It could bark,

another layer, another step

Yay, Dad is done with Rehab.  The Rehabilitation MD was happy with his progress and said that he was free to continue or stop as he pleased.  So the last Physical Therapy session was today.

"You're nothing but a pack of cards!"

it only looks bad

OK, panic is starting to set in, especially after I talked to work about continuing my health coverage.  The finances are definitely shrinking.

I wish I had Time to look for a job, Time to actually work aside from the full Time job I'm already doing.  (Did I mention exhaustion?)

And to top it all off, a few acquaintances of my parents have it in there heads that I moved home for Financial Reasons.  Well, why haven't you put your house up for sale?  Wow.

Deep breath.  God will get me through this.

I'll get into the garden,

Grasping for Spring

The Poinsettias were thrown out yesterday, today I was allowed to throw out the Christmas Wreath . . . tomorrow must be Palm Sunday!

handing her a pair of knitting needles

one hot yarn

I finished my first project, (which per the one class I took, was supposed to be a wash cloth).  OK, so it took a month, and I had to unravel my practice piece to make the length, but I was still working on the multi-colored winter scarf too.  I love the funky "yarn" I found for the fringe, I think it really makes it!

PS

I was only working on this scarf when I was at the hospital, visiting.


Mom is knitting again too.  She's still practicing, but she is getting up to speed!  (I didn't push, she decided she was ready.)

it is most certain to disagree with you

Out patient Rehab.

Dad was a little bit ill yesterday.  The most common response to nausea . . . does not go well with insulin dependent diabetes.  So, due to general unstableness, (gait, blood sugar, etc.) we cancelled Rehab.

He seems better today, but still recovering.  Hopefully Rehab. will be on tomorrow. 

The loveliest garden you ever saw.

Happy Spring!

Between yourself and me."

Just saying.

sentence first---verdict afterwards

Right of way    and/or    My way

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

I've taken so many deep breaths

that I'm starting to hyperventilate.

Before I moved in to help my parents . . . things I knew . . . 1. I do not know how to load a dishwasher properly   2. I am a total slob    3. I will never be as smart as my brothers.  (Really, it's a wonder I ever tried Nursing School, I was academic 2nd in my class even though I was the only one working full time too, guess it doesn't say much for my class.)

New things I have learned . . . (when I am home and at my job, I am very capable of manually ventilating a child while I make repairs to the mechanical ventilator . . . at the same time, here on the other hand)  I am not allowed to even attempt to change the battery in a watch or plunge a toilet . . . because I will break it or make it worse.  (yes, that was the reasons given.)  My IQ points are dropping by the minute, apparently.

sigh

PS
I've vented now, I will be better,
really.

"But wait a bit,"

rut-roe

Hooray, I found, what I believe is, a fantastic Kennel for the dogs. 

Soon we will be leaving for a week of Family togetherness, (as much as they are adored by all, the furry children are not invited).  Unfortunately, the friend they usually stay with is still in New England, so it is kenneling for the very first time.  I found 3 possible choices, which Mom and I personally checked out 2. We found more cons then pros with the first, and though we were leery when we drove up, we LOVED the second and never bothered with the third.  We did all the paperwork and they are all set for 9 days of "spring break!"

They even get to room together.

"It is a long tail, certainly,"

Nice Niece Art

Last night, for my Birthday, my Niece read to us three tales, (tails?), of "Baby Mouse."  Actually, it was good we didn't have video phone . . . I hope she didn't hear when Grandpa started to snore.

"That wood's full of them."

Don't ask, don't tell.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

everyone!

"I like birthday presents best,"

The Ides of March

It's been the best day.  Maine Lobster at Red Lobster, (why are there only 2 in ALL of New England, and they are BOTH in Conn.?), chocolate-chocolate cake made by Mom, mint Moose-tracks ice cream, getting cool cards, great presents and shopping for "gift" clothes.

Contrariwise

Pepper cuddling and Jack guarding . . . priorities.

Jack takes his guarding duties very seriously.  He likes watching out the front door sidelights and nothing escapes his attention.  I know when the mail arrives, somebody walks by, or when the beagle next door evades his owners by a woof, yip, whine, growl or groan. 

"He's only just out of Prison, . . ."

Making a break for it.

Dad made it out a day earlier then "we" expected.  Fortunately, Mom and I kept his suitcase in the car just in case.  He will get out-patient Rehab. at the same facility 3X a week, for who knows how long.  He is also being required to go to Elder Driver's Ed. post regular Rehab. before he will be allowed to drive.  Whhhooooow.  (that was the breath I'd been holding!)

Rules of Battle

Sir Didymus

Actually Jack reminds me of Sir Didymus from the movie Labyrinth.  Now there was a Knight you could count on.

". . .but then I came and rescued her!"

My sweet Jack

I've mentioned Jack very little, but then what is there to say, except he is my 15 pound Knight, (Scottie), who is quick and has sharp white teeth.  He is smart, tireless and faithful to the end.

He has taken on a 6 foot man, who entered our house (without Jack's permission), and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, who flew at me in (what could be construed) a menacing way.  Oddly enough, the Man, (with a large blood blister, administered through jeans and just south of the "family jewels"), bragged about this little dog to everyone we knew, and the Ridgebacks, (after 30 seconds on not being able to touch this black fury snapping at their bellies), thought retreat was the better part of valor.

"Just then flew down a monstrous crow,

as black as a tar barrel;

Evil came to my blog in the form of immediate re-directs, but after a great battle, I at last evicted the offending gadget and have prevailed.  (just getting to the blog was pert near impossible much less ridding it of the infection!)

Happy UnBirthday to me!

Hot Dog!

Dad is now in Rehab. as of March 1st.  After all evaluations with PT, OT, Speech, the Rehab. Doc. has stated, "two weeks."  So, the 14th or 15th of March, (the 14th being an UnBirthday Day!).  Of course Mom and I are living it up and celebrating all our UnBirthdays, while he is in!  We are fortunate that he is now very close by and with his schedule we only visit once a day now.

Oh my ears and whiskers,

is he back?

Jack and Pepper want to know what we did with the tottering, growly voiced man who drops food.

Ah, that's the great puzzle!

no paparazzi allowed

The probable diagnosis is . . .

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. TIA symptoms, which usually occur suddenly, are similar to those of stroke but do not last as long. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may persist for up to 24 hours. Symptoms can include: numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke