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--- Overwhelmed (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=4331)
Posted by jublke on 26-07-2013 at 00:33:
Overwhelmed
I am warning you now, this is a whine-fest of a thread ...
My grandmother is back rehab after another stint in the hospital. I'll spare you the details, but she's in poor health and when she forgets to take her meds her mind goes too. She has one of three nieces and a grandniece that check in on her. My mom (her stepdaughter) and I both live out of state. So coordinating her care is a challenge, especially since there's no one clearly in charge.
So, I'm on the phone with the grandniece at length the other night when my daughter (she's 4) comes downstairs spitting up blood. Not a lot of blood, mind you, but any blood makes me want to pass out. Turned out she was running while holding a plastic pole from a pop up tent and fell and jammed it in the back of her throat. A trip to the ER confirmed that no real damage was done, although she refused to swallow for the first hour and didn't really eat for two days.
Concurrently with this, I was volunteering at my church's summer camp which was once a mighty camp but lately is suffering from a lack of volunteers. I was teaching 75 kids ages 3 to 11 - in groups of 12 to 15 - how to make churches out of graham crackers, frosting, licorice, candy, etc. It was insane, although the kids did a bang-up job and a surprising number of them had churches that actually stood. But I am exhausted.
Along with this - or maybe because of my frame of mind - I am freaked out that the fir trees are dying. I am an ecologist by trade and training and so many different kind of conifers dying is just mind-numbing to me and in my current overwhelmed state, leads me to lying awake at night wondering if my kids will still have the option of live Christmas trees.
And, my close friend and neighbor - along with my daughter's best friend - just moved to another state, so I am lonely. Obviously, as evidenced by this rather pathetic thread.
I could sure use a hug ...
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"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal
Posted by KT1972 on 26-07-2013 at 00:46:
Awww hugs coming your way Jublke.... and hope RL improves quickly for you.
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Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope. - HELEN KELLER
Posted by ElectricWhite on 26-07-2013 at 01:19:
Wow, you've got stuff spilling off your plate, for sure! I'm adding to your hug collection.
BTW -- remember the fir trees aren't dying everywhere! Christmas trees aren't going on the endangered list anytime soon!
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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
Posted by clouddancer on 26-07-2013 at 01:22:
Julie, here you go and some more
Don't worry about the rant. I hope you are able to get things settled in your mind so you no longer have such "big" worries and then are able to get some rest.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by gatchamarie on 26-07-2013 at 07:56:
More and more from me to the power of infinity! I hope RL takes a quick turn to the better for you, Julie! My heart goes out to you as the events you've been going through are really not something anyone would like to encounter, but always try to think positive! Thankfully, your daughter's case, albeit it having been a really shocking experience, wasn't anything more serious, and always remember that whenever you'd need friends you'd find a lot here! Take care xxx
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Posted by Becky Rock on 26-07-2013 at 22:01:
Lots and lots.
I'm glad your daughter is okay. That must have been so frightening.
I'm getting ready to leave on a trip, but I think it's high time I get my butt up your way. I'll get in touch as soon as I get back (Aug 5th).
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Posted by clouddancer on 26-07-2013 at 22:45:
Have a safe and enjoyable trip Becky!
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by Becky Rock on 27-07-2013 at 00:51:
Visiting the in-laws. Haven't seen them since Christmas time.
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Posted by clouddancer on 27-07-2013 at 02:11:
Ooooooh, that might not be such an enjoyable trip. Depending on how you get along with the in-laws.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by jublke on 27-07-2013 at 03:10:
Thanks KT, EW, CD, Gatchamarie & Becky. I am feeling better today. Sometimes it just feels good to vent. Becky, I hope you have fun on your trip & touch base when you get back. 
__________________
"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal
Posted by clouddancer on 27-07-2013 at 12:12:
Good to hear that you are feeling better Julie, and that the rant helped.
I find talking about those concerns or fears gets them "out there" and off my mind so I can focus on other things. And sometimes it is just good enough to know others agree with me and feel the way I do or are there to give me the comfort I need.
__________________
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by Becky Rock on 27-07-2013 at 15:27:
I get along great with the in-laws, so I'm lucky.
With everything that goes on in and around WDC, it a miracle any of us who live around here aren't constantly upset, Julie.
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Posted by UnpublishedWriter on 27-07-2013 at 21:05:
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Posted by Daniella T on 27-07-2013 at 21:08:
I hope RL has given you a break by now!
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Posted by k2p2 on 29-07-2013 at 11:21:
Glad you are feeling better Jublke. Sorry about the kid stuff, nothing makes me worry more than when it concerns the spudnicks.
Becky, I owe my MIL and her roomate a good long visit. A long story, but my MIL is in a nursing home too.
--and this week, BAND CAMP! Hee hee, gonna be afterward.
We all have our worries....it is good to share sometimes.
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The world looks less difficult when standing next to a close friend.
Posted by jublke on 01-08-2013 at 02:52:
Thanks, everyone. I'll be flying to see my grandma soon and while that won't exactly ease my worries, it will be nice to actually be able to *do* something for her for a change.
My daughter seems to have healed up just fine - yay! - but that does remind me that I need to set out her mini tent (with the evil impaling tent pole) for charity.
As for the gingerbread churches, the campers seemed to like them and we got nice feedback, which makes me happy.
I still miss my neighbor but I have planned a trip to take the kids up to see her and her girls later this month.
Not much I can do about the trees, but I held my son's hermit crabs, admired the butterflies outside, and wrote some haiku. Oh, and we got some new fish.
I am trying to take things one step at a time, one day at a time, and I agree with you, Becky, that's a foreign concept where we live! It's so hustle-bustle here near DC.
Hugs again to all & thanks for listening.
__________________
"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal
Posted by jublke on 10-08-2013 at 04:20:
Well, I'm leaving tomorrow to visit Grandma. Send me your best prayers, luck, wishes, etc. that we are able to find a good solution for her care. Thanks! I sure appreciate it.
__________________
"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal
Posted by gatchamarie on 10-08-2013 at 13:38:
Good luck, Julie! I'll surely add you to my prayers! I can totally understand your situation ... this very day, I am just starting to try to rest after one of my dad's revisits to the hospital. This time it took four days, and to top it all up, my DH's dad has been admitted just today, too! With two difficult brothers and co, small kids whose world depends on me, my health limitations and hectic life, my greatest concern is how to give the most to my dad, which is never enough for me (and which is a trigger for my looking bad in front of my brothers' eyes, especially one of them ... yes ... it happened again, I think, as now he's talking to me the least possible without my knowing why! ... sigh 
)! Well .. dad is a bit stubborn, too, since albeit his elderly age and state of health he doesn't want to know about not living on his own! So, I'm always worrying!
Again ... the best of luck, and I so hope that you could figure out a good solution to rest your mind asap!
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Posted by Becky Rock on 10-08-2013 at 20:05:
Safe trip, Julie. Good luck!
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Posted by Springie on 10-08-2013 at 21:08:
*Hugs* Julie! I'm glad things seem to be improving! I might have fainted if my daughter came to me spitting up blood! We all have our down times, and it's good to know we have this forum for support! Enjoy your trip to see your friend!
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