VSG Maintenance Group

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diane S.
on 10/29/25 2:09 pm
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Yes this shrub will get thicker and flower more after being cut back. I think that is why ours is so thick - being cut back each Halloween. Others around town are sort of spindly. This plant comes from Brazil and won't take frost. It blooms several times per year. Our front yard is now full of plant parts. Trimming was all I can do today. Our walk looks like it rained purple rain....


      
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PaulaW1965
on 10/29/25 1:10 pm, edited 10/29/25 6:11 am
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Oh DD! All the feels! What you are doing is another right thing to do, family secrets and all. Hope the hangover doesn?t last long. I?m glad you get your sister as a backup soon and can tackle this together. Such tough decisions! Reminds me of when we needed to tell on Dad to get his driver?s license taken away. It actually went much smoother than we imagined. Praying for some smoothness in your parents transitions too!

DiamondD
on 10/29/25 12:40 pm
VSG on 06/13/12
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

That is so gorgeous! Will chopping it back make it flower even more? Is it like Lilacs, where chopping back gets better blooms, but it might not be for a couple of years, or will it flower again next year? Is it year round flowers, or seasonal?

DiamondD
on 10/29/25 12:39 pm
VSG on 06/13/12
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

It's good for the kids to come over and see the house emptying out. They're going to be fine. And soon you won't have to wonder how cold is it out there really? I really admire your steadfast determination to make your vision of retirement come true. It's going to be wonderful!

DiamondD
on 10/29/25 12:32 pm
VSG on 06/13/12
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

I took oral medication (fosamax) for osteoporosis for several years, but this year they switched me to an IV infusion with Reclast. Much better than taking meds (although mine were only weekly, they were annoying because you couldn't eat, drink, lay down or bend over for at least 30 minutes after taking them. It's surprising how many of those things you want to do, especially bending over), and a better option if you have a gastric sleeve. But do take seriously the possible side effects from the first dosage, and plan for it, just in case. Several people I know did have the flu like symptoms described. I didn't, probably because I'd already taken a similar med for 4 years prior to my infusion. I don't know anybody who got sick with the 2nd dose. The good news is my bone density has been stable for the past 4 years! The medication really halted my bone loss, so well worth a few days of flu like symptoms should that happen.

Yesterday was tough. The Social Worker meet with us, my DB and DSIL and my Mom. My Dad had been there but we sent him home after some birthday cake to take his afternoon nap. It turned out to be good, because my brother and I were able to lay some of the ground work about what was not working. Now the social worker will meet with my parents today, but they won't be able to cover up problems and insist they are fine, and can handle everything. The social worker was kind, but tough. My Mom insisted she could transfer herself, and the social worker countered, I don't believe that you can consistently. She also told my Mom that there was a whole hospital taking care of her right now, and one person, or even two people cannot do it alone. She added that if my parents don't accept some in home care, she is a mandated reporter and will have to get the county involved if she believes they are not safe. I asked if my mother could also get support for mental health, and she put that on the care plan. If my Mom is in the hospital for 3 days, they will get home care for 30 days when she is discharged, but then they will have to pay for it. This is where the problem starts. That, and my Mom already saying I don't want people in my house everyday.

This is so hard. After a lifetime of training, telling family "secrets" is excruciating for me. I didn't say anything that was untrue or unkind, but deep in my shame based soul, I feel like I am a bad girl for telling. The good news is that I can now identify what I'm feeling, and label it, and I know I am not "bad". But it leaves a hangover feeling. I couldn't sleep last night, and got up and had tea at 2am. I slept until 10am this morning. I am releasing myself from any expectations today, and doing whatever feels comforting and peaceful. I did my best to help my parents, and now the care plans created will play out one way or the other. I will be okay, I just have to treat the hangover.

On a happy note, Aussie sister is coming for a quick visit, which she had been planning because of my Mom's birthday, but now I have back up. It's always fun to be with her. If my Mom is released from the hospital, we will go and stay overnight together at my parents house Friday night to celebrate Mom's birthday.

It's chilly here, although the sun is bright. I'm needing to make an adjustment. If I have day after day in a row off, I guess I expect it to be warm ie summer. During this kind of weather, I might have an occasional day off, but not a string of them. Every day it is chilly I am kind of What the heck?!! I'm so confused when I'm getting dressed. Yesterday I had to remind myself you need to wear a sweater and closed toe shoes. Today I am wearing crop pants, a summer weight sweater, and sneakers. But I'm cold. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. : )

Today will be more tea, reading, and I might make shepherd's pie ( I guess cottage pie since I will use beef instead of lamb), which is high on my comfort food list. I'm feeling more myself already.

diane S.
on 10/29/25 12:19 pm
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The princess bush which is about to get chopped back!


      
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diane S.
on 10/29/25 12:16 pm
Topic: RE: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Hahahah you would get many demerits for allowing the portapotty display. ds


      
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diane S.
on 10/29/25 12:14 pm
Topic: RE: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

We put the dogs in their kennels in our bedroom for the evening with something to chew. Sometimes we let them out later in the evening. We get so many kids we just leave the front door open as it has a dog gate. No point in opening and shutting the door as there are kids in a steady stream most of the night. ds


      
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PaulaW1965
on 10/29/25 11:21 am
Topic: RE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

120.9. I have not dipped below the 120 mark this time around not sure if I did after VSG or not, if so it would have been fleeting! The lowest "adult" weight I can remember was 116 in High School and I was anorexic at the time!

Getting the damaged wood floor repaired today. Hopefully it won't be too much of an expense. It's a pretty small job and I'm thankful to have found someone to take it on and in such a short timeframe!

DSD, SIL and DC1 will all be here for dinner. Should be interesting as we are now using a fold out table and lawn chairs as our dining room furniture! Costco's orange chicken with my modification to the sauce is on the menu. I'm trying my best to use up freezer and pantry supplies we already have on hand!

Liz, did you have to do the massage with your filler that was so painful for me? Sounds like your experience so far was much better than mine!

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