Piece O' Cake Blog

Any time is a good time for cake...

Do you remember reading on this blog about Jack's fascination with YouTube cake-making videos? Well, he decided that I needed a princess cake for my birthday. We didn't have time to have it on my actual birthday which was fine. It was really nice to have it tonight.

Lorna and the kids got the body of the Princess Castle Cake done today. They brought it here to finish...

Jack helped...

Elanor helped...

Jack especially liked embellishing with jelly beans...

Isn't it pretty!

And it was very tasty!. It's all gluten-free. That doesn't make it calorie free but really, one piece of cake can't be so bad for you! That, and the piece I've put back for tomorrow. I can resist a lot of things, but not cake. I was glad Lorna and Chris took the bulk of it home with them - otherwise my pants might not fit on Monday.

Elanor ate an icing and sugar covered cone. She was finished before any of the rest of us.

Just when things were looking up...

On the plus side, my Mom is doing better. She's more coherent. She likes Bellevue and her roommate. She's also sounding happy about the possibility of moving to Sherman.

Now for the downside. On Tuesday evening we ended up taking my sister to the emergency room. She ended up (6 hours later) in ICU. As much as she wants it to be true that she can take care of herself, when mom isn't there to help, bad things happen.

It's not like I ignored her on the days I was back in Texas. I called, she said she was fine. She didn't sound all that fine but she's an adult and she doesn't want me to be her keeper so I went with what she said. By the time Steve and I really figured out that she was no where near fine it was almost too late. At one point her blood pressure was 39/18. Honestly, I didn't know you could be alive and have blood pressure that low.

She may be out of ICU in a day or two. Then she'll probably be in a regular room. Her doctor intends for her to going to a nursing home. I'm not sure she'll agree to that if she's coherent and strong enough to walk out.

I don't know how this is all going to work out. Mom is not going to be able to play the role in my sister's life that she did before her surgery. I'll do what everyone does in this sort of situation - the best I can. And I'll hope that's good enough.

Update from OKC...

I sincerely appreciate all the comments on yesterday's post. Steve and I did some quick research. My neighbor, Joan, also suggested I call mom's church and that was a good idea. They were able to put me in touch with a nurse that works with Catholic Charities here. Between that contact, the social workers at the hospital, and the wonderful physical therapist we were able to quickly narrow it down to Bellevue Nursing and Rehab center (http://www.bellevueokc.com/index.htm)

We visited and it's a bustling place. Happy atmosphere, not depressing. It doesn't smell! It's been owned by the same family since the 50s and the staff turnover is not high. The rehab facilities look good. I won't worry when we drive away.

Mom will be sharing a room and that's a good thing. I hope she likes her roommate but if she doesn't perhaps that will provide more motivation to get better.

Amazingly enough mom sort of wanted to talk about plans form the future so I brought up the notion of her and my sister moving to Sherman, where we live. She seems ready to sell the house. It would be really wonderful if that idea takes root in her mind! Things are better today than yesterday.

Sent from my iPad

Suggestions would be appreciated...

I just got a call and, while mom is doing better, she's going to need to go to a skilled nursing home. She's less mentally fuzzy but she is so tired she can't stay awake long enough for regular rehab. And she is in no postition to find her own skilled nursing home. That means I'm going to be doing the choosing.

She has Medicare and a Blue Cross policy so she should be good for at least 20 days. I'm going to Oklahoma City tomorrow morning to start looking at the possible choices. Any recommendations? What should I look for?

Here's Mom and Dad in better days...

Things are looking up!

At least things were much better when I left the hospital at 2:30 this afternoon. Mom is still confused and really tired, but she isn't crazy (and I say that in the nicest possible way). Oh happy day!

My mom and my sister, Christy, live together. They both love mugs. It must be genetic because I myself have quite a collection. This is one of mom's oldest mugs and I really, really, really want to make off with it. But I won't. It was part of a set but it's the only one left. I remember it from my youth. There are no markings on it but I do believe it's one of those classic Nordic designs that have come back again. It would make a good appliqué pattern!

My father-in-law got the real Alzheimer's diagnosis today. One person in my family universe starts to find their mind, another is loosing theirs. It's funny to think that this mug will be around longer than my mom and I will always think of her when I see it (because surely she will will it to me:-))

That's what I hope happens with my quilts. They make me so very happy as I make them, I love sharing them, and someday they will be what makes people remember me. Is that why you quilt?

Sent from my iPad

Not black and white...

Well. I spent the last 7 nights in the hospital with mom. Not tonight. It's not that she's all the way better. In fact, last night was maybe the most difficult night to date. Mom is not herself, she may be making sense to her, but not to anyone else. And there was some screaming for help - which, as awful as it was, also offered a tiny bit of comic relief. I had not seen that many nurses run to her room to date.

Mom's doctor and many of the nurses are hopeful. They have taken off all the monitors and removed the catheter which ought to calm her down. She's eating. She's tolerating physical therapy. They are altering her meds and the doctor thinks that as her sodium levels get to normal she'll be back to herself. If they are hopeful, I will be too.

My sister, who has spent time herself in a hospital bed in the last few years, says now is the time to let her be on her own with the professionals, at least overnight. Steve agreed, and I have to say I agree as well. As I did what I could last night I realized that she might honestly do better with caring professionals. So I am sleeping at the house tonight instead of in the hospital recliner and I have to say it is a major relief.

I had time to take a walk this afternoon. Mom and my sister live 1/2 mile from Penn Square (http://www.simon.com/mall/?id=811), a really nice shopping mall in OKC. So I walked outside and inside! I spent my $20 birthday money on this wonderful silk scarf that I found on sale (Celia, if you are reading this it was 50% off, be proud that I hunted for it :-).

Mom's condition is not black or white - it's not that she's great or she's not. It's more shades of gray. Her back is healing well, her systems are functioning, her mind is likely to return to normal. But right now things are rocky. I'm going to focus on the positive and look to tomorrow to being a better day.

Sent from my iPad

Update from OKC...

My mom is recovering from her back surgery, but it's slow. She is 78 and the surgery took 8 hours (3 more than they thought it would). At 78 a person recovers from that sort of thing much more slowly. She has been incoherent, a lot. She has had fluid retention in her lungs - maybe pneumonia, maybe not. She had hoped for the best case scenario (2 days and then home) but she's gotten many days in the hospital that will be followed by rehab. Amazingly enough, her back is the least of her problems. For my part, it has meant many hours in the hospital. For the first few days I was there 22 hours a day. Luckily Steve has been able to join us so I have the overnight 12 hours, he has the early part of the day and my sister has the afternoon. I don't function well without sleep. Some nights it's good and mom and I get to sleep and other nights nobody sleeps. but with Steve here I can catch up in the daytime. (This is why having babies is better when you are young!) No pretty pictures with this post. I now have an even greater appreciation for nurses and nurse assistants who do their best and are short staffed. I know that if it is at all possible you really do have to stay with a loved one in the hospital at all times. That's just the way it is. Mom may get to go to rehab but it will be Thursday or Friday. I'm not even going to linger on the thought that it could happen Wednesday. I may get to go home for at least a while then and I will rejoice in the familiar surroundings that I usually take for granted. My laptop has decided to act up this week and needs to be sent in for repair - but it did it at the best time! My AppleCare Protection runs out January 30 so it's still covered. Amazing luck! I am now working solely on my iPad,and I love it even more. See - even at the most trying of times good things can happen.

Take with food...

As you may remember, I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I've consulted with my gyn, a nutritionist, and most recently a physical therapist who is teaching me the correct form for both pilates and weightlifting.

I've given up gluten, as suggested by the gyn, and switched to healthy fats and lots more of them as suggested by the nutritionist. Both of these professionals sell supplements, but not the same brand of supplements. They have me on all sorts of things that I was beginning to think my be doing more for them than for me. FYI - in addition to a spoonful of coconut oil per day (which is actually pretty tasty) I take a spoonful of cinnamon-flavored flax seed oil (almost icky).

My first meeting with the physical therapist was truly informative. She looked at the list of pills and my normal diet and said "you aren't getting enough calcium." She's a believer is getting what you need from food first (and I tend to agree with her) but it's hard when you've been told no milk or cheese or Total cereal (one of her favorite calcium-rich foods). So I've added mustard greens, almonds, and Oikos plain non-fat yogurt to my daily diet.

She also recommended CitriCal for my calcium supplement (backed by good research) and Women's One-A-Day vitamins for women over 50. Both of these are cheaper and easier to find than the fancy supplements I was taking. Then she said something about taking my pills 15-20 minutes after a meal. This was in passing, just a quick thought.

I stopped her because I have always taken my pills 'with food' - meaning 'while I was eating.' I could tell from her expression that she thought I was maybe not that bright because, of course, with food means after food. Not to me because I tend to be literal. If they want you to take pills 20 miinutes after eating the instructions should say just that.

This is the what I've learned: When you take pills is important. It's possible that the calcium problems I have are because I've taken my pills at the wrong time for 8 years. If nothing else, it can't have helped.

Those of you who already know when to take your pills, pat yourself on the back and be happy. Those of you who are doing what I was doing, ask you physician exactly when you should be taking your pills. I hope this is helpful to someone because I do wish I had known this sooner.

 

 

 

Let's bake a cake (on youtube)...

My grandson, Jack, who is 3.3 years old knows how to watch a YouTube video on an iPhone. And what, you ask, does he like to watch the most? Videos about making cakes! It's taken me way longer than it should have to connect the dots between Piece O' Cake and his love of cake-making videos. What can I say, I'm slow.

His favorite video is about how to make a fire truck cake (Chris, if you send me a link to that one and I'll share it) but he also likes this one:

 

My birthday was 1/11/11 when I turned 55. There is a good symmetry there - all those double numbers :-). We didn't have a party but Steve and I did drink champagne. We do have a party planned for 7/11/11 when I'll be 55 1/2 - half way to 111! I would really love to live to see the day when I turn 111 years old on 1/11. I believe in long-term goals and Steve and I hope to make it that far to enjoy the party we have on that day!

But, since 2066 is a long way off, when I get home from OKC I may be seeing a Princess cake when I get back from OKC because Jack really wants to bake an exciting cake. That boy is definitely related to me!

Chris sent the link:

 

When mom calls...

My mother is having back surgery today. Her lower back was fused years ago and now it needs fusing above that. Her bending days are over. I'm in OKC for a couple of weeks doing my best to be helpful. If nothing else, I can lift and bend :-). I'll post as I can.

My oldest son writes. In fact, (in my humble opinion) Christopher writes very well!  So for today I'm going to share my son Christopher's blog with you (photo above from his 9th post). If you read his first post in this sequence, you'll find out that his topic for the year is taken from the book, This Book Will Change Your Life. I wonder if it will?

Be warned that he often uses 'adult' language which doesn't bother me but may bother you. I hope you enjoy his blog.

 

I'm thinking of Australian friends...

...but mostly of Australians who I have never met. The flooding in Queensland is amazing in its destruction. I have read reports and have been keeping up as best I can but nothing brings it home quite like this video that I found on Pam Holland's blog:

 

Australians are truly amazing people and once it dries out I'm sure they will overcome this disaster. Until then, my thoughts are with you. And, to the people who shot that video: I hope the water did not get to your car in the front of that building!

As I type this I'm hearing that the winter weather is going to be much worse on our east coast. To all of you who end up snowed in, I hope you stay warm and dry and that you have some applique to keep you busy.

 

Snow prints!

I saw this on Design Sponge: Luke Aleckson made snowshoes from rigid plastic bread trays in 2005. You can see his post here on Printeresting.

When I posted about the snow in north Texas yesterday, I hadn't watched the news for a few days. Who knew the east coast was snowed under!? Not me. Anyway, for those of you who still have snow (ours is gone) this is an interesting idea...

Daisies & Dots are here!

By now many of you have gotten our latest eNewsletter announcing our new fabric collection, Daisies & Dots. If you're not on the newsletter list, be sure to visit our home page and jump from there to see what's new. There's a new pincushion video, there is a new free pattern, there's all sorts of fun stuff!

In other news, it snowed in north Texas yesterday! Steve did not jump in the pool. His plan is to jump in at least once a month and he's already been in twice since January 1. It may be the end of February before he braves the cold water again. Those of you who live where it snows a lot will laugh, but this snowfall has shut down most of north Texas, at least for Monday morning. Yet another excuse not to go to the gym.

 

 

 

Labels...

I am not a wine connoisseur. I'll admit right here that there is a lot of cheap red wine that tastes just dandy to me.

Since there are a lot of inexpensive wines on the shelf I often resort to buying wine by how cute the label is. Friends (thank you, Carol and David!) gave us this bottle of Bubo.

The label makes me want to draw! And I love the shade of green on the foil/plastic around the top of the bottle. Wouldn't that be pretty in fabric?

And, because enquiring minds might want to know, Bubo is tasty!

See a close-up of the label below. I may have to begin soaking off and saving the best labels!

 

Family photos...

Some years ago I organized our good family photos into albums. I am not by nature a scrapbooker so my albums are pretty plain. They live in a cabinet and I rarely think of them. However, on Saturday, Jeff and Celia's last day here, Celia was asking about old pictures! I pulled out the albums and we had a really good time going over them. Here are a few that Celia loved:

That's my mom holding me in 1956! As I was filling in this sort of detail for Celia I realized that I should have written a lot of it IN THE ALBUM! I can see I'm going to have to go back and do that.

These are my grandparents, Mabel and Dan Eckroat, on their honeymoon. They travelled often in their lives.

This is a Christmas picture with my dad, his sister, Helen, and my grandparents. I remember most of that furniture.

Here's Jeff when he was 6 or 7. He was on a hike with Steve and Christopher. He has his tough guy face on!

And that's Jeff on the right, sailing in Boston harbor. We took him for a week of sailing lessons when he was in high school instead of him going on the class trip to Europe that he had no interest in.

You know what else I realized on Saturday? I quit printing pictures just as Celia and our grandchildren came on the scene. I have lots of digital images but really, it's not the same. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make some more albums. I may have them printed in books (I know I can do that) or not. Either way, I have a new thing on the to do list.