Well, there was some excitement and then there was just the usual stuff.
Thursday evening brought my small group from church together IN PERSON for the first time in over a year, which was great. We met at the church, instead of in a private home, but it was still so good to be in person, socializing and praying together!
Friday (looking forward to Fridays and the weekends again!) I went out to dinner at Fish City Grill with a friend from my church group. She recently lost her mom AND a month later, her beloved dachshund. We talked about many things, including our faith, and celebrated my accepting a new job!!
I got the phone call on Friday, offering me the job with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission! I am excited about it and will be telling the employment agency and my current employer today that I am turning in my two-week notice. I think he will want me to stay and keep plugging away at getting his books caught up, but if not, so be it.
On Saturday morning I got up and went to Tuesday Morning (a discount department store) to look for new bathroom rugs. I found what I wanted for less than I was finding on Amazon so was happy about that. Then I drove up to where my new job will be. It is 12 miles from home, so will probably take me at least 25-30 minutes to get there in the mornings, but that's okay. There are multiple buildings there and I have no idea which one I will be working in but at least I know how to get there now. Here are a couple of links for anyone who might be interested in where it will be. I am excited to learn more about it and to hopefully get a tour of all the areas!!
https://bassonline.com/fl/lakes/tenoroc-lake/
https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/tenoroc/
I left there and made my way to see Helen. She was the same but I am always sad that she seems so aggravated with her life. She knows she is "home" there and doesn't ask about her house now, but she is agitated about the people there telling her what to do and when to do it. One of the nurses told me she threatened to hit her with a baseball bat (she doesn't have one and probably never did). She also threatens to call the police almost every day (she doesn't have a phone now either). She did talk to me about all of that and other things in a very disjointed way. I just smile, agree, and nod a lot. She remembered that I had a job and actually asked how I like it. Helen is still in there somewhere. I took her picture...
I went from Helen's 'home' to her house to drop off a few more things from her old room that didn't fit in the new room. It is good to run by and check on things once a week, anyway. All was well.
I used to be a blood donor. I stopped five years ago when I reached 10 gallons. The blood services here are offering some nice 'rewards' for donating, including a test for COVID anti-bodies. There was to be a donor bus at Applebee's Restaurant at 3:00 so I went there and waited, and waited... no bus. I decided it was a sign to go home, which I did.
Yesterday, I went to church. The sermon series has been on Judges and yesterday was specifically on Deborah and Barak. Quite interesting. I just love how our pastor brings the Bible to life!!
Tomorrow, I take Lucy to the veterinarian for a follow-up to her visit there two weeks ago. She may have cancer. It is inconclusive so I'm not going to jump to conclusions just yet. She is an older cat so surgery may not be possible. I will keep you posted.
Thursday I have my annual eye appointment. I do need new glasses, so am excited to get it done and order some new lenses. My old eyes are getting older!
Thanks for stopping by!
Peace & hugs! Jesus loves us!
You do keep busy!! Wow. I am excited about your new job. Looks like it will be at a beautiful place, and you may be able to get some great pictures to share with us! But what will you be doing? That part you haven't told us yet! I hope it will be a fun place to work. I am sorry that Helen is having such a difficult time, and yet she looks lovely, and her surroundings are beautiful. Reminds me of the place where Nanny was, and she loved it there. But everyone is different. Helen may need some different kind of medication to help her calm down and not be so combative. Sometimes just a change in medication can make a big difference. I am happy you have a good church and Pastor and that you are enjoying the messages. That is such a comfort for you to have your church family to support you. I am sorry to hear about Lucy. I hope it's not cancer. Keeping her AND you in my thoughts and prayers. I also hope your current boss will be understanding and let you continue to work until your notice is up. He'd be crazy not to! One day at a time. God is certainly taking good care of you! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a job description yet but will be supporting the three staff members who work there. I know I will take deposits to the bank, will be working some in Excel and probably typing some letters. Just general office and no accounting software!
DeleteI was also wondering what you will be doing in your new job.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a busy weekend.
Have a great day!
I haven't seen a job description yet but will be supporting the three staff members who work there. I know I will take deposits to the bank, will be working some in Excel and probably typing some letters. Just general office and no accounting software!
DeleteI love hearing the excitement in your voice when you write about your new job, Terri. I know this will be the perfect fit! Sorry about Helen's state of mind, though. It's so difficult to watch the people we love age in that way. Glad she has you to look out for her. And I do hope your kitty will be okay - I know how much you love them.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed week!
The new job will keep you busy learning all you need to. I know Helen is happy when you visit as it probably makes her remember a little of the old days. I am like you in that my church family mean the world to me and so glad you got to go with the group. It helps. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great few days! Well, except the part about Helen. I sure admire those who work with these folks. That's crazy about the no-show Blood Mobile. I have to tell you about a recent experience our Bible study leader/friend had. She and her hubby are regular donors; yet, she noticed this time her blod was coming out faster than usual. Anyway, because they were headed out to dinner, she refused the cookie. Not a mile down the road she lost consciousness at the wheel, traveled a quarter mile and crossed over two lanes of traffic before coming to a stop in an undeveloped field. Her poor hubby is blind and was understandably terrified. Sue wrote, "Life is fragile. Eat the d*** cookie!"
ReplyDeleteEat the cookie and drink at least 16 ounces of water before you go!! That story is terrifying!
DeleteSo glad you found something that will be a better fit, Terri. Good Luck in your new situation.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the things Helen says when you visit. Much the same from my mother in her nursing home. It's hard. Yes, Helen is "in there", somewhere, but the aging process hides her. You are a good caretaker.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lucy feels better. That's hard.
Congrats on your new, new job! Hope you love it.
ReplyDeleteYou are busy busy. I understand that for sure. I hope Helen will settle in soon. I think they go through stages one of which sounds like what she is in, but you know she is being cared for. That is all one can do. I am so glad you got this job and hoping it will be just perfect. Hoping little Lucy will be ok too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pamela about the medication. If there isn't a doctor on site, her doctor may want to have her take some "calming" medicine. That combativeness is further progression of the disease from the things I have read and seen friends experience with their family members. It is so sad that they end up drugged as the disease progresses but it is safer for them and others. It has to be so scary for them that their minds aren't working properly. With my mom - - I could see fear and confusion in her eyes sometimes when she was having a "low" day. It hurt my heart. She never got to a really bad place with the dementia but rather passed due to sepsis - - - probably infection from a dialysis port. She used to scratch at the areas because they irritated her.
ReplyDeleteThere are registered nurses on site and a doctor comes weekly.
DeleteYou are a busy lady! That is probably a helpful thing and a good thing for you right now. I'm so excited for you about the job. That would be something I would enjoy, too. I'm glad you continue to see Helen. She really is still in there. Even as she disappears more and more, the old her will pop up at the oddest times. Try talking to her about things that will spark her memories...like asking about her family or how she celebrated a certain holiday, what her childhood was like, etc. Sometimes they can pull that stuff up very easily and you will get to hear some wonderful stories and see them come to life and be all smiles and animation. Oh, I will be praying for Lucy that it's nothing!
ReplyDeleteOh, about the medicine others mentioned...there are such meds out there, but the home may not agree with using it or be able to. I know here the big thing is patient rights and giving them something to "calm" them gets kind of close to the old days when they just pumped them full of drugs and left them to molder in a chair. I know we had several residents with terrible anxiety, but they would only allow them to have so much...and it was never enough. It's a tough, tough road.
DeleteI was consulted with about medications to calm her and they did start her on the lowest dose of a calming drug. It has helped stop her violent outbursts at night but she still is a bit confrontational with the people who are just trying to help her. I think time will help. Thanks to all for your experience and advice.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that. We found out with Nanny that she originally had been on the wrong kind of meds for her issues. I don't know what it was, but anyway, a new Dr. changed her meds and whatever they put her on made her much less fearful and anxious and she settled down and actually began to enjoy life again, albeit, in a nursing home, but she was totally different in a good way.
DeleteI'm very excited about that job!
ReplyDeleteHelens behavior is not unsual. We had a lady who tried to hit people with her cane frequently. As others said, the medication thing is hard. There are so many rules and regulations from the state, and then they make you reduce them once they are settled down. It's very frustrating!
Congratulations on your new job. My life group started back up after a year. It is nice to be in fellowship again. My mom had Alzheimer's so I understand what you say about Helen. It is nice that you are still there for her!
ReplyDelete