and now I have a new mouses, some cash for car repairs and I am filled with yummy Japanese goodness...and restocked the frig...

I am so glad to be back...

now I will collapse...

I am going home tomorrow...I have missed my Meep, my puppy and my kitty...sooooooo much!!!

I have missed talking to friends without being monitored...

I am tired and worn out...I don't regret coming, but home will be so nice...

It has been a long two weeks...

Well, we were relocated, with the rest of the residents of the Assisted living center to the Doubletree Hotel in DelMar for four days.

This is the view from our room


And this is a link to pictures from our excursion to the San Diego Zoo today
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=46721&id=1198993862

Tomorrow we are relaxing in the hotel, although I will probably try to get into that pretty pool, as long as it isn't too cool outside (and the jacuzzi is just beyond those lounge chairs across the way.)

As you can see, taking care of Ruth during her recuperation is really tough...lol!

I didn't mention the three buffet meals a day (and we had boxed lunches sent with us to the zoo.) And Wednesday evening is a 'Gala' event, just like we would have on a cruise ship...all the fun, none of the seasickness...

more updates from the land bound pleasure cruise soon.

This was such a lovely place, I had to run out and get my hat from the car, as I felt underdressed...

http://www.downtownsanclemente.com/poshpeasant/index.htm

Busy as a friggin bee...

so on Saturday morning, Richard and I headed south to Escondido for the Gold Coast Festival, I had hoped to get there by 1pm, but it was really 2:30 before we arrived. We managed to see most of the vendors and a few of the guilds before the faire closed at 5pm (and it was getting dark) It was fun to see some really neat new guilds, or at least ones I hadn't seen before. I also unexpectedly ran into some people I hadn't seen in years, so it was very very fun!

Then we headed to Vista to see my friend Ruth, in the rehab hospital recovering from Hip replacement surgery, I know she was happy to see us, especially knowing that she would be going home on Sunday.

Next we managed to get over to see Richard's cousin and his family in Rancho Bernardo, just South of Escondido, and we visited a couple of hours.

Sunday morning we had breakfast and headed over to break Ruth out of jail/I mean the rehab hospital...we got her settled and then her brother and sister in law arrived with home cooked food to tempt her to eat a bit (this has been a problem even before the hip surgery.)

Then I ran Richard over to the Train station to head home, and drove back to Vista. Sunday evening wasn't bad, and it seemed like she slept pretty good, all things considered, but Monday morning she wasn't happy and was more than a bit irritable. As the day went on, I managed to get her to eat (each time giving her just a little bit, so she has often asked for more) and by dinner time, she nearly ate what would be considered a decent sized meal...which meant that she felt better by the end of the day, than she had at the begining.

Tomorrow is going to be a challenge, as we have a visit to the lab and not one by two doctor visits, and one all the way in La Mesa...she is worried, but I think we will do fine. It is especially nice that Richard brought me down in his car, so that Ruth and I both will be more comfortable than driving my standard transmission would be.

more later, but so far, so good...although I am exhausted...

ps. I forgot to mention that in addition to taking care of Ruth, we also have to get ready to leave her apt, for fumigation on Sunday...but I can really worry more about that on Thursday and Friday...

until then, good night all...
 

still alive, found a terrible addiction on www.hulu.com

Eastwick
Modern Family
The Middle

so much for not having a TV that works...hahaha

No more Retrograde! and will someone please tell me that it is the last one for this year, P L E A S E ...

now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

(oh, did anyone else see the premier of Eastwick?)

have even been on LJ to read anything...I am sure I have missed a lot. I know I won't catch up on everything, but wanted to tell everyone I haven't forgotten you, life or I should say 'death' got my attention this month.

My beloved's mother, Helen, passed away on 9-9-09, she was 92. As old as she was, her death was actually quite quick and unexpected. I personally had been with her the week before at her primary care and geriatric appointments and she was spry and sharp as a tack! It was a blessing that she spoke to Richard on Labor Day morning, speaking of all things his need to worry about a stroke. Her dear friend Sonia made a visit to see her and she also called me later that morning, apologizing for how upset she was about the 'stroke' information she shared with Richard earlier. She went to the assisted living center's Labor Day picnic and after lunch she went to her room to rest. Amazingly, an employee was returning laundry (on a holiday) to her room and she found her unresponsive on the floor. Running to call 911, the center is only minutes away from Tarzana Medical Center. 

We were on the porch of a friend's home in North Hollywood, arriving for a pool party when Richard's phone rang with his mother's ringtone. It wasn't Helen, but a staff member and suddenly we were off and on our way to the hospital. By the time we arrived, she was communicating, not always saying the right words, but aware of that fact, so when we played the guessing games, she could say No, or YES!!! I am so very glad that I finally realized that "Sissor" was actually "Richard"... It was a blessing that Father Austin was able to stop by and pray with her at Tarzana Hospital. She had stabilized and plans were made to transport her to Kaiser Sunset, where their best 'Stroke' team, is located. We stopped for a quick bite on our way to meet her there, as she had pointed to her mouth and then at Richard, knowing he wouldn't want to go eat...

We saw her at Kaiser, about 7:20 pm, she was getting some control of her right arm and speaking a bit clearer and stronger. We spoke to the staff and it seemed that although no stroke is good, this one could be recovered from. As it approached 10 pm, we felt that a good nights sleep and being back at the hospital by 7am (when the Neurologist would be doing her rounds) would be our best choice. We spoke and laughed with Helen, as her sense of humor was intact at all times since we had arrived.

We were up and dressing on Tuesday morning, prepared to leave in about 5 minutes, when the call from the hospital came in, at 5 am she had become unresponsive and they had sent her in for a CAT scan...the original stroke was a clot that had not bled, but as the blood flow returned to that area of the brain overnight, the dead tissue just allowed the blood to flow out, creating a very large pool. With patience and kindness, the staff at Kaiser let us know that there was little that could be effectively done and later that morning we were able to continue to make Helen comfortable and family and friends came to be with us. Constant phone calls and visitors actually kept us so busy that the crazy afternoon and evening passed. That evening we decided that it would be okay if she passed in the night when we were gone and went home again to a restless nights sleep. The next morning she was with us, but slowly fading away...and just before 3pm, she went to rest with the angels.

I mentioned that she left us on 9-9-09, and I will now mention that she was in room 7777. There is special significance to these numbers and I know we were not alone in that room. I am honored to have known Helen and thank heaven for her blessings everyday.

The following days and weeks have been filled with preparations, public mourning and visitors. We are still dealing with the mundane details that life and death require of us, but we are getting through it day by day. It is often said that ordeals like this often make or break relationships and I am pleased to say that with only a few bumps along the way, Richard and I are stronger and closer to each other. For those who have known about this and have provided prayers and support, thank you and for those who might not have been aware, I apologize for the delay...

And a final note, please let someone know you care about them today...at some point there will be no chance.

It might not be the 'only' way, but it could be a good start!