December 6, 2003

Unfortunately, the Roanoke Time’s weatherman was off base last week when he predicted no snow for December. Thursday, December 4th, brought snow, sleet, ice, and lots of car accidents. After listening to the weather report, I took my Pony over to Mom’s house and traded it for Mom’s station wagon.

I decided to call off work Thursday and have Chris drive the wagon to work so he would be safer. We love our Mustang’s, but they aren’t good snowmobiles.

We got about six inches that night (topped off with ice), but Chris made it home okay. Last night we got more, but it didn’t seem to mount up and with warmer temperatures, the roads are clear this morning.

I have 4 more days to take off at work before December 23. I guess I’ll try to save them for Josh and Leah.

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I finally had a doctor’s appointment for a complete physical yesterday. I have to drop back by for some blood work next week. They also set me up for a mammogram in January. Everything so far looks good except my weight. ARG.

Even after three months of dieting. I won’t mention any numbers, but let’s just say DEPRESSING is putting it mildly. I’m altering my diet and I need to force myself into a regular exercise regime. I wish I could hook up a Hoover to my body and suck out about half of it. With my luck, I’d eliminate something more important than fat blobules so I guess I’ll scratch that idea.

On the bright side, I recently purchased Critical Illness insurance which pays out $50 a calendar year for various ‘tests’. Tests like pap smears and mammograms. Since the pap was in 2003 and the mammo will be in 2004, that’s a whopping $100 reward for me. That will cover my copay and leave me some pocket change, too. Does life get any better than this?

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I arrived early to pick up Mom today and lunch was just being served. Mom was sitting there like a zombie, not even strapped to the chair. She wouldn’t eat and her eyes were wet. Usually she smiles and laughs when she sees me, but she was basically unresponsive. I was only able to get her to eat a couple of bites and while we sat there a single tear rolled down her cheek. I almost started crying right there in front of everyone.

Her eyes were probably just watering, but I can’t bear to think that she is feeling sad. She has never been one to cry, so it’s not something I’ve ever really seen from her.

Once again her bra was all twisted and knotted up around her body. I asked the aide if a man had dressed her and she said it was a woman. Grr.

I brought her home with me and I noticed her turning her head while we rode along to look at different things out the window.

I fixed her some coffee and peaches, but she’s not showing much interest. She was patting Chris and had a smile for him, but still seems basically zoned out. I guess I’ll lay her in my bed and see if she wants to nap for a while.

The bad part of picking her up at lunch time is the dirty diaper I have to change. She goes like clockwork right after lunch every day. I can’t pick her up later because Chris would have left for work and Chris is her favorite part of coming here... well, Chris and Tana. So I guess I’ll have to continue changing one dirty diaper a week. Oh well, I suppose I’ll survive. *smile* At least she doesn’t hit me while I am trying to clean her anymore. THAT was not fun.

I put one of my rings on Mom and forgot to get it back. I just called and asked them to wrap some tape around it and put Mom’s name on it. It didn’t cost much so I won’t mind if it disappears. I hope she looks at her finger and feels happy to see something pretty there.

Proverbs 28:25 ¶ He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.