Hey, all. Just wanted to send up a flare for anyone interested in helping me tread the waters of literary-dom. I've joined the St. Louis Writers' Guild and have been busy entering some contests and shit like that. Anyway, I need some feedback if you're available. My deadline is Sunday. I've got a new piece up on my literary site that I need your thoughts on (eeeek, ending a sentence with THAT?). I've looked at it so much that I can't see the forest through the trees or something like that. Anyway, any help is appreciated.
I'll have an update on the neighbor situation later...
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
News From My Hood
I live in a fairly well-balanced neighborhood - both culturally and age-wise. I have two elderly neighbors, one is in her late seventies (J) and the other is 95 (N). I'm pissed off on behalf of the 95 year old today.
She's the sweetest grandmotherly type you'll ever meet. She's witty and totally hilarious. But she has macular degeneration, and quite honestly needs some serious home care to help her with her house. In short, I would poke out both of my eyes before I'd let my mother live the way she does.
Today she fell - again. This is the fourth time in the last year that I know of. There are probably more instances than that, but she doesn't speak up when things happen. So her neighbor on the other side of her house (K) went to check on her since she hadn't seen any activity over there. When K knocked on the door, she heard the woman call for help. K ran to my house looking for a phone and we called the paramedics and got the house key from J (I was damn near ready to break through the large plate-glass window, but since N was speaking knew we had some time to work with).
When we got inside, N was laid out on the floor looking totally awful, no color in her face. Apparently, she'd ended up on the floor SATURDAY (but couldn't remember how she got there). What the FUCK? While we waited on the paramedics, I made several attempts to reach her granddaughter, but to no avail at either of her numbers. The granddaughter and I have had several of these conversations in the past, and I wasn't looking forward to having this one.
The paramedics came and checked N over, gave her fluids, and did what they could. But N refused to go to the hospital. Her grandson finally showed up and is now sitting with her.
Here's what bothers me kids. I get that N is an independent woman and really just wants to be on her own. But, seriously kids, believe me when I tell you that most of you and I would fight hell or high water to get her some home care, or at the very least, a Life Alert. If K hadn't been curious, N would have died. No joke.
My whole thing is this: how do I tell her family they need to do something? Or can I even say that? They are good people. Maybe they just don't really realize how things are? Really? Is that possible?
Do I say anything? What do I say?
K and I are going to start a rotation checking on N every day, and that's about all we can do. It just makes my ass twitch...
She's the sweetest grandmotherly type you'll ever meet. She's witty and totally hilarious. But she has macular degeneration, and quite honestly needs some serious home care to help her with her house. In short, I would poke out both of my eyes before I'd let my mother live the way she does.
Today she fell - again. This is the fourth time in the last year that I know of. There are probably more instances than that, but she doesn't speak up when things happen. So her neighbor on the other side of her house (K) went to check on her since she hadn't seen any activity over there. When K knocked on the door, she heard the woman call for help. K ran to my house looking for a phone and we called the paramedics and got the house key from J (I was damn near ready to break through the large plate-glass window, but since N was speaking knew we had some time to work with).
When we got inside, N was laid out on the floor looking totally awful, no color in her face. Apparently, she'd ended up on the floor SATURDAY (but couldn't remember how she got there). What the FUCK? While we waited on the paramedics, I made several attempts to reach her granddaughter, but to no avail at either of her numbers. The granddaughter and I have had several of these conversations in the past, and I wasn't looking forward to having this one.
The paramedics came and checked N over, gave her fluids, and did what they could. But N refused to go to the hospital. Her grandson finally showed up and is now sitting with her.
Here's what bothers me kids. I get that N is an independent woman and really just wants to be on her own. But, seriously kids, believe me when I tell you that most of you and I would fight hell or high water to get her some home care, or at the very least, a Life Alert. If K hadn't been curious, N would have died. No joke.
My whole thing is this: how do I tell her family they need to do something? Or can I even say that? They are good people. Maybe they just don't really realize how things are? Really? Is that possible?
Do I say anything? What do I say?
K and I are going to start a rotation checking on N every day, and that's about all we can do. It just makes my ass twitch...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Don't Know Where She Gets It
Ah, the things kids say.
Today, before lunch, my husband was helping LD wash her hands. She was trying to get down from the stool, and hubs pointed out she still had soap on her hands to rinse off, and she needed to finish that first.
She put her hand on her hip and gave him a hooded stare. Then she got sassy. "But, Dad, I have things to do."
Today, before lunch, my husband was helping LD wash her hands. She was trying to get down from the stool, and hubs pointed out she still had soap on her hands to rinse off, and she needed to finish that first.
She put her hand on her hip and gave him a hooded stare. Then she got sassy. "But, Dad, I have things to do."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Because I'm a Poser...
Bananafana did this, and then of course I had to follow because imitation is the best form of flattery, right?
 | My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Noble Excellency Mom Of The Year in the Middle of Old Tonbridge Wafers Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title |
What A Girl Wants
OK, so I probably have not been gut-busting thrilled about Valentine's Day since my junior year of high school as I anticipated what my boyfriend of the semester would manage to get me that would absolutely blow my mind. But today, girls, I have been truly surprised.
There was a huge red box hanging out in the kitchen this morning. Hubs finally gave it to me after lunch, mumbling something about how no, it wasn't jewelry but it was something I've always wanted. So I immediately ruled out the piece of bling from Tiffany's over which I continually drool and opened the box. And here is what I got:
For those of you arriving late on the set, Tessie had posted around the holidays about gifts, and what we did or didn't get as kids. I asked for that damn thing for YEARS to no avail. I figured Santa was either a complete idiot or loved my friends more than me, since everyone in the free fucking world had this thing.
But hubs has pulled through, and my childhood is now complete. Thank you, honey. We'll make margaritas with it later, yeah?
What did I get him? A gift card to Hustler Hollywood. Like you would, no doubt, expect from some girl like me.
Yes, he will be away at work tonight. But don't worry about me. He included a four pack of double A batteries in the large red box as well. Heh heh heh. Damn. Snoopy Sno-Cones and DW? In the same day?! This is the best V-Day EVAH. YEAH, BABY!!!
Happy V-Day, bitches!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Happy Birthday
Hubs turns 32 today, so in his honor, I give you his face displayed online for all to see. Pastey Irish guy, indeed. Note: LD chose the clown cones over a cake at Baskin-Robbins. I did not indulge, but happily took pix of my fam doing just that.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tragedy Hits Home
Well, all, my personal drama is nothing compared to what has transpired for so many others this week.
Tonight I attended a memorial service for my husband's cousin, who at the young age of 26, took his own life. He was an actor in New York, and at the risk of revealing anything about who I am, will only say that his face would be recognizable from bit parts in some films you may have seen. He'd lost two people close to him in a couple of years, the first being the love of his life in a car accident, and then later a friend.
Upon returning home, we learned that a suburb within a stone's throw of our home has suffered a major tragedy. Anytime a cop is shot, I freak out. I have friends who are cops. There are two dead in Kirkwood tonight, along with 3 city officials and the gunman. I do not know any of them personally, but I can't believe this has happened. http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/07/city.council.shooting/index.html
Anyway, I guess the point of all of this is that our own personal crosses are often so much lighter than those belonging to others. Kiss your babies, hug your friends, tell everyone you love them.
Peace.
Tonight I attended a memorial service for my husband's cousin, who at the young age of 26, took his own life. He was an actor in New York, and at the risk of revealing anything about who I am, will only say that his face would be recognizable from bit parts in some films you may have seen. He'd lost two people close to him in a couple of years, the first being the love of his life in a car accident, and then later a friend.
Upon returning home, we learned that a suburb within a stone's throw of our home has suffered a major tragedy. Anytime a cop is shot, I freak out. I have friends who are cops. There are two dead in Kirkwood tonight, along with 3 city officials and the gunman. I do not know any of them personally, but I can't believe this has happened. http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/07/city.council.shooting/index.html
Anyway, I guess the point of all of this is that our own personal crosses are often so much lighter than those belonging to others. Kiss your babies, hug your friends, tell everyone you love them.
Peace.
Drama
Holy hellcats! There has been a whole lot of drama around Chez Mom of the Year this week. Sorry I've not been around. I'm trying to work a lot of things out in my head, if I may be honest with you all. I can't get enough of Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry," and Sarah McLachlan is on continuous play. I know, I know. You're all, "Oh shit, girl." But it's all good...
Because I've decided to completely ROCK my thirties.
As the big 3-0 birthday looms just two months away, I'm so ready to kick my twenties to the curb and take on the decade of ME - beginning with finishing the novel and interval running the Nike Half-Marathon in October. Me? Yes, me. Why? Because life is not a dress rehearsal, dammit!
I'm working on a post that will explain my delirium over this whole thing, but just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone. I hope you are all well...
Because I've decided to completely ROCK my thirties.
As the big 3-0 birthday looms just two months away, I'm so ready to kick my twenties to the curb and take on the decade of ME - beginning with finishing the novel and interval running the Nike Half-Marathon in October. Me? Yes, me. Why? Because life is not a dress rehearsal, dammit!
I'm working on a post that will explain my delirium over this whole thing, but just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone. I hope you are all well...
Friday, February 1, 2008
8 Inches for Mama
What did you think this post was about??? Quit it, gutter sluts! Today's post is brought to you by rock salt and hot cocoa. For those of you who've left behind snow and are now living in non-snowy states, here are some pix of what you're missing. You're welcome to come over and play, but bring your own Bailey's for your coffee, as Mom of the Year will be polishing hers off today! Also - this should make for an interesting Mardi Gras tomorrow, yes????
Please note the snowboarding boots on hubs. Approximate number of times they have been used for snowboarding in the last 5 years? Zero. Why does he own them? They go with the snowboard propped up against our basement wall. I suppose at one time in his twenties, hubs made an attempt at being EXTREME. The only thing really extreme about him now is the EXTREME lack of hair on his pastey Irish head. So, Tessie, tell BR not to feel bad. HA HA HA!
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