Kate's On Line Journal - Page 39

marmalady · 08-06-2003, 07:25 AM

Hi, all - Sent out my new email addy, but not sure if I got everyone; if not, you can reach me at:

marmalady1@comcast.net

Can't believe someone else already had 'marmalady' on comcast!!!!

See my post in Care, re what we've been through with Matt since the move. Hopefully it's coming to an end, and we're finding some good folks.

http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6362

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

kate · 08-06-2003, 11:33 PM

Wednesday 11:20 pm

Back at this desk again. It's an old scarred-up oak thing that belonged to Bruce's grandfather. Sits in the room called the "dining room", because I think that's what it was designed to be, though we've never used it for that. We don't have a dining room table, and if we did, it would quickly become covered with loose mail and books and things we can't seem to figure out where to put.

At first this was a kind of extra family room--we had an old couch somebody gave us that the girls liked to jump on, and piles of their toys against one wall.

Then when they were too big for toys, we put one of the computers here, plus the dog's kennel. Now there's a lift where the kennel was, and this desk, and nothing else. The old couch is long gone. It's become kind of a glorified hallway! The dog got moved out to the deck, which doesn't seem to trouble him . . . anyway, here I am at the family desk, not going to bed.

I won't be around for a couple of weeks--we're taking our whole dog and pony show out to the midwest to visit Bruce's family. Travelling by car, not because of airline scares, but because I want to see Montana, and we have some stops to make along the way. Be well, all of you!

marmalady · 08-11-2003, 05:20 PM

Dare I - should I - oh, well, here goes - do we even want to think about an autumn Caregivers Gone Bad? I really would love to get us (or as many as we can!) together! The private topic is still open for any 'private' responses!!!

Things are beginning to settle down here; the remaining boxes are just becoming part of the decor!

I have never had a more stressed out move. I just did the DMV thing - thought I had all my ID but had nothing to prove I live where I do! And they couldn't get their tiny little minds around the fact that Matt doesn't own his van - the trust does. Just like a business. I finally said, look, if the van was owned by Disney Enterprises, you wouldn't expect Walt Disney to be here, would you???? I hate beaurocrats!

We are finding some nice docs for Matt, tho; a urologist we can work with, who's literally right around the corner (and the hospital is 5 minutes away), have a physiatrist appointment in two weeks, and a neurologist is next on the list.

We don't have the fawns, but we do have little baby lizards - they're pretty cute!

Has anyone noticed the boom in the membership on the forums here lately? Amazing. It's getting hard to remember everyone!

Ta for now, take care, be well, all. Jackie

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

Sci Mom · 08-18-2003, 01:56 PM

Monday evening...

and I'm taking a break from packing and organizing. I'm flying out tomorrow for Atlanta, to be officially trained and sworn in as an AmeriCorps/Vista worker! (Honest to God, there's an oath!) I'll be gone until Saturday, so this should be interesting. The paperwork about the training session said things like, "Bring a sweater because you'll be inside in AC all day long." "This is not a vacation; don't expect much free time." "You can not leave early, so don't even ask us."

Does this sound like a Federal Government party or what??

I wonder if they'll make us sing Kumbaya...

I'll let you know how it went when I get back...
Vicky

cheesecake · 08-23-2003, 07:29 AM

Summer is winding to an end! Monday is the first day of school and my 5 year old will be heading off to Kindergarten. To add to this special event he lost his front tooth last week. He has a crazy looking grin and an attitude to go with it!
My 5th grader is terrified to return and I am certain Monday will be full of tears. The 5th grade team read the kids the riot act at the end of the year and he has spent the summer in tears as well as fear. School does not come easy for him so this is very disheartening to watch. He is wild about his new school supplies (has had them organized for weeks) but does not want to go to class.

I sit back in awe that the boys are now so grown up. Seems like yesterday that my youngest was born and now Dad will be taking him to class on Monday and spending the first day with him (only an hour). My 5th grade is in his last yeaar of elementary school and then on to middle school. Yikes! Add to that the oldest boy is in his senior year and our daughter is now out of school. Mom is feeling a bit lost.
We are closing out the summer with trips to the pool, laundry, packing backpack and deciding on clothes for next week.
What about other? This thread has been a bit quiet.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia!"----- Charles Schultz

nevada · 08-23-2003, 09:45 PM

This is Sally not Charles. I'm not trying to be incognito, I just haven't taken the time to register myself. Besides which, I have so many user ids and passwords from work that I try to minimize whenever possible.

I was just browsing, found some great articles and emailed them to Charlie, and stumbled onto Kate's Journal. Kate will know of course but for all you posters, I wanted you to know that I have had the absolute honor and joy of having Kate and her family stay at our house the night before last. Her and her family are everything you'd imagine them to be and more.

We are so happy you took the time to stop and of course, grateful for the inspiration and hope that Bruce's recovery has and will bring us when Charlie gets to see the video you made of Bruce walking.

Like so many probably reading this now, Charlie and Bruce have taken their rehabilitation pretty much into their own hands. And from what I've seen, it's definately paying off.

So, without writing a book I'll say, it was such a joy and pleasure to meet Kate and her family and now consider myself with new, dear friends. And as for Bruce and Charlie, I am so proud of you for suffering through excruciating pain and personal sacrifice beyond comprehension. I don't think I could've done a fraction of what either of you have.

Charlie will be home from UT in two days. My brother and brother-in-law are in the design stage already for his weight suspension system over the treadmill in the garage. Seeing Bruce reduced absolutely any shadow of a doubt in my mind that he can do this.

The article I mentioned earlier was about a study where 79% of the people doing tread mill therapy were successful at either walking or substantially increasing their mobility skills. Only 1 person was not helped by just 22 weeks of therapy.

It will be wonderful to have Charlie home again after 6 months. I am so grateful for all of the recovery Charlie has experienced in the past 14 months. He seems so much happier with himself and I'm so happy to be here to help him with as much and far as he wants to try to go.

So much for not writing a book.

TTFN

kate · 08-24-2003, 01:59 PM

Sally, that was massively sweet; thanks for the kind words, and thanks again for the hospitality.

For all of you journal-followers, know that this woman is amazing . . . after working a full day, driving an hour-long-each-way commute, coping with a busy--and adorable--toddler, she welcomed the four of us into her house, fed us an enormous dinner, gave our kids her son's bedroom, gave US her own bedroom, talked for hours, got up and made us cinnamon rolls, talked some more, then went to work (late!) and left us to let ourselves out and be on our way.

Before we left, the girls made drawings for Nevada . . . Emily's was a picture of our house with stick figures of our two families standing in front together. Charles looks very tall.

We're all looking forward to that visit!

marmalady · 08-24-2003, 03:39 PM

Nice to hear people are getting on with living wonderful, productive, adventurous lives!

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

Sci Mom · 08-25-2003, 06:04 AM

Hey everyone~

Back in town, ready to get back to work! The VISTA training in Atlanta was quite an experience. I met some wonderful, dedicated people...all ages, religions, races...and the number of young twentysomethings that were there, ready to go out into poor communities and try and make a difference in the world was truly inspiring. They kept us busy from 7 am until 8 pm every day, but it was interesting to come together with so many people and hear about their projects. We all are scheduled to get together again in October to do another training session.

I can hear a rumbling moan in the mountains here as all the kids get ready to go back to school; I guess summer is officially over??

Vicky

Sci Mom · 08-25-2003, 06:07 AM

Wait, I forgot!! I guess I'm no longer a caregiver, as Brianna did a GREAT job here without me!! Well, she didn't do any laundry, or really cook anything, but I don't think that has anything to do with her injury

She's ready to live on her own...and bring her laundry home on the weekends, apparently...

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08-06-2003, 07:25 AM	#381
marmalady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,988	Hi, all - Sent out my new email addy, but not sure if I got everyone; if not, you can reach me at: marmalady1@comcast.net Can't believe someone else already had 'marmalady' on comcast!!!! See my post in Care, re what we've been through with Matt since the move. Hopefully it's coming to an end, and we're finding some good folks. http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6362 _____________ Tough times don't last - tough people do.

08-06-2003, 11:33 PM	#382
kate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: bellevue, wa, usa Posts: 10,901	Wednesday 11:20 pm Back at this desk again. It's an old scarred-up oak thing that belonged to Bruce's grandfather. Sits in the room called the "dining room", because I think that's what it was designed to be, though we've never used it for that. We don't have a dining room table, and if we did, it would quickly become covered with loose mail and books and things we can't seem to figure out where to put. At first this was a kind of extra family room--we had an old couch somebody gave us that the girls liked to jump on, and piles of their toys against one wall. Then when they were too big for toys, we put one of the computers here, plus the dog's kennel. Now there's a lift where the kennel was, and this desk, and nothing else. The old couch is long gone. It's become kind of a glorified hallway! The dog got moved out to the deck, which doesn't seem to trouble him . . . anyway, here I am at the family desk, not going to bed. I won't be around for a couple of weeks--we're taking our whole dog and pony show out to the midwest to visit Bruce's family. Travelling by car, not because of airline scares, but because I want to see Montana, and we have some stops to make along the way. Be well, all of you!

08-11-2003, 05:20 PM	#383
marmalady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,988	Dare I - should I - oh, well, here goes - do we even want to think about an autumn Caregivers Gone Bad? I really would love to get us (or as many as we can!) together! The private topic is still open for any 'private' responses!!! Things are beginning to settle down here; the remaining boxes are just becoming part of the decor! I have never had a more stressed out move. I just did the DMV thing - thought I had all my ID but had nothing to prove I live where I do! And they couldn't get their tiny little minds around the fact that Matt doesn't own his van - the trust does. Just like a business. I finally said, look, if the van was owned by Disney Enterprises, you wouldn't expect Walt Disney to be here, would you???? I hate beaurocrats! We are finding some nice docs for Matt, tho; a urologist we can work with, who's literally right around the corner (and the hospital is 5 minutes away), have a physiatrist appointment in two weeks, and a neurologist is next on the list. We don't have the fawns, but we do have little baby lizards - they're pretty cute! Has anyone noticed the boom in the membership on the forums here lately? Amazing. It's getting hard to remember everyone! Ta for now, take care, be well, all. Jackie _____________ Tough times don't last - tough people do.

08-18-2003, 01:56 PM	#384
Sci Mom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Virginia Posts: 658	Monday evening... and I'm taking a break from packing and organizing. I'm flying out tomorrow for Atlanta, to be officially trained and sworn in as an AmeriCorps/Vista worker! (Honest to God, there's an oath!) I'll be gone until Saturday, so this should be interesting. The paperwork about the training session said things like, "Bring a sweater because you'll be inside in AC all day long." "This is not a vacation; don't expect much free time." "You can not leave early, so don't even ask us." Does this sound like a Federal Government party or what?? I wonder if they'll make us sing Kumbaya... I'll let you know how it went when I get back... Vicky

08-23-2003, 07:29 AM	#385
cheesecake Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,522	Summer is winding to an end! Monday is the first day of school and my 5 year old will be heading off to Kindergarten. To add to this special event he lost his front tooth last week. He has a crazy looking grin and an attitude to go with it! My 5th grader is terrified to return and I am certain Monday will be full of tears. The 5th grade team read the kids the riot act at the end of the year and he has spent the summer in tears as well as fear. School does not come easy for him so this is very disheartening to watch. He is wild about his new school supplies (has had them organized for weeks) but does not want to go to class. I sit back in awe that the boys are now so grown up. Seems like yesterday that my youngest was born and now Dad will be taking him to class on Monday and spending the first day with him (only an hour). My 5th grade is in his last yeaar of elementary school and then on to middle school. Yikes! Add to that the oldest boy is in his senior year and our daughter is now out of school. Mom is feeling a bit lost. We are closing out the summer with trips to the pool, laundry, packing backpack and deciding on clothes for next week. What about other? This thread has been a bit quiet. "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia!"----- Charles Schultz

08-23-2003, 09:45 PM	#386
nevada Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: north dakoa Posts: 628	This is Sally not Charles. I'm not trying to be incognito, I just haven't taken the time to register myself. Besides which, I have so many user ids and passwords from work that I try to minimize whenever possible. I was just browsing, found some great articles and emailed them to Charlie, and stumbled onto Kate's Journal. Kate will know of course but for all you posters, I wanted you to know that I have had the absolute honor and joy of having Kate and her family stay at our house the night before last. Her and her family are everything you'd imagine them to be and more. We are so happy you took the time to stop and of course, grateful for the inspiration and hope that Bruce's recovery has and will bring us when Charlie gets to see the video you made of Bruce walking. Like so many probably reading this now, Charlie and Bruce have taken their rehabilitation pretty much into their own hands. And from what I've seen, it's definately paying off. So, without writing a book I'll say, it was such a joy and pleasure to meet Kate and her family and now consider myself with new, dear friends. And as for Bruce and Charlie, I am so proud of you for suffering through excruciating pain and personal sacrifice beyond comprehension. I don't think I could've done a fraction of what either of you have. Charlie will be home from UT in two days. My brother and brother-in-law are in the design stage already for his weight suspension system over the treadmill in the garage. Seeing Bruce reduced absolutely any shadow of a doubt in my mind that he can do this. The article I mentioned earlier was about a study where 79% of the people doing tread mill therapy were successful at either walking or substantially increasing their mobility skills. Only 1 person was not helped by just 22 weeks of therapy. It will be wonderful to have Charlie home again after 6 months. I am so grateful for all of the recovery Charlie has experienced in the past 14 months. He seems so much happier with himself and I'm so happy to be here to help him with as much and far as he wants to try to go. So much for not writing a book. TTFN

08-24-2003, 01:59 PM	#387
kate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: bellevue, wa, usa Posts: 10,901	Sally, that was massively sweet; thanks for the kind words, and thanks again for the hospitality. For all of you journal-followers, know that this woman is amazing . . . after working a full day, driving an hour-long-each-way commute, coping with a busy--and adorable--toddler, she welcomed the four of us into her house, fed us an enormous dinner, gave our kids her son's bedroom, gave US her own bedroom, talked for hours, got up and made us cinnamon rolls, talked some more, then went to work (late!) and left us to let ourselves out and be on our way. Before we left, the girls made drawings for Nevada . . . Emily's was a picture of our house with stick figures of our two families standing in front together. Charles looks very tall. We're all looking forward to that visit!

08-24-2003, 03:39 PM	#388
marmalady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,988	Nice to hear people are getting on with living wonderful, productive, adventurous lives! _____________ Tough times don't last - tough people do.

08-25-2003, 06:04 AM	#389
Sci Mom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Virginia Posts: 658	Hey everyone~ Back in town, ready to get back to work! The VISTA training in Atlanta was quite an experience. I met some wonderful, dedicated people...all ages, religions, races...and the number of young twentysomethings that were there, ready to go out into poor communities and try and make a difference in the world was truly inspiring. They kept us busy from 7 am until 8 pm every day, but it was interesting to come together with so many people and hear about their projects. We all are scheduled to get together again in October to do another training session. I can hear a rumbling moan in the mountains here as all the kids get ready to go back to school; I guess summer is officially over?? Vicky

08-25-2003, 06:07 AM	#390
Sci Mom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Virginia Posts: 658	Wait, I forgot!! I guess I'm no longer a caregiver, as Brianna did a GREAT job here without me!! Well, she didn't do any laundry, or really cook anything, but I don't think that has anything to do with her injury She's ready to live on her own...and bring her laundry home on the weekends, apparently...