Was awakened by a ringing telephone this morning. Niece was calling to see if I knew anything more about the status of my ex-husband. I told her that family were to gather at 10 a.m., at which time he was to be taken off life support.
We chatted for quite a while, and she brought me up-to-date on my brother's condition. He spends most of his time in bed, watching westerns on TV. Trips to the bathroom, or to the dinner table, are his only activities, because he's wobbly and gets dizzy when he's up.
Niece engaged a physical therapist for him, but she said the exercises exhausted him for two days afterward. I'm thinking this is because he didn't do them on the days his therapist wasn't there.
He'll be 80 years old in a few months, but if he doesn't bestir himself, he won't survive long.
Later in the morning, after breakfast, I helped Mother take a shower. When I returned home, I changed into exercise clothes and did a treadmill session and resistance exercises.
By then, it was noon. After lunch, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. I gathered scrapbook supplies and snapshots of Grandson's wedding we'd started working on a few months ago, and we spent a couple of hours busying ourselves with that project.
Around 4 p.m., I started a supper of chicken and dumplings, using chicken and broth leftover from earlier in the week. I served the dish with leftover mashed potatoes, and English peas.
There was no word of my ex-husband today.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday, Jan. 13
Friday the 13th. Anybody superstitious? Me neither.
We were up around 7:30 on this sunny, but arctic-weather day, and I started a treadmill session after breakfast. Son called as I was doing this, and we talked for a very long time (which was good for both of us).
His main reason for calling was to request a specific photo of himself with his dad, taken many years ago. The photo will be included on a CD to be shown at a memorial service honoring his father. I also sent a few other photos, featuring Daughter and my other son for him to consider.
It was noon by the time I completed this task and got ready for the day. I didn't accomplish anything else this afternoon beyond making an apple pie for Hubbie, and he had to help me with that by peeling and slicing the apples.
Mother stayed home today, until around 4 p.m., when Hubbie accompanied her to our house to join us for a supper of leftover chili. The chili was very good again, especially when followed by slices of warm apple pie served with ice cream, and mugs of steaming coffee.
Mother went home shortly afterward, and Hubbie and I watched TV, including the 2009 movie, "The Hessen Conspiracy." In 1945, a group of American officers take over a castle and find a stash of German jewels, which they try to fence in New York. Based on a true story.
During the movie, my friend from Texas called to wish me a happy birthday. She'd tried to call Tuesday, but that was the day we spent at the hospital.
We chatted at length, exchanging stories about our families. Funny: her daughter recently had a baby girl, and after a couple of weeks, the baby's five-year-old sister asked when the baby would lose her "electrical cord."
Later, we watched an episode of "The Firm." Several days ago, we saw the two-hour pilot of this program, and decided we like it and want to continue with the series. The show is based on a novel of the same name, written by John Grisham.
In the novel, the main character is a whistleblower that brings down large law firm fronting for the mob. Ultimately, he and his family are placed in witness protection. Now, ten years later, he has started a new private practice, but old threats are lurking.
We were up around 7:30 on this sunny, but arctic-weather day, and I started a treadmill session after breakfast. Son called as I was doing this, and we talked for a very long time (which was good for both of us).
His main reason for calling was to request a specific photo of himself with his dad, taken many years ago. The photo will be included on a CD to be shown at a memorial service honoring his father. I also sent a few other photos, featuring Daughter and my other son for him to consider.
It was noon by the time I completed this task and got ready for the day. I didn't accomplish anything else this afternoon beyond making an apple pie for Hubbie, and he had to help me with that by peeling and slicing the apples.
Mother stayed home today, until around 4 p.m., when Hubbie accompanied her to our house to join us for a supper of leftover chili. The chili was very good again, especially when followed by slices of warm apple pie served with ice cream, and mugs of steaming coffee.
Mother went home shortly afterward, and Hubbie and I watched TV, including the 2009 movie, "The Hessen Conspiracy." In 1945, a group of American officers take over a castle and find a stash of German jewels, which they try to fence in New York. Based on a true story.
During the movie, my friend from Texas called to wish me a happy birthday. She'd tried to call Tuesday, but that was the day we spent at the hospital.
We chatted at length, exchanging stories about our families. Funny: her daughter recently had a baby girl, and after a couple of weeks, the baby's five-year-old sister asked when the baby would lose her "electrical cord."
Later, we watched an episode of "The Firm." Several days ago, we saw the two-hour pilot of this program, and decided we like it and want to continue with the series. The show is based on a novel of the same name, written by John Grisham.
In the novel, the main character is a whistleblower that brings down large law firm fronting for the mob. Ultimately, he and his family are placed in witness protection. Now, ten years later, he has started a new private practice, but old threats are lurking.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday, Jan. 12
Slept late this morning, until around 8:30. Didn't get on the treadmill after breakfast, but instead did strength exercises...stair stepping, using resistance bands, as well as dumbbell weights (5 lb. and 8lb.), and walking around the house in ankle weights.
Hubbie spent his morning at a Master Gardener meeting. Once I was ready for the day, I went to Mother's house to help her take a shower, and then I fixed her lunch.
Br-r-r, what a cold morning, enough to produce a snow flurry that left a smattering of the white stuff on the roof of our house. It was a strange snow...more like tiny beads than flakes.
Because it was such an icy day, I decided chili would be in order for supper. But naturally, I didn't have all the ingredients I needed. So when Hubbie got back from his meeting, and we'd had lunch, he went to the nearest grocery store to get ground turkey, bell pepper, and canned beans (black, white, and kidney).
Since the index finger of my right hand is still out of commission, Hubbie helped me by dicing onion and bell pepper, and opening cans. After that, I was able to finish the recipe and set the chili to simmering for the afternoon.
We accomplished absolutely nothing for the remainder of the afternoon other than dozing in front of TV.
The chili hit the spot for supper. And Hubbie took a steaming bowl of it to Mother for her supper. It was too cold for Mother to get out and come to our house today.
Later, we watched the 2009 movie, "The Last Station," starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, and James McAvoy. The film is about the final days of the famous Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy, and his effort to juggle fame and wealth with his desire to shun all material things, a concept that ran counter to his aristocratic wife's way of thinking.
His wife of 48 years bore him 13 children, five of whom died in childhood. She also helped him by copying the edited versions of his books...she copied "War and Peace" (1,225 pages) seven times from beginning to end, an astounding feat.
Good movie. Watching it makes me want to re-read "Anna Karenina." I first read this historic romance novel in college, and vowed then to read it again someday. I recently downloaded it to my e-reader, and now I'm anxious to get to it.
Tolstoy is most famous for his huge and difficult epic work, "War and Peace," which I have never attempted (and probably never will attempt) to read.
Hubbie spent his morning at a Master Gardener meeting. Once I was ready for the day, I went to Mother's house to help her take a shower, and then I fixed her lunch.
Br-r-r, what a cold morning, enough to produce a snow flurry that left a smattering of the white stuff on the roof of our house. It was a strange snow...more like tiny beads than flakes.
Because it was such an icy day, I decided chili would be in order for supper. But naturally, I didn't have all the ingredients I needed. So when Hubbie got back from his meeting, and we'd had lunch, he went to the nearest grocery store to get ground turkey, bell pepper, and canned beans (black, white, and kidney).
Since the index finger of my right hand is still out of commission, Hubbie helped me by dicing onion and bell pepper, and opening cans. After that, I was able to finish the recipe and set the chili to simmering for the afternoon.
We accomplished absolutely nothing for the remainder of the afternoon other than dozing in front of TV.
The chili hit the spot for supper. And Hubbie took a steaming bowl of it to Mother for her supper. It was too cold for Mother to get out and come to our house today.
Later, we watched the 2009 movie, "The Last Station," starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, and James McAvoy. The film is about the final days of the famous Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy, and his effort to juggle fame and wealth with his desire to shun all material things, a concept that ran counter to his aristocratic wife's way of thinking.
His wife of 48 years bore him 13 children, five of whom died in childhood. She also helped him by copying the edited versions of his books...she copied "War and Peace" (1,225 pages) seven times from beginning to end, an astounding feat.
Good movie. Watching it makes me want to re-read "Anna Karenina." I first read this historic romance novel in college, and vowed then to read it again someday. I recently downloaded it to my e-reader, and now I'm anxious to get to it.
Tolstoy is most famous for his huge and difficult epic work, "War and Peace," which I have never attempted (and probably never will attempt) to read.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 11, Part 2
While Hubbie and I were away yesterday, my sister stayed with Mother. She arrived Monday evening, so she could be on hand early yesterday morning.
While we were gone, Sis made a coconut cream pie for my birthday. We enjoyed slices of it after we got home, even though we had stopped for supper earlier at a restaurant about an hour away.
Sis stayed last night, as well. Today, I baked an apple pie for her birthday, which is the 20th of this month. We'd exchanged birthday cards last evening, but today we decided to have fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried green tomatoes for our birthday dinner.
As usual, all of us (except Mother) worked in the kitchen...Hubbie peeled and sliced apples for the pie, and peeled potatoes to boil later. At 4 p.m., Sis and I prepared the meal, with Sis in charge of the tomatoes, and me in charge of the chicken, potatoes, and gravy.
We didn't accomplish much for the rest of the day. I did do a treadmill session and resistance exercises this morning. And after lunch, Mother and Sis went to Mother's house to wait for Mother's therapist to arrive. It was 3 p.m. before she did, and apparently, she put Mother through some fairly rigorous exercises, and introduced her to some new ones.
Hubbie spent time running errands this afternoon, after which he returned with a pretty bouquet of flowers for my birthday.
Good news this morning: a tech from my cardiologist office called to say that the ultrasound of my heart showed it to be healthy and strong.
Supper was delicious and satisfying. Everything was prepared with the healthiest ingredients and no salt (but plenty of spices).
Afterward, Sis gathered her belongings to make the trip back to her home. Before she left, she helped Mother walk to her house.
Later, Hubbie and I watched our favorite college basketball team as they played to a disappointing loss.
This is the fourth ballgame we've watched in six days...two football games, and two basketball games. One memorable game was the bowl game between LSU and Alabama, in which the number one team (LSU) went home absolutely scoreless.
Even though family at the hospital were under stress, they still took the time to watch this historic game, which was a major topic of conversation in the waiting room.
While we were gone, Sis made a coconut cream pie for my birthday. We enjoyed slices of it after we got home, even though we had stopped for supper earlier at a restaurant about an hour away.
Sis stayed last night, as well. Today, I baked an apple pie for her birthday, which is the 20th of this month. We'd exchanged birthday cards last evening, but today we decided to have fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried green tomatoes for our birthday dinner.
As usual, all of us (except Mother) worked in the kitchen...Hubbie peeled and sliced apples for the pie, and peeled potatoes to boil later. At 4 p.m., Sis and I prepared the meal, with Sis in charge of the tomatoes, and me in charge of the chicken, potatoes, and gravy.
We didn't accomplish much for the rest of the day. I did do a treadmill session and resistance exercises this morning. And after lunch, Mother and Sis went to Mother's house to wait for Mother's therapist to arrive. It was 3 p.m. before she did, and apparently, she put Mother through some fairly rigorous exercises, and introduced her to some new ones.
Hubbie spent time running errands this afternoon, after which he returned with a pretty bouquet of flowers for my birthday.
Good news this morning: a tech from my cardiologist office called to say that the ultrasound of my heart showed it to be healthy and strong.
Supper was delicious and satisfying. Everything was prepared with the healthiest ingredients and no salt (but plenty of spices).
Afterward, Sis gathered her belongings to make the trip back to her home. Before she left, she helped Mother walk to her house.
Later, Hubbie and I watched our favorite college basketball team as they played to a disappointing loss.
This is the fourth ballgame we've watched in six days...two football games, and two basketball games. One memorable game was the bowl game between LSU and Alabama, in which the number one team (LSU) went home absolutely scoreless.
Even though family at the hospital were under stress, they still took the time to watch this historic game, which was a major topic of conversation in the waiting room.
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