Well, we made 93!

Yep, Mom's doing quite well and had a nice, if quiet, birthday. Mom got her breakfast #1 served in her chair on that damned tray I shouldn't have bought. Queenie was in heaven with fresh buckwheat pancakes and a fresh cup of coffee. Lunch was also served 'in chair' - she told me how nice this bed (chair?) and breakfast is.

John and I offered a happy hour - Mom's standard response of 'what are we waiting for' let us know the party was ON! Sherry (or two...) for Mom, a manhattan for me, soda for John (what's up with that?!). John suggested I make Mom liver and onions (ew.....) for dinner and I was sorry he mentioned it as then I had to do it. Had to run down to Rockville to get calf liver and picked up a few desserts, including the obligatory birthday cake for the celebration. All in all, another great day with Gertrude!

Gertie-ism 3048

So, we're watching tv last night and this woman, Sheri someone, who is on The View is on tv in a mini dress. Now, there are some woman who should and some women who shouldn't wear mini dresses - she's a strong contender for the latter category. Anyway, Mom looks up and says:

Either she needs a longer dress or shorter legs.

Made me snort.

I guess I'm not a 'new mother' anymore...

When Mom first came to live with me after Dad died, I panicked at any little thing that she reported as unusual. 'Your elbow hurts? Let me call the doctor.' 'Your knee. Doctor' 'Cardiologist app't today Mom. Yes, I know you feel fine but let's GO.' 'Of course we're going to the doctor - you just sneezed!'

So, she's been nursing an earache for the last 4 days and, since it was dragging on, I did make her go to the Dr yesterday. Nothing really unusual going on except a little fluid and probably a slight sinus infection. She got a very light antibiotic which was fine. The 'sweet oil' I've been heating in the microwave and shoving in her ear with a piece of cotton gauze (left over from Killian's sore foot - no cottonballs in the house....) seems to have actually helped.

Anyway, today, we both ended up in the livingroom at 4 am after having cups of coffee with John. She fell asleep in her chair, I'm on the sofa with a sore back (yes, I'm also aging...). She got up at 7 and walked to the bathroom. On the way back, she looked at me and told me her chest hurts. Now, in days of yore, I would have immediately hit the 'I've fallen and can't get up button', run around securing the dogs while simultaneously dressing myself and packing a hospital bag for her, all while waiting for the ambulance to deliver my precious charge to the local hospital and trained medical personnel. Today though, I looked at her and said 'Well, you're ok. You were sleeping crooked.' I propped her up with fresh pillows, straightened her butterfly clip in her hair (this is our version of 'dressing' her), and covered her and Matee with her blankee. 15 minutes later, I was proven correct. Chest pain is gone. I've survived 2 years of being a new mother. I guess I've graduated. Good thing as my 'baby' will be 93 tomorrow!

Now, I've got a sick cat too. Took poor JB to the vet yesterday as his cough has returned. Since he's got the feline AIDS virus, I'm particularly interested in keeping him healthy so he doesn't roll into full blown AIDS and a much shortened lifespan. The vet drew blood, put him on a twice a day antibiotic (note to self: don't mix up antibiotics!) and did xrays of his chest to see if anything else was going on. The vet and I were shocked and saddened to see a bullet in my cat's chest. The poor thing has been shot sometime in his past, and, the bastard shot him at close range. Luckily, the bullet lodged in soft tissue and didn't implode on a rib or a bone.

Now, this is about the most wonderful cat going (and, this is coming from a dog girl). He's totally trusting, loves his family as much as a cat can, accepts the dogs (mostly) and is quite the amazing creature. How he's managed to survive not only being homeless 5 years but being shot and, God knows what else, is beyond me. Even if he does roll into AIDS, something tells me this cat is a survivor. We'll do what we need to do to ensure his continued health and safety.










John and I spent Saturday on the boat in a pouring rainstorm which was fantastic. Loved it. We had Matee and Rita with us so took a rather damp walk over to Chesapeake Beach on a great boardwalk with the ladies, where Matee found a new best friend, a fox terrier with a tennis ball obsession!

Sunday, we powered over to Tilghman's Island which appears to be our normal path for brunch and then headed back. Gorgeous day on the bay although it was a bit rocky in the mid part. Still, any time on the bay is wondrous.

Winter is approaching

It's only 43 degrees out today so Autumn is in full swing. I've got a fire working to warm the living room and keep Gertie warm and toasty. Mom and I were just discussing the choice of this woodstove last year - it was WAY more expensive than I had budgeted but we both love it very much. And, it holds a fire like no other.

I've got 4 dogs at the groomer today and 1 happy cat relaxing in front of the fire. Ah, bring on the snowy days!

TMI? You decide

So, I get another one of these list things; this one I find pretty interesting so here's my answers (Gert's will follow)

1.What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Inside of an egg roll (well, it's the outside that has all the calories....)

2.Where was your profile picture taken?
My Facebook profile picture is on Namaste II, John's boat. My google picture is my mom and me in our kitchen

3.Can you play Guitar Hero?
Um, who is Guitar Hero? If I knew who he was, I'll bet I could play him...

4.Name someone who made you laugh today?
Rick and Mom, at the same time. Rick on the phone, Gert listening to my side of the conversation.

5.How late did you stay up last night and why?
A better question is how early did I go to bed....Sadly, I usually beat Mom up the steps by an hour or so. Need I really put down an hour? Can't make me.

6.If you could move somewhere else, would you?
We're thinking Wilmington, NC with a home in Key West...

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Every kiss, now, is 'under fireworks.'

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Bobbi Keith Lowe Sproles Tuten Lowe....and my mom.

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends?
Sure; if you haven't lost respect for him/her. I have a few old exes floating around still - always will love those guys.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?
It's horrid! Why would anyone drink carbonated prune juice?!

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?
After my Dad died in 2007.

12. Who took your profile picture?
My very significant other, John.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Gert in Atlantic City - see previous post.

14. Was yesterday better than today?
No. The days just keep getting better and better.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Sure could; Gert however, cannot.

16. Are you upset about anything?
Nope. Can't make me...

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Oh gosh YES. A humongous YES, OF COURSE, ABSOLUTELY!

18. Are you a bad influence?
Um, I've been known to be a bad influence. But, those people have no sense of humor.

19. Night out or night in?
Night in, with Gert, John, 5 dogs and a confused cat.

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
Well, does my Mom count as an 'item?' How about dogs/boyfriend? Ok, items - um....let's see now...ah....gee, not sure there's anything except my glasses I couldn't go without (well, if I wanted to see).

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
My Mom.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
Well, if I told, I'd have to kill someone.

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
There's no words to describe the difference in my life from past to present. Life is incredible, wondrous, and very fun these days.

24. Do you hate anyone?
No, I don't hate anyone. There's some people I feel sorry for but don't hate. Life's too short for that emotion to fill up any moments.

25. If we were to look in your Facebook Inbox, what would we find?
Emails from one of my favorite people and ex-neighbor, Rick. We were best pals for 20 or so years back in the day. Emails from Mo, my friend who was in St. Thomas who is now in Maryland for a month before heading back to St. Thomas.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
I'm with Rick - I can identify most drugs so, yes, I would pass.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Shoot. No....

28. What song is stuck in your head?
That girl by Shaggy

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?
John, after going home to WV for the night, and coming down early to crawl into bed before heading to work at 6.

30.Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50?
Oh, God. NO! I didn't breed!

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow?
Plan a birthday celebration.

32. Do you think too much or too little?
Probably 'too little.'

Ok, here's Gert's answers:

1.What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Rice

2.Where was your profile picture taken?
Our kitchen

3.Can you play Guitar Hero?
No.

4.Name someone who made you laugh today?
Lori

5.How late did you stay up last night and why?
10:00

6.If you could move somewhere else, would you?
No. I can't get off the chair

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
No, we made our own fireworks (ha, the apple doesn't fall far from that tree...>)

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Bobbi - I said 'gee, thanks...'

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends?
Yes.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?
I don't know him.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?
After Joe died.

12. Who took your profile picture?
John.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
NA

14. Was yesterday better than today?
Same.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Probably (Lori comment: she's so old to be lying!)

16. Are you upset about anything?
Nope.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Yes.

18. Are you a bad influence?
Could be.

19. Night out or night in?
Night in

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
Toilet

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
Joe

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
I don't have a 'text box.'

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
Good

24. Do you hate anyone?
No

25. If we were to look in your Facebook Inbox, what would we find?
NA

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Probably. (Lori comment: I said 'PROBABLY?'). She looks at me and says 'Not.'

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Yes. Joe.

28. What song is stuck in your head?
It's a wild wild world

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?
Santa Claus (ok, and this is coming from a Jew...)

30.Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50?
Ha ha...too late.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow?
Pee

32. Do you think too much or too little?
Too little.

Gambling Gert!

That fuzzy little old lady there on the left is my momma in a undercover photo at the Hilton Casino in Atlantic City. Since it's illegal to take pics inside a casino, it was the best I could do - she sure looks purdy from behind though.

So, last weekend found Mom, me, Marlon (her date) and Craig (my date) in Atlantic City for some gambling fun. Had a total blast! Mom actually came out pretty good, only having lost a small amount of money. I, however, did not fare as well. Mom had expressed some concern about her playing skills, having not handled a blackjack hand in about a year. She shouldn't have worried - she was da bomb. She played much better than about anyone around her - splitting, doubling down as appropriate. I was comfortable after a bit leaving her on her own although I did need to keep her in my sight (last time we went to AC, the security guard took her to her room.....long story on this blog in another post somewhere...).

The first night found all 4 of us, after a fabulous dinner, around the same blackjack table on a very nice roll - we were really taking the dealer. Should have known it wouldn't last. We had many many laughs that night. The next day was as amusing, if not as rewarding. While Mom took a nap, Marlon, Craig and I hit the Trop for some craps - and, it as pure crap. Ugh. We were still laughing pretty good though - even losing is fun with those guys.

We took every occasion to prop Mom up at the craps table while Marlon, Craig and I partook in our passion - rolling the dice. Mom never was a craps girl; that was much more Dad's gig. I learned from the best. And, he was there with me quite a few times when he told me to 'goose up that 9 to $25.' I did as he instructed and mostly won that bet. Mom was the keeper of my cash so I actually came out ahead, as she was under strict instructions to NOT give me the pretty green or black chips. After one very nice roll where I held the dice 20 minutes or so, I was up $400. I heard him say 'That was nice but if I was betting....' He always said that after a nice roll, insinuating that he could have really made retirement money - used to piss mom off at the blackjack table. I just laughed at him.

So, all in all, it was a quite successful weekend. We had a very nice time and can't wait to go back. I'm thinking a respite in December sounds about right....better start saving.

Oh, the pic to the left is proof that I actually got outside for a bit! Gorgeous day!

Remembering Uncle Al (1917-2009)

We got sad news a few days ago; Mom's 'baby' brother, my dear Uncle Al, died Saturday at 91 years of age - he's the one in the front in the picture to the left (I think he thought he was taller than he was....).

My favorite Uncle had fallen a few days prior and was in hospice when he just slipped away. Although the death of an elder is, in a sad way, not unexpected, it's never easy. We were very saddened over here, but still managed to raise a glass of sherry in his honor. BFF Bobbi came over to lighten the mood which was a nice relief. It's sometimes difficult to prop Gert up, even though she is very resilient and very wonderful.

Note: that very handsome man to the left in the photo was my gorgeous cousin, Jay - Uncle Al's son who passed away a few years ago from cancer. Jay and I were co-conspirators in crashing the Presidential Summit held in Philly when Bush was in office. But, that's a story for another time.

There were 5 children in Mom's family; Aunt Rose, Aunt Ruby, Uncle Herman, Mom, and Uncle Al. Four of these children lived into their 80's which, if you think about it, is amazing considering they were all born in the early 1900s. And, quite thankfully, Gert is doing quite well over here and about to be 93 on the 28th of October.

When I was growing up, we took yearly trips back to St. Joe, MO to visit my mom's parents (my Bubie and Zadie) and the rest of her family. I remember so well the stories her brothers and sisters would share with us about the antics that Mom and Uncle Al got into as children - like oiling Zadie's wallpapering board (his livelihood) so that they could slide down it and amuse themselves. Or the time Uncle Al ducked when a rival threw a brick at him and the brick took out a plate glass window at the pharmacy - only time in history a kid's been beaten for ducking!

And, of course, we, the next generation of Burdoo children, in a way, owe Uncle Al our lives. It was Uncle Al who knew Dad from their fraternity at school. Uncle Al invited my Dad on a hayride to be a date for his sister (enter my Mom) ‘with the good personality’. Of course, Dad's first question was 'is she cute?' Uncle Al's reply was honest and to the point: 'Hell no she's not cute but you'll have a great time with her.' And, they did, for 65.5 years.

On my folk's 25th anniversary, they went to Hawaii, with a brief layover in California. Now, Uncle Al and his wife (Aunt Lois) had move to LA right after my folks had married. Uncle Al and my folks were living on separate coasts of the US. Back in the day, air travel was not as easy to come by as it is today and, with both siblings raising families, they didn't see each other for 25 years. So, as the story goes, Mom and Dad stopped in for a quick visit to LA. As Uncle Al met them at the airport, he clapped Dad on the back and said 'You sure hold a hell of a grudge.' That pretty much sums up my Uncle's humor.

And, of course, there were all the wonderful times I spent with him in Arizona every year when I went to visit the folks. I'd always pick him up and take him out for marguerita's at Arriba's (our favorite spot) and sit and laugh the afternoon away. He and Mom shared the same sense of humor - he never failed to get me laughing, and laughing hard.

He and Aunt Lois happened to have the only bathtub, it appeared, in the entire city of Sun City, AZ. So, each year, I'd drop in with my bathrobe in tow to soak in the tub - showers are ok but there's nothing like a bath for relaxation. One time, I brought along some cookies I'd made and the three of us laid in their bed eating cookies, drinking milk and laughing. He never failed to remind me of that time. He also never failed to send off a card for a family birthday or anniversary - it was always magical when a card appeared on the exact special day.

When Uncle Al retired, he became quite the artist - wood was his first media, then there was stones - all kinds of jewelry came my way. I'm the recipient of miles of beautiful beads and earrings.

And, really, who can forget the mini-basset head bashers he made (well, that's what I used them for). Uncle Al, in later years, became quite the woodworker and made these things (said basset head basher) which were actually thoughtful tools designed to push items safely into a garbage disposal. Well, the theory was nice but, since my house is from 1857, I don't have such luxuries as a garbage disposal (or air conditioning, for that matter!). And, who can forget the toaster tongs (by the dozens) he sent over? I do have some very nice handmade bowls and spoons and a few gorgeous stained glass lamps - he gave that up when he tired of running to the drugstore for bandaids. Figures; that was one craft I really loved. I have a few very beautiful stained glass windows he made which I enjoy daily. And, he's the one we have to thank for the profusion of stone clocks we've all grown to love - I mean PROFUSION....

So, then there was one. Mom is the lone child left from her generation and I'm so glad she's here with me. So very glad. I tell her daily how lucky I am to have her with me.

I took Mom out this weekend for a little car ride. I decided to wander a few backroads and take her across the ford on our road to the 'other side of the woods'. We ended up wandering up toward Sugar Loaf, our only mountain which is, oh 700 feet tall. On the way though, we found ourselves wandering past a local winery where, of course, we just had to stop, get a few glasses of wine, olive and cheese platter. I'm always amazed at the amount of people who smile, wave, and talk to Mom (I'm invisible). It's just adorable to watch - especially the teenage boys who totally let down their guard with her.

So, on the way back, I took us on a tour of a nice cemetery up there - there's a Judaic gardens that I've always been curious about but never been in. It's gorgeous - as far as cemeteries go - very serene, birdbaths hold the memorial stones that we drop on headstones when we visit. It's a fairly new cemetery and very well cared for - much more like a park than a cemetery. We rounded the road to a particularly beautiful corner with a family plot tucked away down a small secluded meadow, surrounded on all side by oak trees with changing leaves. I mentioned that, if you had to go, that's not a bad place to spend eternity. Mom looks at me and says 'I prefer not to go.' Good enough.

My pill pusher dog

Well, we've been fairly busy over here. Last night found me choking a redheaded dog who ate one of Mom's heart pills which hit the floor accidentally. While I grabbed him and fled outside to choke the pill out (no go; his gag reflex is as strong as mine is - I almost threw up though...). Anyway...

I called the animal hospital who gave me the number for poison control for animals. I was dialing and yelled for John to call human poison control at the same time as I was on HOLD (5 minutes worth of hold, btw). John got his poison control on the first ring. Nice to know they're so responsive on the human side.

So, after 5 minutes, I ascertained that animal poison control won't give you info unless you:
1. Pay $65 for a 'consult' - that's how much your pet is worth, evidentally
2. You have to hit the #2 if your dog is convulsing or having seizures. Now, Killian was not convulsing or having seizures, but I wasn't about to hang around to find out exactly which numnber one must hit if your dog ate your Mom's heart pill. And, if my dog WAS convulsing or having seizures, shouldn't that be #1 (ONE) on the list? Nope, I forgot - that was to enter your credit card info....

End result is that a 62 lb dog downing a Micardis 80 mg is not a big deal although he slept more soundly than normal and scared me a few times throughout the night when I tried to wake him to check on him. He, at least, had a nice night.

Oh, and the human poison control called back today to check on him so they could update their database....I thought that was a great touch. I called the animal hospital and told them my tale. They were aghast, as was I. Ridiculous episode.

So, we have a new 'pill pusher' in the house. I'm onto his antics this time though - he's banished to the other room while Mom eats from this day forward.