Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[NH Homesteader]

Good to know. We are raising most of our boys for meat, and keeping one as a companion to Cliff/pet so I might do a little of both. My vet bands, actually but it freaks me out! Lol

Most places are used to people who yell, I'm sure! And maybe he can get used to wearing slippers! Does that facility have an Alzheimer's care unit? That might make a difference- I would try to make sure to get them somewhere that does so you don't have to deal with a transfer when/if your mom exceeds their abilities in the future. (my mom used to work in nursing homes so I'm going off what she has seen!)

 

[frustratedearthmother]

This is a hometown place that calls itself an Assisted Living facility. They do not have a specific Alzheimer's care unit, but they are a one stop shop and their residents can "age in place." (I'm learning the terminology) They also can bring in Hospice if/when needed so that there basically is no need to transfer - unless they get expelled for bad behavior, lol. It is a good place and comes highly recommended by folks who have used them - but it is very basic. I ran into a co-worker while I was there taking the tour. Her mom just got moved in and she's very pleased with the services. So, it helps having people you know who have had personal experience with the facility itself and the owners. And, the owners live on site. I know they would be well-cared for, but there aren't a lot of stimulating activities. They exercise in the morning and play bingo in the afternoon. Big whoop...

I am going to check out a bigger facility this week - haven't pinned down a time. I sent an online request but I guess I need to give them a call and get something scheduled.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Oh sounds good, nice to have that nearby!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Have an appointment tomorrow to check out the other place. It's a bigger, more commercialized facility, and will likely be less personal. They offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. I'm not sure who decides what level care they need, but of course each is pricier than the next. However, ya get whatcha pay for. If they convince me that memory care is something that can help the parentals actually improve their quality of life - it could be worth the extra $$. But, at some point I don't believe there is any 'getting them back from the brink' that's going to happen...so at that point is the extra $$ well-spent?

 

[NH Homesteader]

Hope your visit goes well. Such a difficult decision. Do your parents know you're looking at places?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Do your parents know you're looking at places?

Funny that you ask! Every day dad says he wants a Sunday paper so he can look for houses - and every day I tell him that they need to think about an assisted living facility and every day he says - Oh yea - I remember.... So, yes - I have told them - but do they really "know" is a good question.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Sooooo...this is why blind men shouldn't drive. DH took a turn in a parking lot today and totally didn't see a curb. He jumped it and tore the hell out of the bottom of his car. Yay! One more thing on our never ending list of things that suck. But, I'm still smilin'!

A least he stopped and picked up the body piece that runs the entire length of the bottom of his car...maybe Volvo can salvage it lol.... or just go ahead and charge us a couple grand to replace it. I'm guessing it will probably need a brand spankin' new one.

 

[baymule]

Trying to think of something encouraging to say, but I'm coming up blank. My first thought is; Do you have enough wine?

 

[NH Homesteader]

If I didn't know better I would think you were making this all up- because no one can have this much cruddy stuff happen to them back to back... To back....

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Trying to think of something encouraging to say, but I'm coming up blank. My first thought is; Do you have enough wine?

Is there enough wine in the world.....is there? LOL

Ya know - it worked out ok for DH cuz I don't have time to be as upset as I normally would be for something like that. The car is driveable. The piece that's knocked off is the very bottom piece that runs under the doors....and honestly...it's not terribly noticeable. More concerning to me is that the entire wheel-well for the back tire is gone. I think those things are important to keep yuckiness from ending up in places that yuckiness shouldn't go? I don't really even know.

He was pretty bummed because this is the nicest car he's ever owned.... except maybe the little Lexus that got totaled that led him to this car. It's dang sure the most spendy car we've ever bought.. geeze! I'm about ready for him to go trade it in on a Prius - why have a nice car if ya can't keep it nice? Maybe he should just trade it in for a go-cart.

I can't even remember if I've shared the go-cart story with ya'll yet....if I have just bear with me cuz I'm about to repeat it. My son and his wife had a late T'giving get-together on Saturday. I had intended to go. DH was gonna watch the oldsters and I was gonna get outta the house for awhile. But, mom was bad that day so I stayed home. Sunday morning my son called and we were chatting...he tells me he's on his way to pick up his wife's prescriptions. I ask him what for and he says she broke her arm last night. Holy Cow - how did that happen? One of their guests brought a guest who was slightly inebriated....she saw the go-cart and wanted to ride - actually she wanted to drive. My son was not happy about it - but his wife said she'd ride with the gal and kinda guide her through driving it. Trying to be a good hostess and all. This crazy person whom they'd NEVER even met proceeds to get absolutely nutso in this go-cart and was tearing around the pasture at 11pm at night while they were all screaming for her to slow down... She hit a patch of dirt and flipped the cart. (This is not your typical go-cart - it's a big adult 2-seater with a souped up engine.) My D.I.L. wasn't wearing her seatbelt and was thrown out of the cart which then proceeded to roll over her. The roll-bar rolled right over her arm - above the elbow and below the shoulder - and snapped it clean. Sure glad it didn't roll over her head! (see - we do have good luck now and then, lol)

Lesson learned for them.... at any future gathering the go-cart is gonna be "broken"!

I tried to sex the piglets in the dark last night. When I started to think that they were all male I discovered that I was counting (actually trying to do it by feel - kinda yucky) umbilical cords instead of penis's, lol! I will take a flashlight next time! But - what other breed of pig would let ya walk into their 'nest' and start grabbing babies and not kill ya? I love these pigs!

Got a tiny peek at the garden and it looks like most of what I planted is sprouting...at least the spots I could see and the started plants are doing great. Keeping in mind that I do all my feeding and outside chores in the dark these days - so that might be an optimistic lie!

I know my crazy life is full of bumps and challenges right now - but this will all pass and at some point, if we survive it all, we might get to return to our normally ab-normal existence, lol!