Then and Now...a little bit about me. Then THEN.

What qualifies me to be a primary caregiver for a 94 year old Uncle is I have always been a giver, perseverant, detail oriented, a leader, finder of what's missing so that it can be found and fixed, adventurous, daring in certain areas and inspired by others.  But despite all this it was my accepted destiny.

I've said that I lived my life knowing that some day I'd be here helping my uncle - like having a destiny.  So I lived life.  I got educated in a helping area - my undergrad in psychology and counseling and my graduate work in Human Resources.  I have had a successful career as a Human Resources Management professional in the HBA and pharmaceutical industries; with companies including manufacturing, distribution and sales.  I studied accounting, small business management, and other areas that would make me able. 

I have enjoyed travel to 30 + US states including Puerto Rico and the Bahamas and other countries like Italy, Africa and France and have rich memories of wonderful experiences, architecture, foods and drink. 

I used to spend a lot of time  on art, food and friends and their kids.  I had lots and lots of fun.  I had enough money for me to enjoy that life.  I used to get manicures and pedicures, colored my hair and got massages.  I used to wear Jones of New York to work and enjoy lunches out and dinners out.  Saw movies, art exhibits and took yoga classes.  Had a garden and enjoyed looking up new plants and growing things.  Enjoyed taking my dog to the dog park and having him groomed.  I went to the dentist, the doctors for annuals and when I needed to.


Many many things have changed.   Metaphorically, if all my llifes' different life experiences were different muscle groups... lets just say I've exercised very few of the old muscle groups in the last three years.  And you know what they say... if you don't use it you loose it.  Maybe this is why I'm feeling like a big mush.

By the way, what I haven't mentioned yet is love and loving relationships.  I have been in love romantically and I have been loved in return, just not for a long time.  This is a topic for a different blog.  And I haven't talked about my faith in God, yet.

Then and Now...a little bit about me. NOW first.

These days I start at 7am.  Walk the dogs; fill the bird feeders; check to see that the curtain at Uncle Nicks is pulled to the side (our code for 'I've been downstairs this morning'); feed the dogs; make my coffee and check emails; put a load of wash in; go back over to Uncle Nicks and make a five course breakfast, wake him up or if he's up and showered - I clean and dress his leg wound; then he eats, I clean up and we talk about the day.  This all happens before 10:30am-ish.  Some days there are doctors visits and/or errands or nurses visiting or bills to pay and paperwork to follow up on and phone calls to make.  You get the picture.  And then some days I get to sleep until 8 and other I get to take a shower.  But I rarely get to clean my house or turn off my mind.

People have wondered out loud to me if I need to be more organized.  Then I list the responsibilities and even wonder myself, 'could I be more orgainzed'.  Here's the list -
Uncle Nick's care,
Uncle Nick's medical attention/visits etc.,
Uncle Nicks house,
my house in Georgia and
the house I live in,
the farm (six acres that need caring with six out buildings),
625's 8 rental units and 14 tenants,
bills for the business,
Uncle Nick's and
my personal bills,
two dogs,
a part-time job with management responsibilities,
and maintaining my relationships?!?! (LOL)

AM I COMPLAINING?  No not really.  I am managing -juggling- some days better than others.  And Uncle Nick is grateful and tells me he is and that makes it easier.