Have you ever wondered what goes on in the middle of the night? I'm always up at odd hours, letting the dogs out and letting the dogs in. While I'm up, I get something to drink and go to the bathroom. Here's my observation;
There are always cars going up and down the road. Where are they going at this hour? Maybe they had a craving for Krispy Kreme and they're making a doughnut run?
The paper man comes at 4:00am, poor thing. Did you know he has flashing lights on the top of his car? I guess that's so the people making a doughnut run will see him. The first time I saw the flashing lights coming down the road at 4:00am, I thought we were being raided. Kinda scary when you're half asleep.
It's dark out there. In the summertime, I like to sit out on my porch in the middle of the night and rock. It's peaceful and quiet but, it's dark out there! I can't see a thing except the paper man's flashing lights.
When do deer sleep? What about raccoon, fox and possum? One night I let the dogs out and Sophia ran out the door like she had been shot out of a cannon. She had spotted a couple of deer down at the end of the driveway. I've seen all kinds of furry creatures ambling across our yard.
Dogs are always up and barking to one another in the middle of the night. If one starts, they all start. Do you think they're planning a doughnut run?
There are some great old movies on in the middle of the night.
You can also buy things on the Home Shopping Network. This means, if you happen to be lonely, you can call and talk to somebody but, I think they want you to buy something.
Ronnie says the reason I don't sleep well is because I have a guilty conscience. That's not necessarily true. I've always been something of an insomniac ever since I was a kid. I remember lying awake while everybody else was sleeping.
The middle of the night is a good time to have your quiet time. God is always up and listening so, you can spend time with Him, uninterrupted.
Well, I guess I'll go and see what's on the television. Maybe I can sign up for one of those exercise videos that lets you lose inches while you're asleep. Or maybe I'll make a doughnut run. If I leave now I can be there and back by the time I get the kids up.
Don't forget: If you visit, leave me a comment. When I don't get any comments, it keeps me up at night.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Maggie has left the building
Hey my favorite blog readers and prayer warriors! Yep, it's true, Miss Maggie has left Restorative and is now safe and sound and snug as a bug at Rose Crest. She is so excited about her new surroundings and the fact that she was finally able to take a shower this afternoon. Her room number is 202B and the temporary phone number is 578-0999. Her social worker asked her today if she was anticipating many visitors or phone calls and she said "YES I AM!" So all of you who can, go by and visit or give her a call. She begins P/T on Monday morning. Thanks for all of the love and encouragement and especially the prayers. I love you all. GOD IS GOOD! Keep praying.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY GUYS!! Ronnie has been out of town this week and I was so-oo afraid that I would have to spend Valentine's without him. However, he just called me and he said he'll be home in 3 hours, which will be 10:00 pm. I may only have a couple of hours of Valentine's left but, I don't care he's coming home.
We had our very first date 17 years ago this Saturday (16th). Our group sang at a Valentine's banquet on the 14th and that's when he started looking at me as more than a friend. We had been friends for a couple of years or so but all of a sudden everything changed. We still call each other "Ronnie" or "Megie" from the group!
I hope that all of you will be able to spend Valentine's with someone special, even if it's only for an hour or two.
We had our very first date 17 years ago this Saturday (16th). Our group sang at a Valentine's banquet on the 14th and that's when he started looking at me as more than a friend. We had been friends for a couple of years or so but all of a sudden everything changed. We still call each other "Ronnie" or "Megie" from the group!
I hope that all of you will be able to spend Valentine's with someone special, even if it's only for an hour or two.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
WHAT????
As some of you know, we are facing a problem with placing Mama in a skilled nursing facility. We were told a week ago that medically Mama was ready to move from Restorative. As I stated in one of my earlier blogs, when we first moved Mama to Restorative, it was to medically get her to a place so she could begin P/T.
In our meeting with the Social Worker and the other therapist, we were informed that Mama did not meet their criteria for P/T because she is considered "long-term." We were given a 10 page list of nursing facilities that are as close as around the block from Restorative and as far away as Hendersonville, NC.
We have chosen several places that are nearby and we have visited each one. Three of them are beautiful facilities and two of them are dumps. Here's the thing, they have to choose Mama, based on their ability to offer her the type of care she requires and if she meets their guidelines.
Three of these facilities have declined because Mama is considered "long-term" with a need for extensive P/T and they are not set up for extensive P/T. One has declined her because they consider her "short-term" and they are set up for "long-term." This facility has the best physical therapy but they can't accomodate "short-term." We haven't heard from the other place yet but, we hope we don't.
Restorative has a beautiful facility but we have been told that Mama is not mobile enough for their criteria. My question is this. How can she possibly get mobile if they don't work with her?
Now that her mind is clear, she is willing to work but, for whatever reason, they aren't working with her. They came in yesterday and got her up. She walked, with the walker and their help, to the wall and back.
I called the Social worker in this morning and I said..., "Look, all we want is for Mama to be able to walk with the walker to the toliet and back. If you guys would work with her every day and not every other day or just when you feel like it, she would be mobile enough that we can get her out of here!" If we can get her walking enough to come home, we can take her to an outside P/T facility. As a matter of fact, my niece Casey works for an orthopedic doctor and, they have "long-term" and "short-term" P/T.
To say that we are frustrated would be an understatement. As I said before, I have seen people walking around with their little name tags and their little clipboards but, nobody is listening!!
Please continue to pray. Thanks!
In our meeting with the Social Worker and the other therapist, we were informed that Mama did not meet their criteria for P/T because she is considered "long-term." We were given a 10 page list of nursing facilities that are as close as around the block from Restorative and as far away as Hendersonville, NC.
We have chosen several places that are nearby and we have visited each one. Three of them are beautiful facilities and two of them are dumps. Here's the thing, they have to choose Mama, based on their ability to offer her the type of care she requires and if she meets their guidelines.
Three of these facilities have declined because Mama is considered "long-term" with a need for extensive P/T and they are not set up for extensive P/T. One has declined her because they consider her "short-term" and they are set up for "long-term." This facility has the best physical therapy but they can't accomodate "short-term." We haven't heard from the other place yet but, we hope we don't.
Restorative has a beautiful facility but we have been told that Mama is not mobile enough for their criteria. My question is this. How can she possibly get mobile if they don't work with her?
Now that her mind is clear, she is willing to work but, for whatever reason, they aren't working with her. They came in yesterday and got her up. She walked, with the walker and their help, to the wall and back.
I called the Social worker in this morning and I said..., "Look, all we want is for Mama to be able to walk with the walker to the toliet and back. If you guys would work with her every day and not every other day or just when you feel like it, she would be mobile enough that we can get her out of here!" If we can get her walking enough to come home, we can take her to an outside P/T facility. As a matter of fact, my niece Casey works for an orthopedic doctor and, they have "long-term" and "short-term" P/T.
To say that we are frustrated would be an understatement. As I said before, I have seen people walking around with their little name tags and their little clipboards but, nobody is listening!!
Please continue to pray. Thanks!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Life's Little Pleasures
Some of my blogger friends have these little question and answer themes on their blog page in order to have feed-back. I thought I would try this. I get lonely and paranoid when nobody writes back. So if you visit, drop me a comment.
Here goes; What are some of the things you like to do to unwind and treat yourself?
My answers;
1. I love movie night with my family. We buy a movie on Pay-per-View and have a special meal.
2. I love curling up on the couch with my four-legged babies and a good book.
3. One of my favorite places is my front porch swing or my rocking chair. I even like to sit out during a thunderstorm.
4. My next favorite place is floating on my noodle in the pool.
5. My special way to treat myself is driving through Hub City Coffees for a large special blend. One splenda and a bit of skim.
Okay guys, it's your turn. Let me know how you like to unwind and treat yourself.
Here goes; What are some of the things you like to do to unwind and treat yourself?
My answers;
1. I love movie night with my family. We buy a movie on Pay-per-View and have a special meal.
2. I love curling up on the couch with my four-legged babies and a good book.
3. One of my favorite places is my front porch swing or my rocking chair. I even like to sit out during a thunderstorm.
4. My next favorite place is floating on my noodle in the pool.
5. My special way to treat myself is driving through Hub City Coffees for a large special blend. One splenda and a bit of skim.
Okay guys, it's your turn. Let me know how you like to unwind and treat yourself.
Life's Pleasures and Indulgences
Some of my blogger friends are doing these little question and answer postings so I thought I would try one of my own. Sometimes you write on your blog and you're wondering if anybody is reading? If you visit my page, leave a little comment. I get lonely and paranoid when I have no feed back.
As I was coming home from taking Meredith to school this morning I started to think about life in general. It seems the more technological and automated we become the more we try to cram in an already busy schedule.
You know the routine..., up at 6am. Job-school-church-activities-bills-cleaning-laundry. Day in and day out. My question is this..., what do you do for pleasure? How do you unwind? What's the one indulgence you save for a pick-me-up?
I love to spend time with my family watching movies.
I love to curl up on the couch, surrounded by my four-legged babies and, read a good book.
I love to sit out on my front porch, either in my rocking chair or on the swing.
I love to float in my pool in the summer.
My one indulgence, my special little thing I do for myself is..., I go by Hub City Coffee and get a large special. That's usually their special coffee blend of the day with a little Splenda and a very little skim milk.
Of course I have to swipe Ronnie's pocket change or I have even took money from the kid's stash in order to take advantage of this one little indulgence
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
BIG BAD DAD
Many of you know my hubby Ronnie. He's big and bald and can be very intimidating. I'm sure there are two young men at Boiling Springs Junior High who know this very well. Yesterday after lunch, Meredith called me and told me that the two young men who have been bullying her all year long, actually took her drink at lunch and drank it!! There have been several things that have happened all year long but, BIG BAD DAD HAD ENOUGH!!
Last year, Meredith was bullied by a bunch of girls and I took care of that but, yesterday Dad went to school. He went straight to the big guy and told him all that had been happening. He told the principal that he was not sending his baby girl to school to be bullied and frightened and he had had enough!
The principal called Meredith to the office. Luckily, when she called, I told her that her Daddy was on the way, I think I heard a big sigh of relief when she hung up the phone. Many of you know our sweet little Meredith. She is very quiet and shy and doesn't want any trouble. She told the principal all that had been happening and then she started to cry. Ronnie said the principal almost cried and he reassured Meredith that she had done nothing wrong. He told her if either of those boys cause her one minute more of grief, come to him.
Ronnie got a call from the principal later on in the afternoon. He told him that he had talked to both young men and if it was any consolation to Meredith, both of them cried!! She did smile and take some pleasure in that but, I could see the relief on her beautiful little face.
I know you may find this hard to believe, for those of you who know me but, I too was bullied in Junior High. For three long years I suffered verbal abuse at the hands of a few young men. I was the new girl in school and they took advantage of that fact. They called me horrible names and told vicious lies. Unfortunately, the young man behind all of this didn't attend our school at the time . He was a big
athlete at a Junior High across town but, he lived across the street from me.
I did get my revenge however. Because he lived out of district, he had to attend my school in the 9th grade. One day he and all of his buddies came sauntering down the hall. They started immediately laughing at me and calling me names. I grabbed this big old jock and threw him up against the lockers. I threatened to make him "cry like a girl" if he didn't tell them the truth. I had him in a big choke hold and he admitted, right there in front of God and everybody, that he was a BIG LIAR. He also apologized to me. I took great pleasure in that. Now, this is the Megie most of you know..., right?
My Dad came to the school later on that afternoon and he too took care of things. That's what Daddies do, they take care of things.
Our Heavenly Father is our Daddy too. He takes care of things. He picks us up and dries our tears and loves us unconditionally.
I eventually forgave these young men, even the ring leader and a couple of years ago when I read that he had passed away, I cried.
Last year, Meredith was bullied by a bunch of girls and I took care of that but, yesterday Dad went to school. He went straight to the big guy and told him all that had been happening. He told the principal that he was not sending his baby girl to school to be bullied and frightened and he had had enough!
The principal called Meredith to the office. Luckily, when she called, I told her that her Daddy was on the way, I think I heard a big sigh of relief when she hung up the phone. Many of you know our sweet little Meredith. She is very quiet and shy and doesn't want any trouble. She told the principal all that had been happening and then she started to cry. Ronnie said the principal almost cried and he reassured Meredith that she had done nothing wrong. He told her if either of those boys cause her one minute more of grief, come to him.
Ronnie got a call from the principal later on in the afternoon. He told him that he had talked to both young men and if it was any consolation to Meredith, both of them cried!! She did smile and take some pleasure in that but, I could see the relief on her beautiful little face.
I know you may find this hard to believe, for those of you who know me but, I too was bullied in Junior High. For three long years I suffered verbal abuse at the hands of a few young men. I was the new girl in school and they took advantage of that fact. They called me horrible names and told vicious lies. Unfortunately, the young man behind all of this didn't attend our school at the time . He was a big
athlete at a Junior High across town but, he lived across the street from me.
I did get my revenge however. Because he lived out of district, he had to attend my school in the 9th grade. One day he and all of his buddies came sauntering down the hall. They started immediately laughing at me and calling me names. I grabbed this big old jock and threw him up against the lockers. I threatened to make him "cry like a girl" if he didn't tell them the truth. I had him in a big choke hold and he admitted, right there in front of God and everybody, that he was a BIG LIAR. He also apologized to me. I took great pleasure in that. Now, this is the Megie most of you know..., right?
My Dad came to the school later on that afternoon and he too took care of things. That's what Daddies do, they take care of things.
Our Heavenly Father is our Daddy too. He takes care of things. He picks us up and dries our tears and loves us unconditionally.
I eventually forgave these young men, even the ring leader and a couple of years ago when I read that he had passed away, I cried.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Life Goes On
I've come to realize that no matter what's going on in your daily schedule, life goes on. All of you know that my Mama has been in the hospital since Christmas Eve. Bless her heart, she doesn't even remember Christmas day or New Year's.
Day in and day out for these many weeks, my family and I have gone back and forth to the hospital to be with Mama. As I have said before, we have seen the evidence of God's love and mercy during this time. Even though Mama is still confused at times, she has made wonderful progress and we owe it all to the Lord.
Also during these many weeks, some semblence of our daily life has continued. We have dealt with our own illnesses. There have been days on days of soccer conditioning, try-outs and selling candy, only to be told that because we hadn't signed Meredith up for "Club Ball" she was never even considered for the JV team.
Talking about "unfair practices" and "politics" in school athletics!! We had to console our girl and reassure her that she did her best and that the team was picked way in advance of try-outs. Somehow, that just doesn't seem fair. Not only was the team picked in advance, most of the girls were "Club Ballers" and they never even conditioned with the others. I'm not saying that this is true for ALL of the girls chosen but, most of them. Well anyway, we still have good ol AYSO soccer. Their motto is "It's All About The Kids" and that's the truth.
Another place that we have had to deal with "unfair practices" and "politics" is with the insurance companies and Medicare. My Mom has been at death's door in the past few weeks but, she has also been on a time schedule. Bring her out of a drug-induced coma and perform a tracheoscopy then ship her out. Get her breathing on her own and move her to the floor. Offer minimal physical therapy and if she refuses, move her out. It's not the nurses or the techs or the therapist, it's the insurance companies.
As I've mentioned before, we have to choose a "skilled nursing" facility (nursing home) to place Mama in for extensive therapy. She hasn't cooperated with the therapist at Restorative so, they can opt to move her out. Why can't they see that she is still very confused and anxious about everything that has happened?? She was over medicated by her personal physicians, which lead to her hospitalization. Because of the seriousness of her condition, she was placed in a paralytic state so her lungs would heal and the ventilator would do all of the work for her. It's going to take a long while for her mind to catch up. Also, we found out this week that she is still scheduled for Ativan on a daily basis. Ativan was one of the meds that she was taking at home and one of the reasons she is where she is. I've seen too many people walking around the halls with name tags and charts but nobody seems to be on the same page. HELLO?? Is anybody listening?
Life goes on..., school, work, church, grocery shopping, homework, dishes, laundry and BILLS!! These are every day occurences that are a part of our every day lives and they go on. Even if life throws you a curve and suddenly you are faced with a sick and aging parent that needs constant care.
Life goes on...., and God does provide. He provides a listening ear and arms to hold us. He provides loving husbands and wonderful children. He provides good
friends that pray for you and encourage you. We go on, we adjust.
Day in and day out for these many weeks, my family and I have gone back and forth to the hospital to be with Mama. As I have said before, we have seen the evidence of God's love and mercy during this time. Even though Mama is still confused at times, she has made wonderful progress and we owe it all to the Lord.
Also during these many weeks, some semblence of our daily life has continued. We have dealt with our own illnesses. There have been days on days of soccer conditioning, try-outs and selling candy, only to be told that because we hadn't signed Meredith up for "Club Ball" she was never even considered for the JV team.
Talking about "unfair practices" and "politics" in school athletics!! We had to console our girl and reassure her that she did her best and that the team was picked way in advance of try-outs. Somehow, that just doesn't seem fair. Not only was the team picked in advance, most of the girls were "Club Ballers" and they never even conditioned with the others. I'm not saying that this is true for ALL of the girls chosen but, most of them. Well anyway, we still have good ol AYSO soccer. Their motto is "It's All About The Kids" and that's the truth.
Another place that we have had to deal with "unfair practices" and "politics" is with the insurance companies and Medicare. My Mom has been at death's door in the past few weeks but, she has also been on a time schedule. Bring her out of a drug-induced coma and perform a tracheoscopy then ship her out. Get her breathing on her own and move her to the floor. Offer minimal physical therapy and if she refuses, move her out. It's not the nurses or the techs or the therapist, it's the insurance companies.
As I've mentioned before, we have to choose a "skilled nursing" facility (nursing home) to place Mama in for extensive therapy. She hasn't cooperated with the therapist at Restorative so, they can opt to move her out. Why can't they see that she is still very confused and anxious about everything that has happened?? She was over medicated by her personal physicians, which lead to her hospitalization. Because of the seriousness of her condition, she was placed in a paralytic state so her lungs would heal and the ventilator would do all of the work for her. It's going to take a long while for her mind to catch up. Also, we found out this week that she is still scheduled for Ativan on a daily basis. Ativan was one of the meds that she was taking at home and one of the reasons she is where she is. I've seen too many people walking around the halls with name tags and charts but nobody seems to be on the same page. HELLO?? Is anybody listening?
Life goes on..., school, work, church, grocery shopping, homework, dishes, laundry and BILLS!! These are every day occurences that are a part of our every day lives and they go on. Even if life throws you a curve and suddenly you are faced with a sick and aging parent that needs constant care.
Life goes on...., and God does provide. He provides a listening ear and arms to hold us. He provides loving husbands and wonderful children. He provides good
friends that pray for you and encourage you. We go on, we adjust.
Thanks
I just want to take this time to "THANK YOU" my wonderful friends and Prayer Warriors. These past few weeks have been very difficult and there is no way that we could have gotten through it without God's "Amazing Grace" and your love and prayers.
We still have a long road ahead of us and decisions to make but, I know that we will get through it.
Please continue to pray that God will strengthen Mom's body and clear her mind. She still has a lot of confusion and sometimes it's so hard for her to understand. Continue to pray that my health will hold out. I am feeling much better but, I will have to rearrange my schedule. I can't possibly keep going the way that I was trying to go, which was every day.
I love you all. You are all a special blessing from God.
We still have a long road ahead of us and decisions to make but, I know that we will get through it.
Please continue to pray that God will strengthen Mom's body and clear her mind. She still has a lot of confusion and sometimes it's so hard for her to understand. Continue to pray that my health will hold out. I am feeling much better but, I will have to rearrange my schedule. I can't possibly keep going the way that I was trying to go, which was every day.
I love you all. You are all a special blessing from God.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Off-line
Hey guys- I'm going to be off-line for a few days. I'm having trouble with my B/P again and my asthma is acting up. So, I'm taking a couple of days to rest. Keep praying for Mom. We have to make a decision about moving her to a skilled nursing facility. Thanks.
Love you-
Megie
Love you-
Megie
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