LOVE Me More Happy Mail !

Finally a whole day our Rob got to stay home with us yesterday without being called out once ! it had been nice.  

"It was so nice by the end of the Day, you would have thought Bandit hadn't seen Rob all day.  The loving just went on, and on, and on .... Sigh, the bubble was broke as at 3 am the phone rang with Rob having to go out to be The "Crabby Cabbie"."

I never did get back to sleep.  Rob got back home around 4:30 am and was not able to get back to sleep either.  The time flew forward to 6:30 am when it was time for him to be out the door again, heading back down the highway to work.  It has been a long day for the both of us.

I pretty much forced kept myself focused on the Crabby Cabbie bookwork that needed caught up on, again, until it was all sorted out and ready to be entered on the books, hopefully tomorrow.

"Here is sits on the dining room table, pretty much right in my face so it doesn't get somehow "overlooked" tomorrow.  A nice neat pile of most of my day ahead tomorrow ... yech !"

This afternoon my brother and I had a follow-up appointment with a few department heads at Gateway Haven, where our Mother now resides, to see how she has settled in since being admitted, or voice any concerns we might have to this date.

Really neither of us had any huge concerns that stood out, as Gateway Haven is a lovely facility with very efficient and caring staff.

The only one concern I really voiced was the amount of weight Mom had put on since moving from my home into a Nursing Home.  Really it is quite a substantial amount for her tiny, under 5 foot frame, of putting on more then 20 lbs in less then two years.  I realize they get 3 square meals, plus are offered snacks twice a day, and she is less active then she had been here, however it still makes me feel concerned about her health.

As a Caregiver I feel this is part of my duty to be concerned about my Mother's health.

The staff could not express how easy Mom is as a resident there.  She seems to attend pretty much everything going, as well as being happy and smiling while doing so.  They had mentioned Mom is very "social".  This sure makes me happy to know she is "getting out and about" from her room, as this helps with brain stimulation, as well as being "on the move" which is really really good for a person's muscle mass.

Only one concern came from the staff, this being her balance might be a bit off.  They recommend we get her a walker to make things a bit easier for her.  It just so happens we had gotten her one when she had first moved with us, as when she used to occasionally walk over to the neighbouring Garden Center for an ice cream cone, it helped her since the ground was very uneven to walk along from here to there.

Overall as a family we could not be more pleased with our Mother residing at Gateway Haven.  As far as Mother goes, she had stated how much better she likes living there too.  A win, win situation for all of us, especially since it is much much closer for my brother and I to go see her.  YAY for all of us !

After my brother had dropped me back off at home, I didn't do much of anything the rest of the day.  I did however touch base with a girl I used to work with down in Southampton shortly after I had first moved back to Bruce County.  Judy is doing very well having now also starting her own business in the Port Elgin nd Southampton areas..  It was nice when talking to Judy to find she is as excited about supporting other small businesses as I am.  Judy owns Hergott Home Support & Cleaning Service.  You can find more about Judy at her website by going HERE, or follow her on Facebook by going HERE.

On getting the mail today there had been a Package Notice for a parcel to be picked up downtown Wiarton.  Rob was kind enough to stop and pick me up for me on his way home tonight.  Oh man, I was so happy as I do LOVE me some more Happy Mail !!!

Special thanks to Sandi Richard for sending me a collection of her Cook books, Dinner Survival, The Dinner Fix, The Healthy Family, Anyone Can Cook Dinner, and could you imagine ....

"Two copies of Eating Forward ~ Cooking for the Rushed"

What on God's green Earth would I possibly do with two copies Sandi Richard's Eating Forward?  stay tuned, as not too far in the future there is going to be a Give Away here North of Wiarton.

Before I sign off my post for today, I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers for those who have suffered from the tragic explosions that took place at the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon this day.  One of our own Bruce County Heroes, Josh Cassidy, who had participated in this marathon.  Here is a few words from him on his Blog which had been posted today after the explosions .....

http://joshcassidy.com/boston-marathon-2013

Really does it ever end in this World of ours? we can not do much more then pray that it does, and for those who's hands are bloodied by such acts.  *Sad* very much so with hopes it does some day it does get better.

Please should you have a moment, cast your vote for my "Crabby Cabbie" at the following link:

https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/lolb2desktop?region_id=ca&content_id=20580&tab_id=0

Thanks again for your daily vote until the 6th of May.  I have faith we have friends and family "rooting" for us to get ahead with our Business.

Supper has been long over with dishes waiting for me yet to wash.  My tired Rob has headed for bed.  The "Checkerboard Aussies" will all need out, about and in within the hour, with me thereafter heading off to bed myself with one of Sandi Richard's cook books in hand, of course, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Crabby Bunny Mobiles??? Really?

Unfortunately I wasn't the only one not to get a good night's sleep again.  My "Crabby Cabbie" had not gotten home until 3 am, only to have to get back up at 7 am to get his "Crabby Cabbie" vehicles into the mechanics.  Note the "s" on vehicle?

Our driver, Carolyn, had to bring the other vehicle to Wiarton to our mechanics as well, since both her and Rob's vehicle's were having issues with the brakes.  When you are in business you do not mess around with or overlook mechanical issues with your vehicles, or we don't that is for sure.

They left one vehicle with the mechanic, then came back to the house.  I whipped us up all a breakfast of Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Home Fries and Toast with Jam.  Those poor two were not only full when I was done with them, but probably "extra" tired after they ate.

I left them each to relax on a easy chair to do up the dishes, make the bed, look after all the Aussie "gang" and head on downtown as I was off to see my Mom later this morning.

First off I stopped at the Sears pick-up outlet downtown Wiarton.  I had first called Sears to inquire where my order was since I hadn't heard it was in yet, having ordered it well over a week and a half ago.  Apparently nobody calls you to tell you when it gets in, that you are suppose to find out yourself within 3 to 5 business days, or so this is what I was told when speaking to the Sears Customer Service gal on the other end of the phone this morning.  What kind of Customer Service is that when you shop from their Sears Catalogue?  Not the best in my books I am thinking.

Regardless I went to collect the package of nighties I had ordered for my Mom, then headed on over to Gateway Haven to deliver.  I had also made an Easter Tin of Pucker-Up Squares for her too.  Between the packages, my purse and camera I had no room to carry up an armful of Kleenexes I had gotten for her.

After all that when I got there, the first thing Mom asked me, "did you get me Kleenex??"  Oh man the things you want people not to remember are the first things they remember !!!  I took Mom along with me to retrieve them.  Since she had herself a bit of a fall saying her one leg was sore, the Nursing Home Staff had ordered her a wheelchair.  Off we went .....

"Here we are with all Six boxes of Kleenex, with me telling Mom thank goodness she had the wheelchair and what a "sight" she made.  Ha ! I am sure anyone outside the Elevator could hear us laughing from way down the hallways.  The other photos were difficult since Mom always sits in front of the window.  Next time I will have to get the light behind me.  She still has the plant my Auntie had taken her.  No smelly flowers are allowed, which is just as well as I have allergies to some, as does Mom."

We had ourselves almost a good hour's visit before I wheeled her down to the diningroom as it had been lunch time by that time.  I will be going back up next week, as I have to try to find her a pair of new sandals since her old ones had been giving her blisters as they were too worn.  That will be a challenge at this time of year.  But sandals she wants, so sandals I will look for downtown at Gilbert's Shoe store where hopefully they will have stock from last Year and in a small size 5 !

Oh yes, before I left Mom's floor I couldn't believe it ...

"There is my Cousin Suzanne as plain as day in the hallway.  She really does work at Gateway Haven.  Ha ! imagine that. (gotcha Suzie "Q")."

After I had been back home for a bit, Rob dropped back home with the 2nd "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle after it had been fixed and before he had head out to work for the rest of the day.  Our wonderful employee, Carolyn, had done some decorating yesterday in keeping with some of the Easter Traditions.

"... and then there was the creation of the "Crabby Cabbie" Bunny Mobile, complete with a little cotton tail."

Ha! this is the "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle Carolyn drives and Rob had to drive it to return it to her, as she had his.  My poor "Crabby Cabbie" Bunny Rob.

Little "Checkerboard Aussies" Lunette is not due to be going to her new Forever Home for 2 more weeks yet.

"The crate training has begun here at our house.  She has become quite the little adventurous one with her colours blending in quite nicely with the deadened grasses."

Psst.... Semah is reportedly very settled in with his family in his new Forever Home.  Just *click* HERE to see for yourself.

Unfortunately this weekend did not work out for Paul and the boys to come for Easter Dinner, so it will be Rob, I and our "Aussies".  We are both looking forward to a Ham, Scalloped Potatoes with side veggies of turnip and corn.  As a "special" treat I might also make up a batch of Cottage Cheese Biscuits.  Shh, I might make Rob his favourite Lemon Meringue Pie.

I feel like my story is getting "old" but I am tired with hopes my "gang" will settle in for an early night around here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

One Hour Less !

Did everyone survive the one hour less better then I did?  Really I am a person who does not need to loose any more sleep then I do already, but then again if I was sleeping more then 5 or 6 hours a day, or even 3 and 4, look at all I would be missing out on?

The weather has be very mild the past couple of days.  Rain is in the forecast, but I didn't need to listen to a weather man to tell me this as the headaches are louder then usually, along with the aches and pains.  What gives me some relief is knowing I am not alone with what the weather changes bring.

This morning our Son, Paul and I went up to visit my Mother at Gateway Haven.  This was the first time he was to visit her at her new "digs".

"Grandma is always happy to see Paul.  He teases her and they have the best laughs.  I can remember when he was a little guy flexing his arm in Grandma's Hall Mirror and her ooohing and ahhing over how big they were.  Ha ! his muscles are huge now with the veins sticking out and him still asking Grandma to check out his muscles.  Too cute those two are together."

Once we had our little visit with Mother, we headed down to the Government Dock at Colpoy's Bay which is minutes from our place.

"With the waters open again the fish boats are back out on the Bays."

By the time we had returned home Rob was up.  Paul and him went on their usual drive together to Tim Hortons for a chat and to get Rob a coffee.  It has become a ritual these two have gotten into it seems every time Paul comes to visit.

Bandit and Lexus also got some of Paul's undivided attention while here.  Bandit is totally taken with "his" Paul and isn't almost out of control when he comes visiting.

"The pups even got some cuddles from Paul.  Paul even thinks Bindi is the trouble maker out of the bunch.  Bindi is the little Blue Merle girl to the left, and our only boy puppy, Semah to the right."

It was not too long after the Lunch hour Paul headed back home.

"This was a nice little surprise I had found left behind.  My birthday is still 10 days away, however it is nice to enjoy the cards before, rather then after the fact some times."

Yesterday we had been downtown Wiarton through a couple of the shops.  Paul always appeases me and goes along into the Wiarton Salvation Army Thrift Shop with me.  He never complains and lets me look around to my heart's content.  I trained him at a very young age to go shopping, as well as how to use the washer/dryer, fold laundry, do dishes, make beds ... are you getting the picture?  Totally trained to be self-sufficient should he need be, and he really does pretty good with all of that, even being able to cook.  The last time he was here, he stole "borrowed" my Kraft Easy Recipes Cookbook.  I am looking forward to featuring him some day with one of the recipes he has made from it.

Anyhow I made a nice little score yesterday at the Thrift store in the way of ....

"This lovely Shabby Chic metal pitcher.  It now has a new home in my bathroom where I am very pleased with it."

This morning the Facebook newsfeed was splashed with the news of a Bruce County Landmark that had experienced fire at 3 am this morning.  Apparently the fire flared up again this afternoon causing its roof to collapse and taking the building with it in its inferno.

"Many travelers had hung their hat in this Tavern for many years.  More recent years it had operated as a Restaurant."

A little bit about the Dunkeld Tavern HERE.

It really was an extremely high gear week last week.  I am really hoping it is geared down a bit this upcoming week as there is so much in the way of housework I have gotten behind in, as well as other things I would like to accomplish in the way of more decluttering.  I did manage to have a Rice Cooker, a bagel cutter and a beautiful serving set leave our house today, placed in very deserving and appreciative hands.

The one hour less is taking its toll, as my eyes are feeling heavy with thoughts of my bed going through my head, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Really BIG Morning !

Have you ever noticed the days you need to get up out of bed is the days something needs to be done with your body deciding it could sleep forever? of course you have, as it happens to me every time, so why wouldn't it happen to someone else?

I did finally drag my sorry tired butt from my nice warm bed before 6 am.  Coffee, Aussies out and in one at a time, social network catch-up, bed made, and then I made ready myself for when my brother, Al, picked me up at 9:00 am.  He is very good at bringing a Tim Horton's Coffee along with him, so I was treated with a large double cream, thank you very much.

We headed on North of the Checkerboard to Lion's Head.  We were off to pick our Mother up, as today we were moving her from the Golden Dawn Nursing Home, down to the Gateway Haven Nursing Home  in Wiarton.

My Mom had been on the "list" for Gateway Haven for exactly the past 2 years, a first choice of home minutes to my brother and I, with her being 2nd on the list for at least the last 6 months.  Should anyone not have had the pleasure of dealing with all the rigmarole, it can be just that sometimes, and other times more.  In my opinion, maybe someone should write a "How to" and "What to Expect" book on all the paperwork, dealing with officials, etc ... when preparing for those "Golden Years" your parent might be heading towards.

Regardless of all of the rigmarole, today was the final "home" move for our Mother.

The move went oh so smoothly.  Much better then I had anticipated, as my Mother does not care for change too much, but then again really if the boat ain't rocking why rock it, right?  What I believe made the transition go so smoothly was the fact that us knowing she was 2nd on the "list" for a bed at Gateway Haven's facilities over 6 months ago, was when we starting making mention about it at every visit with her that this move was forthcoming some time in the future.  This slowly put through to her that this indeed was going to be happening, in turn making acceptance of the new change much easier.  This is my thought on the matter.

What really "blew me away" was others thinking how awful we were as a family not telling our Mother she was being moved until the "day of".  What did I think of others thinking this? why do people assume something they no nothing of in the first place !!!!  I was "ticked" anyone would judge me or my family without first even knowing me or my family, and secondly assuming they knew all the facts, or knowing that as my Mother's Caregiver I would never think NOT of putting my Mother's best interests first????

Did they know how many phone calls I made or had with the Alzheimer's Society consulting and discussing how they thought such a move would effect her, or the discussions about same I had with our Doctor, and a Cousin who is a Registered Nurse at a long-term facility, or a few PSW workers who are close friends that also work in Long Term facilities.

Trust me people, who think they know it all with being all assuming ... I did my homework before there was even any thought of this move taking place in many prior months to this day !!!  The nerve of people assuming ... people that don't even know me on a "personal" basis, only knowing me as being my Mother's daughter.  Shame for shame on people like you !!!

Regardless everywhere we go and everything we do there will always be small minded people as such.  Maybe these people should learn not assume about other's lives and starting having a life of their own? this I think would be a very good idea should they learn to do so.

There I feel much better I got that off my chest !

Onto more positive moments.  When Al and I got to Mom's room to tell her that a room was available for her at Gateway Haven, she was far from upset and ready to "rock on" with the move.  Only a few tears with one of the staff members she left behind ... thanks Tanya as truly you have been a real sweetheart in all respects of true caring towards my Mom and obviously that really shone through her tears.

Other then a few, the staff at the Golden Dawn facilities are all wonderful.  Their Care Director has been one lady who I have enjoyed interacting with over the past two years while Mom has been in their care; she is not only understanding, I found her too to always to be open, direct and understanding, never condescending or judgmental ... thank you for this always.

We packed up Mom's stuff, loaded it and ourselves up in the truck and headed on down towards Wiarton to finally arriving at our destination at Gateway Haven.  This is also the facility where Mom had attended the Day Away Program put on by the Grey Bruce Home & Community Support Service when she had lived with Rob and I for 5 years.  Well what a surprise when we walked through the door to find all her old friends from the Day Away Program having coffee together at the main cafe !  It was like a home coming for her, and they were so happy to see her.

It worked out perfect, as Mom stayed to visit with her old friends while Al and I went up to find her room and set everything up for her.  We had no sooner had everything set up when one of the volunteers brought her up.  She showed no sign of stress or upset whatsoever.  When asked if there was anything she would like, her answer had been, "another pillow for the bed".

The room is so bright and roomy ! the next time I go I will be sure to take my camera, as today there was way too much stuff needing attended to that the last thing on my mind had been my camera this morning.

Another really nice surprise that there are only two sharing a room with a curtain divider for full privacy, but the lady she is sharing the room with is a lady she knew already as she had attended the Day Away Program with her !!!  Whoohoo ... doesn't get much better then that !

With Mom all settled in after the Nurse had taken her blood pressure, having also consulted with us on a few of Mom's needs, Al and I took our leave since it was lunch time with Mom then being escorted down to the Dining Room.  We were assured someone would come get her and take her back and forth until she got her own bearings, as well as doing same for any activities there might be going on.  I am so excited as there are even residents there who play cards, and Mom loves playing cards.  I am hoping she will start being busier then just sitting in a chair staring into the air ... I have high hopes on this being a positive move for HER ! and am very confident this was a very good choice with all her best interests in mind at every choice we, as her family, have made for her.

Before we left the Nurse had suggested we give her a few days to settle in before going back up to visit.  I will go next week, however I did call at 5 pm to learn she had no signs of stress and seemed extremely content.  Hooray ! this made me happy.

It had been "a really big morning", being a bit after the Lunch Hour when my brother had dropped me back off at home.  Of course all four of my Aussies, if you can imagine, had their legs crossed and needed out by this time.  *Smile*

I called both my sisters to let them know how the mornings events went, then got on with my day.  Not too much I got done, as I was pretty tired, but I did manage to take a pail of hot water and wipe down my extremely dusty treadmill in the basement and part of a shelf.  Little by little, as Rome wasn't built in a day you know? and never will be in my lifetime.

Before I knew it was time for me to have some Dinner for myself.  You know when you reheat Lasagna, or any pasta dish for that matter, they tend to dry out, right?  Solution in my books was to ....

"Open a jar of Home canned tomatoes with pouring some over top before reheating.  Result being  nice and moist with more flavor goodness added.  Yum !"

I am certain everyone across Canada has already heard that there is a Major Storm front moving into Ontario this evening.

"Really Old Man Winter? you are just not going to loosen your hold on us until the Fat Woman Sings are you?  It has already began here with a steady downfall of snow.  Hopefully the 25 cm doesn't end up to be as bad as they predict."

You can read all about it but giving your Mouse a *click* HERE.

Oh yeah SCAMS seem to be on the rise more then usual the past two days .... check out the two emails I received in the past 24 hours.

"Really people? Canara revenue agency?  Get a grip !"

"This "SAD NEWS" came from my Brother-in-law's "hacked" email account.  Sad to say it was sent to everyone who was on his email list from his Church too.  What did he do about it? changed his Pass Word."

Seriously I am thinking about moving over to my Gmail account permanently if Windows Messenger doesn't start "beefing" up their filters or something, as has been getting worse and worse by the minute.

Should you receive something you are not sure about in your email folders, please check with a couple of other people first before acting on anything.  The old saying, "better safe then sorry" comes to mind.

I am happy for all who join me here for my opinions and sometimes rambles, as it gives me comfort at times to know I am never alone in my daily journey, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

If you haven't already, make sure you qualify yourself for a chance at my February 1st Give Away, by finding out all the details ... just a *click* away HERE.