tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16268018648405238982024-03-13T14:55:38.536-07:00Golden Years Like Hellgoldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-73282300224204560942012-01-10T16:22:00.000-08:002012-01-10T16:22:01.825-08:00The Sadness of Age<span style="font-size: large;">The past few days I have been trying to find help for a friends mother. She is receiving hospice care, which is extremely minimal care, just a nurse to come a couple of days a week and an aid for a couple of hours. The family is trying to keep their mother in her home, and unfortunately that is so expensive, financially and emotionally.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Talked with numerous agencies, all of which either had no funding or waiting lists of 3 to 6 months long. Medicaid waivers are almost nonexistent and Medicare only pays for limited services.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Getting old, and especially when one is at the end of their life is an exhausting process, that takes such a toll on everyone involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>goldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-4123628155979413862011-09-07T10:10:00.000-07:002011-09-07T10:10:07.699-07:00The 60's<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well the last two weeks have been fraught with concern for some old friends. One went into the hospital and ended up have his kidney and some other things get removed, he had cancer. Phil has been a friend from 40 years and is only 62, he is also my birthday brother and I love him a lot and was so sad to hear of his health crises.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Then the same day my friend Bill called from the hospital, he had fallen and looked kind of messed up. It was decided he was going to need a heart procedure done and the following week it was done, so far so good, he is also 62.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then two days later my friend Corey had a "small heart attack" and she spent a couple of days in the hospital, she is 60. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The 60's suck..........that is the conclusion that I am coming up with. Because most of my friends are that age it is really become prevalent that 60 sucks and God forbid you make it to 70. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My generation is not nearly as tough as my parent's generation was, and the generation under us is even less tough. The scientific studies are showing for the first time in history that the younger generations are dying sooner than the older ones. A lot is contributed to diet, but also the lack of physical activity, which I see all the time with the kids and grandkids. Is there a way to reverse this trend? I don't know. After going through 4 days without power, I found even I was suffering without my favorite TV show or the internet. So how does one withdraw from this addiction also?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It appears to me that country is full of addicts...food, sex, drugs,internet, tv and any new trend. I wonder if it is because this country was founded by those who had the adventure gene, those who had the wanderlust, those who were ADHD.....could it be that we are all genetically addictive and that something triggers it? I know my generation got hooked on the drugs,sex, fast food and pop.....it didn't take much in the 60's....Oh my, back to that number 60....</span></span>goldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-91008095353148998012011-08-31T12:50:00.000-07:002011-08-31T12:50:09.019-07:00Seniors and Hospitals<span style="font-size: large;">My friend Sue's mother, who is 86 years old finally got released from the hospital. She went in because the doctor thought it was her heart. It turned out after putting her through another cath, her heart was find but she had an infection. She had to go off her blood thinner to have the cath and they gave her antibiotics to fix the infection, but that screwed up her blood sugar. So even though her doctor said not to give her insulin, the hospital did so her blood sugar dropped to dangerous levels, so she could not be released. The longer someone stays in the hospital the more risk they are at having infections and getting weaker. She is finally home, but weak and worn out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">this is one of the common problems with hospital stays, the hospital does not listen to the attending doctor, someone always trys to re-invent the wheel. Unfortunately, that tactic kills more people then anyone wants to admit to. </span>goldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-73683165929374930932011-08-21T10:53:00.000-07:002011-08-21T10:53:56.709-07:00More Social Unsecurityhttp://news.yahoo.com/social-security-disability-verge-insolvency-090119318.html<br />
<br />
More issues to frighten peoplegoldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-56862008549255123862011-08-19T09:52:00.000-07:002011-08-19T09:52:44.769-07:00A Concept<span style="font-size: large;">A friend forward these thoughts to me.....interesting concept</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="yiv3748546msonormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt;">Those Born</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">1930 - 1979:</span></div><div align="center" class="yiv3748546msonormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="color: #603181; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO<br />
<br />
SURVIVED THE</span></b><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #603181; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's<br />
<br />
And 70's!<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
First, we survived being born to mothers</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
Who smoked and/or drank while they were<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Pregnant.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in<br />
Baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: green; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
As infants & children,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
We would ride in cars with no car seats,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
No booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and<br />
Sometimes no brakes.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Was always a special treat.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We drank water<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
From the garden hose and not from a bottle.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We shared one soft drink with four friends,</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
From one bottle and no one actually died from this.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And, we weren't overweight.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
WHY?</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
Because we were<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Always outside playing...that's why!</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: green; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We would leave home in the morning and play all day,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
As long as we were back when the<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Streetlights came on.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
No one was able<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
To reach us all day. And, we were O.K.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And then ride them down the hill, only to find out<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
We forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
A few times, we learned to solve the problem.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
No video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
No cell phones,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
No personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><u><br />
WE HAD FRIENDS</u><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And we went outside and found them!</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
And there were no lawsuits from these accidents.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: green; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And the worms did not live in us<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Forever.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Although we were told it would happen,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
We did not put out very many eyes.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Walked in and talked to them.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Those who didn't had to learn to deal<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
With disappointment.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
Imagine that!!</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Was unheard of.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
They actually sided with the law!<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: green; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
These generations have produced some of the best<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
The past 50 years<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility,<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And we learned how to deal with it all.<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
If YOU are one of them?<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
CONGRATULATIONS!</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
<br />
You might want to share this with others<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">For<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>our own good</i><span style="color: teal;">.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: teal;"><br />
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: teal;"><br />
How brave and lucky their parents were.</span><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="color: maroon;"><br />
<br />
Kind of makes you want to run<br />
Through the house<span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
With scissors, doesn't it ?</span></i><span class="yiv3748546ecxyiv1730843724ecxyiv1825926850apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>goldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626801864840523898.post-18645391191496793562011-08-19T09:31:00.000-07:002011-08-19T09:31:13.885-07:00What Golden Years?<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As one of the millions of baby boomers out there I have seen the impact of the global economy nightmares and wonder, will there be golden years for any of us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother, who died last July, said she was the lucky one. Her generation was able to benefit from the hard work, good investments and higher interest rates. She said that "plastic or credit" was the downfall of the future, because no one seemed to think forward anymore. Remember the story of the grasshopper and the ant? The financial crash impacted her income, but not as bad as those who were due to retire in the next few years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mom always said "getting old is not for wimps". No truer words were ever said.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So many of my peers have lost their retirements, health benefits and jobs, that the future does not look golden, or even rosy. Any idea of where this country is heading?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">More to say later.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
goldenyearslikehellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10742057834327664031noreply@blogger.com0