Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 -- Mattie died 828 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken on January 11, 2009. That week we drove to New York City, so that Mattie could start an experimental treatment for osteosarcoma. We checked into a hotel close by the medical center. When we booked the room, we picked a standard room. However, when the front desk saw us enter with Mattie in a wheelchair, they immediately upgraded us at no additional cost to a penthouse suite. This suite was incredible, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, balconies, and a lovely sitting area. As you can see Mattie loved the space and was attempting to use the walls and things around him to hobble around the room (remember Mattie could no longer walk independently at that point!). I will never forget this hotel and our trip to NYC! 

Quote of the day: You are my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye. ~ Cecelia Ahern

Today was the kind of day that was a complete blur, and leaves me saying...... God give me strength. I remember years ago, my dad's doctor telling him that the number one reason older adults land up in nursing homes is over BATHROOM issues! I can absolutely appreciate why this is the case. Each day, it is a real challenge managing my dad's bathroom issues and my attempt to keep him regular is becoming more and more difficult. Yesterday, my dad faced constipation, so before he went to bed, I gave him a Senokot. This morning the showering process was a royal nightmare. It was like the dam broke and I was dealing with non-stop bowel movements. EVERYWHERE. I was cleaning the floor, the chair in the bathroom, my dad....... well you get the picture! This ordeal lasted 90 minutes! Honestly by noon, I felt like I went ten rounds, and yet my day was just beginning. 

When I went to throw out the garbage today, I noticed that my second pumpkin from Halloween, had thawed out. Therefore, I quickly whisked it inside, carved it open, and transformed it into pumpkin and apple soup. As the winter is fully upon us, I like freezing soups, as I never know when we will be couped up at home because of snow. 

The other ordeal I addressed today was a missing Amazon order I placed on December 31. Typically I never have an issue with Amazon, but I ordered water softening salts for the house's system. The order was placed, my credit card was charged, but I never received the salt from the third party seller. I was scheduled to get these salts on January 8. Today being the 13th, there was no update from the seller. So I pursued this order this morning and contacted the actual third party seller. He told me he couldn't deliver me the salt because my address was undeliverable! Really? When was he going to let me know? I pushed back at him, because I have never had one solitary issue with any of my other Amazon orders. Any case, I then reached out to Amazon twice today, and fortunately the company is super helpful and understood my frustration. 

All of my complaining today produced multiple bags of salt. I ordered three 40 pound bags! The third party seller delivered me three 25 pound bags! Again, I complained because I paid for 120 pounds of salt. I feel like I have been at this all day today. Not only did Amazon give me a portion of my money back, but then later tonight, an additional delivery of 80 pounds of salt were left on my doorstep! Want to know who lifts 40 pounds of salt in my home? THE ANSWER IS ME! I have become the jack of all trades, including lifting bags that are truly almost half of my body weight! I have enough to manage on any given day, and when I have to juggle issues like this, it sets me off. Mostly what sets me off is the simple fact that I manage all of this alone and I am quite certain I will never understand how anyone I loved could think it is okay!