I miss her already.  At age 68 she had done more from a wheel chair than what I could’ve done in a lifetime.  Her passion was people.  She was a poetry therepist for closed head injury people.  She would go once a week and hold a one hour long workshop for them.  You would not believe what these people wrote.  She always was nudging me to write and loved every angel I would draw for her at the hospital.  One of my angels was given to the emergancy room at the hospital that she stayed at for the children to color.  I gave them my permission to copy her over and over for the kids to color.  I think I"ll do some more and drop them off for the kids.  One nurse commented on my angel and said she kinda looked like a "Brat".  I didn’t think so, but, thank-you very much.  I am a shy artist, that is why none of my work will ever be displayed.  Only special friends or family recieve a special hand done greeting card from me.  Don’t get me wrong, if you had a friend who needed a special card I wouldn’t hesitate to do it.  Well gotta go…take care.

What is a Caregiver worth?  How does one measure that?  I am bidding fairwell soon to the loving family that used my services.  I have been with them for over two years now, and find the parting difficult. 

It all ended too fast….I just had a gut feeling she wasn’t going to make it once they removed the trake.  Two days…that’s it.  It’s hard to be the bed-side caregiver when the worst happens.  911 was called, and paramedics managed to get her heart to fuction…but she still could not breath on her own.  Her husband and I rushed to the hospital fearing the worst.  He was asked to make the heartbreaking choice.  He told me she had suffered so much…she had only been out of the hospital for about 3 weeks.  While hospitalized for 5 months she suffered a cardiac arrest, two episodes of lung collapses, infections, surgery for a bedsore and her bones were so frail that tranfers had to be done with extreme care.  The one thing that I have not mentioned is that she was a quad.  She had been one for 27 years.  I wasn’t the only one who sensed she was very close to the end, another nurse had the same feeling days before.   She tired quickly, couldn’t concentrate, had increased flem that was getting harder and harder to get out. 

I feel I did my best, and her husband agrees.  The best thing I can do now is help him through the comming days of preperation by offering support any way I can.  I feel a heartfelt sympathy and understanding for what he is going through.  I will stay as long as he and the family wishes me to.  I really don’t feel ready to say "goodbye", and I need a break from caregiving. 

This year I’ll definately make more ‘YBY” greeting cards by hand. I think I’ve really gotten the hang of—pencil to pen finishing inking. I plan on asking my sister to assist me in next years “Christmas Tradition” project. The plan is to have her hand crochet 4 blankets (I’ll gladly pay for the yarn) to add to each package for next Christmas for 4 lucky homeless kids. Each package will contain a handmade pen and ink card, blanket, mittens, cardgames, my poem “Christmas Tradition”, a candy bar and $5. The candy and the money are a special part of the poem that you have to read in order to “get” thier meaning. I’ll do other things, but, I have to say these are at the top of my list!!!

It’s true, I do shop, but sometimes I have to do research on meds for family and friends. You would be suprised at the advances in modern medicine. Sometimes I end up watching funny animal vidios. When I miss a favorite program on tv, I catch it on the web.

Paint a thousand masterpieces, start a comic strip, manufacture my own greeting cards, go on stage and “wow” people with my nutty sense of humor, and go all over the world. In reality money is always an issue along with the time and energy to do it. None of these things are impossible, they just take the time and money I donnot possess. I haven’t met any wealthy caregivers, so, I would say my odds are pretty slim.

I hear you. Your a little like me in the sacrifice department. I’m a caregiver so, I truely understand the art of sacrifices and personal balance. I mold myself to fit the family I work with, while I keep in touch with my own family. I don’t like praise, my job is a humble one. The key word is-“CARE”. The second most imortant thing to have when working with the elderly or disabled is to have a good sense of humor. A funny turn of words or a humorous story is like gold to the caregiver. When people are ready to cry, the best thing to do is make them laugh instead.

I am soooo happy! Few things move me to break out my art supplies and “go nuts” with creativity!!! But today I’m just to inspired by the man who says’ “Yes we can”! I am looking forward to a whole-hearted America not just a weeping half-hearted nation of the past!! Today begins a new page, an exciting page in the history of us all. Whoopy, your words are heard and felt, even by such a humble, shy artist such as myself. I’M JUST SOOOO HAPPY!!!

Way to go Liz! Next time give me a heads-up on where to send art for the auction (90 days ahead of time), a theme, and choice of medium (watercoloor, oil painting), and size to donate to the next auction. If you decide to take me up on the offer, be forwarned I’m to shy to show up for events no matter what the cause concerned. My favorite thing to paint, angels naturally!

Well in my case, sleeping can equal de ja vou (or more like de ja don’t!) There is just one thing worse than weather dreams….and that’s political dreams. I reallllllly hope my last political de ja don’t dream dosen’t happen. I had this terrible dream of who became president and what he would do, and it really was a nightmare. That was several months ago. I would really like to be very wrong…..please :( In my last dream I saw more wars. It’s time I went back to weather dreams…they were sooooo much better. ;}

My favorite person is my sister Christine. Only one year younger yet in ways years older. I coin her as the “stronger” of us both. Regardless, on old home movies we were dressed like twins! Today marks a day I lend my support to a mornful mother…Christine lost her daughter at the estimated age of 16. We don’t know how she died, only that Brandy’s remains were discovered by hunters on a sand bar in the middle of a river. Today is Brandy’s birthday, and as a token of rememberence, we go out and buy a balloon and set it loose for her sending it up to heaven. It is at this point I feel the kindest thing I can do is just be there for her. Out of all my siblings she is the most creative, funny and kind. We visit at least once a week, and talk about her new completed craft creations (funny and cute I might add) and I always buy stuff that she makes. I’m her biggest fan, and I like it that way. And don’t get me started about how generous she is around the holidays! She puts me to shame! One time she talked me into going door-to-door collecting blankets for the homeless with a red flyer wagon trailing behind us.

Saturday’s baloon show was a blast here in Littleton, Colorado. I especially loved being able to sketch a balloon that I will later turn into a water color painting. While I was sketching, people who were curious would watch as my pencil worked meticulously on the paper. The only down side was trying to get up from where I was sitting, because my feet had fallen asleep!! It was fun explaining how to do calligraphy to would-be artists. I think I’ll get a diary and jot this down.

Frankly, I prefer “garfield” only because no one “real” would want him. Not even “Dangerfield”! Maybe “Robot Chicken” would like to take a crack at this question!!! Let’s ask Seth Green!

Actually, anybody(other than Bush) would easilly get the American vote! I mean, c’mon…an illeagal space alien would do a better job!!!!LOL I would even welcome a matian with anger issues or “the blob” to be president!!! Bush is the all-time worst presidential joke we’ve ever had (still running..on and on and on).

To my daughter America: I hope you have understood just how much I have treasured you while protecting you. It was a shock when I found out that you were born with a half-formed heart. In the trueth you had half a heart. Your bravery through procedures and surgeries was remarkable. You even survived a stroke at age 4! I’m sorry, we did all we could, my sweet America. You even had a doner heart at 13 that lasted until we took you off life support at nearly age 16. I will always treasure all our precious memories. Love mom.

O.K., maybe I’m a romantic.