TGIF 5-30-14

Sheesh Tina, be careful out there!  Crazy idiot drivers.  

I want a Lemonade apple.  *cries pitifully*  

Hugs to you for doing all you can for Ginger.  

@sharismom

Maybe it's just me, but 99% of the time, I'm aware of cars behind me in addition to everywhere else they are.

I've always been that way, too, Tina -- and after being rear-ended 5 or 6 years ago, I'm even more aware of cars behind me.   I'm glad you weren't hit while on your bicycle or while walking GingerD!

The all-day vet visit required for the Cushing's test is a bummer.  I hadn't thought of that being a possible cause for GingerD's thirst and hunger.  I wonder if it contributes to night-time restlessness, too?

I'll have to find out if we have those Lemonade apples here.  They sound delicious!  I love a blend of sweet and tart. 

Poor DH had a horrible night -- about 10:45pm, the manager of my MIL's retirement complex called.  She fell and the ambulance was taking her to the ER.  He headed out 5 minutes later and didn't get home until after 5am.  He had some coffee and a snack, took a shower, and headed to his office at 6am to get the guys off to their jobs.  He's been back to the hospital and MIL's apartment since to collect some belongings for her.  No broken bones, but she's got a lot of dizziness and heart rate instability, so they're observing her, changing some meds, etc.  No news yet on when she'll be discharged, but my guess is she'll have to go to an assisted living place before she can go back to her apartment.  That happened when she had a fall 18 months ago.  She's not very agile when she's NOT dizzy (even with a walker), so she won't be able to get around her apartment on her own right away, I think.  Sigh.

One lesson I'm always reminded of as I watch my MIL age so poorly:  we have to do what we can to maintain our flexibility and muscle strength so we can deal with age-related body issues as successfully as possible.  My MIL can barely lift herself out of a chair due to weakness and balance problems.  I've got to get more serious about exercising beyond the walks I take with my friend!

I'm sorry to hear about your MIL's fall, Tracy. I hope she is on the road to recovery soon.

Good thoughts for your MIL.  Your poor DH must be wiped out. Tracy, you're so right about staying fit.  I think about it too and wish I didn't hate exercising so much.  Every minute spent on the treadmill or the exercise bike is miserable but I do it except when I come up with lame excuses.  I need to start lifting some weights again too. I'm having a fat year so far. :(

I'm so ready for the weekend even though we don't have any plans.  This four day week has been so slow it seems like it's been a six day week.  

Thanks for the well wishes, ladies.  

I really hate exercising, too.  I've always been that way.  I was the kid who was always trying to find an excuse to get out of gym class.  The same excuse-making habit is still a strong one as an adult!  If it weren't for a joint gym membership with my friend and our carpooling arrangements, I'd never work out.  When she's out of town for her job, I skip the gym.  

We actually just cancelled our membership on May 1, since we wanted to save some money and knew we'd do more walking in the summer months.  But that means no weights or strength training machines.  It's impossible to get motivated to do that at home.  I even find it hard to make myself do stretching at home, even though I know it makes my back feel better, especially since I sit at a desk all day long!

I used to go to the gym regularly (way before Aaron was even a thought).  Then when DH changed jobs and was home more often, it became much less frequently, and then once Aaron came, pft, forget that.  And I know there are things I can do at home, but I am like you Tracy and just cannot get motivated to do it.

Our flight leaves Sunday morning for Mexico & since we have to be there crazy early & don't live close to the airport, we're staying in a nearby hotel tomorrow night.  I am starting to get anxious.  I'm excited for a new experience, but I know I'm going to miss everyone, and I feel bad b/c I know Aaron isn't gonna understand.  I'm also getting paranoid I'm going to forget something important, like my passport.

I think I'm gonna head out a little early today, I've gotten everything as caught up as I can so I'm pretty much just sitting here twiddling my thumbs.

Sending good thoughts for your MIL, Tracy.  

Sending good thots youir MIL's way too....and your poor exhausted hubby.

Tracy, I hope you MIL is on the mend and your DH can get a bit of rest. I know it must be exhausting for you and him. Good thoughts for all of you.

GingerD, I am glad to hear your acupuncture is helping--yeah!  Tina, have they also tested for diabetes? (I can't remember if you posted about that.) And stay safe on your walks/drives--it sounds really crazy!

I don't like exercise unless it's purposeful. I figure gardening and lawn work are good for the spring. (And, I am sore, so I know the bending, pulling, hauling, etc. must be good, right??)

A trip to Mexico--wow!  That does sound good. I am likely behind, but is this for work or fun?

I don't blame you, Steph, for being anxious about leaving, especially when you can't explain what's happening to Aaron.  Poor little guy will wonder where Mom is.  At least your DH will be home with him, so one half of his parenting routine will be familiar!  Kate, it's a work trip for Steph!

i think gardening and yard work are definitely a form of exercise, especially the heavy duty stuff. Geesh, just an hour of pulling weeds, and my hamstring muscles scream at me the next day!  

My MIL is settled in comfortably tonight.  Test results tomorrow may bring some more answers.  DH is grilling some steaks right now.  I'm certain there will be some loud snoring in the loveseat not long after dinner tonight!  

Thanks again for the well wishes!

It was a dark and stormy night!!!   Wind and rain all night.  But it cooled off really well and made for a great nights sleep.  

Grand sons birthday yesterday.  We gave him a pogo stick.  No batteries, no cord, no screen.  Very short instruction manual.  He loves it.  As he seems to live in a world of plenty, most of his presents are being donated to a worthy group.  Did I mention that Charley is a wonderful kid.

Going back to Minneapolis today for a grand daughters birthday.  This one is a hugger.  A really cute little girl.

Guns is learning to walk at class.  And how to turn around.  Also learning "leave it", which got a work out this morning.  Baby birds down on the grass after the storm.  Lugnut knows how to chase them and seems to really like it, but hasn't figured out what to do with them when they don't move.  But he did recall when called.  There is hope.

TV is issuing flash flood warnings for the metro counties now.  Interesting-along with the water rationing signs up for watering lawns in the land of 10,000 lakes.  Hard to believe that Minnesota could face a water shortage, but there are counties that are having problems.  Apparently, the stills used to make ethanol  use a lot of water-enough to suck some city wells dry.  An unintended consequence.

MIL health problems are scary.  My wife had already retired when her mom required care, so wife had the time to spend with her.  They were extremely close.   The brothers both lived out of state and while they tried to help, distance and time are real obstacles.

Your grandchildren sound wonderful Doug.

We sure don't do much chatting around here on the weekends these days.....

Bright and sunny here so I'm going outside to enjoy it.

We left Lugnut alone today, in the basement.  With water and my travel bag containing two cups of dog food in a plastic bowl.  Guns got bored, so did some discovery learning.  He found the food, of course.  Ripped it open and ate it all, then chewed the bowl.  Lots of tiny pieces.  He then destroyed a roll of  blue painters tape, before moving on to a bar of Irish Spring soap in the work area.  His breath is minty fresh, but surprisingly manly.  This could be an interesting evening.  It's actually the best his breath has been for a while.

Guess I'll add to this extended Friday chat, too!

Doug, I hope you don't have to many messes to deal with when Gunther's belly decides the variety of items was too much.  Hey, at least he'll be "as clean as a whistle!". Wasn't that the tag line for Irish Spring?

We have water restrictions here way more often than you'd think would happen in a state where it rains for more than half the year!  Guess it doesn't take much to threaten water supplies.

Yes, caring for aging parents can be very stressful.  DH has two sisters, one of whom is retired, but they both live several hundred miles away, so he's responsible for her 99% of the time.  Both my sister and I live far from my mother, but she has a couple things my MIL doesn't:  she's in excellent health and has a huge circle of friends who she is constantly engaged with.  When we've had medical scares, her friends are there pronto, long before I'd even make it to the airport!

Anyway, MIL is doing okay, but still in the hospital because her heart rate won't stabilize.  She may be released tomorrow, but we'll see.

I'm glad to hear she may be released, but, I'd be concerned with her going back to the facility with her heart rate unstable.  That's scary stuff.

Thor and Sheba ate Todd's new lazyboy wall hugger recliner when they were pups and having discovered that upholstered furniture is like a giant stuffy, moved on to the sofa.  Crates are a wonderful thing for pups......