A cloudy sunset in Las Vegas

‘Idál (Justice), 16 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Wednesday, October 31, 2012 about 5:30 P.M Pacific Time

sunset is cloudy
white clouds reflecting sunlight
a weary day ends

The clouds are rolling in making Las Vegas cooler. Today the temperatures were in the middle eighties, but tomorrow in seventies. It is a nice night for Trick or Treating; however, I'm not giving out candy this year. I turned off the front porch light and the light in the entrance hall. The only on in the house are on the back porch and in the kitchen.

I have to leave a light on in the kitchen so that I don't stumble over the garden hose. My garden hose connected to my nonworking water heater and stretches through the kitchen and dining room. It goes out the patio doors to the yard. I had to drain the water heater that way so that it wouldn't drain all over my floor. I think water is still going into it because the puddle in the back yard isn't drying up. In fact, I think the puddle is getting larger.

Toot my Horn Tuesday October 30, 2012

Fidál (Grace), 15 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Tuesday, October 30, 2012 about 9:30 AM Pacific Time

1. I am finally caught up on the laundry, so I don't have three or four baskets waiting to be washed. I have all the light winter blanket washed and ready to put on the beds, which is good because we've needed blankets on the bed the past few days.

2. I have the financial books caught up for October and the only thing left to do is to close them out on October 31, so that I'm ready for November.

Another day at home in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 10 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Thursday, October 25, 2012 about 1:50 PM Pacific Time

Another day spent at home mopping water off the floor. All right, I didn't use a mop instead I placed newspaper where the water was draining from the hot water heater. In addition, I attached a garden hose to the hot water heater to see if I could drain some of the water into the kitchen sink, but not water came out. I'm not sure what is causing the problem. The only thing I'm sure of is that when I stand by the hot water tank (which is turned off) I hear water dripping so I know the tank is causing the problem. The issue with the water draining onto my floor should be solved when I get a new hot water heater.

I can't have a new tank installed until I bring some items up to code. I'm in the process of getting that accomplished now. Since this is Thursday, I doubt the tank will be installed this week. This means another week of heating water in the mircorwave for dishes and sponge baths. I'm tired of this, but I'm not sure that there is much I can do about it.

I have to go to the grocery store on Friday. I don't like leaving the house with water draining onto my floor; however, I need to get laundry detergent, bread, and chocolate ice cream. I also have to purchase more hot chocolate mix and a few other items. I don't want to purchase anything until after I get everything up to code and the hot water tank in, but I to buy some stuff.

 

The hot water heater is still draining

Fidál (Grace), 8 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Tuesday, October 23, 2012 about 4:20 PM Pacific Time


The hot water heater is still draining, it’s draining cold water because it is shut off, but it’s still draining. I woke up Monday morning to find water on my living room floor because the hot water tank sprung a leak. Today the tank is still draining and this to shall pass or be soaked up by sheets and blankets.

I’m getting a new water heater as soon as I have everything brought up to code. I have to have earthquake straps, a protective cover for the power cord, and a shutoff switch near the water heater installed. After I take care of those things, my home warranty company will have a plumber install a new hot water heater and I can take a hot shower again. At present, I’m heating water in the microwave for sponge baths and to wash dishes. I’m washing the clothes in cold water, it won’t hurt the sheet and towels to be washed in cold water for a while. I’m also mopping the floors are in cold water, which is all right for a little while.

Sunday Morning Thoughts: October 21, 2012

Jamal (Beauty), 6 'Ilm (Knowledge), 169 B.E. - Sunday, October 21, 2012 about 9:40 A.M. Pacific Time The plumber came yesterday and unclogged the sink, so now I can wash clothes and dishes. After the plumber left I washed the dishes from Friday and Saturday; fortunately, there weren't very many dishes from Friday to wash. This morning I finished the dishes, because I didn't do a room check before dumping the dishwater last night, and then washed two loads of laundry. I still have a couple of loads of sheets to wash, but those will have to wait until later today.

I'm tired and I don't think it has anything to do with the laundry or the dishes. True, I can't stand on my feet very long at a time; however, that has nothing to do with getting tired. It's the pain in my knees that prevent me from standing up for more then five or ten minutes at a time. It doesn't take more then ten minutes to was dishes if I don't have to let them sit because of a clogged drain.

The stuff I have under the sink doesn't work very well when the drain is clogged. I will try putting in down the drain once a month to see if that prevents the drain from clogging. Normally, I have problems with a clogged drain once or twice a year. The problem is that the drain always becomes clogged at an inconvenient time; specifically, when I have dishes to wash and several loads of dirty laundry. At these times, the plumber can't come until the next day.

Waiting for a plumber in Las Vegas

Istiqlal (Independence), 4 'Ilm (Knowledge), 169 B.E. - Friday, October 19, 2012 about 5:05 PM Pacific Time

The kitchen sink is clogged and I can't run the garbage disposal without it backing up. I have an appointment for a plumber on Saturday, October 20, between 3 and 6 PM. So I'm not washing dishes or doing laundry until after the plumber arrives and unclogs the sink. I'm probably being over cautious, but with clogged plumbing it's better to be over cautious.

I don't want to be doing laundry and have the pipes overflow. I hate mopping up dirty water from an overflowing drain, so I find something else to do while I'm waiting for the plumber. All right, this is my own fault because I didn't contact the plumber last night when I found out the sink was clogged. If I had contacted the plumber yesterday, it's possible I could have gotten a technition in today to unclog the drains.

Tuesday Thoughts on the first of Ilm

Fidal (Grace), 1 Ilm (Knowledge), 169 B.E. - October 16, 2012 about 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time

It is the first of Ilm (Knowledge) and I am home alone. Mom is at the adult daycare center where I think she is having fun. When Mom comes home from the daycare I usually ask her what she did, but often she cannot remember. That is the way Alzheimer's disease works, it devastates the short-term memory. It does other things as well, but the short-term memory lose is the most obvious.

Tonight when Mom goes to bed I will turn on the oxygen compressor and put it on her. I do not know how long she will keep it on, so I will have to check every hour or so. In addition, to the oxygen I have to wake her up about 8:00 P.M. and give her a pill. I know the meds can just do so much; eventually the Alzheimer's will take my mother from me.

I want to cry, but I am not sure it would do any good. Crying will not bring my mother's memory back. Crying will not stop the spread of the disease. Crying may help me deal with my emotions for a little while, but eventually I have to accept what is waiting in the future. Eventually I have to accept the loneliness, some of which I am feeling now. I feel lonely because I cannot carry on an intelligent conversation with my mother. The only thing I can do is put everything in God's hands and do what I can do to make Mom as happy as she can be under the circumstances.

Haibun-haiku: A chill in the air

a chill in the air
the oak tree changing colors
a new week begins

It is chilly today. It is warmer outside then it is in the house. When I go outside I don't need a sweater to keep my arms warm, but in the house I have to wear a sweater. It is finally autumn in Las Vegas and time to turn the cool air off. It is took cold for the cool air and too warm for the heat, so I'll turn the unit off.

Thought for the Day - October 12, 2012

Istiqlal (Independence), 16 Mashiyyat (Will), 169 B.E. - Friday, October 12, 2012 about 10:25 AM Pacific Time

You're never too old to become younger. - Mae West  Quotes and sayings

After the rain last night, my bones want to become younger. It is colder today then yesterday and my joints are feeling it.  I did not sleep well last night because the damp and the chill settled into my knees and the pain woke me up every time I turned over. I have pain medication, but I do not like to take it unless is necessary. Last night it did not seem like it was necessary; however, this morning is a different story.

I checked the thermostat when I got up this morning. At that time it read 74 degrees, but it felt colder. I think the reason was the humidity. It rained all night. It thundered and lightning lit up the sky, a beautiful sight. However, this morning I am feeling the humidity in my joints, but I guess after 65 years that is to be expected. Therefore, I eat something and take my pain medication. After a while my joints feel less painful.

Thankful Thursday, October 11, 2012

Istijlal (Majesty), 15 Mashiyyat (Will), 169 BE - Thursday, October 11, 2012 about 7:48 AM Pacific Time

Today I am thankful for

1. Rain in Las Vegas
2. I was able to get Mom transferred from her bed to the wheelchair without her slipping onto the floor
3. Canned applesauce because it is easier to get Mom to take her meds with a spoon of applesauce
4. Powered (dry) milk because I can have milk on my cereal anytime I want and the dry milk is easy to mix
5. The autumn chill in the air
6. The groups of school children walking past my house on the way to school because it reminds me of my childhood
7. The lady that walks her dog every morning
8. The neighbors cat that sits patiently in front of their door waiting for someone to let her/him in the house
9. The daycare bus and driver that pick Mom up Monday through Friday and take her to the daycare center
10. Fresh brewed coffee

Midweek Reflections on Leftover Coffee

'Idal (Justice), 14 Mashiyyat (Will), 169 B.E. - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 about 1:15 P.M. Pacific Time

I used the be able to finish 12-cup coffee maker full of coffee in a single day, but not any more. It takes me two days to finish 12-cups of coffee. I made a fresh carafe of coffee on Tuesday and I am just finishing it up today. Of course, I am the only person in the house drinking coffee during the week, so that may have something to do with the time it takes me to finish off a carafe of coffee.

During the week Mom goes to an adult daycare center. While she is at daycare, they feed her two meals and a snack. For breakfast she get coffee, I do not know if they serve her regular coffee or decaf. At home we drink regular coffee, so on the weekends Mom gets regular coffee for breakfast. She does not drink coffee for lunch or dinner; in fact, she does not drink coffee after 12:00 noon on the weekends.

I warm the leftover coffee up in the microwave. On the weekends, I give Mom fresh hot coffee, but not a full cup. Mom can drink only half a cup of coffee at a time. She likes hot coffee, but she forgets that she has a cup sitting next to her. If I give her half a cup at a time then she drink the coffee hot and does not say anything about cold coffee.

The beginning of the holiday season

Kamal (Perfection), 12 Mashiyyat (Will), 169 B.E. - Monday, October 8, 2012 about 9:20 A.M. Pacific Time

It is October and the beginning of the holiday season, which means I can purchase some of the candy I like that I cannot get any other time of the year. In October, I usually purchase candy corn because I like the flavor and I cannot buy it any other time of the year. In November, I will buy turkey shaped cookies for the same reason that I buy candy corn in October. In December, I will purchase Santa Claus shaped cookies and candy canes for the same reason that I buy candy corn in October and turkey shaped cookies in November.

I like sweets. I like the memories that the holiday sweets bring to mind. When I was a child my grandmother always made turkey and Santa Clause shaped cookies for those holidays. She always bought candy corn for us around Halloween. I do not celebrate or commemorate these holidays any more, but I do buy the sweets that go along with these holidays. As each holiday approaches, I will write more about my memories of my grandparents and the way we commemorated or celebrated each holiday.

The Week in Review: I am feeling Better

Jalal (Glory), 10 Mashiyyat (Will),169 B.E. - Saturday, October 6, 2012 about 9:55 A.M. Pacific Time

I have recovered from being sick, but it took about four or five days. I am feeling better and I need to catch up on almost everything. I will spend next week catching up on business, which means a lot of driving across town. On Monday, I plan to fill the car up with gas, have the fluids and tires checked, and then begin my week of catching up with business.

I am feeling better, so I want to get started with the projects I had to let go while I was sick. While I was recovering, I wanted to sleep all the time. Every time I sit down on the couch I would fall asleep. Sometimes I even wanted to fall asleep sitting at the computer and that can be dangerous. If I fall asleep at the computer there is the possibility of falling off my chair and onto the floor.

Today and tomorrow I need to catch up on writing. I will do some laundry, but not until just before I go to bed. I can put the laundry in the washing machine, let it wash while I sleep, and then take it out when I wake up. Since I am caught up on most of the laundry this will work.

I am feeling better, but I still get a bit sleepy now and then. I am going to close this now and fix me something to eat, which I hope wakes me up or at least gives me some energy. I also have to get Mom something else to eat.

Ultrasounds of my legs

I went to the vein specialist for ultrasounds of my right and left legs. The veins which are supposed to be working are working the way they are supposed to work. The veins that were destroyed are not working, which is good. In addition, I found out that I do not have any blood clots and that is good, as well. I will go back in February of 2013 for another ultrasound of both legs.

When I make the appointment in February, I think I will make it for 11:00 A.M. instead of 10:30 A.M. When I go to this office, I normally do not have to wait very long.  Today I got in before 10:30, so none of the cafes where I like to eat  were open. The places, close to the doctor's office or on the way home, that were open were severing only breakfast and I did not want breakfast.

I came directly home for the appointment. After I got home, I did not want to go out again. Therefore, the next time I make the appointment, I will make it about thirty minutes later and that way I will be able to stop some place for lunch. I prefer to go out for lunch rather then for breakfast.

Midweek Reflections on Laundry in Las Vegas

I have decided to do laundry at night. I can put in a load of clothes or sheets before going to bed and take them out in the morning. There was a time when I did not like to do this, but not anymore. It is easier to do a load of laundry every night then it is to do laundry during the day. It might be different if I hung my clothes on the line outside instead of over furniture.

I need to purchase a dryer, but if I do that I have to buy a new one and I do not think we can afford that at this time. A used dryer would be nice, but if I buy one then I have to figure out how to get it home and in the house. A clothes dryer is too big to put in the backseat or trunk of my Kia and I do not have a truck. Even if I did have a truck, I would still have to figure out how to get it into the house.

Doing laundry at night is all right. It is a lot better then doing housework at night. I think I will put in a load of sheets tonight. Then tomorrow I will wash a load of towels. If I wash one load of clothes and hang them across furniture to dry then I can at least keep up with the laundry easily.