So, I am going to talk about something from the past, it centers around a picture.

This would be me and the Electrician a couple (cough) of years ago.  We went to Vegas, with another couple for 3  nights and 4 days.  Neither one of us had been to Las Vegas before.  What an experience.  We hit it hard, and believe me when I say “What happen’s in Vegas, stay’s in Vegas”.

We probably were not your typical “tourist’s” tho, we didn’t just spend time in the Casino‘s.  We actually walked the strip, and the highlight for me was when  we visited M & M’s World.  (I seriously collected EVERYTHING M & M’s (the candy) for years).  It was 5 floors of nothing but M & M’s things.    The wonderful Electrician even sat through the 3-d movie in the theater with me and I was laughing the whole time.

We did good though, we spent 2 nights at the Harrah’s Hotel and the last night we spent in the Luxor.  Now folks, Harrah’s was nice, but the Luxor was fantastic.  Except, the one wall was all glass and I am afraid of heights.  We were on the umpteenth floor and I would not walk near the window. 

The Electrician and I did really good considering.  On our second day there, the four of us were gambling, when our friend Kim said I’m gonna hit…and BAM, she hit the machine for about $300, then her husband said, I’m gonna hit…he hit for about $250, then I didn’t say anything at all but my machine went all bells and whistles and BAM $650, later, when the Electrician said he felt left out and BAM his machine went off for  $500.   Folks we were all sitting side by side when all this happened, in fact when they came to pay off Kim and her hubs, then my machine went off she stated “I mise well stay around because all of you are hitting”.  We all cashed in and LEFT the building.

We went to all of those favorite places, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the Excalibur, MGM, and all of the “HOT” spots.  We ate at some really cool places too.

This is just one of the really cool places that the Electrician has taken me for “getaways”.  While I had Europe at my fingertips growing up, I seem to be enjoying these vacations in my “golden” years even more.

Memories kids, cherish them while your making them, because you can re-visit them at any time and enjoy them just as much as when you lived them.

Although, while revisiting them, I don’t have to re-live not having but only 3 hours of sleep every day, because, NOBODY sleeps in Vegas baby.  But that was a “few” years ago and I could do it then.

This is how it used to be….yea, kinda all over the place and the first thing I did would be wash it and throw it up into a pony tail partly because I am a hair idiot and have no suavy when it comes to doing my hair, other than blow dry it and throw it up into a pony tail.   The reason I have the “sunburst” in the front is because Camsgranny is getting gray FAST.  Hopefully this will prevent most of that stuff from showing, but I’m not counting on it. It’s quite a different look from what I’ve been wearing I really like and The Electrician gave his approval so, it’s a GOOD thing.  Now let’s see what the Farmer and Momma have to say.

I can hear the Farmer now…”My Daughter IS NOT a blond.”, I’m not quite sure what he has against blonds, but he is damn sure I’m not one.  That makes me giggle, cuz, if it’s a choice between being a blonde and grey, uhm…blonde might win this time.

The Farmer and I swapped things up today.  You see Momma hasn’t been doing real well with therapy lately and the Farmer and I decided to swap things up and I would do therapy with her instead of the Farmer.  Well….our reasoning went well with Momma, because today she excelled.  I’m not saying it was because of me, but I helped.  I think, partly because I bug Momma  in a way that no one else does, she listens to me on a certain level.  You see with the Farmer, she doesn’t want to let him down and he sometimes gets frustrated by her non-progress.  Me?….well, I just bug her until she has to accomplish something, and I make it into a game along with giving her ten ton’s of s##t.

Momma was surprised to see me there this morning, and it was shower day and she was already wacked, but I made her finish her therapy (doing a puzzle, oh and I have I mentioned I HATE puzzles?)  Between the 2 of us we managed it and finished the darn thing.  (Me and Momma were on the same page, throw this sucker across the room and we will both be ok.)  Ok, puzzle finished, and we proceeded to start walking down the hall.  Momma is a pro at that.  I even asked the therapy lady, when the Electrician and I were there this past weekend and Momma wanted to walk, I was hesitant because I didn’t know the rules.  The Electrician and I now have permission to take Momma for a walk with her walker, but ONLY if the Electrician is there (because he’s a BIG guy and can catch Momma if anything goes wrong).  You see Momma WANTS to walk, she doesn’t want to do puzzles, or pegs in the board, but like I told her today, “If you want outta here, you gotta do the things they want you to do, but you have to make it a game and fun”…”When you accomplish all that they want you to, then you can go home”  I think Momma got it, because after I told her that, she sure did her best.

Now folks, I KNOW Momma is going to have good days, and bad days, Hell, I’m used to that.  But if she works hard, and does what she is supposed to, we can break her outta that joint soon.  And That’s what Momma told me today, “Break me outta here ok? Joanne, I want to go home”.

Folks, I’ve got a plan……

Well, today for me was one of those days.  It seemed like everything I touched went south real quick.  Spilled water, vacume cleaners, falling down the stairs, changing kitty litter, and other stuff.  So, rather than bore you with the details, I will choose to just post this picture that makes it all worthwhile to me.

Besides, I get to have another chance tomorrow…:)  

Ok maybe one more and then I’ll stop….

This was in Cozumel, Mexico.  Ok folks, I know I keep bringing up the cruise, but to tell you the truth, it was one of best experiences in my life.  Seven full days and nights with this man, and his family, was one of the best.  (Mostly spent with this man).  And trust me when I say I was spoilt rotten.

Ok just one more and THEN I will stop….

I missed these two like crazy.  I wondered what was going on while I was “sailing”  (Christopher Cross song). So, I guess I’ll say Goodnight ya’ll and HOPEFULLY tomorrow, I can do better and not have “one of those days”.

While I can say that I can cook, and am not afraid to try new recipes, it absolutely floors me that some people cannot cook.  This lead to a discussion between the Electrician and I.  We both started wondering when we learned to cook. 

I had a wonderful Grandmother that would teach me how to cook different things.  Grandmother Burwash was always pulling me into the kitchen in those summer’s I used to spend with her and she taught me the basics. 

I have been trying to make the “perfect Lemon meringue Pie” for the Farmer for better than 35 years now.  I think I’ve achieved it, but he keeps telling me to try again (I think he just likes the tasting part, by that I mean the WHOLE pie).

But, I digress.  I did take Home Economics in High School, and I’ve been cooking since I was about 13.  My Aunt also taught me a few things although I have never perfected the Crepe‘s she taught me.  My mother-in-law, also taught me a few things (the favorites of the Electrician).

I guess what I find hard to understand is that A LOT of people in America cannot cook.  Some people have never canned vegetables, or made jams or jellies, or any of the “old school” things.  If it doesn’t come in the form or fast food, food in a box,  or food you microwave they can’t cook.

That makes me sad.  I’ve tried to teach all of my kids a little bit, the boys more, because I never wanted them to starve or have to always eat out.  One of my Son’s taught his wife to cook.

The Electrician and I eat out maybe once a month, we have a routine, I cook dinner just about every night and he does dishes, because I HATE to do dishes.  There are times when I get lucky and he cooks dinner, and when he does then I do the dishes.

We just got back from a 12 day vacation where I did not cook a thing.  While I enjoyed it, I have to say I missed my kitchen.   I enjoy playing around in there. 

Don’t get me wrong because I’ve had some successes and some messes too.  I used to cook for the Farmer and Momma, and then freeze some things for them, I enjoyed doing it.  I still have the Farmer’s freezer full at the moment, he’s been doing his own thing since Momma has been in the Nursing Home. 

BUT, I am going to go cook him breakfast in the morning and it’s been awhile since I’ve done that, so I’m kinda looking forward to Daddy, daughter time.  Plus, I’ll do his laundry and clean his house while he goes to visit Momma.  Then I’ll go visit Momma, who is doing really good.

Today was a GOOD day.  The Electrician and I went to see her this morning and she was in rare form.  Talking up a storm and really happy to see the Electrician.  We cruised the hallways and laughed a lot.

Today…was a good day…..Night ya’ll……………

Uhm, apparently on our “date night” last night I danced in my family room like a fool (ok, I may have had one to many Rum & Diet Cokes), and BAM, I hit my toe on the couch in one of my “Groovier” moves.

Anyway, I got up and got cleaned up and went to the Nursing Home to see Momma (ok, I might have missed my time frame for getting there by about a half an hour, sorry to the Farmer).  Momma was in the Therapy room, and let me tell you about how I felt, oh an inch tall when I saw the Farmer’s jacket STILL on the chair in Momma’s room.  I had just got a lecture the day before about being on time.  OOPS….

I went down the hall to the Therapy room and ran into the Farmer half way there.  The first thing he did was look at his watch and gave me the “Look“.  Have you ever noticed that even though you are a full-grown person when your parent gives you the “look” you know you’re in for it? 

“Uhm sorry Dad, I don’t feel so well”  (Ok I am now Busting myself out for maybe having one drink to many the night before, because he thought I was sick, simply for the fact I have one reader who reads my blog EVERYDAY!  Thanks Dad). 

Hehehe…”Annie wasn’t doing to well in therapy so I left, and since your here I’m going to go, ok?”  “Yup Dad, I got this”  All’s I wanted to do was to go back to sleep.

I went into the Therapy room and saw Momma’s look.  It was a look that said, “REALLY, are you making me do this?”  She was putting colored pegs into a board, it helps with eye and hand co-ordination.  Momma had a real defiant look on her face so, I told the therapy lady “I’ll be back in a minute ok?”  So, I toddled off down the hallway and went to Momma’s room and looked for her Cozumel shirt again (It has not re-appeared YET).  I straightened out her closet and decided to wait another day before taking her laundry. 

I went back to the Therapy room and Momma had put all the pegs into the appropriate holes and now her task was to take them all out again and put them into the bucket.  Folks, Momma looked pissed, so I told her to take them out and throw them into the bucket.

WOW, she did a couple and really threw them with a vigor that kinda shocked me, well, not really shocked me, I knew she was pissed.  She did this for a few minutes and then just stopped completely.  The therapy lady told her they still had 15 minutes and if Momma wanted to take her time then so be it.  Well, that’s when I stepped in and told Momma…”Uhm.. are you tired of this?”  and she looked at me and kinda nodded, and I told her “Then get it done so we can blow this joint and go cruise the halls and look into people’s rooms and be nosey”.    The therapy lady got kinda shocked because Momma started taking out the pegs 2-3 at a time and shoving them into the bucket with both hands.

Momma wasn’t talking very much today, and I asked her if the cat had come in and stolen her tongue, and she giggled, and looked me straight in the face and said “NO”.  We blew out of the therapy room and then proceeded to cruise the hallway and peek into other Resident’s rooms. 

We finally arrived back at Momma’s room, although we did sit in the Dayroom and look out the door for a while, and sorta chatted (I talked and Momma listened).  When we got to her room, I think Momma was tired, this was after we had read the paper and talked about it.  Momma read the Obituaries, and stated she knew all of these people.  Uhm, ok….

The Nurse came and gave Momma her Meds, and then she went to bed for a nap, clutching Mr. Bear with a very firm grip.  Now mind you, the Farmer brought this bear into the ICU for Momma, because we thought it might make her feel better, and this bear went through surgery with her too. 

When I left Momma had a death grip on Mr. Bear, and she told me “Love you Joanne” before she went to sleep and started snoring.  The Nurse was going to get her back up in time for Momma to go play BINGO at 3 pm. 

I don’t know what happened to Momma this afternoon because I left when she was sleeping and it was about 1:30.  I made it home and proceeded to take a nap for the next uhm…2 1/2 hours and felt MUCH better.

I am concerned about Momma though, We have good days and bad days, the only difference is when we leave the Nursing Home, we don’t know what happens.  When she was at home we had control.  Now we don’t.  The different staff at the home have asked me about Dementia.  That scares me, simply for the fact that last week Momma told someone she was from Canada, and she had been in Prison.  Ok,  first off, Momma is from England,. and has NEVER been to Prison. 

Somedays, I can only laugh, simply because I don’t want to cry.  I’m a little worried about my English Rose.  The Electrician and I are going to see her first thing in the morning and then we will see if the Cat still has her tongue.  I’m hoping she will be a “Chatty Cathy’.  Cuz today was probably not a “good” day but there is always tomorrow…..

You see, to me, my writing on this blog every night, helps me.  Sometime’s the things that I go through on a day-to-day basis are painful for me, and I in turn write about them to release them and keep my sanity, plus I try to see the humor in the situations.  I’ve noticed that I seem to write a lot of those “waiting to be published” posts.  I very rarely publish those, but once in a while they seem to go through the cracks.

I once published a post in the heat of anger, and I retracted it.  Partly because I did not mean to hurt certain people’s feelings, but also, because it was an ugly post.  unfortunately I DO have a TEMPER, it surfaces from time to time and believe me, it’s UGLY.

I guess in the 6 months that I have had this “Blog” or as I like to say “my little friend”, I have released alot of things that are deep inside of me and been able to put them into words that maybe some other people relate to. 

This is my “journey” living with a Momma who has Parkinson’s (which I seriously HATE, but am learning) trying to take care of the Farmer (who does not wish to be taken care of….), and also dealing with day-to-day stuff..

I’m not depressed at the moment, so don’t get me wrong.  I am just looking at my life, and seriously Loving every minute of it.  I’ve never had this (type of life), I’m enjoying every minute of it, and sometimes, I feel I just get tired. 

I’ve spent today (Freaky Friday), grabbing Cam-the-Man first thing this morning and bringing him to my house, the Electrician getting cleaned up and then all 3 of us cruisin’ the streets and looking for trouble.  Ok, not really.  We were looking for paint for the bedroom with a couple of other “fun” stops in between. 

We went to Lowe’s, Menards, Wal-Mart (of course we had to walk through the toy department), back to Lowe’s then to Big R and then the Health Food Store, then back to Lowe’s and then down the road to Pizza Hut for Lunch.  By now, Cam-Man was a little tired and not really in the mood to eat lunch. (Hey, if I ate what he had for breakfast, I wouldn’t be ready for lunch, cereal, oatmeal, milk and then helping the Electrician eat HIS bowl of cereal AND drinking the milk…uhm  HEY). 

We had Salad and some pizza (ok, that was at about 1 p.m and I’m still stuffed).  We took Cam-Man home and then I dropped off the Electrician for a nap, and I went to the Nursing Home to see Momma. 

Momma was laying in bed when I got there and she was snoring….yup. straight up snoring.  I had done her laundry and brought it back, and was in the middle of hanging it up, when she sat up and started talking to me.  She told me about her day and how therapy went.  I finished hanging up her laundry and then I did a clothes check.  Uhm… Yup, kids…I lost my temper, it was by the grace of God, that the Farmer showed up at this moment.  He was standing in the doorway and motioned to me to “come here”, so I followed him outside of Momma’s room and said “What’s up”?

He took me outside to look at his new car.  WOW…the Farmer traded in his Cadillac for a shiny new Toyota Avalon.  (By the way to the Farmer….I LOVE IT!!!)  The seats are heated and air conditioned…how can you NOT like that? 

The Farmer and I chatted for a bit, AND I got a lecture.  I deserved it, me and time schedules are not getting together, to the Farmer, point taken….

But that leads me back into my Temper…it was shown today, at the Nursing Home, (it’s probably a GOOD thing the Farmer took me out of the home), You see I wore the Cozumel shirt that I bought today, it matches Momma’s except her’s is pink and mine is purple.  Momma’s has gone missing. 

Yup, even the Electrician was a little afraid…  (I have an awful temper).  I went back into the Nursing Home and went straight up to the laundry department and asked (politely I might add), Where is my Momma’s shirt?  “We are not sure but we will look for it ok?”.  I WAS polite and stated, ” Uhm, it is posted that HER family will do HER laundry, I understand there could be a mix-up, but I bought this FOR MY Momma in Mexico and I would appreciate you finding it Ok?”.

After I did this, I went back to Momma’s room and she woke up and chatted to me some more. We actually had a really good chat, but folk’s I guess I really DON”T like leaving her somewhere that I don’t know what she is dealing with. Especially when it is time for me to go and she tears up and just wants to come home.  Some day’s are better than other’s and ya know what….for Me, Momma, the Farmer, and the Electrician…I guess it’s just one day at a time….

I know, usually there is a routine we all follow.  Well…for the Electrician and I (now that he is laid off) our routine has changed a little bit, but basically it is still the same.

Folks laugh at us because of the t.v. programming we choose to watch.  You see, We are not into all of those Reality shows, The Batchelor, Survivor, or any of those other one’s that have a lot of violence.   Although I am really a fan of “The Voice”. (that’s probably one of the few of today’s shows that we watch)

The Electrician and I are old school.  So, we choose to watch..ok wait for it…I am a “The Walton’s”  junkie, and I also like “Happy Days“.  But you know what?  I think what I like the most,  is the family values that are portrayed in ALL of these shows.

They are shows I grew up with, and I enjoy the message that was in these shows.  It all came back to the same thing.  Family, respect,  and treating everyone else with respect.  And this is my own opinion, but people today, they don’t have those same values.

Kid’s disrespect their parent’s, and their elders (I’ve had my butt whipped, and I deserved all of them), (If you whip your kids butt today they call it “child abuse”)   If I EVER thought to tell the Farmer off, uhm….well let’s just say I would have gotten my little butt beat with the belt and I would have deserved it.

People used to be polite.  I’ve noticed that today, not so much.  There are a few that still are old school, but not a lot.  I’m kinda wondering where all of the “old school” MANORS, RESPECT, and just general pleasantries have gone.

I guess, my point is this, Where have all the family values, niceness  and telling someone to have a good day, to smiling at a stranger gone?  Or, saying yes ma’am, or no sir, to opening the door for a lady, or saying excuse me or any of those “Old school manors” gone?

My Grandmother used to tell me that if you didn’t have anything good to say about a person, don’t say anything, and also don’t gossip or spread rumors, because rumors did not do anyone any good.

It’s taken me nearly 30 years to realize she was right (and kids I’m 50).  Her best advice to me was something I will never forget.  “Always treat someone else like you would want to be treated”.  I can honestly say, I have not always followed this advice, but as I get older it sure as heck makes alot of sense, and now I  do this.

People these days are so mean to one another and it really makes me sad. In the past few days I’ve seen friends on Facebook attack each other for their beliefs and get into “heated” arguements and tear a person down for what they believe in and that makes me sad as well.  Because, while we are all different, why do we attack people to the extent that it makes a person feel pain?

There’s something wrong with that picture, and I don’t understand it.  Call me niave or stupid, but I don’t understand it.  If I choose to believe something and it is my personal opinion, then if you don’t agree with it, state that and leave it alone, don’t attack a person because they don’t believe what you do.  We all have the right to disagree, but to we do not have the right to verbally attack someone with different beliefs as ourselves.

Ok, I think I may have gotten my point across, and I won’t beat it into you, If, I have offended anyone with this post.  Well….I don’t know what to tell you, THIS is how I feel and it was YOUR choice to read it.

But, I do appreciate the fact that you’ve read it. And…Ya’ll have a great day or night!

 These are the next two, it became a game for me to come back into the cabin early evening to see what was next.  We even compared with the Electrician’s parents to see which one’s they got compared to ours.  They always had a different one from us.

I have to say though, they sell a book on how to make these dudes.  I didn’t buy it, but I did attend a class they provided on how to make them.  It was really cool. The Electrician‘s Momma and I and Sis-in-law attended, (with the Electrician looking on), so we could figure it out.

I must say though that the Monkey is by far my favorite.  He was hanging on the lights that went around our cabin and he was right in front of the entrance to our balcony.  I REALLY liked him.  I high-fived him when I went to go sit on our balcony.  He was there the door, and I put him into my jungle.  I saved all these dudes until B.J. took them away from us on the last night.

The last one that B.J. left us with was the same left to all that were on our cruise.  It was ok, but I had more fun collecting these dudes for my little “jungle” on the dresser.  unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of all of them together.  BUT, call me silly, this was one of the highlights for me on the Cruise, to see what animal I would get next from the Steward B.J. who was from Thailand and was very nice to us and did his best to make our room perfect for our cruise.

Uhm…I have to confess though, I scooped up the Chocolates that were left for us every night, and the Electrician and I have been enjoying them since we have been home.  We eat one and remember…..This is something that rates right up their folks.

Today was a crazy day so to speak.  I got up at o’ dark thirty to go grab Cam-Man and bring him back to my house, but when I got to the Nursing Student‘s home, she quickly told me “Sssh…he’s still sleeping and he had a bad night.”,  me “Uhm okay whats up?”  “He started throwing up at midnight and threw up a couple of times after that, but I don’t understand all’s he threw up were french fries“.  Uhm, okay I have to admit that Camsgranny hung her head a little low, but in my defense, I stated “Poppa and I took him to McDonald’s for lunch he ate all his lunch , maybe the excitement was to much for him, he ate ALL of his happy meal of chicken nuggets and french fries and his apple slices”.  The Nursing student looked at me and giggled, and stated, “Maybe it was too much grease for his little belly, don’t feel bad ok?” 

So I stayed at her house this morning, and when Cam-Man woke up, I gave him dry cereal and some tea to sooth his belly.  Little dude acted fine, he played and we snuggled.  We watched a little t.v. and read a couple of books, and then he looked at me and did this:

He puts his fingers to his lips and goes “Hmmmm”, now mind you Poppa and I have added to this and this lil kid has picked it up, (It makes his Momma giggle), When he does this and goes “Hmmm”, Poppa and I both do it and then say..”I got nothin”, this morning he looked at me and went “Hmmm, I gots nuthin” and then smiled.

I giggled and then when the Nursing Student came home he did it to her and she just laughed.  He’s so stinking cute.  I was getting ready to go when his Momma told him to give G’ma some loving and he came over and hugged me, and I picked him up and he FINALLY told me “I WUB you”.

Grandbabies….how they melt your heart.

Now on the other hand while this lil dude had hostile projectiles, Momma had a problem of the “other” sort.  Her hostile projectile came out of her other end, so it’s been a day of both ends of different people, screaming hello.  Due to the Farmer’s feelings and also the Electrician telling me I was gross and there are SOME things that should not go into a blog I will leave it at that.

The Electrician got quite a few things accomplished today, in case I haven’t mentioned it, he is currently laid off of work, and is starting to complete that 4 page “Honey do” List.

My bedroom is in the middle of an “over-haul” as in new paint, and moving furniture around.  Have you ever really looked at your walls after oh…uhm…let’s say 14 years of not being painted and nothing changing?  Yea, me neither, it was kinda yucky.  The ceiling got a nice shiny fresh coat of paint today and as soon as I make up my mind what color I want the walls to be, they will have a nice fresh coat of paint on them too, then I will figure out where I want the furniture and the Electrician will move it (hehehe, I will help of course). 

This is one of the last rooms that we are doing, because the Electrician and I (and I use that term loosely, shall we say the Electrician) has painted all of the upstairs, and the rooms, and the landing, and the family room.  So, the bedroom and the downstairs bathroom are the only rooms left.

I seriously HATE to paint.  When we first moved into this house (again 14 years ago), I actually LET the kids play Hookey from school and help me paint it.  Then I got a wild hair when the kids moved out and I decided I would paint one of the bedrooms upstairs.  The Electrician let me do it (in my own time mind you), well…let’s just say about 8 months later I finally finished.   So, I am really appreciating his hard work, and also he is a VERY good painter.

Boy, what a post, from hostile projectiles to painting…yea, my mind is a little all over the place tonite, not sure why but thanks for listening.

I think I will set the alarm clock a little early and take some pictures of a sunrise…Ya’ll have a Good night! or a Good Day! depending on when you read this !..:)

I have always LOVED sunrises and sunsets, from a very early age.  Sunrises, because it’s the promise of a new day, and Sunset’s because it’s time to reflect upon your day and take the Blessings and leave behind the bad.

Here are a couple of new one’s that we have added to our collection:

. 

This was a beautiful sunset, The Electrician and I were sitting on the balcony and just enjoying the view, listening to the waves hit the ship.  Very relaxing.

There was something about being on the ship that was very relaxing, in a way that living in the house and day-to-day living isn’t.  I guess, because it was a vacation in every sense of the word.  No responsibilities, and doing whatever we wanted with no obligations.  Just enjoying each other’s company.

This next one rates as my favorite, I’ll explain why in a minute…

To me looking at this picture, I see the Heaven’s above shining down on us below, The sun had just gone behind the clouds and was getting ready to go to sleep for the night, and I could imagine in my head all of my Loved one’s up in Heaven telling me goodnight.

I enjoy these sights and enjoy getting up early to see the Sunrise, and enjoy reflecting on the Sunset, letting go of the bad parts of a day and looking forward to a new one.