Yes, It's Been Three Weeks

 

Well... it was bound to happen!  Has it been three years since COVID first hit the U.S.?  I knew it was inevitable that, at some point, I would get it.

I think my immune system is shot due to all the stress from situations beyond my control, because COVID hit me hard!  Punched me right in the face! (super high fever, heart palps, dizziness, regular cold symptoms, splitting headache, terrible aching all over, tender lymph nodes, low BP - which is usually high, and nausea.  I saw a telehealth doctor, and showed her my positive result, but she would not prescribe me anything.  She said to go to the ER.  She was a big waste of time and $50.

It's probably good that I went, though. I went to the free-standing ER (I know... more expensive), but I didn't want to sit in a nasty waiting room for hours then lay on a gurney in the hall for a few more hours like my mom had to do recently.  If you have an Ally Medical Emergency Room near you, I highly recommend it!  I was seen immediately, and they were very thorough and absolutely amazing people!  They gave me IV fluids and medicine, got my fever down some, monitored my BP and oxygen, and checked out my heart (I have a bicuspid aortic valve).

My stress level is through the roof because my poor mom has been in the hospital then medical rehab since February 15.  Bless her heart.  She is being released tomorrow, and we were down to the wire over the arrangements.  My sister and I made the difficult decision that she needs memory care (dementia/Alzheimer's/aphasia).  Gosh it hurts to see my mom like this!  LOOOOONG story about what has happened to her in the last month, so I'll save that for another day.

I am thinking of doing an Alzheimer's fundraiser on The Longest Day, but I'm not sure what to do.  I don't want to just ask for money.  Remember when we used to get people to pledge a certain amount per minute/object?  Like in a walkathon, people would pledge 50¢ a mile.  I'd love to do something with crafts.  Or some type of class where friends could come to learn to do something and pay a small fee for the class.  Please take my one question survey about possible fundraising ideas!

And I will give you a few funnies...

ME!!!

So true!

And last, but not least...

Have a great week!  And for more fun visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Fun Photos

 With all the stress in life right now, I needed some peace and serenity. 

Photos taken in Helen's Garden, League City, TX in 2015.

For more photos visit Image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

It's Almost Tuesday

 

Oh my goodness! The things that can happen in one week!

Mom was diagnosed with COVID again exactly one week ago.  Second time.  I was completely exposed, but I have no symptoms as of yet. Long story short, she has been hospitalized (she's on oxygen and Remdesivir) and diagnosed with a serious issue we never knew existed:  abdominal aortic aneurysm.  Due to advanced dementia, her medical decisions are left to my sister and me, but my sister has been out of town.  Surgery?  Or no surgery?  I still don't know.

She has two cats, so I have to go over at least every two days to clean up their litter box and make sure they have plenty of food and water and give them some love.

This is a painting I had a friend make to give mom for her 80th birthday.

I've got to get all her tax documents in order and decide who is going to do them this year.  And a number of other such chores I do on her behalf.

I've also had to go to the doctor, and I have another appointment in two days.  Two different doctors. Oh, what fun!  One doctor is requesting a change in medication, but it's a big fat no for me.  Too many scary side effects and cost-prohibitive.  Over $1,000.00 for one month!  Who has that kind of money?  Not me!

And we had pop-in visitors on Sunday!  Our daughter and husband from Austin and their two sweet little girls.  We love them so much, and with all the stress I'm under right now, it was such a welcome respite!

So moving on now...

This is something I would do!

I love a good pun!  Or even a bad one!

And one more for the road...

No, not my friend!  Someone else's friend!

Have a great week!

I'm linking up at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Sunday Synopsis-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite book of the entire Harry Potter series. Back in 1999 when I read the series the first time, I actually started with this one as it had just been published, fell in love, and went back to read the first two. Each time a new book came out, I immediately bought it. They are so hard to put down!

Before returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his third year, Harry Potter has to endure two months with his aunt, uncle, and cousin which never turns out well for anyone. During this third year, he will encounter magical creatures, animagi, a prisoner from Azkaban, dementors, the wrath of Snape (as usual), and several intense Quidditch matches where he is the Seeker for Team Gryffindor.

There will be secret trips to Hogsmeade, visits with Hagrid, a magical artifact called the Marauder's Map, and a near-death experience with the dementors. His skills as a wizard grow immensely. Harry will also learn more about his parents who died when he was a baby and develop even closer relationships with Ron and Hermione.  This is also the year when the series gains more of a sense of foreboding.

There is so much in the book that didn't make it into the movie, so even if you've seen the movie, this book holds many surprises.

View all my reviews

Sunday Synopsis-The Decision to Kill-true crime

 

The Decision to Kill: A True Crime Story of a Teenage Killer and the Mother Who Loved Him by Leslie Ghiglieri
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The description calls this book a "gripping true crime debut" for author Leslie Ghiglieri. It is anything but gripping. It is devoid of suspense. It is devoid of courtroom drama. There is nothing gripping about it. For me, it was the-book-that-never-ends!

When troubled teenager Dwayne Weir was 16 in 1986, he killed his adoptive father. He allowed his little sister to be the person who discovered his dead body. And his decision to kill left his adoptive mother Cherie with agonizing grief and heart-wrenching guilt. She wanted to forgive him, but she wasn't sure she could.

The story is told mostly through letters that Cherie and Dwayne wrote to each other during his incarceration, so Ghiglieri did less writing than most authors. She was also Cherie's long time friend. Entire letters were quoted verbatim when they could have been summarized.

Cherie's letters disccussed her grief and guilt, her Christian faith, and her desire to understand what happened. But she also expressed concern over Dwayne's Alport Syndrome, a genetic kidney disease that also affected his hearing and eyes.

Dwayne blitzed his mother with letters, page after page. Some of them were pity party letters. Others were defiant. He tried to blame the drugs or strict parenting for causing him to kill his father, anything but blaming himself. He even claimed a struggle with gender identity. Later in his incarceration, he "found religion," which still didn't prevent him from acting out enough to get thrown in the "hole."

I got so tired of reading his letters. He may have written different words, but every letter was basically the same, and I can't find any reason why I should care what happened to him or what was going to become of him because he killed his father. I feel like the author tried too hard to make him sympathetic, and I just couldn't conjure any pity for him. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I do not recommend this book.

View all my reviews

13 Valentine Gift Ideas

 If you're reading this on Thursday, there are only 5 shopping days left until Valentine's Day, and since you're short on time, you probably want to use Amazon so you can receive your item quickly.  In fact, some items even ship same or next day.  Even if you're on a fixed income (like me), and you think you can't spring for a Prime membership, you may be able to choose Prime at a discounted monthly rate.

So, what kinds of things can you give to the one you love?  Anything!  But why choose the tired, old "candy and flowers" routine?

Hallmark Paper Wonder Pop Up Valentines Day Card (Honeycomb Cupcake)

In Love & Pajamas: A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together

Sea Glass Earrings

Cute Dish Towel

Scrapbook Photo Album

Lava Rock Tiger Eye Bracelet

Shower Steamers

Burt's Bees Gift Set

Rose Quartz Massager and Jade Facial Roller

Scented Soy Wax Candle

Sterling Silver Rose Heart Initial Necklace

Mini Succulent Live Plant

Spa Gift Basket

I hope you find your Valentine the perfect gift!  Check out Thursday Thirteen for more fun!

Links are affiliate links meaning if you choose to make a purchase, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

Fun Photos

 Some photos of Cozumel when we were there a few weeks ago.

A shot of Cozumel from the balcony of our room

Playa Mia Grand Beach Park
This is only part of it.

The eating area, two buffets and two bars

One of the pools

Look closely!  Coconuts!

The other pool

For more photos, check out Wordless Wednesday and Image-in-ing.

Hello Random Tuesday!

 Haha!  I surprised you by remembering to write this post "on time," didn't I? Well, I suprised myself!

I've been reading about Alzheimer's Disease,  Fronto-temporal Aphasia, and Dementia today, due to some recent issues with my mom, and it's so depressing.  It's also difficult when someone asks, "How is your mom doing?"  Do they really care, or are they just being polite?  And how do you respond to that?  Would you be vague by saying, "About the same."?  Would you lie and say, "She's doing okay."?  Or would you be truthful and say, "She isn't going to get any better."?  I think from now on I will say, "She is continuing to decline."  Would that suffice?  Is it too blunt or morbid? I doubt the person asking really wants details, unless the person is actually part of the immediate family.  What do you think?

Changing the subject now... because I can! We celebrated my husband's birthday yesterday, and 2 of the 5 children were actually able to join us for dinner at the Japanese steakhouse hibachi grill.  His favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies (not birthday cake), so I got him some from Tiff's Treats.  They deliver warm cookies (dozen minimum), but I went by to pick them up because I didn't want an entire dozen cookies. I was out running errands anyway.  All in all, it was a great day!

And now...

That's a fair assessment of parenting!

Hahaha!

Or maybe it's peema pants!

I like how this has a relatable part (losing my phone set to silent) and a Beyonce' reference.

Relatable

And last, but not least...

Have a great week!

Visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts for more fun!