Tonight's picture was taken on April 4, 2009. It was Mattie's 7th birthday party, which we held in the hospital's child life playroom. Mattie's was gifted Georgetown Cupcakes to celebrate the day with his friends! As you can see Mattie was having a good time and had frosting all over his face! It was a big day for Mattie, as he spent hours decorating the playroom and planning games and activities to do with his friends. In addition, Mattie's close buddy in cancer, Brandon, came to the hospital too and stayed the entire time. You should note that Brandon was 10 years older than Mattie and he lived over an hour away from the hospital. So Brandon's decision to visit with us was a special commitment! Brandon helped all the children at the party and I know Mattie felt at ease around Brandon, because Mattie knew that Brandon understood what it was like to have cancer.
Quote of the day: We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I have been going to this restaurant for years. I was introduced to it by a friend, who actually took me there on my birthday many years ago. I fell in love with the old world charm and the setting! Remember I used to live in the city and this restaurant is about 40 minutes from the city. It is surrounded by greenery and gardens! So in comparison to my city views, this restaurant is serene and peaceful!
Taking my dad out now is challenging. Mainly because whatever goes in, quickly comes out. Which means that I am going back and forth to the bathroom with him, and it involves full changes! My dad walks slowly and with a walker. He also can easily trip on any rug that is on the floor, so I have to watch him like a hawk.
The managers know me at this restaurant because you should see what I am carrying with me. I think it is an unforgettable sight. I have a tote bag for my mom filled with seat cushions (as she finds the restaurant chairs too hard), I have a seat cushion for my dad, and a tote bag for him as well filled with clothing changes, garbage bags, gloves, etc. You would think I am moving in, rather than dining! During one of the many bathroom trips I took today, one of the managers came over to sit and chat with my mom. When I got back from the bathroom, my mom said that the manager admires me and thinks I am a very unusual person, as he says he doesn't see many daughters who do what I do.
Any case, I tried to make today a nice experience. But it is hard.... my mom is glued to Facebook and my dad no longer talks. He will respond to me with a word or two, but for the most part, he is trapped in his body and his brain is somewhere else. It is a sad commentary. He was once a person who loved food, like myself, now not so much.
As for the pool, it may just do me in! I went out at 7am, and the water level was slightly down from yesterday. But this evening, it dropped another inch. So I went back out and marked the water line and sent another panic email to the pool company! While I was outside, I happened to bump into my neighbor. She was out walking and we chatted for 40 minutes. She alerted me to a scam that just occurred to her! Someone from a pest control company came to her door. Since this person said he was from the company she has a contract with, she assumed he was legitimate. Any case, he proceeded to tell her that her house has a mouse infestation and he needs to inspect her attic. He did and came back downstairs with photos. Photos of the infestation. He then said that he needed $15,000 to correct this problem. He even mentioned that other neighbors on our street have this issue! He was pressuring her for a decision and for money! Fortunately she was smart enough not to do this! After she got him out of the house, she called her exterminating company who confirmed this was not one of their employees! HONESTLY how scary!
I mention this story because truly this could happen to any of us! But the one tell tale sign that something is a scam is the pressure to make an instantaneous decision and to demand money right away. All I know is whomever comes to my door, usually doesn't get very far with me. I have my handful of trusted people who I turn to for my house's needs. If you aren't on my list, you aren't getting anywhere with me!
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