As it turned out, I met Edith for lunch yesterday in Cherry Hill, not Smithville. She was worried about driving in the heavy rain, so I said I'd go up there. What a hassle! I left home at 11:00 and didn't get to her house until almost 2. Will never trust Mapquest again (but I always go back to it--sounds like a foiled romance).
Anyway, it was great to be with Edith, whose husband has a variety of physical and mental ailments. What a relief to talk to people also in caregiver situations (they rarely have preconceived notions). Illness and disability seem to frighten and/or embarrass people who aren't intimately involved in it. They try to make themselves more comfortable by assigning the caregiver--that's me, folks--preconceived, and totally stereotypical roles: the saintly and devoted wifey, happy to be of constant service to her ailing spouse; the martyr sobbing into the urinal who never considers her own needs; the top sergeant, grimly doing her duty; the caregiver who is "in denial" (the next time I hear that creepy cliche, I'll scream), so the observer needs to set her straight with the unpleasant facts...
Well, they mean well, I guess. Another comment, as long as I'm on this track: Americans have been raised to believe there's a solution to every problem and if you just try hard enough, or consult the right expert, or find the secret cure, all will be well. One of the most trying aspects about being a caregiver is receiving unsolicited advice. Honest and true, when I want advice, I'll ask for it. Of course, IF a absolutely positive cure comes up AND there's no chance Pat or I would have heard about it AND it's been tested and proven and is on the market, why I want to be told and I'll walk through fire to get it. Unfortunately, there's about as much chance of that as of Bush reverting back to human form.
Yoicks, this has been a tirade, but after all, it's my blog and I'm feeling reckless and devil-may-care. Also, tonight, I'm meeting another Wellspouse friend, Vivian, at her house in Barneget and we're going up to mysterious Manalapan for a WS dinner and meeting. Am looking forward to it with great pleasure.
Oh, and what about my "Illspouse," as we Wellspouses say? Well, I'll leave him dinner and the phone, and will call him several times on the cellphone--I'm sure he'll be fine. No-o-o, I'm not the sacrificial and devoted little wifey and I sure am hell am not sitting at home eschewing a social life and crying into the urinal.

Had fun yesterday at the Women's Club "tricky tray" meeting. I won a small wooden box with six Christmas ornaments in it. I put in for it (you buy tickets and distribute them in cups in front of the "gifts" you want, then the tickets are drawn) because I need more Christmas stuff to go with the 65 billion things I already have. Barb H. picked me up for the meeting (it was raining) and after, while we were having coffee in the clubhouse, we were both asked to be models at the fashion show luncheon to be held in May at the Smithville Inn. We enthusiastically agreed and I said I want to wear a bikini (the attendees would run out screaming).
Speaking of Smithville, I'm meeting WS friend, Edith, there for lunch today. Tomorrow, will go to a WS meeting and dinner in Manalapan with Vivian. Had chicken potpie last night. Pat didn't comment, but had two servings. It calls for cream of chicken soup, but I accidentally used chicken gravy instead and we didn't notice any difference. Anyway, it was good on a rainy night, especially followed by the rest of Barb's banana cream pie.

What's that I hear in the background--applause? Well, I do deserve it, thank you very much, because I--ta dah!--got started on clearing out the guest room closet and am almost finished. I packed up three shopping bags of things to donate to the thrift store, plus threw away a bunch of junk I thought I couldn't live without and haven't even seen for three years. I even--get this--got some of the study closet cleared--I'm so proud!
Aside from that, visited some yard sales and enjoyed the spring-like warmth. Pat went to the bay as usual, then we had the erstwhile (always wanted to use that in a sentence, although I'm fuzzy on what it means) pot roast, which I finished cooking in the oven. It was very good and sometime later, I'll use the other half still in the freezer.
Will continue my cleaning out efforts today--I'm on a roll!

Well, the pot roast went the way of all flesh. No, that doesn't make sense, but it was all I could think of off-hand to introduce the following sad story: I got a recipe for crockpot pot roast off the Internet. It said to add an envelope of onion soup mix and water to the meat and veggies (carrots, onions, and potatoes), then cook on high all day. It didn't call for mushroom soup, but since other recipes had, I decided to add it. I have two crockpots, but they both hold only 3 quarts, and there was no way everything would fit in the pot, so I cut the meat in half. A few hours later when I looked at it, I was horrified to realize that 1. the divided roast was too small to feed 4 people and 2. the vegetables were already done! Yoicks! Well, I put the veggies in a bowl and heated them up for dinner, then got breaded pork chops out of the freezer and served them instead. With a salad, applesauce and sourdough bread, it actually turned out to be a good meal, especially topped off with the luscious banana cream pie Barb had brought. Besides, I now have a ready-made dinner for tonight.
As ever, we had a great time with Ray and Barb, wonderful friends and neighbors to us.

I'll go for our walk with Susan soon, then tidy up a little before the cleaners come (Alison laughs at me cleaning up for the cleaners). Decided to make a crockpot pot roast for dinner with the H.'s, although I've never made it before. Will serve with a salad and peas; Barb's bringing the dessert.
When I went to Boscov's yesterday, I decided to wait to buy sneaks until after my (November 20) appointment with the foot doctor. I did buy Pat two pairs of sweat pants and myself a blouse. Then went to Santori's for salad fixings and got some odds and ends at the dollar store. Stopped at the bay before I went home; Pat was chatting with three cronies at the bulkhead and when I walked up, I said they looked like drug dealers making a deal. They're nice guys and I'm glad Pat has friends and a place that are his alone.
Had "oven-fried" pork chops for dinner last night and Pat said they were very tasty--faint praise from the master!
Got a welcome long and interesting message from Pat McH. R. and enjoyed reading it--also enjoy her blog. Pat wrote about her travels with her husband over the years and how I envy her. Frank and Barbara D. are going to Mexico tomorrow--lucky them! One of the things I miss most in my new life is being able to travel. However, I shouldn't complain: Pat is stable right now and we're in a routine that helps me to cope. (I get edgy and stressed out when things are chaotic or I don't know what to expect.) Also, am looking forward to having family and friends here for Thanksgiving and that buoys me up.

Gorgeous day today and I'm off to Boscov's to look at a few things, notably sneakers. Tomorrow we're having Ray and Barb for dinner and I meet Edith for lunch at Smithville on Monday. Will call Muckie and ask her over, too, so things are heating up on the social scene.
Must start making a list for Thanksgiving, plus a few other chores, but enjoyable ones.
Did I accomplish all I bragged about doing yesterday?
Even half of it?
A little, teeney bit...?
None of your beeswax.

Doctor visit went fine yesterday, got a flu shot, plus referral for feet and this morning got my blood work done. It's been raining like crazy, but I don't care, as I'll probably stay in.
I have exciting plans for today:
1. I intend to switch the contents of my pocketbook from summer (a soft cloth bag) to winter (leather).
2. I've resolved to check over what gifts I already bought for Christmas, make a list, and organize it.
3. I will strive to make several phone calls that need to be done.
I just pity, pity, pity you poor people reading this, who don't have such fascinating, sophistocated, and important items in your live!!!