catching up a little
Dec. 2nd, 2006 10:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Glad to get to the end of the week. Hasn't been much fun. Working too much because I've been feeling guilty about not accomplishing much for a new project. Sore throat on Wednesday, sniffling-turned-to-head-cold yesterday. Bleah.
A friend at work, JD, whom I've known for at least a decade, has been having a tough several months. An only child, she's been taking care of her parents who've been having more and more health issues. They all live in San Francisco, but she has her own apartment. Her mom was diagnosed with lung (?) cancer in July and went downhill very quickly. JD had gone on a family leave just before Thanksgiving. She called me on Tuesday to let me know her mom passed that morning. I hope JD is able to take her time for herself now, since she'd been trying to do so much herself, despite her circle of friends volunteering to help.
For me, last weekend was very enjoyable. Took mom up to spend several days with sis at her place in the Sierra Foothills. All things considered, the drive up and back was okay (despite traffic in both directions and icky rain on the return). We mostly just hung out and ate and talked. Mom is definitely slowing down, sleeping more, and forgetting recent events, which I mentioned before.
We were in good spirits the entire time and, in a surprise us kids, agreed to see not one, but two movies in theaters! She had not wanted to go with us the last few years. Her assisted care group was taken to "March of the Penguins" last year and she grumped about being forced to go even as she said she ended up liking the movie but remembering the sad parts more than the happy ones. We gave mom a couple of choices and she opted for another penguin extravaganza, "Happy Feet." Afterward she said she it was too loud in parts so she covered her ears, but it was still fun. Yay! And mentioned she'd go to the other one we suggested, so we Bond-ed the next night! (Yes,
debmats, I saw it again, but this time without the alcohol beforehand and still really liked it, though the slow parts felt slower. Daniel Craig, though, definitely works for me. Hee!)
I look forward to seeing more movies with mom (& sis) in the future!
(And speaking of booze, mom surprised sis & me again by happily partaking of a flight of red wines we shared one dinner out. It used to be that mom would take one or two sips of a regular red and then ask for something sweeter. Not sure what to make of this development. She was pleased with an ice wine I brought as well. I'm sure we'll deal.)
Anyway, back to bed to get well.
A friend at work, JD, whom I've known for at least a decade, has been having a tough several months. An only child, she's been taking care of her parents who've been having more and more health issues. They all live in San Francisco, but she has her own apartment. Her mom was diagnosed with lung (?) cancer in July and went downhill very quickly. JD had gone on a family leave just before Thanksgiving. She called me on Tuesday to let me know her mom passed that morning. I hope JD is able to take her time for herself now, since she'd been trying to do so much herself, despite her circle of friends volunteering to help.
For me, last weekend was very enjoyable. Took mom up to spend several days with sis at her place in the Sierra Foothills. All things considered, the drive up and back was okay (despite traffic in both directions and icky rain on the return). We mostly just hung out and ate and talked. Mom is definitely slowing down, sleeping more, and forgetting recent events, which I mentioned before.
We were in good spirits the entire time and, in a surprise us kids, agreed to see not one, but two movies in theaters! She had not wanted to go with us the last few years. Her assisted care group was taken to "March of the Penguins" last year and she grumped about being forced to go even as she said she ended up liking the movie but remembering the sad parts more than the happy ones. We gave mom a couple of choices and she opted for another penguin extravaganza, "Happy Feet." Afterward she said she it was too loud in parts so she covered her ears, but it was still fun. Yay! And mentioned she'd go to the other one we suggested, so we Bond-ed the next night! (Yes,
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I look forward to seeing more movies with mom (& sis) in the future!
(And speaking of booze, mom surprised sis & me again by happily partaking of a flight of red wines we shared one dinner out. It used to be that mom would take one or two sips of a regular red and then ask for something sweeter. Not sure what to make of this development. She was pleased with an ice wine I brought as well. I'm sure we'll deal.)
Anyway, back to bed to get well.
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Date: 2006-12-03 09:12 am (UTC)I liked Casino Royale, too. In fact, I'll probably see it again tomorrow. Much better than the Pierce Brosnan films (though back in the Remington Steele days I thought that I would like him as Bond).
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Date: 2006-12-03 06:05 pm (UTC)Y'know, I thought I was going to like Brosnan as Bond, too, based on Remington Steele, but I found him too smarmy and not physical enough.
I liked Daniel Craig in the few other things I saw him in (Love is the Devil, Sylvia, Layer Cake, Munich), but wasn't sure about him as Bond.
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Date: 2006-12-03 02:32 pm (UTC)Hey, even *I* think movies are too loud sometimes. When I had infants I was taking to theaters with me (when they were young enough that all they did was happily nurse discretely in the sling and sleep!) I would cover their ears during loud bits. Maybe next time bring some of those rock band earplug thingies?? I've considered it.
My guys want to see Happy Feet. After watching a bunch of trailers with them on the net, including one that shows the actual tap dancer guy who plays the main penguin, I commented "Forget penguins! I want to see HIM!" mmmm mmmm.
We also want to see Flushed Away. Maybe we'll decide to go see a real movie in a fit of holiday excess (using my subbing money!)
Glad to hear you had a nice weekend.
BTW: Ed and I are now totally wanting to read some more Hoffman. :)
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Date: 2006-12-03 06:09 pm (UTC)Hoffman: she's got many short stories (a few small press collections) as well as the few novels. Good luck in finding them.
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Date: 2006-12-04 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 11:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-04 06:45 pm (UTC)Re: Bond film. I'm gunna wait for it to be a $1 rental at the Shell "convenience" store. Kiss kiss bang bang (the foreign name for the Bond film series) works for me when it has Val Kilmer in it. ;)
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Date: 2006-12-04 06:47 pm (UTC)Now is the time we have to get these answers...
Or you can spend th e time wisely (with her) just enjoying her company.
I've said it before: You're smart!!
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Date: 2006-12-04 11:36 pm (UTC)In this high-tech age, my sister and I wondered how much we wanted to document via camcorder or audio tape recording, especially when dad was in sharp decline. We opted to focus on spending time (and well, there was plenty else to deal with, too). Since mom is aware and active now, maybe it would be okay to capture some memories to put on DVD later.
When we do get together, both my sis and I do ask the occasional question. :)
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Date: 2006-12-06 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-06 04:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-06 05:03 pm (UTC)