Topic : Is This Normal Social Discussion

Where does the time go?  My Dad was here for two weeks and left yesterday.  We had a fantastic time, and it was so great to have him here for that long.  We just talked and talked and talked, mostly about his earlier memories and experiences.  I wish I'd thought ahead to have a tape recorder available.  Ralph came for dinner on Saturday night - Erin was at her Dad's - and they got to meet for the first time.  I kept thinking "it's pretty great to be sitting here with my two favorite men!"  It struck me, not for the first time that they are quite a lot a like.  But it also struck me, while I was watching the two of them, that my Dad is older than I had ever realized before.  I mean, he's my Dad, the same old Dad I've always known.  His hair is thinner and whiter, but he's in good health and still pretty strong.  But then I saw him side by side with Ralph, who is 53, and I realized that my Dad, who is 70, is an old man!  In many ways, he's closer to being like my great-uncle Art, who is 87, than he is to being like Ralph.  I don't know how to explain it, but it kinda hit me hard!  Not even my Mom, who is 69, strikes me as being that old.  Don't know if I'm making sense, but it was a light-bulb moment, and not in a particularly good way!

 

Erin is at camp this week, and it's weird to have her gone and to be so out of touch.  I'm just waiting for a postcard to arrive.  In fact, I should've mailed another note to her today, if I mail it tomorrow, it might not get there in time... I guess I'll still try.  My Mom arrives on Thursday, and I have a feeling it will be a bit of a jarring experience after having my mellow dad here for two weeks.  Despite her desire to "help" she can end up being bery demanding.  A couple days after Mom leaves, a girlfriend is arriving.  We used to be roommates, but it's been a long time since we've spent more than an evening together. 

 

Ralph's mother is continuing to make progress, but she still has a cough, which is causing her pain because of the incision, etc.  She's been up and walking, and the next step is to figure out who will take care of her once she leaves the hospital.  I'm not sure that Ralph or her sister is a good candidate for that, since they have other responsibilities as well.  Maybe a home health care nurse?  I have no plans to see Ralph in the future, although hopefully, he'll come to church while Mom is here.  It's just that between all my company and all that is going on with him, I have no idea when we might have some "alone time", and I'm really wishing for some of that!  Oh well. 

 

Trace, where ARE you??? We miss you and can't wait to here all your stories.  I really hope that your absence doesn't mean problems at home...

 

Kelly, how are you?  Give us the news so we don't have to worry.

 

KAK -- stop playing, and come here and see us!

 

Loretta -- busy with summer activities?

 

Ami -- glad your trip was successful.  I did receive the CD, but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.  I can't wait. You'd better make sure you make time for JP next trip, or she's going to be impossible to live with.

 

JP -- how are things, sista?

 

Vicki -- Wus up?  How goes the new job?

It looks to me like you signed in under another name -- jp621.  Normally your sign-in name is Bluebird, and with that one, the bluebird avatar shows up.  Does that help?

Thanks for the movie reviews on Indy, I think that my oldest and middle will be fine.  They both are fine with that high suspense stuff.  They also really like carnival rides that make you puke but that is another story.  The big interest in some ways is that they did some filming in our town and in a nearby city.  We were clueless that it was happening when they filmed here and it was only one day.  Explained the helicopter going in and out though.  I'll let you know what scene when I see it.

 

Unfortunately Neecie I have not been busy with summer stuff yet.  My girls won't be done with school until next week which is driving me a bit crazy.  They had to dismiss early twice this week because it was so darn hot that the kids were not safe health wise.  I have been busy with end of year stuff.  They do like to jam as much as possible into the last few weeks.  Field trips, field days, concerts, calgon take me away.  I can not wait to be bored for just a little while with the girls.  The beach is calling for me and I can't play yet. 

 

Okay I am off to bake something for a school event that is happening tonight.  When will I ever learn to not say "Sure I can help".    Done whining for now.

 

Hugs everyone

 

PS  Trace, where the heck are the stories?  Hope you are busy with all good things and no bad. 

Oh yeah Loretta, I know all about that spring loaded arm that shoots up  and volunteers me anytime anyone mentions "can someone help <insert bake, cook, chaperone, measure, stay late, load chairs, and the list is endless.....>

 

hehe,

~Ami

 

I've gotten a new notebook because I was shamed into it. So all the stuff didn't transfer and when I email Dr Phil they sent me this stuff. I have no idea when I came up with this one, but it had to've been when I got the computer and I bet you it was in 2001. So I'll have to call them or something and I don't want to take the time to straighten it out. So we'll all have to know who I am. Lord knows I sometimes can't figure "me" out. And that is a sad, sad thing!

 

Ami I forgive you. I just knew there was no way you were gonna come this close and not at the very least try to meet. I was sooooo disappointed.

 

My trip.   ....yep it was a trip. I go with my girlfriend from work and we always have way more fun than we should, but this time we were sickly to say the least. She just found out she has emphysema, bronchitis and COPD. All at the same time. She couldn't talk at all at one point and hasn't been to work in forever. When we went she talked so low I was constantly saying I couldn't hear her and she walked in extreme slow motion. The people she did talk to I'm sure thought she was on drugs. She did, however, in here extreme slow way walk 7 miles to the peer. I couldn't handle even a mile with my foot and it was a trip in and of itself to get back. I had to sit down several times on the trips, as they had us at the extreme end of the island where there were no parties going on any damn where. But we did manage to create a few. We are like that.

 

At one bar the owner had his dog in there and it was a puppy. Everyone was playing with it and it was just the sweetest thing. The next nite Bettty was saying hello and it got crazy and bit here. We bandaged it and left shortly thereafter. Well I'm all hyped up at around 12:30 and we had to leave the next day so I took a valium so I'd sleep. Around 2 I woke up to the fire alarm going off and woke up. Betty was standing in the doorway with these two security guards telling her she had to go the the emergency room to get a tenace shoot. She saying "In my pj's?!" I saying "Betty! Why is the alarm going off?!" She had no idea. Those people were not going to leave for sure and I said "I can not go with you!" Turned over and passed out again.

 

The health dept called her while we were at the airport wanting to know where we were cos you couldn't have a dog in a bar so Zach is in serious trouble. They may shut him down. Isn't that awful?!

 

Always an adventure with the two of us. Always. Mostly all I could do is sit by the beach which is a real buster cos I'm pretty much a doer person. It was beautiful of course and I couldn't believe the wind. I don't know if I got a sunburn or a wind burn! I nearly alwasy stay under and umbrella. Did read a book and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Oh this is funny. We discovered we had a fridge so I figured we'd save money by going shopping. We loaded up a cart and went to the parking lot and I told this dude I'd give him $5 to drive us two blocks. And he did!!! He and alot of other people said "You all are two very nice ladies" lol Well hell I guess we are. Shoulda seen all the beer we bought!  lol And my oh my did I gain weight. I really need to get back to danceing ya'll. I don't like this inner tube I've acquired!

 

Sorry for taking so long to write and let you know how I am going, have been fighting that old dark place called, Depression, yet again. Slowly getting out of it!

 

Well the pap smear came back normal, so that's all good and the cyst is harmless and so it can stay where it is for now, well that's what the Doctor said. So, healthwise I am doing good, but in my mind things aren't as good.

 

Not sure if you all knew that Mark has been away for the last 3 weeks, he does get back this afternoon, thank goodness. Anyway, it was the day before he left to go away that I got sick with this infection, only at that time the Doctor and I thought it was a UTI, later found out what it was.

 

Well I was very down and out, because Mark wasn't able to come back home to help me look after Stephanie, due to what he was doing and all(Long story). So, during those 3 weeks I have had some nights of no sleep what so ever and the next day feeling like crap because of it. Also when this happens my sugars tend to go north as well, which then makes me feel worst. In all this, I have ended up depressed again and having alot of anxiety due to not being able to sleep.

 

The main reason behind the depression and anxiety has been to do with the thought that Mark could be heading overseas with the Army for 6 bloody long months, if he goes it will be from about August till about mid Feb next year. While I know that Mark really really wants to do this, as he has been in the Army over 21 years and has never been OS before, I just don't want him to go, as 6 months is too long for us to be apart and it's too long for Stephanie not to see her Daddy as well.

 

Mark's job will not be, to be in the front line of fight so to speak, so I'm not so worried about him getting hurt or worst still dying. What he will be doing, will be in the background of things.

 

CONT:

My main worry is, that if I get sick while Mark is away, I can't look after Stephanie real well.

 

I know that I have my Mum and Dad down the road, about an hours drive BUT with Dad having the MND, it's not that easy for them to just get in the car and drive up here.

 

The other week when I did end up at the hospital, Stephanie had to come with me in the Ambo and she had to stay with me while I was in the ER waiting room and that was more than 4 hours. Mum and Dad did come and get Stephanie, but it did take them along time to get up to the hospital, as Mum had to pack the car, etc and then it took them more than an hour to drive up to the hospital, cause they had never been to that one before and so they had to look for it.

 

My sister Toni could come up, but she has to bring her hubby and their son. Not that that is too much of a problem, but when I'm sick I really don't want a house full of people, if you can understand my meaning there.

 

I'm not saying that I want to get sick while Mark is away, but it can happen. Although last year when Mark was away for 4 months, I was able to cope ok and I didn't get sick at all then.

 

Anyway, I am slowly getting back on my feet. I went back to my Doctor on Friday and told him everything and he gave me some tablets to help get me to sleep. Mind you, I will only take them IF I really need them. I did take one on Friday night and last night so I could have 2 good night sleeps in a row and it has made a big difference to me mentally.

 

Well I might leave it at this and thank you all so very much for being such good and caring friends, hugs to you all from me, Love Kelly.

Kelly,

 

I am so sorry that you are going through such a tough time.  I can understand your concern about taking care of Stephanie if you are sick.  All you can do is your best and it does sound like you are doing that and then some.  She will be okay, it is you that you need to focus on, getting well and staying well.

 

Know that you are in my thoughts and I am sending you lots of long distance hugs.

 

<<<<<<<<<<<HUGS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Take care of yourself, please.  Loretta

I am a firm believer that depression adds to health woes, and not just mental health woes either. It is so very important to take care of yourself first and foremost. =)

 

I can see where this was very scary Kelly. But think of this, when Stephanie was a baby and couldn't help at all you were alone a lot and made it just fine. Stephanie is now old enough to be of some help should you need it too. It would be good to school her too on what to do in case of an emergency (who to call etc.).

 

While I know she is still very young, it is never too young to teach them the basics of 911 (is you all have such an emergency service). Also it would be good to keep a list of emergency numbers and your meds etc, in your purse perhaps. Stephanie is old enough to understand that you two have to look out for each other, especially while Mark is away. It will make her feel big and important! *hopefully*

 

Main thing is trying to be prepared. This snuck up on you and I think that is one reason it has thrown you for such a loop. =(

 

Feel better soon, Kelly and try not to let your nerves get the better of you.

Hugs,

~Ami

xoxoxo

but I just about fell out of my chair to read that you had been in Oregon and I didn't hear one peep!

 

I'm sure you have my address and phone number...or do you? Anyway, if you do have my digits, why didn't you call? I would have loved taking you around in our golf car to see the club house, swimming pool, golf course, etc, etc.

 

I hate politics, but am in the middle of getting into a big fight with the Board. I'm hoping to get a meeting going next Tuesday night, where residents will get together and work on the questions we want the Board to answer. The Board has said that I am too "negative" when I ask questions of them, and that I'm calling them "illegal" even though I have never used the word "illegal". I think they have guilty consciences. They seem very defensive with their answers (when they give them).

 

I was kicked off the Rules Committee when I asked 15 written questions. The reason was the negative and illegal thing, plus they said they do not respond to individuals. Well, I'm asking my questions to get answers for the entire community. If they want a fight, they have one now!! I'm not KAK for nothing! LOL