It looks like my house won't sell this fall. The real estate contract expires November 15, and the realtor and I have agreed it might be good to get a fresh start next year with a new listing, since the house has been on the market for 15 months now. Lots of great comments from the lookers, so it isn't the house, it is the economic uncertainty in folks' minds.
So...I will be back and forth to MN over the winter. Besides the holidaze, there are some serious health concerns with several family members and I plan to be available to help out as needed there.
But, in the meantime, while I'm still living here, I am going to help a friend of mine start a new hospice!
As some of you know, she and I both worked for the same hospice here - that is how we met - although, we used to live two miles from each other in West St. Paul and never knew it! Then we found out we were living two miles from each other in Marquette. Small world.
So...she was widowed in 1999, moved to Northern Wisconsin to try to fulfill some of the dreams she and her late husband never got to live out due to his diabetes and colon cancer. Eventually, she met Dennis (the contractor who rescued my kitchen remodel disaster) and moved here.
When I worked hospice, it quickly became apparent to me that the nepotism (and worse) would not work for me. I lasted three months. My friend continued to work there, needing the job, flying under the radar.
But she couldn't keep up with the insanity of things there.
So...we were brainstrorming about what she might do next. I am still committed to my writing, but can help her get this started.
And, over coffee Friday, Circle of Life Hospice was born!
We intend not to compete with the other two hospices in town, but to reach out to another segment of the population that presently is underserved.
Many people do not want a philosophy coming on too strong, especially when they are dying. And they want what they want, including perhaps a more spiritual approach to the care and support they receive.
We will ask the local therapy dog group to volunteer, something they were not welcome to do with the present services.
We will be tapping into alternative healing to complement conventional symptom management. The alternative hospice models in existence are offering everything from acupuncture to energy healing to a widely-encompassing spiritual support, rather than the "accept conventional beliefs or burn in hell" approach.
We also feel that the entire family should be able to receive care, including animals, so our hospice will have two parts - human care and animal care. The Circle of Life...
We have been talking to local vets for a couple of years now about how to get an animal hospice started and they like the idea, but it will take someone outside their organizations to get it rolling.
So, it looks like I've got my winter projects cut out for me!
mmmmmmmm!!! just so you are aware too ... I've been watching the housing market and rates are sssooooo low right now to buy. I understand the 15 month thing but people weren't buying before and now with all of the extra incentives and low rates I think people are looking again.
Good luck again though.
and as for animal hospice...you are a perfect person for this. I think it is a fasinating great idea and I'm glad someone is doing something about it. Is that more of a spa thing while the pets are with the elderly OR is it for when a pet gets sick with Cancer or other ailments and need rest before dying? so would you have to be apart of the putting to sleep process?
With the animal hospice, we would endeavor to help anyone who would like to have their animal at home and comfortable, with them. This might include people who are taking an animal home after surgery and not feeling quite comfortable with the situation. We could provide moral and technical support while they get over the hump.
With animals who are dying - well those who have done this know there is often a period of time when you aren't sure yet that it is "time". But those people might want some help and support and pain management at home.
We would also involve vets who are willing to euthanize in the home if that is what the family wants, or for dogs who are so scared to go to the vet that it just makes the situation so much worse.
We would not be trying to prolong an animal's life - that is never the goal of hospice in my opinion. But rather to support the animal and family in such ways that the quality of whatever life remains is perhaps better than it might have been.
It can also help facilitate family and other animals getting a chance to say goodbye, and thinking through what each family member and animal needs in order to do this.
We would be doing this probably on an all-volunteer basis, or clients would pay for the services. It is possible that we could do some fundraising or something.
We are truly in the brainstorming phase of things. Any thoughts or wish lists that anyone would like to share would be very helpful!
I found out last night that the doc we intend to approach about the human side of things has wanted for a long time to start a nursing home in the country, next to their farm, and provide healthy meals and a more pastoral setting. We could see that also becoming the inpatient option for our hospice, and probably could see three dreams realized instead of two.
What a wonderful idea. It really hits home here as my daughter's yellow lab was euthanized this morning and everything happened so quickly her three children won't even know until they come home from school. I wish there had been some way to keep her alive until the children were able to say their goodbyes.
I am not really giving up on selling my house, just taking a break over the winter. If I leave it on the market, I have to keep all my walks shoveled so people can get to my outbuilding, and that was difficult for me last year to keep up with that. Especially when I'd be gone for a couple of weeks to MN and come home to 8-foot drifts to clear! If I knew I had enough writing projects to cover me through the winter, I would hire it done.
Then, too, I found out that Drummer and Jen will probably live in Marquette next summer, on their way to his grad school program. So, if I am still in this house over the winter, it makes sense that they could come and live with me for three months. Drummer could take care of a lot of the maintenance I'm feeling like should be done before putting the house back on the market. There is some trim that, in the past 15 months, has really come to need to be painted. I've hired two separate people, who never got around to it.
My realtor thought it would be good to start over with a fresh listing, maybe put it on when the snow is gone next spring.
Meanwhile, even though I am going to try to help start this hospice service here, I don't see myself staying here long-term. I still want to get back to my MN family and friends. It just is taking longer than I thought, and I may need to travel back and forth more when my family starts needing my help.
Anyone who is so inclined, please send your thoughts and prayers and good energy towards the highest good in all of this. My hope is to get enough writing work to keep my life flexible so I can help the people in my life who need my help. This effort has been working for 3.5 years now, and I know it can keep working. But I need that next project...a one-year part-time retainer agreement would work well...
I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter's dog.
As we have researched existing animal hospice models, we keep stumbling on websites that try to help families who have lost a pet. Children's needs can be unique, in this regard.
I did a google search for "when children don't get to say goodbye to pets" and came up with this as the first hit:
Merlin just has gained weight and has a sore back - thankfully nothing else - his rehab is terribly slow - we got him to talk his first 'full' walk in about two months yesterday - had to coax the hell out of him with treats just to get some good forward motion out of him.
The Niece with the Dogs with the Most Cake (TNWTDWTMC)'s doggie went to the Rainbow Bridge today. :sad: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
She was 14.5 years old. She was (we think) the dog who ate the entire graduation cake in 1998 (but at least she chose the cake with the tiny flowers on each piece and not the one with all the fancy decorations and congratulations message).
The federal home buyers tax credit, set to expire in July, and low mortgage rates make the next six to nine months a good time to buy a house, if you plan to live in it, real estate economist Ken Rosen tells Stacey Delo. (Nov. 23)
Thanks, me2! I left my house on the market due to some of the new programs. Hoping something happens soon so I don't have to drive back and forth all winter. With so much going on in my family, it is inevitable I'll be in the cities about once a month this winter.
Just on the off chance someone knows this dog, I have to post this.
This dog was found Tuesday near White Bear and Minnehaha.
If anyone happens to know who it's owners are, please call me at 651-356-5470.
Male, Aussie shepherd mix. 8-10 months old. Being cared for by the finder until owner found or perfect home can be found. She has checked with the Humane Society and done the usual things to try to find his family.
I can never remember which folder the sad day thread is under, so am posting here.
I am in town. Got called Wednesday, as my sister's husband was not doing well. He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2009 (and told at that time 2-4 months) and he did very well for over a year. He was out on the back deck woodcarving on Monday, and by Thursday was unresponsive. He passed very, very peacefully at home yesterday morning.
In a six degrees coincidence, Becksie is a neighbor to my sister and BIL, and saw my nephew outside not long after his dad had passed away. So, I got to talk with (and get hugs from) Becksie, me2 and daughter, and ClueMaster.
My computer access has been pretty limited (where I'm staying there is a dinosaur computer that usually doesn't let me get this far in posting) so this has been the first chance I've had to post much.
Some of us have been posting about spending more time on Able Minds throughout the year, to help keep things going, get to know other Cooler Crew peeps better, etc.
So, here goes...just an update on what's been going on in my life.
I'm starting my third year of my contract job. I'm still renting, hoping to change that this year, also hoping my "camp" in the Upper Peninsula will sell soon.
I'm really enjoying spending time with my 20-month-old grandson, and living near many family member and long-time friends.
I am hoping to carve out some spare time this year, to resume my hobbies of quilting, finish my kids' photo albums (intended to be their Christmas gifts, but the years go by and I haven't gotten very far with them), and find time to work on my Healing Touch certification which has been on hold for two years.
Thanks, me2. I haven't sold the other place yet, but I keep hoping!
You used to quilt? Cooler! I really enjoy it, but haven't really done much since I moved back to MN. Sad, cuz I have some friends who quilt once a month and then do quilting retreats up north, but it always gets scheduled when I've got something else planned. That's going to change this year, though. I've promised myself that!
Can't say I've ever quilted, my mom made me one after I bought her a sewing machine (mostly so I could get pants hemmed whenever I needed, heh).
My mom did teach me how to crochet though, so I've had a few projects on that I've been working on. One is a bunch of granny aquares that when put together will make an 8-bit Super Mario blanket.
And yes, I know, I'm a guy, guys don't normally do things like crochet. So what :pbpt: I've always like making things with my hands.
KC - There was Rosey Grier that did needle point...and if he can do what has traditionally been thought of as a woman's hobby, so can you. It's time for those stereotypes to be knocked down a few pegs.
Started packing for my Florida trip. Have to take the new swimsuit back to the Maggot Mall to have them take the anti-theft tag off! And I really don't have the spare time to do that, but will have to. They should make it up to me, but I'll bet they won't. They said I have to bring my receipt so I can prove I didn't steal it. Nice.
Omg Eags... stupid theft tags!!! I had a Wild jersey from JC Penneys YEARS ago that they forgot to take the security tag off..... STILL haven't brought it in yet cause I never found the receipt and felt like it was my fault. I hate hate people who steal who make us look bad for the stores fault.
So...I will be back and forth to MN over the winter. Besides the holidaze, there are some serious health concerns with several family members and I plan to be available to help out as needed there.
But, in the meantime, while I'm still living here, I am going to help a friend of mine start a new hospice!
As some of you know, she and I both worked for the same hospice here - that is how we met - although, we used to live two miles from each other in West St. Paul and never knew it! Then we found out we were living two miles from each other in Marquette. Small world.
So...she was widowed in 1999, moved to Northern Wisconsin to try to fulfill some of the dreams she and her late husband never got to live out due to his diabetes and colon cancer. Eventually, she met Dennis (the contractor who rescued my kitchen remodel disaster) and moved here.
When I worked hospice, it quickly became apparent to me that the nepotism (and worse) would not work for me. I lasted three months. My friend continued to work there, needing the job, flying under the radar.
But she couldn't keep up with the insanity of things there.
So...we were brainstrorming about what she might do next. I am still committed to my writing, but can help her get this started.
And, over coffee Friday, Circle of Life Hospice was born!
We intend not to compete with the other two hospices in town, but to reach out to another segment of the population that presently is underserved.
Many people do not want a philosophy coming on too strong, especially when they are dying. And they want what they want, including perhaps a more spiritual approach to the care and support they receive.
We will ask the local therapy dog group to volunteer, something they were not welcome to do with the present services.
We will be tapping into alternative healing to complement conventional symptom management. The alternative hospice models in existence are offering everything from acupuncture to energy healing to a widely-encompassing spiritual support, rather than the "accept conventional beliefs or burn in hell" approach.
We also feel that the entire family should be able to receive care, including animals, so our hospice will have two parts - human care and animal care. The Circle of Life...
We have been talking to local vets for a couple of years now about how to get an animal hospice started and they like the idea, but it will take someone outside their organizations to get it rolling.
So, it looks like I've got my winter projects cut out for me!
Good luck again though.
and as for animal hospice...you are a perfect person for this. I think it is a fasinating great idea and I'm glad someone is doing something about it. Is that more of a spa thing while the pets are with the elderly OR is it for when a pet gets sick with Cancer or other ailments and need rest before dying? so would you have to be apart of the putting to sleep process?
With animals who are dying - well those who have done this know there is often a period of time when you aren't sure yet that it is "time". But those people might want some help and support and pain management at home.
We would also involve vets who are willing to euthanize in the home if that is what the family wants, or for dogs who are so scared to go to the vet that it just makes the situation so much worse.
We would not be trying to prolong an animal's life - that is never the goal of hospice in my opinion. But rather to support the animal and family in such ways that the quality of whatever life remains is perhaps better than it might have been.
It can also help facilitate family and other animals getting a chance to say goodbye, and thinking through what each family member and animal needs in order to do this.
We would be doing this probably on an all-volunteer basis, or clients would pay for the services. It is possible that we could do some fundraising or something.
We are truly in the brainstorming phase of things. Any thoughts or wish lists that anyone would like to share would be very helpful!
I found out last night that the doc we intend to approach about the human side of things has wanted for a long time to start a nursing home in the country, next to their farm, and provide healthy meals and a more pastoral setting. We could see that also becoming the inpatient option for our hospice, and probably could see three dreams realized instead of two.
Then, too, I found out that Drummer and Jen will probably live in Marquette next summer, on their way to his grad school program. So, if I am still in this house over the winter, it makes sense that they could come and live with me for three months. Drummer could take care of a lot of the maintenance I'm feeling like should be done before putting the house back on the market. There is some trim that, in the past 15 months, has really come to need to be painted. I've hired two separate people, who never got around to it.
My realtor thought it would be good to start over with a fresh listing, maybe put it on when the snow is gone next spring.
Meanwhile, even though I am going to try to help start this hospice service here, I don't see myself staying here long-term. I still want to get back to my MN family and friends. It just is taking longer than I thought, and I may need to travel back and forth more when my family starts needing my help.
Anyone who is so inclined, please send your thoughts and prayers and good energy towards the highest good in all of this. My hope is to get enough writing work to keep my life flexible so I can help the people in my life who need my help. This effort has been working for 3.5 years now, and I know it can keep working. But I need that next project...a one-year part-time retainer agreement would work well...
As we have researched existing animal hospice models, we keep stumbling on websites that try to help families who have lost a pet. Children's needs can be unique, in this regard.
I did a google search for "when children don't get to say goodbye to pets" and came up with this as the first hit:
http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aapetlosskids.htm
Grief support is an important part of what we will offer in both the human and animal hospice services.
She was 14.5 years old. She was (we think) the dog who ate the entire graduation cake in 1998 (but at least she chose the cake with the tiny flowers on each piece and not the one with all the fancy decorations and congratulations message).
Rest in peace, Jenna. Good Dog!!!
Enjoy your day
:frown: that was sad that they didn't get to say goodbye :frown:
sorry :frown:
hope you had a wonderful day
A Good Time To Buy A Home
Nov. 23, 2009
The federal home buyers tax credit, set to expire in July, and low mortgage rates make the next six to nine months a good time to buy a house, if you plan to live in it, real estate economist Ken Rosen tells Stacey Delo. (Nov. 23)
I was in MN for Thanksgiving, am home in Marquette again for awhile.
Looks good for me to be in MN a lot during the hunt this year!
I was just looking at a picture of you last night :smile:
stalking :wink:
and I got coupons for Carbonees!
Hope the photo of me wasn't *too* scary...
This dog was found Tuesday near White Bear and Minnehaha.
If anyone happens to know who it's owners are, please call me at 651-356-5470.
Male, Aussie shepherd mix. 8-10 months old. Being cared for by the finder until owner found or perfect home can be found. She has checked with the Humane Society and done the usual things to try to find his family.
http://www.511wi.gov/web/Map.aspx
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?animate=true
I didn't know he was graduating.
It really was good to see you the other day Eags. A very nice suprise. you are a calming spirit.
I am in town. Got called Wednesday, as my sister's husband was not doing well. He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2009 (and told at that time 2-4 months) and he did very well for over a year. He was out on the back deck woodcarving on Monday, and by Thursday was unresponsive. He passed very, very peacefully at home yesterday morning.
In a six degrees coincidence, Becksie is a neighbor to my sister and BIL, and saw my nephew outside not long after his dad had passed away. So, I got to talk with (and get hugs from) Becksie, me2 and daughter, and ClueMaster.
My computer access has been pretty limited (where I'm staying there is a dinosaur computer that usually doesn't let me get this far in posting) so this has been the first chance I've had to post much.
Small world
love you
 :sheepish: :confused:
Some of us have been posting about spending more time on Able Minds throughout the year, to help keep things going, get to know other Cooler Crew peeps better, etc.
So, here goes...just an update on what's been going on in my life.
I'm starting my third year of my contract job. I'm still renting, hoping to change that this year, also hoping my "camp" in the Upper Peninsula will sell soon.
I'm really enjoying spending time with my 20-month-old grandson, and living near many family member and long-time friends.
I am hoping to carve out some spare time this year, to resume my hobbies of quilting, finish my kids' photo albums (intended to be their Christmas gifts, but the years go by and I haven't gotten very far with them), and find time to work on my Healing Touch certification which has been on hold for two years.
Thanks for the update - you're good stuff Eags.
I thought you sold the other place - It's such a NICE place too!!
You used to quilt? Cooler! I really enjoy it, but haven't really done much since I moved back to MN. Sad, cuz I have some friends who quilt once a month and then do quilting retreats up north, but it always gets scheduled when I've got something else planned. That's going to change this year, though. I've promised myself that!
Life is a long time, Terry. You may quilt yet!
My mom did teach me how to crochet though, so I've had a few projects on that I've been working on. One is a bunch of granny aquares that when put together will make an 8-bit Super Mario blanket.
And yes, I know, I'm a guy, guys don't normally do things like crochet. So what :pbpt: I've always like making things with my hands.
I agree, Terry. It would be great if that stuff didn't get stereotyped. I think people should do what they like to do.
I'm kind or tired of seeing light blue. It's the background color of the blanket, hence the most of one color I have to do.
Thanks for the update Eags, great idea!