Currently (& Thankful) on Thursday

Hi, everyone! I'm coming in late this week, because once again, it's been a bit of a week. I'll get to that in a bit, but for now things are settling down and for that I am grateful.

Reading... sad to say, nothing at the moment. I need to find my next read.

Watching... at the moment, FOX News. In general, I renewed our Netflix subscription and have watched a few good mystery movies.

Listening... not to silence, but to a calm house. Our daughter and her kids have been here most evenings this week and it has been anything but calm. I love having them here, but at the same time I'm an introvert and after spending all day dealing with special needs adults who are very emotionally demanding, I need some time to recharge.

Eating... loving our subscription to the Tovala meal service. The meals have all been very good. However, I've been craving Chinese, so tonight we had takeout.

Thinking... Ok, here's where I explain why it's been a week. If you've been around here for a while you know our daughter struggles with a lot of health issues and some mental health issues as well. Tuesday I got a call from her at work. That call kind of rocked my world.

The depression and anxiety our daughter deals with has, in recent months, gotten much worse. She has confided in the past, that while she wouldn't kill herself, she often thought of just not waking up or getting hit by a truck...things that would take it out of her hands.

During Tuesday's call she told me the thoughts are getting worse, more persistent, and involve action on her part. She wanted to go to a live-in treatment facility, but not one connected to any of the hospitals around. She doesn't think well of them and from what we can see, neither does anyone else. 

She found a nice facility, only an hour away, and with great reviews. It would require a 30-day stay. Could I get leave to take care of the kids? I was out with a client when she called, but as soon as I got back I was knocking on HR's door. It took a bit to get all the answers, but I walked away with all the forms to fill out to get emergency family leave. Right about then is when our daughter called again telling me to "never mind." Her insurance would pay, but only half the cost. That would leave a bill of at least $15,000 to pay upfront before treatment.

She wasn't handling the news well. We weren't handling the news well, but tried to remain supportive and help her find answers. By evening she'd calmed down a bit and yesterday and today she is calmer still. I think maybe her anxiety had taken hold on Tuesday and magnified everything.

Today she met with a new behavioral health facility that she said seems very different from the place she goes now. They agreed with her that step one should be evaluating all of her meds because they could very easily be behind the escalation of her depression. They do therapy if they decide it will benefit her once the meds are adjusted. She seems happy with the outcome of the meeting and they will begin evaluating tomorrow morning. 

Praising the Lord for His hand it all of it. Please keep our girl in your prayers.

Feeling... a bit tired and, maybe, like I'm getting a little bit of a cold. I'm hoping not.

Celebrating... a nice Valentine's Day. We had a big party at work...catered lunch, music and dancing, treats for all the clients, and red carnations for all the girls. On Saturday Tim and I went to The Lobster Shack for a delicious and (very) pricey Valentine's dinner. My mom and John went with us. We had a very nice time.

At work we've moved on. We started decorating for St. Patrick's Day today.

Enjoying... being busy and the work days flying by.

Weather... rainy, but still warm for February in Pennsylvania. Today's high was close to 60* before the rain and it's still in the upper 40's. Tomorrow the rain is supposed to move out and we should see a high of 64*. The weekend will bring a cool down and snow moving in on Sunday and lasting through Monday. The ground isn't frozen so we can hope the snow doesn't last.

Thankful... 

• Above all, that our daughter is still with us and still fighting to get the help she needs.
• For an employer who is willing to work with me to enable me to be there for my family.
• For everyone who has shown our girl and us kindness and understanding.
• For every single day the Lord grants us. I don't take any of them for granted.
• The grandchildren have started cyber school this week and they like it.
• I can keep the grandchildren all day this coming Saturday to allow our daughter time to figure out what to do with all of the boxes and boxes of supplies that came with enrollment in cyber school. Clutter and mess stress her terribly. They always have and she knows that dealing with it will help her state of mind.
• Our son-in-law will be off on Saturday and is going to help clean and organize the house.

Giggling at...

Have a great Friday, friends!

Sunday Stealing: Love with an "S"

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

At The Zeus Excuse, participating bloggers were assigned a letter and asked to list things they love beginning with that letter. Since at Sunday Stealing we love Sunday Stealing, here is –

Things I Love Beginning with S 

1. Seashells - I love the shapes, the soft colors, the sound of the sea inside.

2. Seafood - all of it, but especially shrimp. In fact, last night's Valentine's dinner was shrimp, lobster, and crab. YUM!

3. Stones - I have always loved and picked up pretty pebbles. I have a big dish of them from places we've gone. I have the grandchildren collecting them, too.

4. Sunshine - since southwestern Pennsylvania rivals the Seattle area (and some years beats it) for overcast days, I LOVE a sunny day when it happens.

5. Sea shore - Sand, surf, seagulls...what's not to love?

6. Sunday Stealing, of course! 

Thankful Thursday

This has been a bit of a week, but I am thankful it's nearly over and there is much more to be thankful f.or.

This week finds me thankful...

1. I survived yesterday. My boss asked me about halfway through the morning if anyone had told me I had to drive one of the wheelchair vans to the birthday lunch for the consumers with February birthdays. Well, no.

I had to drive the older wheelchair van in which everything is done by hand (the new van has an automatic ramp and a winch that pulls the person in their chair into the van. I was nervous enough when I thought I was taking a young lady from my department...then I learned that was a mistake. I was instead taking a man from manufacturing who is, not to be mean, about 300 pounds of dead weight. I was looking at him and the van and thinking there was no way.

Enter our only male specialist. He pushed the man up and into the van for me. I was so thankful for that! I'm also thankful for another coworker who helped me get the man in and out of the van at the restaurant.

2. Continuing with the same story, I am thankful for the men who worked at the restaurant. My guy in the wheelchair did not fit through any of the doors for customer use. We had just decided to take him back to work when a man came running and said we could bring him in the kitchen door. Awesome! Till we got to the door and saw that the kitchen floor sat a good 6-8 inches lower than the threshold of the door. The day was saved by 3 big guys working in the kitchen who lifted him up, chair and all, and placed him on the kitchen floor. They picked him up and set him in the parking lot when it was time to leave. Talk about going above and beyond. Thanks, guys!

3. My body was aching last night after all that, but I am grateful I'm feeling much better today.

4. I'm thankful for my crazy granddaughter who ads such joy and laughter to our lives. Today she had her mom use some colored hair wax I had given her to do her hair like a "zombie." Then she had Mom use some red lipstick to draw blood on her face. She then walked over here and hid while her Mom knocked on the door. When I answered she did her best zombie walk up to the door. She's a hoot!

5. I mentioned it the other day, but we're a couple of days out so I know for sure that my mom didn't hurt herself when she fell on the ice in the alley behind our homes. I had been worried she'd hurt more the next day, but no. I'm thankful for that.

6. We signed up for the Tovala food service. We chose to get meals 3 days per week and it came with a smart oven. I love it. I wanted something super easy for the nights I just don't feel like cooking after work, but also something healthier than grabbing take-out. Tovala is perfect. Fresh, whole food ingredients and all I have to do is put things in the provided one-use pans, add the seasonings they give you, scan a QR code and hit the start button. It takes no more than 5 minutes. I am so thankful I found this company.

7. I was verbally threatened by a consumer Monday morning over a photo I took of him 3 years ago at a special needs prom. It was pretty bad. He knew I took the photo back then and he's smiling in the photo and I showed it to him again last Friday because it popped up in my memories on my phone. He was smiling and laughing then. I have no idea what went on in his head over the weekend. I am thankful it didn't escalate beyond that and that I haven't seen him since so maybe by tomorrow's Valentine's party he will have forgotten about it.

8. We've had some warmer weather and a lot of the snow has finally melted. There are still huge piles of it everywhere, though. Better yet, today's flurries didn't amount to anything and we start warming up again tomorrow. Very thankful for that. I am over winter at this point.

9. I've found some exercises in the Reels on Facebook that actually seem to be helping with my knee and hip pain. 

So, that's a few of the things I am thankful for this week. Tell me some of the good things going on with you.

Currently

The courthouse in the town where I work. It's lit up with 
red/white/blue for America's 250th anniversary.
I borrowed the photo, but it was taken this evening.

I am

Reading... Family and Other Calamities by Leslie Gray Streeter.

Watching... 1000 lb. Sisters (really dumb, but my daughter got me started)

Listening... to Tim snoring in the bedroom. He's had to get up hours earlier than usual for work the last two days and then he worked later in the afternoon, too. He's exhausted.

Thinking... about how disappointing our daughter's visit with a new gyno was. We were all hoping for answers or at least serious help figuring out her problems. What she got was an elderly woman that she had to wait for due to the fact that she went to the wrong facility. The woman walked in without knocking and right in the middle of our daughter getting undressed and stood there with the door open for a while. That might have not been so bad, but the office had family medicine, ob/gyn, and pediatrics all in one small space and there were all kinds of people in the hallway. She kind of disregarded what our daughter told her, advised her to lose weight...it would solve all her problems, and literally asked her "Am I helping you? Because I feel like I'm not." Then she said "would you at least like a pap test?" Afterward, she said "At least you got a pap test" then walked out and never came back. She didn't tell our daughter she was done, didn't send the nurse or anyone else to wrap things up. After half an hour or so the woman from the front desk came and asked if she was leaving. Our daughter said "I don't even know if I'm done." The woman assured her she was and urged her out. Great place.

Feeling... tired. It's nearly time to go to bed.

Celebrating... Valentine's Day. There's a big party/dance at work on Friday. We have a lot of parties, but this is one of the big 3. Saturday Tim and I have reservations for a pricey-but-worth-every-penny seafood restaurant for dinner.

Grateful... that my mom did not get hurt this morning. She walked over to our daughter's to stay with the kids this morning and fell down in the icy snow in the alley that runs behind all our properties. She didn't have her phone with her and had to crawl to a neighbor's fence and pull herself up on that. She's 81, that could have been bad, but she reports that she isn't much stiffer or sorer than any other day.

Enjoying... it was almost 60* today! Loved every second of it and holding onto it since it's back to winter tomorrow.

Weather... 30* and a little snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

Giggling...

That's it for now. I hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Saturday 9: You Make Me Feel So Young

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This morning, do you feel younger or older than your years? I'm answering on Friday evening and since I haven't developed the ability to see into the future, I'll tell you how I felt this morning. OLD. I felt old. I went to bed Thursday and when I woke up, I realized I hadn't moved at all in the night. That suggests deep sleep and you'd think that would be a good thing, right? As it turns out, it's not. My entire body was stiff and achy. I felt like I might be 102. 

 

2) In this song, Frank Sinatra tells us that every time he sees his lover's grin, he's happy. What's something you can reliably count on to lift your spirits?  Reading my Bible, singing and dancing along to favorite music (with no witnesses), and my grandchildren will all usually do the trick.

 

3) The lyrics mention hide-and-seek. What games did you play when you were young?  Hide-and-seek for sure, but also Red Rover, freeze tag, Mother May I?, and kickball.

4) Frank Sinatra was a fan of Campbell's chicken and rice soup, believing it helped his throat feel better after an evening of performing. Is Campbell's soup in your kitchen right now?  There is probably some tomato soup, because tomato soup and grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food on a cold day. I think there is also some cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and cream of celery. I use all of those in recipes from time to time.

 

5) Frank's favorite dessert was a slice of lemon ricotta torte. He believed every meal should include "a final flourish." Do you more often indulge in or skip dessert?  I rarely have dessert other than on holidays. It has gone the same way as the belief that every meal should include bread/rolls and butter. Remember that?

 

6) At Sinatra's home in Palm Springs, CA, you'd find a less sophisticated dessert. He always kept Entenmann's Crumb Cake on hand for his young granddaughters. Share a memory of your grandparents.  My grandmother was a fantastic cook, I wouldn't even know where to start if I talked about a favorite dish. It was all so good and she taught me a lot when we lived with her during the early years of our marriage. My grandfather was, like all of his family, a true character. He was always joking, teasing, and clowning around. I adored them both.

 

7) In 1956, when this song was popular, Frank was tooling around Southern California in a blue Continental Mark II. That model was known for its interior of hand-stitched imported Scottish leather. 70 years later, Scottish leather is still used in luxury cars because it's both soft and durable and the production methods minimize environmental impact. If you could splurge on something right now, what would it be? A luxury car, jewelry, travel, clothes, something else? (No responsible answers allowed!)  I'd buy a house near the water on Chincoteague Island.

 
8) Also in 1956, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Forbidden Planet were popular at the box office. Do you have a favorite sci-fi movie?  I had avoided seeing it for years, thinking it wasn't my thing, but my grandchildren (the things we do for them!) begged me to watch Avatar with them last year and to my surprise I loved it.

 

9) Random question: What were you doing three hours ago?  If it was Saturday morning my answer would be "sleeping." Since it's Friday evening my answer is, enjoying dinner at a local restaurant with my husband.

Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions!

Play along here.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful this week...

1. for pretty Valentine's nails. The ladies where I go are so good about humoring me when I come in with my ideas.

2. for a good response to my teaching yesterday. It was National Farmers Day and National Homemade Soup Day. We learned about farming, animals, and growing food. We made vegetable beef soup from things that farms produce. We made farm themed Valentines and played farm-themed bingo (I made them yell E-I-E-I-O instead of BINGO). They enjoyed the soup and we made enough to share with all the staff in the building.

3. for my doctor and I reaching a decision I am comfortable with.

4. that today is over and it went well. The one guy in my department at work was off for his birthday today. He only works with one client, a notoriously difficult client who does what he wants and has been known to get violent. My coworker and I get along well and often take his guy and my people to do things together. His guy has gotten used to me and actually likes me, he just isn't the best at listening to me. Still, I am the only one they will assign him to if my coworker isn't there. I have to catch him in the parking lot before he even gets in the building, hustle him into a van, and keep him out all day, not returning until the last minute. I am always relieved and very, very thankful when it goes off without a hitch.

5. I was able to find and order some very nice softball and baseball themed items and beads on Temu and order them. The season opening day for the local athletic association is only a couple of months away. I want to be prepared. My daughter and I had great success selling our crafts there last year.

6. for much less pain in my knees and hips. I haven't done anything terribly different so I don't have an explanation, but I am grateful.

7. the stores finally have normal eggs again.

8. our daughter got an appointment to be seen at a Magee Women's Hospital office. She has been tracking all her problems and digging into it and has noticed that all of her problems seem to start 2 weeks prior to her period and grow worse until she gets it. Sounds hormonal. The doctors here felt it would be better for her to see the best of the best. We are thankful and hopeful they can finally help her.

And now it's time to hit publish and call it a day. The alarm goes off all too early in the morning. I hope you've been having a good week and have plenty to be thankful for!

Ten Things Tuesday

1. Sweet or Savory: Are you hoping for a box of chocolates or a fancy charcuterie board? I would have said charcuterie board, but I learned yesterday that Lindor makes a big heart-shaped box of assorted gourmet truffles. You know I love my Lindor truffles.

2. The Classic Debate: Do you think red roses are a timeless romantic gesture or a bit cliché? Red roses are lovely and timeless, but I've always liked pink ones better.

3. Movie Night: What is your ultimate "comfort" romantic comedy to watch? Since Dirty Dancing isn't exactly a comedy, my favorites are While You Were Sleeping and Sweet Home Alabama.

4. Galentine’s vs. Valentine’s: Do you prefer a night out with your best friends or a quiet evening with a partner? It would depend on my mood. I tend to be an introvert so I have to be in the mood for hanging out with the gang.

5. The Soundtrack: What is one song that always makes you think of "love"? Breathe by Faith Hill

6. Handmade or Store-Bought: Does a handwritten card mean more to you than a tangible gift? Usually. I am at the point in life where I don't need more stuff.

7. The Menu: If you’re staying in, what is your go-to "special occasion" meal to cook? I don't really have a go-to. I've always experimented and cooked what I was in the mood for.

8. Childhood Memories: Do you remember the specific style of Valentines you used to hand out in elementary school? Just the classic ones with cute kids and animals and a really cheesy pun.

9. Flower Power: Besides roses, what is your favorite flower to receive (or buy for yourself)? Wildflowers or sunflowers.

10. The Vibe: Describe your ideal Valentine’s Day in just three words. Sorry, I've wracked my brain and it seems I don't have an ideal. 

I stole this from blogging friend, Kwizgiver.