I have not blogged or tracked since Friday & that is not good...I just read a saying this morning from SparkPeople that really spoke to me...in fact, it was sitting there on my lap top screen, waving its arms at me, saying...YO, JANEY... read & just DO IT...the saying was IF YOU'RE TIRED OF STARTING OVER, STOP GIVING UP (yes, JM, I put it in CAPS) It really grabbed my attention. I don't feel like I've ever given up, but there have been too many times, that I have stepped off the straight & narrow path mostly out of frustration, anxiety, maybe some depressions & certainly exhaustion. I always feel better when I am back in touch with SP. This past weekend was a blur...Friday, my little neighbor fell twice (once when I was with her) I called her son & told him to come home NOW...fortunately he did & took her back to Michigan for a week. Hopefully he will really see just how much she needs help & supervision. ANYway...that takes me OFF duty, for Rita...for now...Sat. my husband & I had made the decision to go to the Ohio U-Marshall U football game & hook up with our daughter, JM. We had used a Sitter agency the week before & it was great to get away. This week however, the sitter that showed up for the first shift was clueless about how to deal with dementia & then while we were still home, the second sitter called off. I was sick...I was SO ready to get out & have a good time. After MANY phone calls to the agency, another sitter was located, but the whole experience was upsetting & made it hard to continue with our plans. We were 90 min. late leaving & I was in tears. We were unable to locate my Godmother & hubby to tailgate before the game in Huntington. We did get to see JM & sit with her at the game & Thank You, Lord, we won 27-24. I had asked the sitter to call me after dinner & let me know how Mom was doing, which she did & that helped some. When we got home at 2:15 A.M. the sitter & Mom were sitting on the couch. Mom was awake but tired...but she was safe & taken care of & that's all that counts. This weekend is my niece's wedding in Valparaiso, Ind. I don't feel comfortable leaving Mom for three days, esp. with the agency sitters. However, another one of my Angel Friends, gave me the name of a private sitter that took care of her parents & was thrilled w/ them. I called the sitter & she agreed to stay w/ Mom from 7:00A.M. on Sat. (wedding is at 3:00) until Sunday at 3:00, so once again I have a plan & am looking forward to surprising my sister. My son is driving in from W.Va. & will travel to Ind. with us. I really hope that it all works out. I am much more relaxed already knowing that this new sitter, Lisa will be with Mom. She has had a pretty good week in the sleep dept. & I am doing better sleeping too, but I am still taking the Rx that my doctor gave me a few weeks ago. I am hoping that I can stop taking, once & if I EVER get my Mom placed. I was thinking the other day, that we started this whole process back on Aug. 4...the available bed fell through on Sept. 5, so I would love to think that all will fall in place (nursing home) soon. I actually checked with three other facilities...one had 20 people on their Waiting List, one had 12 on the WL & the other place won't be open (new place) till mid-Nov. I'm trying to take it One Day At A Time & to stay focused with the help of SP & my many supportive SP friends. I hope that all of you are having a good week. Take Care...

JANEY