Wednesday, March 11, 2009
How Un-Neighborly Can One Be?
I endured another dramatic episode last week besides the Grandmother saga. Let’s call it the case of the un-neighborly psycho neighbor… this almost exact scenario happened just over 2 ½ years ago only two days before Hubby and I got married. Two days before our nuptials, our cable service died. We called out the cable company and during their field tech’s work here on our cable line, he grabbed his ladder and attempted to climb up the community utility pole (which happens to be located about 20 or so feet onto our neighbor’s property). When out of nowhere comes the neighbor screeching at him to get off her property! Well fast-forward to last Friday and the same episode repeated itself… only worse. This time there were two field techs, the supervisor was a woman and the police would not come out to deal with the problem (the neighbor). Somehow, what should have been a 30 minute cable line repair turned into a 2 ½ hour stand-off between Comcast and the neighbor. It was awful! I must have run/walk the path from the inside of our house to the driveway about 500 times trying not to get involved… and most definitely trying not to confront the “psycho” neighbor! In the past, we have managed to not have to confront her, only let the cable folks/police work it out with her… but, this time I snapped. When she waved at me like nothing was going on in the middle of this entire ordeal, I asked her what the deal was… why the cable guy could not finish his simple task… she yelled over that could not come on her property… that she was still mad at them about something that happened to her over 20 year ago by a different cable company… something about a fried TV and how lightening came into her house thru the cable line and they never compensated her… yadda yadda yadda… and it just set me off! I took off across our property and onto hers… and repeated my question… she was standing firm on her idiotic reasoning… I tried to be as nice as I could about her most stupid issue… and how they are not the same company… how we have been without cable or internet for over 5 days… she said we could use her internet, her phone, her TV… oh please! I told her to be realistic… I told her she was always asking us for favors and how we always willingly to do them and she should do this a favor to us… but, NOOOOO…. Like I said, she is a Freakin’ Psycho. I gave up and trekked home… but, in the end and about 45 minutes later the supervisor coerced her with MONEY! What a crock! She should be flogged for being bought! What a schmuck for being such an idiot and then agreeing to take money… they finally left around 7pm… poor guys on a Friday night too! And what a loser she is for dressing up to come outside to tell them to get off her property and thinking she looked good while doing it… yes, she WAS trying to pick up the cable guys! Loser. Period.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Does The Drama Ever End?
Last week was such a tiresome yet eventful seven days for me… I was supposed to have been in El Paso from Monday morning to Wednesday evening. Well that did not happen thanks to the unexpected snowstorm that blew in on that Sunday, the day before. Cancelling the trip meant my missing our one safety lunch for the field crew- grilled T-bone steaks! We handed out t-shirts (designed by yours truly) and hooded company logo sweatshirts and gave away prizes. I really hated to miss the fun. But, on the positive side, I did get caught up with a bunch of paperwork that I did not finish before my “almost” trip. On top of the fact that I am so stressed right now trying to get ready for my big karate test in less than 2 weeks. I am going to the karate studio every day for any spare hour that I can… plus work, boot camp, etc.
And top of all that, my newest saga started on Wednesday afternoon…. Yes, around 1pm on Wednesday I started receiving all these phone calls and voice mails from one of the Nurses at the Hospice who we hired to do my Grandmother’s hospice-at-home care. This is a service that folks can qualify for when they get to a certain point in their aging life… they are an on-call nursing service 24/7 and they provide bathing services, etc. 3-5 times a week. Well I just signed the papers to hire them about a month ago. And it seems like I have gotten phone calls from them about once a week since then regarding some of the most idiotic issues. The biggest issue (keep in mind this is THEIR issue) that they have called on me about is the posey vest (a restraint vest) that my Grandmother sleeps in at night. First of all, her Doctor suggested it and prescribed it in order to keep her from falling/rolling/getting out of the bed at night and hurting herself. At a certain point in one’s journey with Dementia, the victim tends to wake up at night and not know where or who they are and will climb out of bed to “get away”… coupled with her severe Glaucoma and that can be a recipe for disaster! Well the hospice does not support the use of restraints (of any type) AT ALL. And they have tortured me since their discovering the vest… they have called numerous times raising all kinds of hell about it and demanding that I sign papers relieving them of any responsibility if she chokes herself to death on it… yadda yadda yadda... Well the phone call this past Wednesday topped all the others…. This nurse must have called me over 6 times while I was on the phone with the Caregiver asking what was going on and was my Grandmother okay. As it turns out the Nurse was AT the house with my Grandmother and calling me from her car in the driveway! I finally answer the phone only to find out that the Nurse was calling to tell me that the Caregivers are beating my Grandmother… HUH? Not to delve every detail, but they did not see any bruises after I questioned about it. They did not see it actually happen. But, upon routine questioning my Grandmother told them that they hit her. Really? My Grandmother who is well into the stages of Dementia told you that she is being hit? Do you understand how Dementia works? And that she will tell you just about anything for attention? I was so pissed! And I think the Nurse was pissed that I did not get upset about the idea that my Grandmother “might” be getting beaten. I told her that I was coming down there that weekend and would assess the situation then. Obviously that was not a good enough answer because she asked what I was going to do with my Grandmother until Sunday… Uh, nothing? Leave her where she is? Can you believe they wanted to take her WITH them! Back to the hospice house! I told them NO. As her Legal Guardian and Power of Attorney- NO! So they informed me that they would be filing a report with Adult Protective services (that would be like DFACS for Seniors by the way)… of course, I asked “WHY?” And they said they had to since she told them about her getting beaten. After 5 minutes or so of going back and forth about how I do not agree with that decision and what a crock of crap this whole ordeal is, I hung up. They called me back only after they confronted the Caregiver with their accusations and she then her kicking them out of her house. Needless to say, I called our Doctor and got a referral that afternoon for the other hospice in Columbus. I was set up with their program and services by the next morning. Fortunately, they did a transfer from the “bad” hospice so we would not have to deal with them any more.
And of course, the Caregiver is devastated. She just cannot understand how this transpired. Or why. I keep telling her that we know the truth and we are on her side 100%.
Oh and the APS lady showed up on Saturday morning unannounced… she checked out the house, the Caregiver and my Grandmother… she just kept asking “please tell me why I am here again?”… Imagine that!
I met the new hospice service Nurse on Sunday and completed the paperwork. I then spent the day with my Grandmother, took her to my Mom’s for lunch and asked her about her statements earlier in the week that stirred up so much drama. Her answers changed every 5 minutes… again, imagine that… damn dementia!
And top of all that, my newest saga started on Wednesday afternoon…. Yes, around 1pm on Wednesday I started receiving all these phone calls and voice mails from one of the Nurses at the Hospice who we hired to do my Grandmother’s hospice-at-home care. This is a service that folks can qualify for when they get to a certain point in their aging life… they are an on-call nursing service 24/7 and they provide bathing services, etc. 3-5 times a week. Well I just signed the papers to hire them about a month ago. And it seems like I have gotten phone calls from them about once a week since then regarding some of the most idiotic issues. The biggest issue (keep in mind this is THEIR issue) that they have called on me about is the posey vest (a restraint vest) that my Grandmother sleeps in at night. First of all, her Doctor suggested it and prescribed it in order to keep her from falling/rolling/getting out of the bed at night and hurting herself. At a certain point in one’s journey with Dementia, the victim tends to wake up at night and not know where or who they are and will climb out of bed to “get away”… coupled with her severe Glaucoma and that can be a recipe for disaster! Well the hospice does not support the use of restraints (of any type) AT ALL. And they have tortured me since their discovering the vest… they have called numerous times raising all kinds of hell about it and demanding that I sign papers relieving them of any responsibility if she chokes herself to death on it… yadda yadda yadda... Well the phone call this past Wednesday topped all the others…. This nurse must have called me over 6 times while I was on the phone with the Caregiver asking what was going on and was my Grandmother okay. As it turns out the Nurse was AT the house with my Grandmother and calling me from her car in the driveway! I finally answer the phone only to find out that the Nurse was calling to tell me that the Caregivers are beating my Grandmother… HUH? Not to delve every detail, but they did not see any bruises after I questioned about it. They did not see it actually happen. But, upon routine questioning my Grandmother told them that they hit her. Really? My Grandmother who is well into the stages of Dementia told you that she is being hit? Do you understand how Dementia works? And that she will tell you just about anything for attention? I was so pissed! And I think the Nurse was pissed that I did not get upset about the idea that my Grandmother “might” be getting beaten. I told her that I was coming down there that weekend and would assess the situation then. Obviously that was not a good enough answer because she asked what I was going to do with my Grandmother until Sunday… Uh, nothing? Leave her where she is? Can you believe they wanted to take her WITH them! Back to the hospice house! I told them NO. As her Legal Guardian and Power of Attorney- NO! So they informed me that they would be filing a report with Adult Protective services (that would be like DFACS for Seniors by the way)… of course, I asked “WHY?” And they said they had to since she told them about her getting beaten. After 5 minutes or so of going back and forth about how I do not agree with that decision and what a crock of crap this whole ordeal is, I hung up. They called me back only after they confronted the Caregiver with their accusations and she then her kicking them out of her house. Needless to say, I called our Doctor and got a referral that afternoon for the other hospice in Columbus. I was set up with their program and services by the next morning. Fortunately, they did a transfer from the “bad” hospice so we would not have to deal with them any more.
And of course, the Caregiver is devastated. She just cannot understand how this transpired. Or why. I keep telling her that we know the truth and we are on her side 100%.
Oh and the APS lady showed up on Saturday morning unannounced… she checked out the house, the Caregiver and my Grandmother… she just kept asking “please tell me why I am here again?”… Imagine that!
I met the new hospice service Nurse on Sunday and completed the paperwork. I then spent the day with my Grandmother, took her to my Mom’s for lunch and asked her about her statements earlier in the week that stirred up so much drama. Her answers changed every 5 minutes… again, imagine that… damn dementia!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Timber!
We had some damage from the snow and wind storm this past Sunday night. Our cable went out around 8pm and we discovered why the next morning... a tree had broken at its trunk about 5 above the ground and had fallen directly toward our house and vehicles. Fortunately, the tree's trunk missed our SUV by inches. The tree was located across the creek too and still reached almost 15 within the edge of our house!
As you can see poor Hubby's work truck got the most damage from one of the large branches on the fallen tree. My company car was not touched- thank goodness!
As you can see poor Hubby's work truck got the most damage from one of the large branches on the fallen tree. My company car was not touched- thank goodness!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Not Funny!!
Okay the joke is just not funny anymore. Whoever put my name on the mailing list needs to stop- because the packages keep coming in our mail. And they are addressed to ME.
Yes, for several weeks now I have been receiving packages with free cans of baby formula. Addressed to the new Mother with the new baby. Did I miss something? Because I am not a Mother nor am I even pregnant! But, someone out there either thinks I am or really wants me to be...
And the cans of formula are not the cheap ones either- these are "the closest formula to breast milk" a Mother can get! When I bring all of these packages to Hubby's attention his response is: "who keeps sending the breast milk?"... Only he would pick up on THAT part!
Not sure what the expiration dates are on these since I have yet to actually open one of the packages... I guess I will have to find one of my pregnant friends and pawn them off on them. But, whoever is behind this scheme Needs to Stop.
Yes, for several weeks now I have been receiving packages with free cans of baby formula. Addressed to the new Mother with the new baby. Did I miss something? Because I am not a Mother nor am I even pregnant! But, someone out there either thinks I am or really wants me to be...
And the cans of formula are not the cheap ones either- these are "the closest formula to breast milk" a Mother can get! When I bring all of these packages to Hubby's attention his response is: "who keeps sending the breast milk?"... Only he would pick up on THAT part!
Not sure what the expiration dates are on these since I have yet to actually open one of the packages... I guess I will have to find one of my pregnant friends and pawn them off on them. But, whoever is behind this scheme Needs to Stop.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Humbling Times...
Hubby and I flew down to south Florida this past Thursday afternoon to spend a few days with my cousin. It was so nice to spend some time with her since we have not seen her since September 2007. Of course, those were happier times in 2007 than now since she lost her fiance about 3 months ago while scuba diving. The entire trip was a very humbling experience for me and Hubby. Her pain is so alive and very evident in everything she does and says. And her whole world has been turned upside down (mentally and physically) in such a short amount of time since his death. Her ability to think and focus is practically gone. She tries to be strong and not lash out in bitterness or vent about her frustrations- especially to us her guests in her new home.
Oh yea- did I mention she has already had to move out of their house and into a much smaller condo closer into town? Instead of staying at their home and taking her time mourning and grieving the loss of her partner, her lover, her mate, she has had to deal with his family quick-selling off their vehicles, RV, etc., their pushing her to sort through all of his clothes, selling off extra furniture, moving stuff into storage that would not fit into her condo, and actually having to box everything else and move it- ASAP. And all in less than 2 or so months after his funeral...Unbelievable! Her head is swimming and spinning- she has not stopped since the day they buried him! All you can do is feel sorry for her and her situation. We tried to visit her as her family (especially since none of her family has been there since the funeral) and support her mentally and at least physically help her unpack some boxes.
Besides the fact that we got so sunburned the first full day of our visit on the boat she rented (we rode up and down the inter-coastal waterway enjoying the sun and wind) so we had plenty of time to stay inside on Saturday and unpack some boxes.
That day (Friday) was her birthday. The marina brought back a lot of painful memories though on the boat trip since the dive shop that he went with on that fateful day was just a little ways up the river. And of course, every one there at the marina knows her and what happened... very sticky situation to say the least! Saturday afternoon she took us to some friends of hers to a seafood fest on the river. Yummy- swordfish, oysters, shrimp and conch!! We had a blast eating and hanging out on these folks' dock in the sun and wind. Saturday night we were dead tired. Hubby passed out early and we stayed up talking about stuff. I mostly listen since I absolutely cannot imagine how she feels- all I do know is that I hope I am NEVER in that situation. I cannot think of what my life would be like if Hubby died- it is such an awful subject to think about. I just hope she grieves and bounces back.
Hubby and I talked about her and her situation off and on all day yesterday after we left her. It really makes you think about your life and what could happen if a tragedy like that did occur... just think about that.
Oh yea- did I mention she has already had to move out of their house and into a much smaller condo closer into town? Instead of staying at their home and taking her time mourning and grieving the loss of her partner, her lover, her mate, she has had to deal with his family quick-selling off their vehicles, RV, etc., their pushing her to sort through all of his clothes, selling off extra furniture, moving stuff into storage that would not fit into her condo, and actually having to box everything else and move it- ASAP. And all in less than 2 or so months after his funeral...Unbelievable! Her head is swimming and spinning- she has not stopped since the day they buried him! All you can do is feel sorry for her and her situation. We tried to visit her as her family (especially since none of her family has been there since the funeral) and support her mentally and at least physically help her unpack some boxes.
Besides the fact that we got so sunburned the first full day of our visit on the boat she rented (we rode up and down the inter-coastal waterway enjoying the sun and wind) so we had plenty of time to stay inside on Saturday and unpack some boxes.
That day (Friday) was her birthday. The marina brought back a lot of painful memories though on the boat trip since the dive shop that he went with on that fateful day was just a little ways up the river. And of course, every one there at the marina knows her and what happened... very sticky situation to say the least! Saturday afternoon she took us to some friends of hers to a seafood fest on the river. Yummy- swordfish, oysters, shrimp and conch!! We had a blast eating and hanging out on these folks' dock in the sun and wind. Saturday night we were dead tired. Hubby passed out early and we stayed up talking about stuff. I mostly listen since I absolutely cannot imagine how she feels- all I do know is that I hope I am NEVER in that situation. I cannot think of what my life would be like if Hubby died- it is such an awful subject to think about. I just hope she grieves and bounces back.
Hubby and I talked about her and her situation off and on all day yesterday after we left her. It really makes you think about your life and what could happen if a tragedy like that did occur... just think about that.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sun to Snow in 24 Hours
After our nice sunny 80-degree trip to south Florida for a long weekend, we really did enjoy ourselves. Sun, fun, boating and relaxing... more trip details later...
And today we returned to cold, icy, dreary and yet snowy Atlanta!! Only got about 1-2 inches... by the time we made it outside to "play" in it, it was already half melted!! The wildest part of our snowy Sunday was that a deer jumped across our driveway and bounded off into the woods as we were coming home from Florida- yes, here in Marietta!! How crazy is that??
And today we returned to cold, icy, dreary and yet snowy Atlanta!! Only got about 1-2 inches... by the time we made it outside to "play" in it, it was already half melted!! The wildest part of our snowy Sunday was that a deer jumped across our driveway and bounded off into the woods as we were coming home from Florida- yes, here in Marietta!! How crazy is that??
Again, I Agree 100%
Their line of thinking just does not make sense to me. This toon hit the nail on the head!
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