Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Oh how I love my dog, let me count the ways.

I've  been in a blue funk for awhile. It's not depression. I certainly am glad I don't have a problem with anxiety.

My problem is what do I do next and stop procrastinating. I made the mistake of saying I was going to have a yard sale to help my sister get rid of items she will not need at her house. That stops me from unloading at a thrift store. Somehow I have created more work for myself.

Tag sales are iffy affairs. I have rarely made money. When I moved from another house about 15 years ago, I remember selling a cherry bedroom set for $50. I don't know who was happier me or the people who bought it. Mind you, I have always been an animal lover. So everything I own gets signed in a very special unique way.  The bedroom suit had a few special touches compliments of a cat named Puff.

Anyway, I'm back in the race again. It's a losing race. I guess that is why they call it the human race.

My sister worked for the civil service before her stroke in October.  Her disability application is in limbo. I was supposed to hear from someone about the next stage two months ago. I've made the appropriate phone calls. I know about, You oughta raise hell. Except, bad behavior gives someone overworked a reason to do yours last.

She meets with a social security doctor in June. Before each hospital would admit her, they all asked the same question. Would I take her home with me when her treatment was over? I thought the question was curious. Now I understand the gravity. No one wanted to assume responsibility. She has had no income for about a year. Bad health caused her to miss a lot of work before the stroke.

Meanwhile, my sister is making big progress. She is confined to a wheelchair due to balance and spatial issues. I have been making her do items that it kills me to not help her. But I know she will not reacquire skills if I help. It's hard to accept she is never going to be her old self or capable in ways she was before. I would grieve more but exasperation with dealing with everything takes over.

Like all you who write and create, this sort of environment makes your brain work overtime thinking of ideas for all your WIPs and future works.  But I have created a writing system that may help me. Although I am a night owl. I have been waking up at 5 am. Instead of turning over and sleeping that one last hour, I quietly go to my desk and write. It is just an hour and half. But it is progress.

All those signatures made by my dogs and cats do not bother me. These are my dog assistants Louise and Bo Duke.




25 comments:

  1. I'm surprised it is taking that long for your sister to get on social security disability. A few years ago, I helped my step-daughter get on it. She had a seizure as an infant and it did damage to her brain stem. For some reason, she couldn't get on it up in Washington State. (She's 36 now) She moved down here to California and applied in Dec and started receiving benefits in March. I was able to get her plugged in and she is now living on her own, she's on city-hud, and she even has a job through the agency. Oh and she has a life coach that helps her to organize. Right now, she is due for a health audit - so she'll be having to go to all the doctors again.

    Once your sister sees the medical team, it shouldn't take long. They must be backlogged. There are a ton of services for the disabled - you just have to know where to look.

    I wish you well, during this. I know it can be hard. Find some "me" time. You're a good sister!

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    1. Welcome to Georgia Debby. If I have my sister situated in a year, I will be satisfied. There was an article in the paper several weeks ago about a woman who lost her house and was homeless after a disabling event. It took over two years for her to get her disability.
      I appreciate the good wishes.

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  2. Sounds like your plate has been full. Sometimes when I have more than usual to do at home I find myself spinning on circles. At work, I know how to prioritize, but at home it is harder. Glad your sister is making progress! That "tough love" of yours is what she needs. I pray she amazes you and everyone with how much she recovers.
    I Saw it on Facebook at Life & Faith in Caneyhead. :)

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    1. I understand spinning in place. I think that is why I like to do dishes. It's the sense that you begin and finish. There is so much I do partially.

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  3. What's wrong with a little animal wear and tear?
    Just keep encouraging your sister.
    Yard sales never pay off. We haven't done one in twenty years.

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  4. Will you cancel the tag sale? Or, are you able to so that you can get the stuff to the donation store? Sounds like you know what you want to do, but you're stopping yourself. But I'm new here so I may be way off.

    Sorry it's taking so long for her. You sound like a real good egg. I love hearing about people helping each other in this way.

    I'm an early morning writer as well. It's when I think the best, and the house is quiet. I used to take care of my grandparents which was demanding. Having that quiet time each morning went a loooooooooooong way to keeping me sane.

    We love pets too. In fact, last year during The Great Declutter of 2016, most all my stuff when to a donation place that helps animals.

    Wishing you and your sister a healing, healthy road ahead.

    Cheers and boogie boogie.

    PS: I came over from Alex's page.

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    1. I've got to do one. My sister has this in her mind to do. I plan to have her there and hopefully she will be agreeable to donating everything else.
      Thanks for the visit. I enjoyed your blog with Alex and your blog.

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  5. Aaaargh.
    Medical mayhem and the associated paperwork makes my head and heart hurt.
    I am so pleased to hear that you are making a smidgeon of time for yourself. And super impressed that you are able to resist 'helping/taking over' for your sister.

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    1. PS: Everything in our home has a patina of fur, and many have scratches and scores as well. And there are stains. Which is fine.

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    2. Things are what they are. It's like my sister is slowly waking up. I look forward to the progress she is making.

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  6. We bought a couch one time to match the shedding color of our corgi. Dogs on couches are perfectly acceptable in my eyes.

    I've had many a garage sale. I don't individually price, but usually lump small items at 25 or 50 cents each, bigger items of course what I think is reasonable. I never expect to make money but just glad someone is paying to haul off the stuff I don't want any more. Usually I sell 90% of what I put out because prices are low and I am willing to bargain. I probably won't have another one since we don't have that much stuff to sell(except if hubby dies first, he has more "personal" stuff than I do).

    Glad to hear your sister is making progress. Sorry its been a "pain" to get all the stuff done so she can get the benefits she should be getting.

    betty

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    1. We have a lot of stuff. We have been combining households for quite a while. I look forward to just getting rid of a lot of it.

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  7. Hi Ann - I hope whatever decision you make will help ease the way forward. I'm glad you're writing ... but also your sister obviously needs that extra help and encouragement. I do hope the medics and social come forward and help - with thoughts - Hilary

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    1. Thanks for your good wishes. I do feel nervous with the leadership in the states. It does not favor the elderly or disabled. So I hope we can get it all straight for her.

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  8. Yard sales are waaaaaay more of a pain in the arse than they are worth many a time. We sure have animals wear and tear, oh well is all we say at our lair. Hopefully the paperwork crap gets figured out for your sister too and she continues to improve. Carving out writing time is always a win.

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    1. When I emptied another house, I had a series of yard sales. Some had few people to drop by. Others were crazy busy. But no, there was no real money made.

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  9. love those pups, what a shot. SS takes forever for many. I worked in Social services and helped many get through the paper work, but there are companies that know the process better if there is a hurry.

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    1. When life slows down, I would like to volunteer to help people with some of this paperwork. I have a college degree and it is overwhelming for me. I can't imagine how some cope with the hoops you have to jump through.

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  10. No income for a year is just frightening. I can understand why you're going to try the yard sale.

    Every piece of furniture we own has the mark of a cat on it somewhere, somehow.

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    1. I was lucky to have a small nest egg. So it has not been that hard on us. But it will be if we don't get her disability started in time. Like everything, you have to be flexible or it will break you down.

      Puff used to chew the corners of everything.

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  11. I've never made out in having yard sales. My sister became disabled about a year ago. It's terrible the hoops she's had to jump through. It's still not all sorted out. I feel for you and your sister but she's so lucky to have you.

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    1. I'm sorry to read that about your sister. Those hoops are ridiculous. There should be something out there that can assist people.

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  12. Ann, I can hear the pressure that you are under in this post. But I can also hear the wit and the love and the postive vibes that are stronger than the negativity that comes with caring for someone we love!
    Writing is one of the best medicines out there! The only side affects are that you want to wake up at 5:00 AM and put pen to paper as you are already aware of :)
    Hugs Dear Ann 💮

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  13. It's good you are strong enough not to help your sister. I need that kind of strength with my kids. They are not disabled, but depend way to much on me doing simple things for them.

    Our cats have destroyed our carpet, but I'm not replacing it yet. They'll just throw up all over new carpet as well.

    I like the idea of getting rid of my stuff through a garage sale, but I don't know how in the world I'd price things. Maybe I should be lazy and just have a garage give-away.

    I need to get on a better writing schedule and sleeping schedule. Productivity is teeny-tiny these days.

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