ANYBODY HAVE A BROWN BAG I COULD BORROW?

Again, I apologize for the length of time between posts and my coming around to your blogs. To say the least, my real life (which oftentimes sucks) interfere’s with my fantasy blog life that I delve into to get away from reality…or something like that.

Anyway, in the last few weeks I’ve been overwhelmed with “stuff”. Not all good, not all bad, but all busy.
ShortLong list: Planning for Mother-in-Law’s 100th birthday party. I tried to stay out of that as much as possible and left it to my husband and his sisters (who both live out of town). I finally suggested to my husband that he call his second daughter who actually plans events for corporations and stuff so she would know all the good and reasonable caterer’s, bakeries, etc. For once, he took my advice, so that was a big help.

Next, emergency call from Daughter One….Dr. X at it again. Without going into “why”, because it’s long and confusing, and legalistic crap, my husband and I had to meet her half way between IL and PA, which was supposed to be around Cleveland, to take her Husky and two cats (one which has diabetes and is on insulin), for some time….which we have no idea how long. Weeks, months? Who knows? Uncertainty, my least favorite thing.

Of course, Daughter One had one thing after another go wrong on her trip to meet us and we ended up meeting her in PA somewhere…at a restaurant where there were a bunch of old people coming in for the early dinner special. I felt like I was at one of my mom’s Senior Apartment dinners. We talked for awhile, I tried not to cry in front of her, but failed. I hugged her a lot, and we ate and went on our way with our car loaded down with dog and cat dander and two cats sitting on my lap. Did I tell you I’m allergic to cats?

Next day, the house had to be cleaned up because Daughter three was coming in from MA for her grandmother’s birthday party. My husband picked her up at the airport, which was good because it gave me more time to clean.

Saturday, Daughter three and I were going to shop around for a wedding dress for her. Not planning on buying yet, just seeing what’s out there, she’ll probably buy hers out in MA where she’ll be married.
Of course, that plan went out the window when I got a call from the parmedics that they were taking my mom to the hospital. Oy. Six hours in the emergency room while she went through tests, and waited for a room to open up. Not sure what it was, the hospital was saying colitis, but I think it was that funky stomach flu going around. She did not look well at all and was very dehydrated and had a fever. The fact that she called the parmedics says it all to me….she was frightened and weak. Ok….mom in hospital, will miss MIL’s birthday party, bummer….but she was getting good care and looking better within 24 hours or so. Except…..her heart rate was erratic, moreso than usual, more tests.

Sunday. Party day. Went to early Mass with a cousin who was in town, went directly to MIL’s place where the event was to take place and got right into decorating and stuff. Cousin’s, aunts, uncles, nuns, etc. were beginning to arrive right on time. WTH? Who comes on time to a party these days? Large crowd, food was great, Daughter two really outdid herself with the decorations which were bright and beautiful. My mother in law sat in a chair wearing a tiara and a big pink sash that said “One more year of FABULOUS! on it. Also balloons around her that said the same thing. She couldn’t see anyone, just forms. Everyone went close to talk to her (shout–she can’t hear either), but she was enjoying herself. The big screen TV had pictures flashing by of Mom in Law from infant to present time, with all the family that are gone and some that are still here. That was Daughter two’s idea and it was a smash.

Party over….get in the car to go to hopsital to visit with mom, tell her how it all went, showed her some pics on our camera, and told her that everyone was missing her at the party. Exhausted, and shaking at the same time, I went home and was in bed early. Did I tell you in my rush out the door that day I forgot to take my meds? Bad move. My kids informed me that I looked very calm and happy….I don’t remember shit. Although, one of my cousin’s thought I must have been drinking or maybe a case of Alzheimer’s because I was trying to tell him a story about something and could only get to the first few sentences and would forget what I was talking about….three times. I finally gave up and my son saved me by coming over to bring me a bottle of water. He must of seen the panic on my face. Most in the family have no idea that I’ve been ill or what Daughter One has been going through.

Monday, Daughter Three was going home in the afternoon and I was to drive her to the airport. I got up early to make a trip to the hospital with her to see my mom before she left. As I walked out of the hospital, I realized I wasn’t feeling so well. By the time I got home, I collapsed in bed with a fever and…..you guessed it, the stomach flu. Phone rang, it was Dauaghter Two, the school called and my granddaughter needed to be picked up….stomach flu. Oy.

Daughter Three called a cab to go to the airport because obviously I wasn’t able to do so and my son stayed to care for his neice while I slept off the bug. My granddaughter seemed to fare worse, with the dramatic cry, “I can’t even swallow my own spit without throwing up!” Number One Son couldn’t stop laughing and that made her mad, but it was funny. He was a real trooper, taking care of two sickies.

Tuesday, still sick, can’t visit mom and canceled my regular psych doc appointment. Phone call from hospital, my mom is upset and near tears because they want to send her to a re-hab hospital before going home. She was convinced I was trying to put her in a nursing home and she would never see her apartment again. Call from brother in Nevada, “What’s going on with mom, are you putting her in a nursing home?” Shit. I went to the hospital, talked to the docs, convinced my mom her stay in re-hab with be very short, just enough to strengthen her legs so she won’t fall.

Wednesday, feeling better, went to re-hab to visit mom. The first thing she said was, “Will you go to the bank for me and get some money, I heard they play bingo here. Oh, and take $75 for yourself and get a hair cut and buy cream for your face.” Hugh??? Looking for mirror to see if I looked that bad but they don’t have mirrors in those places, I guess. She then told me to go home, “You look terrible.” Thanks mom, love you….

Thursday, I don’t remember too much. Talked on phone to Daughter One about the big snow storm they were going to get. She assured me that she would not be going to work on Friday, they were closed, and that she would go to the store before the storm hit and get the essentials for emergency weather….Batteries, candles for power outage, booze, milk and bread.

Friday, Oh my…I almost forgot. I had my Eucharistic Ministry to do…get to Mass quick! Late for Mass, homily already being said when I walk in the door with my head down, hoping the Deacon won’t notice who just walked in. He did. He smiled. He’s cool.

Saturday, tried getting caught up with laundry, husband and son went to Mother-in-Law’s for dinner and talk about the party. He said she was chock full of stories of the old days and she was happy. Life is good.

Sunday, went to Church and came home to find out that Mother-in-law is ill….my cell phone was off, husband said to meet him at her place. Yup, she has the stomach flu. Won’t go to hospital, but she doesn’t seem too bad and was hydrated well. She drank three cups of mild herb tea and it stayed down fine. We sat with her longer but hubby said we would just leave and come back and check on her so she could get some sleep. I wanted to spend the night on the sofa to be sure she was ok but he said to he would see how she’s doing later before I decide to do that. I’m a worrier. Ya think?

Monday, hubby talked to his mom that night and she seemed better and was making oatmeal. I stayed home but went directly to her house on Monday morning to see how she was. Not well. I stayed, gave her some Immodium, she had tea, she sat for awhile on the sofa, no fever, told me to go home, I look terrible. Damn, she can’t even see, how can I look terrible??? Next time I go visit them I’m wear a bag over my head.

Stopped in to see mom at rehab, she was busy and about to go have lunch, told me to go home. I did. I didn’t look in the mirror when I got home, though, just took it for granted that I looked terrible. Fed all the animals, gave insulin shot to cat, watched Finding Bigfoot (they never do) I don’t know why I watch that show. BoBo decided to leave his scent on trees and was peeing through the forest. That was so disgusting I went to bed to try to rid my head of the images.

Tuesday…..I’m writing this post, and I know it sucks and it’s hard to type with a bag over my head, but I figured I should say something about the big news on the Pope. So…..here’s my news about the Pope.

I heard the Pope is going to retire. Very odd, they usually don’t do that, but God Bless his heart for being our “Peter” and leading our Church for the time he did. I wish him nothing but happiness and joy for the rest of his life, he deserves it. Hope the next Pope will be up to the task. I wouldn’t want that job. No way, no how. Besides, I know if I wore that Miter, my mom would tell me I look terrible.

The end.

Love you all….

Nunly