Welcome to my world.

To really understand the stories to come, you have to know a little about me.  I'm 29.  After six years of using my very expensive religion degree at a church and private high school in West Virginia, I moved to the midwest to be closer to my family.  Admittedly, it was also a convient escape from my former life as youth minister and high school teacher.  So, I packed up all the worldly possessions that would fit in my car, with no plan for job and only a bed to crash in at my parents' house, and set out on a new adventure.  My only real requirement for a  job was that it not in a church.  I had burned myself out on politics and found the idea of setting foot in a religious establishment of any kind completely unappealing.

After a few months of rest, relaxation, and recuperation, I was ready to really get down to the job search.  The problem I found was I was too overqualified for the jobs I wanted.  I really didn't like the idea of working in an office full time (I'm not a cubicle person) and working with kids still sent me into a tizzy.  Oh, I was busy, for sure.  Volunteering at a couple organizations, working at the local football stadium, raising a puppy for an assistance dog group... I filled my time.  Eventually, though, I knew I would wear out my welcome with my folks, and I really needed to be working.  I don't do well sitting still.

Eventually Craigslist led me to a woman looking for a live-in aide for her mom.  After a couple of interviews, background checks, and a few days spent working with my client under careful family supervision, I was hired.  My client, Merle, is a lovely 89 year old woman living with mid-stage Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.  She moved into her daughter's house a few weeks before I came on, after the family and her long-term significant other realized she wasn't safe on her own and he couldn't take care of her by himself.  So, now it's a houseful- me, Merle, her daughter (my Boss), her grandson (Tall Guy), and his girlfriend (SoCar).   Yeah, I'll use nicknames for almost everyone.  But I really am Jessi.

Our life is full of adventure, random conversations, and occasional hysterical fits.  This blog is an attempt to capture the wonderful and funny, vent the frustrating, commiserate with other caretakers, and give what help I can for the random shortcuts, hints, and assistive devices that work for Merle and I.