Fun with dad, sister, grandbaby and friends!

My sister invited my dad and me for lunch at her home on the lake. I was taking care of my little granddaughter so she came to lunch also. It was a nice day so we took the expressway, rode along the river and then took rural roads to my sister's home. I work up at 5am praying for safety as it is a huge responsibility to take a frail 91 year old man and a newborn on a short road trip. We sat and ate our lunch on the deck and watched the boats and swan family on the lake. My sister showed me pictures of her vacation. My dad had a nice chat with us, got animated when my brother in law came home fromm work. Yesterday, I took my dad on a bank errand and then had dinner with three friends. It was exactly what I needed. Social interaction. We had a good time and shared a few laughs. All is well when I can laugh aloud. My dad has been trying for 18 months to get home health aides. He was not approved before, nurse suggested a housekeeper and cook. But finally he has become frail enough to be approved. His health aides will help him shower and dress in addition to preparing his meals. He hopes to have them drive him around on errands and to doctor appointments. He is looking forward to visiting with his brother and sister next month. They and my brother and sister plan to have lunch together. Dad is going to talk with his brother about pulling the trailer about 250 miles north and camping together. We'll see what my uncle has planned. My friend has been moved to a traumatic brain injury center near my home. She will have music, physical and occupational therapy. So sad about the ride accident at the fair. Praying for the families of all those involved. Such a heart breaking accident. Next month I have to pay a huge medicare premium. Stressful.

Grammie takes care of granddaughter

My daughter returned to work after her maternity leave and I cared for my granddaughter. I have a riding lesson on Tuesday morning, so my son watched the baby. My instructor commented that is alright to do the grandma thing, but not at the expense of all my interests. Her insight reaffirmed my decision to continue with my lessons. And when I came home, my son had fed the baby and was rocking her as she slept. He had a good time bonding with her and is excited about watching her in a week or so. No lesson next week as the horses will be at the 4H fair. My husband anchored the car seat in the back of the car. May still have to adjust the straps and the infant seat position, once the baby is in the seat. My son in law was picking her up from care yesterday and I asked my daughter if he had a reminder to take the baby out of the truck after they arrived home. So easy to become preoccupied and forget that a sleepy baby is in the carseat in the back. Because my friend is either brain-injured or heavily medicated and not in touch with reality, I am more at ease about the infrequency of my visits. She has such a long road to recovery--both thigh bones broken, learning to feed herself, getting off a liquid diet, weaning off painkillers. I miss her so much, my little sister. Glad to have the company of my little granddaughter. My youngest daughter needs to move out of her house. Trying to figure how to get the heavy furniture home. Probably need a truck or trailer and lots of help.

Walking the dogs

Lots of actvities at the school fields near my house. Six children's soccer teams practiced kicking drills. A young man drove his remote control airplane. Children climbed on the playground equipment. Usually the dogs and I walk in early evening when it is cool. The sun shines, the green grass smells sweet, the hum of activity comforts the soul. For a few minuutes, I forget my concerns. I find peace in walking the dogs. Maui, dainty little mini dachsund jogs with her ears flying. Pudge waddles along, sometimes rolling on his back. He stops to sniff and then scampers up to Maui and me. A pleasant hour.

Company

After the last visit with my friend at the rehab center, I had to really psych myself up to go visit her. I considered asking my husband to go with me, but decided it was not a good idea. I drove to the rehab center, signed in and went down the hall to her old room. She had been moved closer to the nurse's station. She said my name and grabbed my hand. I sat and held her hand until I had to leave. She has day and nightmares--thought that all the nurses had died, that she too was going to die, asked if I was her guardian angel. I miss our nightly talks and lunches together. Sad that my connection with her is gone for now. I will start babysitting for my sweet granddaughter on Monday. A blessing to have company.

Sun and fun at the horse show.

Since I worked until 6pm on Saturday, I could not go to church on Sat. The earliest service is at 7am on Sunday. I had to be at the horse show by 8am. I decided to go to church Sunday evening. Didn't enjoy it much as it was folk and loud and the presider talks very quickly and runs his sentences together. But at least I made it to church. I arrived at the farm a little after 8am. My first test was at 9am. The judge was more critical than last year's. I veered to the right trotting in, didn't have enough bend, my body alignment was off, the circles were too small and the horse needed to be more forward. I didn't place on this test..score of 98 out of 160. My teacher told me that I made a few glitches and to clean it up for the 2nd test. I was not going to read the comments, but one of the other riders told me that if was possible to do beter after learning what to work on. The horse ignored me while I was practicing. Scared that she wouldn't stop. Walked her in tight circles until she behaved per my instructor. The test was going along, when toward the end, I cued Hope and she veered away from the circle. I didn't understand what happened, still don't, but trotted her around and up the center with a nice halt. I did a nice recovery and placed 6th and we got a ribbon. We had energy, good halts, are a compatable team, need to work on consistency. I enjoyed watching the other riders til I found out from a work colleague that I had written the wrong date on an order. I feel terrible that we missed the delivery. I am triple checking all the information, dates, spelling, product, card message. However, I can still have difficulty with customer's perceived value of product and their vision.

Horse show Sunday

I drove out to the farm after work to ride one last time before the show on Sunday. If practice goes late enough on Saturday, I might ride then also. Horses are unpredictable. After a test last year, the rider mentioned that Hope "was forward." However on my test, the judge said to "encourage Hope before she runs out of steam." Hope doesn't like to stand still. And the smallest tug on the bridle caused her to move backward. I tend to lean back and pull during a transition and need to stay straight and pull and release. The 20 meter circles need to be round and the correct size. I need to stay on the right diagonal during the rising trot...rising when Hope's front leg is front. I woke during a thunderstorm last night, thinking about the show. I wonder why I stress myself with competition. Deep breaths.

4th of July takes an unexpected turn

New tablets take some getting used to. I spent a couple hours trying to get onto my blog. Finally merged two accounts and was able to post. It would have made me very sad, if after six years, I had to begin a new blog site. Just too many changes...loss of my friend, computer, blog. The 4th of July took an unexpected turn. I drove to the farm to ride as I am showing the school horse, Hope, on Sunday. My teacher criticized me for pulling on Hope when I was working on walk to trot transitions. Spoke up and told her that I had released the bridle, but as she had not seen that, she told me she saw me pull. Just kept my mouth after that when she criticized a turn. She was focused on other riders on Tuesday, moving them along, working on different gaits. The terrible part came when I discovered that my keys were in my purse in the car and that the car was locked. Phone, credit card for a uber, all locked in my car. I tried calling my husband to bring the spare set, but he was outside washing the car. My son did not recognize the number from the borrowed phone, so did not pick up. I could not remember all of my daughter's cell phone number. I didn't know what to do, but figured I could walk from the farm to the house. I thought it was 12 miles but discovered later that it is 16. Locking my keys in my car was my fault as was being unprepared. It was a hot thirsty walk home. I did stop at the grocery store and the health club and a restaurant to get water. My feet hurt, my neck and forearms burned. My hands felt numb from hanging down. People were busy going about their business, hurry scurrying here and there. I had no ID on me, so was glad I didn't get hurt. The moral of this story is to take keys and cell out of the car, to have a long sleeved shirt in the car as well as water. I am fine, trying to rehydrate, back of neck is healing from the burn as are the balls of my feet. I practice again today and the thought of going to the farm gives me the willies. I have been so preoccupied lately. I hope I can stay focused so as to not do stupid things. I get my independence honestly, from my father. However, I believe that independence and loneliness are sisters in my life.

Bought new tablet

As you know, the keyboard on my tablet did not work, either because the connection was broken, the tablet did not recognize it. I blogged a few times using the virtual keyboard, a lesson in frustration. The other day, the tablet fell, damaging the charging port. It was impossible to charge it. So last night, I bought a new tablet, the same one that I had before. I am so happy to have a keyboard again. So difficult to use a touchscreen properly. I much prefer the accuracy of a cursor. My friend was transferred from the hospital to a rehab center. I visited her on Monday. Something is going on with her processing. For instance I asked her for a phone # and she spelled her name. Hopefully she will make a complete recovery. She has been lying in bed for a month, so cannot sit up. She is eating pureed foods and has to be fed. I miss our nightly chats. We had planned to go out for lunch last Wednesday. My little granddaughter, 4 weeks old, has a cold. My daughter and her husband have been married one week as of yeserday. The large mandevilla plant in the front of the house has two pink blooms. The cyclamen in the back is in continual bloom with red flowers. Waiting for the Easter lily in the garden to open. I walked the dogs in the rain yesterday. The grass, flowers and trees sighed in relief from the hot dry weather. It was a gentle rain, soaking the parched earth. My dad's 91st birthday is Monday. We are planning a cookout to celebrate.