Learning and understanding

My sister sent this from her birthday picnic last weekend… I’m jealous!  It continues to be blazing hot and muggy and there are storms forecast, but judging from the details they aren’t likely to be serious.  Jerry is still unhappy with the heat, and will prefer the expected cooler weather at the start of the week.  Don is still suffering from the heat and pain in his legs, and I still don’t know what to do to help; but he’s bone stubborn. So, good news!  I’ve been assigned the PSW I requested (but was told wasn’t available as she had too many hours) for 4 hours a week of my assigned 8.  It seems that the calls from my doctor’s office had an effect!  We’ll just have to work on the other 4 hours and get them down to zero with the odd substitution for holidays and illness… I’m pleased, and I’m sure that I’ll sleep better tonight (except for the heat, which continues to be worse than tropical!).  You guys are awesome, and clearly  know your ice cream...

Truth… in a cute little image.  Today was hotter than it has been, and the weekend is forecast to warm up some more.  I’ve reached a stage in life when I am not crazy about either traditional Christmas weather or the dog days of summer.  I’m getting old, cranky and crotchety… sad, isn’t it?  My dislike is stronger since I’m not as able to be as independent as I’d like.  Jerry has managed to find ways to insert himself so that I’m twisted and he’s sitting in a strange position, but totally comfortable!  How does he do it?  Don is feeling a bit more lively which is encouraging, although I’m tuned out totally on the subject of politics and elections, which are sadly going to be a constant noise for the next 3.5 months. I’m happy to report that I got a different support worker today, who is one of the ones I requested as an alternate.  She says that she will be with me every Friday now, which is good, as she’s one who does look after me.  My regu...

It is meltingly hot here; 39C this afternoon, with higher humidity.  That’s the kind of weather where you’re panting as soon as you get outside, although thankfully not at the stage where you’re sweating as soon as you exit the shower.  I took a hot shower this afternoon and I feel fairly comfortable, thankfully! There have been a few storms in the last few nights, none of which lasted very long but each dropped the temperature a bit.  Jerry spent the night curled up on me for the most part, but had the urge to play every couple of hours and then spent part of the night hiding under the bed.  Don is walking cautiously; his pain is still present but seems to be somewhat muted.  His teams all seem to be bent on setting records for losses this year; the game last night, his team had less than half the score of their opponents.  They really are dreadful this year, and that’s from the non-sports fan in the house! I had a broken night last night, in contrast to t...

It’s an absolutely beautiful day - sunshine, little puffy clouds, not too hot or humid and rain setting up for the evening as required!  Birthday on order, thank you very much!  Jerry greeted me this morning by jumping onto my lap even before I could sit (don’t ask.  He manages somehow and makes himself very comfortable regardless of how I contort myself!) Then he lay on his back and waved his little imperious paw to let me know that his tummy was being neglected… he complained that he was left behind when I went out to lunch, but I’ve been forgiven since.  Don is running out of games, as his main sport is over, his team in the other sport is about to be eliminated, his other summer sport is just getting started, and there aren’t that many matches yet.  Meanwhile, I’ve got a long list of sci-fi, fantasy and British shows to watch when I can wrangle time with the TV. So my nurse had arranged to come early this morning as I said that I had an appointment at 11 (wh...

It’s a sauna outside!  Holy hot weather, Batman!  It’s apparently in the upper 30s, and there are threats of it crossing the 40C mark this week.  This is the time of year when Ottawa is hotter than Trinidad, and I am not thrilled by that in the slightest.  I’m ok with the warm weather, but the heat plus humidity is hard to manage!  Jerry is conflicted.  He’s been up on my lap for cuddles and tummy rubs, then he remembers that he’s upset with me and tries to turn his back on me but then he wants cuddles again!  It’s hilarious I must admit.   He’s on my feet now, and not moving.  Spoiled puppy!  Don is good and is seemingly happy I’m back at home, he’s had a quiet smile since I arrived. I developed a bad headache last night, which interfered with my sleep.  It’s still around today, and my head feels like it might break… Tylenol has helped with the pain, although I’ve been taking them practically every 5 hours.  It still feels ten...

It’s almost 2 weeks since I’ve been here, and I’m getting quite used to being here.  I admit that my view has a lot to do with that, because it’s healing to be able to look out and see natural light and all the trees in the area.  Green is so refreshing to the eyes, isn’t it?  Jerry is at the stage where he’s pretending that I don’t exist.  He doesn’t react to my voice, actively turns away if Don shows him the screen and tries to get him off the phone quickly.  He will be very confused when I get home, as he’ll try to simultaneously hug and ignore me 😆  Don’s team made a huge comeback to win last night, 8-1.  It was a great score, but ultimately it’s futile as the odds of them winning the next 3 game in a row are lower than winning mega millions in a lottery!  Baseball is also done, leaving football for the next few months. 😔  I saw the doctor this morning, and he said that he really doesn’t have anything to discuss.  My readings are a...

What a beautiful day it was today!  Sunny, not too hot, low humidity, lovely blue skies… just as ordered for a beautiful spring day.  Not sure what the forecast is for the weekend, but today was picture perfect.  Jerry is glaring at Don who’s playing some country music on YouTube and his lap is unavailable.  I threw him off mine so I could type (and give my thighs a chance to regain their normal shape) so he’s a very annoyed little schnoodle, who just wants to be a schnoodle and get attention from all the people in sight 😆  Apart from the music, Don’s feeling more like himself, although the government just made him feel old by reminding him that “drivers over 80 have to undergo certain tests” and he’s never been a fan of tests, or anything that reminds him of his age (other than me) so that needs to be added to the list of errands. I slept uninterrupted for a solid 8 and a half hours last night, not even getting up to shift position or anything.  That’s aw...

It snowed overnight, and this morning everything was all pretty, covered in a white blanket.  It’s snowed off and on the rest of the day, and I saw reports of multi-car pileups due to whiteout conditions on the major highways about an hour away.  More snow is expected tonight.  It’s also very  cold, which makes the outdoor enthusiasts happy because there might be better ice, whereas I am pretending to be a wrapped roti with multilayer insulation!  The tiny dictator is in his playful mood, and is trying to steal anything that he can and run away with it.  I’ve so far removed the peel of a mandarin that I put on a plate for a moment, a cupcake liner, and Don lost a slice of toast, because we aren’t quick enough when the little face suddenly pops up.  I put stuff on the coffee table while I disentangle my IV pole… and swoosh… gone.  Don is watching another true crime documentary, which is his “no sports on today” hobby.  I’m horrified at how man...

The news describes it as “the calm before the storm” — we’re expecting a massive snowstorm overnight into tomorrow, as there are several widespread storms and winter events across the country today, with temperatures hitting -50C before  the windchill — with the wind, it’s closer to -60C.  It’s been hazy, cold and windy today, and everyone seems a little edgy about the potential bad weather over the weekend.  Jerry doesn’t seem concerned and is currently stealing blankets from Don on the sofa and dozing with his toy in his mouth.  He spent as much time as he could climbing on my lap, trying to mooch my meals and chewing his toy (also on my lap) and barking at the wind and people walking in the hallway.  Don was feeling a little better today, and was up doing stuff mostly hidden on his computer, which usually presages the arrival of packages from Amazon!  He was watching some recorded sports for a bit, then I watched some PVR’d shows of a couple of old myste...

It was warmer today than usual, which was nice to know.  It was 8C and somewhat overcast.  Nice change from the cold and general misery of the past few days.  Jerry spent as much time on my lap as he could where we both dozed on my chair.  He was quite happy curled in a ball giving little snores while I tried, unsuccessfully, to stay awake and pretend to read or watch TV or pretty much anything.  I gave up and just frankly napped.  Don didn’t even bother stirring until it was almost time for the nurse.  Yesterday was definitely draining for everyone.  He then spent most of the afternoon fast asleep sawing logs with the little dog curled against him or otherwise settled in to touch him and rest.  He was up watching some movie this afternoon, while I vainly tried to follow it, but I missed large portions of the show.  All in all, a lazy day in the household, so nothing useful got done.  Success!  😆  My nurse was here early ...

Cold, but some sun, so… assume there will be some grumbling about the weather for the next few months, just because… but let’s be honest, I’m not a snow bunny.  Jerry’s been in the car since before 10am as we came in to the hospital and it’s been a long day.  He will leap on my lap and not move when I get out.  Resumed editing after my treatment.  So said, so done.  As I got in the car, he climbed on my lap and made it challenging to buckle up and get comfortable, but he was snuggling after 6+ hour separation!  Poor Don was sitting in the car all this time.  He waited to find out if we were proceeding with treatment, then decided it wasn’t worth going home to fight traffic to come get me.  It just was a looooong day.  He bought dinner as we have no stove, which was great, and will save us both a lot of energy at home.  We finally just got home, and it’s so nice to be in our space again!  I think there will be sports later, which is ...

The weather is playing games.  It’s “mild” where it’s around 4C, but there’s a biting wind and a cold that sinks into your bones.  I woke up in the middle of the night, and looked out the window into a thick grey mist.  It cleared up, and was sunny and overcast a bit which is lovely.  Jerry decided that he wanted to play around 4:30 this morning but refused to leave me, so I slept in a pretzel… he was singularly unconcerned and when I got up, he was in my lap almost before I sat down!  Don was looking sluggish today, and dozed off and on, when he wasn’t watching the news.  I’ve found that after about 15 minutes I’ve heard all the relevant news that I can handle, but he’ll watch all the talking heads repeating themselves.  We have different strategies for coping — he wants to know everything that’s going on, I just want bite-sized bits.  I’ll read longer articles, but I can’t watch the same reel 5 times in a row! I had a normal-sized bowl of pasta ...

My friend was in Jamaica this weekend and shared this photo of the view.  So lovely and warm.  Ottawa was sunny and fairly mild, but 2C is not to be compared to 28C, not by a long shot!  Jerry moved from lying on my tummy to sleeping on my lap for most of the morning, and has been sulking every time I throw him off.  He’s right now curled up on Don, napping quietly… Don wasn’t feeling well today and has been napping all day.  We both had a small attack of the runs but mine cleared up, his left him feeling a little drained.  There are, though, the usual lineup of Sunday football games, keeping him busy. I slept pretty well again — I actually fell asleep before I turned off my light and I woke up about an hour later, turned it off and went back to sleep.  Again, I’m ravenous today, and I sadly am out of cooked meals!  I’m searching delivery apps for ideas now.  I’d cook, except that everything is frozen, so that would take some time.  At l...

 It was lovely, sunny and relatively mild this morning; we’re expecting the weather to do some “interesting” wintry weather stuff upcoming; it is that time of year, but still… it’s got much colder as the sun set (so from about 4pm onwards!)  There are so many pre-Christmas activities underway — multiple tree lightings, craft shows and Christmas markets, Santa Claus parades and so on.  Jerry has been my shadow all day.  He spent the night on my legs, but wanted to play most of the night.  He settled down around 4:30 so I fell asleep after that, and woke up around 10:30, feeling more rested.  Don’s been moaning a bit about the cold and the pain in his leg as a result.  I sympathize, but then I have a half laugh that between the 2 of us, we make half a healthy person who walks easily!  Not the greatest, is it?  But there’s football and hockey this evening, so I’ll be losing myself in a book while he cheers on his teams. As I mentioned, my sleep ...

I’m complaining about the cold… I haven’t been able to get warm all afternoon!  It’s cold enough that my teeth are literally  chattering, and I’m shaking.  It’s me more than the ambient temperature, I know; it’s not that cold, but I seem to have difficulty regulating my body warmth.  I’m wrapped in a blanket, wearing a sweater over a long sleeved top and still can’t get warm.  Jerry hasn’t left my side or my lap for more than about 15 minutes at a time lately… I know he’s trying to comfort me, and I do appreciate it and his cuddles.  I would also like a few minutes where I can do stuff without having my lap being rearranged and fluffed up like a cushion, or stretch out at night so I’m not twisted like a pretzel!  Don has been very supportive of my moodiness and unwillingness to talk for the past few days.  He’s feeling reasonably ok, and moves easily with the walker, so I’m relieved and happy about that.  He still has visions of going out sho...

It’s warmer than seasonal, but wet… the rain comes down quietly, but suddenly, and you’re often caught unaware.  It’s OK, since I only need my sweater in the evenings; during the day it’s fairly comfortable.  Jerry… last night he lay on my tummy for (no lie) 14 hours.  I was very tired and went in early, and then lazed for a bit this morning.  He never moved, except once when he fell off the bed trying to fit into a space that was too small for his little self.  I was out of bed for a grand total of 20 minutes, when I sat down and there was a dog magically on my lap, stretched out waiting for his tummy rub!  I asked if 14 continuous hours was insufficient, and apparently it was, as he only left my lap for short periods, and jumped back on at the slightest opportunity!  Don has somehow managed to jolt a shoulder so it’s in pain and he’s having trouble lifting plates of food… I’m beginning to warn him that he’ll get sent to a home if he keeps this up. ...

I think the sky is mirroring my feelings; it’s been grey and miserable.  My dad  would say that it’s an example of pathetic fallacy, a literary form in which the elements and the feelings of the characters mirror each other.  Jerry has not left me alone since I got that crushing news, and he spends every minute near to me, either on my lap, on my feet, or lying next to my chair — and of course, on my tummy or feet at night.  Anyone who says that animals are dumb really has never spent any time with them.  He communicates his thoughts fairly clearly.  Don is being very supportive as well, and is doing his best to keep my spirits even.  There were no sports last night, so we watched a few shows together and just relaxed, and I spent most of the day dealing with multiple phone calls and messages from family and friends.  There are sports tonight, though, so I think I’ll just go in early and get some sleep in bed instead of in my chair! My body is rea...

My sister likes sending out some really awful puns; I thought this one needed sharing.  Blame her, not me!  Jerry is sulking a bit because I threw him out of the bedroom last night as he had made himself fully comfortable but I was folded like an origami swan… I needed a little space, and there was no way that he was trying to accommodate me!  He got out until I had to go to the bathroom at around 5am, and then moved himself back and glued himself to the bed!  He’s been either on Don or myself for most of the day, and stole a piece of toast from my plate, so he’s looking very proud of himself.  Don’s watching several sports games — I’m surprised that he actually set timers for FOUR simultaneously!  That’s just mind-numbing to me! Sleep is erratic, as you might guess, but I am getting some.  I’ve taken out some chicken from the freezer to cook tomorrow; I’m not sure what it will be, but I’ll work out something.  I definitely need to adjust so I’m n...