Reflections of My Life

katlupe said:
I enjoyed my day with Sonny yesterday. Sad to see him on oxygen now. He carries it with him using this little portable unit. It makes a noise. So when we were watching a video on the television and he was in the recliner and I was in the chair, Rabbit decided to sneak up on it. Must have thought it was alive or something. It was funny and I wish I could have videoed it. He wanted to smell it but was very cautious.

His grandson, who is his son's son has began calling Sonny pretty regular now. He asked Sonny if he minded if he called him and of course, he said no. He loves to talk on the phone! Sonny's son does not stay in contact with any member of the family, including his own son! So Sonny was picking him up when he left here yesterday to take him to his house for the week-end. He lives in a group home and has been wanting contact with his family, his father's family. I believe his mother sees him or at least talks to him.
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Is Sonny feeling better? My husband used one of the portable concentrators for years. It gave him so much freedom, he was still working at that time. Without it he would have been forced to take a disability retirement.
 

Blessed said:
Is Sonny feeling better? My husband used one of the portable concentrators for years. It gave him so much freedom, he was still working at that time. Without it he would have been forced to take a disability retirement.
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He is feeling better. I have been thinking the oxygen was a sign of me losing him. It has made me depressed which is not normal for me. Yesterday was the first time seeing him using it constantly. Though he did not take it in Walmart because he did not want people to see him using it.
 
katlupe said:
He is feeling better. I have been thinking the oxygen was a sign of me losing him. It has made me depressed which is not normal for me. Yesterday was the first time seeing him using it constantly. Though he did not take it in Walmart because he did not want people to see him using it.
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Tell him not to worry about it, they are a godsend if you have trouble getting enough oxygen. No, it is not a sign you are losing him. In our case, it was cancer related. If it is COPD related, it is something to make him feel better, breathe easier, nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It is just a medical condition that needs to be addressed and treated.
 

Today I will be interviewing yet another woman for the job of being my aide. When this process first started two years ago, I didn't feel that I really needed one. Now I do. Maybe not for 15 hours a week but that is what they have given me. I don't have to use all those hours but know I can if I need some extra help. I wrote out a list of what I want her to do and will give it to her at this meeting.

You know I am a regular viewer of The Ramsey Show and have seen how so many people have taken what they call "side hustles" to pay down their debts or mortgages. This type of job would be perfect for doing that. Some of them are disappointed I think, that I am not worse off and don't need the personal or health care side of the job. No thank you, I can bathe and dress myself. lol Yet there are a few aides who work for others in this building who are hard workers and do a great job. Trouble with those, they are booked up and can't take on new clients. Same with Sonny's aide. She goes beyond what she has to do in caring for her clients.

Rabbit was not feeling good yesterday afternoon and night. I worried about him constantly. Kept praying over and over for him. I know he is 9 this year and that is old in a bunny lifetime but still....I love him so much. I will be lost without him. So I cut back on his spring mix and berries yesterday and gave him more oat hay. Immediately he started eating that. Didn't come after me for the other stuff.....it is like he knew what he needed to do.

This morning he seems good. I gave him less spring mix than usual but he wanted more. So I gave him a little bit more to satisfy him. Smaller piece of banana than usual. Just like with people, animals' health conditions can be corrected with diet. It is just that it takes longer than a drug. Though the drug normally masks the symptoms. Does not correct the condition. That is why you have to take it forever.
 
katlupe said:
Today I will be interviewing yet another woman for the job of being my aide. When this process first started two years ago, I didn't feel that I really needed one. Now I do. Maybe not for 15 hours a week but that is what they have given me. I don't have to use all those hours but know I can if I need some extra help. I wrote out a list of what I want her to do and will give it to her at this meeting.

You know I am a regular viewer of The Ramsey Show and have seen how so many people have taken what they call "side hustles" to pay down their debts or mortgages. This type of job would be perfect for doing that. Some of them are disappointed I think, that I am not worse off and don't need the personal or health care side of the job. No thank you, I can bathe and dress myself. lol Yet there are a few aides who work for others in this building who are hard workers and do a great job. Trouble with those, they are booked up and can't take on new clients. Same with Sonny's aide. She goes beyond what she has to do in caring for her clients.

Rabbit was not feeling good yesterday afternoon and night. I worried about him constantly. Kept praying over and over for him. I know he is 9 this year and that is old in a bunny lifetime but still....I love him so much. I will be lost without him. So I cut back on his spring mix and berries yesterday and gave him more oat hay. Immediately he started eating that. Didn't come after me for the other stuff.....it is like he knew what he needed to do.

This morning he seems good. I gave him less spring mix than usual but he wanted more. So I gave him a little bit more to satisfy him. Smaller piece of banana than usual. Just like with people, animals' health conditions can be corrected with diet. It is just that it takes longer than a drug. Though the drug normally masks the symptoms. Does not correct the condition. That is why you have to take it forever.
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Yes, when you see a pet that is not feeling good you try to help them anyway you can. My little terrier is having an upset tummy just like me. I have given him some rice with chicken broth. I do not feed them people food except when they are feeling bad. Then it is white rice, poached chicken and broth. If that does not help, off to the vet.

Do you have a vet that treats rabbits? My sister keeps pet chickens. My old boss had an African parrot. They both had to find a special vet that treated exotics. I have never seen a bunny or bird at my normal vet.
 
Blessed said:
Yes, when you see a pet that is not feeling good you try to help them anyway you can. My little terrier is having an upset tummy just like me. I have given him some rice with chicken broth. I do not feed them people food except when they are feeling bad. Then it is white rice, poached chicken and broth. If that does not help, off to the vet.

Do you have a vet that treats rabbits? My sister keeps pet chickens. My old boss had an African parrot. They both had to find a special vet that treated exotics. I have never seen a bunny or bird at my normal vet.
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Well I had a pet chicken, a Rhode Island red hen who lived in a dog kennel in my kitchen during the night or when I was not home. Never took her to a vet. I did have her for over 5 years and not sure how old she was when I got her. I think she was chicken on her way to market and jumped off the truck by my parents' house.

As for Rabbit, I took him to a local vet (not a rabbit vet, even though he had once owned his own house rabbit) to have him neutered. I knew his office was not familiar with treating rabbits when they told me not to let him eat after midnight. Nope, don't do that with rabbits. They have to have food in their stomach. They do not have gas or throw up so there is no reason for them not to eat. I let him eat. Took him in and he was a trembling little boy. I was scared the whole time he was there because many pet bunnies have died on the operating table by the anesthesia. I mentioned it to the vet and he said he would be careful. He was. Rabbit did very well.

I learned to do a lot of vet care on my horses when I worked at the thoroughbred horse farm where I got my horses. The livestock vet came there often but they are different from the other vets. The farmers learn from the vet. They do most things themselves.

Sorry for the long answer. To answer your question, no, I do not have a vet for Rabbit. He would not do well having to go to one. Just a car ride alone would be traumatic for him. I saved his leg by not taking him to a vet when my horse stepped on him. That would have been at least $1500 and they would have taken his leg off (very common with rabbits). Within a week he was walking on it. Just from me finding a online post about someone who had a rabbit with a broken leg. He does not even have a limp or anything from it.
 
I don't know what got into me this morning............I have already cleaned the NuWave oven. Took it apart and cleaned every part of it. It gets a bit greasy. So since I did that, when the coffee is gone, I will do the same with the coffeemaker. While that is going through the cleaning process I am going to take everything off the counters and clean them really good. Back, surfaces, stove hood and the fronts on the cupboards, exterior of refrigerator and stove.

After my morning walk with my friend, I plan on doing laundry.
 
katlupe said:
I don't know what got into me this morning............I have already cleaned the NuWave oven. Took it apart and cleaned every part of it. It gets a bit greasy. So since I did that, when the coffee is gone, I will do the same with the coffeemaker. While that is going through the cleaning process I am going to take everything off the counters and clean them really good. Back, surfaces, stove hood and the fronts on the cupboards, exterior of refrigerator and stove.

After my morning walk with my friend, I plan on doing laundry.
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All that ambition early on a Monday morning makes me tired. hehe 🥱 Actually I've been awake since 3 but didn't really start my day until 5:30... still not ready to tackle heavy cleaning although my laundry is already on final spin. Have a great day, @katlupe ... sure hope you soon find a perfect aide!
 
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Sounds like you got a real jump on the day! I'm up early, too. As soon as the coffee is done I'm walking out the door. Taking my sister to BGH for blood work. I will get my errands for the week done while I'm out. I need to run into Walmart for a couple things, fill my propane, and fill a few water jugs. Then I'll be ready for the potential snow storm tonight and tomorrow. Happy cleaning!
 
Wind started blowing pretty hard last night. It sounded bad but since I live in an old brick building I am well insulated against the elements. At my previous home, wind blowing sounded scary. Here I just hear it occasionally from my windows. I woke up at 12:41 AM and looked outside and it was a thick white blanket of snow as far as I could see. The cars in the parking lots looked like lumps under the blanket. I have not looked outside this morning yet because I knew the snowplow had already disturbed the beauty of the snow.

I am enjoying my first cup of coffee right now. Yesterday, I spent some time thoroughly cleaning my Ninja coffeemaker. This coffeemaker makes the best coffee. I love it. I have had it for a year now and have had no problems. I know I need to clean it more than I do. So yesterday I did one of those cleanings which I put white vinegar in with water and run it through the system. Then I dump that and do another one with plain water. It looks brand new after I cleaned the exterior as well.

Yesterday morning, Committed Care called me and asked if the aide, Elizabeth had showed up on Sunday morning. I said nope and told her that I am pretty fed up with their system and why. She said it is a problem with all the surrounding agencies, getting aides who will actually show up and do a good job. A lot of complaints on workers in that field. She called me back with another new aide to interview. I talked to her a few minutes and then told her I'd rather interview her here. So she came in a little over an hour. All went well with her and I hope she works out. Not saying anything until she is actually working here and coming to work every day. Thankfully, she has no little children or grandchildren to babysit. Just dogs.
 
I actually love the sound of the wind blowing, the rain on the roof, dripping off to the ground. It is just a comfort to be in the house, in the warm bed, the littles sleeping snuggled up close, big dog snoring softly on the floor beside me. I actually sleep better on those nights. I will say if there is thunder the big dog will bark at first, then will quiet quickly when I tell him its okay not to worry. Isn't funny if I woke up and the snow was covering my world I would want to stay up and watch the beauty of it. Just a pleasure, a thing I don't get to see often.

I have always loved the cold, dark rainy nights and days. It makes me want to hibernate, be protected from the outside world. I have everything I need. I always have kept a good freezer and pantry so I have many food options. I keep plenty of food for the dogs. I don't feel the need to leave the house unless I have a purpose most of the time. If I feel the need to get out I can go to the library, antique mall or traditional mall. Everything is close. I can even walk to the library. I am jealous of the sweet little park and shopping area that are within walking distance to your apartment.

I hope you enjoy you day. Hopefully, your new assistant will be good and shows up on your schedule. To me it would be a blessing to have help with the things can be exhausting for you. Just a little help can make a big difference as we get older
 
I woke up this morning to having trouble walking. After awhile it usually gets better but it has been a couple of hours already and not good yet. Though I hate to tell my friend I can't walk today because if I don't, she won't. I need to recuperate from all the vacuuming I did yesterday. You wouldn't think that would be so bad in such a small area. But I had to keep taking breaks and I move the furniture around making sure to vacuum every inch of the recliner and chair. Including deep in the cushions.

So I will probably work on paying my bills. Some in advance since they don't come due till the middle of the month. I cancelled my water delivery for tomorrow because I still have plenty. At least the sun is trying to pop out, it just got bright out. That puts me in a good mood all day (and playing music).
 
Vacuuming is very hard work! Very physically demanding. I hope the sun comes out here. I'm waiting for my neighbor to plow my driveway so I can go out today. Hope your legs feel better but maybe take it easy today?
 
CathyHorn said:
Vacuuming is very hard work! Very physically demanding. I hope the sun comes out here. I'm waiting for my neighbor to plow my driveway so I can go out today. Hope your legs feel better but maybe take it easy today?
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It is but you know how a house bunny gets hay all over the place. I told him next time he is doing the vacuuming. lol
 
Surprised myself and after my shower, I did my 8 laps around my hall with my friend. I do feel better and fixed breakfast and now having a special coffee (Kahlua coffee with sugar free chocolate syrup) with frothy cream on top. Working on paying bills and listening to Simon & Garfunkel's greatest hits. Nothing makes my day better than listening to my favorite music while doing chores. So I feel so much better than earlier.
 
Today we got the food from the Central NY Food Bank. I took out the bag of potatoes, apples and cabbage and left on the table downstairs for anyone who wanted them. I knew I was giving most of the food to Jeff and Sonny. Neither can bite into an apple and when I suggest making the bag into applesauce they weren't crazy about that (though it is so simple to do). When I looked inside the 2nd box, it had 2 half gallons of low fat milk and cottage cheese which I saved both to give to Sonny tomorrow. The vanilla yogurt (big one!) Jeff took as well as the tomatoes, onions and cheese. I also gave him a package of breakfast sausage and a can of diced tomatoes that was not from the food bank......from Mom's bank.

I haven't felt so great the last couple of weeks. I think it is just the gray days and Sonny not being himself anymore. I see his health winding down and it makes me sad. He used to be so lively and very romantic. Not so now. I knew this would happen, he was a smoker and I imagine a heavy smoker as he was a truck driver and probably smoked nonstop. I will see what happens when racing season comes around. Maybe it will revive him for awhile at least.

Tomorrow is errand day so Sonny will be picking me up and taking me to do my monthly errands. As most of you know, I am my son's payee so I pay his bills, buy him some things he needs or wants and give him cash every few days. Then we go to Walmart so I can get Rabbit his spring mix, berries and bananas. Probably won't do anything else.

Have a nice night!
 
I can't remember if I told you, but my sister was just put on oxygen 24/7. She spent a week in General and was diagnosed with COPD, high BP, diabetes, on top of some other pretty serious digestive issues, and pretty bad arthritis. She's never been vivacious, but she's become a shell of a person. It makes me very sad. I'm sure watching Sonny go down hill is heart breaking for you. And I agree, this crappy weather can turn into Spring any time now.
 
CathyHorn said:
I can't remember if I told you, but my sister was just put on oxygen 24/7. She spent a week in General and was diagnosed with COPD, high BP, diabetes, on top of some other pretty serious digestive issues, and pretty bad arthritis. She's never been vivacious, but she's become a shell of a person. It makes me very sad. I'm sure watching Sonny go down hill is heart breaking for you. And I agree, this crappy weather can turn into Spring any time now.
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It is hard to watch for sure. The thing with Sonny is that he doesn't try to do anything to improve. Just goes with the flow. More meds is always his thoughts.

Sorry about your sister. I know that is hard. So far my brother seems to be pretty good. He is 73 and still works, hunts, builds those long rifles (not from kits), does his wild west show in summer and fall. I hope he stays good as I cannot imagine not having him even though I do not see him very often. He is busy all the time.
 
Yesterday, I went through a huge pile of papers! I am so proud of myself. I just pushed the computer away and started working on the pile. It took me a long, long time. Especially since my downstairs friend stopped by and she always stays a long time. So I took a break. I had a box full of garbage and then filed the rest. It was just piling up. Now I am going to concentrate on putting papers away immediately! A job I hate to do.

The acting manager called me back yesterday and set up my appointment for my recertification. Monday. I like to get these things over as soon as possible. So tomorrow I will be putting my papers together to take to my meeting. This is done every year and it will probably mean an increase in my rent. Except the government poverty level has increased a little bit too. So maybe not as bad as I was thinking. It think it increased 8.0 %.

Today is errand day. Getting my rent and Jeff's rent money orders at the post office. I fill Jeff's out and then mail it to his landlord who lives somewhere else. I wish they both would start doing online payments. Of course, my building has been sold and the new owners take over this month some time. Nobody can tell us who bought it. Then to Walmart. It is supposed to start snowing in the afternoon so hoping to do this fast. Depends on what time Sonny gets here though.
 

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