jriva

That is touching, Bonnie!!! It's back to the far reaching effect that strokes have on everyone in the family.

Jean

Sue,

That is what is so special about having visitors come who aren't so personally involved in the pain of the situation when someone is in the hospital. They DO bring brightness and comfort with them if only for a short time.

Glad Ray seems to be making progress!

Jean

Kristen,

This is sure a hard time for your family. I hope with all my heart that your wish for a peaceful and pain-free time will come true.

:friends: Jean

.

I'm with Denny. I'm always early for appointments and always have been. I'd rather be early and read in the car for 15 minutes than have a delay at the last minute or on the road and be stressed by being late.

In the pre-stroke days Don was like Fred. He was never on time because he'd get lost in conversations so often when he was out and about. Now he has no choice, he's on 'Jean time.'

Jean

Sue,

I'm really happy to read this this afternoon! Things are on the upward swing and I'll bet your 'wife view' is more accurate than any professional view would have.

Jean

Asha,

It's a good thing your husband is half way around the country and half my age because I think I'm in love. Just kidding....but you do have a wise man for a husband.

Jean

.

We had a fur covered hot water bottle and the ticking clock for Cooper. They worked like a charm though it took around a month for him to quit crying when the water bottle cooled off and would sleep the whole night though.

Jean

Dickon,

Oh, that lovely word filler we have on this site! What a laugh. It never recognized that some words really do have illegitimate uses. I'll look up a bushTit on the internet.

We get wrens, chickadees, and Downy woodpeckers down here too. Can't wait to see our first robin of spring!

Jean

I'm a bird watcher too. Where are you from? I don't recognize this bird as being one in West Michigan. We have tons of yellow finches that hang around all winter at our feeder. I love them and often wonder how they endure the cold and snow.

Jean

Sarah

In a household of snows I would have named the puppy, 'flake.'

Take him around the block at least once a week in the car to get him used to travel so he doesn't get fearful of car trips. Otherwise even trips to the vet can be traumatic. Get him used to tiny trips like that and build them up. Our last two dogs have been all over the United States, good travelers, but you do need to gently ease many dogs them into it as puppies.

Jean

Jan,

Welcome to the blog world. About time you joined us!!!!

I'm joining your chat about spring getting here. Being in the snowplow business for so many years, I remember recording a winter like this decades ago where we had no snow before Christmas, got royally dumbed the last half of January and first half of February only to have spring break out early on Valentine's Day. I'm placing my bets that is what will happen this year. I hope!!! I'm sick of snow and cold here in Michigan.

Jean

Actually, Sue, the proper way would be for Maggie to abandon this new membership name and have me delete it from the system and MM go back to her old display name that includes all her old posts and blogs. Let me know if you want to do that, Maggie. We try really hard not to have members with more one ID.

Jean

Maggy,

Welcome back. I just looked at your profile and can tell your old display name/membership used to be MargaretMary, so that might help people to remember you. Hope you are enjoying all the snow up your way here in Michigan.

Jean

Oh, yes! I don't think it's anything anyone can really understand unless they've been a caregiver and been through the emotional aspects as well as the physical aspects.

Sue, it probably doesn't mean as much coming from someone outside the family, but "THANKS" for taking care of Ray. You do a good job in a difficult situation.

Jean

Lucy,

You wouldn't be normal if you didn't vent and get upset over something like this. But you will work it out in time. If you're talking about hospital and medical bills you can often work out a reduction. That's not a give away or copping out on a bill. They have programs to help and there is no shame in using them when you need to for such good reasons as you have. When you get back on your feet you can always make a donation to the funds that helped you out, too.

Jean

.

An album of Ray from the inside out? Happy to see your sense of humor today! I needed the smile this line gave me.

Jean

Wow, Sue, what a terrible guilt trip to hang on the caregiver who left!!! Life is never that black and white that any of us should be judged that way. I think the caregivers who leave probably didn't have good marriages to begin with or the caregiver just doesn't have anything left to give. It can be a draining experience. Maybe it's my imagination but I also think society is also quicker to forgive the male caregiver for leaving than they are the females.

Jean

It is sad, Fred. But I'll wager that you go out of your way to bring a smile to those people at the VA who are all alone.

Asha, right. You don't blog often but when you do it's thought provoking.

Jean

Betty Jean,

I'll bet he just wanted to make sure the movement was for real, and not a a chance thing that wouldn't last before he told you. In either case, I know how these little changes can make your whole day brighter with hope.

Jean

Good for you and your husband, Bonnie! That should make such a big difference in your lives.

Jean

You're a woman after my own heart. Women often look better without all that stuff. But don't ask me to go out with eyebrow powder. I'd sooner go out without underpants.

Jean

Sue,

I'm so happy for you both that Ray has this opportunity at rehab!! I know it's not easy in your heart to have a husband not living at home but try to use this time to regain a little of your own strength too.

It was so nice to see the chat numbers up there last night. Thanks for helping to make it a friendly room.

Jean

That's progress, Bonnie---rechecks every 6 months instead of every three! Go, John!!

Walking on dirt is hard, isn't it. Glad you made it up the path, another accomplishment under your belt.

Jean

Things are looking up for you two!!! More good days will come along soon, I bet.

Jean

Have you checked out our Disability Sports and Hobbies forum on the message board? There are some ideas posted there on one-handed sewing and quilting.

Jean