Message From: dogb@webtv.net (BJ) Date: Sat, Jun 3, 2000, 7:45am To: echristian@webtv.net (Elizabeth Christian) Subject: Saturday

You won't believe the final chapter on the van repair story. On the way home with the van, Demi was pulled over by the cops. The date decal placed on the license plate which indicates that you have paid your yearly registration fee was gone but when the cop ran the plate, it showed that the fee had been paid. Demi went to the Motor Vehicle Dept to get a replacement decal and was told that we had to report it stolen to the sheriff in order to get a replacement. By that time Demi had looked at the plate and could see where it had been torn off.

Demi came back and I, as the owner, called the sheriff's office and a sheriff came to the house within about 10 minutes. Demi gave him the registration and he started filling out the form when he got a call and had to leave. He must have been new because instead of just saying it was an emergency he told us it was an attempted suicide. Unfortunately when he left he took my registration with him. After I had my lunch another officer came. He had been given my registration by the first officer. It took almost an hour for the report to be written then Demi and I had to raise our right hand to swear it was the truth. Since my right arm doesn't move, Demi held it up for me which got me giggling.

To make a long story short (well I guess I didn't really do that). Demi then took the report number to the DMV and was given a new decal and registration. I later learned that if we had paid $15 the first visit to DMV, I would have gotten the decal right then without all this bother. Why is nothing simple? We figured out that the decal was taken while my van sat in the lot at the repair shop for a month. Other than that yesterday was just a normally quiet day. Demi must have brought a lot of stuff back. With my van and all her stuff there isn't room for her jeep in the garage. She has been constantly unpacking things and trying to find places to put things.

Zena is very comfortable in this quiet house and can find her way around to some extent. She can't find the lanai door so Demi has to carry her every time she needs to go out. If it were just Demi's decision she would probably have Zena put to sleep but Zena is Char's dog. Zena adopted Demi while Demi was living with Char and when Demi moved in with me so did Zena.

I am a nervous wreck about today's visit to the ER. I'm not concerned about what the doctor will say because there really isn't much he can say. I'm concerned about how they will get me on the table and what will happen if I'm forced to wait a long time.

Today is just another sunny, hot, dry day in Florida. I sure hope it doesn't get too hot before 10 when Fran wil be here to go with us to the ER. Sunshine Smiles, Barb

   Message From: dogb@webtv.net (BJ) Date: Sun, May 28, 2000, 6:03am To: echristian@webtv.net (Elizabeth Christian) Subject: Sunday I guess it was inevitable. When Fran came yesterday she was able to diagnose my sore as a decubitus (bed sore or pressure sore). She went out and bought stuff to clean it and some skin covering that allows it to breath but keeps the moisture in. It is much more comfortable now but whether or not this will heal it is unknown. What I really need is to have it seen by a doctor.

Of course nothing can be done over a holiday weekend. Fran knows an excellent Dr. in Fort Myers and has a call in to her with hopes that she can recommend somebody for me to see here. Of course there are many obstacles to over come before I can go anywhere such as transportation.

Fran is a real go getter and I know I can rely on her to help. We must have talked for 4 hours yesterday. We talked about trying to find somebody as a live in aide. She thinks my situation and needs should make it perfect for the right person. The trick is to find the right person and to keep Demi until a replacement can be found. Fran told me I need to be rolled on my side 4 times a day not just the 2 times that Demi does. I know Demi is going to be unhappy hearing that but she may take it better coming from Fran. That is if I can get Fran to come while Demi is here. Veta is going to come at 1 today and roll me on my side. I'm to stay that way until she returns at 5. I've ask Scott and Pam if they could check on my during that time. I really don't like being alone while I'm on my side but it can't be helped.

This has made me rather depressed and I slept off and on all yesterday afternoon and evening as well as my normal sleeping at night which is how I react when depressed. Sorry to dump this on you but it is occupying my thoughts so much that I can't think of much else. I know that once the skin starts breaking down it is a perpetual fight. I really have been very lucky not to have had problems before this with having been bed bound for five years. Not so Sunny Smiles, Barb

   Message From: dogb@webtv.net (BJ) Date: Fri, May 26, 2000, 3:03pm To: echristian@webtv.net (Elizabeth Christian) Subject: Friday Things have finally settled down and I can get to my email. Joan didn't arrive until about 6:30 last night. Demi was a bear until then. She became all sweetness in front of Joan. I wish there was always somebody else around for Demi to try to impress. Demi rented a mini van for the trip but didn't leave until almost 9 this morning. She had taken Zena to Char's last night and must have been able to relax without worrying about Zena all night. I don't remember the last time she slept so late. I woke up at about 5 but by the time I'd been online for a few minutes Justa came to give me my bath. Then Joan got up followed shortly by Demi. After Demi left Joan and I talked until about 11 when she had to leave. My cleaning lady came and while she was here Justa returned to give me lunch. Lori just left and I have a couple of hours before Veta arrives. I am so tired I can hardly think straight but I wanted to write so you wouldn't worry. I can't remember the last time I tried emailing at this time of day. Webtv is much friendlier in the early hours of the day. Barb      Message From: dogb@webtv.net (BJ) Date: Fri, May 19, 2000, 8:10am To: echristian@webtv.net (Elizabeth Christian) Subject: Friday I still want to know what you were hoping to accomplish by putting your keyboard in the refrigerator. Things are settling into a more normal routine now that Demi is committed to renting a vehicle for her trip. I can't believe that a week from today she leaves. As far as I can tell all my help is lined up. We need to get the groceries taken care of but my needs are simple. Zena was better yesterday and seems more normal today. Demi never took her to the vet but they have an appointment tomorrow. It appeared to me like it was a diabetic problem and the vet had warned her that this could happen. I'm glad Zena won't be staying here while Demi is gone. Char can take care of her. Heidi will think that this is her house again without Demi or Zena. The fire is still burning north of here. It must be moving north because we can't even smell the smoke. I feel sorry for people living near the nature reserve that is burning. Yesterday with all the stress gone I finally was able to do some more fussing with my homepages. I didn't do anything big but just added things to a couple of pages. There is always something to do if webtv lets me. The sore spot on the back of my upper thigh is hurting worse than before. Of course this has to happen on a Friday and the week before Demi is leaving. I'm sure I can arrange for a home health nurse to check it but I'll never be able to get a doctor to see it before Demi goes. I wish this thing would clear up once and for all. Everybody agrees that it isn't a pressure sore because it is dry and scaly but they don't know what to do for it. Last night I was watching WPIX on TV which is from NY City and they had the weather report of that line of really bad storms going through the northeast. That is one of the fun things of getting news from there. Not only can I see what is happening where I used to live but I can see what all my friends in that area are having to live through. Of course the most fun is watching a blizzard while I am soaking up the sun. LOL Sunshine Smiles, Barb