Monday Mumblings: On My Mother’s 91st birthday

Kamál (Perfection), 18 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Monday, March 19, 2012 about 3:30 PM Pacific Time

Today my mother is 91 years old. Mom was born on a farm in Oklahoma in 1921. Over the years, Mom told us some thing about her life as a child and a young woman. I have thought about the information she gave my sibling and me before the Alzheimer’s began to steal her memory.

When my mother was born, the only person in the nearest town to have a car was the doctor. After the doctor delivered my mother, he told my grandparent that because Mom was so small she wouldn’t live. She lived.

The doctor didn’t weigh Mom when she was born. When my grandparents took her into town some weeks after her birth, the doctor weighed her and she weight only about 3 lbs.

As a child, Mom went to a one-room schoolhouse. She eventually graduated from high school.

Mom met and married my father. I’m not sure where they met because I didn’t ask her and now I wish I had ask. Anyway, my dad was in the Army Air Core during World War II and stationed in Las Vegas at the air force base. During that time, Mom worked as a maid at what is now University Medical Center. After the war, Mom and Dad moved back to Blackwell, Oklahoma, where I was born.

Mom later moved back to Las Vegas, and in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s she worked at the Show Boat Hotel Casino on Boulder Highway.

My Mother’s birthday is Tomorrow

Jamál (Beauty), 17 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Sunday, March 18, 2012 About 4:30 PM Pacific Time

On March 19, 2012, my mother turns 91. In the morning, Mom will go to the Adult Daycare center. She will return home around 4:00 PM. Mom and I have not discussed her birthday because I am not sure how to bring up the subject.

When we do discuss Mom’s age, which is not very often, she does not think she is 90 years old. I have no idea how old Mom thinks she is and I prefer not to discuss age with her. Mom used to enjoy her birthdays and she always acknowledged her age.

Before the Alzheimer’s disease, Mom did not let age bother her. I learned from my mother that age was just a number and something you accepted. I learned to celebrate the passing years from my mother’s actions on her birthdays.

Now she does not remember how old she is and when we discuss her age she gets angry when I mention her true age, so I do not mention it any more. Mom used to talk about living to be 100 years old, now she does not bring up birthdays or age. I do not think Mom realizes I am 65.

The Alzheimer’s disease has caused a great deal of changes in our lives. I miss Mom being enthusiastic about up coming birthdays because she always said what she wanted and enjoyed celebrating her day.

Inspirational Quote of the Week: Forgiveness a gift

Jalál (Glory), 16 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Saturday, March 17, 2012 about 2:00 PM Pacific Time

"Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself." ~ Suzanne Somers

I have found that eventually forgiveness one learns that forgiveness has more to do with personal peace of mind and soul then anything else. Holding onto bitterness and hatred only poisons a person’s soul and keeps the wound open and bleeding.

I am 65, when I was younger, I held onto the “wound”. I picked at the scab covering it and all that did was cause that wound to bleed and become infected. I finally decided not to pick at my wound or perhaps I should say wounds. It was difficulty, but through prayer, meditation, and journaling I finally learned to let go.

I do not intend to go into what caused my wounds in this entry or in any other. That is between God, my journal, and me. It would do no good to go into what caused the wound. I know why I could not forgive, because I could not let go and place the situation in God’s hands. I was not happy. I did not have peace of mind.

Once I put the situation into God’s hands, forgave, and got on with my life. Peace of mind followed, I could relax and enjoy myself. I was happy again. I had given a gift to both my mind and my soul.

Family History: Memories of St. Patrick’s Day

Istiqlál (Independence), 15 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Friday, March 16, 2012 about 5:55 PM Pacific Time

I don’t have a many childhood memories of St. Patrick’s Day. I was raised Southern Baptist, so we never celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at home. When I was growing up, on St. Patrick’s Day I always made sure I wore green to school. The reason for this was simple; I didn’t want to get pinched. If you didn’t wear green someone pinched you and once the pinching started it never stopped, except maybe in the classroom.

Another interesting occurrence on St. Patrick’s Day was cupcakes with green frosting. I remember someone’s mother making these cupcakes and sending them to the class, but I don’t remember if it were because a classmate had a birthday on St. Patrick’s Day or they were sent to celebrate the day. I liked the chocolate cupcakes with green frosting myself.

Childhood memories are interesting. Sometimes they are just snippets of what happened. Sometimes they are pleasant memories and sometimes unpleasant. In the case of St. Patrick’s Day, it is a mixture. The pinching was definitely an unpleasant experience, but the chocolate cupcakes with green frosting were pleasant. Those are my memories of St. Patrick’s Day; I hope everyone has a pinch free St. Patrick’s Day this year.

Tuesday Thoughts: Dealing with Glaucoma

Fidál (Grace), 12 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Tuesday, March 13, 2012 about 3:20 PM Pacific Time

I’m dealing with the glaucoma issue better today then yesterday. I no longer want to cry. I’m dealing with this the same way I deal with everything else, writing about it. This morning, I wrote a poem, which I posted in my port on writing.com.

I still have some research to do on the subject. However, since my appointment with the optometrist isn’t until May I have some time for that. I’m not trying to put off the issue, but I have to write and research between household chores and taking care of Mom.

I expect the eye doctor to prescribe me some eye drops on my next visit. We caught the glaucoma in the early stages, so according what I’ve read something can be done. Besides the glaucoma, I have other health issues, which I suppose is expected about my age. I won’t go into any of those here because right no the glaucoma is upper most in my mind.

This morning, I said the Long Healing prayer about dawn. I got up before the alarm went off again this morning. This is good because I can say prayers and get ready for my day before Mom gets up.

Monday Mumblings: My visit to the Optometrist Office

It’s Monday evening and I have finally brought my emotions under control after my Optometrist appointment this morning. I got bad news from the Optometrist; there is no way of sugar coating this. I have glaucoma!

After I left the Optometrist, the eye doctor’s office, I had to make another stop. Therefore, I put off considering the prognosis until after I came home. There a just some things that you don’t want to deal with in public. I put off thinking about it because I didn’t want to set in a crowded waiting room crying.

When I came home, I was tired. I sat down on the couch and dozed. After that, the doctor’s prognosis began to sink in. I wanted to cry, but by that, time Mom was home and I couldn’t cry in front of her. I would love to talk to Mom about this and that is impossible. As anyone reading this knows, my Mother has Alzheimer’s disease and it’s difficult to have any type of conversation with her.

Since I can’t talk to Mom and all of my siblings live in other cities, I write about it. I made an entry in my offline journal. This is the first blog entry I’ve made on the subject, but it won’t be the last. I have another appointment with the optometrist in a few weeks. Before that appointment I will do some research and have questions written down to ask

Recipe of the Week: Old spices versus new spices

Jamál (Beauty), 10 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Sunday, March 11, 2012 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

I need to restock the spices in my pantry. I cleaned out the cupboard, which contain the spices and found several containers half full different spices. I cleaned that cupboard out sometime in 2010 or 2011, I cannot remember exact year. I set the container on the kitchen counter next to the cook top.

I moved them because they were not easily accessible and I did not know the spices I already had on hand. They have sat in the heat and light since I moved them and that is not how they are supposed to be stored. I know they were sitting in the original cupboard for more then six months.

I know spices lose potency as the age and that certain of the seeds become rancid. As much as I dislike throwing the spices, I have out, they have probably lost their potency and the recipe would not taste the way it should. Therefore, I have to throw them out and get fresh spices.  When I buy the new spices, I will get the smallest container available. That way I will use them quickly and they will not sit in my pantry for months or years.

Breakfast on Saturday

Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Saturday, March 10, 2012 about 8:15 AM Pacific Time

Donuts sweetly glazed
Coffee black hot no sugar
No dunking today

On Thursday, I went to the supermarket for some needed supplies and food product. One of the things I bought was a dozen glazed donuts. The donut sit on the kitchen counter unopened until this morning. I will have to fix something else for us to eat in a few minutes. Mom is full right now, but that will not last long. Mom will be hungry again in ten or fifteen minutes. Mom has Alzheimer’s disease and short-term memory loss, so when she forgets she ate she gets hungry.

Family History Friday: My Grandmother’s electric washer

Istiqlál (Independence), 8 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Friday, March 9, 2012 about 11:35 AM Pacific Time

I remember the first electric washing machine I ever saw. It sat in my Grandma Newland’s laundry room. It was not like the automatic washer I use today; Grandma’s washer agitated the dirty clothes, but did not rinse the clothes. Instead, Grandma would take the clothes out of the wash water, put them in a wringer, squeeze the water out, and then put the clothes through the first rinse.

Grandma rinsed her clothes in huge aluminum tubes. Grandma put her clothes through two rinses. After taking the clothes out of the washer and wringing the soapy water out of them, she put them in hot water to rinse the rest out the rest of the soap. After that, she put the clothes through the wringer a second time to squeeze water out of them and then put them in the second rinse.

In the second rinse, Grandma added several drops of “bluing”. She did this to make the clothes whiter, I am not sure how the bluing worked; however, it did work because the white shirts looked nicer and whiter after they came out of the second rinse. After Grandma took the clothes out of the second rinse and put them through the wringer again, she would hang them on the clothesline to dry.

I helped Grandma with the laundry sometimes, especially on Saturday. Grandma would stand right beside me when I went to use the wringer. She always cautioned me not be careful about getting my hand caught in it. I never did get my hand caught.

Tuesday Thoughts on a Windy Tuesday in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 5 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Tuesday, March 6, 2012 about 3:30 PM Pacific Time

The wind is blowing
This is not a light spring breeze
A Reno zephyr

This is a windy day in Las Vegas. I look out my living room window and watch the trees limbs waving. The wind is strong and the gusts are stronger. I listened to the news and weather last night, so I knew the wind would blow today, but I did not know it would be this strong.

Santa Ana Winds
Today’s wind gust simulate
Will they blow down trees

A difficult and stressful technological morning in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Monday, March 5, 2012 about 2:55 PM Pacific Time

It’s been a difficult and stressful morning dealing with technology. This happens about one a week, sometimes less and sometimes more. My computer slows to a snails pace and I have to reboot a couple of times to get everything working a little faster.

I need to upgrade the technology and I’m not sure that is possible for a while. Perhaps later, this year if we can get a few large bills paid off. Right now, the only thing I can do is work with what I have and pray that the computer continues to work.

I get frustrated when it slows down, but I can’t figure out what’s slowing it down. Sometimes it seems that Real Player is the problem; however, it isn’t the only thing causing issues. Part of the issue is virtual memory, I get a message about once a week that the it’s increasing and the programs will be slower for a while.

I run the virus scan every day, sometimes it takes less then an hour and sometimes a two or three hours. I think next week I’ll have to call my internet provider and see if they have a virus scan and firewall, it’ll probably add to the monthly charge, but I don’t trust the virus scan and fire wall I have now, at least, not since the computer needs rebooting several times.

Mom and her oxygen in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 3 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Sunday, March 4, 2012 about 5:25 PM Pacific Time

It’s Sunday, the beginning of a new week, a day of beauty and hope. This morning I let Mom sleep later then usual, which help her mood a little. She still got upset because she has to take medication and wear oxygen, but for the most part Mom was in a good mood.

I got Mom to walking up and down the hall today. She didn’t do it more then once, but it was a good walk. Yesterday, Mom had difficulty walking and I think that had to do with her removing the oxygen tubes every time she notices them in her nose.

Mom walks better when she wears the oxygen tubes regularly. The problem is keeping them in her nose both during the day and at night. It’s more difficult to keep them in her nose at night especially when she sleeps in spurts. Tomorrow she goes to the daycare center, so I don’t have to worry about the oxygen tubes during the day.

Saturday morning tears in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 2 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Saturday, March 3, 2012 about 3:55 AM

It’s Saturday, one of the two days during the week that I don’t have to get Mom up early to get ready for daycare. This morning she woke up about 1:55 AM crying. I don’t know why she was crying because when I ask her she didn’t know. She stopped crying. I put the oxygen tube in her nose and she started crying again.

Mom doesn’t think she needs the oxygen, so she take the tubes out. Mom doesn’t think she can sleep with them in her nose, therefore, she cries when I reinsert them in her nose. She calms down and I leave the room. About five or ten minutes later, she starts crying again. I go back in her room, she stops crying, and I reinsert the tubes. After a few minutes, she calms down and I leave the room.

This went on for about an hour. Mom finally went to sleep. However, I cannot go back to sleep, so I’m getting my day started. Once I’m awake there is no going back to sleep, so it doesn’t do me any good lying in bed staring at the ceiling. If I’m lucky, Mom will take a nap this afternoon and then I can take a nap.

Since I have a virus scan running while I am composing this entry, I’m not going to post it until later this morning.

Thankful Thursday: Gratitude on a Sunny Day in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 168 BE – Thursday, March 1, 2012 about 10:30 AM Pacific Time

I am not sure where to begin this gratitude list because I have so many things for which to give thanks. I realize that sometimes life gets in the way and I do not stop to say, “Thank you”, that is why I like Thankful Thursday. It gives me a chance to review the past seven days and remember the things that make me grateful to be alive.

The first thing I am grateful for is the weather in Las Vegas. Today is sunny and nice, which means it is not too cold or too hot. I went out to pick up the newspaper earlier without putting on a coat.

The second thing I am grateful for is the nineteen-day fast, which begins to night at sunset, between sunrise and sunset during the month of ‘Alá, Baha’is who are over 15 and under the age of 70 and in good health abstain from food and drink during the daytime. I am on medication and not in good health, so I will eat and consume liquids during the day. I will say the prayers that Baha’u’llah revealed for the Fast.

A gratitude list usually contains about ten items, but today I am going to limit this list to two. I have another gratitude list to make for another blog and my off line journal, so between the three I have more then ten things to be thankful for.

Midweek Reflections: On Leap Day

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 168 BE – Wednesday, February 29, 2012 about 6:45 AM Pacific Time

Happy Leap Day

Leap Day the extra day placed in the calendar every four years. I hope no one expects me to leap today because I am not sure I could do that without falling down or stumbling when I landed.

Leap Day the day we do not suspend work unless it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. All though, it is special to Leap Babies (people born on February 29) it is not a holiday. Unless you are born on that day, it is just another day in the year and once it is past, the year is shorter.

Leap Day always falls in a presidential election year because, in America, we only elect a president once every four years. Since this leap day happens to fall on Wednesday, I rolled the trashcan to the curb this morning. The only other thing I am planning for today is a trip to the wound care hospital (my left leg is developing issues again) and the grocery store (I ran out of paper towels).

Happy Birthday

to everyone born today

Tuesday Thoughts: An interesting day in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 3 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 168 BE – Tuesday, February 28, 2012 about 3:55 PM Pacific Time

I had an interesting day. I was supposed to have two doctors’ appointments today, but I think God had other plans. I scheduled my first appointment for 9:15 AM on the west side of Las Vegas. However, the daycare bus had a flat, so the driver was about 40 minutes late picking up my mother. This meant that he would not get to the house until about 9:30 AM. I called the doctor’s office, explained to the woman who scheduled the appointments and she concealed the one this morning. Since their computer was down, I had to call back this afternoon to reschedule the appointment.

Instead of driving to the west side of town to pay a bill and then went to my second appointment. That was for an ultrasound of my left leg, while at that office I made an appointment for March 22 to have the vein procedure performed on my right let. In addition, the doctor suggested I go back to the wound care hospital to have them check my left leg because it is redder then it should be and I have a place bleeding.

I have an appointment at the wound care hospital tomorrow at 9:30 AM. Then in March I have doctors’ appointments scheduled on the 6^th, 12^th, 22^nd, and 26^th. I hope I can spend the 1^st and 2^nd of March at home, but that depends on how long the appointment tomorrow last and whether or not they wrap my leg again. If the appointment doesn’t last very long, I have to stop at Smith’s Food & Drug to pick up some items we need; otherwise, I have to go to the grocery store on Thursday, March 1.

I need a lunch buddy in Las Vegas

Mom and I don’t go out for lunch or dinner anymore. If I get food from a restaurant for both of us, then I get the food to go otherwise I eat by myself. I don’t like eating by myself because I have no one to talk to and I can’t use two for one coupons.

There are some restaurants that are so expensive; I can’t afford to go by myself. Mom and I used to go to expensive restaurant and use the coupons, but I can’t do that any more. I miss going to those restaurants. I miss using the two for one coupons. Therefore, I need a lunch buddy so that we can go out to eat together.

Monday Mumblings: The wound on my left leg

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 168 BE – Sunday-Monday, February 27, 2012 about 7:10 AM Pacific Time

I have to go to the wound doctor again. Late Friday night, a place on my left leg began to run and then on Saturday bleed. I will call one of my doctors when the offices open around 8:00 AM and discuss it with one of the nurses because I cannot talk to the doctor immediately. I give the nurse all the information I can and then talk to the doctor later or make an appointment.

I am not looking forward to having that leg bandaged. I just got all the bandages off at the beginning of the month. Since I cannot get the bandages wet, it is difficult to take a shower or a bath. Even with a plastic bag over the bandages, taking a shower is a test. I have to put trash bags on my grocery list because they are the only bags large enough to go over the bandage.

Happy Ayyám-I-Há

This is a leap year, so there are five days in Ayyám-I-Há. The first is today, Sunday, February 26, 2012, and the last day is Thursday, March 1, 2012. There are five days of gift giving, hospitality, charity, and preparing for the nineteen day Fast. Baha’u’llah revealed a prayer for Ayyám-I-Há or Intercalary Days.

Recipe of the Week: Blueberry Bagel with Peanut Butter

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Ayyám-I-Há (Intercalary Days), 168 BE – Sunday, February 26, 2012 about Pacific Time

My mother likes peanut butter on her bagels, so three or four times a month I toast a bagel spread it with peanut butter.

Ingredients:

1 blueberry bagel

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

Directions:

Step 1: Assemble ingredients

Step 2: Cut the bagel in half

Step 3: Toast the bagel

Step 4: Spread the peanut butter, after divide the peanut butter between the two halves of the bagel

Serving suggestions:

Amy type of breakfast food or drink, my mother likes to have grape or orange juice and coffee when she eats her bagel.

Note: You do not have to use blueberry bagels with this recipe, any type of bagel will work. I have not tried this recipe with onion or salted bagels, but please feel free to experiment and be creative.

Inspirational Quote of the Week: Am I losing the pattern?

Jalál (Glory), 19 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Saturday, February 25, 2012 about 1:00 PM Pacific Time

If you see a whole thing - it seems that it's always beautiful. Planets, lives... But up close a world's all dirt and rocks. And day to day, life's a hard job, you get tired, you lose the pattern. Ursula K. Le Guin

Am I losing the pattern or just tired? It’s Saturday, the last day of a long week. On Tuesday, I went to the grocery store and bought batteries for my Mother’s hearing aid. Mom was having more trouble hearing then usual. I thought the problem was the batteries, but that didn’t seem to help.

I went back to the store on Thursday, to buy some Debrox to clean the wax from Mom’s ears. I just finished using the drops and rinsing her ears out. I can’t put the hearing aids back in her ears until Sunday or Monday. The earwax removal should solve the problem or at least part of it. It’s tiring to attempt to talk to someone who has difficulty hearing.

I’m tired. I’m worn out. Perhaps I’m looking too closely at the rocks and the dirt. Sometimes you just have to ignore the rocks, dirt, and hard work in order to keep on keeping on. I don’t think I should feel as tired as I do today, maybe I need to find some time to take a staycation. If I can’t do that then change my meditation time from morning, before Mom gets up, to evening, after she goes to be.

Thankful Thursday: Afternoon Naps

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Thursday, February 23, 2012 about 6:55 Pacific Time

This is evening I am thankful for afternoon naps. I get sleepy about the same time everyday, so I stop whatever I am doing and sit on the couch beside my mother. I sit on the couch and doze while Mom sits beside me.

I know a person should not sit up and sleep, but if I laid down on the couch, the love seat, or even my bed then I would not get to sit beside my mother. Mom has Alzheimer’s disease and goes to the daycare center five days a week. I have very little time with her during the week because she goes to bed around 5:00 or 5:30 PM.

It is nice to sit beside my mother and doze. It is nice to spend a little time with Mom when she is not angry or upset. A CNA comes when Mom gets home from the Daycare center, so there is someone in the house to see that Mom is safe while I doze.

Those few moments on the couch after Mom gets home is the only time I can really relax. Mom enjoys sitting on the couch next to me while I take a short nap.

Midweek Reflections: Folding Fitted Sheets

‘Idál (Justice), 16 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Wednesday, February 22, 2012 about 12:25 PM Pacific Time

I cannot fold fitted sheets. I attempt to fold them, but they turn out looking as if someone wadded them up and threw them into the linen closet. It does not matter how many times I attempt the process, my fitted sheets do not look as if I attempted to fold them.

All right, perhaps that last paragraph was an exaggeration. I just finished folding a fitted sheet and it did not look like I wadded it up. Neither did it look as if I folded properly. It looked as if it had wrinkles in it and I know that is not how it is supposed to look.

I have read how to fold fitted sheets. I have had people show me how to fold fitted sheets. I have seen the way they should look when folded properly, this is not the way my fitted sheets appear when I finish folding them.

I begin by finding the corners. I put my right hand in one corner and then find another corner. I put that corner over the corner in my hand. After that I do the same thing with the other two corners. Now I have all four corners of the sheet over my right hand. This is where I run into problems; continue to fold the sheet by folding the whole thing over itself.

Perhaps I am over reacting. When I put the sheet on the bed, it looks fine and there are no wrinkles. It is just in the linen closet that they weird, like they have wrinkles in them. Since I keep the linen closet, door closed no one except myself or the CNA who makes my mother’s bed sees them. None of the CNAs has said anything about the way my fitted sheets are folder or look in the linen closet.

Monday Mumblings: New batteries for Mom’s Hearing aid

Kamál (Perfection), 14 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Monday, February 20, 2012 about 2:15 PM Pacific Time

I put new batteries in Mom’s hearing aids this morning, but I’m not sure how well they are working. Normally, when I put the batteries in there is a squealing noise, but I didn’t hear that when I put the new batteries in. I kept the old batteries and will put them in tomorrow if it turns out the new ones aren’t working. I’ll find out tonight when Mom gets home from the Daycare center.

I have to go to the store tomorrow to get laundry detergent, so I’ll get some hearing aid batteries then. I downloaded a $2.00 off coupon for batteries on Friday or Saturday that I can use to get the batteries. I have the change those batteries about every week. I also take the batteries out at night because if I leave them in the hearing aids they run down quickly.

Sometimes I wish the hearing aids had rechargeable batteries, but then the batteries would cost more then what they do now. Maybe I should clean the hearing aids tonight as well. I’m not sure when I cleaned them, so that may help. I’m never sure precisely how much Mom hears with or without the hearing aids.

Mom doesn’t like to wear them and she gets upset when I put them in her ears. It would be nice if she could put them in herself, but she won’t and I have to put them in for her.

Sunday afternoon and no recipe to post

It’s Sunday afternoon and I don’t have a recipe to post. This week we eat soup poured over rice. I cooked the rice last Sunday and had planned to fix it another way. However, when I put the soup over some rice and heated it in the microwave, I like the way the soup and the rice tasted.

It’s easier to fix soup and rice in the microwave during the week. Mom eats it and then takes her evening medication. Some of the tablets require Mom to eat before she takes them and sometimes it is difficult to get her to eat before taking the medication. Sometimes it is difficult to get Mom to take the pills without chewing them; the problem is one of the tablets is time released and those she isn’t supposed to chew.

I know Mom doesn’t understand why she has to take the pills without chewing them. Mom doesn’t understand why she has to take the pills. The Alzheimer’s disease and short-term memory prevents her from remember or understanding. She doesn’t know she has Alzheimer’s disease and wouldn’t believe me if I told her. All Mom knows is that she doesn’t want to take the medication because she doesn’t think she needs it.

I’ll have a recipe to post next week. I’m not sure what it will be right now, perhaps something with rice. I may even post the rice and soup recipe, but I have to measure the rice to see how much I use with the cans of soup.

Saturday in Review

Jamál (Beauty), 13 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Saturday, February 18, 2012 about 7:15 PM Pacific Time

Mom is asleep, so I have a chance to sit down and focus on other things. I still have one pill to give her, but that has to wait until 8:00. I will have to wake her up and there is an advantage to that. Mom does not resist taking the 8:00 pill and I think it is because I have to wake her up to give it to her. Mom just wants to get back to sleep so she takes the pill without a fuss.

It has been a long and somewhat difficult day. Normally, Saturday’s with Mom are easy. However, today was a little different. I am not sure why because Mom slept later then usual this morning. Mom does not like to get up before dawn, so today I let her sleep until the sun was up. I can do this on Saturday and Sunday because she does not go to the Daycare Center.

Monday through Friday, I have to get her up before dawn because she needs to take some meds before the CNA arrives to get her ready to go to the Daycare center. Mom enjoys going to the center, perhaps that was the problem today. She did not get out of the house. I think I will try a different approach tomorrow. Instead of setting her on the couch I will set her in front of the living room window. That way she can get some sunshine. In addition, when she walks down the hall she has to walk she has to walk further then when she sits on the couch.

I want to go to a movie

It’s been several years since I went to a movie. The last time I went to see a movie my mother and I went together. Mom can’t go with me now because she spends the day in Adult Day Care, so when I go now I have to go alone.

I haven’t been to a movie by myself; therefore, I’m not sure if I like going alone or not. I will find out because I am going to a movie this year. The movie I want to see is John Carter. I remember reading the Barsoom novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs when I was a child and I loved those books. The movie, a Disney Production, will be in theaters on March 9. I am looking forward to seeing it.

Thankful Thursday: Afternoon sunshine

Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Thursday, February 16, 2012 about 12:05 PM Pacific Time

Afternoon sunshine
Follows a chilly morning
Wind blows through the trees

Midweek Reflections: This is a Leap Year

‘Idál (Justice), 9 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Wednesday, February 15, 2012 about 1:25 PM Pacific Time

This is a leap year and that means there are 29 days in February, which gives 2012 366 days. This is an election year and oddly enough, I am not sick of the political commercials. Normally, in a presidential election year I get sick of the commercial around February 15. Not only am I not sick of them, but I am beginning to find them amusing.

I am not sure why I find the political commercials amusing. Maybe it is because I am 65 years old and, for the first time in my adult life, have some type of health insurance. I can go to the doctor or a specialist, knowing specifically what my co-pay is and not have to worry about how much the entire bill will cost me.

I could find those commercials amusing because I realize just how fragile the human brain and memory really are. My mother has Alzheimer’s disease and short-term memory issues. Until this year, Mom has voted in every presidential election since she was 21, but this year, because of the Alzheimer’s, she will not be voting because she cannot make an informed decision.

A third reason I could find the political commercials amusing is stress. As my mother’s caregiver, I am under a great deal of stress. I learn a long time ago that the more stress I am under the odd my sense of humor becomes. Whatever the reason, this year I find the political commercials amusing.

Happy Valentines Day

I just want to wish
A Happy Valentines Day
To humanity

Monday Mumblings after sunset

Fidál (Grace), 8 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Monday, February 13, 2012 about 6:15 PM Pacific Time

It’s after sunset and another solar day has begun. It’s colder this evening because the wind blowing. We also had a little rain, which means that when I go out on Valentines’ Day I’ll have to wash my windshield. This happens every time it rains. It rains just enough to spot my windshield, but not enough to wash my car.

I need to go to a car wash. I’m not going to wash the car myself because that would be a waste of water and there is the possibility of getting a ticket for wasting water. Besides, I like the idea of having someone else wash my car. There are several carwashes close so I will have the car washed at the beginning of March. That way I can begin spring with a clean car, besides by that time, I will have the inside of the car cleaned out so that I can get it vacuumed.

I also need to take the car to my mechanic. I’ll have to do that in March as well. I’ll get the car washed and then take it to the garage.

Recipe of the Week: Rice in the slow cooker

Jamál (Beauty), 6 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Sunday, February 12, 2012 about 11:55 AM Pacific Time

I am fixing rice in the slow cooker today. The first thing I do before cooking the rice is to put water in the Brita filter pitcher. When the water filters through, I use a 1-quart glass-measuring cup to make sure I have enough water in the cooker to make sure I have enough water to cook the rice. I pour the water into the slow cooker and then turn it on. I let the water get hot before putting the rice in to cook. After the water is hot, I pour a package of rice and let it cook.

Since I am not using the rice as a breakfast food this week, I flavor the rice with shrimp bullion cubes. Once the rice finishes cooking, I will divide it into two microwavable safe casserole dishes. One of the dishes, I will mix with canned vegetables and chicken to make a main dish. The rice in the other casserole dish I will remain shrimp flavored rice for now. Tomorrow I will either freeze it for use as a side dish later or mix a can of beans with it before putting it in the freezer.

I have to check to see how many cans of beans are in the pantry. I also have to see what types of canned beans I have. I know I have green beans in the pantry, but I do not want to mix the rice with green beans, because I may want to use green beans as part of the main dish containing the chicken and vegetables.

Family History Friday: Grocery Shopping with my Grandparents

I remember going grocery shopping with Grandma and Grandpa. My grandparents went grocery shopping once a week. On Friday, Grandma would make the shopping list and then on Saturday, when Grandpa was off, they would go to the “grocery store”.

On Saturday, morning Grandma would get up and make breakfast. After breakfast, she and Grandpa would go grocery shopping. They always went to Safeway in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I can’t remember for sure, but I think Safeway was the only grocery store in Blackwell at that time. There was another privately owned market in Blackwell, but Safeway (I think) was the only supermarket in town.

When they arrived at the grocery store, Grandpa would push the shopping cart while Grandma picked the items from the shelves and put them into the cart. They would start at one side of the store and go up and down every isle until they had bought every item on Grandma’s shopping list. Since Grandma always wrote a complete list, they didn’t have to buy anything that wasn’t on the list.

The only exception my grandparents ever made was when one or more of their grandchildren went with them. Grandpa always bought something for the kids, even if it wasn’t on the list.

Coupon Epiphany in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 4 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Friday, February 10, 2012 about 5:25 AM Pacific Time

I’m attempting to save money by using coupons. I clip my coupons, place them in an expanding coupon-size file and sort the coupons by month. There is only one problem with this method. I can’t remember the types of coupons that I have in the file. If I can’t remember the coupons I have then how can I use them before the expiration date.

I have to make some changes to this method. In 2011, I listed the coupons I had in a spreadsheet and sorted them by expiration date. This method worked all right, I simply did not keep it up. I’m going back to that method, with some slight changes. I’m setting aside an hour or two on Sunday to sort the coupons and make my grocery list for the week. This way I can decide which coupons I need and use them before the expiration date.

Thankful Thursday: The bandage is off my left leg

Istijlál (Majesty), 3 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Thursday, February 9, 2012 about 4:55 PM Pacific Time

I am thankful that the bandage is off my left leg and I am wearing both of my thigh-high compression stockings. I did not know anything could feel so good, but they do.

I am thankful that today’s ultrasound revealed no blood clots. I still have to get up every hour and walk around, but that is easy to do. I have many things to do so it is not a problem to walk for ten minutes every hour. I gave another ultrasound scheduled for March and I am praying that it does not reveal any blood cloths.

I am thankful for KFC. I bought a six-piece dinner before coming home today because I did not want to cook anything. I still have a great deal to do this evening and tomorrow before Mom returns home. I do not have to worry about making Mom’s bed, but I do have to take her clothes off the drying rack and hang them in her closet. I also have one more load of her clothes to do before she gets home tomorrow evening.

I am thankful for chocolate chocolate chip cake; I bought a cake at KFC as well as chicken. I think I will have another piece after while and then save the rest until Mom gets home tomorrow.

Midweek reflections: My online routine

‘Idál (Justice), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Wednesday, February 8, 2012 about 10:05 AM Pacific Time

While I waited at the doctor’s office Monday, I read “On the Net” by James Patrick Kelly in the March edition of Asimov’s Science Fiction. Part of the discussion concerned activities on the net. It got me thinking about my online routine.

My routine consists of checking the bank accounts, the ones that belong to my mother and then mine. Then I check the IZEA websites for opportunities, followed by writing.com, and my e-mail accounts. Next, I post to my blogs and do other writing activities. Since my daily activities consist of working online, writing, taking care of my mother, doing the housework, and shopping, I encounter many interruptions when I am online and I don’t always do things in the same order.

I get all the online work accomplished. I get some housework either started or finished. If I am lucky, I get to bed before the virus scan begins running on my computer at 11:30 PM and if I am luckier, I get a little sleep before the alarm goes off at 4:00 AM.

Tuesday Thoughts: Compression Stockings

Fidál (Grace), 1 Mulk (Dominion), 168 BE – Tuesday, February 7, 2012 about 1:55 PM Pacific Time

I bought a pair of therapeutic thigh high compression stocking today. I already have a pair of knee-highs, but they are uncomfortable because they go only to my knees. I used to wear regular knee-highs and I stopped wearing them because they made my leg it just below my knee. The compression knee-highs did the same thing.

I could also have gotten the compression stocking in panty hose style; however, I did not like regular panty hose when I wore them. The problem with panty hose was different then the issues I had with the knee-highs. I never did like the fit of panty hose, so I stopped wearing them when I did stopped having to wear knee length or shorter dresses.

I think I am going to like the way the thigh high compression stocking feel. I know they will be a bit difficult to get on at first, but I expect that with compression stockings. The weird thing is that when I was younger, under twenty-five, I did not expect to have to wear compression stockings when I turned sixty-five. However, that is life. When you start to age situations occur in your life that you never expected when you were young.

Monday Mumblings: Walking at least ten minutes every hour

Kamál (Perfection), 19 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Monday, February 6, 2012 about 1:45 PM Pacific Time

I went to the Desert West Surgical Center this morning to have the vein procedure on my left leg. I received a local anesthetic, so there was not very much pain. I arrived home about 11:30 PM.

The doctor said I had to get up and walk at least ten minutes every hour. I will not have trouble walking for ten minutes, all though I may have trouble getting up, but that has nothing to do with the procedure. I always have trouble getting out of chairs, except those in a doctor’s office waiting room. I think that is because those chars have arms I can use to push myself up.

I need to buy some new chairs for the house, but that will have to wait for a while. In the mean time, I will just push myself out of my chairs the best I can and do laundry or some other household chore every time I get up. Most of the things I have to do that does not require lifting anything heavy, if there is something heavy I have to lift it will just have to wait until after Thursday.

Recipe of the Week: I bought a new cookbook

Jamál (Beauty), 18 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Sunday, February 5, 2012 about 11:10 AM Pacific Time

I bought a new cookbook a couple of weeks ago, Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Largerborg. The book contains instructions about cooking enough meals to last once a month or two weeks at a time. I am beginning with the two weeks instructions and work from there.

I like to cook and normally do not mind spending time in the kitchen; however, taking care of Mom and doing housework takes a great deal of time and energy. I can find the time, but energy is the problem now. Maybe I need to eat better or there could be something else wrong. I will have to discuss this with my doctor at my next appointment.

Before I start cooking, I have to check my pantry and make a grocery list. Then I can begin fixing meals for two weeks at a time. I am looking forward to making something new. I am looking forward to the excitement and adventure of try new recipes and doing something new.

Inspirational Quote of the Week: Surprising Discoveries

Jalál (Glory), 17 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Saturday, February 4, 2012 about 11:50 AM Pacific Time

“One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”

~ A.A. Milne

I always knew there was an advantage to disorganization. Until now, I thought it was to increase the bottom-line at stores. If you cannot find an item, you have to buy another one. I have an example of this.

I need to grate some cheese, but I could not find my old cheese/vegetable grater. I decided the best way to handle the situation was to buy a new one. I did not remember where I put the old grater. I bought a new cheese/vegetable grater. After I bought the new grater, I found the old one. Now you may think this was an unnecessary expense, but that is not true. Because the new grater was, a higher quality item and it matched my kitchen décor much better.

A little disorganization is not a bad thing because it leads to surprising discoveries and encourages you to upgrade your equipment. A lot of disorganization is not good a little disorganization has its advantages. What one has to remember in this case is moderation.

Family History Friday: Searching for my roots

Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Friday, February 3, 2012 about 4:50 PM Pacific Time

I am searching for my roots, so I suppose the first thing to do is to write down what I know and work from there. My mother was born Marie Pearl Newland on a farm in Oklahoma on March 19, 1921. Mom’s dad was Frank S. Newland, I am not sure of his birth date or what the S. stood for. Mom’s mother was Mary Florence Chaplin, I do not remember her birth date or where she was born.

My father’s name is Melvin Fay Darbe and he was born in 1921, somewhere in Oklahoma or Kansas. My grandmother on my father’s side was named Belva and I think her maiden name was Lancaster, but I am not sure and I do not know where she was born.

My father served in World War II in the Army Air Core and was stations at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. My parents lived in Las Vegas right after they were married and Mom was a maid at what is now University Medical Center.

My grandfather on my mother’s side was too young to serve in World War I and too old for World War II. Grandpa Newland’s brother Roy Newland served in World War I. That is all I know at this time, so I will have to do some research to see what I can find.

Thankful Thursday: Grateful for the wind in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Thursday, February 2, 2012 about 1:10 PM Pacific Time

I am thankful for

Wind blowing through winter bare

Tree limbs and white clouds.

It is a beautiful windy day in Las Vegas, while there is no cloud cover there are clouds moving from east to west as the wind blows. I think the wind will blow the rest of the day, so I am staying in the house as much as possible because there is no use aggravating my allergies.

Midweek Reflections on Winter in Las Vegas

Winter is almost over. Tomorrow, February 2, is Groundhog Day and we will find out if spring is “right around the corner”. It has been a mild winter in Las Vegas. The temperature drop to zero during the first two weeks of December 2011. I think that Mount Charleston had a little bit of snow, but not much.

The first day of spring is March 21. After that, I can wash the winter blankets. I can also start looking for someone to pull the weeds in my yard. Because of the mild winter, the weeds need pulling or cutting right now. This year, I may have to cut them myself, especially the ones in front of the house. Those are tall enough to attract bees and other insects.

I saw a few small bees yesterday flying among the weeds in the front yard. The weeds in front of the living room window are almost tall enough for me to see them when I am inside the house. I will have to begin cutting them down after February 14 or 15. I need to get a pair of gardening gloves before attempting any weeding.

This coming Monday, February 6, I am going in for outpatient surgery on the veins in my left leg. I give the leg about a week to heal and then I have to begin cutting the weeds. It would be nice to have someone else do it, but that is out of the question because I have to save money for tree removal.

The Last Monday in January 2012

It is the last Monday in January 2012. It seems like only yesterday, I made blackeyed peas for New Year’s Day. The month has sped by and I still have a bandage on my left leg. The bandage will come off on Friday, February 3, when I return to the wound doctor.

Today I bought compression stacking and I will begin wearing them on Friday. The problems with my legs are the veins. The doctor will do the left leg first and then when I have recovered from that, he will do the right leg. 

Thankful Thursday: A T.V. Dinners and Apple Juice

Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Thursday, January 26, 2012 about 11:15 AM Pacific Time

Today I am thankful for T.V. Dinners and Apple Juice. This morning I went out to pickup some food. When I arrived home, I brought the bags of food in the house and put the cheese in the refrigerator. Then I decided I needed something to eat before I put the canned goods, cereal, and juice away.

I had three T.V. dinners in the freezer and a jug of apple juice in the refrigerator door. I put a pasta and green beans dinner in the Microwave and heated them. After the dinner was done, I poured myself a large glass of apple juice and took my meal into the living room. I turned on the television and sit down to eat my meal.

I know I am not supposed to eat in front of the T.V., but I do anyway. I have eaten in front to the T.V. for years and old habits are hard to break. I know that is not a good excuse. I know I should attempt to break this bad habit. I am not sure that I will attempt that for a while, at least, not until I get my dinning room table moved back into the dinning room.

Tuesday Thoughts on my upcoming outpatient surgery

Fidál (Grace), 6 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Tuesday, January 24, 2012 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

I finally found out what is wrong with my legs. It turns out that I have a problem with my veins and the blood is pooling in my lower legs. This is what caused the sores on my left leg, which was spreading to my right leg. I have an ultrasound of my legs last week and a follow up this week.

My veins are not working properly, which causes the blood to pool in the lower legs. I have to have an outpatient surgical procedure to correct the issue. I am not sure precisely when this procedure will occur, probably sometime in February.

I know that the procedure will occur on a Monday. I know this because the surgical center that performs these procedures does so on Monday and Thursday. I have chosen the doctor and the day all that is left is the specific date. I will know the date as soon as my insurance approves the procedure.

As I wrote, the procedure will be done on a Monday. The following Thursday, I will go in for an ultrasound. This is to make sure there are no blood clots. As soon as I find out the date, I will update the information by making another blog entry.

Recipe of the Week: A Poem

Jamál (Beauty), 4 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Sunday, January 22, 2012 about 3:38 PM Pacific Time

Each ingredient

Combines to create savor

My taste buds singing

Family History Friday: Morning Routines

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Friday, January 20, 2012 about 5:45 AM Pacific Time

For about fifty year, my Grandpa Newland worked at the Zink Smelter in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Monday through Friday, Grandpa would get up, shower, eat breakfast, and then go to work. Monday through Friday, the routine was the same.

Jalál (Glory), 3 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Friday, January 20, 2012 about 5:54 PM Pacific Time

As you can see, I started this entry early this morning; unfortunately, I had to stop in the middle of the entry and did not get back to it until now. I had intended to compare my grandparent’s morning routine with mine, but I have forgotten what I was going to write. Therefore, I will post what I have and go on to the next project and interruption.

Thankful Thursday: Today I am thankful that my washing machine does not flood my living room

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Sultán (Sovereignty), 168 BE – Thursday, January 19, 2012 about 2:45 PM Pacific Time

All right, perhaps “flood my living room” is an overstatement. The drainpipes overflowed during the spin cycle. It wasn’t enough water to flood the living room, but after two or three loads that’s what it felt like.

A plumber fixed the pipes on Tuesday and now they don’t overflow during the spin cycle. I washed two loads Tuesday evening and four or five loads on Wednesday. Today, I have only managed to wash three loads, but that was because I had a medical appointment this morning.

It is cloudy outside, so I’m hanging the clothes indoors on the drying rack. I have to catch up on the washing, so I have to hang them indoors. The clothes don’t dry as quickly indoors as outside, but I have to do laundry and I can’t wait for the clouds to clear.

I am thankful that the water doesn’t overflow the drainpipes in the spin cycle. Now I can wash my sheets without using them to soak up the water in my living room. It feels good not to have to worry about water in the living room. Since I’m drying my clothes in the house, I have to figure out a way to dry the sheets indoors. It is difficult to dry sheets on a drying rack meant to hold clothes on hangers.

Midweek Reflections on Laundry

‘Idál (Justice), 19 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Wednesday, January 18, 2012 about 6:45 AM Pacific Time

The plumber worked on the pipes behind the washer yesterday. He fixed them so that they drain properly when the washing machine is in the spin cycle and releasing water. I can now catch up on the laundry.

I’m not sure how long it will take to catch up completely. I have about five baskets of dirty clothes waiting. In addition, several items lay over a chair in Mom’s room I have to check to determine if they are clean or dirty. However, those will have to wait because I want to get the clothes in the laundry baskets washed first.

Since I don’t have a dryer, I have to hang the clothes in the house or on the line. The only clothes I’m hanging on the line are sheets, I like the way sheets smell when they dry outside. The problem is that I can only hang four at a time and these short days that means I can only wash four sheets and I have more then that to catch up.

In the spin cycle

The washer sings morning’s song

A new day begun

Tuesday Thoughts on my change in themes

My goal is to write a 200-word entry everyday on the theme of the day. If possible, I will post a photo or graphic with the entry. Sometimes this will be possible, but not everyday until I get my digital camera. I still have about 11,000 points before I can order the camera. I have a camera on my phone; unfortunately, I cannot use the phone to send photos to my e-mail account. All right, I did not research the phone before buying it.

I will post an entry between 12:01 AM and 11:59 PM everyday. I am giving myself enough time to deal with interruptions, slow computer, proof reading, and research. The interruptions and the slow computer are the biggest issues I encounter on a daily basis. If the first entry I make does not total 200 words then I will make a second entry for that day.

A change of themes

I have decided to change some of the blog entry themes for this blog. The themes I am using for the rest of 2012 are (1) Recipe of the Week Sunday, (2) Monday Mumblings, (3) Tuesday Thoughts, (4) Midweek Reflections Wednesday, (5) Thankful Thursday, (6) Family History Friday, and (7) Spiritual Quote of the Week Saturday.

Mobile Monday: Driving to my doctor’s appointment

Fidál (Grace), 18 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Monday, January 16, 2012 about 10:00 PM Pacific Time

This morning I had an appointment with my primary care physician. Her office is on West Charleston, a couple of blocks west of Valley View. Traffic was nice and not too thick.

About a block from Valley View, a road crew had Charleston completely closed. I had to turn south on Valley View and go up to Oakey until I could get back on Charleston. Despite the road closure and detour, I finally arrive at doctor’s office about 10:00 AM. It is a good thing I left the house at 9:00 or I would have been late for the appointment.

I decided to take Oakey back home. The city is working on Oakey as well. It was down to two lanes. Anyway, I finally arrived back home at about 1:00 PM. The next time I go to the west side of town I will take Sahara because they have the roadwork finished on that street. Driving in Las Vegas is stressful enough without roadwork and when the city is doing roadwork then traffic and stress increases.

Recipe of the week: Café Mint Mocha

Jamál (Beauty), 16 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 15, 2012 about 10:15 AM Pacific Time

You like café mocha, but your budget does not allow you to buy it at your favorite coffee shop. The solution to this problem is to make your café mocha at home using an instant hot chocolate mix. This week, I am drinking Café Mint Mocha made from a gourmet hot cocoa mix.

Ingredients:

3 rounded tablespoons of mint flavored gourmet hot cocoa mix (I am using Chocolate Mint Truffle)

¾ cup of hot coffee, freshly brewed

Directions:

Step 1: Spoon the hot cocoa mix into a coffee cup (I know the direction on the can of hot chocolate  say to put the hot liquid in the cup first, but I have found that it mixes better when you put the cocoa mix in the cup first.)

Step 2: Pour in the hot coffee and stir until the cocoa powder dissolves in the hot coffee.

Step 3: Enjoy your café mocha.

Note: You can use any type of hot chocolate mix. If you have use the mix that come in individual packages then use 1 pkg. of mix for one cup of café mocha.

On Stay at Home Saturday I want a little red wagon

Jalál (Glory), 15 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Saturday, January 14, 2012 about 6:15 AM Pacific Time

It is stay at home Saturday, January 14, 2012 and I want a little red wagon or some other piece of equipment that will help me get the recyclable bins to the curb. Today is recyclable day in my neighborhood, so I should carry the bins down to the curb for the recyclable trucks. I do not think that will happen this week because I strained my rotator cuff again.

Even with a strained rotator cuff, I can roll the trashcan to the curb without difficulty. The problem is picking up the recyclable bins and carrying them to the curb. You would think that a plastic bin full of empty bottles or cans would be easy; however, picking them up and carrying them to the curb puts more strain on my left shoulder and rotator cuff.

Just thinking about lugging two or three bins full of papers, plastic bottles, and cans makes my shoulder ache. Since the only people in this house are my mother and me, I am the one who carries the bins to the curb. This morning, I will roll the trashcan to the curb and carry the recyclable bin labeled “cans and plastic bottles” to the curb. I am not going to attempt to carry the bin labeled “newspapers” to the curb today.

The recyclable trucks come again in two weeks. Between now and then I should be able to figure out a way to get that bins to the curb. My rotator cuff ought to heal enough by then for me to carry all the recyclable bins to the curb. It is times like these when I wish I had a man or someone around to help carry the bins to the curb.

It is back to the laundromat next week

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Thursday, January 12, 2012 about 1:55 PM Pacific Time

During the rinse cycle, the drainpipes behind the washing machine overflow into the wall between the kitchen and the living room. As a result, the water drains into my living room. I wash small loads so that there is less water overflowing into the wall; however, that get me behind on the washing because I can only do two or three loads in a day. If I do any more then three loads, I have more water in my living room.

Next week, I need to go back to the laundromat to ketch up on the wash. Tomorrow, Friday, I have an appointment to have the bandage on my left leg changed. On Monday, I have a doctor’s appointment, so I will have to go to the laundromat on Tuesday. Tomorrow, on my way back from the wound care, I will stop at the bank and get $20.00 in quarters.

I am not looking forward to going to the laundromat, but I have to catch up on the laundry. I had planned to get my tag next week, but it is not dew until January 27, so I will have to wait until January 25 to get the smog test and then the tag.

On Monday I ate out in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 11 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Tuesday, January 10, 2012 AD about 1:00 PM Pacific Time

On Monday, I ate out by myself for the first time this year. I had to get a blood test and I couldn’t eat anything before getting the test. Afterwards, I went to a restaurant and ordered lunch. I usually don’t like going to a restaurant by myself. Mom and I used to go, so going alone is a big step. I enjoyed eating alone. The next time I do this, I’ll take my journal with me and write poetry.

Recipe of the week: Green Beans & Pasta

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 8, 2012 AD about 10:02 AM Pacific Time

Ingredients:

1 26.5 oz. can of pasta sauce (any flavor)

1 16 oz. pkg. of elbow macaroni (any type of pasta may be substituted)

8 c. water

2 14.5 oz. cans green beans (any style) drained

¼ c. of grated cheese (any type)

Instructions:

Step 1: I fix my pasta in a slow cooker, so I start this dish the night before. Put 8 cups of water in the slow cooker and turn the cooker onto high. When the water reaches the boiling point, I put in the pasta and let it cook. If you put the pasta into the slow cooker too soon, it gets starchy.

Step 2: Remove pasta from slow cooker and drain. Then place the pasta into microwavable casserole dishes (either 1 or 2 will do depending on the size of the casserole dish). Then place the pasta into the refrigerator (if you cook the pasta the day before making this recipe).

Step 3: Open the can of pasta sauce and mix it with the macaroni. If the macaroni is in two casserole dishes divide the pasta sauce between the two casseroles.

Step 4: Mix the green beans into the macaroni and pasta sauce; if you are using more then one casserole dish divide the green beans between the casseroles.

Step 5: Put the casserole dish into the microwave and heat the mixture. The length of time depends on the microwave, but give this dish at least 2 ½ to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the green bean and pasta mixture. Note: If using two casserole dishes then change ¼ cup of cheese to ½ cup and divide between the casseroles.

This recipe makes enough for several people; therefore, if you want to freeze parts of it go ahead. To do this place the mixture into freezer containers that are also microwave safe, but do not add the grated cheese until you are ready to heat and serve.

Serving suggestions:

Serve this dish with either chicken thighs or breast. If you serve with chicken thighs do not remove the skin before cooking the chicken, especially if you are cooking the chicken in the microwave.

A beautiful day outside in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 8 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Saturday, January 7, 2012 AD about 3:56 PM Pacific Time

It’s Saturday and I’m at home with Mom. I went outside twice today, once to roll the trashcan to the curb and pick-up the newspaper. The second time to take trash out and roll the trashcan back into the garage. The rest of the day I spent in the house with Mom.

This morning it was a bit chilly. This afternoon the wind blew, but it didn’t feel much colder then when I rolled the trashcan to the curb. It’s a beautiful and sunny outside afternoon.

In some ways, Mom is better. This afternoon, she brushed her teeth twice. Because of her short-term memory problems, she forgot she’d already brushed them. I’ve walked her to the bathroom twice to brush her teeth and she did a good job both times. The first time she took her upper plate out to brush it and the second time she brushed it in her mouth. I’m not sure she remembers she wears upper dentures.

Mom has Alzheimer’s disease, so these little memory issues are expected events. I didn’t tell her she’d already brushed her teeth because it’s easier to go along with her in these cases. Mom uses a walker, but I still have to accompany her when she wants to do various things in the house. I’m glad she can brush her own teeth. I’m glad Mom is still capable of doing a number of things by herself, but I still have to keep an eye on her.

Mobile Monday: The day after New Year’s Day

Kamál (Perfection), 3 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Monday, January 2, 2012 about 11:40 PM Pacific Time

It is Monday, the day after New Year’s Day and despite the fact that I set Monday aside to do business outside of the house and offline, I am staying home because the Adult Daycare center is close and Mom is home. I would not do me any good to go out today anyway because most of the places I have to go to are closed. Yesterday was New Year’s Day, so almost every place I need to go closed today, so that their employees can have a three-day weekend.

Mom seems to be having a good day. Right now, she is watching Star Trek the Next Generation on the sci-fi channel. I warmed her up some coffee a few minutes ago, so I have to check to see if she drank it. If she let get cold, I will warm it up again. Mom enjoys coffee, but she cannot have it after 5:00 PM because I do not want it to keep her awake.

Since I have to stay home today, I will attempt to do all the business I need to day the next four days. On Wednesday and Friday, I have doctor’s appointments. Wednesday I am getting an ultrasound of my left leg and Friday I see the wound care doctor again. On Tuesday, I have a bill to pay, which I attempt to pay last Friday, but the business closed because they moved. The worker I talked to said they would open again on Tuesday, January 3.

Recipe of the Week: Blackeyed Peas a New Year’s Day treat

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Sunday, January 1, 2012 about 6:30 AM Pacific Time

Blackeyed peas and ham
A New Year’s Day requirement
Afternoon delight

Blackeyed Peas and Ham

Ingredients:

1 1-lb. package of blackeyed peas washed, sorted, and soaked overnight
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of pepper
1 small to medium sized hambone (I use a honey baked hambone)

Instructions:

Step 1: Rinse and sort beans into a large pot (if you are cooking them on the stove) or other large container (if you are cooking them in a slow cooker).

Step 2: Put the 1 lb. (approximately 2 cups) into the container and pour 8 cups of cold water over them. Let the beans stand overnight (at least six to eight hours).

Step 3: If you are using a slow cooker. Place 8 cups of water into the cooker and turn the cooker on. The water has to be hot when you add the blackeyed peas.

Step 4: Drain the soaking water off the beans and then put the beans into the slow cooker (if you are cooking the beans on the stove then you can put hot water in the pot of beans and turn the stove on).

Step 5: Add the hambone to the slow cooker or the pot of beans and cover with a gently titled lid. Let the beans simmer for about 1-½ to 2 hours (note this will take longer in a slow cooker) until tender. (My grandmother added 1 or 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar while the beans were cooking; she said it cut down on the “gas”).

Step 6: Add the salt and pepper to the cooked beans if desired. (My grandmother always waited until last to add the salt and pepper to the beans.)

Note: You may add any other ingredients you like. For example, you may want to add Jalapeno Peppers.

December 31, 2011 New Years Eve at home

Jalál (Glory), 1 Sharaf (Honor), 168 BE – Friday-Saturday, December 31, 2011 AD about 5:15 AM Pacific Time

This is the first in a series of entries themed “Stay at Home Saturday”. On Saturday, I normally remain at home with Mom. If I leave the house, Mom has to go with me or I have to find someone to stay with her. Any business I do I accomplished Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM because Mom is at an Adult Daycare center.

Sometimes staying home with Mom is exciting and sometimes it is mundane. I never know how the day will go. I am never of Mom’s mood. The one thing I can say about Saturday at home with Mom is that it is a blessing. My mother is 90 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, so sometimes the day getting interesting.

This is Saturday and New Year’s Eve, Mom and I are staying home all day. Tonight, we (or I depending on how early Mom goes to bed) will watch the festivities on television. I am planning to watch all the excitement of the birth of 2012 on Channel 3 KSNV Las Vegas, NV.

The drain behind the washer (again)

Fidál (Grace), 16 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Tuesday, December 27, 2011 about 1:45 PM Pacific Time

The drain behind the washer is doing it again. It is overflowing into the wall between my kitchen and living room. Then it is leaking into the living room. I do not know what the problem is this time. I do know I have no desire to go to the laundromat any more.

I called and left a message for the people who fixed the problem. Someone will get back to me. I will call back again tomorrow if I have not heard from anyone by 5:00 PM today. I will have to go back to the laundromat beginning Monday or Tuesday of next week if the issue is not resolved by then.

I have used the machine for several weeks without it overflowing. This is the first time it has overflowed in all the time I have been washing clothes since having it fixed. At least, I think this is the first time; I am sure I would have noticed water in my living room before this. The problem could be the sewer pipes, which are iron and have tree roots in them. I think there is something I can run down the drains to take care of the tree roots.

I have noticed that my kitchen sink is running slow, so the problem with the pipes behind the washer could have something to do with that. Oh well, at least Mom and I have clean clothes for a while.

Perhaps having the last pine tree in the front yard removed would help solve the issue of overflowing drainpipes. It is going to cost, at least, $800.00 to have the pine tree removed. True I had planned to have the tree removed in 2012, I just did not plan to have it removed until March or April, but now I may have to remove it before the end of January.

My Right Knee is Stiff

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Monday, December 26, 2011 about 1:00 PM Pacific Time

On Friday, December 23, I hurt my right knee (again). I felt a sharp pain and began limping. I don’t know how I hurt my knee, I have osteoarthritis in that knee so almost anything will cause knee pain. Anyway, my knee has been stiff ever since.

As soon, as a finish dealing with the issue of my left leg; I will talk to my doctor about the right knee. At this point, I can deal with only a few things at a time. Today my knee is feeling better.

More Clearly Myself

Jalál (Glory), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Saturday, December 24, 2011 about 2:45 PM Pacific Time

I received this beautiful birthday card from my health care provider a week or so ago. I decided to wait until today, my birthday, to scan the picture on the front of the card and compose an entry. I was born on December 24, 1946 in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I lived in Blackwell until I enter high school.

I went to high school in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where I graduated. After Shawnee, we move to Oklahoma City where I worked as a waitress. I moved back to Blackwell to take care of my Grandparents. At the time, I thought I moved back to live with them, but I did help take care of them. My Grandparents were buried in Blackwell. I now live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Inside the card are spaces to list my prescription and over-the-counter medication. In addition, it gives information about the preventive health screenings I need to have. The next time I go to my primary care physician, I will take the card with me and talk to her about those screenings.

More fully myself
This is what is happening
65 years old

“We did not change as we grew older, we just became more clearly ourselves.”
Lynn Hall

Microwaveable Chicken and Rice Casserole

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Friday, December 23, 2011 about 10:30 AM Pacific Time

Today I am making Microwaveable Chicken and Rice Casserole, with plans of dividing it into two portions and freezing half for use later. The recipe makes enough for at least four people, so it is more then Mom and I will eat today.

Ingredients:

4 cups of cooked white or brown rice
1 14 oz. can clear chicken broth
1 14.5 oz. can sliced carrots
1 14.25 oz. can whole kernel sweet corn
1 14.5 oz. can cut green beans
1 12.5 oz. can fully cooked chunked chicken in water
½ cup of your favorite cheese grated (if you want more cheese add 1 cup)

Directions:

Step 1: Cook the rice. You may want to cook the rice the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator over night.

Step 2: In a medium to large microwavable casserole dish combine the rice with the chicken broth. Stir until the well mixed.

Step 3: Open cans of carrots, corn, and green beans. Drain the water off the vegetables. Stir the vegetables into the rice and broth mixture.

Step 4: Open the can of chicken. If you want to drain the water off the chicken, go ahead. Sometime I drain the chicken and at other times, I mix in the chicken without draining off the water.

Step 5: Place the lid on the casserole dish and put it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Step 6: If you are making this dish for one or two people divide the contents for freezing.

Step 7: Place the casserole in the microwave to cook or rather to heat. Since the ingredients have all ready been cooked, the only thing you have to do is heat it up, which takes about five or more minutes depending on the microwave oven and whether or not you add grated cheese to the dish.

Step 8: While the ingredients are still hot, stir in the grated cheese. The cheese should melt into the hot ingredients.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this with a green salad of some type. You can buy salad ingredients already mixed at the grocery store.

A bright and beautiful Monday morning in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 8 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Monday, December 19, 2011 about 9:50 AM Pacific Time

The clouds are gone, the sun is shining, and there is no rain predicted for today. I can hang the bed sheets on the line today instead of draping the wet sheets over furniture to dry in the house. It rained on the weekend, but I still had laundry to do. If I do not wash one or two loads, a day I get behind and I cannot take wet clothes to a laundromat.

I just finish hanging the sheets out and I am out of breath. I remember helping Grandma hang clothes on the line. I do not remember either Grandma or me getting out of breath from hanging four sheets on the line. Of course, when I helped Grandma I was a child and in better health. Apparently, Grandma was in better health at 64 then I am.

Today it was easier walking and carrying a clothesbasket outside then last week, so the meds my doctors prescribed are working. In addition, my leg is feeling better and looking better. However, I need to increase my stamina so that I do not get out of breath easily. Perhaps I need to join a gym to build up my stamina because doing laundry does not appear to be doing the job. I will have to talk to my primary care physician when I see her again in January.

One Week until Christmas Day and another week until New Year’s Day

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Sunday, December 18, 2011 about 3:50 PM Pacific Time

I no longer celebrate Christmas. Christmas Eve is my birthday and Christmas day brings back memories of my childhood in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My Grandmother Newland enjoyed Christmas because she could do one of her favorite things. Grandma enjoyed cooking and baking. Every year at this time, she would bake pies, cakes, and cookies.

Grandma began baking a few days before Thanksgiving and continued until after New Year’s Day. In addition to baking, Grandma fixed turkey, ham, and everything else that went along with the holidays. In addition, Grandma cleaned house. Grandma did a through how cleaning twice a year, once in the spring and again before the New Year.

The holiday season was a busy time for Grandma. For several years, she planned and cooked the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s dinners, while she was cleaning the house for the New Year. Thinking about it make me tired, because I am not sure I can do all the things she did.

Where do I begin writing about my Grandmother’s Christmas and New Year’s rituals? I suppose I should begin with her cooking, especially her pumpkin and apple pies. For years, Grandma made her own pastries for the holidays. I cannot bake pies like my Grandmother, I can cook many of the other dishes she made, but not the pies; therefore, when I want a pie I buy it in the store. Grandma Newland also made her own whipped cream.

One week from today

Jalál (Glory), 6 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Saturday, December 17, 2011 about 4:00 PM Pacific Time

One week from today, I will be 65 years old. I will celebrate my birthday at home with my mother. I want a birthday cake, so I will wait until Friday, December 23, to bake the carrot cake I have in the cupboard. I have some chocolate in the refrigerator, so I will use it to make frosting for the carrot cake. That does not sound like an exciting birthday; however, that is my birthday now that I am over 60 years old.

It would be nice to go out for my birthday, but Mom does not go out anymore, except when she goes to the daycare center during the week. I am not sure what else we will have to eat. I have some canned chicken in the cupboard, so I will fix pasta or rice to go with it. What I would like is a piece of prime rib and a baked potato, since we are not going out to eat prime rib is out of the question.

I miss the birthdays my family celebrated as child. Even if my each of siblings did get to open, a Christmas present when I opened my birthday presents. I used to resent that, but now I miss the celebration and the chocolate cake and ice cream.

A poem waiting

Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Thursday, December 15, 2011 about 7:15 PM Pacific Time

I stare at the screen
A poem waiting for lines
My muse is laughing

I can’t think. I draw a blank. I’m not tired and even if I were I couldn’t go to bed because Mom has one more pill to take at 8:00. In addition, I have a couple more meds myself. I also have a poem to write, but all I can think of is a title. The title is “Something in the Water”.

The sun finally made an appearance in Las Vegas

Fidál (Grace), 2 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Tuesday, December 13, 2011 about 1:25 PM Pacific Time

The sun finally made an appearance. There are still clouds, but I can see sun and blue sky between the clouds. The sun should dry up the puddle in my driveway quickly. I am doing laundry and hanging the clothes on a drying rack.

I do not intend to hang clothes out today. There are still too many clouds for that. I want the clothes to dry and I think they will do that faster in the house then outside. In addition, carrying a laundry basket full of wet clothes outside is no appealing.

I am thankful that I do not have to go to the laundromat any more. At home I can do the wash clothes between writing or doing housework. If I go to the laundromat, I am limited reading, doing puzzles, or dozing while my clothes wash. In addition, I have to do all the dirty clothes at once. At home, I can do small loads between other jobs.

The only thing I want here at home is an electric clothes dryer. At this point, it is difficult to walk to the clothesline carrying a basket full of wet clothes. Lately, the only clothes I have hung on the line is bed linen, the other things I have hung on the drying rack. I suppose by the time I can afford an automatic dryer it will be summer or my leg will be healed and then it will not matter if I hang clothes outside or dry them in the dryer.

Another reason I need an electric dryer

Kamál (Perfection), 1 Masá’il (Questions), 168 BE – Monday, December 12, 2011 about 10:45 AM Pacific Time

My first reason is the difficulty I have hanging sheets on the line outside. Rain is the second reason I need an electric clothes dryer. I realized yesterday, when I hung four sheets on the line how difficult it was becoming. I am not sure what causes this problem. I could be issues with my rotator cuff or arthritis, but whichever it is it makes hanging clothes, especially sheets hard.

In order to hang a sheet on the line, I have to stretch my arms over my head to reach the clothesline. I do not know how my Grandmother did it, but she hung clothes on an outside line all the time. Grandma’s clothesline like mine was taller then her, yet she hung sheets neatly on the line. I cannot manage hanging them that way, my sheets always seem to hang lop sided on the clothesline. My sheets look pathetic hanging lopsided on the cloths line and if I am not careful, they drag on the ground when I turn the line.

Grandma did not have to worry about sheets dragging on the ground because her clothesline did not turn. My clothesline turns; I like this feature because I can stand in one place and turn the line instead of dragging a basket full of clothes across the yard.

Today is cloudy and the meteorologist predicted rain, so I cannot hang any of the clothes on the line. Fortunately, I have a drying rack so I can wash and hang the clothes on the rack.

Two AM wake up call

Jamál (Beauty), 19 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Sunday, December 11, 2011 about 6:38 AM

Mom woke me up about 2:00 this morning crying. When I went into her bedroom to investigate the problem, she asked, “Where is my husband?” My parents were divorced when I was in grade school and both my parents eventually remarried.

Of course, I am not sure my mother was talking about my father, but considering she has Alzheimer’s disease and is loosing her memory; I doubt she was talking about later husband. Mom remembers things that happened in her young adulthood, but not some of the thing that happened later in her life.

I told Mom that he was called into work because the business was short a person. She did not calm down. In fact, it took me several minutes to get her to listen to what I had to say. Even then, she did not stop crying. I finally had to give her some medication for agitation. Mom finally went back to sleep.

I went back to sleep for a little while myself, however, I did not sleep very long. I have too much work to accomplish today to lay in bed any later then necessary. I am going to let Mom sleep later today then usual, she had a tough night and she need her sleep. This is Sunday and Mom is not going to the Daycare center.

Note: The picture is of my parents when they were first married.

Café Mocha in Las Vegas

Jalál (Glory), 18 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Saturday, December 10, 2011 about 2:35 PM Pacific Time

It’s that time of year again, when I buy instant hot chocolate mix. It’s been a few months since I had hot chocolate mix in the house, but I had a coupon for Swiss Miss mix so when I went to the store on Monday I bought a couple of boxes. I made Mom some hot chocolate this afternoon and I made myself a cup of café mocha. In the morning, I’ll make Mom and I both a cup of café mocha.

The way I make café mocha is to open a package of instant hot coco mix, in this case the Swiss Miss, and empty it into a coffee cup or mug. After the mix is in the cup, I pour the coffee in and stir it with a spoon. It makes great café mocha and I do not have to go out of the house to have a cup.

I feel cut off from the world in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 13 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Monday, December 5, 2011 about 2:05 PM Pacific Time

I cannot make or receive calls on either my landline or cell phone. I e-mailed my cell phone provider this morning. The reply they sent said it would take about 48 hours to solve the problem. The phone connected to my landline does not work. I either need to get a new phone or a cable to fix the phone, in the mean time I am out of contact with the rest of the world.

I need to get a headset and a microphone so that I can download Skype to my computer. I do not like the feeling cut off from the world. I can check my landline voice mail online, but I cannot contact anyone back until I get either the landline phone fixed or cell phone.

One of the blessings of modern life and technology is a connection to the rest of the planet. I have been lax in checking my Facebook page, but no longer. From now on, I will check my Facebook page at least every other day, if not everyday. In addition, I have to get a headset and microphone so that I can use Skype.

The Pine tree is still standing

Jalál (Glory), 11 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Saturday, December 3, 2011 about 4:20 PM Pacific Time

The pine tree still stands
After the high wind warnings
Birds set in the limbs

I was relieved to wake up this morning and see the pine tree still standing. Perhaps, I should say leaning because that is how it looks. The tree appears to lean toward the street and the power polls. The high winds did not knock it down, so far, this weekend. I can only hope it contuse to stand.

It will cost between $400.00 and $1,000.00 to have that tree removed. I have to find the money to have it removed in 2012. In the mean time, I can only pray that it remains standing. This weekend, there were high wind warnings for the Las Vegas valley and winter storm warning in the mountains.

I think the winds have slowed down for a while, but I do not know for how long. We (Mom and me) still do not have enough money in the savings accounts to pay for tree removal. Therefore, I can only pray and hope that the tree remains standing until we have the money. I think we can have the tree removed sometime in May or June of 2012. I would like to have it removed before that, but the finances are not there yet.

Winter has arrived in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Qawl (Speech), 168 BE – Thursday, December 1, 2011 about 11:40 AM Pacific Time

Winter has finally arrived in Las Vegas, with High Wind Warnings in the valley and Winter Storm Warning in the mountains. Today is cloudy and chilly. I did not let this prevent me from doing a couple of loads of laundry and hanging them on the line. Since I did not do laundry on Tuesday and Wednesday, I had to do it today. I am behind and I need to catch up this week.

So far, it has not rained, I did hear thunder earlier, but that has stopped. If it rains, I can do nothing about it. I just hope that it holds off until some of the clothes are dry. True it takes longer for cloths to dry on a cloudy day, but the eventually dry. I have to consider getting an electric dryer and then I would not have to worry about the weather and the clothes drying. However, the dryer has to wait a while because other things take priority.

I have a small space heater for the bathroom and a clothes rack. I can always put the cloths rack in the bathroom and turn on the space heater. That will allow me to dry some of the clothes in the house. I would prefer to hang the clothes outside or use an electric dryer. The space heater and the clothes rack will help me catch up on the laundry, which is what I want to do this week.