Our “appreciate nature” stroll

May18

IMG_20130517_085152_203

My 20 month old grandson, Kash and I try to get out at least 2-3 times a week for a morning stroll. It’s about the only “workout” I get these current days. We leave the house around 8:20 in the morning while his big brother, Ethan stays home watching Netflix with Paw Paw.

While strolling this morning I was pondering the importance of this little 30 min. walk with my grandson. The time is spent not just walking or riding in the stroller but talking and observing. I’m doing most of the talking and he’s doing most of the observing! :-) I’ve picked up pine cones and leaves to let him hold and said the words to him. When he grows tired of them he will toss them down to the ground. I comment about the “pretty flowers” and now Kash has gotten to where when we stroll by them, he wants to get close enough to smell them! Ha! We watch for the “birdies” and talk about them “flying away” and “what they say” – “cheap, cheap”. We watch for squirrels and see them run up the trees or scamper across the grass or road.

Kash knows a mailbox when he sees one and reaches out to “check the mail”, since he’s walked out to the mailbox with Maw Maw before. He’s such a smart little whip, and has a memory much better than my own! I call attention to the bugs when we see them – and he says, “buug”. There are lots of barking dogs in the neighborhood and so we have to say, “puppie” or “doggie” and Kash will remind me that whether it’s a doggie or a puppie, that it says “whoof”.

As rambunctious a young man as Kash is – I know he loves this little morning stroll, because he doesn’t protest being in the stroller for 30 minutes and doesn’t try to get out and walk. On the other hand, when we go to the stores, he doesn’t want to be confined in the cart (or “buggie” as we call it in Texas). He wants to get down and walk!!

I guess I’d like to think that when Kash get’s older he will remember and cherish these times and that his knowledge and smarts will be a direct result of this special time we spent together. Unfortunately, I’ve learned that your grown children & grandchildren don’t always remember things the same way you do. I can only hope that some of it will remain.

Suffice it to say, our “appreciate nature” walk at least FOR ME is more about appreciating quality time spent with grandchildren. I’m so glad I decided to support my oldest daughter this way, by taking care of her two youngest sons while she went to work full-time. It’s been an investment well spent.

A time of respite…

May10

The term “respite” as it pertains to caregiving is defined as: a temporary rest period. Respite care is a temporary break for caregivers of the ill or disabled.

Every 30 days my husband and I are entitled to take his mother to the local Hospice House for 5 days of “respite”. This is a time for us to refresh, renew and recharge our batteries. Almost two years ago when Granny first came to us we had no intention of sending her away for 5 days!! It meant having her picked up by an ambulance and transported to new surroundings with strangers taking care of her etc; Perish the thought!! It was probably 6-9 months before we took advantage of our first time of “respite”.

After sharing our exhaustion with our social worker and some personality quirks we were noticing in Granny, we realized that “respite” could also be needed by the patient as much as my her caregivers!! We came to the conclusion that the trip to and from the Hospice House couldn’t do Granny any more harm than the change of scenery could do her good.

Now, every 4-6 weeks we take advantage of “respite” even if it just means we sit at the house and stare at the boob tube!

So yesterday, as we headed to Waffle House for a “respite breakfast” (NADA, no tracking, weighing, measuring food, or eating unusually “healthy” during respite – sorry!), we were excited to get on the road for a little trip to the Austin area to visit a son & daughter-in-law and 3 grandsons we don’t get to see very often.

Last evening was spent receiving lots of hugs and kisses, some playtime before bed and bathtime, enjoying a home cooked meal (that I didn’t cook) and just catching up with the daughter-in-law while hubby and son watched Swamp People etc; LOL

Today, while hubby spends his day with his son (daughter-in-law working/grandsons in school) RESPITE for me means sitting in a motel room enjoying a little peace and quiet. I can blog, watch TV, curl up with my Maeve Binchy book, take a quilting tutorial online, take a poop when the urge strikes (without worrying about who else might have taken a poop), or just get back in bed and take a nap! AWESOME!

Tonight we will take the family out for dinner since they cooked lastnight. Us girls are leaving it up to the boys to decide where they want to eat. The son has to be up early (4 am) for work in the morning (Travis County Prison system), but we will spend time with the daughter-in-law and grandsons before heading back home. We are in no hurry, since we’ve taken Sunday off from church responsibilities. We may do a little antique store browsing on the way home. We might even stop somewhere else along the way and spend another night in a motel or take in a movie. No plan – we are flying low and just enjoying the scenery as we go. After all, it’s East Texas! We just gotta be home in time to watch “Call the Midwife” Sunday evening. Grandsons will be back Monday morning and Granny will be back Monday afternoon.

I have to say – not terribly exciting, but I have had some really “unique” Mother’s Day Celebrations. Aside from this very relaxing one, I recall one in which my two daughters and I got together and scrapbooked all weekend! That’s was truly fun and memorable as this one will be.

God is Good!

Some girls prefer diamonds…

May4

And although I’ve had my fair share of diamonds in the past, what pleases me most is when my hubby remembers something I’ve mentioned and surprises me with it!

Today it was an ironing board cover!! I know, most women would not be thrilled by the acquisition of an ironing board cover. I had mentioned in coversation one day that I REALLY needed to GET a new ironing board cover for all the seams on my quilt patches I had been pressing open. I was afraid that my old teflon ironing board cover that is more than 20 years old was going to leave stains on my lovely quilt fabric.

First, let me explain. My husband and I have our own seperate finances. My intention when I made that statement was to make a run to Walmart before he went fishing today to get the ironing board cover. But, before I could – he showed up with one! What a sweet man! Not only did he save me from having to get dressed and go out – he paid! LOL I was thrilled! Okay, I know I’m pretty corny, but this is what I like!

Better yet, two days in a row he’s done this. Yesterday he came home with shine spray and Job fertilizer spikes for my houseplants! Once again, just something overheard in conversation and my need was met! I had tried to find them last time I was in Walmart to no avail, so he saved me alot of frustration and aggravation, not to mention time! That man of mine is so thoughtful and sweet!

He’s done this with much bigger, more expensive items as well (microwave oven, food processor, blender, iron – blah, blah, blah) I know – you see a pattern, don’t you? Well, for all you naysayers – he doesn’t wrap them and give them to me as gifts – he’s just meeting the need.

Alot of women wouldn’t stand for it! Like I said – they prefer/want/need DIAMONDS! Or something else for that matter!! It’s the thought behind it that is most important to me. If you are still grousing about his choices, let me also state that this is the same man who has bought me the most beautiful shoes (that he picked out unbeknownst to me) or has gone against his very nature by buying me a dress at a second-hand store (not because he was cheap) but because he knew it was exactly what I would like! He hates resale shops and garage sales – but it was hanging in the window calling his name.

One time he bought me a book on GRACE and wrote the most beautiful note on the inside cover. Thank you, hubby! You are the only diamond I need!

Change your focus!

May1

Change your focus!

After just getting paid the other day an acquaintance said to me, “I’ve got $80 left and I just got paid!” Hmmmm…So, I asked, “rent’s paid, right?” The reply was “yep”.

I’m not wanting to seem judgemental at all and I know times are tough now, but really? Shouldn’t we be thankful that we still have a roof over our head and the bills are paid?

$80 may not be much/or even enough to get this person to the next payday – but my only point – much of it is in our attitude. It’s worked for me!

God finds ways to supply our every need and provide for us when we need it the most. I’m living proof of that! But, I think there is a much greater chance of that…if we keep the faith! (A positive/upbeat attitude can take us far).

I’ve had my fair share of tough times and had $0 when the bills weren’t paid!! I struggled to stay out of God’s way. Although tempted to run to the bank and take a loan or borrow from a family member, many of those times – I just STOOD STILL! When we are constantly working out our own dilemmas and trying to bail ourself out of our own fixes, I believe we sometimes deprive God of an opportunity to show Himself and His miracle working ways!

I have gotten in God’s way more times than I care to admit. But, I’m a work in progress and He is faithful to stay the course with me.

We can’t envision ahead of time how God wants to bless us or what He will do or not do. That’s what faith is all about! “it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen”..(Hebrews 11:1)

So, as much as I wanted to say this to my friend – I knew she would take offense and think I was “preaching”. Honestly, I’m not! I’m just tapping into God’s word and those 62 yrs of experience I’ve had in the School of Hard Knocks.

The Silly Games we Play, that Bring JOY to our Day!

May1

The Silly Games we Play, that Bring JOY to our Day!

When my 5 yr. old and 19 mo. old grandson arrive each morning, I am still in my nightgown and have just finished waking, changing and feeding Granny. Ethan (5) is a big Netflix fan (Power Rangers, Transformers, Ninja Turtles etc;), but the baby, (Kash) is Maw Maw’s “helper”! So after we get breakfast out of the way it’s off to complete our “morning routine”. While making the beds there’s got to be some pillow pouncing and mattress jumping. (Yeah, I know – I’m a ‘cool’ grandma – not a stick in the mud that doesn’t allow any of that).

Then it’s off to the bathroom for some personal hygiene. Kash & Ethan both have their own toothbrush and bubble gum flavored toothpaste, but it’s just a chore to Ethan where it’s play and fun for Kash. He loves brushing his teeth. Of course, he’s chewing (cutting those eye teeth) more than he’s brushing, but he’s gotta participate when Maw Maw is brushing her teeth!

By the raising of hands and the wiggling of fingers Kash let’s me know that he want’s to peer out the bathroom window at the birdies that are perched on the patio furniture. This is a morning ritual! Of course, then we have to wave bye bye to the birdies when it’s on to my hair duties.

I have extremely long hair that has to be brushed and pinned up, but before I can do that I have to bend over, brush it over my head so my face is covered and then do my hands like a scary monster and chase Kash and his brother around the house! Oh, what fun! I know those are memories we will always cherish! Then, it’s back to the bathroom to finish my hair. While spraying my hair – Kash has to have a spritiz too!

You would think if there was vacumming to do, I would do it while the boys aren’t here…but I’ve discovered that they enjoy making a chasing game out of it. So while I vacumm the living room, dining room, 2 bedrooms and a hallway – they run and scream and jump up on the furniture while I chase them and try to “get them” with the vacumm monster!

Vacumm monsters, hairy monsters and tickle monsters are everywhere! Oh my, Maw Maw’s house can be such a scary and dangerous place! :-)

My little helper has to water the plants for me, throw his diaper in the trash when I change it, help me sweep the kitchen floor. (He holds the dustpan, while I sweep the dirt into it).

They are both “all boy” – so they love fighting, building and destroying things – but anyone that says you can’t get anything done when you have little one’s in the house just isn’t organized! Mornings revolve around housework and in the afternoons we read books, build with blocks, play hide and seek etc;

With 14 grandchildren – but only a few that live close, I so wish I could have this much fun with all of them!

Life as I know it, TODAY at 62!

Apr28

Life as I know it, TODAY at 62!

No, it’s not my birthday (that was back in January), but unlike some women, I’ve never been afraid to speak my age. The way I see it, I have 62 years of experience. Experience is what they ask about when you apply for a job, right? So why not share all your years of experience? It’s been a crazy 62 years to say the least… Let’s see – currently my daily routine for most would be petty boring:

My entire day is built around my three priorities in no particular order:
1) my hubby
2) my 92 yr. old bedfast mother-in-law
3) my two young grandsons

I won’t go into how this all came about, but am glad to share, if asked…

You will notice – I’m not even on the list!! Not a good thing, I know. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the pic refers to the healthy salad I’m trying to eat at least 4 or 5 times a week to compensate for the fact that my ENTIRE DAY seems to revolve around FOOD!
The kitchen should be called the living room, because that is where I live! Anyway, my daily routine consists of:

1) Normal household duties (or “women’s work” as they used to call it in the old days).
2) Tending to all the personal care needs of my terminal mother-in-law who cannot sit up or get out of bed. She is on a catheter, pureed food etc; We are all “terminal” aren’t we? She has lived two years beyond the doctor’s prediction at this point. Keep in mind, I’m not patting myself on the back for keeping her alive, because her quality of life SUCKS, and she would have never wanted it this way. We’ve asked the question, “why God? She’s served you her entire adult life. Why did you not take her swiftly saans suffering? Why did you not grant her request?” We’ve not heard an audible voice or a clear and precise answer. The only thing we could come up with (when hubby and I reflect on things) is this: Is it possible that He has kept her alive to impact others, possibly even us? One thing I know for sure – I have grown tremendously in the process! Anyone who knows me, knows caregiving is not my forte’ or calling in life!! So as I care for Granny the only way I know how I also volunteer to help out a daughter who’s gone thru a rough patch by

#2) taking care of her two youngest of her five children while she works outside the home. Let me add, I’ve always worked outside the home and never had the opportuniity to stay home and take care of grandchildren. It’s been a bit over a year now that I have tended to the needs of a baby boy (7 mos – 19 mos to date) and his 4-5 yr. old brother! It has literally wore me out, but brought me great joy as well! I’ve done pre-K work with the 5 yr. old and made great progress. I’ve watched the youngest go from crawling to running and climbing. I’ve heard him say his first word and watched him discover the world around him and help “Maw Maw” (that’s me) with unloading the dishwasher to answering the phone! LOL

#3) I’m primarily a sounding board for a husband who’s also lost his identity as he’s been forced to semi-retire so he could help me care for his mother.
We found each other late in life and have only been married 15 years. We are “soul-mates” if there is such a thing, but the honeymoon ended long ago! I am proud to call him my husband (he’s a good, honest man, full of integrity, who loves his family). What more could a girl ask for?

#4) Hobbies!! I love all things crafty and while working outside the home and “pre-Granny” had little opportunity for all the crafts I enjoy. This has been a blessing in disguise. I’ve had the time to do some things I’ve wanted to do, but only dreamed of strictly because I’m “housebound”. Lately, my free time in between cleaning, turning, feeding, educating, playing etc; has been sewing; primarily quilting! Last year, since finances were limited my goal was to make simple patchwork quilts for most of the grandkids that lived far away by Christmas. (We have a total of 14). That was a fun endeavor and one I accompished with great zeal! This year my goal is to make several for close friends that haven’t forgotten me in my absence from the real world and to make one or two for myself. READING: I love to read. I read something “recreational” every night before bedtime. My favorite authors are Danielle Steel, Kristan Hannah, Karen Kingsbury, James Patterson, Maeve Binchy, Terri Blackstock etc;

#5) Religious/Spiritual: Although I’ve been much more involved in my church in the past, my current responsibilities here at home have not allowed me to fellowship with my home church family nearly as often as I would prefer. I had a friend who I took turns with on Sundays and Wednesdays. She would come and stay with Granny so I could attend church at least a couple times a month. Unfortunately, her family has been ill too, (her brother and daughter are currently under hospice care) and so I can’t/won’t rely on her nearly as often as I once did. This makes me sad – because I miss my brothers and sisters in the Lord so much!! I also miss singing in the church choir. My hubby would be willing to swap out services with me more than he does, but he is the primary sound technician for a church of 400/500 members and covers all funerals, weddings etc; as well. I understand. In fact, I recently thanked him for his committment to his ministry and his church family because if he will remain strong it will help me to remain strong. For now, I rely on prayer time and bible reading time spent with the Lord often over a cup of tea on my patio. I preview GodVine everyday online and it brightens my day. I watch an occaisional DVD, or listen to a CD of services that hubby will bring home from time to time. They bring me comfort.

#6) Health and Fitness: Phew! You will notice, this one is at the very bottom of my list! This would currently be my BIGGEST ISSUE. This is the one I beat myself up over, worry about, and get frustrated with and probably also pray the most about! LOL

WHY? Well, because as I stated previously, my entire day revolvs around FOOD! I’m either cooking for Granny, cooking for my grandchildren or cooking for my hubby!! I like cooking! I like baking! I’m here at home, what else is a girl to do? Especially, if she was raised in an old fashioned, “Women’s work” sort of way! My job before retiring to take care of Granny and grandsons was as a Weight Watcher’s leader for 4 years! I lost 55 pounds, and was looking and feeling mighty fine! But I digress…because as my title so aptly says – “life as I know it, TODAY…” well, it’s NOT about walking and running 5 miles per day or going to the gym 4 times a week or competing in 5k races, or eating the Hungry Girl way or tracking every BLT (bite, lick or taste) or keeping track of my BP readings etc; Nope, I’m not there and I’m struggling to get back to that place after gaining back in the last two years about 15 of those 55 lbs. I lost.

HELP! In every other way, I’M CONTENT. Nuff said!

I’m having fun!

Apr21

I'm having fun!

Because I am “forced” to stay home and take care of my 92 yr. old, bedfast mother-in-law, I’m getting to do things I haven’t done in years!

Currently, I am taking a quilting class online from Craftsy. This is my “pancake” or first completed block of the design Anita Solomon is teaching me. It is called Anita’s Arrowhead. I already had the fabric and when purchased, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. It seemed perfect for this design.

I’ve always worked outside of the home, and although I’ve always been crafty and creative, the only quilts I’ve made in the past were simple patchwork or crazy quilts which require less accuracy in cutting and placing.

When I’m feeling “isolated” or “forced” (as I said earlier) to stay at home and am unable to get out I remind myself of all the projects I’ve been able to complete in the last two years and how I would have had to hire someone to do most of it or it wouldn’t have gotten done.

I always try to look at the bright side when I feel that “ungrateful gripe” sneaking up on me! Now, it’s on to fixing lunch for my sweet hubby who is due home from church shortly.

It’s chicken quesadillas and refried beans today.