Hopefully most everyone knows by now, but maybe there are one or two people out of the loop. In case you have not already heard: Mark and I were married on August 21st. We were supposed to get married the following week, but because nothing is ever easy, because life is always about making as many people as happy and as satisfied as possible, Mark and I changed our plans at the very last minute. We were married in a quick, simple but touching and sweet ceremony in Algodones, New Mexico. (outside of Albuquerque) The ceremony took place in a tiny little chapel that is just over 200 years old. Mark's son, Jacob, was the only person with us, and he served as best man and Mark's witness. The minister's wife served as my witness. The following week, we had a little 'reception' at our house w/ some Rudy's bar-b-q, wedding cake, champagne and a handful of wonderful friends.
Mark and I are moving to Texas. He has been transferred to Kingsville, TX where he is to begin working the first part of November. Between now and then, we need to find a home. (aaarrrggghhh)
so.........
Last Friday Mark and I flew into Houston. We called up my sister at the last minute and were pleasantly surprised that she and Daniel could meet us at the Cadillac Bar for a couple drinks and a late supper. It was the first time the four of us had ever gotten together, and I had a really nice and fun time. I think Mark and Daniel will get along great as brothers-in-law. I'm still wondering about Daniel's drunk story. Mark, Kristi and I all shared our most drunk story and the bits and pieces of memory we have or, more appropriately, don't have from that night. Daniel did not share his story. In the words of Frasier Crane, "I'm listening."
Saturday morning Mark and I headed south to Kingsville and Bishop. Kingsville is the small town where Mark will be stationed. Bishop is a spec of a town outside of Kingsville. Mark was told by other Border Patrol agents that Bishop is a great place to live if one works in Kingsville. Mark had found a few places on the internet that looked promising, so we had a few appointments set up with sellers and/or realtors to look at those houses. We did. It was not promising. It was a bit discouraging. Because of the drought, everything looked so sad, dead and depressing. We tried not to let that bother us, but it did. Let's face it, when everything is dead, it is depressing. Even when one knows and understands the circumstances, it just does not leave one with the most positive impression. Each house we looked at was also a bit discouraging. Every single house needed some work done before we could move in. Obviously some needed more work than others. Obviously some were more comfortable than others. But none of them just felt 'right'. To be making such a big decision and a big move, nothing was feeling like a good fit. I was getting a bit discouraged, but thankfully Mark was not. I kept asking him questions and asking him what he was thinking, and he was staying so positive and so logical he kept me going. After all of our appointments, Mark was going to take another drive through some neighborhoods in Kingsville, drive through Bishop some more, and then we were going to head to Corpus (and the water!) for the night. As Mark is driving around, I'm talking to God. I'm not paying too much attention to where Mark is going or what he is doing, because I'm praying. I'm telling God that I know He has plans for us. I know we can find a home. I know that God has a home for us, but that we just need to find that home. That we just need God to show us that home. As I am praying, Mark remembers another neighborhood he saw on the internet with a house for sale. Neither one of us loved the house, so we didn't set up an appointment, but now that we were so close, Mark decided to drive by. As he drives past the house and out of the neighborhood, Mark takes a turn not realizing he turned down a dead end road. He decided to drive to the end of the road and turn around. I'm still not paying much attention to him, as I am still talking to God.
All of a sudden Mark says, "Hey, this house is for sale. Look." And in the yard is a "For Sale by Owner" sign.
Mark asks, (as he slowly drives by the house) "Should we stop?"
I look and there is a man out in front of the house watching us. "Sure," I say, "He looks like he's probably the owner."
We back up, pull in, get out and the man is quite friendly and quite happy to see us. He had put the sign out that morning. He had not even advertised in the paper yet, as he was planning to do that on Monday.
The man informed us later that, as he saw us driving by, he hoped that we would stop.
Now I do not believe in coincidences. I do believe everything happens for a reason. As I was asking God to show us our home, we stumble across this house. And it's perfect. It felt so right.
The house is an older house. Not sure when it was built but perhaps the 70's, maybe the 80's. But it is in very good shape. We could tell it has been well taken care of and 'fixed up'. New roof, new duct work, new windows, etc. A beautiful, green yard. A nice sized front porch. A flag pole. The back yard has a nice sized patio. An above ground pool with a well constructed deck built around it; complete with bar-b-q pit which will be staying. The house is at the end of a dead end street in a small town which means little to no traffic. Other border patrol agents live in the surrounding neighborhoods. It feels so 'right'. Four bedrooms/Two baths. A small, but not tiny, kitchen. It sits on three acres and has two barns. One barn is a bit older and was built to house equipment, tools, vehicles, etc. The other barn is newer and smaller and was built more as a 'casita' with a man cave.
I love this house. I love this place. It's entirely fenced in and there is nothing that we would have to do before moving in with both Dolce and Georgia O'Keeffe.
It's ten minutes from the station, and it would be the shortest commute Mark has had in years ..... and it's only a half hour away from Corpus and the beach and the island.
I want this to work out so badly.
Please, please pray that we have found our home. That everything works together for us (with God's help) to make this happen.
We would have plenty of room for all of our friends and families (and their dogs!) to come and visit.
Mark had talked to some other border patrol agents living in the area, and the Dragonfly restaurant was recommended. We found it, it's on the island, and it was soooo good. I'm sure it's a place we will take those who come to visit. I found a hot, spicy jalapeno martini that I loved. It's called the "Spicy Jose Martini". Obviously we both had seafood, and it was delicious. The waitresses were adorable and friendly.
Sunday we headed back to Houston and the airport. We got to the airport and were told that our flight had an hour and a half delay. OK. Let's go watch some football. Eventually we head to our gate, and as we are sitting there, a fire alarm begins to go off. Now, considering it's Sept 11, and considering we are sitting in an airport, one would think we would get concerned or worried or upset. However, anyone assuming that, knows very little about my personality. I just sat reading my book while Mark just sat trying to grab a nap. Over the loud speaker came the announcement, "Do not worry. Do not panic. False Alarm. Stay put. Stay seated. No need to panic." This was immediately followed with, "Evacuate the building. Everybody out. Everybody out. Evacuate the building." what? So we get up and start heading out. Thankfully, I didn't see anyone panicking, but some people were rushing more than others. Mark and I were among those who were meandering our way out. I really did not want to go past security, because we knew once we did, we would have to go back through security. So again, we're walking slowly towards the security point. Right before we pass this point, we hear "False alarm. Everybody back to your gate. Everybody back." So we head back to our gate without having to worry about security. As we were lining up for our flight, some were running up to the line still putting on their shoes and belts. After that excitement, the flight was uneventful......
OK, I think that should catch everyone up on my life.
well, except that I have been busier in my personal life than my Mary Kay life, but I still absolutely love this company, love this product, and love all my customers. If anyone is interested in any products, any samples, any questions, please, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Have a blessed and wonderful day, and please continue to pray that God puts us exactly where He wants us.............
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
planning a second wedding....
is so much different than planning a first.
I do not want a big 'to do'. (but then I didn't want a big 'to do' the first time around either....)
I just want to be married.
I didn't want to have to pick a date, get a license, invite people, plan it out, think about it .... I just want to be married.
but things are not that simple. In order to be legally married, I do have to get a license. oh bother.
In order to get married in the church, I do have to meet with the Pastor, pick a date, have a witness. oh dear.
so we did.
We met with the Pastor last Saturday. He asked us a few personal questions that I won't go into on here. We talked about our past marriages, and what went wrong in them. How we felt that we could overcome those issues so that they would not reoccur in this marriage. He asked us what date we wanted. We looked at one another. We hadn't picked a day. I had mentioned that, because I had been married in September before, I didn't think September was a good month; we should either get married in August or wait until October. He picked August 27th. It would still be August, but it would also give us time to plan. The Pastor asked, "What time?" We looked at one another. We hadn't thought about "what time?" I picked the time. not sure why, but I thought it sounded good. 6:00pm. We talked to the Pastor a bit more. Mark has never been married in a church. Mark has never even attended a wedding in a church. He is looking forward to picking out our Bible readings. I know he will put a great deal of thought into which ones he wants. We left the Pastor....
Mark did buy me a ring. He had it when he proposed, and now it's being resized.
When we took my ring in to be sized, I bought him a ring. It's sitting in the box that my ring came in. waiting.
Mark wanted a new suit. I didn't see the reason or need to spend money to get anything new, but Mark wanted 'new'. He wants a few new things for our new life.
At first I was balking a bit; I felt it a needless waste of money, but the idea is growing on me. As I've been out planning and getting a few things, I find myself enjoying this whole process.
So Mark ordered a new suit. Charcoal.
Now I needed a dress. I kept thinking about all the dresses in my closet. Surely one of those would work ... but in the back of my head, I kept thinking I should 'suck it up' and get a new dress to go with his new suit.
I found one on "calvinklein.com". on sale (!). Charcoal.
win/win
Both my daughter and my best friend, Karen, approved of the dress, so I ordered it.
When I called my mom to tell her about the wedding, she asked me if I was going to be getting a photographer. a photographer?? I never even thought of a photographer. I didn't want to hire a photographer. It's my second wedding. I don't want to go all out. I don't want to spend lots of money. But my mom insisted I needed pictures. hmmmmm. Wait a minute .... my sister just received an amazing camera from her amazing boyfriend. She takes amazing pictures. We really weren't planning on family being here, but if I could get my sister here, I'd have a photographer.
My sister is coming. I have my photographer.
(We weren't planning on family, because we knew most of them would not be able to make it out here on such short notice, especially this time of the year with school starting back up. My son is still in school, and my daughter is a teacher. Timing's not so great for them.....)
Then it dawned on me, will I be walking up the aisle? Will I need flowers? If I don't have flowers, what will I do with my hands? I have a friend who works at the florist shop just around the corner. I went in and talked to her ....
--"do I need flowers?", I asked.
--"Of course, you need flowers!", she answered.
--"but I want it simple. I don't want a big 'to do.'"
--"We'll keep it simple. What color flowers were you thinking?"
--"I don't know. I wasn't thinking."
--"What color will you be wearing? What color will he be wearing?"
--"Charcoal."
--"Ohhhh, Charcoal. I love it. Lavender is so pretty with charcoal. Would you like lavender?"
--"maybe."
--"Let's look." she pulls out her book, we look. "These lavender roses would be beautiful with charcoal."
--"OK"
I buy a bouquet for me. A corsage for my witness. Two boutonnieres; one for him, one for his witness. all lavender roses.
I think, "Do I need a cake?" I tell myself, "I LIKE cake." I'll get a cake. Cake is always good.
Cake and champagne. mmmmmmm. I run into the Cupcake Hut to order my cake.
--"What can I help you with?"
--"I want to order a cake."
--"For?"
--"I'm getting married."
--"Oh congratulations! What would you like?"
--"I don't know."
--"How many people?"
--"Oh, very small. Very, very small. The cake only needs to feed a few people."
--"One tier or two?"
--"One."
--"OK, what flavor?"
--"I don't know. What flavors do you have?"
--"Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon...."
--"Lemon!"
--"OK, Do you want flowers on it."
--"No. I am not a flower type person. I really am very simple and very easy to please. If you keep it simple, I will be happy. I promise."
--"Simple and elegant?"
--"Yes. Thank you."
I pay. I leave.
I head for the liquor store. It's been a while since I've been in a liquor store, so at first I just walk around noticing everything. I pick out a big bottle of champagne and two smaller bottles of pink champagne. All the same name. From New Mexico. I feel that is appropriate. I tell the woman behind the counter that I'm buying champagne because I'm getting married. She congratulates me. I ask her if she uses Mary Kay. She does not. I ask her about her skin, give her a few samples and get her name and phone number so I can follow up with her later. I love my job!!
So now my wedding is planned. This Friday, we will go and get the license.
Soon ...... I will be married.
I just want to be married.
I do not want a big 'to do'. (but then I didn't want a big 'to do' the first time around either....)
I just want to be married.
I didn't want to have to pick a date, get a license, invite people, plan it out, think about it .... I just want to be married.
but things are not that simple. In order to be legally married, I do have to get a license. oh bother.
In order to get married in the church, I do have to meet with the Pastor, pick a date, have a witness. oh dear.
so we did.
We met with the Pastor last Saturday. He asked us a few personal questions that I won't go into on here. We talked about our past marriages, and what went wrong in them. How we felt that we could overcome those issues so that they would not reoccur in this marriage. He asked us what date we wanted. We looked at one another. We hadn't picked a day. I had mentioned that, because I had been married in September before, I didn't think September was a good month; we should either get married in August or wait until October. He picked August 27th. It would still be August, but it would also give us time to plan. The Pastor asked, "What time?" We looked at one another. We hadn't thought about "what time?" I picked the time. not sure why, but I thought it sounded good. 6:00pm. We talked to the Pastor a bit more. Mark has never been married in a church. Mark has never even attended a wedding in a church. He is looking forward to picking out our Bible readings. I know he will put a great deal of thought into which ones he wants. We left the Pastor....
Mark did buy me a ring. He had it when he proposed, and now it's being resized.
When we took my ring in to be sized, I bought him a ring. It's sitting in the box that my ring came in. waiting.
Mark wanted a new suit. I didn't see the reason or need to spend money to get anything new, but Mark wanted 'new'. He wants a few new things for our new life.
At first I was balking a bit; I felt it a needless waste of money, but the idea is growing on me. As I've been out planning and getting a few things, I find myself enjoying this whole process.
So Mark ordered a new suit. Charcoal.
Now I needed a dress. I kept thinking about all the dresses in my closet. Surely one of those would work ... but in the back of my head, I kept thinking I should 'suck it up' and get a new dress to go with his new suit.
I found one on "calvinklein.com". on sale (!). Charcoal.
win/win
Both my daughter and my best friend, Karen, approved of the dress, so I ordered it.
When I called my mom to tell her about the wedding, she asked me if I was going to be getting a photographer. a photographer?? I never even thought of a photographer. I didn't want to hire a photographer. It's my second wedding. I don't want to go all out. I don't want to spend lots of money. But my mom insisted I needed pictures. hmmmmm. Wait a minute .... my sister just received an amazing camera from her amazing boyfriend. She takes amazing pictures. We really weren't planning on family being here, but if I could get my sister here, I'd have a photographer.
My sister is coming. I have my photographer.
(We weren't planning on family, because we knew most of them would not be able to make it out here on such short notice, especially this time of the year with school starting back up. My son is still in school, and my daughter is a teacher. Timing's not so great for them.....)
Then it dawned on me, will I be walking up the aisle? Will I need flowers? If I don't have flowers, what will I do with my hands? I have a friend who works at the florist shop just around the corner. I went in and talked to her ....
--"do I need flowers?", I asked.
--"Of course, you need flowers!", she answered.
--"but I want it simple. I don't want a big 'to do.'"
--"We'll keep it simple. What color flowers were you thinking?"
--"I don't know. I wasn't thinking."
--"What color will you be wearing? What color will he be wearing?"
--"Charcoal."
--"Ohhhh, Charcoal. I love it. Lavender is so pretty with charcoal. Would you like lavender?"
--"maybe."
--"Let's look." she pulls out her book, we look. "These lavender roses would be beautiful with charcoal."
--"OK"
I buy a bouquet for me. A corsage for my witness. Two boutonnieres; one for him, one for his witness. all lavender roses.
I think, "Do I need a cake?" I tell myself, "I LIKE cake." I'll get a cake. Cake is always good.
Cake and champagne. mmmmmmm. I run into the Cupcake Hut to order my cake.
--"What can I help you with?"
--"I want to order a cake."
--"For?"
--"I'm getting married."
--"Oh congratulations! What would you like?"
--"I don't know."
--"How many people?"
--"Oh, very small. Very, very small. The cake only needs to feed a few people."
--"One tier or two?"
--"One."
--"OK, what flavor?"
--"I don't know. What flavors do you have?"
--"Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon...."
--"Lemon!"
--"OK, Do you want flowers on it."
--"No. I am not a flower type person. I really am very simple and very easy to please. If you keep it simple, I will be happy. I promise."
--"Simple and elegant?"
--"Yes. Thank you."
I pay. I leave.
I head for the liquor store. It's been a while since I've been in a liquor store, so at first I just walk around noticing everything. I pick out a big bottle of champagne and two smaller bottles of pink champagne. All the same name. From New Mexico. I feel that is appropriate. I tell the woman behind the counter that I'm buying champagne because I'm getting married. She congratulates me. I ask her if she uses Mary Kay. She does not. I ask her about her skin, give her a few samples and get her name and phone number so I can follow up with her later. I love my job!!
So now my wedding is planned. This Friday, we will go and get the license.
Soon ...... I will be married.
I just want to be married.
Friday, July 15, 2011
working on it...
I am absolutely loving the entire Mary Kay experience and all that it has brought into my life.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Beth for sharing this opportunity with me.
I completely and whole heartedly believe in this product; I completely and whole heartedly believe in this company. I'm not sure how many of you know the story of Mary Kay Ash, but her story is such an inspiration to me. How she loved helping people. How she loved helping women. How she never forgot where she came from and who she was before she was ever "Mary Kay" cosmetics. How she loved helping women help themselves. How she pushed women to be the best they could be. How she made women feel beautiful ...... but more than that, how she made women feel special. If you don't know the Mary Kay story, do yourself a favor and read more about her. God used this wonderful woman in such a way that she could touch the lives of millions of women all over the world. Amazing? yes. But with God, not impossible.
I am building my business up slowly. With me, with my personality ... that is how I feel the most comfortable. It's also another reason I love this opportunity. A woman can push herself as hard as she wants to push, but she can also back off when she needs to or wants to. The choice is up to each woman to make on her own, depending on where she is in her life at the moment.
I have wanted to build up my business slowly for a couple of reasons. One was that I wanted to really learn the product line. Use the products. Understand the products. Be able to honestly answer questions about the products. Another reason was that I wanted to hold a few informal parties with friends and family so that I could grow comfortable in my own skin. Learn what works for me. Learn what is best for me.
All along the way, my wonderful cousin, Beth, nudged me along. She gave me goals. When I reached my goals, she sang my praises and congratulated me. If I did not reach a goal, she helped me to not beat myself up but rather encouraged me to look forward and try harder the next day or time. Beth often seemed to know when to push me, but Beth also seemed to know when to back off and let me be. It must come so naturally to her ...leading me and the other women in her life.
However, I also feel ready and confident to now "kick it up a notch". I still have much to learn, but I do feel that I'm ready to push myself harder. I am planning a "power start" for August which means that I plan to have 30 Mary Kay facials in 30 days. (for any of you in the Las Cruces area, I would absolutely adore some help with this! I know a few of you have been thinking of hosting parties, and August would be the perfect month!!) I am determined to make my business succeed. I am determined to be all that I can be ...... but more than that, I am determined to help others be all that they can be!!
I truly love this experience for many reasons. A few I have listed already, but I love meeting and helping women. Love helping them look and feel better about themselves. Love listening to their stories and sharing our lives. Mary Kay always wanted her company to be about so much more than just beauty products ..... she wanted her company to change people's lives. And it has. I know it has changed mine, and I am so happy to help other women change theirs.
Have a blessed day, and always remember that I am here for YOU!
Please contact me, and let me help you find your perfect skin care products, that perfect eye shadow, that elusive lip color ... whatever it is that you are needing, I absolutely love helping you find it!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Beth for sharing this opportunity with me.
I completely and whole heartedly believe in this product; I completely and whole heartedly believe in this company. I'm not sure how many of you know the story of Mary Kay Ash, but her story is such an inspiration to me. How she loved helping people. How she loved helping women. How she never forgot where she came from and who she was before she was ever "Mary Kay" cosmetics. How she loved helping women help themselves. How she pushed women to be the best they could be. How she made women feel beautiful ...... but more than that, how she made women feel special. If you don't know the Mary Kay story, do yourself a favor and read more about her. God used this wonderful woman in such a way that she could touch the lives of millions of women all over the world. Amazing? yes. But with God, not impossible.
I am building my business up slowly. With me, with my personality ... that is how I feel the most comfortable. It's also another reason I love this opportunity. A woman can push herself as hard as she wants to push, but she can also back off when she needs to or wants to. The choice is up to each woman to make on her own, depending on where she is in her life at the moment.
I have wanted to build up my business slowly for a couple of reasons. One was that I wanted to really learn the product line. Use the products. Understand the products. Be able to honestly answer questions about the products. Another reason was that I wanted to hold a few informal parties with friends and family so that I could grow comfortable in my own skin. Learn what works for me. Learn what is best for me.
All along the way, my wonderful cousin, Beth, nudged me along. She gave me goals. When I reached my goals, she sang my praises and congratulated me. If I did not reach a goal, she helped me to not beat myself up but rather encouraged me to look forward and try harder the next day or time. Beth often seemed to know when to push me, but Beth also seemed to know when to back off and let me be. It must come so naturally to her ...leading me and the other women in her life.
However, I also feel ready and confident to now "kick it up a notch". I still have much to learn, but I do feel that I'm ready to push myself harder. I am planning a "power start" for August which means that I plan to have 30 Mary Kay facials in 30 days. (for any of you in the Las Cruces area, I would absolutely adore some help with this! I know a few of you have been thinking of hosting parties, and August would be the perfect month!!) I am determined to make my business succeed. I am determined to be all that I can be ...... but more than that, I am determined to help others be all that they can be!!
I truly love this experience for many reasons. A few I have listed already, but I love meeting and helping women. Love helping them look and feel better about themselves. Love listening to their stories and sharing our lives. Mary Kay always wanted her company to be about so much more than just beauty products ..... she wanted her company to change people's lives. And it has. I know it has changed mine, and I am so happy to help other women change theirs.
Have a blessed day, and always remember that I am here for YOU!
Please contact me, and let me help you find your perfect skin care products, that perfect eye shadow, that elusive lip color ... whatever it is that you are needing, I absolutely love helping you find it!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
My Mary Kay morning....
OK. a couple of things.
First of all, I sent out an email to all my 'contacts' explaining my new MK adventure. In that email, I told a little story that had happened at my first skin care party. A friend of mine was laughing, and she asked me if that story really happened. I said, "Yes. Of course. It really did happen." She told me that story was what made up her mind to go and visit my website.
What was the story? I'll tell you...
As my first skin care party was winding down, a few of us were talking. I happened to mention that I had gotten divorced after twenty-seven years of marriage. This one girl just turned her head towards me and stared at me, and she asked, "How old are you?" Another girl jokingly laughed and told the first girl, "You never ask a woman her age." This first girl, while still staring right at me, said, "No. But the thing is, she doesn't look like she could have possibly been married to anyone for twenty-seven years!" I simply smiled and said, "Mary Kay."
That (true!) story is what prompted my friend to head on over to my website and check out Mary Kay for herself. She also told me that she loved how very easy my Mary Kay website is, which is something that I love to hear!!
Second of all, this was my morning:
I had a challenge. I somewhat came up with the challenge on my own, but I shared it with my director (and cousin) Beth. Sharing our goals and challenges helps us to be more accountable for them. There is this girl who I have noticed at the McDonald's drive thru many times. When I used to take care of Sam, I would often get his coffee at McDonald's, and I would see this girl. Her makeup is GORGEOUS. She uses a LOT of makeup. More than I would probably ever think of using, but she applies it perfectly and she always looks amazing. Ever since I began selling Mary Kay, I've wanted to get ahold of her. So with Beth's encouragement, I challenged myself to talk to her TODAY ... and I DID!!
Before I ever went into McDonald's, I asked a couple different people to pray for me. Before I ever went into McDonald's, God and I had a little discussion. I could not have done this on my own. I needed God's guidance, and I needed encouragement from my friends.
I went into the McDonad's, and it was quite crowded. Many people were in there, but few were at the counter. I waited until no one was at the counter, and I went up. A girl came and asked if she could help me. I told her that I wanted to talk to the other girl. (I didn't know her name!) This first girl said, "Michelle, someone wants to talk to you." (now I know her name) Michelle came over and asked what I needed. I handed her a Mary Kay sample with my business card attached. I said, "I absolutely LOVE your makeup. I've noticed it every time I'm in here, and I just love it. Do you happen to use Mary Kay?" She told me that not only did she not use Mary Kay, she had never even tried Mary Kay. (*gasp*) I told her, "I sell Mary Kay, and I would LOVE to get ahold of your face. I know you are at work right now, and I know it's busy, so I won't keep you, but I would love to talk to you. Please, please, please call me sometime." Now, I obviously have no idea if Michelle will call me, but I know when I left McDonald's, Michelle was beaming. I know my compliments made her feel good. (Let's face it, we all love compliments.) And I know she had a huge smile on her face as I walked out the door. I hope Michelle calls, but if she doesn't ..... I know where to find her. And I will follow up!
From there I went to the UPS store. I send my packages UPS. I always go to the same store, and there is always the same lady who works in there. So I walked into UPS with another sample complete with business card. Well, it turns out the UPS lady does use Mary Kay, as her daughter sells it. I told her, "Well, you see me in here all the time, you know that I obviously sell Mary Kay, and I wanted to offer it to you." She appreciated the offer, and she and I talked for a bit about both of our daughters... see, even when we don't sell Mary Kay, we build friendships. Even when we don't make a Mary Kay sale, we still make people feel special. I love that.
On the way out of the UPS store, I was holding my sample. I passed another woman in the parking lot, so I said, "Excuse me, do you use Mary Kay?"
She said, "Yes, I use Mary Kay and you can't sell me any, because I already have a Mary Kay lady in Virginia."
I said, "Well, I just happened to have this sample in my hand, and I was going to offer it to you."
She laughed and said, "Well, I will take a sample!"
So I handed her the sample, and as we parted ways, I said, "I'm so happy you have your own Mary Kay consultant. Mary Kay is not about taking customers away from others."
Again, no sale, but a fun little encounter.
Before I headed home, I remembered the apartments where Sam used to live. There are two women that work in the front office of the apartments, so I went to see them. Only one of them was in when I arrived, but I asked her if she used Mary Kay. She said that no she did not. I told her that I sold Mary Kay and I would love to show her the products sometime. Now it was my turn for a compliment as she said, "You always look so beautiful, but never overdone. I would love to get to know more about Mary Kay." I told her that I would call her later to set up a date and time, and she said that would be wonderful......!!
I got back into my car and said to God, "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!"
I absolutely love this adventure, (I refuse to call it a 'job') and I absolutely believe in this product. I cannot wait to keep helping woman after woman after woman.
OH........ and just another little (true) story. Maybe this will help motivate some of you still out there sitting on the fence. I used to have one of those deep crevices between my eyes. The mean/worry wrinkle. I hated it. A few years back, I even had it botoxed. I could live with laugh lines. I could live with crows feet. but I could NOT live with that deep crevice between my eyes. Guess what? That crevice is no longer there. I wish I could tell you that it's gone completely. It is not. But it is no longer a deep crevice. It is now merely a line that I have to look closely for to notice at all. Again, two words. Mary Kay. seriously, what are you waiting on? try it TODAY!!
First of all, I sent out an email to all my 'contacts' explaining my new MK adventure. In that email, I told a little story that had happened at my first skin care party. A friend of mine was laughing, and she asked me if that story really happened. I said, "Yes. Of course. It really did happen." She told me that story was what made up her mind to go and visit my website.
What was the story? I'll tell you...
As my first skin care party was winding down, a few of us were talking. I happened to mention that I had gotten divorced after twenty-seven years of marriage. This one girl just turned her head towards me and stared at me, and she asked, "How old are you?" Another girl jokingly laughed and told the first girl, "You never ask a woman her age." This first girl, while still staring right at me, said, "No. But the thing is, she doesn't look like she could have possibly been married to anyone for twenty-seven years!" I simply smiled and said, "Mary Kay."
That (true!) story is what prompted my friend to head on over to my website and check out Mary Kay for herself. She also told me that she loved how very easy my Mary Kay website is, which is something that I love to hear!!
Second of all, this was my morning:
I had a challenge. I somewhat came up with the challenge on my own, but I shared it with my director (and cousin) Beth. Sharing our goals and challenges helps us to be more accountable for them. There is this girl who I have noticed at the McDonald's drive thru many times. When I used to take care of Sam, I would often get his coffee at McDonald's, and I would see this girl. Her makeup is GORGEOUS. She uses a LOT of makeup. More than I would probably ever think of using, but she applies it perfectly and she always looks amazing. Ever since I began selling Mary Kay, I've wanted to get ahold of her. So with Beth's encouragement, I challenged myself to talk to her TODAY ... and I DID!!
Before I ever went into McDonald's, I asked a couple different people to pray for me. Before I ever went into McDonald's, God and I had a little discussion. I could not have done this on my own. I needed God's guidance, and I needed encouragement from my friends.
I went into the McDonad's, and it was quite crowded. Many people were in there, but few were at the counter. I waited until no one was at the counter, and I went up. A girl came and asked if she could help me. I told her that I wanted to talk to the other girl. (I didn't know her name!) This first girl said, "Michelle, someone wants to talk to you." (now I know her name) Michelle came over and asked what I needed. I handed her a Mary Kay sample with my business card attached. I said, "I absolutely LOVE your makeup. I've noticed it every time I'm in here, and I just love it. Do you happen to use Mary Kay?" She told me that not only did she not use Mary Kay, she had never even tried Mary Kay. (*gasp*) I told her, "I sell Mary Kay, and I would LOVE to get ahold of your face. I know you are at work right now, and I know it's busy, so I won't keep you, but I would love to talk to you. Please, please, please call me sometime." Now, I obviously have no idea if Michelle will call me, but I know when I left McDonald's, Michelle was beaming. I know my compliments made her feel good. (Let's face it, we all love compliments.) And I know she had a huge smile on her face as I walked out the door. I hope Michelle calls, but if she doesn't ..... I know where to find her. And I will follow up!
From there I went to the UPS store. I send my packages UPS. I always go to the same store, and there is always the same lady who works in there. So I walked into UPS with another sample complete with business card. Well, it turns out the UPS lady does use Mary Kay, as her daughter sells it. I told her, "Well, you see me in here all the time, you know that I obviously sell Mary Kay, and I wanted to offer it to you." She appreciated the offer, and she and I talked for a bit about both of our daughters... see, even when we don't sell Mary Kay, we build friendships. Even when we don't make a Mary Kay sale, we still make people feel special. I love that.
On the way out of the UPS store, I was holding my sample. I passed another woman in the parking lot, so I said, "Excuse me, do you use Mary Kay?"
She said, "Yes, I use Mary Kay and you can't sell me any, because I already have a Mary Kay lady in Virginia."
I said, "Well, I just happened to have this sample in my hand, and I was going to offer it to you."
She laughed and said, "Well, I will take a sample!"
So I handed her the sample, and as we parted ways, I said, "I'm so happy you have your own Mary Kay consultant. Mary Kay is not about taking customers away from others."
Again, no sale, but a fun little encounter.
Before I headed home, I remembered the apartments where Sam used to live. There are two women that work in the front office of the apartments, so I went to see them. Only one of them was in when I arrived, but I asked her if she used Mary Kay. She said that no she did not. I told her that I sold Mary Kay and I would love to show her the products sometime. Now it was my turn for a compliment as she said, "You always look so beautiful, but never overdone. I would love to get to know more about Mary Kay." I told her that I would call her later to set up a date and time, and she said that would be wonderful......!!
I got back into my car and said to God, "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!"
I absolutely love this adventure, (I refuse to call it a 'job') and I absolutely believe in this product. I cannot wait to keep helping woman after woman after woman.
OH........ and just another little (true) story. Maybe this will help motivate some of you still out there sitting on the fence. I used to have one of those deep crevices between my eyes. The mean/worry wrinkle. I hated it. A few years back, I even had it botoxed. I could live with laugh lines. I could live with crows feet. but I could NOT live with that deep crevice between my eyes. Guess what? That crevice is no longer there. I wish I could tell you that it's gone completely. It is not. But it is no longer a deep crevice. It is now merely a line that I have to look closely for to notice at all. Again, two words. Mary Kay. seriously, what are you waiting on? try it TODAY!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
thank you, Linda...
I had a 'one on one' facial with a sweet woman named Sarah last Wednesday. She already uses Mary Kay, and she already has her own Mary Kay consultant, so I knew I wouldn't be selling her anything, but she offered to allow me to practice with her. Even though she already LOVES the Mary Kay products, and knows how well they work, she and I went through the entire facial together so that I could (hopefully) build up my confidence. She is so sweet, and I appreciate her so much.
Then came Friday, and my friend Linda was having my first real skin care party. I showed up at Linda's a bit early to set up and get ready. Right on time, Linda's neighbors trickled in one by one. They were a wonderfully fun bunch of women. Very friendly and very welcoming. Even though they all knew one another, and I was the 'odd man out', they made me feel right at home and quite comfortable.
After a bit of chatting and some margarita making, we got down to the reason we had all gathered. We had the skin care portion of our skin care party. There were eight women, nine including me. I think we all had a great time. Most of them already knew the products, and a couple of them had been MK Consultants before. They were all aware that this was my first party, and they all helped to make me learn. They listened as I went through my presentation, and once in a while they offered up very useful advice. At the end of the evening, I did sell a few products to a few of the women, but more than that, I met some wonderful, wonderful women, had a great time, and learned a bit more to take with me to my next party.
I loved them all, and I want to thank them for making me feel so relaxed and 'at home' for my first ever party ............ on to my next!!
Then came Friday, and my friend Linda was having my first real skin care party. I showed up at Linda's a bit early to set up and get ready. Right on time, Linda's neighbors trickled in one by one. They were a wonderfully fun bunch of women. Very friendly and very welcoming. Even though they all knew one another, and I was the 'odd man out', they made me feel right at home and quite comfortable.
After a bit of chatting and some margarita making, we got down to the reason we had all gathered. We had the skin care portion of our skin care party. There were eight women, nine including me. I think we all had a great time. Most of them already knew the products, and a couple of them had been MK Consultants before. They were all aware that this was my first party, and they all helped to make me learn. They listened as I went through my presentation, and once in a while they offered up very useful advice. At the end of the evening, I did sell a few products to a few of the women, but more than that, I met some wonderful, wonderful women, had a great time, and learned a bit more to take with me to my next party.
I loved them all, and I want to thank them for making me feel so relaxed and 'at home' for my first ever party ............ on to my next!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
happenings...
Friday night I got a phone call. This couple was in town for the NMSU graduation, and they had brought their two-year old beagle along on the trip. They were staying at a 'pet friendly' hotel, but whenever they left Baron alone in the room, he barked and barked and barked. They just could not do that to the other guests.
Someone had given them my phone number, so they called.
Could I please babysit Baron on Saturday night while they attended the graduation?
Absolutely. No problem.
Saturday evening I got to their hotel room a bit early so they could fill out some paperwork, and so we could get acquainted, and then they were off.
Baron was an absolutely beautiful (and quite soft) doggie.
He and I took a 40-minute (or so) walk. He and I played ball. He spent time just watching out the hotel window.
And all the while, I'm thinking, "I get paid for this!!"
The couple was so wonderful and sweet. Baron was beautiful and fun.
And I enjoyed my Saturday evening immensely.
Today ...... I registered for my very first ever Mary Kay Seminar.
It's in Dallas in late July. I am so stinking excited. I have only heard good things about this event and I cannot wait to be a part of it. I cannot wait to get pumped up about my business and career in Mary Kay. I cannot wait to learn from other women who have been exactly where I am now. I cannot wait to see, hear and learn all I can about the Mary Kay experience.....!!
Someone had given them my phone number, so they called.
Could I please babysit Baron on Saturday night while they attended the graduation?
Absolutely. No problem.
Saturday evening I got to their hotel room a bit early so they could fill out some paperwork, and so we could get acquainted, and then they were off.
Baron was an absolutely beautiful (and quite soft) doggie.
He and I took a 40-minute (or so) walk. He and I played ball. He spent time just watching out the hotel window.
And all the while, I'm thinking, "I get paid for this!!"
The couple was so wonderful and sweet. Baron was beautiful and fun.
And I enjoyed my Saturday evening immensely.
Today ...... I registered for my very first ever Mary Kay Seminar.
It's in Dallas in late July. I am so stinking excited. I have only heard good things about this event and I cannot wait to be a part of it. I cannot wait to get pumped up about my business and career in Mary Kay. I cannot wait to learn from other women who have been exactly where I am now. I cannot wait to see, hear and learn all I can about the Mary Kay experience.....!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
my phone conversation...
To the best of my recollection, this is a phone conversation that I had yesterday...
me: Hello
her: Hello (she sounded as though I had woken her up, except that she called me)
me: Yes. Hello.
her: I need help with my dog.
me: OK, yes, ma'am. What do you need?
her: help with my dog.
me: OK, ma'am. What kind of help? What are you looking for?
her: Well, you're the professional. Don't you know what you do?
me: Yes, ma'am, but I don't know what it is that you are wanting. What you are looking for.
her: Well, what do you do!? (she was now raising her voice and getting agitated with me)
me: I can come over and feed and water your dog. I can take your dog for a walk. I can take your dog out to potty.
her: Well I can do all of those things...
me: (banging head on countertop) OK, ma'am. Then what was it you wanted?
her: help with my dog. (back to this one.....)
me: Ma'am, I am not understanding what it is you want.
her: I was hoping you could give my dog some tender loving care.
me: I don't do this because I don't love animals. I do this because I do love animals. Your dog would be getting tender loving care with everything that I do.
her: He had surgery and he is wearing a cone. He doesn't like his cone.
me: Oh, I do understand that. They usually don't like those things.
her: I'm so tired.
me: Ma'am, if you would like, I could come take care of your dog. Check on him. See how he is doing. I charge $15 an hour, but in that hour, I would make sure your dog was doing good. I would feed him and give him water if he needs it. I could take him to potty, take him for a short walk. I would do all those things in that hour.
her: But then you would leave. What good would it be for me if you just left after an hour?
me: Ma'am, I do have other clients and other things that I need to get done. Now I could come back again later in the day and check on him again, but then that would cost you another $15 per hour.
her: Yes, I understand. I would really like to take off his cone and have someone sit and watch him so that he doesn't hurt himself without his cone.
me: I can do that, ma'am, but again, that would still cost you $15 per hour.
her: that will add up.
me: Yes, it will. That's why I could just come and check on him once or twice a day if you would like.
her: I think I need to call my vet and see what he needs.
me: Would you like me to come over and check on him now or would you like to call your vet and then perhaps call me back?
her: I better call my vet.
me: Yes, ma'am, I think you should call your vet first too. I'll look forward to hearing back from you.
her: OK. ok.
me: Hello
her: Hello (she sounded as though I had woken her up, except that she called me)
me: Yes. Hello.
her: I need help with my dog.
me: OK, yes, ma'am. What do you need?
her: help with my dog.
me: OK, ma'am. What kind of help? What are you looking for?
her: Well, you're the professional. Don't you know what you do?
me: Yes, ma'am, but I don't know what it is that you are wanting. What you are looking for.
her: Well, what do you do!? (she was now raising her voice and getting agitated with me)
me: I can come over and feed and water your dog. I can take your dog for a walk. I can take your dog out to potty.
her: Well I can do all of those things...
me: (banging head on countertop) OK, ma'am. Then what was it you wanted?
her: help with my dog. (back to this one.....)
me: Ma'am, I am not understanding what it is you want.
her: I was hoping you could give my dog some tender loving care.
me: I don't do this because I don't love animals. I do this because I do love animals. Your dog would be getting tender loving care with everything that I do.
her: He had surgery and he is wearing a cone. He doesn't like his cone.
me: Oh, I do understand that. They usually don't like those things.
her: I'm so tired.
me: Ma'am, if you would like, I could come take care of your dog. Check on him. See how he is doing. I charge $15 an hour, but in that hour, I would make sure your dog was doing good. I would feed him and give him water if he needs it. I could take him to potty, take him for a short walk. I would do all those things in that hour.
her: But then you would leave. What good would it be for me if you just left after an hour?
me: Ma'am, I do have other clients and other things that I need to get done. Now I could come back again later in the day and check on him again, but then that would cost you another $15 per hour.
her: Yes, I understand. I would really like to take off his cone and have someone sit and watch him so that he doesn't hurt himself without his cone.
me: I can do that, ma'am, but again, that would still cost you $15 per hour.
her: that will add up.
me: Yes, it will. That's why I could just come and check on him once or twice a day if you would like.
her: I think I need to call my vet and see what he needs.
me: Would you like me to come over and check on him now or would you like to call your vet and then perhaps call me back?
her: I better call my vet.
me: Yes, ma'am, I think you should call your vet first too. I'll look forward to hearing back from you.
her: OK. ok.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I am faking it until I make it...
I started my "lisa's love" business, and I was naive. I was new. I was green.
I tried. I learned. I grew.
I put too many eggs into one basket. I spent so much time with Sam that I didn't go out and make new clients. I spent so much time with Sam that I turned people away. I don't regret it. I would do the same again if given the chance. I loved my time with Sam.
But then Sam moved. Initially I was enjoying my time off. I got things done around the house and around the yard. I enjoyed being lazy. I enjoyed having no schedule.
And then ... boredom set in. Too much time on my hands. And not enough money.
A few things came to mind. I knew I needed to get my name back out there and get some new clients. I've had some new fliers printed up, and I am ready to get them handed out. passed out. distributed. With spring here and summer on the way, I know business will pick up. I just know it.
The other day as I was walking Dolce, I passed another pet sitter. She told me that she needed my card. (I had given her one before, but she had misplaced it.) She said that she is so busy, she is turning new customers away and would love to refer them to me.
Also, Becky, the woman whose dogs I sat for over Thanksgiving needed me over Easter. She has also booked me for a long weekend in May.
See. I knew business would pick up.
And .......
I began a new venture.
http://www.marykay.com/lmarek1030
Yes, I am now an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I can't say I went in 'kicking and screaming', because I did not; but I was somewhat hesitant and reluctant. My cousin, Beth, is the woman who got me interested and started. She has been with Mary Kay for almost eight years now, and she has been blessed many times over by her experiences with the company.
Even though I was a bit hesitant and reluctant, once I decided to jump in, I was amazed at how excited I became. I am more excited than I realized I would be.
I absolutely love people. I absolutely love helping people. I've said this before, and no matter how corny it is, I believe that I am truly my happiest when I am helping other people. I am so happy that I am going to get to meet so many women with this career. I am so happy that I am going to get to help so many women with this career.
I have never heard anything but positive reviews from people about Mary Kay and their experiences with both the company and the products. I know so many women who LOVE their Mary Kay, and now I am going to be able to help them get it. Help them find the right products for their skin, their complexion, their lifestyle. Help them to be their most beautiful ... even if all that means is putting on a confident and glowing smile.
I walked away from my marriage with 'not much'. I didn't walk away empty handed by any stretch of the imagination, but after twenty-seven years of helping and supporting, I walked away with little. Definitely not enough to sustain me if God chooses to allow me to live another 30 or 40 years. I did this for a couple of reasons; one was that I wanted to prove that I was never about the money. But ..... I do plan to live a while longer, so money is a necessity. Sometimes I kick myself upside the head wondering why I left so much on the table, but other times I remind myself what my reasons for doing so were, and I know, given those same circumstances, I'd do it all over again. I'm tired of looking back. I'm tired of "could've, would've and should've". I'm tired of 'what might have been'. I've been moving forward, albeit two steps forward and one step back. (or even one step forward and two steps back...lol) But now I want to move ahead. I want to quit stepping back. And more than anything, I want to prove to myself that I can do this. That I can do it on my own. Well, not completely on my own. No one can ever do anything completely on his/her own.
Am I nervous? you betcha
Am I scared? absolutely
Am I wondering what in the heck I've gotten myself into? that and more.
But I am so excited to prove to myself that I can make it.
And until I make it .... I'm gonna fake it.
Please pray for me.
I tried. I learned. I grew.
I put too many eggs into one basket. I spent so much time with Sam that I didn't go out and make new clients. I spent so much time with Sam that I turned people away. I don't regret it. I would do the same again if given the chance. I loved my time with Sam.
But then Sam moved. Initially I was enjoying my time off. I got things done around the house and around the yard. I enjoyed being lazy. I enjoyed having no schedule.
And then ... boredom set in. Too much time on my hands. And not enough money.
A few things came to mind. I knew I needed to get my name back out there and get some new clients. I've had some new fliers printed up, and I am ready to get them handed out. passed out. distributed. With spring here and summer on the way, I know business will pick up. I just know it.
The other day as I was walking Dolce, I passed another pet sitter. She told me that she needed my card. (I had given her one before, but she had misplaced it.) She said that she is so busy, she is turning new customers away and would love to refer them to me.
Also, Becky, the woman whose dogs I sat for over Thanksgiving needed me over Easter. She has also booked me for a long weekend in May.
See. I knew business would pick up.
And .......
I began a new venture.
http://www.marykay.com/lmarek1030
Yes, I am now an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I can't say I went in 'kicking and screaming', because I did not; but I was somewhat hesitant and reluctant. My cousin, Beth, is the woman who got me interested and started. She has been with Mary Kay for almost eight years now, and she has been blessed many times over by her experiences with the company.
Even though I was a bit hesitant and reluctant, once I decided to jump in, I was amazed at how excited I became. I am more excited than I realized I would be.
I absolutely love people. I absolutely love helping people. I've said this before, and no matter how corny it is, I believe that I am truly my happiest when I am helping other people. I am so happy that I am going to get to meet so many women with this career. I am so happy that I am going to get to help so many women with this career.
I have never heard anything but positive reviews from people about Mary Kay and their experiences with both the company and the products. I know so many women who LOVE their Mary Kay, and now I am going to be able to help them get it. Help them find the right products for their skin, their complexion, their lifestyle. Help them to be their most beautiful ... even if all that means is putting on a confident and glowing smile.
I walked away from my marriage with 'not much'. I didn't walk away empty handed by any stretch of the imagination, but after twenty-seven years of helping and supporting, I walked away with little. Definitely not enough to sustain me if God chooses to allow me to live another 30 or 40 years. I did this for a couple of reasons; one was that I wanted to prove that I was never about the money. But ..... I do plan to live a while longer, so money is a necessity. Sometimes I kick myself upside the head wondering why I left so much on the table, but other times I remind myself what my reasons for doing so were, and I know, given those same circumstances, I'd do it all over again. I'm tired of looking back. I'm tired of "could've, would've and should've". I'm tired of 'what might have been'. I've been moving forward, albeit two steps forward and one step back. (or even one step forward and two steps back...lol) But now I want to move ahead. I want to quit stepping back. And more than anything, I want to prove to myself that I can do this. That I can do it on my own. Well, not completely on my own. No one can ever do anything completely on his/her own.
Am I nervous? you betcha
Am I scared? absolutely
Am I wondering what in the heck I've gotten myself into? that and more.
But I am so excited to prove to myself that I can make it.
And until I make it .... I'm gonna fake it.
Please pray for me.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sam's moving back to Florida ... part 2
I'm not sure how much time we had from the time Sam's move was being put into place until Sam's move actually happened. I could go back and look, but that is not what is important. It was a month or so; maybe a bit more.
It could not get here fast enough for Sam. I knew it would get here too fast for me.
If you have been following my writings, and if you have not forgotten, Sam was in rehab at this time. He had become so weak after his bout with pneumonia, and, being eighty-three, it was taking him quite a while to regain his strength. He was due to get out of rehab before his departure to Florida. This concerned both his daughter and me. Going by the time line, Sam was to be released. Going by Sam's condition, we could not imagine him being released.
At this time, Sam was not eating. He had no appetite. He was losing pounds by the day. Not eating and losing weight was taking its toll on him physically. Sam was so weak. All Sam wanted to do was sleep. I would talk to him. The nurses would talk to him. His daughter would talk to him. If Sam really wanted to get to Florida, he was going to have to get stronger. He was going to have to eat. He was going to have to go to physical therapy. Sam would always agree with us, nod his head and then go to bed. It would have been aggravating had it not been so gut wrenching. I felt as though I was watching Sam deteriorate right in front of my eyes.
Each morning as I entered the rehab hospital, I would walk into the dining room to see if Sam was at breakfast. If he was, I would sit down and attempt to get him to eat as much as he could. The hospital served a great breakfast; eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, ham, toast, coffee, juice. Sam had the opportunity to have a great breakfast every morning. I was elated when I would see him sitting in his wheelchair at the breakfast table. He would often look up, see me and smile. He'd always say, "Good morning. You're here." He'd say it so happily. As though he were as happy to see me as I was to see him. During this time, I would also show up with a DanActive, trying to get some biotics back into Sam's system, and an Ensure, trying to build up Sam's strength. Even if I could not get Sam to eat, I would get him to drink his juice, his DanActive and his Ensure. A few times I even took Gatorade, but Sam didn't like it much, and it was harder to get him to drink.
A couple things Sam loved. Sam loved his large mocha frappacino (with whipped cream) from McDonald's. Sam also loved an egg mcmuffin. If I did not see Sam at breakfast, I would, first, go check on him in his room, and, second, head to McDonald's. It broke my heart when Sam would barely touch his egg mcmuffin and barely sip his frappacino. I would sit and talk and encourage, but Sam just wanted to sleep.
Finally, finally, finally the doctors started giving Sam an appetite stimulant. yay!! Sam got megace with each meal. It didn't work overnight. It took a while, but slowly we could all see Sam's appetite coming back. Sam would take three bites of his eggs instead of one. Sam would drink half of his mocha frappacino instead of merely staring at it. Each and every day I would encourage Sam to eat at least one bite more than the day before. Each day I would become overjoyed with Sam's improvement. Sam was not gaining back any weight, but Sam was eating. Sam's energy did not come back as quickly as his appetite, that would still take time, but I no longer felt as though I was watching my friend rolling down hill. I now felt that my Sam would get better and better and become stronger and stronger..... yay!!
It could not get here fast enough for Sam. I knew it would get here too fast for me.
If you have been following my writings, and if you have not forgotten, Sam was in rehab at this time. He had become so weak after his bout with pneumonia, and, being eighty-three, it was taking him quite a while to regain his strength. He was due to get out of rehab before his departure to Florida. This concerned both his daughter and me. Going by the time line, Sam was to be released. Going by Sam's condition, we could not imagine him being released.
At this time, Sam was not eating. He had no appetite. He was losing pounds by the day. Not eating and losing weight was taking its toll on him physically. Sam was so weak. All Sam wanted to do was sleep. I would talk to him. The nurses would talk to him. His daughter would talk to him. If Sam really wanted to get to Florida, he was going to have to get stronger. He was going to have to eat. He was going to have to go to physical therapy. Sam would always agree with us, nod his head and then go to bed. It would have been aggravating had it not been so gut wrenching. I felt as though I was watching Sam deteriorate right in front of my eyes.
Each morning as I entered the rehab hospital, I would walk into the dining room to see if Sam was at breakfast. If he was, I would sit down and attempt to get him to eat as much as he could. The hospital served a great breakfast; eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, ham, toast, coffee, juice. Sam had the opportunity to have a great breakfast every morning. I was elated when I would see him sitting in his wheelchair at the breakfast table. He would often look up, see me and smile. He'd always say, "Good morning. You're here." He'd say it so happily. As though he were as happy to see me as I was to see him. During this time, I would also show up with a DanActive, trying to get some biotics back into Sam's system, and an Ensure, trying to build up Sam's strength. Even if I could not get Sam to eat, I would get him to drink his juice, his DanActive and his Ensure. A few times I even took Gatorade, but Sam didn't like it much, and it was harder to get him to drink.
A couple things Sam loved. Sam loved his large mocha frappacino (with whipped cream) from McDonald's. Sam also loved an egg mcmuffin. If I did not see Sam at breakfast, I would, first, go check on him in his room, and, second, head to McDonald's. It broke my heart when Sam would barely touch his egg mcmuffin and barely sip his frappacino. I would sit and talk and encourage, but Sam just wanted to sleep.
Finally, finally, finally the doctors started giving Sam an appetite stimulant. yay!! Sam got megace with each meal. It didn't work overnight. It took a while, but slowly we could all see Sam's appetite coming back. Sam would take three bites of his eggs instead of one. Sam would drink half of his mocha frappacino instead of merely staring at it. Each and every day I would encourage Sam to eat at least one bite more than the day before. Each day I would become overjoyed with Sam's improvement. Sam was not gaining back any weight, but Sam was eating. Sam's energy did not come back as quickly as his appetite, that would still take time, but I no longer felt as though I was watching my friend rolling down hill. I now felt that my Sam would get better and better and become stronger and stronger..... yay!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sam moving back to Florida ... part 1
About 23 years ago, Sam lived in Las Cruces. He worked at White Sands after he retired from the Army. He never really liked Las Cruces all that much, but his wife loved it.
Because of his allergies, Sam managed to convince his wife to move to Florida. Now to me, this sounds a bit backward ... most people move to the desert when they have allergies, but not Sam. Whatever it is that messes with his sinuses and his lungs is found out here in New Mexico. He and his wife moved to Florida. He loved it. She missed the mountains. She missed her family. But they made a life in Florida.
For the last seven years of her life, Sam watched the love of his life slowly slip away. As happens so many times, as her caregiver, it was hard on Sam. Physically it was exhausting. Mentally it was challenging. Emotionally it was gut wrenching. Towards the end, she would scream at Sam, "You're not my husband!! Who are you? Where is my husband? Get away from me." After she took her last breath, Sam was there to close her eyes.
Sam was heartbroken. Sam was relieved. Sam was lost.
Sam's daughter talked him into moving back to Las Cruces. It's where she lived. It's where his grand daughter lived, and his grand daughter was expecting his first great grand baby. It made sense.
Sam moved, but Sam was not happy. He loved seeing his daughter. He loved seeing his grand daughter. But they both had busy lives. They called every day. They stopped in to visit when they could. But Sam had more time than they had.
And then there was his health. He was in and out of the hospital multiple times after his move to Cruces. His allergies would flair up, and this would affect his lungs. He could never breathe good while he was here. He longed to get back to Florida. He missed Florida. He missed his friends. He missed the beach. He missed his old doctors. Everything that Florida was, New Mexico was not.
He began talking of moving back to Florida.
I didn't believe him. I'd humor him. I'd let him talk knowing full well he wasn't really going to move back to Florida. He wasn't really going to leave his daughter, his grand daughter, his new adorable great grand daughter. He wasn't really going to leave me. I'd humor him.
Then his daughter started talking about his moving back to Florida. This concerned me a bit more. Him talking of moving to Florida was a dream, but once his daughter began talking about it, it became a possibility.
She would ask my opinion. I'd stupidly answer that I thought they should do what was best for Sam. What was best for his health. Where he'd be happiest. I couldn't believe the words were coming out of my mouth. Now I was humoring her. Except I wasn't. I meant it.
I was sad. I was so sad at the thought of losing Sam. I was so sad at the thought of losing my friend. But ... at the same time, I wanted what was best for Sam. I wanted Sam to be happy. I wanted Sam's lungs to be happy. I meant it.
Sam's daughter talked to all of Sam's old doctors in Florida. They were all willing to accept him back as a patient. Just get them all the records from New Mexico.
Sam's daughter talked to the woman who helped Sam care for his wife. She was available. She would now take care of Sam.
Sam's daughter talked to the retirement community where Sam had lived with his wife. They had an apartment available.
It was becoming a reality. I was so sad for me and, yet, so happy for Sam.
I did talk about it, but very little. I didn't write about it. I didn't blog about it. I was too sad. Didn't know what I wanted to say. Didn't know how to say what I was feeling. Put it on the back burner for a while..... I could get to it later.
Everything was working out so easily. so perfectly.
Sam was moving back to Florida. His home.
Because of his allergies, Sam managed to convince his wife to move to Florida. Now to me, this sounds a bit backward ... most people move to the desert when they have allergies, but not Sam. Whatever it is that messes with his sinuses and his lungs is found out here in New Mexico. He and his wife moved to Florida. He loved it. She missed the mountains. She missed her family. But they made a life in Florida.
For the last seven years of her life, Sam watched the love of his life slowly slip away. As happens so many times, as her caregiver, it was hard on Sam. Physically it was exhausting. Mentally it was challenging. Emotionally it was gut wrenching. Towards the end, she would scream at Sam, "You're not my husband!! Who are you? Where is my husband? Get away from me." After she took her last breath, Sam was there to close her eyes.
Sam was heartbroken. Sam was relieved. Sam was lost.
Sam's daughter talked him into moving back to Las Cruces. It's where she lived. It's where his grand daughter lived, and his grand daughter was expecting his first great grand baby. It made sense.
Sam moved, but Sam was not happy. He loved seeing his daughter. He loved seeing his grand daughter. But they both had busy lives. They called every day. They stopped in to visit when they could. But Sam had more time than they had.
And then there was his health. He was in and out of the hospital multiple times after his move to Cruces. His allergies would flair up, and this would affect his lungs. He could never breathe good while he was here. He longed to get back to Florida. He missed Florida. He missed his friends. He missed the beach. He missed his old doctors. Everything that Florida was, New Mexico was not.
He began talking of moving back to Florida.
I didn't believe him. I'd humor him. I'd let him talk knowing full well he wasn't really going to move back to Florida. He wasn't really going to leave his daughter, his grand daughter, his new adorable great grand daughter. He wasn't really going to leave me. I'd humor him.
Then his daughter started talking about his moving back to Florida. This concerned me a bit more. Him talking of moving to Florida was a dream, but once his daughter began talking about it, it became a possibility.
She would ask my opinion. I'd stupidly answer that I thought they should do what was best for Sam. What was best for his health. Where he'd be happiest. I couldn't believe the words were coming out of my mouth. Now I was humoring her. Except I wasn't. I meant it.
I was sad. I was so sad at the thought of losing Sam. I was so sad at the thought of losing my friend. But ... at the same time, I wanted what was best for Sam. I wanted Sam to be happy. I wanted Sam's lungs to be happy. I meant it.
Sam's daughter talked to all of Sam's old doctors in Florida. They were all willing to accept him back as a patient. Just get them all the records from New Mexico.
Sam's daughter talked to the woman who helped Sam care for his wife. She was available. She would now take care of Sam.
Sam's daughter talked to the retirement community where Sam had lived with his wife. They had an apartment available.
It was becoming a reality. I was so sad for me and, yet, so happy for Sam.
I did talk about it, but very little. I didn't write about it. I didn't blog about it. I was too sad. Didn't know what I wanted to say. Didn't know how to say what I was feeling. Put it on the back burner for a while..... I could get to it later.
Everything was working out so easily. so perfectly.
Sam was moving back to Florida. His home.
Friday, February 4, 2011
ummmm....Sailor
Fred decided to go out of town while we are having the coldest weather we have had in quite awhile. Well, to be honest, he decided to go out of town before he knew we would be having this cold weather, but still..... He wants me to put Sailor out during the day, and then he wants me to put Sailor back in at night as I usually do, but I really did feel as though I should check on Sailor a bit more often because of the cold. I know he is a labrador, but still.....
Because of the cold, and because I've been sick, Fred told me that I did not have to worry about taking Sailor for his walks, but I hate the thought of Sailor being all alone without anyone to keep him company or anything to occupy his time, so I decided to take him for a walk today. I am so glad that I did go to check on Sailor. When I got to Fred's house, Sailor was outside of the gate. I have NO IDEA how he got out, but he was out. I know that Fred has neighbors who sometimes come and check on Sailor, and I am guessing that is what happened today, although I have no way of knowing for sure. I know when I left Sailor this morning, he was inside the gate, and the gate was latched. I know when I went to walk Sailor, the gate was not latched, and Sailor was out. Thankfully, Sailor does tend to stay close to home.
On our walk, we were 'attacked' by two of the cutest dogs. Sailor is a yellow lab. Not the biggest yellow lab in the world, but a good sized yellow lab, none the less. On our walk, we were 'attacked' by a chihuahua wearing a camouflage hoodie with a skull and cross bones on it. I am not making this up. A teeny tiny chihuahua wearing a camouflage hoodie with a skull and cross bones on it. Yapping and barking at us. Running circles around us yapping and barking. Sailor looked at the other dog with mild amusement. The chihuahua's friend who helped with the 'attack' was a dachshund puppy. Again, teeny tiny. These two bite sized canines were so fierce in their attack on Sailor. Sailor watched them for a while, never barking, never moving. Just watching. Finally Sailor had enough and he began our walk again, with the tiny terrors chasing behind until their owners finally snatched them up and took them back home. Sailor and I had a nice laugh.
I also saw Sam today for the first time in almost a week. I told him that he did not want me anywhere around him while I had been sick, and he said that he knew that and he understood that, but that he had missed me and that he had been worried about me. awwwwww. He is so sweet to me. He was worried about me. How cute. I promised him I would be back to have breakfast with him in the morning.....
Because of the cold, and because I've been sick, Fred told me that I did not have to worry about taking Sailor for his walks, but I hate the thought of Sailor being all alone without anyone to keep him company or anything to occupy his time, so I decided to take him for a walk today. I am so glad that I did go to check on Sailor. When I got to Fred's house, Sailor was outside of the gate. I have NO IDEA how he got out, but he was out. I know that Fred has neighbors who sometimes come and check on Sailor, and I am guessing that is what happened today, although I have no way of knowing for sure. I know when I left Sailor this morning, he was inside the gate, and the gate was latched. I know when I went to walk Sailor, the gate was not latched, and Sailor was out. Thankfully, Sailor does tend to stay close to home.
On our walk, we were 'attacked' by two of the cutest dogs. Sailor is a yellow lab. Not the biggest yellow lab in the world, but a good sized yellow lab, none the less. On our walk, we were 'attacked' by a chihuahua wearing a camouflage hoodie with a skull and cross bones on it. I am not making this up. A teeny tiny chihuahua wearing a camouflage hoodie with a skull and cross bones on it. Yapping and barking at us. Running circles around us yapping and barking. Sailor looked at the other dog with mild amusement. The chihuahua's friend who helped with the 'attack' was a dachshund puppy. Again, teeny tiny. These two bite sized canines were so fierce in their attack on Sailor. Sailor watched them for a while, never barking, never moving. Just watching. Finally Sailor had enough and he began our walk again, with the tiny terrors chasing behind until their owners finally snatched them up and took them back home. Sailor and I had a nice laugh.
I also saw Sam today for the first time in almost a week. I told him that he did not want me anywhere around him while I had been sick, and he said that he knew that and he understood that, but that he had missed me and that he had been worried about me. awwwwww. He is so sweet to me. He was worried about me. How cute. I promised him I would be back to have breakfast with him in the morning.....
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I'm sick...
Just in case anyone missed all my whining and complaining on facebook, I'm sick.
I don't get sick. I'm not supposed to get sick. I realize that I do not handle being sick well at all, this is why I think God gave me a tough immune system. But for now, my immune system has let me down, and I'm sick.
I can't see Sam while I'm sick. Not only can I not be around Sam, but he is still at the rehab hospital, so they don't want me in the building. Apparently my germs are not highly received in a rehabilitation hospital where all of the patients are senior citizens. Sam had an appointment with his lung doctor today, and it's killing me to know how the appointment went. I'll have to talk with his daughter tonight. I also feel so stinking guilty that I can't be there to help Sam. To help the family.
I was supposed to start dog CPR classes yesterday. I called one of the women from the group to tell her I was sick. I told her I probably should not come, although it was killing me because I have no idea when I'll get this opportunity again. She told me to please stay away; we didn't need every pet sitter in Las Cruces getting sick, and it all being my fault. aaarrrrggghhh.
Like most of the country, our weather is supposed to get quite cold. Fred is going out of town, so I knew I would have Sailor. I wasn't sure how Fred would want to handle Sailor in the cold with a possibility of snow. I called Fred. Now, keep in mind, I'm sick. My throat is sore and hoarse. My voice is gravelly and congested.
As I'm talking to Fred, he asks, "Are you sick?"
What I want to say is, "ddduuuuuhhhhhhhh....". What I actually say is, "Yes."
"Well Lisa", Fred replies, "If the weather gets as cold as they say it's going to get, and if you're still sick, you can skip Sailor's walk."
I say weakly, "Thank you, Fred. I appreciate that...."
Keep in mind, right now, it's all I can do to get up and brush my teeth. It's all I can do to get my little pills out of that damn security packaging the drug companies are teasing me with. It's all I can do to get my little body wrapped up and in bed. ... but thank you, Fred. It makes me feel so much better that I can skip Sailor's walk for the day.
thanks.
I don't get sick. I'm not supposed to get sick. I realize that I do not handle being sick well at all, this is why I think God gave me a tough immune system. But for now, my immune system has let me down, and I'm sick.
I can't see Sam while I'm sick. Not only can I not be around Sam, but he is still at the rehab hospital, so they don't want me in the building. Apparently my germs are not highly received in a rehabilitation hospital where all of the patients are senior citizens. Sam had an appointment with his lung doctor today, and it's killing me to know how the appointment went. I'll have to talk with his daughter tonight. I also feel so stinking guilty that I can't be there to help Sam. To help the family.
I was supposed to start dog CPR classes yesterday. I called one of the women from the group to tell her I was sick. I told her I probably should not come, although it was killing me because I have no idea when I'll get this opportunity again. She told me to please stay away; we didn't need every pet sitter in Las Cruces getting sick, and it all being my fault. aaarrrrggghhh.
Like most of the country, our weather is supposed to get quite cold. Fred is going out of town, so I knew I would have Sailor. I wasn't sure how Fred would want to handle Sailor in the cold with a possibility of snow. I called Fred. Now, keep in mind, I'm sick. My throat is sore and hoarse. My voice is gravelly and congested.
As I'm talking to Fred, he asks, "Are you sick?"
What I want to say is, "ddduuuuuhhhhhhhh....". What I actually say is, "Yes."
"Well Lisa", Fred replies, "If the weather gets as cold as they say it's going to get, and if you're still sick, you can skip Sailor's walk."
I say weakly, "Thank you, Fred. I appreciate that...."
Keep in mind, right now, it's all I can do to get up and brush my teeth. It's all I can do to get my little pills out of that damn security packaging the drug companies are teasing me with. It's all I can do to get my little body wrapped up and in bed. ... but thank you, Fred. It makes me feel so much better that I can skip Sailor's walk for the day.
thanks.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
danactive and ensure ...
Sam was doing good this morning at breakfast. Not great, but he was doing good.
He ate almost all of his oatmeal, eggs, bacon and toast. He drank his juice and his coffee. yay!
I found out that he was now back onto yet another antibiotic. I decided I better get him some yogurt.
After getting him back to his room and ready for PT, I left Sam to go run errands and check on a few other things.
I went back to check in on Sam and give him some yogurt and Ensure. The nurse grabbed me and told me that Sam did not eat lunch. He had refused it saying that he was too weak. I found Sam sound asleep in his bed. I managed to easily wake him up, and I asked him if he wanted some Danactive. He did. For most of his life, Sam was not a fan of yogurt, but because of all the antibiotics lately, Sam has learned to like it. I held a straw to his mouth as he drank his Danactive.
Sam decided he wanted to sit up. I asked if he wanted to sit up in bed or in his wheelchair. He chose the wheelchair. We got Sam into his wheelchair, and I handed him the Ensure. He drank it all and told me he was ready for physical therapy.
Really? I was so happy.
"Are you sure, Sam? You want me to wheel you down to physical therapy?"
He did.
As I left Sam, he had all the physical therapists laughing at whatever he was saying.
I walked out very happy....!
He ate almost all of his oatmeal, eggs, bacon and toast. He drank his juice and his coffee. yay!
I found out that he was now back onto yet another antibiotic. I decided I better get him some yogurt.
After getting him back to his room and ready for PT, I left Sam to go run errands and check on a few other things.
I went back to check in on Sam and give him some yogurt and Ensure. The nurse grabbed me and told me that Sam did not eat lunch. He had refused it saying that he was too weak. I found Sam sound asleep in his bed. I managed to easily wake him up, and I asked him if he wanted some Danactive. He did. For most of his life, Sam was not a fan of yogurt, but because of all the antibiotics lately, Sam has learned to like it. I held a straw to his mouth as he drank his Danactive.
Sam decided he wanted to sit up. I asked if he wanted to sit up in bed or in his wheelchair. He chose the wheelchair. We got Sam into his wheelchair, and I handed him the Ensure. He drank it all and told me he was ready for physical therapy.
Really? I was so happy.
"Are you sure, Sam? You want me to wheel you down to physical therapy?"
He did.
As I left Sam, he had all the physical therapists laughing at whatever he was saying.
I walked out very happy....!
I had to pull a "Terms of Endearment" ....
I was going to check on Sam last night anyway. Since he was doing so great yesterday morning, and since I didn't stay very long with him, I was going to go back and check on him; take him his clean clothes and see how his day went. Before I went, he called me. He told me he had a problem. I went over ...
I found him sound asleep slumped over in his wheelchair. I had a hard time waking him up. Because he wasn't waking up, I finally said, "Sam, would you like to get into bed?"
He looked weakly up at me and nodded.
I went out into the main room and asked the nurse if someone could please come put Sam into his bed.
The main room was full of people getting ready to go to dinner. The patients were sitting around watching TV and talking while they were waiting. A few of the Physical Therapists were sitting around taking a needed break. The nurse was sitting at her little station.
As I asked the nurse about getting Sam into bed, she said a bit snotty to me, at least in my mind, "It's almost time for dinner. He needs to go to the dining room."
I turned to her, looked her straight in the eyes and said, probably a bit louder and meaner than I intended, "Does he even look like he'll be going to the dining room????"
I must have said it louder and meaner than I intended because every eye in the room was now watching me, and two physical therapists and a nurse went running into his room.
They helped undress him, and they put him to bed.
After he was in bed, I went to talk to the nurse. I asked her how his day went.
She told me, "He's had diarrhea all day. That's probably why he's so weak now."
Again, a bit loud and rude, because I was mad and frustrated, I said, "He's had diarrhea all weekend. What are y'all doing about it?"
She informed me that she had taken a sample and had a call in to the doctor.
I did calm down, and I did tell her that I appreciated that, but we had been told that a call had been made to the doctor over the weekend. Had they lied to us? Had the doctor not gotten back to them? Who was it that dropped this ball? Needless to say, she didn't tell me much. I'm not family.
She also told me that he might do better if he had some gatorade. I asked her if she would get him some. She told me that they did not have any. I looked at her and told her that I would go get him some gatorade, but that I would be back.
I went and got the gatorade, and while I was out, I called his daughter to tell her what all had transpired.
She, too, was angry. We had been under the impression that the doctor had been called days earlier. She wanted to know who was responsible. She could get answers that I could not. I took the gatorade back to Sam's room, poured it into a cup and checked on him. He was sleeping soundly, so I left.
I knew his daughter would be there soon. She was going to take him some soup since he missed supper. What I thought was funny was that she asked me what flavor soup he likes best. Potato. He loves potato with green chile, but I felt given the circumstances, he didn't need the green chiles, but he does love his potato soup.
I'll be going soon to check on him this morning, and I'm taking a powerade with me....
What it makes me think of more than anything is all of those people who do not have anyone to speak up for them. The ones who are alone.
I overheard one woman talking the other day in the dining room and she said she has outlived everyone she knew. Who speaks up for her?
I found him sound asleep slumped over in his wheelchair. I had a hard time waking him up. Because he wasn't waking up, I finally said, "Sam, would you like to get into bed?"
He looked weakly up at me and nodded.
I went out into the main room and asked the nurse if someone could please come put Sam into his bed.
The main room was full of people getting ready to go to dinner. The patients were sitting around watching TV and talking while they were waiting. A few of the Physical Therapists were sitting around taking a needed break. The nurse was sitting at her little station.
As I asked the nurse about getting Sam into bed, she said a bit snotty to me, at least in my mind, "It's almost time for dinner. He needs to go to the dining room."
I turned to her, looked her straight in the eyes and said, probably a bit louder and meaner than I intended, "Does he even look like he'll be going to the dining room????"
I must have said it louder and meaner than I intended because every eye in the room was now watching me, and two physical therapists and a nurse went running into his room.
They helped undress him, and they put him to bed.
After he was in bed, I went to talk to the nurse. I asked her how his day went.
She told me, "He's had diarrhea all day. That's probably why he's so weak now."
Again, a bit loud and rude, because I was mad and frustrated, I said, "He's had diarrhea all weekend. What are y'all doing about it?"
She informed me that she had taken a sample and had a call in to the doctor.
I did calm down, and I did tell her that I appreciated that, but we had been told that a call had been made to the doctor over the weekend. Had they lied to us? Had the doctor not gotten back to them? Who was it that dropped this ball? Needless to say, she didn't tell me much. I'm not family.
She also told me that he might do better if he had some gatorade. I asked her if she would get him some. She told me that they did not have any. I looked at her and told her that I would go get him some gatorade, but that I would be back.
I went and got the gatorade, and while I was out, I called his daughter to tell her what all had transpired.
She, too, was angry. We had been under the impression that the doctor had been called days earlier. She wanted to know who was responsible. She could get answers that I could not. I took the gatorade back to Sam's room, poured it into a cup and checked on him. He was sleeping soundly, so I left.
I knew his daughter would be there soon. She was going to take him some soup since he missed supper. What I thought was funny was that she asked me what flavor soup he likes best. Potato. He loves potato with green chile, but I felt given the circumstances, he didn't need the green chiles, but he does love his potato soup.
I'll be going soon to check on him this morning, and I'm taking a powerade with me....
What it makes me think of more than anything is all of those people who do not have anyone to speak up for them. The ones who are alone.
I overheard one woman talking the other day in the dining room and she said she has outlived everyone she knew. Who speaks up for her?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sam is doing so much better ...
Last week Sam was having a rough time. Because of the pneumonia, he was taking both an antibiotic and a steroid. He needed both of these medicines for his lungs, but the medication was tearing up the rest of his body. His stomach was quite upset, and he was physically wiped out.
By the end of last week, we knew these medicines were tearing him up ... but we also knew that the medications were necessary. We were told that his last dose of both medications would be on Saturday. I told Sam that I knew he would have a bad weekend, but if he could just hold in there, he would be much better after the weekend. much better after the medications were done.
Sam had a horrible weekend. I won't go into details, but he scared me. He looked so fragile. While asleep, he even looked as though he were already dead. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I was so worried about Sam.
Sunday morning when I went to check on Sam, he wasn't at breakfast. The nurses informed me that he was refusing breakfast. I went to find him. He was not in his room. The nurses had him in the larger living room sleeping in a recliner. Again, he looked so fragile. So pitiful. He was sound asleep. I went to check on his room and found his bed was stripped. I straightened his room, grabbed his dirty clothes and went to get some information.
I was told that he had had a rough night ... and morning. The reason his bed was stripped was because he had used his urinal, and when the nurse came to get it from him, rather than handing it to her, Sam poured it all over himself and his bed. They had cleaned him up and moved him to the recliner; now they were cleaning his room.
I was so upset. I felt so bad for Sam. I was so worried. I explained to the nurse that I wouldn't be staying. I didn't need to stay there while he slept. They would take good care of Sam, but I did explain that I would be leaving and that I would have my phone. They, or Sam, could call me once he awoke.
I never heard from anyone.
I knew his daughter was planning to visit, so, as worried as I was, I figured no news was good news, and I did know he was in good hands.
Then, this morning I went to see him. I did not know what to expect. As I walked into the dining room, there was Sam. At the breakfast table. Looking good. Looking like himself. Looking strong. We talked while he ate, and after he finished I helped him back to his room.
Once we got to his room, Sam basically kicked me out. We talked about a few things that he wanted done, but otherwise, he told me to just go home. If he needed me, he would call.
Why was he trying so hard to get rid of me? Because he wanted to go make appointments with all the Physical Therapists to get some of his exercises done!! I was so happy. So excited.
Sam is back. Sam is feeling good again.
By the end of last week, we knew these medicines were tearing him up ... but we also knew that the medications were necessary. We were told that his last dose of both medications would be on Saturday. I told Sam that I knew he would have a bad weekend, but if he could just hold in there, he would be much better after the weekend. much better after the medications were done.
Sam had a horrible weekend. I won't go into details, but he scared me. He looked so fragile. While asleep, he even looked as though he were already dead. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I was so worried about Sam.
Sunday morning when I went to check on Sam, he wasn't at breakfast. The nurses informed me that he was refusing breakfast. I went to find him. He was not in his room. The nurses had him in the larger living room sleeping in a recliner. Again, he looked so fragile. So pitiful. He was sound asleep. I went to check on his room and found his bed was stripped. I straightened his room, grabbed his dirty clothes and went to get some information.
I was told that he had had a rough night ... and morning. The reason his bed was stripped was because he had used his urinal, and when the nurse came to get it from him, rather than handing it to her, Sam poured it all over himself and his bed. They had cleaned him up and moved him to the recliner; now they were cleaning his room.
I was so upset. I felt so bad for Sam. I was so worried. I explained to the nurse that I wouldn't be staying. I didn't need to stay there while he slept. They would take good care of Sam, but I did explain that I would be leaving and that I would have my phone. They, or Sam, could call me once he awoke.
I never heard from anyone.
I knew his daughter was planning to visit, so, as worried as I was, I figured no news was good news, and I did know he was in good hands.
Then, this morning I went to see him. I did not know what to expect. As I walked into the dining room, there was Sam. At the breakfast table. Looking good. Looking like himself. Looking strong. We talked while he ate, and after he finished I helped him back to his room.
Once we got to his room, Sam basically kicked me out. We talked about a few things that he wanted done, but otherwise, he told me to just go home. If he needed me, he would call.
Why was he trying so hard to get rid of me? Because he wanted to go make appointments with all the Physical Therapists to get some of his exercises done!! I was so happy. So excited.
Sam is back. Sam is feeling good again.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Sam and his sense of humor....
I really really need to update this more often and write down many of the witty things that Sam says. I always think I will remember them; I seldom do.
Sam is out of the hospital and back in rehab.
The other morning the chef at the rehab came into the dining room and was walking from table to table asking everyone how their meal was.
He came over to Sam and asked, "Was everything OK with the food?"
Sam said, "Oh yes. There were no problems with the food."
The chef smiled and as he walked off, Sam said, "The problem was with the preparation."
The chef, at first, didn't know what to think, but then he noticed the smile on Sam's face.
Both men had a nice laugh.
Most people always think that I am Sam's daughter. Yesterday yet another person asked Sam if I was his daughter. Sam replied, "Nope. She's my girlfriend. We're getting married just as soon as her divorce is final." The girl looked at me. She looked at Sam. I started laughing, and I said, "Now Sam ... you know you aren't supposed to be telling everyone that."
I honestly don't know what the girl thought when she left the room.....
I will try to remember more of what he has said, or at least be better at writing any that he says in the future. I know when I took him to the doctor the other day, he said something to make the doctor laugh, but dad gum if I can remember it now..... grrrrr
Sam is out of the hospital and back in rehab.
The other morning the chef at the rehab came into the dining room and was walking from table to table asking everyone how their meal was.
He came over to Sam and asked, "Was everything OK with the food?"
Sam said, "Oh yes. There were no problems with the food."
The chef smiled and as he walked off, Sam said, "The problem was with the preparation."
The chef, at first, didn't know what to think, but then he noticed the smile on Sam's face.
Both men had a nice laugh.
Most people always think that I am Sam's daughter. Yesterday yet another person asked Sam if I was his daughter. Sam replied, "Nope. She's my girlfriend. We're getting married just as soon as her divorce is final." The girl looked at me. She looked at Sam. I started laughing, and I said, "Now Sam ... you know you aren't supposed to be telling everyone that."
I honestly don't know what the girl thought when she left the room.....
I will try to remember more of what he has said, or at least be better at writing any that he says in the future. I know when I took him to the doctor the other day, he said something to make the doctor laugh, but dad gum if I can remember it now..... grrrrr
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sailor gets a package...
Taking care of people's pets is not the only thing I do while they are out of town. I also will pick up newspapers, mail, water plants, straighten up the house; lots of little things to help the owners out and ease their minds.
As I was going to get Sailor for our walk, I noticed a package by Fred's front gate. I had no idea if it was dropped off by UPS, FedEx or some lesser known delivery service, but I picked up the package, took it into the house and placed it on the counter with the mail.
That evening I put Sailor in for the night. Checked the house, made sure Sailor had water and went home.
Next morning, I go back to Fred's house to feed Sailor and let him out for the day.
As I enter the house, I see the opened package on the floor. aaaarrrrggghhh.... what the heck? I realize right away that Sailor has gotten into the package; more than that, Sailor has opened the package. I immediately feel responsible for not taking better care of the package, and I wonder what was in that package to make Sailor want it so badly.
I let Sailor out while I take a better look around the house. Good news is that the rest of the house is nice and clean. Bad news is that bones (BIG bones) are scattered all over Fred's living room. I stand there for a couple of minutes just taking it all in...
I am confused. No dry ice. No styrofoam. No individual wrapping. but BIG bones all over the living room. Seriously ... what was in that package? A side of beef? But, who sends meat in a package? Who sends meat in a package without individually wrapping the different meat sections? Who sends meat in a package without dry ice or some other kind of packaging to keep the meat fresh? And ... did Sailor eat ALL the meat? I see a few remnants of meat, but mainly all I see is bones. BIG bones.
I clean up the mess; I put the bones into ziplock bags and place them in the refrigerator. I clean up the few pieces of meat that have stuck to the tile and rug. I pick up the 'trash' that was once the package.
I leave Fred a note telling him how sorry I am about Sailor's party, but there was NO WAY that I could ever know what was in that package. I had no idea that Sailor would attack the package that way.
In the afternoon Fred calls; he's due home later that day.
"Hey Fred. Are you home yet?"
"No. I'm still a couple of hours away."
"Oh. OK. Are you expecting a package?"
"Yeah. My brother is sending me some elk bones for Sailor."
"Ahhhhhhhhh.....OK, now things are making sense."
"What?"
"Well, Sailor opened the package. I had it on the counter, and he helped himself."
"Well, it was for him..... that boy."
I love laughing with Fred over Sailor's antics, and I love that Fred has a sense of humor. Some people would not find this so funny........
As I was going to get Sailor for our walk, I noticed a package by Fred's front gate. I had no idea if it was dropped off by UPS, FedEx or some lesser known delivery service, but I picked up the package, took it into the house and placed it on the counter with the mail.
That evening I put Sailor in for the night. Checked the house, made sure Sailor had water and went home.
Next morning, I go back to Fred's house to feed Sailor and let him out for the day.
As I enter the house, I see the opened package on the floor. aaaarrrrggghhh.... what the heck? I realize right away that Sailor has gotten into the package; more than that, Sailor has opened the package. I immediately feel responsible for not taking better care of the package, and I wonder what was in that package to make Sailor want it so badly.
I let Sailor out while I take a better look around the house. Good news is that the rest of the house is nice and clean. Bad news is that bones (BIG bones) are scattered all over Fred's living room. I stand there for a couple of minutes just taking it all in...
I am confused. No dry ice. No styrofoam. No individual wrapping. but BIG bones all over the living room. Seriously ... what was in that package? A side of beef? But, who sends meat in a package? Who sends meat in a package without individually wrapping the different meat sections? Who sends meat in a package without dry ice or some other kind of packaging to keep the meat fresh? And ... did Sailor eat ALL the meat? I see a few remnants of meat, but mainly all I see is bones. BIG bones.
I clean up the mess; I put the bones into ziplock bags and place them in the refrigerator. I clean up the few pieces of meat that have stuck to the tile and rug. I pick up the 'trash' that was once the package.
I leave Fred a note telling him how sorry I am about Sailor's party, but there was NO WAY that I could ever know what was in that package. I had no idea that Sailor would attack the package that way.
In the afternoon Fred calls; he's due home later that day.
"Hey Fred. Are you home yet?"
"No. I'm still a couple of hours away."
"Oh. OK. Are you expecting a package?"
"Yeah. My brother is sending me some elk bones for Sailor."
"Ahhhhhhhhh.....OK, now things are making sense."
"What?"
"Well, Sailor opened the package. I had it on the counter, and he helped himself."
"Well, it was for him..... that boy."
I love laughing with Fred over Sailor's antics, and I love that Fred has a sense of humor. Some people would not find this so funny........
Friday, January 14, 2011
Fred went out of town....
Fred went out of town for a few days, and I got to take care of Sailor.
The first day I stopped by to take Sailor for a walk.
As we were walking, I called Fred.
Part of our conversation follows:
"Um, Fred ... you left your dog without any water."
"He has water."
"No, Fred. He has a giant ice cube shaped like a bucket."
"Oh. The temperature did drop last night, didn't it?"
"Yes, Fred, it did. You left your dog with no water."
"Well ..... that's why I pay you."
Then we both started laughing.
I love that Fred and I can talk so easily.
...and give one another a hard time.
The first day I stopped by to take Sailor for a walk.
As we were walking, I called Fred.
Part of our conversation follows:
"Um, Fred ... you left your dog without any water."
"He has water."
"No, Fred. He has a giant ice cube shaped like a bucket."
"Oh. The temperature did drop last night, didn't it?"
"Yes, Fred, it did. You left your dog with no water."
"Well ..... that's why I pay you."
Then we both started laughing.
I love that Fred and I can talk so easily.
...and give one another a hard time.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sam has been moved to ICU...
On Tuesday Sam's doctor decided to give him a steroid to help with his breathing and his recovery. Sadly, the medication had a negative effect for Sam. Sam had a bad reaction to the steroid, and he endured a rough night Tuesday night.
Everyone was hoping that Wednesday would be better, but sadly, it was not.
Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Sam called me and told me that I better come up to the hospital. I got there just as Sam was being prepared to be moved to ICU. I gathered up his personal belongings to keep them safe while he was moved.
As the nurses were working on Sam's IV and his oxygen tank, Sam still retained his sense of humor. First he said to me, "As the Chinaman says, 'Someting wong.'" I laughed. Oh Sam......!! ha! Then his nurse told him that she had been talking with Kimber; Kimber would be Sam's new nurse down in ICU. Sam's first question was, "Is she single?" The nurse and I both laughed. I was happy to see that even though he was not feeling so great, even though he was doing poorly, he was able to keep his sense of humor about him.
I followed Sam down to ICU, but I never saw him again once he got there. I eventually left, but his daughter came later for a visit. I talked with her on the phone, and I could hear Sam in the background. He wanted to make sure I did have his cell phone. (I did.)
Visiting hours begin at 9:00 am, so that is where I will soon be heading........
Everyone was hoping that Wednesday would be better, but sadly, it was not.
Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, Sam called me and told me that I better come up to the hospital. I got there just as Sam was being prepared to be moved to ICU. I gathered up his personal belongings to keep them safe while he was moved.
As the nurses were working on Sam's IV and his oxygen tank, Sam still retained his sense of humor. First he said to me, "As the Chinaman says, 'Someting wong.'" I laughed. Oh Sam......!! ha! Then his nurse told him that she had been talking with Kimber; Kimber would be Sam's new nurse down in ICU. Sam's first question was, "Is she single?" The nurse and I both laughed. I was happy to see that even though he was not feeling so great, even though he was doing poorly, he was able to keep his sense of humor about him.
I followed Sam down to ICU, but I never saw him again once he got there. I eventually left, but his daughter came later for a visit. I talked with her on the phone, and I could hear Sam in the background. He wanted to make sure I did have his cell phone. (I did.)
Visiting hours begin at 9:00 am, so that is where I will soon be heading........
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sam has pneumonia....
Last Thursday I was so happy. Sam came home from rehab.
He looked good. He had energy. He seemed stronger than I've seen him in a very long time.
Friday morning, the home health care nurse came to evaluate him. All of his vitals were great. He was feeling great. Then she listened to his lungs. She said everything was perfect, except that he had a little bit of wheezing in his lungs.
I didn't love hearing that, but I didn't realize how much I needed to worry.
Saturday morning, when I showed up at his apartment, Sam was still in bed. That has never happened. I was a bit worried now. I checked on him, he was sleeping, so I let him sleep. I was cautious. I didn't know how long I should allow him to sleep, but I also didn't know how his night had gone. Had he had a bad night, and just finally got to sleep, he didn't need me to come and wake him up. I closed his bedroom door, and let him sleep while I straightened up his apartment.
I checked in on him again. Still asleep. hmmmm.
Played on the computer, all the while though, I was worried.
Checked on him again. Still asleep. Getting more worried.
Finally around 9:15am, Sam stirred.
Relief.
But Sam was not feeling good. He did not look good. He thought, at that time, that he was trying to catch a cold. I talked to his daughter, and she was quite concerned. She wasn't sure if it was a cold or allergies. Either way, she was worried.
I turned on his air purifier and put him on his oxygen. He just wanted to sleep. So he went back to bed.
I left for a bit.
When I came back later with lunch, he was up and out of bed. Relief.
I stayed for a while, but left him again knowing his daughter would be checking in on him later.
Sunday I had the day off as his daughter was going to spend time with him. I went about my day.
Sunday night I got a call from his daughter. Sam was not doing good at all, and she was going to take him to the ER. She'd let me know.....
Sam was admitted to the hospital. He has pneumonia.
Pneumonia and 83 years do not make a good combination.
Monday morning, I went in to check on Sam. He was so pitiful. So fragile. So weak.
He laid in his bed and slept fitfully the entire time I was there. He tried to speak a few times, but it took so much effort. His breathing was labored. I told him to just sleep. He got a breathing treatment while I was there, which was bittersweet for me. It brought back all those memories of my father getting his breathing treatments while in the hospital before his death. However, after his breathing treatment, Sam sounded so much better, even to my untrained ears.
I went back today, and Sam was improved. Not much. But again, even to my untrained ears, I could tell his breathing sounded so much better. Less of an effort. Less wheezing. He still has so little energy, and, pretty much, the only thing he does is sleep ... and sadly, his sleep is not peaceful, but he does seem better today than yesterday.
We'll see how he is tomorrow.............
He looked good. He had energy. He seemed stronger than I've seen him in a very long time.
Friday morning, the home health care nurse came to evaluate him. All of his vitals were great. He was feeling great. Then she listened to his lungs. She said everything was perfect, except that he had a little bit of wheezing in his lungs.
I didn't love hearing that, but I didn't realize how much I needed to worry.
Saturday morning, when I showed up at his apartment, Sam was still in bed. That has never happened. I was a bit worried now. I checked on him, he was sleeping, so I let him sleep. I was cautious. I didn't know how long I should allow him to sleep, but I also didn't know how his night had gone. Had he had a bad night, and just finally got to sleep, he didn't need me to come and wake him up. I closed his bedroom door, and let him sleep while I straightened up his apartment.
I checked in on him again. Still asleep. hmmmm.
Played on the computer, all the while though, I was worried.
Checked on him again. Still asleep. Getting more worried.
Finally around 9:15am, Sam stirred.
Relief.
But Sam was not feeling good. He did not look good. He thought, at that time, that he was trying to catch a cold. I talked to his daughter, and she was quite concerned. She wasn't sure if it was a cold or allergies. Either way, she was worried.
I turned on his air purifier and put him on his oxygen. He just wanted to sleep. So he went back to bed.
I left for a bit.
When I came back later with lunch, he was up and out of bed. Relief.
I stayed for a while, but left him again knowing his daughter would be checking in on him later.
Sunday I had the day off as his daughter was going to spend time with him. I went about my day.
Sunday night I got a call from his daughter. Sam was not doing good at all, and she was going to take him to the ER. She'd let me know.....
Sam was admitted to the hospital. He has pneumonia.
Pneumonia and 83 years do not make a good combination.
Monday morning, I went in to check on Sam. He was so pitiful. So fragile. So weak.
He laid in his bed and slept fitfully the entire time I was there. He tried to speak a few times, but it took so much effort. His breathing was labored. I told him to just sleep. He got a breathing treatment while I was there, which was bittersweet for me. It brought back all those memories of my father getting his breathing treatments while in the hospital before his death. However, after his breathing treatment, Sam sounded so much better, even to my untrained ears.
I went back today, and Sam was improved. Not much. But again, even to my untrained ears, I could tell his breathing sounded so much better. Less of an effort. Less wheezing. He still has so little energy, and, pretty much, the only thing he does is sleep ... and sadly, his sleep is not peaceful, but he does seem better today than yesterday.
We'll see how he is tomorrow.............
Thursday, January 6, 2011
rehab hospital...
I've been thinking of this for a few days but was not quite sure how to put it into words.
There is a man at the hospital; I have no idea what happened to him. He seems paralyzed in some way. I'm not sure if he had a stroke or what happened, but his face looks a bit 'off' as well. But this man also has something quite special. Every time I have ever seen him, I have seen his wife with him. Rubbing him, talking to him, sitting beside him. One day as I walked by the open door of his room, I saw his wife washing his face. She had a wet washcloth and was gently washing his face. What I absolutely loved about this moment was the complete look of love on her face as she was taking care of her husband. The way she looked at him ... the way she touched him. I could see the love she had for him. More than that, I could feel the love she had for him. As she saw me, she looked up and smiled. Not a courtesy smile, but a true and genuine smile. This woman blew me away.
Her love. Her attitude. Blew me away.
She has touched my soul, and she has inspired me.
We should all love the way she does. We should all be loved the way she does.
There is a man at the hospital; I have no idea what happened to him. He seems paralyzed in some way. I'm not sure if he had a stroke or what happened, but his face looks a bit 'off' as well. But this man also has something quite special. Every time I have ever seen him, I have seen his wife with him. Rubbing him, talking to him, sitting beside him. One day as I walked by the open door of his room, I saw his wife washing his face. She had a wet washcloth and was gently washing his face. What I absolutely loved about this moment was the complete look of love on her face as she was taking care of her husband. The way she looked at him ... the way she touched him. I could see the love she had for him. More than that, I could feel the love she had for him. As she saw me, she looked up and smiled. Not a courtesy smile, but a true and genuine smile. This woman blew me away.
Her love. Her attitude. Blew me away.
She has touched my soul, and she has inspired me.
We should all love the way she does. We should all be loved the way she does.
Sam going home...
Sam should be leaving the rehab hospital and should be heading home sometime today.
Sam is always a high fall risk. While he has been in the rehab hospital, the staff has had a monitor on him to keep him from getting up by himself. It's an alarm that attaches to his wheelchair on one end and attaches to his shirt on the other. As he stands, the attachment on his shirt pulls out of the alarm on the wheelchair setting off a loud screeching noise. Sam has hated this little device.
The main reason Sam hates the alarm so much, is because it takes away his freedom. He can't do anything by himself, and must constantly wait for help. This is frustrating for the most part, but especially when it comes to going to the bathroom. Sam would turn on his little 'help' light for someone to come and check on him, but all too often it took quite a while before someone actually did come in to see what he needed. In all honesty, it may have only taken five or ten minutes, but when one has to go to the bathroom, five or ten minutes seems much, much longer. I told Sam that if I were him, I would simply stand up when it was taking too long to get help. He looked at me not understanding. "Well," I said, "I'm thinking once you stand up, you set off the alarm. I'm guessing they'll come running a lot faster for an alarm than for a light." Sam loved it. The next day when I went back to see Sam, he informed me that the alarm idea did work. He said, with a twinkle in his eye, "They do get a bit upset and angry, but they do come quicker!!"
I love it!!
Sam is always a high fall risk. While he has been in the rehab hospital, the staff has had a monitor on him to keep him from getting up by himself. It's an alarm that attaches to his wheelchair on one end and attaches to his shirt on the other. As he stands, the attachment on his shirt pulls out of the alarm on the wheelchair setting off a loud screeching noise. Sam has hated this little device.
The main reason Sam hates the alarm so much, is because it takes away his freedom. He can't do anything by himself, and must constantly wait for help. This is frustrating for the most part, but especially when it comes to going to the bathroom. Sam would turn on his little 'help' light for someone to come and check on him, but all too often it took quite a while before someone actually did come in to see what he needed. In all honesty, it may have only taken five or ten minutes, but when one has to go to the bathroom, five or ten minutes seems much, much longer. I told Sam that if I were him, I would simply stand up when it was taking too long to get help. He looked at me not understanding. "Well," I said, "I'm thinking once you stand up, you set off the alarm. I'm guessing they'll come running a lot faster for an alarm than for a light." Sam loved it. The next day when I went back to see Sam, he informed me that the alarm idea did work. He said, with a twinkle in his eye, "They do get a bit upset and angry, but they do come quicker!!"
I love it!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sam doesn't understand...
As I was visiting with Sam today, there wasn't that much for me to do, so I sat down, and we started visiting. I asked Sam what he had done yesterday, and he informed me that he watched some football and made some phone calls.
Sam called a few of his old buddies. I asked him if he called any of his old friends in Florida, and this started a new conversation. Yesterday he did call an old friend. This friend had been married for years and years to, according to Sam, a real sweet gal. Sam said he just didn't 'get it' but he has noticed that so many men take up with a new woman after their wives die. He's noticed some of his friends taking up with some of the widows after their own wives die, and Sam just does not understand how they can do this. He was so cute, because he said that he didn't want to judge others; they could do as they wished, but that he had met his wife when she was fifteen, and he could not imagine getting intimate with another woman. He said he couldn't even imagine talking to another woman for any length of time. Then he did add that he may at some time change his mind, he doesn't know how he'll feel in a year or more, but for today, he just cannot imagine spending any time with another woman. (I thought he was so cute talking about his wife in this way.)
He did make me laugh. He told me that this old buddy of his had married a second time after his first wife died, and now the second wife had also died. "So I offered him my congratulations." said Sam.
Ummmm. Sam. I think you mean "condolences"
Sam called a few of his old buddies. I asked him if he called any of his old friends in Florida, and this started a new conversation. Yesterday he did call an old friend. This friend had been married for years and years to, according to Sam, a real sweet gal. Sam said he just didn't 'get it' but he has noticed that so many men take up with a new woman after their wives die. He's noticed some of his friends taking up with some of the widows after their own wives die, and Sam just does not understand how they can do this. He was so cute, because he said that he didn't want to judge others; they could do as they wished, but that he had met his wife when she was fifteen, and he could not imagine getting intimate with another woman. He said he couldn't even imagine talking to another woman for any length of time. Then he did add that he may at some time change his mind, he doesn't know how he'll feel in a year or more, but for today, he just cannot imagine spending any time with another woman. (I thought he was so cute talking about his wife in this way.)
He did make me laugh. He told me that this old buddy of his had married a second time after his first wife died, and now the second wife had also died. "So I offered him my congratulations." said Sam.
Ummmm. Sam. I think you mean "condolences"
2011 ... a New Year
Sam is doing great these days.
I went back home to Houston for Christmas, and upon my return to Las Cruces, I learned Sam was in the hospital. While I was gone, he got severely dehydrated. Thankfully he only spent a few days in the hospital, but instead of heading home, he was taken to a rehabilitation hospital. Ever since his last hospital visit, he never got his energy back. He's been quite weak and lethargic.
I believe this rehab hospital is going to be a wonderful wonderful opportunity for Sam. I believe he is getting attention that he has needed for quite a while but hasn't received. In the rehab hospital he is getting occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
As I mentioned, he's been lethargic and weak, and he has been wanting to do very little besides lie in bed and rest. I do understand that, but as we all know, the more one lies around and does nothing, the more one wants to lie around and do nothing. In the rehab hospital, Sam does not have that choice. The therapists have him up and about and doing different exercises all day long. It's been exhausting for him, but so so good for him at the same time. He's gaining strength back, and he is doing so great. He looks great. He's getting around great. He's feeling great. It's so wonderful for me to see, and I'm so happy for how he must be feeling.
I went back home to Houston for Christmas, and upon my return to Las Cruces, I learned Sam was in the hospital. While I was gone, he got severely dehydrated. Thankfully he only spent a few days in the hospital, but instead of heading home, he was taken to a rehabilitation hospital. Ever since his last hospital visit, he never got his energy back. He's been quite weak and lethargic.
I believe this rehab hospital is going to be a wonderful wonderful opportunity for Sam. I believe he is getting attention that he has needed for quite a while but hasn't received. In the rehab hospital he is getting occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
As I mentioned, he's been lethargic and weak, and he has been wanting to do very little besides lie in bed and rest. I do understand that, but as we all know, the more one lies around and does nothing, the more one wants to lie around and do nothing. In the rehab hospital, Sam does not have that choice. The therapists have him up and about and doing different exercises all day long. It's been exhausting for him, but so so good for him at the same time. He's gaining strength back, and he is doing so great. He looks great. He's getting around great. He's feeling great. It's so wonderful for me to see, and I'm so happy for how he must be feeling.