Monday, April 30, 2018

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 30, 2018







It has been awhile!  The last blog post I wrote was March 26th for the Random Journal Day Reunion!  The last "Daybook" I posted was February 12th!!

Oh, where oh where have I been?

Here and there and everywhere?  Well, not really...keep reading and I may reveal a little of what has been going on.  Nothing major!  Just LIFE!


For Today
April 30, 2018

Looking out my window:  A slight breeze blowing through the trees where the birds are sitting on branches and chirping away!  The sun is shining and the temps are quickly heading up to the 80's!  Spring is definitely here; with Summer right behind!

I am thinking:  I must really need to write!  My Facebook comments have become mini posts, of sorts!  And, I keep getting these ideas in my head of things I must write...but I don't!

I am thankful:  Here is where I share a little of what has been happening!  Since the first of the year, my husband and I have had several doctor's appointments and tests and whatever the insurance company and the doctors think are necessary for "preventive maintenance".  I am not a car!  But, we must maintain our health...especially if we are a caregiver.

So, with a couple of appointments and tests behind me, I looked ahead to "the appointment" when the doctor would share the results...oh my, did my mind wander!!  And, though I knew it would not do me any good, I looked up the symptoms and tests on the computer to see what it could be!!

Thankfully, all is well!  And life goes on...and, perhaps now I can blog about things again, instead of just writing in my journal, which I do almost every day!

One of my favorite things:  Well, if you've read any of my SWD posts, you may have an idea...

Yes!  My family, and especially the grandkids are my favorite "things"!!  And, what I really love are the times we are together!!



I could expand, but it would take an entire blog post to catch up on the wonderful times we have spent together...like celebrating birthdays, going to the park, watching a 3-year old's dance recital, or even babysitting.  But, one of my favorites is always spending time with Family!

I am creating:  Always!  Even when not writing, I am writing in my head!  Even when not creating, I am creating in my head!  But, this past weekend I did create...

Photo by B. London
Three Projects Completed

And, now I am writing!!  Today is a good day...

I am wearing:  A pair of gray pj's with little blue flowers and a dark gray t-shirt; with gray striped socks...just chillin' at almost 11 am!!

I am reading/watching:  Just finished reading a book I picked up at Dollar Tree, "A Fifty-Year Silence - Love, War, and a Ruined House in France" by Miranda Richmond Mouillot.  This is the story of two survivors of the Holocaust as told by their granddaughter who spent time going through records and letters and whatever she could find to put their story together.

And, I have been following American Idol.  Down to only SEVEN and lost four really good singers last night.  Who will go next?

I am hoping:  Hope! There is that word!  My "word for 2017" that I never seemed to get anywhere with writing the words I felt.  My "word for 2016" was Joy.  I even tried to combine the two.

Here I am in 2018 and I decided to continue those two words; and quickly realized...I just need to write about what comes to me; what inspires me.

That has also failed, because words have failed me!  But, here I am...I am BACK!  I am attempting to share again the words that are in my head, and in my heart!

I am learning:  Oh my!!  I have learned/am learning so much about this caregiving journey.  So much about this "disease" that the doctors won't even diagnose.  It is so hard to determine; but tests do reveal it could be Alzheimer's disease.  And watching as my husband's memory and cognitive functions get worse and worse?  I can only think, it is!  It IS Alzheimer's disease!

Yet...I knew this, deep in my soul, I knew it was even before the doctor said..."the MRI shows..."  No, I didn't need to hear the words to know!

But, I am learning the triggers that set him off; and learning to deal with the outbursts when I can't figure out what the trigger is!  I AM learning!

In my kitchen:  Well, it is clean.  Counters wiped down; floor swept.  I haven't mopped the floor yet because my bucket had disappeared.  I was looking for my blue bucket!  Looked all over the apartment!  Hubby found my black bucket in the back of his car where he put it after washing off the car!  Oh, well!!

Dinner is in the crockpot, in the fridge.  From a couple of nights ago.  The leftovers will be for tonight!

Laundry is...oh, no!!  I need to switch it over to the dryer and put the next load in...

Post Script:  This just came up in my Facebook memories from five years ago...will try to post the link, but here is the picture:
Image may contain: ocean, outdoor, water and nature


And, here is her story:

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.
This is her story of giving gratitude.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her…. a very dangerous proposition.
One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.
They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
May you be so fortunate …
To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.
And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.
SHARE to let everyone know about this story!!

Shared quote:  Those last two sentences bear repeating and highlighting; and I will share as my quote today:
"May you be fortunate enough...
To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.  And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude!"

A moment from my day:  Just take a look at this picture...
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And make sure you give yourself permission to rest...when you need it or even when you don't!