On Aug 27, I had surgery on a toe. The arthritis was really bad, so they went in and cut off what looks like a quarter inch of bone. Gave me that "Michael Jackson $&!^^", which realy is a very safe and effective drug. I slept most of the day, but every time I woke up I felt really really good!
I'm sure it was there that Mom and I caught this absolutely wretched respiratory infection, which didn't show up until Labor Day Friday, AFTER I had been at their house. I'm still not over it. Mom's turned into pneumonia. She spent an entire day at the clinic getting IV antibiotics; they sent her home with Levaquin and Prednisone. She would not go to the hospital, and I don't blame her at all. On the Tuesday after Labor Day, my dad went for a cardiac stress test. They gave him IV Persantine. THEY KNOW HE'S ALLERGIC TO THE STUFF - but they did it anyway. A few years back a bad reaction had HIM admitted - he was badly swollen up and covered with this bright red rash. Well, it happened again only not quite as bad. But that's not the point.
I just found out that the oven on my stove doesn't work. Don't know why, but I've got propane, and I'm not about to let it sit on BAKE to see if will kick in. I was already holding my breath and standing off to the side the second time I tried to turn it on - not that that would have been any protection should the thing decide to blow up.
My overhead kitchen light needs two ballasts, neither of which can be found at this time - probably because nobody's had time to go look for them. This we found out after we broke the cover when we tried to put that back up.
I'm afraid to call my brother - he'll think I've been holding out on him by not calling him sooner - but he's 1000 miles away anyway, and it's very difficult for him to leave his job.
He would, but I don't want to ask unless it's really necessary.
I don't think Mom will make it to Christmas this year (but we have had miracles before!), and I'm not real sure Dad is strong enough in every way to be around much longer after that.
But you never know, do you?
I have tied the last knot in my rope - it's time to drag out the big guns. I've found that in times of stress, I can get by quite well on fingernails and french vanilla cappucino.
Anyone care to join me?

Awww MW your welcome you know I love ya
God I remember the propane your post brought back memories lol
I remember once I lit the dang stove and it popped up in the air several inches and there went my eyebrows...now can you imagine this ole countrygirl applyin makeup?! HAH draw a straight eyebrow right?!
Anyhow glad to know the days are getting better hun

Aw guys, you are all so sweet.
BG, thanks for the pink bunny slippers - I've never had a pair. I do have a pair of blue teddy bear socks, but it's not the same.
Things have calmed down some. Mom was back in the clinic yesterday for IV fluids, and Dad got Rxs for anti-itch pills that might work a bit better than benadryl, and a tip on some lotion too. Both were much better this evening.
I have calmed down, stitches come out tomorrow.
Sandmason, the wires are capped off right now, and I thank you for the good instructions. I too think it will be much easier to replace the entire fixture rather than go tripping all over the countryside looking for ballasts for a 20 year old light.
I think the oven failure is a result of the ice storm power loss we went through earlier this year. Because it's just me, I rarely use the oven, so didn't give it a thought until I decided to bake a roast for M&D Sunday. I'm used to the "whoosh" sound when the propane kicks in, so was quite alarmed when it didn't happen. Turned it back off right away and was sort of hisitant about trying again, because the LAST thing I need is for my kitchen to overload with that gas! So who to call? The propane folks? An appliance repair place? I talked to a couple of folks at work, and both said that considering the thing was near 20 years old, I'd probably save more $$ in the long run if I waited until the January sales and bought a new one. Something to think about anyway.
Bobcat, you did not intrude. The word 'obedient' actually made me laugh. At our wedding ceremony, the JP used the "old fashioned" vows for Don: "Do you promise to love, honor and OBEY..........?" Don gave him that look (you all know the one!), and the place was dead silent for nearly 15 seconda before everyone caught the joke. Somewhere I have a picture of that moment. It's priceless.
OK, dogs are pacing. See you all later, thanks and hugs!

(((Hugs))) MW, I hope your Mom is doing better and you too. Is your Dad's rash gone yet? Glad to hear it wasn't worse. Terrifying stuff.

There is way too much stuff going on for you and I wish I could help. If you haven't had your oven fixed yet here is a thought. If you have propane delivered, the company sometimes has a repair person that specializes in propane appliances. They do charge but they know what they are doing.

You know, with all that is going on, maybe you should fill in your brother. Not to ask him to come, but how your folks are doing and your own situation (at least so far as it affects your ability to help your parents) sorta is in the "right to know" catagory. True he can't come home over every little thing, but he shouldn't be caught unaware if things do get out of hand. My bro is only a few miles away and would come if I hollered, but I rarely do because he is so close I figure if how Mom is doing meant that much to him, he would find the time to visit once a week. (That was mean on my part, but it is true).

I hope you and your family will get your Christmas miracle. God bless you Mom, Dad and you.

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Turn off the power. Climb up there and take the broken light down with a screwdriver. When you see the wires taped together to the broken fixture, one black one white, peel the tape off or unscrew the plastic wire connectors. Let the light fixture down, throw it away. Put the plastic wire connectors back onto the bare wires and bend them apart. Go to Walmart and buy a $5.00 fluorescent fixture, bulbs included. Ask a neighbor to help? As long as the wires are capped and separated you can turn the power back on with no risk.
It's just so easy if you didn't just have surgery on your toe, I'd be glad to replace anything in your house. I wish I could help with your handyman needs. Don't do it if you can't turn off the power.
Bloody hell, I'm so angry myself I'd love to do something constructive.

She is OK, but I think I will join MERRWID in a cup of fingernails and french vanilla cappucino. ARRRGGGHHH.

I didn't correct her, she does a good job and it is only once a week. Mom isn't crazy about her but says it is because the woman is so quiet. She does have a very soft voice and twice that I know of (in a year, so not really a big deal) she has put Mom's hearing aids in, but has not turned them on so they act like ear plugs. I guess Mom DOES think it is quiet around there.

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Well ya know BC if she really is good at what she does and you have never had an issue with her up to this point I might shake this one off this time since Iv had the misfortune myself (you know how I am with my humor bone) of saying the wrong thing just out of pure nervousness.
Some people I work for have this presence or attitude that makes me a little nervous (I DO treasure peace and calm where ever I go) which really screws with my joking nature a bit to the point I might say something in jest but it comes out sounding like I was dead serious.
See Im on both sides of this fence so I get it more than most...
Being CG's we have a standard we live by and when we hire someone to work for us we expect them to know what we know....well we can and do miss some real gems having this attitude only because they dont live up to our expectations attitude wise or dont use proper words or have a dry sense of humor we dont get or heaven forbid they think outside the box and have ideas totally foreign to us (Im one of those)
Now on the working class side I have to don many hats at times just to fit into a home and family that happen to have different set of standards/religious beliefs/methods of care/DENIAL (need we really get into that?!) than mine or yours
Talk about stress and mouth full of goober ass things that sneak out at times
I see the "look" I try to fix it they may or may not get it still and I drag myself home at the end of a shift kicking myself for being monumentally ignorant because I know better
Trust me as mad as you can be at this shes probably feelin a bit red by now and knows she probably let you down...
On the other hand you have that mama bear gene up in ya so I ask you hun does she seem genuine to you or have things bothered you in the past about her?

Yes ,,, she used the word "obedient".... Yep... I could go off,,, I might go off... but she is a good CG, so was that an unfortunate choice of words??

DOCHKA,, please "Off with her head"!!!!

Ouch BC are you serious she used the word obedient?!
Dooooh......

here ya go

Rant away, you have good cause. How dare they give him a drug when it is in his chart that he is allergic.

Nothing to compare, I probably shouldn't intrude, but I did get my knickers in a knot over a choice of words from a CG (the agency one). She had called me Fri. nite to ask what she should do since Mom was "non-compliant" with the usual schedule. I gave her plan 'B" which I thought was well known (no prob). The next morning she described Mom as "obedient".



Like a puppy??? How about cooperative????? I thought I madeit clear to all that MOM pays the bills. Sorry, I did not correct her. Maybe I should have.

Ouch ouch ouch ouch! Dang MW do ya have a bullseye on your back or what turn around so I can rip the dam thing off!
Ill join ya this has been a pretty raunchy couple of months I think we all need to let loose....
Ya wanna pair of pink bunny slippers I gotta few extras