Mama’s Keeper
A work at home caregiver’s journey.
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T-minus 4 days until DTV converter day
June 8th, 2009
I was going about my business online like normal, when Gram insisted that I watch the show about how to install a DTV converter. I already installed one for her like 3 months ago, but she somehow thinks that I can learn something else.
Now I know what mothers go through when their kids, show them the same thing over and over.
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Posted in Soapbox, Television. No Comments »
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Paper vs. Plastic or Bring your own bag
June 4th, 2009
Paper vs. Plastic or Bring your own bag
This is a constant debate in the Mama’s Keeper Blog. Since Gram is from the old school, her belief is that every bag is useful. Plus, growing up during the Depression also seared in her that she has to hold on to everything, including plastic bags. This does not make it easy to convince her that the “new” way is the best way.
Since there has been talk about taxes on bags, she has relaxed the rule and has taken paper bags to the store instead of plastic. This is progress.
However, whenever I get groceries, I always carry a cloth bag. There are many reusable grocery bags
Of course, if you can’t quite part with the plastic bags, you can always stash the plastic
Gram will get there, eventually. In the meantime, since I’m doing most of the legwork, I don’t think her footprint will make much of a dent.
Posted in shopping. No Comments »
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Happy Mother’s Day Gram.
May 10th, 2009
A rose for Mother's Day.
Happy Mother’s Day Gram. Without you there would be no me and certainly no blog.
Posted in Soapbox. No Comments »
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How to save time and money before going to the supermarket
May 2nd, 2009
Lady with a list and a shopping cart.
Lately, supermarket circulars have been finding their way to Grandma’s door. So when she call and asks me to pick something up, I had no clue what she was talking about until recently.
So I figured out that there has to be a better way. So I decided to see if the supermarkets in question had circulars online. Sure enough, they did.
So now I can follow along with Grandma and check to see what she wants and don’t have to play the scavenger hunt game to either find the circular in the store, or the products in question.
This tip is also helpful personally to help plan my shopping list before going out.
Bonus, if you have a UPromise.com account, you can lookup your supermarket to see if your purchases count toward savings toward a college savings and/or a college loan account.
Posted in Administrative, Financial, Tips, shopping. No Comments »
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A Loaf of Bread
April 19th, 2009
Does a price of a loaf of bread tell about the times?
They say that a slice of pizza is the barometer of NYC transit fare. What about a loaf of bread?
I am Forbidden (yes, that’s a capital F) to get bread for Grandma that’s above $2.00. She says that it doesn’t make sense to just give away money.
Often I am lectured about back in the day (Depression) with ration tickets and “Meatless Tuesday”. Gram understands that things costs. However, there are some elders out there that flat out refuse to buy food and medicine, even if it is an essential need?
Are you in a tug of war with prices and buying with an elder? How do you justify your position with their best interest in mind? Let us know in the comments?
Posted in Administrative, Caregiving, Eldercare, Financial, Resources, Soapbox, Tips, Uncategorized, shopping. No Comments »
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Delivering packages to the elderly
February 27th, 2009
Will packages be delivered to the elderly?
Every once in a while, Grandma receives notices from the post office saying that she needs to pick up a delivery. The thing that she was in the house all day. How long does it take to ring the bell and deliver a package? They should at least see if the person is home first before leaving that slip.
When she get those slips, I have to come from over 30 miles away just to pick up her packages. When will the post office be more accomodating to the elderly? The post office may see this as saving time, but its a real inconvience to the elderly and their families.
Every so often, the post office sends out surveys and everytime we stress our views, but as far as Gram can see, she can’t see it making any difference.
Posted in Administrative, Government. No Comments »
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Ugly Betty focuses on caregiving
January 23rd, 2009
On the show, Betty and Hilda’s father is recovering from a heart attack and both sisters wrestle with the question of care giving. This episode hits close to home for many people today. Can one or two people can realistically take responsibility for a sick or elderly relative. In the end, they learned that the most important person to listen to is not themselves, but their father.
Posted in Caregiving, Eldercare, Financial, Television, health, healthcare. No Comments »
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Buying the Digital Converters
January 14th, 2009
Old TV with noise on screen. Retro Television concept. No signal
This is a follow up to the post from nearly a year ago.
My Dad asked a month ago if I sent for the coupons. I’m glad I filed for them in time (at the end of November.) They arrived in mid-December.
So on Monday evening, I decided to get the digital converter for Grandma. I decided that it was better for me to get them sooner than later because I didn’t want it to be February and the stores would then be sold out. She insisted that I get 3 , 2 for her 1 for me, even though I told her I don’t need one since both of my TVs are hooked up to cable.
I went to the store and the sales person asked for the papers that came with the coupons.
(NOTE: Bring the papers that came with the coupon that include your name.)
I explained that I was getting 2 converters for my Grandmother since she can’t get around. They rung up the converters and then scanned the coupons. They gave the coupon cards back to me.
The next update is when I install the converter on Gram’s TVs. Stay tuned.
Posted in Technology, Television, shopping. No Comments »
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Seniors doing the “hustle” to survive
December 21st, 2008
This blog post comes from a guest source, my Dad. He is semi-retired in Florida. Even though he does have to work, he enjoys what he does. Dad says that he knows of other seniors have to work either for medical reasons or to make ends meet.
Could this be a sign of the times, or something long term?
Posted in Soapbox, healthcare. No Comments »
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Rite Aid’s Site for caregivers
November 23rd, 2008
While writing another blog post, I stumbled upon Rite Aid’s site for caregivers. The site has video from experts, forums and articles for caregivers.
Posted in Caregiving, shopping. No Comments »
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