Shopping is for the Dogs

Yesterday afternoon, Jeremiaha called me and asked if I wanted to go to Brookside, because she had to return a few things. I have not been shopping in a longggggg time so the thought was appealing.

Jeremiaha had to go to Nordstrom's. It has been quite a while since I had been able to spend time with Jeremiaha so I was happy I could go with her.

Nordstrom's was having their half year sale so the place was like a bee swarm of people. It was almost as if the store was floating with movement. The first stop was the shoe department on the first floor. As you know Nordstrom's has leather chairs and beautifully upholster couches to sit on at the shoe department and through out the store.

I look over to my left and their sits a Prima Donna with her Designer dog (mutt) on the couch. I said WHAT, a dog on the couch in the shoe department, thats disgusting, I am calling the health department. . Prima Donna heard me and tried to scorch me with her eyes. Prima Donna was trying to stared me down. That's laughable lady. It was obvious that she and her dog rule with an iron fist at home. The dog started yipping. Maybe I hurt the mutts feelings.

The more I moved around the store, the more dogs went by me. All these little teacup dogs with pink tutus and diamond collars. I was shocked.

While Jeremiaha was upstairs trying on clothes I milled around and asked employees what they thought about all these dogs in the store. Apparently they have been told NEVER to say anything to anyone about it. One employee told me so. They are instructed to say "I don't have an opinion" Even though they all did. Two different employees said the dogs poop in their department. The very spoiled owners just glare at employees and expect them to pick up the dog poop. That is outrageous. I am calling the health department.

Sometimes people bring their dogs when sitting on patios of cafes or outside coffee shops. I really don't have a problem with that. I love dogs. I have two. Not only that, some people have working dogs that help them see,  hear or help with medical problems, You would never see a working dog sitting on a leather chair at the department store. 

Sis, can I borrow one of your Great Danes next time I go over to Nordstrom's? Better yet, does anyone have a Pitbull I can borrow for my next trip to Brookside? hehehe

Takeing Risks 2

So by the time I got to my dad's house I had talked myself out of dad driving one of those go cart things at the grocery store.. It has only been 23 days since his surgery. I think go cart riding should wait for 6 weeks. So I had an offer and compromise ready. I said Dad, I don't think you should drive the go cart thing just yet. This is what I heard in reply- why the *$&% not. I said Dad it is to soon. I would feel terrible if your wound started bleeding again.  I told him I would look at the go cart to see if I thought they might work  So, in any case I will do the shopping and then I will get you out of the car and you can go into Lucky's and pay for your food. I heard more grumbling. So we got to the store. I ran in and checked the go carts. I told my dad that  in my professional opinion the seat leaned back to far and it would be a problem, so I would shop and then he could go to the cash register and pay for his food. Ok. He was good with that now.


On the way home he wanted to stop at the Burger King drive through. He loves fast food. He got the A1 steak house Cheddar cheese burger and fries. He ate the whole thing. He seemed happy.

Taking Risks

I believe sometimes we have to take risks to move forward. If the men on Omaha beach during WW11 did not take risks and push forward despite the odds, we would all be speaking Germen right now. I know bringing up "war words" are an extreme example.  I do feel like my dad's multiple illness are battles in the war he will ultimately lose. I guess ultimately we will all lose someday.

All my dad has to do now is focus on himself and his problems. If my dad just sits around and plays King, how will he ever get better??? I took a huge risk when we went outside for our first walk after surgery, he could fall at any second. Any fall would be the end of him. 

I worked in nursing for years, you have to push people to do things for themselves as much as you can. It is alot easier to do that when your not the daughter.

Today I might take my dad grocery shopping. He can drive around in one of those little go cart things. Maybe it is to soon to do that. Or maybe it will be good for him to get out and think about buying grocery's. Is it risky? yes. All kinds of germs, getting in and out of the car, falling off the go cart, his incision opening out again. Jeeze, maybe I am talking my self out of taking him out....

Bible Study

So tonight at bible study we were planning a "fun" night. No one had any suggestions except going out to dinner. Don't get me wrong, I love to go out to dinner. But to the Olive Garden, come on people, that is so boring. So I piped up and said lets go see the Genghis Khan exhibit at the High Tech museum. It was dead silent. Finally someone said that sounds educational. I said yes, I like educational things.  Someone else said who is Genghis Khan, so I told them. They all voted that the Olive Garden would be a better choice. Oh well.

Sometimes I like to say what I think or what others may be thinking but are afraid to say it or write it.

Case in point- Tonight at bible study we ended up talking about building character I said (and I know i am not the only one in the world that feels this way) I am sick of all this building character stuff. I have enough character for 30 people. They said what, you want a trouble free life? yes. Even a vacation from my life would be good, They told me that it was good for me to go through my troubles that way I could speak from the heart to lead others to God.  Ok, how can you argue with that?

Dear Jesus,
I am like the people in the wondering in the desert. Whining and complaining, really you have provided much for me. Please forgive my sour attitude.  I know,  you know what is going on in my life. Please help me let go, and let you take over. I don't like being like this. I love to love you God. You talked about David being a man after your own heart even when he prayed for you to kill his enemies. David was depressed and cried on his pillow. He killed his soon to be wife's husband.  You still forgave him and said he was after your heart. I hope you can say that I am a woman after your heart. I don't want to end up a broken person like David.
Love,
Your Daughter.
RQ 

Pick Up

It has been very cold and raining here. On of my students put it best, she said it was "Christmas cold."

Yesterday when I went to get my Dad it was Christmas cold and pouring down rain.

Kaiser parking is a mess because they are doing all kinds of construction. I know you all have heard me complain about the parking structure. It is even worse now. I went to the ER parking lot where you park to pick up your loved ones. It was full of cars.  I remember they Kaiser has valet parking now inside the parking structure. So I drove around to the other side of the hospital and got in line (about 10 minutes)  for valet parking. When it was my turn I said to the attendant- I just have to go pick up my dad, he will be in a wheel chair, it shouldn't be more then an hour. The parking attendant said "you cant park here- so get out of line and drive around in up and down the parking structure until your dad comes out." I said to him, you're joking right? No,I am not.He said do you have a handicap placard? I said I left it at home. I said so only handicap people can use the valet parking? the attend said no. I said ok, I am REALLY UNHAPPY with this. You need to park my car so I can go get my dad. Oh ok, we do not want you to be unhappy so here is a parking place right up here, go ahead and park there.
Why is it that you have to fight for ever last little thing at that hospital?  Maybe all hospitals are the same. I don't know.

Update on the Update 5/26

 I decided to go to work yesterday. I found out with my dad's last few surgery's that whoever says surgery will be at 10:00 am that they mean 4:00 PM.  I told every nurse, doctor, lab tech that I could find to call me 30 min prior to surgery. Especially, if he is going under general anesthesia.

Yesterday morning my phone started ringing.

9:30 am - "A"  doctor calls me to tell me they are not doing surgery
9:45 am - my brother in law calls to say they will be doing  surgery 11:00
10:00 am - Orthopedic Doctor calls to say they are not doing surgery. The wound has stopped bleeding and they don't want to mess with it.
11:00 "A" doctor calls to see if Orthopedic Doctor called me.
11:30 My brother in law calls me to tell me they are sending dad home around 3:00 pm. 
I left work at 1:45
I Had dad home and settled in by 3 pm.

Dad Update

Much to my shock, dad was released from the hospital today. I will write more tomorrow.