Dad and other news

Thanks for the kind thoughts re Dad.  He is OK.  Not brilliant but OK.  He is in rehab and we had a family meeting last Friday.  I had been lead to believe that the recommendation would be for high level residential care (nursing home) but the meeting turned out to be more positive.  The plan is to get him home but it is unlikely.  He still has great difficulty with word finding although he understands what is being said and read.  His cognitive and physical functions fluctuate dramatically which is of huge concern.  Other Brother was down over the weekend and has arranged for the three of us to assume powers of attorney with the parents' approval.  I now have to get someone to witness Dad's signature - Mum's been done.

In my book the best outcome would be for them both to be assessed for low level care and to get them to move into an appropriate residential facility.  My brothers agree and we are gently heading that way.  Our fears are that even if we can get Dad home, it won't take much to reduce his levels of function and we will be back to square one.

*******************************

Today is One's 26th birthday.  Where have the years gone?  He had a bbq at his and Ebz' new place (very close to us) on Saturday night.  We supplied the meat, the bread, the salads!  And gave him a patio heater for his birthday.  As he pointed out we gave him food and warmth for his birthday!!  And seeing as we have helped with the rent and bond on the new place we can add shelter to that as well!!

With everything that has happened I have decided to make myself unavailable for work for the foreseeable future.  I wasn't really happy with some aspects of the company I was working for; or to be more precise, one person in particular but this person wields a lot of clout.  Anyway, this way I can be available to take Mum in to see Dad every week day if necessary (Dr Teacher does weekends and Other Brother is down again next week so can do some of the running around then).  Also we can do the leg work to get things in place so, hopefully, we won't be caught on the back foot if/when something like this happens again.

Diet and exercise have taken a back seat of late.

Nuff said.

When words fail

My dad is in hospital.  It's looking like a stroke.  Mum rang the ambulance because he couldn't read the newspaper headlines to her as he usually does.

I am shitty because I feel that the ambos and the admitting hospital staff looked at him and saw a 90+ man and figured he was pretty good (and he was on the internet when the ambos arrived - GO DAD!)

BUT ... you can still function during a stroke, people, and the lack of speech should have rung warning bells.  Especially when family keep reiterating that this is NOT normal.

Anyway.  He's now been admitted.  My fabulous brother (Dr. Teacher) is staying with Mum.  I will go and pick her up tomorrow and take her back into the hospital but I couldn't stay there.

Words are failing Dad ... and they are also failing me as I try to support my mother.

I've been hiding

Still not sure if I'm ready to come out.

The Black Dog has taken up residence.  Now I know why I love cats!

Sunday AGAIN?

Two sent me a text message around lunch time asking if I wanted to go for a walk.  I picked him up and we went for a good long walk near One's place ... over 10kms all up.  Not bad for this black cat.

On the WW front things are not going well.  That's not to say it's a WW problem.  It's a Me problem.

Work has all but petered out.  Need to decide what to do now.

Himself is still not 100%.  Mood swings ... ugh.

Mind you, I'm not much better.

Tomorrow is another day.

Youth

Today I have had some amazing encounters with young 'uns.

I spent the day at a defensive driving course thanks to Himself.  His gift to me for our 33rd wedding anniversary.  Hmm.

I had a ball, learned heaps and got to hang out with a fabulous group of brand new drivers.  There was an element of hoon - and it smelt a lot of testosterone.  The girls were amazing and give me hope for future generations of drivers.  Having said that, though, I was also very impressed with certain young men who were able to recognise certain driving traits that could be dangerous and address and rectify them.  This was, in no small count, due to the tolerance and understanding of the trainers.  I can't wait to do the second level and am soooo much more aware of my driving.  This old dog has certainly learnt some new tricks!

Tonight was our usual family Sunday dinner.  Himself, me, the three boys, the three girlfriends and Chippy (friend of One who has adopted (been adopted by) the family.  There was a program on the Australian flag and they all sat down and watched it and created lively debate about said flag.  I was blown away by the thought, understanding and consideration that went into the discussion.  They're now watching Underbelly!!

Tomorrow is a public holiday - this is good!

recoloured!

Three years ago I was fortunate enough to have a colour and style analysis done by Imogen Lamport.  It has taken me to get well into my 50s before I have started to feel comfortable in my skin (and clothes!) and Imogen played no small part in that.  The lovely ladies at the Lancome counter at Myer in Southland have also helped so that I now wear makeup constantly (and confidently).

Imogen has spent the last year revamping her colour palettes and generously offered a free recolour (if that's the word!) to those who have consulted her in the past.  I had it done today and am thrilled with the results.  How exciting to find I fall into one of the new colour palettes (only slight different from the original, obviously!) and interesting to see that a lot of what I have bought recently fits into that palette.

A good reason to knuckle down with WW and my PT so I can go and buy a whole new wardrobe!!

I have been told that colour and style analysis is an indulgent use of money but I beg to differ.  If I follow the guidelines I know that everything will suit and coordinate.  No wasted money hanging, unworn, in the closet.  And, boy, did I have a lot of that in the past.  I threw out clothes I had never, ever worn.  How's THAT for waste?

Imogen also writes a fabulous blog which is entertaining and educational.  Go have a read.  And if you live in Melbourne, consider a consultation.

A bonus of driving to the other side of town was picking Mrs Other up on the way and hitting Doncaster again.  Koko black for breakfast.  Yum!  And within points!!  We mosied around the place looking for something I could buy for Himself for our 33rd wedding anniversary tomorrow.  I WAS A CHILD BRIDE!!!!!  A couple of books and a bracelet from the jewellery booth at the local shops and I'm hoping he likes them.

Work is fantastic.  Unfortunately it will wind down now.  If I could do this all year I would be in seventh heaven.  Hopefully I will be able to do it again next flu season.  In the mean time I might be able to do the teaching stuff and still have to make the final decision about training to be a personal trainer.

What I DO know is that I am never ever again going to work in a job that I don't enjoy.  Life is too short and precious.

Pea, bacon and mushroom risotto for dinner.  Better get started.

Not drowning - waving

Still here.

Busy with my immunisation gigs which will finish in about a fortnight.  I have had so much fun.  Strange but very true!

Healthy eating and exercise not so much but spent today with my sister in law (Mrs Other) who has lost a significant amount of weight with WW and today weighs the lowest she has in 25 years.  GO MRS OTHER!!  Apparently my initial success inspired her to rejoin WW and her current success has reinspired me.

Bed time but I have much to say and just wanted to drop by.

Drop by my own blog.  That's a bit sad, isn't it?!