Long day! Now that I’m taking a treatment for my breathing before I eat breakfast and then have to eat breakfast before I leave the house, I had to get up really early in order to make the 10:00 a.m. ferry off the island. Made it. Eddie arrived about twenty minutes...
The Magic Show was a success! We actually sold about $1,900 in tickets. It wasn’t easy for Michael, the magician, since much of the audience was kids of 7-10, and there were toddlers running around on stage while he was doing his act. He dealt with it well. He had a...
Out on the island again. Had a conference call with Lisa Hirsch (My Mom, My Hero author) and we talked about the mother/daughter support group we’re planning on starting after Labor Day. We also discussed other ways of extending the caregiver work we’re doing. She’s a...
Another ordinary workday. Have some artwork to do for island events. Can always find writing to do, but I’m feeling very out of sorts anticipating Steve’s birthday next week. Some years it’s very easy, but for some reason, this year is rough. He would have been 75....
The Dog Days of August are upon us. It’s blisteringly hot in New York and at the beach and not only is there no escape from the heat, but there’s nowhere to go where the 26th of August, my late husband’s birthday, isn’t looming large on the calendar. March 19, 2016...
Left the island noon-ish and made my way back to the city for an appointment with the dermatologist. I love my doctors. It was worth the work putting my group of physicians at the same hospital together. They all know each other and they all know my history with each...
Today is a day of appreciation. I was fortunate enough to be able to take an extra day for myself, to write, to do some designing and to ride all through Seaview, up and down every street, putting up posters for the Labor Day Cookout and the Movie in the Moonlight...
Ugh! Another scorching hot day. First thing I did was sit in front of the market selling tickets for the Labor Day Cookout for two hours. Then I walked into town to check out the crafts fair and I’ve got to say there was absolutely nothing that piqued my interest....
Got out to the island and it was too hot to go to the craft show in town. It’s one of my favorite events of the summer and I know for a fact that I wasn’t the only person who avoided being out in the sun. I feel so bad for the artists that have to be at their booths...
Today was such a scorcher that I decided to wait until tomorrow morning to head out to the beach. It’s hot out there too and it’s not like I’m going to go running into the ocean when I get there. I’ll just sit on the couch, look at the garden and work—designing and...
Lord, New York can be an oven in the summer. We’re in the middle of a heat spell that looks like it will continue for weeks without relief. Finally got to have my hair cut today. Everyone around me is talking about the election. Despite the feelings people have about...
Wow, this is a tight week! I love my long weekends but they are wreaking havoc on the work that I have to do for the site. Somehow I managed to squeeze in lunch with Em [my best friend] who I hadn’t seen since March—I have to realize that lunch doesn’t have to be an...
Got home late last night and had to prepare for the meeting, scheduled months ago, with my attorney and estate planner. This is my least favorite thing in the world to do. Steve always handled these affairs and despite my frequent urging him to teach me about this...
Got picked up at 10:00 to go to island. Shlepped a reasonable amount of stuff for one person/ two nights. Got to get back to the city Monday night for a meeting with the lawyers Tuesday early a.m. There are ripe apples and red pears on the trees now. There are roses...
Well, clearly wasn’t up to going to the island when I woke up this morning—glad I called my driver and told him I’d make it early tomorrow. Was in bed all day yesterday. The migraines have gotten so much better. How can I complain—I used to get them every day, now...
Was supposed to get my hair cut today but had to cancel Lance because of the onset of a migraine. I’m supposed to be going out to the island in the a.m. but not too sure I’ll be up to it. Shot day.
Not the best day—not the worst thought—for sure. Had a good meeting with Cori and Paul. We’re making progress. Had my follow-up appointment with the pulmonologist up at Mt. Sinai after taking all the tests earlier in the year. The tests didn’t show anything new, but...
Mad rush back to town from the Island. Ferry ride was heaven. Gorgeous day so far. Seems every day’s been great in the morning and turns way gray by three or so. Had to do “The Caregiver’s Caregiver” on Blab Talk today with Dave Nassaney at 3:00 EST, so I’m glad we...
I’m writing my memories. I’m not famous or important. I’m simply exploring the course of my life and how I got where I am now. That recently led me to a journal from1974, when I was in Africa with my first husband, trying to find a location to build a research...
It’s five years since Steve died. March 19, 2011 at 6:45p.m. But who’s counting? Even with five-plus years of anticipatory grieving, when the real thing comes along, you’re sideswiped. Every year, at this time, I run the “last days of Steve” scenario in my head, over...
Today is my mother’s yahrzeit—the anniversary of her death on the Jewish calendar. I was a long distance caregiver to her for the three years she lived after my dad passed away. I’m living proof that you can dislike someone intensely and yet truly care for them. It’s...
In case you aren’t aware of it yet, November is National Family Caregiver Awareness month. I guess that makes it official. But for us, every month is a time to consider, understand and be aware of all things caregiver. When I was a full-time family caregiver, before I...
Happy Grandparents Day! Here at The Caregiver Space, we're celebrating grandparents as well as the people who care for them. There are thousands of family and professional caregivers out there who are helping our grandparents lead fulfilling lives and keeping them...
I just finished making a new medication chart. There’s fresh bedding in the closet and food she likes in the fridge. Made some calls to assure she has care round the clock if I must be otherwise engaged. The physical therapist I found will make house calls. I’ll have...