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We went to the doctors for a check up from the hospital for Mom this morning. She is doing alright. They took some blood to check for infection and dehydration and if there is a problem, they will call, otherwise, no news is good news from that end. I don't expect any problems, she is doing quite well. In fact, right now, she is taking a wee nap in the living room. I don't put her upstairs because she is comfortable in the living room and I don't want her to do the stairs too many times a day unnecessarily. I also take my wee naps in the living room as the furniture is rather comfy. I have one student today. Hm, I just realized that I had placed an order with Pepper music and I haven't gotten it yet. I will have to call and find out what happened. This is strange as they always send stuff right away. I don't need the music this week, but I will next week or the week after as Charlie is almost done with the book and we will need the new one. I will find out shortly what happened to my order.

Just checked, somehow they listed it as a "quote" order, whatever that means. I fixed it, they are sending me the music. I need those books! Well, it has been straightened out and they are shipping it out so I will get it soon.

Acer had his first lesson yesterday. He is quite a musically talented young man. At 5, yes, I said, 5 years old, he can plunk out on the piano any melody he hears. The challenge for the young gentleman will be using the proper fingering. He and his sister are so musically talented it is unbelievable. I love all my students and each one of them is gifted in some way, whether it be with sight reading, enthusiasm, or some other way, Acer's is definitely is by ear which will, in the end, serve him quite well. Frank plays rather well by ear now too as he has figured out some songs on the radio and can play them. I just love teaching. Mom sits in on every lesson and seems to like the music they play, even the exercises. She, usually, sits quietly and listens, although there are the times when I have to remind her to be quiet and listen. Fortunately, that isn't too often. She is a quiet person most of the time and usually only talks to me these days. She did talk to Wendy at tea a bit today which was good.

We met with my friend, Wendy, at a different Tim Horton's (it's closer to Wendy's house) for tea after the doctors. It was quite fun. I enjoy visiting with her and hearing about what is going on in her and her children's life. Today, they were with Grandma and Grandpa going to a movie. That will be fun for them. We visited for just over an hour when we both had to go. Mom was getting tired and Wendy had to get some things done before children get home but it was a nice visit.

Today has been a rather nice day. It is beautiful out, not too hot, not too cold, and a nice cool breeze. The sun is shining and Mom is having a good day. I don't know if she would be up for a trip to the store though. I need to go as she is almost out of ensure and I am almost out of Tylenol PM and pop so that it is a necessary trip. I called our neighbor to see if she could stay for a brief period. I left a message so if she can't that is okay, Mom and I will figure something out together. Maybe Mom will want to go with me. I don't know. She is walking better. The pop I can live without but not the ensures and the Tylenol PM. Those things we will definitely need by the end of the week. Somehow it will all work out. It always does! It isn't time for a big shopping so that is good, just a couple of things. I think I need to get a membership to Cosco or Sam's club as they have bigger supplies of the ensure that we need and it would be nice if I could get a month's supply at a time when I do the big shopping. We also are going to need TP. I am getting this shopping every month thing down pat in some ways and other ways, not so good. I clear out the supply of Ensure whenever we go to the store but it never is enough for the month, usually good for a week and a half. Oh well, I will worry about it later. We still have enough for today and tomorrow then I will have to worry.

I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying a beautiful day!

Yesterday was a busy day. We got up at our usual time, fortunately, I didn't have a big headache, just the regular one. Off we went to my Uncle's house. We stopped at Tim Horton's on the way for brunch as we hadn't eaten yet that day. We got to my uncle's around 2 pm at the same time as Tillie and Andrew! It was really funny. So while I helped Mom in Andrew took my stuff in. Mom was tired yesterday so I think that was why she had trouble walking at times. It was really bad when we left. Michelle carried her most of the way to the car and carried her into the car seat. It worked. When we got home, Mom's friend, Jose was waiting for us. He helped Mom in the house so that was good. He stayed for about an hour and then Mom and I went to bed right after he left. We were both pretty tired.

We got up a little earlier than usual because I thought the home health care aide, Angela, would be here at noon so we also did a drive through instead of eating inside. She is running a bit behind today. It doesn't really matter today because nobody else but students will be here. Once Mom is finished with her bath, I am putting her in the living room for a nap. We both are a bit tired now. We had a big week this past week. This week will be less busy. Mom keeps wanting to get out of her chair. I don't know where she wants to go, but hey, if she wants to walk around she certainly can.

Yesterday was a good day mostly. Only a little bit of criticism, not a lot like before. I was glad of that. I really couldn't have handled more. Michelle trimmed Mom's nails for me, which was really nice of her to do. Trying to keep them clean is difficult because Mom won't let me soak her hands, she just can't handle it so they are a bit dirty. Doesn't bother me because I know there isn't too much I can do about it. I am doing the best that I can. Mom did pretty well going up the stairs last night.

I am really not wanting to move Mom down in the living room because she needs the exercise going up the stairs. It is good for her at this point. Yes, at some time it will be not good for her, but right now she can do it even if it is hard for both of us. Her muscles are getting stronger with the exercises that we do so she doesn't always have a hard time, only when she is really tired. On those nights we go up earlier before she gets that tired. The physical therapist also doesn't want Mom downstairs either, she says she needs to exercise of going upstairs so I am keeping her close to me. Besides, if she is downstairs there are plenty of opportunity for her to leave the house without me knowing. She could get lost and lots of things could happen to her, like she could leave in the middle of night in the middle of winter without a coat and die. It happened to 2 families this past winter near by. I don't have gates big enough to block her it, they just don't make them that big. I have to look at the big picture here. I can't have her downstairs because of this issue, safety for her. We are doing alright going up at night time and coming down in the morning has been a breeze most of the time for her.

Mom is still finishing her milk from this morning. The downside to eating at home instead of the restaurant is that Mom never finishes her food here at home. It is really annoying, but true so I don't like to eat at home for brunch because I want her to finish her meal She ate 1/2 of her muffin and is still working on the 8 oz of milk. I hope she finishes it before Angela arrives, if not I am putting it into the fridge because it is time to work on getting 3 or 4 ensures down her today. That is my goal. I want her to finish that many because she is starting a new sore and we know that the protein will heal it fast. She ate pretty good the last couple days so I hope to continue this pattern.

I am finishing up the new book club book. It is a good one and I have picked the new one for next time to read. It was such a good book and it has a guide for book clubs in the back. How cool is that?

Much nicer weather out today. It has cooled off and the humidity is low so that is really good and I hope it stays that way for a while. I don't want another week of headaches. Saturdays was a big one. I hope this finds you doing well.

Saturday

I have the biggest headache I have had in a long time. It better go away soon because I am not happy about it. Not that anyone would be happy about a big headache.

We had lunch at Laura's! Despite the headache from this stupid hot and humid weather and we had a blast. I haven't seen her in so long that it was really nice to see her and catch up. Mom is still sleeping in the living room from the luncheon. She made us a really yummy pasta salad and homemade blueberry coffee cake that was so good! She gave us 4 pieces to take home and eat. They won't last too long around here! Mom and I will definitely polish them off.

We had such a good week with being busy again! Tomorrow is off to my uncle's. I have some stuff I have to wash to give back to Michelle, but other than that, we don't have anything to bring. One of these trips I am going to make a cake and bring it. I have to get a new cake plate and cover first though, mine went when the kitchen was being downsized. Somethings should have stayed though. Oh well, I will get a new one and that will be fine.

I have to do some grocery shopping this week because we are running out of important things like pop and blue berries! I think Mom can go for those two things. I have ordered her some of the stuff we usually have to run out to get, but now we will get them in the mail so that is better and shipping was $2 which is about what I would spend in gas to get the stuff.

We have a slightly crazy schedule next week. Monday and Thursday will be Mom's bath. Wednesday and Friday will be the nurse and the physical therapy. I have lessons on Monday and Tuesday this week and 1 on Saturday. I truly can't wait until fall for more lessons. I have emailed a couple of students to find out their plans for fall and their schedule. I just called one former student to see if I can get my 2 books I need back. That would be nice and I really need them. That is the hard part of lessons, when students quit and my music goes with them.

I hope the rest of your evening is going well. I have to go and lay down some more, my head is just too bad today.

Mom is getting a shower. We have a home health care aide here to help Mom. It is such a relief to have some help. She is very nervous and I am downstairs out of the way. The nurse is one her way too, so we may have some overlapping in time. Oh well, can't help that. Mom will look awfully spiffy when she is done. I picked out a cute t-shirt for her and she is wearing her new maroon hoodie. I just love her in hoodies. She looks so cute. I can hear her crying because she is nervous but I know she will be fine in a bit.

The nurse has arrived too. Oh my! Our house is getting crowded and the Physical Therapist is on her way.

We had all 3 people at the same time today. Not too much overlapping. The nurse checked Mom before Angela dressed her so that was good for Evelyn and Mom. Lori arrived right when Evelyn and Angela were finishing up. I now have Mom's schedule. Angela is going to come Mondays and Thursdays around noon time. Evelyn is coming the same days as Lori, Wednesdays and Fridays. That leaves Tuesdays open for sewing with the girls so far. Let's hope it works for them too. I am not sure about their schedule, but I will find out. Ugh, as much as I want help, scheduling can be a bit of a problem. Mom is so wiped out from the bath that she is taking a nap. I don't usually like her taking a nap at 5:30 pm but she was falling asleep in her chair and that is not good so I had no choice. With Angela coming at around noon time now, she will have her regular nap time after her shower or bath. Mom smells so nice with the freshness of the bath. We both have fresh heads too. I did my hair after she got her hair and bath done. Mom was afraid of the water coming down on her so Angela did it from the bath tub and used a cup to rinse her head. She should get used to it very soon.

I am tired today too. I took a nap this afternoon. I have been taking naps more often right now, I don't know why, but I am more tired these days than usual. I think the heat and humidity has made me ache more which makes me more tired.

I had to take another pain pill today because of the pain in the head. It is supposed to cool down this weekend and next week so I should get some relief. Thank goodness for that.

We have a busy weekend ahead. I am excited about that. We are going to Laura's for lunch tomorrow and to my Uncle John's for dinner on Sunday. Very busy, rather exciting. Not much time for naps though, but if Mom gets tired, she can sit on Laura's and Uncle John's couches and take a nap so can I if necessary at my Uncle's house. I also have 1 lesson at noon tomorrow. How exciting is that? I haven't seen Laura in a long time so catching up with her will be a lot of fun. We saw my Uncle a few weeks ago. I am not sure if Andrew will be there, but Nicole and her children may be so that will be cool.

I hope this finds you doing well and staying cool. It has been a really hot summer so far. I need some relief.

We had a good day. I will write about it tomorrow as my wrist is really sore and now so is my head. I hope you had a good day too!

We just came back from Mom's Neurologist appointment. She was shocked at how thin Mom was. I explained what has happened since we last saw her and she was surprised. She would like to know when Mom goes into the hospital. I will call her and keep her updated if there is a next time. As for the crying and anxiousness, she has add Lorazapan again, this time with the heriparodol. (however you spell them) She use them as needed so probably every morning she will need it until she calms down and then probably as she needs them. I feel so bad for her, she wakes up to tears and goes to sleep to tears. Well, hopefully this will help the little Mom. We are having a good day so far, she has only cried a bit and once in the doctor's office. I have to have her gain at least 10 pounds so that she is up to close to 100 pounds. It is actually 13 because she weighs 87 pounds right now.

We will have a home care worker for several weeks this time. I was smart and did not turn this help down. Her name is Angela and she is the daughter of the previous nurse, Sherri. We really liked Sherri but she is going on vacation so no new patients for her. I will keep her number though for the future reference. Angela is coming on Friday to give Mom a shower and do her hair. I am excited for this. She knows we have a shower chair and that we have a regular shower head and not a hand held. We have tried to change it, but we need a plumber because of the type ours is. Something doesn't come out when it should type thing. I can't afford a plumber right now, so it isn't going to get done at this point. Maybe in the future. We shall see.

I took a good nap today. I had some really weird dreams though. Not that that is unusual, I have often have weird dreams in the afternoon. Mom slept a bit too, not sure how much since I was asleep. She just stayed in her chair while I rested and then we went to the doctor's. Tomorrow is a big day and I am so excited for it. First up is the blood test, okay, I am not excited about that. But then, we are meeting Mike for lunch! We haven't seen him in 2 years so how cool is that? Then Zachary has a lesson and lastly we head for Heather B-T's for knitting. I love busy days like this. Somewhere in here I have to fill a prescription for Mom's new medicine. I will fit it in somehow. I figure we will drop it off in the morning and pick it up in the evening or drop it off this evening. That will work perfectly. Tomorrow will be the 2nd time in a week that I will be going to Max and Erma's! Tillie and I went there on Sunday. I hadn't been there in 2 years and now I am going 2 times in one week. Go figure!

It is really hot out right now. I hate this kind of weather. It is really bad, super hot and muggy. It looks like it is going to downpour soon. Probably will. I hope this finds you doing well and staying cool! It sure has been a hot summer so far! My head is pounding from all this humidity and mugginess. I am used to it to some degree, but still, it is a drag to have a pounding headache instead of just an ordinary headache during the day.

We are both rather tired today. The stress of the weekend, I think has added up. I put Mom in the living room at 3 pm and she is still sleeping 2 1/2 hours later. She is so exhausted. I will wake her up when the nurse gets here. It isn't the same nurse. Darn, I am sure I will like this one, but I really liked Sherri. I am sure Mom will like the new one too. No big deal, really. I am just surprised we are getting home care again, but hey! If it will help the little person feel better, then I am all for it. I have to pick up her antibiotics tonight before 8 pm somehow. I am not so sure I should have Mom go with me again, but we will see how she feels. Maybe someone can run here and stay for a bit with her or maybe she will be up to going. We are only picking up medicines and that is it. No shopping at all. I would rather do it tonight than tomorrow because she hasn't had an antibiotic at all today and that is not good. We don't need the infection coming back again. She doesn't need another visit to the hospital. I am glad this one was short. I got her some Cranberry juice to drink because Bob said it helps keeps those infections away. He was told to drink it from his doctor when he had two infections like Mom so I got some today for Mom. I also got more hangers because we didn't have enough to hang all my clothes.

For the first time in 2 years, all of my clothes, except what I am wearing, are clean. Yup, all of them. Calli brought them all down before her camp and Maia and Tillie washed them while I was teaching and getting Mom yesterday. I have one small pile to hang and a few to carry up, but that it is. They are all finished! I am so happy about that. I can see what I have and what I want to keep and get rid of. Very little will go since I purged 2 years ago and the only clothes that are left are the ones I want and fit.

I plan on Mom and I relaxing tonight after I figure out the picking up the medicine problem. We had lunch with Georgette and that was so fun. We haven't seen her in a month! She had a good time up north most of last month. We talked about competition, lessons, Mary Kay, and all sorts of good things. I can't believe it is almost time to think of competition! Wow, summer has gone fast in some places and dragged in other places. I am glad it is almost over because we haven't had a really good summer with the little Mom getting sick a few times and being in the hospital. I hope the rest of the summer is good for her. We have a nice and busy week ahead of us. I am really glad about that. I like it when we are busy!

It is hot and humid out. Just plain yucky! It isn't suppose to improve until the weekend. Ugh, so I anticipate a painful week. i hope yours is better!

Mom is home! She is very exhausted (more than normal) and kind of ornery. It was actually kind of funny but she threatened to kick my butt (use the a word instead - which she never ever uses) and you get the picture because Tillie and I were trying to get her up the stairs. I don't look forward to the stairs tonight. Tillie goes home tomorrow morning at around 8:30. I will still be sleeping and hopefully Mom will be too. I am keeping her up a bit because I want her to sleep really well and long! Tillie put up another railing for the upstairs so we have a railing on each side of the stairs now. I hope it helps us get Mom up the stairs tonight. I dread that but we will get it done.

It has been a decent day despite 2 lessons missing. Frank is back from camp but needs a week to practice and Aggie forgot about it. Calli is back and she had a great time at camp. She really enjoyed it. It rained a lot at camping with the family so they came home a bit early. She is at day camp this week. I love hearing about kids and their camps. I loved camp as a child and I want every child who goes to camp to have a good time too.

Tomorrow I am meeting Georgette for lunch and I am really excited about it. I haven't seen her in a month and it will be fun. I do have one student at 4:30 but we will back long before the lesson. I have to get Mom back on her schedule tomorrow. I figure by Thursday or Wednesday she will be back on schedule.

I am in a bit of pain tonight, partly because of stress and partly because of weather. It looks like it is going to storm tonight. I hope I sleep through it. I hope this finds you doing well.

Mom is ill again. She has another urinary tract infection and is slightly dehydrated. She also does NOT have a pressure sore on her bottom. It is a scab from the old. So one good thing there. She will be in the hospital for a few days, poor thing. She was doing alright when I saw her earlier in the day. When she started falling asleep, I came home and napped too. I am so tired because I didn't get much sleep last night. I took her to ER after she was not seeming herself at about 9 pm. I got home around 1 am and I was up by 9 am because I thought I was just going to pick her up from the ER. Wrong! No, when they say she is staying overnight, they mean in the hospital, not in the ER. I didn't know that. I asked the nurse how long would she be there and she said at least a couple of days if not a few more to get rid of the infection. I wonder how long Mom has had this as she didn't act like herself on Friday either so I am thinking she had it a few days ago too plus she had on and off tummy aches this week. I thought it was just constipation, but maybe it was the infection. It is so hard to know these details. But anyway, she is being taken care of and that is what counts. I am going to see her again this afternoon. The one thing I won't do is after all this put her in a nursing home to regain strength. Been there, done that, not happening again. Anything she needs will come to the house where she is comfortable and happy. I am so not going that route right now again. If it becomes necessary in the future, well, that is then and I will worry about it then.

I am in a lot of pain because I walked all over the hospital getting to Mom's room because I thought she was in emergency. Next time I will get a scooter and ride to Mom's room. I am not sure how to get there because I went to and from her room rather strangely so I would be near the ER where my car was. My legs and hips are really sore. I had to take another pain pill. I hope it feels better soon because it is pretty bad right now. I am heading out to see her again shortly. I do have to change schedule of one luncheon this week because, I think, that may be the day Mom comes home. We shall see. We are going to lunch with friends 2 times this week! I am excited about that.

It is getting hot out again, but my pain is from stress and the extra walking. I know better now, if she is staying overnight, she is not in the ER! I hope your day is going well!

I just woke up from a nap. There was the coolest article that Barb found posted on face book. Here is the link. You just got to read it.

You Know You Have Fibro If… | Cranky Fibro Girl
www.jennyryan.com

It is so true and funny at the same time. I laughed pretty hard when I read it. I love the one about the shower. I have a chair in my shower/bathtub because I can't stand long enough to take one. I was exhausted (even though I got up at noon) that at about 2:30 I went and took a nap. Mom was still sleeping when I woke up. I was having wild dreams that seem so real that I woke and saw that I was fine and home. Strange how dreams work.

Not much going on today. Monday is our busiest day and the day that I love the most. Thursdays, and Tuesdays are the next busiest. The rest are just boring unless we have plans for things to do. Fridays will be busy again starting next week and then every other week which will be good. Saturdays should pick up a bit in the fall with at least 1 lesson. I am looking forward to fall so much because this week is going to be hot and humid again and that just makes me ache. Not that it takes much to make me ache, but super hot and humid does.

I read all my blogs that I follow and today is pink Saturday. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will start doing a pink Saturday too as I love the color pink. I also will be getting a memory card for my (pink!!!) camera this week so I can take pictures of my violins and violas. I think tonight we are going to Joann's to get some boxes so I can start painting again. I love painting. I also want to paint a couple of signs for our bedrooms. They are fun to do. It is almost time for dinner and I don't know what to make me. I thought cooking for 2 was boring, well, I was wrong, cooking for 1 is worse because Mom only eats a chicken breast for dinner now and it takes her about an hour to eat the whole thing. I don't know, I don't get it either, she just doesn't feel hunger like the rest of us do. It is a weird thing but she will eat it and she needs the protein.

I found a new sore on her tailbone, it is very tiny, yet there. I almost cried. I forgot to cream her one morning this week and it arrived in the evening. Talk about fast! Anyways, I have been pouring the ensure plus down her and making her eat her chicken since we know that will heal it. I am not too worried about it because I am doing everything I can with it. It is a bit swollen near there but no breakouts. I don't know why it is swelling underneath but since there is no breakouts I can only wonder. No, I don't want a breakout to find out why it is swelling either. That would be awful for the little Mom, she would just be in pain from that. I have a new cushion for her to sit on. I don't know if she likes it or not because she doesn't comment much. She hasn't complained about it yet, so I think it passes the muster for her.

I think maybe tomorrow we will go and see a movie. It is a possibility if we don't fall asleep instead which is what has happened the last few times we were going to go. I don't worry or get upset if we don't see it in the movie theaters. Mom has such little time left that I have plenty of time to go after. I can always buy the movie on DVD and watch it here at home with her. The last time we did go, she fell asleep and that kind of bothers me because she is missing the movie then. I do need to order the Disney's Oceans movie. We want to see that one. We just got the Percy Jackson movie as I loved the books. I read them last year. I borrowed them from one of my students brothers. It was very cool and interesting. I need to see that first and then I am going to loan it to the Muglia girls so they can see it. They wanted to see it in the movies but never got the chance to, too busy.

Anyways, it is absolutely beautiful out right now. No heat, no humidity, no rain, just sun and cool breezes! Our air conditioner hasn't even kicked in for the day! Talk about nice!!!! I hope this finds you doing well!