jbeaney

Appreciate the everyday occurrences

2008-11-21T14:51:12-05:00

       We are only given a finite number of days on this earth, and we should maybe remember that the things that seem the most important usually are not. It's the seemingly insignificant things that truly should be the measure of our remembrances.
       We all know that hospital food is nothing to write home about. It is usually tasteless, or bland and does not encourage asking for seconds. Well my mom recently spent a couple of days there dealing with a urinary infection. She normally is a somewhat picky eater but will usually eat something. Well she refused her breakfast and her lunch the other day.
The poor CNA tried everything to get her to eat something but was unsuccessful.
      By the time I got there,she was STARVING! That's all I heard, "I'm hungry", she exclaimed over and over. So the dutiful daughter went out to see if they could bring her up a pimento cheese sandwich. They were nice enough to quickly call down to see if they could make this happen.
      The same CNA brought it in a few minutes later and we both expressed to my mom that she wouldn't be so hungry if she hadn't refused both breakfast and lunch. She looked agast at me and said I did what?
       Now I know that my mom has some short term memory issues, but the look on her face was beyond comical. So again we said, "You refused to eat this morning and this afternoon", to which her response nearly made me pee my pants, she said.."well I must be crazy, why would I do that".
       Well by this time, me and the CNA are rolling. So I unwrapped that sandwich and broke off a piece to feed mom,and quickly pulled my fingers back. She said, "did I bite you?" With tears of laughter rolling down my face, I said no mom you didn't, my reflexes kicked in just in time. You would have thought that pimento cheese sandwich was manna from heaven.
        Well after inhaling that sandwich in less than 4 minutes, she promised me she wouldn't be refusing any meals again. True to her word, dinner came and all I heard was chewing and breathing...sometimes both loudly at the same time.
        The moral to this story...when they bring your parent food in the hospital, have a camera ready to record the refusal and to record the incredulous look that occurs when you remind said patient why they are so hungry..That look will stay with me for quite a while..I just wish every one else could have seen it. It was $10,000 AFV material without a doubt!

Senses

2008-11-12T12:34:50-05:00

My lids shutter the cruelty within the scope of sight
My drums block the harshness my soul hears
My pads pull back to avoid the painful touch
Nostrils collapse trying to escape the pungent odor
My essence shudders at the flavor now invading my throat
My senses are overwhelmed to a degree of unfathomable agony.....

Actual conversation:
Mom...please tell me we are not having brussel sprouts again!
Yes dear we are having brussel sprouts.
I really dislike them mom!
But they are good for you..they are like little cabbages..you like cabbage don't you?
Don't make me eat them mom..please!
Finish your dinner young lady..
Ewww..gross...YUCK!

Words cannot express

2008-11-11T11:30:05-05:00

Words cannot express the thanks we give today and every day for the sacrifices that our Armed Services Members give freely to each and every one of us. To give your lives in order to protect the freedoms we hold so dear, to serve tirelessly in conditions that are unimaginable, to get up every day not knowing if today will be your last, to go hungry,unbathed, sleepless, all to insure that I can go about my merry way confident in the belief that I am safe is more than most of us would ever willingly offer. Yet you do this for all of us! You leave your spouses, your beautiful children, your extended families, your "safe and secure" jobs,your creature comforts and go to uninhabitable locations and attempt to make a difference while protecting those too weak to protect themselves.
You work day is more than the 9-5 we so routinely face. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't do nearly enough to let you know that I am so proud of you all! But I will make this pledge to you today and in honor of my father who recently passed and who was a Korean War Veteran, I will step up and commit to corresponding to let you know that I appreciate you and what you do. I may not be much but if a card or letter can make your day brighter in any way then it not only is a priviledge and honor to do so, but very little to ask of all of us. What ever it may be, I challenge all who may see this today and in the future to do something to let those who serve us so tirelessly know you support,honor, and thank them for what they do day in and day out! Words not only can't express but they are also inadequate to equal the cost. Start today! Make a difference! Pray that all of our servicemen will be home real soon!

Is there a doctor in the house?

2008-10-22T15:30:59-04:00

As the mom of a prospective "future" doctor..(okay, so she's currently a Junior majoring in Biology with a pre-med emphasis) I would welcome any help in preparing myself to help her fulfill her dream(which has been consistent since 2nd grade). Is there anyone out there who knows how to best support her. Things I should know, ways I can assist her in realizing her dream.
I'm open to suggestion, advice, tips, things not to do, timelines for her to meet, etc. Let me know please. Thanks in advance for any help!

What is the question?

2008-10-22T15:24:13-04:00

Do you have a specific question for the sleep queen about mattresses?

How to choose one?
What to look for?
What questions to ask?
What answers to listen for?

You can ask them here!

I just love questions!

Are you misunderstood?

2008-10-22T15:19:43-04:00

Do people constantly give you funny looks as you immerse yourself in the latest great find in the book store. You know the looks...they are either tisking your choice as superfluous or having illicit thoughts as to the content of your choice of reading.
I am here to categorically set the record straight! Romance novels are so much more than dirty books, or trivial reading material. They allow the reader to experience interesting places, obtain nuggets of information that would be hard to find elsewhere, they are full of accurately detailed locales that you either will not ever visit or may want to and now will have a better idea of places you must see.
They delve into relationships in a short span of time and explore choices and outcomes. (Yes, they can do the same theme multiple times).
The true skill in reading romance novels is begining to notice and appreciate the subtle differences.
They have become like old friends that I often revisit. ( Yes I have lots of bookcases!)

Mind Power

2008-10-22T13:42:57-04:00

The old addage "if you don't use it you lose it" is only partially correct.
I use my mind, I think, several times daily and I still can't keep straight all of the different user Id's, passwords, login datas, etc. And now here I go again starting something new that requires you guessed it another user Id and password...Arrrgh! Can't someone think of a way to log onto all these blessed secure sites with one protected log in that can't be hacked or thefted by some schmuck who has nothing better to do than to try to take my stuff instead of getting their own stuff! I have another blog on blogspot.com that is all about sleep and the many questions that are ever present in selecting a new mattress. I don't hold punches, and I occasionally rant adnausium about some of the more interesting questions I field daily. http://askaboutmattresses-sleepqueen.blogspot.com/
will take you there. Feel free to comment as I relish them. I've learned that a good debate can be sometimes messy but you always come out with some new perspectives that you didn't have before. One thing I do know, I may not be able to keep all these blasted user Id's straight, but using the mind does keep you young,(no matter what my college wunderkid says!)
And keeping intellectually young if not real age years young is POWER!
After all I have a big set of shoes to fill. My grandma was still riding roller coasters, hopping jets to New York and catching rides on the back of motorcycles at the age of 85!
WHEW....better keep using the mind and make sure my Rush membership is kept current!