Thursday Thoughts - Now you're here, now you're away

Reppin' Velma 

Wondering why I don't make devilled eggs more, every time I make them. They contribute to a solid breakfast. 

Creeping on OPF (other people's flowers) like I love to do.

Drinking OPC (other people's coffee) and eyeing up donuts, which I'm going to try and make a weekly thing. But next week I'm getting the PB&J donut. I've gotten used to my own iced coffee, which I've always made so I had it on weekends but bought during the week. Now everyone else's tastes sort of weak.

Getting a new microwave installed at the shore. It was going, and it's not a call I want with a renter in there this summer. I was able to buy it at a local appliance shop so that made me happy.

Snuggling dogs.

Walking on the beach.

Hitting up Corson's Inlet and the South end beaches on Monday

Finding sea glass, which happens 95% of the time I am not planning on looking for it and 5% of the time I am

Stowing my shoes in outdoor closets

Reading outside. Show Us Your Books is Tuesday!

Flexing time Yesterday I worked 12-8 and loved it. I got errands done in the morning and spent time alone, then killed it at work. It was the shift my brain needed. 

Laying low, taking walks and pictures, spending time outside in the fresh air, and reading books. My pandemic sweater is on this week and I'm fighting with my door people and just trying to get shit done in a timely manner before rental season. With that and work, I don't have much energy for other things. 

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is Glycerine by Bush

TWTW - the one with the Easter

Friday work on the entryway continued - saws and door blocked and all that. I vacuumed And mopped the floor to add to the noise. They finished around 7, and MFD arrived at the same time. We hung upstairs a bit with Kate and Dan and the kids, then passed out by 10. Ben just sat and waited for them to be done. I don't have one blessed Friday photo, which is extremely rare as I am constantly taking photos of nothing and everything.

Saturday I cleaned up some of the construction dust in the entry, finished a book and started another, took a long lunch walk with Ben, creeped on other people's spring flowers, lounged and read, put a new lamp together, hung upstairs again at night and early to bed.

Sunday I went to get groceries after Kate, Dan, and the kids left. I did some food prep of veggies for the week, macaroni salad, and deviled eggs. MFD went fishing in the North End and I took The best friend dogs over there to bum around. We spent the late afternoon relaxing and reading before having dinner, including ham and pineapple stuffing mom sent down with Kate. We also said goodbye to our attached neighbors, who sold their house and we are really hoping for good neighbors buying it. It is extra important when someone is a) attached to you and b) in a vacation rental town. 

The weekend was nice and relaxing, the way we like it, and we hadn't seen Kate & Dan in forever. How many times will we be saying "we haven't seen x in forever" throughout the remainder of the year as we start seeing people again? 

It is already a total Monday. But it is Eva the Diva's 7th birthday, and what a far cry from her last birthday on the lawn, our first and my only drive by birthday. Her world looks different this year in a better way and for that I am so glad. It is so nice to see families together in larger groups again as people get vaccinated. Happy birthday Eva!

How to Look After Loved Ones When They Age

It is never easy to watch a loved one’s health decline. Unfortunately, as people grow older, they may develop various medical issues that can affect their mobility, energy levels, or cognitive function.

As a result, they might become increasingly reliant on others to perform everyday tasks, attend appointments, and move from A to B. If you want to provide as much help as possible to an elderly relative or friend, read these top tips on how to look after loved ones when they age.

Ask How You Can Help

Your loved one might struggle with household chores, grocery shopping, or cooking. Yet, they might not want to ask for help when struggling each day. To ensure they don’t suffer in silence, you should ask how you can help them. 

For example, they might need you to:

• Pick up groceries

• Mow the lawn

• Make property repairs

• Vacuum

• Clean surface

• Wash, dry, and fold laundry

Remember, your loved one might be embarrassed to ask for help, so they might reject your offer. Reassure them that you are happy to help and they aren’t a burden.

Talk to Your Loved One

Growing older is bound to weigh heavily on your loved one’s mind. Rather than making decisions for them with your nearest and dearest, you must talk to a relative about their declining health. 

They may already have a care plan in place if they should struggle with mobility and/or cognitive function. Also, they might feel more relaxed knowing you will hold their hand throughout the years, which will make the aging process less daunting.

Consider a Care Home

A minor mobility issue or cognitive decline might not affect a loved one’s independence or function at present, but it could one day in the future. Therefore, it is important to review the different options available if they require support.

For example, if your aging relative or friend requires help with washing, dressing, taking medication, or other assistance, they could enjoy a better quality of life at a care home. While the thought might seem scary, your loved one could feel right at home at a luxury assisted living facility.

Learn About Their Health Condition(s)

As your loved one grows older, they might suffer from various health conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, or osteoporosis. To ensure they remain in good health for as long as possible, you must learn about the different foods they will need to eat, activities they should perform, and medications they must take each day. Don’t forget to learn about their risk factors, too. For example, those living with dementia must avoid dehydration and treat water infections as soon as possible.

Improving your understanding of a loved one’s health condition(s) could help you make more informed decisions regarding their diet, lifestyle, and daily support. It might also help to attend medical appointments with your aging relative or friend, which will allow you to ask questions and learn about their current or future challenges.

******************

Written for the Life According to Steph audience by Maggie Hammond: Proud mama to two little people, and has one too many furry friends. Passionate about alternative medicine, education, the great outdoors and animal welfare.

Friday Five 4.2.2021

1. I walked past the catholic church at the end of my street while Holy Thursday mass was in session last night. A door was propped open and I could hear singing. It would be nice if all church doors were open and welcoming of all people. As they are.  

2. Friday reminder from your favorite (?) feminist buzzkill to drink your water. 

3. I love seeing discarded flowers on the beach. I think up all kinds of stories surrounding them. 

4. We're under construction replacing our apartment entry off the drive here to attempt to address a structural issue in the house. Door replacement is next, all doors are finally in. 

5. You need these in your Easter baskets, peeps. My oreo testing family friends Ashley & John & their girls had these on the Instagram and I was like hell yes these are for me and they were, indeed, for me. 

What else? Kate and Dan are up in the house with the kids. Mom and Rich and Debbie were supposed to be here also, but best laid plans...Mom sent food though! 

I put all my Covid vaccine stuff in a story highlight on Instagram. 

My back is out like the 44 year old I am, and I was googling local chiros last night since mine is in Philly and I haven't seen him since February 2020. I also googled elderly foot care for foot pain and came up with articles about seniors so maybe elderly is not a good word for my age LOL. I bought heat tape for the shore to add to my pre-season list and have plans to hit the local meat shop around the corner as they open this weekend. 

You? 

Happy Friday, Happy Passover as I only said that out loud on Instagram last week, and Happy Easter! 

Thursday Thoughts - I';ve seen that road before it always leads me here

1. Happiness is a new doormat. 

2. Monday I went down to the Convention Center for my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I did a bunch of updates on my Instagram stories, but to recap here - I am happy to answer any questions with these caveats a) You are not anti-vaxx b) you are not a person who asks other people why they qualify when they qualify as if you are entitled to know things you actually aren't entitled to know (also do you people who do that realize how ableist that is, as if something is only wrong that you can see or know about? That is not my case but it is for people I see get asked publicly like they are required to answer personal questions posed on Facebook when all they are doing is letting you know they acted in the interest of public health and are in the vaccine process) c) you don't ask me science shit that is over my head. I don't fuck with A & B types of people and I am just going to direct C to google. 

3. I hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. I'm lucky in that my job is flexible and this week in particular only had one deadline and was light due to spring break, so I scheduled all my administrative tasks for Monday & Tuesday. I also made sure I was hydrated and had Gatorade and Pringles. I think it is so interesting how differently we all react, and I will share my reactions with you in case you also think that is interesting. My reactions: immediate soreness in arm (different from first shot). slept 11 hours the first night. Woke up fine, showered, worked, picked up candy from my stepmom during lunch, came home, and about 30 hours in went down like the fucking Titanic. I was in a delusional, chilled, feverish state (highest was 101.4, I am steadily 97.5) punctuated by Wonton soup and season three of Beverly Hills 90210 (specifically Kelly and the diet pills and Iris and the crystals and Steve and Celeste). Wednesday morning I woke up tired in that way that you're tired when you've spent too much time sitting or laying and not enough time moving, and continued to feel fine throughout the day. Wednesday night i had a low grade 99.7 fever again. All worth it to do my part to uphold public health and selfishly to have girls weekend with my friends who I miss so much. I want some pieces of life back, and I am going to do my part to get them back. 

4. I stayed in Philly so I could have someone wait on me and let the dogs out. Like this guy.

5. Speaking of dogs, here is your weekly dose. 

6. Shot girl things took over most of the week, we did manage to get a larger pickup (Vietnam Vets are picking up if you are looking to get rid of stuff) out - MFD even contributed a bag. 

7. I also ordered flowers from my friend Jen's girls' dance fundraiser, looked up movers for work-related trade show items (learn more), did related research to learn more about nursing services in relation to those items, got a zillion loads of laundry done, got curtains for the front room, smiled at the article titles on this website, used the crockpot (that is a super rare thing here), read almost none of my book, kept a scant eye on Derek Chauvin's trial (Police Officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for murdering George Floyd - George Floyd, who was murdered by Derek Chauvin in full view of God and everyone as we were all home on lockdown watching, is not on trial, and literally nothing George Floyd did or did not do in his life is a reason to murder him in the street or justification for his murder, so stop), tried and failed to clean up my email, watched a ton of 90210, and ate a lot of homemade candy from Carol.

8. I passed the gate in Philly as I was walking to my appointment, which I love. I'm holding space for the Asian community in the wake of violence against Asian people, especially the elderly. Speak against it everywhere and for the love step in if you see it. I miss seeing stuff like this gate. I'd love to be back in Center City one or two days a week. Ask me later about how I want to get there, because taking the train remains unappealing, and I was incensed to be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on 95 on my way to a noon appointment on a Monday during a pandemic with no visible reason for said traffic. 

9. Reminder:

10. E-cards: You know what today is.

What appears beyond the hyphen in Thursday Thoughts titles is what I'm listening to when I'm starting this - this week is The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles