, at the moment.

John's down to the boat for 3 nights. Lucky man. He's heading out tonight and will return Sunday morning when he'll meet me over on Kent Island for some jet skiing. Carina and Leandro will join us for the day - looking very forward to it.

Ron and Linda dropped by last night and brought some great soup. Linda makes the best gazpacho ever - Mom proclaimed it was better than even the gazpacho she loves at Legal Seafoods - that's quite the compliment! Linda also brought over a great tomato soup with orzo and some delicious pesto. Nice evening.

Mom's mind continues to clear - it's fascinating to me how much her personality has come back. She's more like Mom these days as she joins in conversations, cracks dirty jokes, and has the occasional cocktail. Nice to have her back, for as long as it lasts. These are great days.

A new family member..

Yes, it's true. Somehow, John and I walked into the house with yet another pet - someone who obviously needed us even though he (or she) may not realize it...

...Enter 'Tweety' (hate the name but that's what Mom named her parakeet. I was a fan of Lemonchello....should have known the poor bird would end us with a dumb name).

Anyway, knowing how much mom loves watching the birds, we decided to surprise her with a beautiful yellow parakeet tonight. In fine Lori and John fashion, we totally tricked out the cage with a cuddle fish bone, extra seeds, a 3-way mirror (which cracked me up - it's like a fun house mirror which makes the bird look thinner or fatter, depending. I'm steering clear)....This is already one lucky bird. So, Tweety rounds our our menagerie to 6 dogs, 1 very very confused cat, and a parakeet. And, that is IT!

Here's a new Squidoo lens I just wrote about Tweetie and his habitat. Please give it a read and comment on it.
 Tricking out a parakeet cage

Carina and Liandro were here when we came in with Tweety so Liandro helped me put together the cage as John went about making an incredible dinner - spanish style. So good! Mom enjoyed calves liver, potatoes, fresh mozzarella over freshly picked tomatoes garnished with basil, a bit of Harvey's Bristol cream, and some coffee (yes, we gave her coffee...). John made the rest of us some delicious burritos with sausage, cheese, beans, etc. Steamed asparagus rounded out the meal and then some dessert shooters and appertifs occurred. Great time was had by all.

So, we had a great dinner in the dining room; Mom really enjoyed the banter and clearly has a crush on Liandro. He clearly returns the crush on Gertie. It's so sweet to see them together. There's about 70 years separating them yet they seem to have some sort of admiration relationship. I saw it when Liandro visited Mom in the hospital. There's a connection of sorts between them. And, for that, I'm eternally grateful. It's these friends who continue to support us who I believe keep Mom happier than she's been in years. Her mind is clearer, she laughs more, she has more opinions now than in the last 3 years. An amazing time is happening in our lives and I hope not to let it slip by unnoticed.

So, the 'younguns' (that would be Carina, Liandro, John and me...no need for comments please) hopped in the pool after dinner and then the hot tub tonight after getting Gert settled in her chair. So much fun. I'm so grateful for wonderful friends.

Another outing with Gert!

Video was taken this morning when I took Mom outside to bask in the gorgeous morning.

Yesterday, Carina and I once again blasted Mom out of her chair yesterday and tottled off to the mall in Frederick for some shopping. I made a tactical error by bringing them both with me though as I looked for some new, fun clothes for upcoming trip to Key West - they were a very tough crowd and ganged up against me in my choices for clothes. "No more black!" was the cry of the day - I guess I might be in a rut. So, the shopping trip was mostly a bust except for one little crocheted vest that I'm going to get Doris (one of our fab caregivers) to use as a pattern for me. Doris is very talented in sewing, knitting and crocheting and tried to teach me, to no avail.

After the mall, I took us to lunch at Monocacy Crossing, a small restaurant on 355 outside of Urbana. We sat outside under an umbrella and had a great lunch. Mom was in fine form and joined in the whole conversation. She was doing so well, I decided to drop by La Mex so the locals could see her. They had all been asking how she's been doing after her recent hospitalization. "Fabulous" is always my reply but I don't think they believe me! Anyway, Carina and I propped her up at the bar where mom had a bourbon and coke and chips and salsa. I'm not sure where she puts all this food as she does eat a LOT and all day long.

Brought mom and Carina home and got Mom settled back in her chair in comfy nightgown and robe. John picked me up and we were off to La Mex again, this time to meet up with Bobbi. A great afternoon/evening was had over here.

Here's my latest article: The value of friends. It's mostly a tribute to the people, both near and far, who keep me and mom emotionally propped up (and sometimes physically too). Please give it a read and read through my online friend's articles which are included.

Squidoo Lens of the Day!

Well, I got an incredible honor yesterday when my Incontinence in the Elderly lens won lens of the day on Squidoo, a writing site I'm trying out. The article got over 180 views yesterday and is on its way to besting that today. Here's the writeup from the Squidoo dudes who post the Lens of the Day:

Shhhhh. It’s one of those things that no one wants to talk about, but everyone questions. It’s one of those things everyone Googles but doesn’t discuss in the coffee shop. It’s a fact of life for millions of aging adults and their caretakers. It’s Incontinence in the Elderly.

Let me say a loud “W00T!” to GottaLoveIt for tackling an often avoided topic with compassion and personal knowledge. There’s no one more qualified than a caretaker in the trenches to share their experience about health, medical, and psycho-social issues. For the rest of us also dealing with it, it’s a blessing to see a lensmaster willing to share. After all, it’s kind of an important issue.

Nominating lensmaster Hotbrain says it best. “It’s a great example of UUU! She wrote about a sensitive topic in an entertaining and informative way. Very helpful lens.”

http://www.squidoo.com/elderly-incontinence

Fresh as an old daisy

That pic is of Mom taken today right after I showered her and washed her hair. I love her hair on shower days - it's like working with white clouds. It's so beautiful. As is she.

She continues to have ups and downs. I put her back to bed this morning after coffee but she was up after 15 minutes ringing her bells on her walker. When I went in to find out what she wanted, she was sitting up in bed and said "What am I doing here?" Oh Lord, here we go again. I sat down and explained that she'd had breakfast #1 and it was time for a nap and then I'd get her up in an hour (it was, btw, 6 am...). I was tired!

I remember when I was young and she'd put me down for a nap when I wasn't tired, I'd ask why I had to lie down. "Because Mother is tired" was always her reply. I never got it until now.

Anyway, she did lay down and 15  minutes later, as I was drifting off to sleep, the jingle bells chimed again. Sigh. I gave up and put her  downstairs in her chair where she proceeded to fall sound asleep until I woke her at 9 for breakfast #2.

The chaplain from hospice is coming to visit today. She's non-denominational which is good and just will be another visitor for Mom, periodically. Carina is due back today, thank God. She missed her flight back from San Paulo on Sunday and was delayed a day but, meanwhile, I'm holding down the fort alone during the days. Exhausting. Luckily, I have John here most nights to help keep me sane. Well, as sane as I get these days.

So, everything is status quo. Mike will be back up here on his way back to Arizona sometime in August so we'll do a brunch on a weekend to get everyone together. And, not sure if I mentioned it or not but Sharyn is moving in with us for the month of August while Carina does training for United Airlines. At least I'll be able to get out a bit with Sharyn here. Mom does pretty well with her. I'm still planning on Key West for Bobbi's 50th with John, Bobbi, her sister Debbie and Debbie's significant other, Tom. Should be a great time. We're renting a boat and Captain John will skipper us away for the day. Can't wait.

It's all about visits from friends...

Not a bad looking lady after 7 days in the hospital!

Spent the last few days having visitors come over, which is very nice - breaks up the routine. And, since Carina is in Brazil, the routine is getting b-o-r-i-n-g!

Kim and her two sons, Alex and Mitchell, came over the other day to visit, eat a few hotdogs, and get in the pool. I took advantage of her two sons being here and gave them some cash to weed the area around the pool. They did a great job, and we all got the whole area weeded. Kim and I are going to work out there later this week to put down weed block and mulch and put some big pots of bamboo in. The pool area is looking much better than it ever has so a pool party will be happening in August!

Niece Monya came down yesterday to visit Bubbie and me and sit for a spell. We had a great visit and a few good laughs. She caught us up on all the goings on in the Kline house which is a lot as she has 4 children - yes, that little teeny girl has 4 children. Say it with me, say it proud - we hate her....

Monya came bearing a beautiful sunflower bouquet which Mom can't stop staring at today. She was very touched that Monya came down - very sweet indeed. Monya is my sister's middle child and was only 15 when my sister died in a car accident. But, I have absolutely no doubt that my sister would be as proud of the woman and mother she's become as Bubbie and I are.

While Monya was here, I was working with a new caregiver, Raquel, to incorporate her into the care we do for Mom. It takes a while to work everyone into the routine but Gertie appears to be taking it a bit easier on these new caregivers. Thank you Lord.

John came home tonight and made a great dinner of low sodium veal scallopini and fresh green beans. We decided to top off the evening with a ride up to Jimmy Cone and put Mom in the front seat, nightgown, robe and all. The way I figure it, when one is 94, you can do whatever the hell you want - and, if that means going out in public in one's robe, well, that's what one should do.

Barley's hot spot is much improved although he was pretty uncomfortable the last few days. Benadryl to the rescue!

Lastly, I wrote this article on Squidoo today. I felt it was important to become schooled in what to expect when death looms. Now, I'm not saying that Mom is a goner anytime soon (in fact, she's better these days than she's been in the last few years) but I figured it was better to understand the process than to have to figure it out on the fly later. Here 'tis. Please leave me comments on the bottom (this boosts the lens rating and gets it, possibly, seen by more people). Also, please share these articles with others as you see fit:

When death looms - signs and symptoms of the last moments on earth

My growing morning routine

I suppose it's inevitable when one is owned by 6 dogs and a very elderly mother that the morning routine, which used to include a cup of coffee, is complicated and growing.

Poor Barley has a big hot spot so off to the vet we went yesterday. I had to leave Mom alone 30 minutes and was jittery about that but I needn't be - she was fine. Anyway, the morning routine for Barley now:
1) release him from the collar of shame
2) clean the hot spot with antiseptic
3) gently dry the hot stop
4) spray with an antibiotic.
5) Give him his oral antibiotic, benadryl, glucosamine pill,  and thyroid pill.
6) Put e-collar back on so I can go about treating the rest of the animals (if my eyes aren't on him, the e-collar is!). Can't risk further damage by him scratching or chewing the hot spot.

Rita gets eye drops in each eye and will for the rest of her life, twice a day.

Give Hops his 4 pills - 2 muscle relaxants, a mild pain pill, and a glucosamine supplement. Sadly, he's figured out that there's a lot of pills in his food bowl (I used to just toss them in) so now I have to coax him with cheese or peanut butter - another extra step.

By the time I'd done the above, and fed and watered everyone including the confused cat, I hear my Mom's rolling thunder upstairs. I came up with the bright (?) idea to put jingle bells on her walker with the thought that I could hear her move but the jingle bells only sway and don't make noise on their own. Mom's figured out that, if she jingles the bells herownself, I come running. Pretty funny how she got that on her own. So, off I run to get her down the steps (she has stair chairs so it's not that big an issue), get her morning coffee and a bowl of oatmeal, get her her pills, rub gel on her knee, and finally (!) make myself a cup of coffee.

Now, those readers who are astute are probably thinking I should take care of my own needs first (coffee), similar to putting on that airplane oxygen mask first. But, I've tried to make my coffee early and, inevitably, a sip down the old gullet, and the sound of jingle bells tinkles down the stairway. My coffee is always cold! No one should have to suffer a cup of cold coffee first thing in the morning.

No wonder I'm tired! I feel like I never get anything done around the house, and I don't. But, I think it's mostly because I'm running around caregiving to a thousand different needs. I've also been busy writing a bunch of Squidoo articles about my recent experiences. I'm doubtful that they'll ever make any money from sales, but I felt I had important information to share with other caregivers of the elderly. Please give them a view and pass them over to anyone you think they might help. There's a comment section on each article so, if you'd leave me a comment on the article (and you can, even if you're not a Squidoo member), I'd appreciate it. Here's the most recent articles:

Helping a hospitalized senior citizen
Pneumonia symptoms in the elderly
Causes of dementia in the elderly
Senior citizen dental care
Choosing hospice - is it the right choice?