Last Tuesday of 2008

Well, here we are....winding down yet another year. It seems like the older I get, the faster the years pass. Is it me or does that happen to everyone? I can say that this has been a pretty good year for us. We had several family vacations, paid off some of our debt, added a new front porch and carport to the house and aquired Bunni, our Mini Daschund/Jack Russel/thinks she's a human dog. I've been to the ER twice with Mom, once in April and once this past weekend. I have to say, I really hate hospital ER's. Now for those who know me, you know I don't like to use the word hate because it is such a strong word, but I HATE, HATE, HATE the ER at Wellstar Douglas Hospital.

Not only did they mis-diagnose my Mother's illness this past weekend, it seemed to me like they didn't care at all that they had an 81 year old patient who came in by ambulance, NOT wheelchair like it sated on her discharge papers and they said she possibly had an inner ear infection.....WHAT! The doctor, and I use that term loosely, that examined her didn't look in her ears, nose or throat, ENT for those who are medically prosed.

In fact, all he did was poke her on her stomach a few times, asked her to follow his finger, God only knows where that had been, ordered a CT scan that showed that her brain is shrinking - a common occurance with Geriatric patients, and bloodwork....none of which could accurately diagnose a Urinary Tract Infection which is what she has. Come on people...I know it was the Saturyday after Christmas and all of the dregs and druggies were in the ER seeking a quick fix from the revolving door "free" clinic that ER's have seem to become, but it's pretty sad when the Police escorted young woman brought in for a drug a test, who was so stoned she could barely walk and the whites of her eyes were red, gets quicker attention than the little grey haired lady in the room next to her who has been patiently waiting for 5 1/2 hours, has medical insurance that will pay for her visit and had to walk out of the hospital without the aid of the wheelchair they blantently stated she came in with....they haven't heard the last from me!

Twas the Monday before Christmas

So, as all of you may know, we have had a very short holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. During this very short time, I have been involved in two concerts, a Messiah Sing-a-long hosted by the Douglas County Chamber Singers at the Douglasville FUMC and our annual Christmas Concert. I have also helped my Mother put up her Christmas tree and Alan has decked the outside of her home. I have also taken her on a few shopping trips around town so she could satisfy her naughty and nice list, which takes most all of the day since she is 81 and doesn't move as quickly as she used to. I'm not complaining, I feel very fortunate to still have my Mother especially during the holidays when so many of my friends only have the memory of their Mother to get them through the holiday.

I've also had a great luncheon with my "Red Hat" girlfriends and our husbands, made tons of candy and goodies to give away as well as consume and even attended a holiday party. With all of this hustle & bustle what I haven't done is finish what I need to get done at home. So, my Menu for today is to get those packages wrapped, finish the goodies to bring to work and do my grocery shopping for our Christmas Eve dinner for us, Mom & Stef's friend Donna. I already have the bone-in Cowboy Ribeye Steaks aging in the fridge, I still need the green beans for the Green Bean Bundles, the potatoes for the Lyonnaise Potatoes, the Shrimp for the Shrimp Cocktails and the Lettuce & Tomato for the Salad Wedge. Yum, I can hardly wait until Christmas Eve...Merry Christmas Ya'll!