A Time of Mourning

 Tom died just before noon last Sunday, January 18th.

He was in the hospital in very bad shape. We had just agreed to get him to hospice on the 2nd floor after he said to me, "Whatever you want." and then he took his last breath with me at his side.

Perenchief funeral home cremated him, posted my obituary for Tom, and will be making arrangements at the Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown for a brief ceremony by the Navy. We'll hold a Celebration of Life in April too.

I have contacted social security, pension, davita, comforcare. 

I have changed my xfinity account (though it may have to be tweaked when I see how it was changed). Still looking to notify more as needed.

So many friends  (facebook and otherwise) have reached out in sympathy and support. I am grateful.

I am also very grateful that Jennifer has been here with me.

December!!??!!

 Time marches on, eh? OMG it is flying by!

So November happened. Mikie Sherrill won for governor and other election positives happened (but our current President is out of control, negatively speaking).

I attended some virtual sessions of the teacher's convention including Malala's portion of the program (very impressive).

Home health aide Florence had back surgery and we had a series of one day stands until now Joseph just started yesterday. He'll be covering two nights and an all day this coming week. 

Mostly the month was just filled with regular stuff, dialysis, dr apointments, changeover from outpatient to home health for pt therapy. Speech is not out I guess and ot is in. Tom hasn't been very receptive to the home visits so far.

John Kugler died suddenly and I am very sad, but have big conflicts with his viewing Thursday (book fair shift) and funeral Friday (BCREA bus trip to Lancaster) which also saddens me.

Yesterday I created and sent for a business card reflecting my current interests and then started an AI driven (free) wix website. It is not going very well!

Tom's condition is not good and I worry he will waste away from not eating.

What happened to October?

 This is how fast October went....I haven't written since September and now it is November. Oy.

So Tom status: Physically he is thin, weak, and malnourished. Mentally still aphasic and confused, with a mind more wandering than ever. He doesn't eat -no appetite and nothing appeals to him. It has been suggested I see a gastro doctor to get a feeding tube (placed outside body) going before he disappears. I am so sad. 

He was in the hospital three times in Oct. Two times admitted, last time ER and out, but maybe should have been kept because he is not better. :-(

I have done some things...Friends of the Burlington County Library board meeting, worked the Boscov's Fund raiser on the day of (but didn't shop this year), BCEA rep council meeting, spoke at the BCEA retirement workshop, set up membership committee phone calls (was the Caffeinated Conversation this month?), BCREA Fall general membership meeting, SHIP update meeting in Audubon, Joan Wright celebration....

See me in the mirror?

with Tina Dare, NJEA Sec/Treas

That's Sue's teacher, Jerry Matcho

Tom was still eating when this was taken

I got to go to things because of Florence, the Comforcare health aide watching Tom while I was away. She just had surgery and now we have Vera. (So far I was late coming back from the retirement workshop Tuesday and left her standing at the door in the rain Thursday...bad first impression :-(  )

We have done no movies or dancing, obviously. I miss it. I miss the old Tom very much.

An occasional chance to dance

 Right behind Debbie on a Sugarfootin' Sunday-you can almost see me learning the new dance here

In other news....Tom got his shot from the pain management doctor and slept the whole next day. He actually ate something last night, for a change of pace...

I am working on my membership recruitment strategies, digging into my TBR book pile, watching Day of the Jackal, and wondering about an upcoming biopsy.

Recent activities included attending the NJREA Fall luncheon, assorted other meetings and events, and appreciating the generosity of caring friends amidst Tom's health issues.

with Sally Robinson

  

with Sue Ronca

with Stacy Morgan

Book club reunion with Louise Campbell

Friends of the BCLibrary at Fandom

BCREA reps at BCEA Rep Council

Eastampton Book Club meeting

Gaetano's feast care of Eastampton Book club friends

Flowers for Tom from Contact book club 

September 17, 2025 Correction

 Oh, no! I just saw I posted this on the wrong blog, so here it is in the right place:

Days go by and time is passing...where does it go?

So Tom is not improving and we had a dreadful experience with the Virtua neurology person who was supposed to be administering a so called memory test on Tom. I don't know what went on because I wasn't allowed in. Not a fun time there.

Anyway, he suggests going to Prospectors once in awhile (when he's not suggesting a movie or the daily Walmart spending expedition).

Here's something Dele posted from a Saturday night. I'm the one in a horizontal striped top towards the end. I do enjoy dancing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fj6SK1fxh/  

 Today my Caffeinated Conversation event which I was charged to run as Membership Chairperson went well, I thought. Mitch at the Colonial Cafe in Mt. Holly was great (even though I caused a coffee spill) and would have us again. It was a little tight but I think it was worth it and I hope our gifted first year and going to join first year retiree attendees were impressed and will stay. My committee members were great co hosts. It was good to have Toni and Doriann there. Sadly, I never took pictures. :-(

Authoritarian takeover warning alert

 This is happening.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C61E5jgAX/

What can we do to preserve our democracy before it's too late?

July?? Are you kidding me???

 Yes, now it is July.

I remember when I was teaching and it was summer vacation, the 4th of July meant summer vacation was getting ready to be over. Nothing has changed except it will be faster now. :-(

I want to save this exercise for arms tip: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HuwnmZC9w/ from Facebook. I don't know if all these Facebook suggestions work, but I am ready to get back into shape. This one seems reasonable...

Speaking of Tom's health, it's been just about a year since the heavy duty ER/hospital/rehab stays/doctor visits development began and it looks like being home is no picnic either. I am rather a failed caretaker, IMO, but I do the best I can.

I wish I had a crystal ball so I could see what the state of our country will be when this Trump devastation is over. I hope our democracy can survive but I am doubtful and worried and scared. I am old but what about all the young people? <sigh>

Here are some recent photos.

Finally eating something (Prospectors brunch)

Microwave scrambled eggs...easy!

Doctor's office

Nurse Kirstin was in my 5th grade class

ER check for UTI

BCEA at rainy Liberty Lake event

BCREA workshop at UniServ office

Tom at 130 pounds

Not used to selfies!

 

OT with Chuck (and other services) are over now

at BCREA Spring Luncheon meeting

Out of Market America....finally