Saturday

So this is Ann so far.  Working on the blue section and that is so much easier than the prior rows.  I do need to finish the diamond band before I forget completely.  When I was mounting for a framer, part of the job was to look over the work and mention any obvious omissions or possible errors.  There were quite a few and I have been more cautious of leaving an area to return to later.  Sometimes, I forget!

This is the fern after snowfall, and I wonder how much longer it will retain color before shriveling to brown.

If you've wondering about Carole, as usual with my state's agencies and employees that can't be fired, no one has shown yet.  Or called.  The orders were...

to have meds delivered 

an aide to go over them with her and get into the pill box for a full week

the no sodium meals were to be delivered for the freezer (week at a time)

the incontinence pads

the protective bed pads

the aides to help with mobility, preparing meals, taking meds, bathing

the personal safety device to call for help

to accompany her in a transport to the doctor office

Not. one. thing. has. been. done. including a simple phone call to report that there will be a delay, problem, ask if she was with someone, got her meds, is she safe, does she have food.  This was set up by a case worker a week before, and except for a shortage of caregivers, no other issues were mentioned.  The pharmacy delivers, not a caregiver.  The meals are delivered by an agency, not a caregiver.  The underwear is delivered by mail, not a caregiver.  The safety alert is installed by the company, not a caregiver.  Leaving a bilateral amputee of 84 with no food, medication, or care is inexcusable.  Dangerous, irresponsible, inexcusable.  But not surprising because even supervisors in charge of employees that are paid to do nothing, are not held accountable.  This bullshit of protecting any government branch employee not being required to do their job, no consequence, no firings, especially managers, infuriates me.  She came home on Thursday, Friday afternoon I made calls, and was told that they MAY call her and set up a few things next Tuesday or Wednesday.  What would a patient do that did not have family willing to take over?  We got her pills straightened out after several hours and many pharmacy calls and trips.  We took oatmeal, eggs, farina, and some bland food over, Matt's girlfriend has been helping her with personal tasks.  I have dentist and doc appts Monday and Chris will be at work.  Making meals tomorrow, and Mark has another project to remove the built in desk with countertop and cut down/reinstall so she can get into the kitchen.  Even after measuring the width of the chair including those wonky wheels, she is barely getting through areas thought would be easy.

It's flosstube weekend and I am looking forward to my fav star's posting.

Christmas in a week, Monday is hours at the dentist, then a doc visit, Tuesday baking nutrolls after court, Wednesday chiropractor + a second batch of nutrolls since I screwed up the first, Thursday I need to accompany her to her doctor via transport, Friday is my new rheumatologist out of town, Saturday to her house to prepare table and such for .... Sunday, Christmas ravioli dinner.  Must plan a day in there to make sauce, meatballs, ribs.  Yikes.

Stitch away folks, stitch away.

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Next year?

 Yes!

Couldn't sleep.  Dim lights, total quiet, hot pack on my low back.  Ahhh.  A few Advil and a cold drink to soothe my dryness.  Monkey (Missy) staring at things that are not there is freaking me out while a loud noise of something falling behind me is puzzling.  Thought browsing a little online would be nice, lots of catching up to do.  And then I see them.  BOOM!

Huge ornaments for outdoor decorating!  How did I miss these?  I am not one to have large Christmas displays, prefer fewer and simple.  Holy balls of jingle.  I love these!!  Two on my front deck with lit tree or large hanging star and I'm in!  From Amazon, Pottery Barn, Grandin Road, many offers. Some are basically beach balls, some need a pump to keep them inflated, some ($$$$) are resin.  

If I can come up with a way to create my own, I may give it a shot next year.  Right now in the morning fog, a balance ball is all I'm coming up with that is 30" or more.  Then again, my memory issue may erase this by next year, or my meno issue may change my mind about it.

They just really struck a chord and surprised me!

Have a good day folks.  You know where I'll be.

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Winner

 Hi folks.  Back home.  Until tomorrow.

Winner of the Kogut is Cathie J.  

Thanks to all for participating! 

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The good thing

It's rain, not snow.

It's been hectic, still haven't done all that is needed.  I guess we were all hoping that she realized how safe and well loved she is there and would postpone coming home.  One of the aides actually called off the day shift because she could not bear saying goodbye.  Tearful day for all.

So .... did she make a list of food items and essentials for the house?  No.  I thought Chris was instructed, he thought I was.  Nothing.  Did she realize the fireman meetings are on Thursday from 5 to 8?  Yes and expected them to not go.  They are obligated.  Are there any caregivers in place?  Nope.  And then there's the background issue that shoves the thorn deeper.  I'm eating Tums today like M&Ms.

I am getting ready to make a kugel and soup for her for tonight and tomorrow, will be going over later.  Mark and Chris are at the facility now, bringing home the rest of her stuff along with the new huge TV.  He will come to pick me up later.  I can understand wanting to be home and not thinking you could be there for ten years!  But the timing (and its reason) is really frosting my cake.  Waiting for everything to be in place, both house and care, would have been easier on everyone.

A little peek at the blue just started at the bottom which will continue for five (?) rows.

The drawing will probably be later than I expected, and as soon as I am home and complete the task, I will post.  Sorry for the delay.  I honestly sort of ignored this, hoping the date of coming home would change.

Even when spent, expired, drained, ferns continue to show off.

I just get nastier.  And louder.

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It's a Kogut!

 This year, another Kogut chart will be my giveaway offer.

This one has not been stitched yet, and was ordered quite some time ago.  Unfortunately, with all the distractions these last two years, I did not remember that this chart was gifted to me by another stitcher.   I only need one! I have already changed my chart to reflect a shorter bottom border without his name.

If you would like this chart, please leave your full initials or email address in the comments on this post, or email me at samplersandsantas@gmail.com.  Keep in mind that 99% of comments are automatically no-reply if you are Google+ or something like that.  I never upgraded to the + and with setting changes, have remained ... replyable!  

I will have Random choose a name on Thursday at 7 pm.

Enjoy your day!!

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Simply

 Will I feel like unloading the tote of PS Santas and others?  

Probably not.

Do I know why?

Not really.

Do I like using my boxwood's cuttings and how they dry?

Yep.  

Do I love the battery candles that offer ambiance without hazard?

Absolutely.

Did I have ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner?

Ohhhh baby.

And this is where I am on Ann.  The verse appears blue in the chart photo but that is not the listed color in the legend.  But it will be.  That blue body and the bottom motifs are what attracted me to her so I will use blue.  It's not like I consistently follow chart colors.

 Busy week.  Nutty week.  Stressful week.

There are no caregivers.  Our friends lost their private aide and tried three agencies.  One girl showed up, left early, was mostly on her phone.  The other two never even showed, did not call the agency to say they weren't coming in, so they did not know the client was left alone.  Carole will be home Thursday.  Nothing in place because of that.  

When a resident is so upset about leaving the good people at her facility, the aides, the housekeepers, the nurses, the staff, the beautiful building and excellent food, the wonderful room and decor, the fabulous outdoor gardens and porches, the concerts, the game room, the pets .... you gotta wonder.  Would you leave?  Being cared for and so loved by staff, enjoying the day with laughter and friendship, every need met and pampered?  At 84 with heart failure and loss of both legs?  We all think she's foolish, especially when I spill the background and you know more.  But it's not our decision.

I'm thinking  about a small giftaway for Christmas.  Maybe a chart?

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