SweetMom

Stroke Survivor - female
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Blog Entries posted by SweetMom

  1. SweetMom
    Do You Believe in Angels? I do, and this is why:
    When I was 12 years old, we had just moved half way across the country from California to Texas. It was my 3 biological siblings and my stepbrother, my mom and my stepfather. My stepsister still lived in California. We were a Military family. Disciplined. My little brother and I had just began to walk back and forth to school. (Remember, its the 1960's) One day while I was walking home for lunch, I accidentally went out the wrong gate. I couldn't find my brother and thought he had went ahead of me, so I continued on............the wrong way. I found myself in a not-so-nice section of town. I was crying and wondering why I couldn't find my way home. Then out of the blue an elderly gentleman appeared and asked me if I was lost and told me that I should not be on that side of town. I just knew I could trust this man. He did not grab me or try to take my hand. He asked me where I lived and I couldn't remember the address, but I did remember the street and the church across the street from our house. This elderly gentleman walked me home and watched while I crossed a busy street. When I told my mom about why I was late she looked out and could not find the elderly gentleman anywhere. I do believe this elderly gentleman was an angel sent to keep me safe. There have been other miracles in my life where I believe angels were watching over me. Thank Goodness.
     
    Sincerely,
    SweetMom (Donna)
  2. SweetMom

    Our Vegetable Garden

    By SweetMom,

    This year we are growing a garden in straw bales. The weeds have literally taken over so it was either raised beds or straw bales. First we treated the straw bales with high nitrogen fertilizer and steer manure and water to break down the straw bales. We used black plastic to speed up the process. Next we will plant tomatoes, peppers, herbs, lettuce, veggies, veggies, veggies, etc...... in the rotted bales. The veggies like that. Using the straw bales will help with the weed problem and I cannot bend over very good, so planting in the ground is a problem. We also have a mini orchard next to the straw bale garden so I may plant watermelon seeds in the tree wells. When we plant trees here in the desert, we must first dig a small well to fill with water to keep the trees alive during the summer. Its very rewarding to have fresh veggies to eat. We sometimes go to the farmers market and either trade or sell our veggies. One year, we had a very good crop of tomatoes. I picked 50 lbs in 1 day. I went to the farmers market that day and since I was the only one with tomatoes, I sold 50 lbs in 8 minutes. That was rewarding.
    Other years we got wiped out by the leaf jumpers. Everyone did. Those little pests wiped us out 2X. This year I am so excited about the straw bale garden. I hope the picture shows up. I will try to give updates as the summer progresses.
     
    Be Humble and Kind
    SweetMom
  3. SweetMom
    "Be Grateful You're Alive"....................I hear that a lot. I am grateful I'm alive, but I remember the me pre stroke and I'm not that fond of the me post stroke. My step daughter is a Nurse Practitioner and said its a miracle I wasn't worse. OK, I'm happy I am not worse than I am, but its hard to say I am grateful for being how I am now when I remember how I was before. To be alive is to be how I am, remembering how I was.
    No one said life was fair. Really??????? I hope when I figure out who I am, I like who I become.
     
    Sincerely,
    SweetMom
  4. SweetMom

    Jump On The Bus

    By SweetMom,

    Come on, Jump on the bus. This will be a bus for all of us that want to go for a ride, go on vacation, go to the store, wherever we want to go.
    When I was caregiving my late husband, I belonged to an on-line caregiver support group. In that group, we went on vacation at times on big blue bus. It was a vent. So I hope y'all will go on vacation with me on my big blue bus. We need a driver, Oh hell I can drive, Stick? No prob. How many gears???????? Oops. Whew, No really, I can drive.................
    Where are we going?????????? My Dad was a truck driver, it can't be that hard..............right????????? Ok, wait a minute, I gotttttta move the seat uuuupp. Ok there. Is the steering wheel supposed to be smashing my stomach? Hang on...................Ok better...Now I can't reach the clutch. Hang on...................We got a problem..........................Someone gimme a pillow. Now thats better. Y'all get on.........................
    Head count.....................
  5. SweetMom

    "All About You"!!!!!

    By SweetMom,

    Ya know I used to work on a computer all day for almost 30 years and now I can't figure out how to do this or that. My husband is baffled by my inabilities to remember or figure things out and then he has to do it. I hear "Everything is always all about YOU!!!!!!" and then I think, UHOH, he needs a break.
    I try not to make things "all about me" but I don't even know I'm doing it. He says I'm selfish. Maybe I am. I don't know. I haven't figured that one out yet nor can I remember to.
    So........I will tell you about me: I have 6 children total. 2 biological sons, 3 step sons, 1 stepdaughter and 5 grandchildren. I worked in the Engineering/Surveying field for almost 40 yrs. When my children were young, I was a single mother for 10 yrs. I met my late husband in 1993, my older sister (my best friend) died on Thanksgiving day 1994 from a brain aneurysm. In 1996 I married my late husband and in 1998 he was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. I cared for him for 10 years while he got it 2X more and he died in 2008. I lost my stepfather from asbestosis in 2007 and my daddy from throat cancer in 2009. I remarried in 2010 to my current husband. He has had cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma) 4X in the corner of his eye, the last time having to go to MD Anderson for treatment and surgery. I was laid off of my dream job after 6 yrs of employment there in 2011. Since I was in my 50's, employment was hard to come by so I became a waitress in a little village tourist town nearby. Now that was fun. I met so many people and I miss my customers. I worked during tourist season for 3 years and then the employer closed the business. I had the strokes in 2015 and here I am about to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of a different me. It's almost like a birthday. I have come a long way but my social skills are still lacking. I am so much happier just doing my art and craft work. This is me now and since I don't know who I am yet I hope I like who I become.
     
    Sincerely,
    Donna (SweetMom)