first hummer

Lord have mercy ya'll...I've been one busy gal today.  I went to exercise class "virtually" with Amy and she still kicked my butt.  My plans were to swim after that but I tended to other errands like renewing my car registration and picking up flea and tick chews for my tribe.  Somewhere between there and there I lost my debit card so that required a quick trip to the bank to replace.  Oh, and while I was in the neighborhood I visited Kaykay and Janie.  Stella is due to begin duty in July.

Lorna and the kids came out to visit a bit which I always enjoy.  I plan to return the visit next week.  Ain't nothing like a trip to Lake County with a double mission.

Stay between the ditches kids ^j^

on a mission

I am steady checking things off the to do list like a pap smear this morning. In the pouring rain.  That is something that I am diligent about along with mammography.  Better safe than sorry.  Had I not been faithful with pap smears I would have probably developed cervical cancer by now due to a high risk strain of HPV.  One little procedure and two years later, I finally got a negative.  

While there I got to see some of my favorite peeps like Ann.  My NP examiner was an ER nurse back in the day when I was still at the hospital. I felt right at home.  Thanks to the ACA this preventive care does not cost me anything.  When I had commercial insurance there was a 40 buck co-pay.  And I worked there.  Sheesh.

We've had a monsoon this morning so my newly planted tomato got a good watering.  It's about to tie number 1 to the stake.  I am building the inventory of windows and cleaning them slowly.  I've got nothing but time.

Peace out ~

breakin' a sweat

I go to a class at the local YMCA called Silver Sneakers which a nice way of saying it's for older folks.  It's a good workout and the only thing I have trouble with is the unfixed shoulder sometimes when using weights and bands.  There are certain things I simply cannot do with that arm but I'm not giving up.  Use it or lose it.

I killed one of my 'maters so I went to see my personal shopper Stanley at Pennington's.  I'll wait until it cools down before I plant it.  After that I visited the cabin which was swarming with people since the owner is in town.  Several contractors were there meeting with him regarding plans for the next steps.  It was good to see him if only for a brief minute.  While I was there I picked up another couple of windows.  

I'm not sure where I'm headed, but I figure I'll get there eventually.  Y'all stay cool and "turn around, don't drown."

hold my beer and watch this

Out the blue today I got a phone call regarding an opportunity to not only make a little cash but contribute to a cause that I hold dear.  We will meet on Friday to discuss.  "The girls" plus Erin had lunch at The Bus Stop today.  It's a real funky little place.  Laid back and great service.  We lingered a bit longer than usual because nobody had to go to work.  

I'm still moving and shaking around here sparking joy.  Johnny and Billy hauled off my yard stuff and changed the smoke detector batteries.  No more *beep*.  

It never ceases to amaze me how God's plans unfold.  And you know what?  Observing that is what has given me the faith to let go of control.  It's not in my hands.  

I killed one of my tomato plants so that's on the list to get tomorrow.  Back to the crack store.  I haven't seen Mr Snake again but I know he's out there somewhere.  And all his buddies.  I know they're helpful and all but dang, they creep me out.

Have a terrific Tuesday ^j^

holiday mood

I was sitting on the throne this morning looking out the window when I spotted him.  It was Mr. Snake, all six feet of him stretched out in the sun.  I gawked for a minute and gasped "holy shit" and then he was gone in the grass.  For a minute I thought it was a hallucination but surely I'm not that crazy.  Yet.

My little friend at the rehab has been dying for some chicken noodle soup so I went to Chick Fil A and got her some.  She was ecstatic.  After that I swam a bit with my friend Vicki.  She lives by a golf course and I found a ball in the pool.  Her cat was all stretched out keeping us company on the concrete.  There was a nice breeze and an overcast spell so it wasn't real hot.  I didn't stay long because it was my first day in the sun and I don't need much of it.  I mostly just wanted the full body float with a couple of dips to the deep end.

I give thanks and honor to all those who gave their lives for our freedom.  So many have died serving our country.  My father served his time in the Air Force and was fortunate not to be involved in active duty.  He spent a lot of that time in Portugal.  

Hope your day is merry and bright!

continuity of care

One of the biggest faults of our healthcare delivery is that it lacks people who can sit back and assess the situation.  For many of the elderly folk and sometimes younger, they go from home or assisted living to the hospital and then to rehab.  And often back to the hospital.  Most social workers today are paper pushers who justify the patient's stay.  In the hospital setting, sometimes there is no social work piece.  Case management and all that.  It makes sense in a way.  Mostly hospital case managers work to get'em in and out in a timely fashion.  A rehab stay will not be paid for unless there's a three night stay, per Medicare.  See how it all fits together?

I know y'all are bored to tears with all this healthcare talk so I'll shift over to Iran or something.  China maybe.  Or maybe I'll just shut up and spark some joy.  

Grace ~  

adventures in caregiving

Today found me sitting with a client at a rehab facility.  I'll spare the details because of privacy but I've gotta tell you it takes a special breed to do that kind of work day in and day out.  As with all medical facilities it is fast paced, understaffed and you never know what's going to happen next.  Cheers to all y'all, especially Angie Hale.  

Yesterday while Lauren and I were trying to get screaming little Reaves to sleep I decided to try singing to her.  You know, calm the savage beast and all.  I started with You are my Sunshine, followed by Amazing Grace.  It worked for about three minutes but after that it was on like donkey kong again.  She loves music and loves to dance especially when you shake your bootie along with her. I remember my old friend Iris telling me that she recognized the same look in little Lauren's eyes that her son had.  And Reaves has that same look.  A mix between pure angelic joy and trouble waiting to happen.

I found it ironic to be sitting in a nursing home re-reading Ira Byock's book Dying Well.  This man was hospice before it was cool as in Missoula Demonstration Project.  He expertly shares cases of all the different issues involved in death with an emphasis on family support.  It's not just the dying patient who is suffering except in rare cases.  He focuses on dignity and honor.  Various ways to intertwine the philosophy through conversations where he gives people options are way cool.  The one guy I read about today was unable to eat without choking due to ALS.  Eating was an ordeal for him because he couldn't swallow without choking and that was his biggest fear.  Dr Byock asked him why he kept eating if it was an unpleasant experience which led to not eating as an option or tube feeding to prolong life. And then taking away fluids.

All of these are discussions that occur simultaneously when someone knows they are dying.  To me, the most important thing is to mend relationships and share the love before it's too late.  Assisted suicide aka euthanasia is available  in certain states that allow it and I respect that.  But still?  I think most of the regrets and joys should be tended to.  

Yes I am eat up with the hospice philosophy because I've been a healthcare provider for 40 plus years and people need help navigating the system.  My friend Risible Girl volunteered with a hospice group in her area and loved it.  People need the active support approaching the end but after as well.  That is what expressing grief and releasing anger does to free a wounded soul.

Peace out ~