Tag Archives: visiting my husband at the nursing home

May 1, 2026 · 8:31 pm

Saturday 5-2-2026

Pinterest

Happy May! I hope this month brings you nicer, calmer weather, some flowers pushing up confirming Spring, and lots and lots of smiles.

________________

Two latest painted sketches. I tried to show in this one that it doesn’t matter what kind of shop it is, the people use lots of plants to make it inviting.

I’m into a fun pattern now, where I paint some sketches at home, then take them to the cafe to add details and finish them, then do more sketches.

_______________

Yesterday at the cafe they were taking pictures of drinks for some kind of promotion. I wasn’t in the way and they allowed me to watch. They would make a drink – for example, a pretty one with purple froth on top. Then they would go outside and find some tiny purple flowers and greenery to add to the top of the drink before photographing. It was beautiful and fascinating. They saw I was taking an interest, so they started looking at me for at thumbs up when I liked what I saw. 😁

I used Google Translate yesterday to thank the lady server there who has been so kind to me. She watches for ‘my spot’ to open up, for example. She came and got me recently and helped me move my stuff! Anyway, I thanked her for being so kind. I told her I had made some wooden earrings and wanted to give them to her as a gift for her kindness. I thought she was going to cry. It was a really nice moment.

_______________

We are going to visit Harvey this morning. The nursing home sent Brian a picture of him READING! He wasn’t using the reading light (it was in bed with him) but he was reading again for the first time in a long time. We’re hoping to encourage that today, show him how to use the light again, if needed, and hopefully brighten his day.

________________

I’m practicing with my guitar – though progress is painfully slow – and learning one chord at a time now. I’m learning “A”, picturing it in my mind rather than referring to diagrams, and doing as well as I can placing my fingers as near the frets as possible, continuing to work at it until I get a good, clean sound. I do this several times before my fingertips start yelling at me. I’m building callouses as I practice. 🎸

__________________

Notable Quotes

16 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

April 11, 2026 · 4:10 am

Saturday 4-11-2026

These are my latest painted sketches.

We went to visit my husband in the nursing home this morning. This was not one of the better visits, so when we got home. we regrouped and went over to the cafe. I relaxed, drank a mocha, and did some sketching. I’m now back home, trying catch up for the day.

We have one more day before we will be in self-imposed hibernation due to the celebration of Songkran here Monday through Wednesday of next week. (More about Songkran in another post) We are finishing stockpiling supplies so that we don’t have to go out after tomorrow, except for the gym, which we’re hoping is early enough to avoid a problem.

It’s officially 100 degrees here this afternoon – due to get to 101. The Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real Time index says it’s in the unhealthy range, so the windows have remained close and my a/c off an on, with fans to get a comfortable temperature in my place.

I’m officially at 50.90 kgs this morning (112.215 lbs.) this morning, so almost to my goal of 110. I’m within the ballpark of where I want to be, so I’m just watching my portions, rather than worrying about carbs, fats, or anything else. My eyeballs are floating with all the water I’m drinking, and I’m exercising every afternoon in addition to walking at the gym each morning. Brian says he notices that I’m stronger and steadier at little things, such as being able to stand still in the hot while we’re waiting for our Grab to arrive to take us someplace.

I got a laugh yesterday out of the alternate massage therapist, Khun Sulee, after she finished getting all the kinks out of me. I showed her this picture –

I put the phone beside my face and then pointed from the phone to me and back, then pointed to my legs and back. She finally got it and we both laughed. The resemblence is pretty amazing, except I’m not as cute.

8 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

March 31, 2026 · 2:14 am

Tuesday 3-31-2026

“Quiescent” -@pauljwillson.bsky.social

I love the feelings this creates in me. Calming and dreamy.

________________

I painted 4 thank you cards for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, yesterday. My son and I talked about my doing this last night as we shared dinner. He thinks it’s a bit ‘weird’ that I leave a card for her each week, but added that he thought it was probably something she thought was nice. I told him that I don’t care if they all wind up in her trash can when she gets home. I just want her to know that I appreciate what she does for me each week and don’t take it for granted.

I have a sketch rattling around in my head today that I’m going to try to get started on this afternoon. It is totally outside my ‘comfort zone,’ but we’ll see what happens.

__________________

Today’s visit to my husband at the nursing home was a bust. He was tired and not inclined to talk. He wanted to watch TV. We held his hands and did that. He watched with great attention although he doesn’t speak a word of Thai. When I kissed his head on leaving, he leaned into me and said, “Thanks for coming.” That lean and the 5 seconds made the trip worth it.

____________________

Canva

6 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , ,

March 28, 2026 · 2:52 am

Saturday 3-28-2026

Tina Ann

You’re never too old to have some fun!

__________________

We visited my husband this morning. Most of the time he didn’t make any sense. We just each held a hand and listened, responding the best way we could. At the end of the visit, he wanted some French fries, so Brian arranged for some to be delivered. While I was kissing him goodbye, he said, “I spend half my days remembering how good our time together has been.” I lost it. Harvey’s nurse kindly sent us a video we saw on our way home, showing him eating the fries and saying they were ‘good.’

____________________

LOSING THE LARD PROGRESS REPORT for March –

Giphy

I am 5’4″ tall (and shrinking). As of this morning, I have lost 93 pounds (down from 205 to 112) and 87.7 inches. I am 2 pounds away from my maintenance weight goal, after over two years of trying.

Kudos go to our son, who has been my gym buddy and who has helped me cut my portions on food intake and who has been my supporter since we moved to Chiang Mai last April. He has taken me to doctor appointments to establish a baseline and helped me with supplements to improve my health. And, with all this, he still manages to treat me to mochas or chocolate drinks in the afternoons to reward my efforts and keep me motivated.

I’m between 19 and 20 on the dreaded BMI chart finally, in the ‘healthy’ range. When I started two years ago, I was in the 35-36 area. ‘obese.’

I’m almost to my weight maintenance goal now. I’m concentrating on continuing to eat right, but not worrying about every morsel that goes into my mouth.

I’m adding to my exercise regimen every time it seems reasonable, trying to add things that will help my efforts to improve my balance issues, increase my strength, stamina and flexibility, and promote relaxation.

Hopefully, by the end of April, I’ll be able to report that my weight loss goal has been met!

________________________

I hope that you are having a stellar day and evening.

14 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , ,

January 29, 2026 · 2:22 am

Thursday, 1-29-2026

Tina Ann

______________

I love this. I wish I could do this during my yoga stretches. This lady looks like she could fold herself into a paper airplane and fly herself across the room. I do ‘old lady yoga stretches’ concentrating on stretching everything I have very slowly, relaxing and breathing into the stretches. Even with that, yesterday I must have overdone SOMETHING because I’m having to dose myself with Tylenol today. That said, I managed my mile walk on the treadmill at the gym this morning, and I’m hoping to do some extra QUIET stretches today, trying to undo whatever I did…

_______________

Sensory Joy

Yesterday I received the weighted blanket I ordered. It is about the size of a throw and just perfect for my needs. I restored my purple throw that Brian bought me a while back to my living area couch. It was like the blanket we loved on the luxury long flight on the way from the states to Thailand. I had exclaimed about it, and suddenly one showed up – and it was purple! Brian is definitely a keeper! 🤗

Anyway, “The Cool Season” in Thailand is definitely chilly in the mornings and at night, with a low of 50. There is no heat in Thailand, and I’m used to being able to set a thermostat for about 68, or have the luxury of a fire in the fireplace, an electric blanket, etc. So I’m wearing snuggly long pants to the gym and a jeans jacket, a hoodie over my shirt in my place, and was moving the throw back and forth from the living area to my bed and back again.

I’ve never had a weighted blanket, but it sounded really good. It arrived yesterday and I immediately put it on the bed and tried it for the first time last night. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like being hugged. Heavy, warm, and snuggly. I slept super well last night. 🥰

____________________

We visited my husband at the nursing home this morning. It broke my heart because he really wanted to come home with us. He has no concept of the fact that it takes 3 experienced caretakers to get him in or out of the wheelchair or the fact that we have hired 24 hour care to meet all of his needs. He doesn’t grasp the fact that our places aren’t set up to accommodate wheelchairs, special beds, any place for 24 hour care to live, bathing facilities, ambulances for transportation… Anyway, barring a miracle, him coming ‘home’ just won’t happen. He WAS comfortable, wasn’t hurting anywhere, was glad to see us, and was going to try to eat whatever the caretakers brought for him today. Fingers crossed.🤞

_______________________

As I type, the windows are open and I have a fan moving the air around even more. It’s sunny and 84 degrees now – simply beautiful. Brian says the season where the air quality is poor due to the farmers burning the crop residues in their fields is approaching, but I’ll enjoy this every day I can. I just LOVE it!

________________________

I’m going to start painting the last sketch in my sketchbook this afternoon, unless I run out of time. I find it so relaxing to concentrate on colors and techniques, putting all other concerns out of my head for a while. :0)

_________________________

I hope that you are warm and safe wherever you are right now, and that Mother Nature decides to give you a break.

7 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

September 6, 2025 · 2:29 am

Saturday Thoughts 8-6-2025

@petsfunhouse.bsky.social

I just love this painting. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I can almost hear them playing and singing. I hope it makes YOU smile, too!

This is my dad. His birthday is today. He took pride in the fact that in 1918, the year he was born, it was Labor Day. He thought that was very appropriate. He would have been 107 today. He was super creative, ahead of his time on a lot of things. He ran a one-man advertising agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, winning advertising awards and local recognition for his radio advertisements. I miss his sarcasm and his great sense of humor.

My cleaning lady came a bit earlier than usual, and I was just getting ready to leave to be out of her way while she cleans. I thanked her for doing such a wonderful job for me, and she totally surprised me by hugging me! I hugged her hard in return. When I came back later she had left these flowers for me!!! I’m already spoiled by having her help, and hugs and flowers are simply priceless. 🤗

We went to see my husband, Harvey, in the nursing home this morning. He looked at us as if we were “invading” or something when we entered. He asked, “What are you doing here?” I replied, “We came to see YOU, of course. Is that all right?” He laid his head in my hand and said, “It’s wonderful.” Then, though we tried to talk to him, he made it clear he wanted to watch TV, so we gave up and left. He isn’t hurting, he knew who we were, and he had something he wanted to do, so that’s all good.

I have too many good things to do this afternoon, so after I finish sharing with you, I’ll get to at least one of them. Have a great day!

5 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , ,

August 9, 2025 · 2:47 am

This and That 8-9-2025

kaylishop.com

I have inherited the new, simplified-design Kindle that Brian bought for my husband. Harvey has always been a voracious reader, but this is one of the many ways he has changed since his stroke. He can’t handle the simplified Kindle, and he seems to be unable to dive into a book anymore. He has two paperbacks by his favorite authors on the table beside him, but he isn’t reading.

I’m enjoying the new design. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, just larger, clearer type and ease of use. I can throw it in my carrier when we vacate my place for my housekeeper. I really enjoy being able to do that. I am enjoying “Inheritance” by Nora Roberts right now, the first of a trilogy.

We went to visit Harvey today. He announced he had taken a new wife. He said her name is Amaterasu. He said that she is the daughter of Ka Pook, Harvey’s former 24 hour nurse, who has taken a new position in Bangkok. She is 18, tall and beautiful. Harvey said they had a quick ceremony since the marriage was a business arrangement, since she could go to the States if she married a citizen. He didn’t seem to worry about bigamy, or my reaction to the marriage. He was concerned about making arrangements at the airport.

I asked him if, since women seemed to be throwing themselves at his feet, finding him irresistible, if he planned to marry wife #3. He looked at me and said, “I’ll take it as it comes.”

Later we Googled the name, discovering that she is the Japanese sun goddess, a central figure in Shinto mythology. Apparently, he ‘met’ her on TV.

At home, I’m watching the skies, trying to get my laundry dry on the balcony. I brought in several dry things earlier, then rescued some other stuff a few minutes ago from a sudden rain, only to put the them out again about 10 minutes later. Doing laundry during the rainy season in Thailand teaches one to be alert and fast moving. 😁

I sketched several things while we were at the cafe staying out of my housekeeper’s way yesterday. I plan to draw some more thank you cards to leave for her plus start painting some of the sketches.

I hope you’re having a good day and finding reasons to smile.

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

August 3, 2025 · 2:53 am

A Beautiful Day

It wasn’t raining when Brian and I made our way to the gym this morning! Later the sun came out, and it’s a lovely day here.

We went to see my husband at the nursing home. He has a new full time caregiver who is very nice. She suggested we get him toys to give him something to do with his hands, so we’re looking into that. We stopped for a chocolate drink on the way home, having a nice conversation.

I have the afternoon to myself. I’m going to paint some of the drawings I did recently after I finish writing my blog posts. Such a great way to spend the afternoon! 😃

I am learning gradually to eat Thai food. Brian supplies me with a glass of water, plus I am learning to combine bites to include something that makes the ‘hot and spicy’ easier on my mouth.

Also, we’re drinking some mushroom tea in the mornings with breakfast. It’s Brian’s idea that the worse the tea tastes, the better it is for us. 🤣 He got us two teas – one container each from two different mushrooms. We also add bone broth to it for added health benefits. Both have long lists of all the wonderful stuff they provide. One doesn’t taste like much of anything except hot water. The other tastes truly awful. Of course, Brian thinks the latter is ‘better for us.’ We trade off on which one we drink each morning. There is no telling if either one really are that great health-wise, but it’s worth a shot. Plus, it gives us something to laugh about every other day…

Have a wonderful day!

10 Comments

Filed under Attitude

Tagged as , , , , , ,