Fidál (Grace), 17 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Tuesday, November 20, 2012 about 2:25 P.M. Pacific Time
Thanksgiving is Thursday and I think we will have canned chicken with some type of canned vegetable. I’ll miss the turkey or, at least, I think I’ll miss the turkey. I have to go to the store on Wednesday to purchase laundry detergent, but I don’t think I’ll buy any type of turkey unless it’s a frozen dinner.
This has been a strange year. I think our situation is getting better, but I’m not sure right now. I’m still trying to scrape the money together to have the area around the hot water tank brought up to code. I’m still warming water in the microwave for baths and dish washing.
I’m impatient. I know everything will work out; it’s just not working out fast enough. Oh well, on Thursday I write my gratitude list for the week or for the year. That depends on how I feel Thursday; Mom will be home Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week, so I don’t know how much time I will have to write or do anything else.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Hand-me-ups a new phenomenon in my household
Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Thursday, November 15, 2012 about 1:05 P.M. Pacific Time
I am the oldest of four children. I have one sister and two brothers, so I understand the concept of hand-me-downs. When I grew out of my clothes, they passed to my sister. When the older of my two brothers out grew his clothes, they passed down to my youngest brother.
Since the doctor diagnosed my mother with Alzheimer’s disease, I have experienced a new phenomenon, which I call hand-me-ups. My mother forgets that she has eaten and thus thinks she has not eaten. As a result, she began gaining weight, which was all right at first because my mother’s weight went down to 95 pounds. My mother has outgrown her clothes, so now I am giving her some of mine. Instead of handing the clothes down to a sibling, I am handing the up to my mother; therefore, I call them hand-me-ups.
I am the oldest of four children. I have one sister and two brothers, so I understand the concept of hand-me-downs. When I grew out of my clothes, they passed to my sister. When the older of my two brothers out grew his clothes, they passed down to my youngest brother.
Since the doctor diagnosed my mother with Alzheimer’s disease, I have experienced a new phenomenon, which I call hand-me-ups. My mother forgets that she has eaten and thus thinks she has not eaten. As a result, she began gaining weight, which was all right at first because my mother’s weight went down to 95 pounds. My mother has outgrown her clothes, so now I am giving her some of mine. Instead of handing the clothes down to a sibling, I am handing the up to my mother; therefore, I call them hand-me-ups.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Machine Washable
Kamál (Perfection), 9 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Monday, November 12, 2012 about 10:35 A.M. Pacific Time
I want my entire wardrobe to be machine washable. I do not want to take clothes to the dry cleaners. With the exception of compression stockings, I do not want to wash clothes by hand. I do not want to take a damp rag and wash a piece of clothing off. I want everything to be machine washable.
I am giving away every piece of clothing in the house (except my compression stockings) that I cannot wash in an automatic washer. I do not have the time or the money to take clothes to the dry cleaners. I do not have time to wash sweaters by hand and then lay them out to dry. I do not mind washing the sweaters in the machine and then laying them out to dry. I do not want any more coats that say, “If dirty take a damp rag and wash it off” because I know I will not wash the coat off with a damp rag. Instead, I will simply hang the coat in the closet whether it is dirty or not.
The compression stockings are the exception because, the doctor says, I have to wear them. I can wash them out in the bathroom sink at night, hang them in the shower, and they will be dry by morning. It is a simple procedure, almost as simple and easy as washing clothes in a machine and drying them.
I want my entire wardrobe to be machine washable. I do not want to take clothes to the dry cleaners. With the exception of compression stockings, I do not want to wash clothes by hand. I do not want to take a damp rag and wash a piece of clothing off. I want everything to be machine washable.
I am giving away every piece of clothing in the house (except my compression stockings) that I cannot wash in an automatic washer. I do not have the time or the money to take clothes to the dry cleaners. I do not have time to wash sweaters by hand and then lay them out to dry. I do not mind washing the sweaters in the machine and then laying them out to dry. I do not want any more coats that say, “If dirty take a damp rag and wash it off” because I know I will not wash the coat off with a damp rag. Instead, I will simply hang the coat in the closet whether it is dirty or not.
The compression stockings are the exception because, the doctor says, I have to wear them. I can wash them out in the bathroom sink at night, hang them in the shower, and they will be dry by morning. It is a simple procedure, almost as simple and easy as washing clothes in a machine and drying them.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Haibun-Haiku: Veterans’ Day, Sunday, November 11, 2012
Jamál (Beauty), 8 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Sunday, November 11, 2012 about 9:15 A.M. Pacific Time
The morning is chilly. The wind is blowing. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. I look out my window at the house across the street. The Stars and Strips are waving in the wind. The morning sun illuminates the waving flag.
morning sun shining
flag waves in an autumn breeze
thank you to veterans
The morning is chilly. The wind is blowing. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. I look out my window at the house across the street. The Stars and Strips are waving in the wind. The morning sun illuminates the waving flag.
morning sun shining
flag waves in an autumn breeze
thank you to veterans
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Cloudy and Chilly in Las Vegas
Jalál (Glory), 7 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Saturday, November 10, 2012 about 4:08 PM Pacific Time
It isn’t cold in Las Vegas; it’s chilly and the sky is mostly cloudy. I’m wearing a long sleeved dress and a sweater. I haven’t worn the sweater all day. Until about ten minutes ago, the sleeves of the dress kept my arms warm. I think the problem is the humidity, it’s high enough for it to effect me.
The sweater with the long sleeved dress is enough to keep my arms warm. I’m 65 years old, so the chill in the air has a greater effect on me then it would someone younger. My mother, who is 91 years old, has been cold all day. Mom gets cold quicker then I do, so today I wrapped her in a cap and put a blanket over her legs. Those seemed to keep her warm, but since sunset is coming on, I’m getting ready to put her to bed.
At night, Mom keeps warmer in bed then setting up in the wheelchair. That’s because she is covered with a sheet and blankets. Right now, she only has one blanket over the sheet at night, but as the months get colder I will put more blankets over her. I suppose I can look forward to feeling colder as I get older.
It isn’t cold in Las Vegas; it’s chilly and the sky is mostly cloudy. I’m wearing a long sleeved dress and a sweater. I haven’t worn the sweater all day. Until about ten minutes ago, the sleeves of the dress kept my arms warm. I think the problem is the humidity, it’s high enough for it to effect me.
The sweater with the long sleeved dress is enough to keep my arms warm. I’m 65 years old, so the chill in the air has a greater effect on me then it would someone younger. My mother, who is 91 years old, has been cold all day. Mom gets cold quicker then I do, so today I wrapped her in a cap and put a blanket over her legs. Those seemed to keep her warm, but since sunset is coming on, I’m getting ready to put her to bed.
At night, Mom keeps warmer in bed then setting up in the wheelchair. That’s because she is covered with a sheet and blankets. Right now, she only has one blanket over the sheet at night, but as the months get colder I will put more blankets over her. I suppose I can look forward to feeling colder as I get older.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Thankful Thursday November 8, 2012
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Thursday, November 8, 2012 about 11:30 A.M. Pacific Time
Today I am thankful ...
1. that I was able to transfer Mom from her bed to the wheelchair without her slipping onto the floor
2. that I went outside before dawn to pick up today’s newspaper because I saw the morning star
3. that I have someone coming in Monday through Friday to give my mother a shower
4. for the partly cloudy sky in Las Vegas that is becoming completely cloudy as the day advances
5. for writing.com
Today I am thankful ...
1. that I was able to transfer Mom from her bed to the wheelchair without her slipping onto the floor
2. that I went outside before dawn to pick up today’s newspaper because I saw the morning star
3. that I have someone coming in Monday through Friday to give my mother a shower
4. for the partly cloudy sky in Las Vegas that is becoming completely cloudy as the day advances
5. for writing.com
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
I think I need to buy a walker
Fidál (Grace), 3 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Tuesday, November 6, 2012 about 4:55 PM Pacific Time
I have been putting off admitting this for several months, but I think I need to buy myself a walker. I have osteoarthritis, which makes it difficult to walk. In addition, I have hurt my knees a few times in the past couple of months and this makes walking even more difficult. Today, when I went to vote, I used Mom’s walker because I knew I would have to walk a longer distance then normal.
The walker helped walking into my polling place and walking back to the car. I was not as tired after I returned to the car. I need to price them to see how much they cost and I need to see if my insurance will pay part of the cost. I also need to see if my insurance limits the type of walker I can purchase.
I have been putting off admitting this for several months, but I think I need to buy myself a walker. I have osteoarthritis, which makes it difficult to walk. In addition, I have hurt my knees a few times in the past couple of months and this makes walking even more difficult. Today, when I went to vote, I used Mom’s walker because I knew I would have to walk a longer distance then normal.
The walker helped walking into my polling place and walking back to the car. I was not as tired after I returned to the car. I need to price them to see how much they cost and I need to see if my insurance will pay part of the cost. I also need to see if my insurance limits the type of walker I can purchase.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Did you turn your clocks back Sunday morning?
Kamál (Perfection), 2 Qudrat (Power), 169 BE – Monday, November 5, 2012 about 7:30 AM Pacific Time
Daylight savings time ended Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 AM. Did you turn your clocks back before you went to bed Saturday night? Did you turn your clocks back when you woke up Sunday morning? Fortunately, for those of use who have a computer connected to the internet, a cable box with a digital clock, or a cell phone, we did not have to anything to be on time because an app automatically changed the time.
The only clocks in the house I had to turn back is the one on the coffee maker and the microwave. I still have to turn the clock back on the microwave, but I am not worried about that clock because it does not affect the use of the microwave. I turned the clock on the coffee maker back this morning because I may want to set the brew time. I have not used that particular feature on the coffee maker yet, but there is always the possibility I may want to use it.
I thin I am going to start using the automatic brew time this winter. It means I have to make sure there water is in the tank and coffee grounds in the basket the night before, but I normally set those things up the night before anyway. The only reason I have not been using it is leftover coffee, which I warm up in the microwave the next day.
Daylight savings time ended Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 AM. Did you turn your clocks back before you went to bed Saturday night? Did you turn your clocks back when you woke up Sunday morning? Fortunately, for those of use who have a computer connected to the internet, a cable box with a digital clock, or a cell phone, we did not have to anything to be on time because an app automatically changed the time.
The only clocks in the house I had to turn back is the one on the coffee maker and the microwave. I still have to turn the clock back on the microwave, but I am not worried about that clock because it does not affect the use of the microwave. I turned the clock on the coffee maker back this morning because I may want to set the brew time. I have not used that particular feature on the coffee maker yet, but there is always the possibility I may want to use it.
I thin I am going to start using the automatic brew time this winter. It means I have to make sure there water is in the tank and coffee grounds in the basket the night before, but I normally set those things up the night before anyway. The only reason I have not been using it is leftover coffee, which I warm up in the microwave the next day.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Haibun-Haiku: The First Saturday in November
Jalál (Glory), 19 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Saturday, November 3, 2012 about 12:25 PM Pacific Time
a neighbor’s dog barks
an oleander is dead
no more pink flowers
The pink oleander, which grows or rather grew by the back fence, is dead and I think the red one is dying. I am not sure what is killing them because the white oleanders are blooming and the rest of the weeds in the backyard are growing like weeds. All right, that is how weeds are supposed to grow.
The dog in the yard behind the fence is barking this morning. He or she does not normally bark, so I have no idea what is causing the dog’s problem. I did not see any one or anything unusual in the backyard when I looked out the kitchen window. The dog could be barking at one of the neighborhood cats; one cat likes to bate this particular dog. Perhaps because the cat knows that the dog will not do him or her any harm.
I suppose I have to have the dead oleander removed; however, I think I will wait until after I use the plant as inspiration for a story or poem. The mystery of why the oleander died would make a good story plot because oleanders are weeds (my own opinion) and weeds are hard to eradicate, especially oleanders. I know, I have tried having them removed and they just come back.
a neighbor’s dog barks
an oleander is dead
no more pink flowers
The pink oleander, which grows or rather grew by the back fence, is dead and I think the red one is dying. I am not sure what is killing them because the white oleanders are blooming and the rest of the weeds in the backyard are growing like weeds. All right, that is how weeds are supposed to grow.
The dog in the yard behind the fence is barking this morning. He or she does not normally bark, so I have no idea what is causing the dog’s problem. I did not see any one or anything unusual in the backyard when I looked out the kitchen window. The dog could be barking at one of the neighborhood cats; one cat likes to bate this particular dog. Perhaps because the cat knows that the dog will not do him or her any harm.
I suppose I have to have the dead oleander removed; however, I think I will wait until after I use the plant as inspiration for a story or poem. The mystery of why the oleander died would make a good story plot because oleanders are weeds (my own opinion) and weeds are hard to eradicate, especially oleanders. I know, I have tried having them removed and they just come back.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Mom, we have indoor plumbing
Istiqlál (Independence), 18 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Friday, November 2, 2012 about 10:35 A.M. Pacific Time
This morning, after I got Mom out of bed and into the living room, she asked to go to the bathroom. Before taking her in the bathroom, I had to put the Gate belt (this is the belt I use to help transfer to from one piece of furniture to another) on. Next, I took her walker into the bathroom because I need it to help transfer her from place to place. After that, I took Mom into the bathroom and got her situated on the proper piece of equipment.
Mom suffers from Alzheimer's disease, which affect her memory and her emotions. Mom go angry and kept insisting she wanted to go to the bathroom. I explained that we were in the bathroom and also about the toilet. She kept insisting that we were not in the bathroom and that she was not sitting on the toilet.
"Mom," I said, " where do you want to go?"
"Outside," she replied.
That is when I realized that Mom thought we had an outhouse rather then an indoor toilet. I said, "Mom, we now have indoor plumbing." It took me a while to convince her that we did not need to go outside to find the bathroom, but eventually she accepted the fact. However, I am now convinced that Mom thinks she still lives on a farm in Oklahoma. Mom was born and raised on a farm, so this belief makes sense when I consider that she is slowly forgetting the present.
This morning, after I got Mom out of bed and into the living room, she asked to go to the bathroom. Before taking her in the bathroom, I had to put the Gate belt (this is the belt I use to help transfer to from one piece of furniture to another) on. Next, I took her walker into the bathroom because I need it to help transfer her from place to place. After that, I took Mom into the bathroom and got her situated on the proper piece of equipment.
Mom suffers from Alzheimer's disease, which affect her memory and her emotions. Mom go angry and kept insisting she wanted to go to the bathroom. I explained that we were in the bathroom and also about the toilet. She kept insisting that we were not in the bathroom and that she was not sitting on the toilet.
"Mom," I said, " where do you want to go?"
"Outside," she replied.
That is when I realized that Mom thought we had an outhouse rather then an indoor toilet. I said, "Mom, we now have indoor plumbing." It took me a while to convince her that we did not need to go outside to find the bathroom, but eventually she accepted the fact. However, I am now convinced that Mom thinks she still lives on a farm in Oklahoma. Mom was born and raised on a farm, so this belief makes sense when I consider that she is slowly forgetting the present.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Thankful Thursday: November 1, 2012
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 169 BE – Thursday, November 1, 2012 about 5:40 P.M. Pacific Time
It is the first Thursday in November and I am thankful for powdered milk. I mixed a pitcher of it today so that I can have milk on my cereal. I prefer mixing dry milk for my cereal, I usually do not drink it unless I put some time of chocolate in it, but I will use it for my cereal.
I am thankful that I live in Las Vegas because the weather is usually nice in fall and winter. It does not get too cold or too hot in either season.
I am thankful that detergent companies make laundry detergent for cold water because I am washing clothes in cold water. I would prefer warm or hot water, but I still do not have a working hot water heater.
I am thankful for the clouds, which rolled into Las Vegas today. I look out my living room window and watch the clouds turn pink and red in the sunset. The clouds do not bring rain, but they are so beautiful at sunset that it does not matter if it we get rain.
It is the first Thursday in November and I am thankful for powdered milk. I mixed a pitcher of it today so that I can have milk on my cereal. I prefer mixing dry milk for my cereal, I usually do not drink it unless I put some time of chocolate in it, but I will use it for my cereal.
I am thankful that I live in Las Vegas because the weather is usually nice in fall and winter. It does not get too cold or too hot in either season.
I am thankful that detergent companies make laundry detergent for cold water because I am washing clothes in cold water. I would prefer warm or hot water, but I still do not have a working hot water heater.
I am thankful for the clouds, which rolled into Las Vegas today. I look out my living room window and watch the clouds turn pink and red in the sunset. The clouds do not bring rain, but they are so beautiful at sunset that it does not matter if it we get rain.
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