I’m connecting up once again with Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer.
Happy Mother’s Day to anyone who is a mom, whether it’s human or furkids!
Sunday was another sleeping in morning thankfully. Then I got up and my mom wanted to take me to see the little booth she has at the new Painted Tree location near us. We also wandered around and I bought a few things like this fun coaster and some candy and dip mixes.
Unfortunately dinner wasn’t great for my stepdad. After what we’d thought was a good talk Saturday, and he even seemed to be part of discussion before dinner Sunday night, when my mom said dinner was ready, he said he wasn’t going to eat. About a half hour before that, he said he’d all of a sudden gotten nauseated and took his medicine for that. When we asked if the medicine hadn’t helped, he said he didn’t know if it had or hadn’t. So we’re more worried about his memory as well.
Monday was busy at school with the test makeups, and first thing in the morning there was a fight in the library. The first one in the library in the 3 years I’ve been there. The first one in a classroom/library I’ve worked in during my whole 28 years in education. For teacher appreciation week they made us popcorn and had sodas and drink mixes we could take. In the evening my mom texted about how my stepdad once again hadn’t really eaten. They’d even gone out to eat somewhere he wanted to go, and he barely ate anything. So my mom is of course really feeling bad not only about him but also feeling like she isn’t doing a good job of helping him, but also tired of trying to get him to eat if he’s not going to try to do anything for himself either, and she feels like she’s in her own personal hell. Because she doesn’t want to lose him, but doesn’t know what else to do if he’s given up at this point even after all of our talks and reaching out to him. I don’t know what she’ll do when he goes. And I have a feeling it will be sooner than we’d hoped. Dementia/Alzheimer’s, it’s rough, especially when you don’t have an official doctor diagnosis with any help or instructions for it.
Tuesday I ended up staying home for a mental health day for myself, but also to be available to my mom in case she needed anything. She was also waiting to hear from my stepdad’s oncologist and the social worker to see what they could suggest with how things were. I got some blogging and reading done. We’d had tornado sirens about 2 am, but it was actually at the northern part of the county I live in, so I just went back to bed, no basement anyway. I mowed my grass while I was home during the day and just relaxed and visited blogs, even did a Top 10 Tuesday post for the first time since 2017! Found out the comedian show I’d purchased tickets for my mom as a birthday/Mother’s Day gift, the matinee had been cancelled and they said they would try to get us tickets to one of the 7 pm shows on Friday or Saturday. In the evening I went to the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians spring banquet.
Wednesday back to school. For teacher appreciation week we had cake from the district, which was yummy. And the assistant principal cooked out burgers and hot dogs for our lunch. There was a crazy rain storm in the morning, when the news had said even that morning it would all be south and east of the city. My clerk’s sub asked me to make some images for her to put in some picture frames in her house with Canva since I’ve been loving playing around with it so much!
Thursday was crazy busy, plus my clerk’s sub was gone since she’d already planned to take her mom on a trip this weekend before she knew she’d be staying for May. Also turns out a sub/future English teacher at our school, who lives just a few blocks over from me had her Kia stolen Tuesday night. So I was asked by her friend at the school if I could possibly drive her to and from work until she gets it sorted out. Started with driving her home from school. Teacher appreciation day there were some cookies and stuff, and leftover cake from the day before which is what I grabbed another piece of. I didn’t get to do lunch, so was starving when I got home and ordered Chipotle.
Friday I picked up the sub and drove to work. We had my audiobook on and she had her headphones on listening to a podcast, so it was a good drive, lol. When we got to school there was confetti and streamers all over the floor. I guess the seniors had gotten in and decorated the offices, one administrator’s office was full of balloons. Seniors were out of control. There were so many of them just hanging out in the library all day, some had food DoorDashed, which they’re not supposed to do. I don’t know why they didn’t send them home if they didn’t need to be there. Someone pulled a fire alarm so we all had to go outside. I had to collect all senior laptops, and my clerk’s sub wasn’t there today, so yeah, that was fun. We had delicious jerk chicken for lunch for teacher appreciation week. It was so yummy, but so hot my mouth was on fire!
My mom and I went to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner before we went to watch the Eden Sher comedy show. Did you ever watch the tv comedy series The Middle? She played Sue Heck. Her comedy show was about how that influenced her life, and then her pregnancy and giving birth to twins. It was a funny, but also touching show. Brought back memories of when my niece was in the NICU for being born early. She only let us take a few pictures at the very beginning, and mine didn’t turn out that great. Then I tried to see the northern lights that were supposed to be visible Friday night, but I’m too much in the city and too tall of trees in my backyard.
Dinner with my mom included conversation on how she is just at the end of her wits with my stepdad unfortunately. The oncologist told them to go to the ER because the things she had talked about weren’t related or caused by the treatment he’s having, so that would be quickest. So Thursday they’d run a bunch of tests on him. The doctor there even wanted to use a feeding tube thing because he could tell my stepdad needed to get some food into him. But my stepdad wanted to go home and try. And my mom said he has not really eaten much or again done much other than sit in his recliner in the living room and sleep. I hate thinking we might not have much time with him, but if he’s not living, and he’s ready to go, I’m afraid that is what is coming.
Saturday was a sunny day and beautiful outside, but getting into closer to summer temps. After paying bills I went out to get a pedicure which I’ve needed for a while! I have a cheap pair of flip flops I keep in my car for when get pedicures. They seemed a lot more uncomfortable this time. But I had a few errands to run afterwards while wearing them. My feet were hurting so bad I ended up taking them off to drive barefoot on the way home. Then I found out I got a lovely blister between my toes from them. So now I have pretty toenails with a painful blister. Then I did some blogging and just resting around the house.
Books Finished
So many books to read this past week! The first three were e-galleys, one for an author review team and the other two for SmartyPants Romance releases. Fourth was an a physical copy of a book I got from the publisher last month, and it took me a while to read at school because it is over 500 pages and in poems, which takes me longer to read. I actually started it last month! Last was the next to last White Trash Zombie audiobook for the review/read a long chat next weekend.
New Additions to My Library
ARCs:
A surprise ARC in the mail from the publisher this past week. It comes out at the end of August. So I’ll try to read it then!
Audiobooks:
None
Bookish Stuff:
None
E-galleys:
First was from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour in July. Second was a book the publisher reaching out asking if I wanted a physical copy, then when I said yes they said they didn’t have any more and sent me an e-galley. It also comes out in July I believe.
Free E-books:
Both were free on Amazon.
Physical books:
Received these to from the publisher. The first one was a surprise, not sure I’ll be able to fit it into my reading/review schedule, but I will definitely share it with my school library. The second one I have an ARC and will be reading and posting a review when it is published at the beginning of June. This copy will also go to my school library.
What I’m Watching
I went ahead and started my Netflix subscription back up so that I could start my rewatch of Bridgerton before the next season come out this month. I didn’t realize last week was the last episode this season of Ghosts sadly. And there are only a few more episodes until Young Sheldon is completely over. I’ll be interested to see how the spinoff with his brother goes next year. I’ll watch it, and hope for some cameos by all the people in the original show. Also watched my usual shows, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Young Sheldon. Oh my gosh, even though I kept wondering when the big event at the end of Young Sheldon would happen based on what we know from Sheldon’s backstory on The Big Bang Theory, it still had me crying!
Coming Up Next Week on My Blog:
The first two are e-galleys, both from publishers, the second one a new type of SmartyPants Romance release! Third is the latest White Trash Zombie read along book, should post that review on Friday and have our read along chat on Sunday! Fourth is one I hope to get read for my Beat the Backlist Challenge, especially because the publisher sent me an e-galley of the next book in that series that comes out later this month.
Final Thoughts
So happy that seniors are done at school! But the rest of the month is still so busy! How is your May going so far?
My peonies are finally blooming!
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Sounds like a crazy week mixed with some good and not so good. So sorry to hear about your stepdad’s health. That’s got to be rough. I just remember watching my grandparents slip away once they were diagnosed with colon cancer. It was rough. We kind of knew when it was just getting down to their last days as it felt like they were ready. The Eden Sher show sounded like fun! I only ever caught a few episodes of The Middle. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a comedy show like this come to think of it. I know my sister has gone to a few. I hope school will be a little bit better now that seniors are done. The teacher appreciation week sounded nice though! Cake is always good! lol.
Nice new reads! Those are all new to me ones but I hope you enjoy them all!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
The only other comedy shows I’ve been to were all about being funny and had several comedians, other than I did go see Adam Sandler one time. It’s hard on Mother’s Day talking to my brother and wondering what we’re going to do with my stepdad now. If we put him somewhere we know that will be the end for sure. But my mom can’t keep taking care of him if he’s not going to eat and at least try. Thanks for visiting!
Mental health days are so important. Glad you are able to take one every now and again.
Harvee https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com
I had been thinking about it for awhile, but finally there wasn’t much going on at school and it is just easier to do it then.
Busy week. My peonies bloomed and were done in like 2 days. My lilacs went fast too. I’m sorry about your stepdad. I thought WTZ Gone Wild was excellent and can’t wait for the chat!
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Yeah, the peonies don’t usually last long. I’m guessing they’ll be gone by the end of this week. Very excited for the WTZ chat this week!
Sounds like you had a busy week. I’m sorry to hear about your stepdad. Those diseases are so hard, not just on the person experiencing them, but on the people around them as well.
I hope you have a good week! You can do it! We’re almost at the end of the school year! Lol.
So ready to be done with this school year, because we can start fresh next fall I hope! I’m guessing I may have lots of family changes before then with how things are though. Thanks for visiting!
What a crazy week! I’m sorry your step dad isn’t doing well. And I really feel for your mom, it must be horrible for her right now. Sounds like school is winding down but still busy. I’m sure you’re counting the days! Have a good week, Lisa.
Thanks! Hoping it’s just busy but not crazy!
Oh man what a week i hope that your mom can get some answers or help for your step dad not sure why he doesn’t have an offical diagnosis. I hope that maybe that can happen and that mom gets some help on negotating this new stage of life. Work sounds crazy and i know that seniors have to stay at school for a certain number of days even if they are done with all the stuff for graduation it crazy cause you now they just want to be done. I hope your summer looking forward will be less hetic do you get the summer off? Any prospects on a new job yet? Glad you did take a personal day for yourself to somewhat recharge and i can not wait for bridgerton as well. Have a great week.
I do get the summer off, but I am working summer school in my library. I don’t have much I have to do at the high school level and I can get things I want done that I can’t normally do during the year. No new job prospects yet. Oh well. thanks for visiting!
I’m so sorry to hear about your stepdad. That is hard on everyone, I’m sure. Hopefully you guys will get some support. And yikes about the fight. That is scary and frustrating. The last few days of school (after state testing is finished) is always so challenging. Hopefully they pass quickly for you!
Two more weeks! Surely I can make that. lol
I’m so sorry to hear about your step-dad. Sending positive energy to you and your mom. I hope he is comfortable at least. My week went by quickly. My son moved home from college (he just finished his second year). It took a couple days to get everything put away for the summer. I’m also getting the graduation announcements for my daughter ready to mail. The next few weeks are going to be so busy, so it was nice to have some down time this weekend.
Graduation is such a busy time! And yay for having your son home in time to be a part of all of it. Have fun and enjoy all that excitement!
That was a lot. Nice that the school did a nice teacher’s appreciation week.
Sorry to hear about your step dad’s diagnosis and who difficult is has all been.. esp on your mom. It can’t be easy. The job of a caretaker is a thankless and difficult one.
It is a hard one for her I’m sure. I can’t imagine what she’s dealing with.
Sorry about your stepdad and the crazy kids. When my grandma had Dementia/Alzheimer’s, she seemed like a completely different person. I hope this week is better!
So far he’s the same, but so forgetful and not eating, it’s pretty sad. But hoping to try to enjoy what time we have with him.
I’m sorry about your stepdad’s health situation. 🙁 My mom’s mom also had Dementia and wouldn’t eat anything. We (me and my cousins) weren’t really able to talk to her a lot towards the end. Her last days were spent in the hospital with the feeding tube in. It was really rough for my mom and her siblings. I hope you and your mom both get some rest as well. On the bright side, your peonies are looking gorgeous! The color’s so vibrant. 🙂
I hope it doesn’t get to that point, but I’m guessing at some point it will. Trying to be there for my mom and stepdad as much as possible!
I’m so sorry about the struggles with your step-father and can’t imagine what you and your mother are going through. Thank heavens she has you for support. It’s hard to help someone who doesn’t want to help himself it seems. Also, I had a grandfather who suffered through demetia his last two years of his life and I was one of his biggest helpers and it was tough for me. I am adding The Lies of Alma Blackwell to my wishlist – it looks and sounds so good. Hope you have a better well and if you even need to “chat” with anyone, hit me up on messenger. Hope school ends quickly for you!
Thanks for the support! It’s rough. I know how hard it is for my mom, and just try to be there as much as I can, even to just listen. That book was a total surprise package but it sounds good!
Your peonies are definitely a couple of weeks ahead of mine. I’m sorry your stepdad is feeling so poorly – it really impacts everyone in the family during these difficult times. I hope you have a good week ahead.
The peonies will probably be gone by the end of the week, but yeah, they seem a little early this year too. Maybe because we’ve had so much more rain than normal.
It’s very hard to be a caretaker for someone who is not willing and/or able to find their own motivation to live. Sorry you guys are going through that.
It is hard for my mom I’m sure. And it’s hard for those of us trying to support her. But family is important so we keep doing it for sure!