A bird nest is a work of art, don’t you think?
When I find one on the ground, it is immediately scooped up and brought into our house. A house within a house. This one is rather small, just big enough to fit on top of one of my favorite egg cups.
How do they do it, this weaving of twigs and other bits? How do they fashion it into the perfect little place to lay their eggs? Such a wonder.
Inside is a robin’s egg I found on the ground.
Soon they will be building their nests once again. Though, when I look outside and see well over two feet of snow still on the ground, that seems a long way off.
I’ve heard our mourning doves the last few days. I hadn’t heard them all winter, so I take that as a sign. I love the sound of a mourning dove. It’s truly one of my favorite bird calls, haunting and beautiful.
The sun is out today and for that I am thankful. My mom is holding her own. She had a fever on Friday, but by Saturday it had gone down. She sleeps a lot, but sits up to eat and when she does that she seems fairly alert, though she doesn’t speak. I talk to one of the nurses every day. They are still waiting for blood culture work to come back and some more tests will be run today. In the meantime, my dad got a letter from the nursing home saying they would only hold her bed for eight days. Really? So now we have to deal with that on Monday.
My poor dad just gets overwhelmed by this stuff. Heck, I get overwhelmed by it. Mom was lethargic and out of it all last weekend; thinking she might have a UTI, we had to alert the staff and ask for a test on Monday, by Tuesday afternoon, her condition was ‘deteriorating,’ though no one informed us of that fact, and not until Tuesday night was she sent to the hospital. No one on staff picked up on it until we brought it to their attention. So she has to magically recover in eight days? I think not. Though apparently this is standard practice, part and parcel of Medicaid, regulations, etc.
Don’t get me started.
Deep breath. It can’t be dealt with until tomorrow. I’m going to ask the nurse today if there are discharge plans in place.
Happy Sunday.
I am totally amazed at the nursing home. It’s cruel….her room is paid for, hold it for her. My gosh. I can only imagine your father’s woes. Praying for your family. Claudia, I like that wee nest. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I guess it’s standard practice, Susie. I tend to react emotionally with a What???? But my sister tells me that, most likely, she will just get another bed when the hospital discharges her.
Eight days is longer than most, but unless the home is totally full, they will take her back when the hospital releases her no matter how many days she has been gone, particularly if she has been there a long time. You will find, however, that the eight days will use the entire share of costs you have paid. Funny how that works out. Keeping your mom and you on our morning pray list.sonja
Thanks, Sonja!
you might check with Hospice. I think through medicare?? With my father n law they covered everything and took care of everything. His was in home. The Hospice people are wonderful people. I don’t know what we woulda done without them.
I don’t think she’s ready for Hospice yet, Donna. But we will do that when it’s time.
Good morning Claudia, life does get very stressful. I hope you have a good day. Doris
Thank you, Doris.
I am going through this problem with my Aunt Susan right now. She has a broken leg from a fall that is mending. She has developed congestive heart failure and her blood sugar (which has never before been high) is elevated. The social worker wants my cousin to take her to a nursing home. My Aunt wants to go to her own home. Hospitals and nursing homes today can leave families scrambling to make arrangements. I went through this with my Daddy, my Mom and now my Aunt. I am sorry for you and your dad. It is all exhausting. Love your bird’s next. We have a new one on our back porch. Love it.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I’m so sorry about your aunt, Susan. You’ve been through too much lately.
Your nest is beautiful, Claudia. Our mourning doves are around all winter. They gather around the heated birdbath in the late afternoon. It’s their sauna time.
We went through the same thing when our dad was in the nursing home. Medicare will only pay when rehab patients are making ‘progress.’ Once they determined dad was no longer making any progress with physical therapy, Medicare stopped and we became private pay. The average around here is $10,000 a month. Thank God dad had some money saved up because otherwise, I don’t know what we would have done. We’re going through the same situation with my aunt right now as well. She’s been in a nursing home/rehab center since breaking her hip a couple of months ago and is going on private pay starting this weekend. I’ve been doing all her bill paying for the past few years to help her out. There will be some big bills in the future, that’s for sure.
My thoughts are with you and yours, Claudia…
Donna
She is no longer in the Rehab section of the Nursing home, Donna. She’s in long term care, I believe. I think that was all taken care of with Medicare, thank goodness. How they expect people to pay for all of that is beyond me!
I’m so sorry you, Meredith and your dad are going through such a hard time. My dad passed quickly at my parents’ home. My mom was not so lucky.
Claudia, my heart goes out to you. I hope you find some comfort in Scout and your own cottage nest.
Fondly,
Karen
Thank you, Karen.
I’ve just been reading about your poor mother on Meredith’s blog. Life just is too tough sometimes. Your family is in my thoughts x
And, oh! That nest!! I collect them when I find them too, such incredible feats of engineering!
Thank you, Annie!
How well I understand your frustration with the nursing home Claudia. We went through all kinds of loopholes when my dad was in one. I am glad to hear it sounds as though your mom is improving. Will keep praying. My aunt had a stroke in the early part of Dec. and after rehab went to her daughter’s for a few months but yearned so to be at home. They have moved her home now and since she lives just across the road from us I am going over a few times a day to check on her. When I take the baby with me it just makes my aunt’s day. Enjoy your Sunday!
You too, Janie!
Let’s choose to cheer up and enjoy the nests, they are quite charming and it is daylight savings time whatever that means. I’m going to still have the number of hours in a day that I have always had, whether the clock is ahead of or behind me, I just know that spring is definitely on it’s way!
Not a fan of daylight savings time or of time changes in general. It would be nice to have the time be consistent, since the rationale for DST is no longer necessary. But it’s sunny today and that I like.
Isn’t it just sad that you have to worry about that in addition to your Mom and Dad’s health and their situation! I think it is a crying shame that when you have so much on your plate they throw something like that in. Just in case you don’t have enough to worry about – here’s something else!! Irritates me.
The sun is shining here today and warm weather is predicted for the week. Thank goodness. Hope some of it comes your way.
Judy
Me too, Judy.
It’s sunny here – a bit cold – but there is some melting going on….we have a long way to go!
I am so sorry for all you have to go through with your mom. But, like you said, you can’t do anything today…so enjoy your nests and birds. We all have to refocus. It’s going to be above freezing, except for one day here…so I expect a lot of melting. Haven’t heard any birds yet…we do have a resident hawk, but he doesn’t chirp! Enjoy your Sunday! ;)
We are in the crosshairs of another snow event on Wed/Thurs. I can only hope that it is minimal! I have very little salt left!
Claudia,
I saw where someone had asked you about Hospice. They are wonderful support for you and your Mom! They take care of everything…I had the same response you did, she is not to that stage yet and I resisted also.But having just been down your road afer 4 years I don’t know how I would have done it without them. They are a wonderful advocate for your Mom, as a nurse will visit her weekly and check for things such as UTI’s… Hospice now does not mean end of life is eminent! My Mom had hospice care for 4 years!
It really is worth looking into, if not for now, but for the future.
I also will continue to pray for you and your family. I started following Meredith’s blog last week and My heart breaks for all that she and her family are going through!
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Debbi Saunders
greenshutter@AOL.com
I leave most of that up to my sister, who really knows the health care system in Florida. There are plans in place and I’m not sure exactly how hospice works in Florida. Thanks, Debbi!
So sorry about all your issues with the so-called “health care” system, Claudia. It’s intolerable to me that people have to cope with those kind of troubles at the same time they’re worried sick about their loved ones. And it must be even worse when it’s long distance. Hopefully your mom will be better very soon. PS – I once had a momma bird build her nest in the brand new $40 faux eucalyptus wreath on my front door! And I didn’t even notice it until the eggs were nearly hatched because I had been working such long hours that it was dark when I left the house, and dark by the time I got home. The “peephole” in my door looked directly into the nest too, and I could sort of see [and hear] the birds get fed and chirp away. Then about a month later, I got home about 6 pm on a Friday afternoon to find Momma and her 3 babies flown away. No kidding but I actually felt missed them & felt sad for a few days. And unfortunately there was no saving the wreath. That nest was so securely woven into the eucalyptus that I would have needed a grenade to get that nest out.
That happened to us as well. Only I was away working for several months and Don didn’t remember to remove the Christmas wreath from our door. When I got home in July, I grabbed the wreath to dispose of it and saw that there had been a nest there – momma and babies came and went and Don didn’t even know about it!
Amazing isn’t it? What’s sometimes right in front of us that we don’t see. I bet he had hours like mine at the time. Gone all day – leaving and returning in the dark. My brother was actually the first one who noticed it, when it was my turn to host our Easter family breakfast.
How long has your mom been in the NH, Claudia? Working for an insurance company for many years, it was always hard when people called in with questions on Medicare coverage. Many are shocked when they find out what is and is NOT covered. I hope you are able to get correct answers to your questions. Be sure you document names and answers when you are calling. I hope she continues to improve. Take care, kiddo!
She’s been there for over two years, Chris. She’s basically covered on Medicaid now and there is a woman working there who has been an enormous help to us with this type of thing.
Oh, Claudia, it’s always something, isn’t it? As I was reading this blog and the comments from your very caring readers, I kept hearing the word “advocate…advocate…advocate” in my head, and I see that Debbi S. (above) mentioned this possibility, too. I have no personal experience with the ombudsman program, but on paper it looks like a very good thing. I am pasting in a couple of links so you can read about this.
When my son was three and was diagnosed with a very serious disorder, it was a volunteer advocate who helped us find a way to see that he got the therapies and education that he needed. The people responsible for providing services fought us tooth and nail (it’s always about money) but she persevered and showed us the way. I will never forget her.
http://www.ltcombudsman.org/
http://blog.aarp.org/2013/01/28/long-term-care-ombudsmen-face-challenges-to-independence/
Blessings,
Nancy
Thank you so much for this helpful information, Nancy.
Hi Claudia,
I’m so sorry to hear that your mom isn’t doing well. I know how hard such times can be, and I am holding a good thought for all of you.
One thing I did want to mention, is that the hospitals have social workers that are there to help you with these sorts of situations. They have lots of good information, and it is their job, so do ask for help, if you find things overwhelming.
xo
Thank you, Lena. We’re going to see how much longer she might be in the hospital and go from there. Her fever is down but what we find alarming as of today is the fact that it seems she wants to talk but can’t. Now we’re worried about a possible stroke. Not sure yet and we don’t want to put her through a lot of testing, either.
I love that nest set in the egg cup! Sooooooooooo cute! Ad that sweet blue egg!
We had some sort of teeny tiny bird nest over the door thAt we rarely enter, and it had teeny tiny babies. Two of them. Twins, I guess. I left it up there, but the pressure washing guy is coming tomorrow. Maybe he can get it down for me.
I wish spring would come soon for you. I am so glad you heard the doves. That is a good sign. We have heated up and are back in business with the oak pollen everywhere.
Claudia, I am really shocked that the nursing home is doing this. Maybe thet need to be reminded that your mom can’t pneumonia on their watch. I pray it all works out for you.
Hope your weekend was lovely. I have been getting ready for a meeting here where the speaker, my friend who is a designer, is going to talk about tablescaping. He said he would do it because he knew I would do all the work! So true!
Love to you and prayers…
xo
Sheila
Well, hopefully it will all work out. This seems to be standard practice with nursing homes, and as I said in an earlier comment, I’m sure it has to do with funding and Medicaid, etc.
I hate the IPAD. I can’t see on it, and it changes my words. Sigh. I hope you understood my message. xoxoxo
I don’t think I can offer you any better advice than these good ladies already have..The birds nest is indeed a work of art..when I cut my sons hair in the spring..I put it outside for the birds to use in their nest building..I read somewhere that they like using it..
I leave Scout’s hair outside when I brush her and lint from the dryer as well.
I never thought of dryer lint..Thanks for the tip!
Good God, what kind of a nursing home is that? Is this normal procedure in the States? So stressful for you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Welcome to American Health Care. It’s getting better but it’s still not single payer, which would eliminate this kind of problem.
Cute little nest Claudia. My thoughts and prayerrs are with you as you continue to have to deal with all of these emotions and decisions long distance.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy!
So sorry that you are having to go through all of this with your mom. After a qualifying stay of at least 3 days in the hospital, medicare will pay for 90 days and then medicaid will kick back in. Make sure you find out all of your options. My prayers are with you, my friend. xo Laura
The hospital stay isn’t worrying us, Laura, just the available bed back at the nursing home. xo
Oh! How very precious is that nest?! Tugs at my heart. So fragile.
I adore mourning doves too, they are my favorites I think. So quietly beautiful.
So very glad to hear your mom is holding her own!!! But I’m so sorry to hear about the possibility of losing her spot at the nursing home she’s been at.
[HUGS!]
The nest in the egg cup is so sweet. Makes me feel like Spring might be getting closer! So sorry about you Mom and the nursing home, I guess it is standard practice. Medical care is a mess for sure. I am glad to hear you Mom is doing better. Hang in there my friend. Hugs, Linda
Glad to hear your mom is somewhat better Claudia. That is absolutely disgusting with the not holding her room thing. If they had kept a better eye on your mom perhaps this would not have happened. These things are so hard on everyone I hope it all works out.
The nest is a true treasure especially with the egg. It is a PITA dealing with the insurance of the elderly, I’m not sure anyone can figure it out. There should be a social worker at the facility that will help with it all and your Dad shouldn’t have to deal with it. Use them for sure, that is what they are there for, and they know the ins and outs of medicare.
Medicare only pays for a certain number of days and nursing home beds are at a premium..Often families have to pay just to hold the bed..I have to say that in my VAST experience :)..Most older women have some degree of urinary tract infection that raises it’s ugly head when they are given antibiotics for something else..Screws up the normal balance of things..Best wishes..
It’s such a worry when those we entrust with the care of our loved ones miss something like that, Claudia! I don’t know how you have the patience to deal with them. Thank goodness your mother has you, your sister and your father to advocate for her and step in. There are so many elderly folks who have no family left.
That beautiful nest certainly is a welcome sign of spring…. it can’t come too soon! At least the days are longer and lighter, and that is so heartening. Take care.