Polar Opposites & Ghostly Tails!!!!

Happy Halloween!

The Phantom Cat

Cats crave routine, which is why so many people report seeing ghostly apparitions at specific times. A cat may return at the same time as her feeding, or at the time she expects her owner to return from work. Sometimes a cat is just not ready to say goodbye.

One story tells how a cat was taken to a veterinary office, where she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. The cat was put to sleep, and the grieving owners prepared to donate the cat's carrier and other belongings to the local shelter.

The owners put the cage and personal belongings of the cat in the back seat. As they began driving, the woman felt a familiar presence – then she heard a familiar "meow." She looked in the rearview mirror and saw her tabby, sitting in her carrier. The woman slammed on the brakes.

Her husband looked back and saw the tabby clearly – no ghostly apparition, the cat looked like flesh and blood. The couple looked at one another – was it possible that their cat somehow made it out of the vet's office and into the car – even after getting the fatal injection?

The cat didn't answer. She meowed again, and looked at them expectantly. Guilt-stricken and not knowing what else to do, they drove back to the vet's office, talking in soothing tones. The cat laid down in the carrier and appeared to go to sleep. The couple looked at each other again, but when they turned back to their tabby, she was gone.

Cleveland Kindergarten Flapper Girls....My Julie is the one in the hat!

Tired....just plain tired....

I've been having a lot of nightmares for the past two weeks.  Every night I wake up because my hip is hurting which allows me to remember (with too much detail) the bad dreams I'm having.  Last night there were three and they involved everything from flaming car crashes and my former neighbor burning to death in front of my eyes to a meeting with my uncle (who has been dead over 30 years) to discuss my brother.  The last one was a little fuzzy but I know I was late to work because I got a call from my daughter who needed help for some reason........I'm exhausted this morning!

I read something yesterday on Facebook written by a 40 year old about the smelly old people at the dentist's office.  I know it was meant in humor but after reading some confirming comments from others about old people smelling because their insides are rotting it made me think about my 90 something mother. 

Young people may think old people just don't bathe and sometimes that does become a problem.  My mother hated to get in the shower because it was exhausting for her and because of her arthritis sometimes very painful.  Medications she took made her breath bad and no amount of mouthwash was able to fix it.  She would have been so embarrassed if she had known.  It would have made me so sad if she had been the subject of ridicule.  Reading things like that makes me so sad.

Heavy Load

It's been a busy week so far and it just got started.  This is the first time I've had a chance to update in a while.

As a caregiver for my brother I sometimes feel the responsibility weighing heavily over my shoulder.  Being responsible for another human being and guardian over their well being can feel really overwhelming at times.  I feel it especially when it comes to financial matters.  

I recently got a notice from a collection agency concerning a physician's group in Okla. City.  I've never seen a bill from anyone so the first contact being from a collection agency really startled me.  After some digging all I've been able to learn so far is it dates back to May, 2011.  Since, we didn't start handling all his finances until 2012 there is no telling what the bill is for or whether Mike ever received a statement.

The other thing I'm working on is his Medicare/Medicaid.  I got a form yesterday to review his Medicaid eligibility.   I just get worried that I'll make a mistake on something but I'm just doing the best I can and that's all I can do.  Bless his ole heart....his cognitive decline has just been so swift that this is completely necessary.  My job is to keep him safe, happy and independent as long as possible.  So far so good.

Sometimes I really sense Ron's frustration if not resentment of the situation.  Our weekends are almost totally devoted to Mike.  A fact that is really hard for Ron.  But with both of us working full time the weekends are all we have to take care of Mike's needs like his shopping and house cleaning etc.  Plus we spend all day Sunday with him for church and lunch outings.  It's a lot to ask of my husband and though he assures me he knew what he was getting in to when he married me I know his life would be a lot less hectic if he hadn't.

But, all in all, we are grateful and very fortunate that we are able to accomplish what we do.  

 

Life Lessons

When Mike and I were in grade school there was a grocery store just around the corner from our house.  Normally we both loved it when our parents asked us to go to the store for some last minute item.  But one day for some reason I protested when my father asked me to go.  Mike jumped up and volunteered and with money in hand out the door he went.

A short time later Mike came through the door handing his parcel to our dad just as I said, Ha Ha you had to go to the grocery store.  I know more got the words out of my mouth when Mike looked at me holding something in his hand and replied, “Yeah, but look who got the Tootsie Roll.”   

Our father was a sales manager at the time and used this story at many of his sales meetings.  The lesson of course is that the one who goes the extra mile……………..gets the Tootsie Roll.  

Glad I learned that lesson early.

What life lessons did you learn at an early age?

OOOklahoma where the wind comes straight from the Gov's office.

Ron got his schedule yesterday and after 5 weeks he will be working 11:00 - 8:00 Mon-Friday and sometimes Saturday.  So, in the scheme of things we won't be together much since I work 8 -4 but he will have two more hours a day to call his own and that's what matters.  He'll have his mornings to schedule doctor appointments, etc. and that will be a great help.

Yesterday the Gov. of my fair state said that state agencies will not be using state money to maintain services.  She says Oklahoma is not in the business of bailing out the Federal government.   “The state of Oklahoma doesn’t have the resources to prop up federal programs with state dollars if the federal government shutdown continues."

What she's really saying is....."I have high political aspirations and I'm up for re-election in Oklahoma where blue is the dominant color.'Oh, and I hate Obama."

So you Oklahomans who are expecting services can just sit on it!  Your state doesn't have your back.  

That my friends is the difference between liberals and conservatives.  

Ron started his new job yesterday and it was weird when we pulled into the driveway yesterday afternoon at the same time.  So nice that he is in town and no more commute to the city.

I can't believe half the month of October is over.  Amazing how fast time flies except in Washington.  They seem to know how to make time stand still or does it just seem that way?  I can't even talk about that mess anymore because I feel my blood pressure rising when I do.  

I've been trying to get some Christmas shopping done and I got a gag gift for my twin daughters for their birthday.  One daughter is accident prone (as I've mentioned before) and so I am telling them I had dolls commissioned from their likeness.
 

I ordered two brunette dolls and the wheelchair set.  I hope Julie doesn't mind being the brunt of the joke.  Before my mother died she referred to Julie as "the damaged one".  Right now Julie is sporting a leg brace a cast on her arm and a wrapped ankle on the "good" leg.

Turn the lights back on..................

The following was posted on the webpage of Okla. Republican Representative Jim Bridenstine:

"The reason the federal government is shut down is because President Obama and his allies continue to protect a failed law that is hurting the country.  Congress should ensure not another dime of taxpayer money is spent on Obamacare."

Oh those pesky republicans....they do have a way of spinning a yarn.............failed law they say......you mean the one that hasn't had the opportunity to fail?  PLEASE.....give me a break.   I've never been so disgusted in my life.  

 "A CBS News poll found that only 25 percent of Americans approve of shutting down the government over differences about Obamacare.  Prior to the shutdown, Republican strategists reportedly believed that the continuing unpopularity of Obamacare would translate into public support for efforts to use the budget process to delay or defund it. It’s clear that they miscalculated."  (Fix.gov)

Congressional Republicans cannot reasonably expect Obama to compromise on the signature achievement of his presidency. Now that the Affordable Health Care Act is going into effect, it will be up to voters in future elections to evaluate it. Republicans should turn their attention to fiscal policy, the budget and debt ceiling deadlines that triggered the current crisis.