Betsy

In order to keep my “potty” mouth cleaner … I use more appropriate exclamations when dealing with Gordo. Like … gosh darn … I’ll be dipped or that’s funny shiitake, etc.

Yesterday I yelled out “Heavens to Betsy” (one of my common ones) and Gordo says “Pooker Annie” I really wish you’d quit saying that. Why Dad?  Because Louis (somebody?) pulled my swimming trunks down at the pool when I was a boy.

I feel like torturing myself … so I asked. Dad what does that have to do with me saying Heavens to Betsy? He says … well his family were a prim and proper Catholics who never said curse words and Louis’s mom’s favorite expression was “Heavens to Betsy’.  She said that all the time when her horrible son did something bad.

Dad, I’m sorry … I promise not to say that anymore.

Then true to Gordo’s nature … Do you have any of those chocolate cookies left?

He’s a piece of work.

BTW … was curious where that saying came from.

HEAVENS TO BETSY

Some have tried to trace it to the Revolutionary War and to Betsy Ross, maker of the first US flag, but have failed; others think it may have something to do with the frontiersman’s rifle, often called Old Betsy, but there’s no evidence that saying and name are associated. Charles Earle Funk, who in 1955 used the phrase as part of the title of a book about curious phrases, said that its origins were “completely unsolvable”.

Another unsolved mystery. But I bet she was a BITCH Oops!

Yes … I did!

Wrote this to the folks at Kimberly Clarke who make Depends.

I can't believe I am even writing this ... but my 81 yr. old dad started wearing a diaper a year ago. The reason he liked your brand was because he could easily tell the difference between the front and back. The back had a very visible ink mark on the back.

Now ... some marketing genius you trusted ... convinced you all to change the color of the diapers. Men's are now gray and women's are peach. Big problem folks! Very hard for an elderly person who already has issues and doesn't see like a 20 year old.

Now it is very difficult for him to see the ink mark on the back. I have searched every Walgreens in the Houston area and there are NO white ones to be found.

So ... I have to ask ... why change the color of adult diapers? It's not as though they prance around ... so that everyone can see how amazing their diapers match their shoes.

Come on folks! What were you thinking?

In the meantime ... I actually have to get a permanent marker and highlight the ink spot on the back.

Thanks a million!

Weekend Getaway

I was able to take off my caregiver cap this weekend. My dear friend, Sherri invited Mikey and me to chill with her in New Ulm, Texas.

We had beautiful weather, a wonderful dinner (courtesy of my amazing chef hubby) and great company.

A fabulous time was had by all.

Thank you Sherri for having us and Liz for taking care of Gordo … making our little getaway possible.

Happy Sunday Evening Folks!

In Search of The Blue Heron

Gordo’s latest obsession … When do the Blue Herons come to nest at the park next to where he used to live? He tells me to call Marge. I ask …Dad what’s her last name? He doesn’t know and he’s pretty sure her name is Marge.
Oh boy … here we go again.
So I put on my detective gear and begin my quest in search of the great Blue Herons who frequent the park next to an old folks home. This ought to be interesting.
Call the front office of Park Shadows… they know us well. Ask if they have a “Marge” living there. Of course they do! Three of them. What? Must have been a popular girl’s name in the 30’s.
Rather than totally confusing the minds of 3 elderly Marges … not to mention … he’s not 100% sure that’s even her name … They recommend I call the “Pilpots”, because this 86 yrs. old couple know all about birds. Oh joy!
Sparing you all that conversation … the bottom line was … the Herons arrive in late February and Mrs. Philpot took my number and is going to call us when they arrive.
I relay the info back to Gordo … who in turn says … Great job “Pooker Annie” … I’ll tell Jan. Jan (pronounced Yan) is dad’s physical therapist from Holland. Ok … I know I may regret this but … “What’s does this have to do with him?”
Oh … In Holland the Heron is considered to be very lucky and poor Jan hasn’t seen one since he’s been in the states. I told him that you would drive us over to see them when they arrive.
Great!
How special is that trip going to be? Gordo, a Dutchman, the Philpots and maybe we’ll meet the infamous Marge … if that’s even her name.
All aboard the Bizarro Express!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome

My name is Cora aka Pooker Annie. I am 48 and full time caregiver to my father, who I refer to as “Gordo”.

With the encouragement from some of my friends … I created this blog.

It is a work in progress, but if I didn’t start working on it now … I probably would never get around to doing it at all.

A little history …

12 months ago my husband Michael and I were finally empty nesters. Life was great. I had a great job with a marketing company. Hubby had his job with the same company for 15 years. We had lots of free time and money … not tons of cash, but we certainly weren’t complaining.

That life … my friends … is now just a memory.

On the evening of February 18, 2011 … a single phone call from my dad would set the stage for my … “Life with Gordo”.

The details of our journey are on the pages in this blog.

I started sharing my stories on Facebook back in February 2011 and have uploaded all of them.

My hope is that this can be a place where folks can find some solace, share their stories and enjoy the journey with us.

Please share this blog, your stories or helpful information.