Morning all! A quick hello...

Avatar for auntjo
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Morning all! A quick hello...
18
Sun, 06-08-2003 - 1:10pm
For the Las Vegas ladies - yes I too would like pics...

Got outside in the early morning before it hit 106 day before yesterday & mowed down the front lawn. Took both boys over to Barstow (in Southern California high desert) yesterday to visit their best buds over there - S16 for a grad party & overnite, & S13 for about a week before they head back over here - so til tonite I'm kidless, tho DH headed out to work about an hour after I made it home. But I actually sat back, picked up a book I started last summer & read for a couple hours (what a novel thought!!) DH mowed the backyards while I was putting the 1000th mile on my new Chevy Tahoe - but it was so nice to turn the key - have the car start, drive without having to be overly alert to off-the-wall transmission whines & an occasional heaving, halting engine, & feel secure that I could drive out of town & know I'd be able to make it home w/o any major problems. Now to pay for the thing!?!?

MIL is getting really weak - I think after tomorrow we will try to figure out a way to not have to lift her at all - Hospice nurse will be back in by Tuesday if not before. I really can't if she's not able to help me at all, just too small myself & don't have that kind of strength plus got my own set of back problems don't want to aggravate aside from not wanting to hurt her. Even DH is having his share of problems hoisting her up to get her on the bedside commode & he's a big strong guy.

Think I'll actually start working on one of my quilt projects today & been trying to keep up w/cleaning one room a day now that I got a relatively thorough job done before the houseful of company & graduation happenings. Maybe w/a summer break from working & classes I can keep up w/it all for awhile even w/the houseful of 13-15yo boys that are constantly coming thru. It's certainly too hot to be outside here. I'm not looking forward to my electric bill this month, I've been keeping the thermostat set at 84 as usual, but instead of turning it off every nite I've been leaving it on & the A/C still runs quite a bit.

Take care all & hugs all around. As I told the ladies in Vegas I don't post much right now as MIL is now in the room that my 'puter is in so I'm not spending as much time on it - tho trying to read posts at least once a day to keep up.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 06-08-2003 - 1:31pm
HI Jo it was so good to meet you in Vegas. I will be sending prayers that your mil doesn't suffer long.

Take good care and try to stay cool. Congrats on the new car!!

Hugs

Mary

                          &n
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 06-08-2003 - 4:11pm
I can't even imagine temperatures in the hundreds. Your air conditioner must really work overtime. Sorry to hear that things are deteriorating with your MIL. I'm so glad we were able to get my dad to go into a nursing home so we wouldn't have to deal with all of that. The only way they can get him out of bed and into a chair is with a lift. It's so depressing to him to not be able to be out and about like he'd like to be.

Take care...... kaci

Community Leader
Registered: 11-20-2001
Sun, 06-08-2003 - 4:47pm
((((Jo))))...You are such a wonderful lady to take care of dmil the way that you do. It sounds like it's getting to be way too much though. Have you thought about the next step? Is putting her in a care facility an option? I know you don't want to do this, but if she can't do anything for herself, that is hard on all of you. So nice to meet you in Vegas, it was sweet of you to take the time to come visit. Big Hugs, Gabby

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 06-08-2003 - 11:32pm
Jo sure wish I had met you in Vegas, how did you slip in and I didn't know it?? Darn! Well, next time.

I SO understand what you're going through with your MIL. We did the same with my mom for a very short while, but her leg amputation put the kabosh on it. Couldn't handle her any more. It's so very hard to watch them fail. My thoughts and good vibes go out to you and your dh.

Have a good week! Hugs, Pam

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 06-09-2003 - 3:46am
Jo, it's so hard to take care of people when they are too weak to help. My dad got that wya. He was a pretty heavy fellow, especially for being as skinny as he was. I found that if he could put his arms around my neck, I could lift him up pretty easily by grabbing the blet loops on his pants. Somehow just having his arms up there gave me just enough leverage. They do make a belt that people can wear that is designed for others to take hold of when they need to lift them. Good luck with that. It's not an easy job.

I just love that "keeping the house at 84". When my house hits 64, I'm flat eagled out on the bed with a cold cloth on my forehead (and any other bare skin I can reach).

I have some pictures to send but have to figure out how to do it right first.

Enjoy that Tahoe!

Kat

Avatar for capwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 06-09-2003 - 9:47am
Hi Jo! What a treat it was to meet you. You jumped right in there with the group for a short time and it was great. Blessings to dmil...you are so sweet and loving to be there for her.

We had hot temps last week...in the 90s. Way down this week, we may even get into the 70s! We will wnjoy it while we can.

So happy for you that you no longer have those car concerns. That is so stressful. Take care. Hugs, Cappy

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Avatar for momsquietzoo
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 06-09-2003 - 1:36pm
Jo, I'm so sorry that your MIL is failing--that's rough on the whole family as well as her. Is a total care facility an option? It's a very hard decision to make, I know. But for her peace and care and your sanity, it might be a way to go.

I know about all those boys rocketing thru your house too--have that with dd14 and ds17. We have many thru since both are friendly with lots of people! Try to stay cool and relax a bit for yourself. Hugs, Kathie

anonymous
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 06-09-2003 - 8:53pm
Jo, when my mom was totally bed ridden and unable to move the hospital sent a lift I could use. It looks terrible and I only used it when I had to change sheets but man did it save my back. I forget the exact name of it but ask. I am sure they will know what it is. It has braod straps that fit under her body to raise her and it works on a crank. Another idea the nurse taught me was to move her when she slides down in the bed is to grab the sheets at the head of the bed tightly and pull. Its amazing how well it worked. Wishing you the best. Trust me Sis I've been there. Love, Bernie
Hugs, Bernie
Avatar for cl_campmum_of3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-10-2003 - 4:03pm
Jo it was so great to meet you in person!

I am so very sorry to hear about your mil, I bet it is hard on you to move her,

my sister inlaw was a nurse in the seniors hospital and she had to quit because of all the lifting it hurt her back too much!

I hope that they can get you a mechanical lift or something that would make things easier.

Wow I bet that felt like quite a treat to be able to sit and read for a while, hope that you enjoyed the book!

Well have a great week and again was so great to get to meet you!

Hugs, Lor

     

 

          

Avatar for auntjo
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-11-2003 - 2:10pm
Thanks for the good thoughts.

DH actually made a spot in his shop building to park the new Tahoe inside & has got the specs for putting up one of those permanent hard covered parking awnings for the long term. Last time we parked a car in a garage was the first couple months my last new car was brought home - 13 years ago.

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