Ever had a time in your life where it feels like there has been a full moon for about three years running? That's where I'm at right now. On the days I don't personally feel crazy it feels like most of the people affecting my life are.
As I've mentioned we made the decision to move my parents in with us until they could get back on their feet after some pretty serious physical issues my father has had. Thus far it has been three surgeries in less than two months. I'm not sure how my mother has been able to do it for so long. This last surgery was a surprise. The wound from his second surgery wasn't healing properly, had to be "abraded" which pretty much means they went in and scrubbed out the infection and any associated dead tissue and he subsequently came home from the hospital with a pic line for intravenous antibiotics and a wound pump to drain off fluid build up. We already arranged for home health care to come in but we will still be handling most of everything. Where it appears we dodged a bullet is that my father's reaction to the sedation was not as severe this time because we didn't have to deal with the Delaudid/Cipro side effects. The man has an open wound and is only taking OTC meds for pain. Told him I would get him a blue spandex unitard and red cape and Mom and I would sew a big red "S" on the chest just for him. Hmmm ... he was not amused.
Not fun getting put into the position of the "bad guy" when it comes to snacks and menu planning but it is what it is; he and Mom both need healthier eating habits. I'd love to say they are old enough that eating what they want won't adversely affect their quality of life but that simply isn't true. Sugar and carbs are the big baddies in the room right now but there is also sodium and fats. Plus he needs more protein to rebuild the muscle he has lost from being bed-bound so much. I'm actually enjoying modifying his favorite recipes and he's being a good sport about eating the resulting experiments. Although with as hungry as he has been it isn't getting him to eat that is the challenge so much as keeping my mother from giving him (sneaking him) "snacks" to abate his misery. Fun, fun, fun.
I haven't been able to finish the writing projects that have been on my to do list but I hope to achieve some kind of streamlined schedule soon. At-home intravenous antibiotics three times per day, in home health care two and three times per week, physical therapy starting today so I don't know yet, cooking three meals and two snacks per day, the extra cleaning and precautions for infection control, doctors' appointments, two extra pets in the house, and so much more is taking up a lot of the "free time" I was hoping to have this summer. That doesn't even include the activities my kids are in and having my adult son gone leaving the things he normally does for us for someone else to pick up ... ugh. Ugh. UGH.
I missed adding new trees to my edible landscaping but hopefully I'll be able to get some tropical in this fall. I have a few sitting in pots from last planting time and made the mistake of thinking I would get to them this time. Looks like they'll get a re-pot before they'll get a re-plant.
The pond area at the back of our property that backs up to the swamp is getting out of control again. I may just have to lay weed paper down in the worst of the areas and then mulch it the best I can though a couple of areas are fairly steep. The real problem is the plants growing in the pond. Since I'm fond of neither snakes nor gators it may be time to hire a professional to get those pulled out again.
Ew, making myself antsy thinking of all the things there are to do that aren't getting done. Time to refocus so on to the story updates. Before the end of the day I will have the following stories added to:
A Bunch of Wild Thyme
Emi on the Caloosahatchee
Zombies Aren't Real ... Are They?!
Dark Days
I'm also hoping to have a new entry for Up on Hartford Ridge but that depends on whether I have any unexpected nails pop up that I need to hammer back down.
Today's vids fall under the key word "safety." Ever wonder why you aren't supposed to pour water on an oil fire? The Slo-Mo guys explain it and give good video of the result.
The next video shows that storing fuel in glass containers is akin to a Molotov cocktail. Hint: definitely not something to do at home. Just let crazies like the Slo-Mo guys do the experiment for you.
The following is an oldie but a goodie from 1949 outlining safety in the kitchen. My mother said she'd even seen this one in one of her home ec classes. LOL.
One of the funniest safety videos comes to us from Air New Zealand, especially if you enjoy The Lord of the Ring series.
That last picture of the two on the bird reminded me of you, having to fly here, there and everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYay for updates! Still breathlessly waiting on Hartford Ridge. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy husband (and myself to some extent) are a bit into physique/bodybuilding which are 6-7 meals a day. It wears me out to face cooking some days! Have you ever looked into batch or bulk cooking? I'll make a big pot of rice to use in various ways (adding in cilantro-lime, or salsa, steamed veggies-boullion) so we don't get bored. Grill 8 pounds of chicken breast, make a huge pot of spaghetti meat sauce (husband likes plain pasta, I like zucchini noodle, little gets half&half). Boil a whole carton of eggs (keeps in the fridge a week), or when you make a casserole, make another 2 in foil pans to keep in the freezer, OR, put all the ingredients in a ziplock bag in the freezer to dump in your crock pot in the morning.
You're probably already doing all that (haha!) but it was like an epiphany to me that I didn't have to make every single meal fresh and from scratch. I've even made mashed potatoes and gravy to reheat. =D
Good luck, and prayers for a swift recovery.
Got cut off by blogger, but meant to post 'Lord knows, nursin' ain't easy!' Have a great week, Kathy!
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