My hollyhocks last year....this year they are twice as big!
Well, my Mom is back in the hospital. She collapsed ~ on her first day back home from rehab ~ and broke her ankle. Sadly my sister and I agree that was likely her last trip home. After rehab this time, she will be going to assisted living. It is a long and sad story that so many of us experience with our elderly parents that have so many health issues (Parkinson's, dementia, etc). In the next month or two I will be driving to Texas to help my sister clear out Mom's house to put it up for sale. It will be difficult. Mom has lived in that house for over 50 years. It is filled with memories, both good and bad. Birthday's and estrangement, deployment and graduation. I suppose those 5 years that I lived there shaped a good part of who I am. It is where my babies went to be admired by their Grandmother. Until I moved to New Mexico, I spent nearly every Christmas there, Thanksgiving, Easter...... Without those memories it is just a tired house, in need of some updating.
I don't know how Mom will feel about not going back. It is where, up until the last four months, the place she felt most comfortable and in control. Not long ago, she did tell my sister that maybe she should go to a nursing home ~ because she knew that her caregiver no longer has the strength to help if she falls, or has other trouble getting around the house. Going in and out of the hospital has increased her dementia issues. My sister visited her at rehab where Mom asked her where she was. Still, even though we have some plans, everything is uncertain. I'm not sure how long she will be in rehab this time.
On the work front, our hygienist is still out. The doctors she has seen seem unable to figure out what is going on with her. I haven't heard about her COVID test, but I know I would have heard if it was positive. She has debilitating headaches and very high blood pressure. If I were her kid, I would encourage her to retire. From what I've heard, she doesn't want to be home with her husband all day 😊 Another uncertainty....all we can do is wait and see.
We are having a rare rainy morning her in Albuquerque. Usually we have storms in the afternoon and evening following a hot day. It is so nice to see it, the air smells so fresh and scented with pinon, sage and lavender. I love the smell of the desert when it rains.
Tonight I am participating in a painting class via zoom. The subject:
Normally (haha) we would be at a pub or a bar, and drinking wine or beer while we paint....still should be fun! And I need to replace the winter scene I painted last time I participated in one of these. And make a run to the store for a few beers......alcohol does improve the painting process for me!
Enjoy your Saturday!
Love, 365
Sorry to read about the turmoil with your Mum. Dementia can be so distancing and distressing for both you and her. Keep up the creative stuff, it might help provide islands of calm.
ReplyDeleteWell, after the experience of a Zoom painting class, I think I will wait until we can actually go there. The lighting was to harsh, the artist seemed very uncomfortable, and part of the time all I could see was her back while she was painting. I didn't finish because she was hurrying it along, so I hope to be finishing it today.
DeleteDealing with this mom thing as well. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteAs for your co-worker, if you haven't heard about her test she doesn't have it. But high blood pressure will give you headaches so she should be on medication. I hope I don't get like her and work so I don't have to be near my husband. That is sad. And lastly, you painted those peppers? I couldn't do that sober, drunk or for the love of God really really trying.
Oh my, no, that is not my painting, it is the photo they attached to the ad for the class!
DeleteYeah, the Mom thing is on-going and it drags me down with it. This Friday my sister and I are meeting on facetime for a little happy hour. :-)
My mother and father were so glad they went into a home with good carers in their last few years , said they should have done it sooner. They had people around them at all times when needed and they made friends and loads of interesting things to do. I used to go on outings with them when I was there and take part in concerts and quizzes.
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of a lifetime of memories is another thing altogether. How much can you keep of their books, discs, papers. Both my parents wrote diaries and stories. Fortunately they had already begun getting their memories down in book form.
Good luck with your Mum and your work
Oh, my Mom probably hasn't processed the news that she's going to live in assisted living. With her dementia, you just wait until it's almost going to happen and then tell her ~ sad but true.
DeleteHope the painting turned out great and you had a wonderful time. Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she heals up and is able to enjoy her time at the assisted living facility.
ReplyDelete