Monday, July 16, 2012

WEEK-END WRAP UP....

Well we survived the move.  All 3 of my sisters were here as the furniture and boxes arrived, and between us all we had everything done by the end of the day except for picture hanging.  Truthfully I could have NEVER done it without them all helping, and I am very grateful.  Mom did OK, though it was hard on her on many levels as you can well imagine.  She felt like she was leaving a part of him behind in her old place, and truthfully if this wasn't totally necessary for her care, we would have all loved to have had her stay right where she was while she goes through this mourning process.  But we are doing the best we can.  I can't remember if I ever explained that she will be staying at my sisters house on the week-ends as she couldn't bear to give up her church.  One of my sisters lives near her old church and so we worked out a plan so she could continue.  It also gives me and my hubby a break and provided a time where we could still get together with our many kids and grand kids without stressing mom out with what is always a loud and confusing time.   ; )  This same sister has a full time job though which meant living full time with her seemed unworkable as mom needs assistance all day.  Sooo this was the plan.  However, (why is there always a however) mom is stressing on changing her docs, and this is in my opinion totally necessary as I am a good hour (with no traffic) from Newport Beach where her docs were located.  Not only is this a LONG way to drive for me, I feel it is unsafe for my mom.  Us sister are not in total agreement on how this should be handled, so we are needing to work out all the kinks.  How I would appreciate your prayers on all of this as we settle into our new way of life with mom.  It has all been very stressful I just can't lie, and I am REALLY having to lean more and more on my God with situations that I CANNOT control.  Good thing He is able to handle everything, and His mercy and love can see us through.

I thought I'd share a few pics of how things shaped up for mom.  First, her beloved fish, Mr. Bubbles has found a new spot on our kitchen counter.  : )  I am glad to have him as I have actually missed mine, and my grandkids will get a kick out of him too I am sure.  Here is his new spot....

MR BUBBLES

And I just had to show my brilliant idea for the grand kids toys.  I had an entire room set up for them at our old house.  It was nipped down to be shared with a guest/sewing room when we moved here, but I still had two sets of shelves FULL of toys for them to enjoy when they were here.  Now, I really needed to empty that closet for mom so I had cut the toys down to one set of shelves and I figured mom would just have to share her closet with the toys.  But! one night last week as I lay in bed trying to arrange things in my head, it occurred to me that I could move my washer and dryer over and down and make room for the toy shelf there.  It fit just perfectly.....without one inch to spare I might add.  I honestly think they will be easier to get to anyway for the kids, provided mom with the WHOLE closet (which she filled to the brim btw) and looked just fine....What do you think?

THEY JUST FIT UNDER THE CUPBOARD...OH, AND THAT TRASH CAN WILL BE MOVED UNDER THE  DESK BTW... ; )

Jeff and I have our TV spots all spoken for in our family room, and even Elvis has his chair, so we knew we needed a comfy spot for mom to view from as well.  She LOVED her green swivel rocking chair so I moved a couple of my things around and here is it's new spot.  I loved the way it matched our rug and other furniture btw, and now everyone is happy.

THE CHAIR IS FACING THE TV IN THIS PIC, BUT CAN SWIVEL AROUND TO FACE THE REST OF THE ROOM FOR TIMES IT WILL BE USED FOR CONVERSATION.  AND! IT RECLINES FOR MOM TO EITHER WATCH HER TV SHOWS FROM, OR JUST DOZE OFF!   I DO NEED TO GET A SMALL (KEY WORD BEING SMALL HERE) TABLE TO PUT NEXT TO HER CHAIR ON THE RIGHT (FROM THIS PIC ~  BUT REALLY FROM THE LEFT IF YOU WERE SITTING IN THE CHAIR) TO HOLD HER DRINKS ETC.  SHE IS LEFT HANDED SO THAT SHOULD WORK WELL

I was going to take a pic of where I moved my chair to in my bedroom, and also where I moved my sewing cabinet and gear to, but I forgot, and just now when I went to do it my camera battery needs to be charged so guess you will all have to wait on pins and needles to see it some other time, haha.  Meanwhile, here are a few pics of mom's room, though bear in mind the pics are NOT hung yet.  Mom is a BIG picture person, so there will no doubt be lots of them.  Plus she had a whole house to chose from.  Anyway, here it is

THIS IS THE VIEW LOOKING FROM THE DOORWAY INTO HER BATHROOM WHICH IS RIGHT OFF OF HER ROOM.  DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE SINK IS HER TUB/SHOWER WITH THE NEWLY INSTALLED HANDICAP POLES TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT.  SHE ALSO BOUGHT THIS NICE NEW VANITY SEAT SO SHE CAN SIT WHILE DOING HER HAIR AND MAKEUP ETC.  ALSO NOTE THE LINEN CABINETS IN HERE.  THERE ARE 6 OF THEM, AND I GAVE MOM 4.  

VIEW AS YOU WALK INTO THE ROOM....THE CLOSES DOESN'T LOOK THAT BIG FROM THIS VIEW, BUT IT IS HUGE FOR SUCH A SMALL ROOM.  IT GOES FROM WALL TO WALL AND IS QUITE DEEP.  MY MOM HAS A LOT MORE CLOTHES THAN I DO AND SHE HAS FILLED THIS UP, LOL.  


I DO LOVE HER FURNITURE..SOO PRETTY, BUT THE WALLS ARE SCREAMING FOR SOME PICS, HAHA

HER VIEW FROM THE BED.  A LITTLE CHAIR TO SIT IN AND READ, OR TALK ON THE PHONE, OR WATCH THE TV WHICH WILL BE IN HERE SOON AS WELL.

ANOTHER VIEW ACROSS FROM THE BED (though it is kind of dark) THE TABLE WHERE THE FAN IS SITTING RIGHT NOW WILL HOLD HER TV.  WE DID NOT GET IT MOVED YET.  TRUST ME THE FAN WILL NEVER BE USED BY MOM, HAHA, AS SHE IS ALWAYS COLD.  IT WAS FOR US HOT BLOODED LADIES WORKING IN THERE ON SAT, AS WE WERE ALL BOILING.  HAHA

Just had to show you a couple of collage pics Melody put together and sent me of Sam.  Soo cute

I JUST LOVE THIS....COULD LOOK GOOD BLOWN UP AND FRAMED I AM THINKING

HE GOT INTO THE REFRIGERATOR WHILE HER BACK WAS TURNED FOR A MINUTE....LOOK AT HIM ON HIS TIP TOES, HAHA...HE WAS SOO HAPPY.  AND IN THE OTHER ONE HE WAS PUSHING AROUND A PAMPER BOX.  LIKE ALL MOM'S SHE HAS DISCOVERED BABIES LIKE BOXES BEST, LOL 

HER CAPTION READ, "SOMEONE LOVES HIS DADDY!"  HE STANDS AT THIS SLIDING GLASS DOOR I GUESS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WATCHING FOR HIM (OR WATCHING THEIR OUTSIDE DOGS) BUT HE ESPECIALLY LOVES IT WHEN HE CAN WATCH DADDY MOW THE LAWN.  LOOK HOW DIRTY MIKE COMES HOME FROM WORK!  NO WONDER MEL SENDS HIM THROUGH THE BACK UTILITY DOOR, HAHA
So there you have it.  We had several days of hot humid weather, but it is gorgeous today and I am soo enjoying it.  We did go to church yesterday and then over to my son's house for lunch.  His wife Larissa made some WONDERFUL Italian sausage and green peppers for lunch (which were sooo good!) and we stay and visited with them for a couple of hours. We hadn't seen this set of grands in 4 weeks and we were soo happy to see them.  Grandma and Grandpa had really missed them.  We ended up not going to the Baptism later at the beach as both hubby and I were sooo tired from our day before, and we still needed to grocery shop.  I am imagining it was all wonderful.   Hope you all enjoyed your week-end.  

14 comments:

  1. Looks as if you and your sisters have nearly all the details worked out. What a nice room for your mother to enjoy. It will be easier for her to be with you through this grieving time. Your husband is really going to be a blessing with this process, too. Sometimes a gal wants to talk things over with her son-in-law. Hope that your mom will let us see her pretty pictures when they are up. Praying for you all...

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  2. My dear friend, Oh what a busy time for you. I'm so glad Mel sends those emails for you-they might just be the refreshing you need. Everything for your mom looks perfect-what a wonderful daughter you are. I know there'll be kinks to straighten out but I think you are doing well. I'll be praying for peace, grace and joy.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  3. I have three sisters, too. Together we are force to be reckoned with. There's nary a meal or project that doesn't get done with flare (and fun).

    What a fabulous outcome of your efforts!

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  4. Oh my goodness, the changes in your life in this past couple of years!!!! What a loving daughter to do this for your Mom! It all looks taylor made. I love the way the toys fit perfectly next to the washer!! I am sure there will be many adjustments to make, and there will be hard decisions too. I shall be keeping all of you in my prayers as you go through this next season of life.
    Mel's baby boy is adorable. He is growing so fast!!! Don't they all though.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  5. Good grief, I'm worn out after reading about all that you and your sisters did over this one weekend. Just all the emotions that go along with something like this is exhausting and the adjustments that lie ahead are huge too.

    May the Lord bless you with an extra portion of His grace and mercy as you adjust to this new life.

    And, there will be days that you will likely wonder if this was a good idea and that is alright. You are only human and we get tired and weary and it causes our minds to wonder and question what in the world is going on.

    Abundant blessings at this time!

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  6. Deb
    All looks very cozy for your Mom and well thought out.
    I'm glad you and hubby will have your 'alone' time. You will need it-it's not an easy process. I'll be praying for God's grace to abound.

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  7. What a lot you all accomplished this past weekend! It sounds like you all have really thought/worked this through (with a few "bugs" to be worked out yet) ... and it looks like everything is going to work out. I love how the toy shelf just fit perfectly next to your washer and dryer. Praying that this season will be one full of blessings for you all.

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  8. It all looks wonderful...but more than anything is the heart behind it all, a heart willing to change her own thoughts of life at this stage and bring in her mother...for that I applauding you!!!!!!!!!
    Prayers as all adjust and continue to go through the grieving process

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  9. Wow Debbie your plate is so full now and it was already over flowing into your lap. :) Which is a blessing from God isn't it. Don't you just love how having grand children just gives you that deep peace and calm in the midst of a storm?
    I will be praying for you. You are such a blessing and to read how you are handling this part of life. Now with all of my grandparents and parents gone, I see how important it is what you are doing.
    bittersweet, but you will look back on it with such joy.
    I don't think you will be like me and have the regrets of how I had wish I had done more and with a better attitude.
    I will continue to pray for you as you go through this testing time of transitions.
    I love the pictures of the baby in the fridge, what a wonderful happy baby he is.

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  10. What beautiful pictures you shared of your home and your mom's new living arrangements. I think the toys fit great there and are easy for the grandkids to get to. Your mom is going to be very happy here! Hope you get the rest of the problems worked out and settled. Must be very difficult.

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  11. I love how your sisters have all pitched in to help with your mom. That's so good to have their support and help. It seems like you've done a wonderful job in making your mom feel welcome. But I'm sure it's hard on her too with her recent loss and now change of living arrangements. But she must know she is loved.

    I love the Sam photos. He is too cute trying to get into the fridge.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  12. Hi Debbie, I like the way you and your sisters are working together to give your mother the best care. I have heard so many horrible stories of how there is so much turmoil in families when changes have to be made. This is a testimony of your walk with Christ. I will be praying for your mom as I know it will be an adjustment on changing her doctor. You have done a beautiful job with settling her in your home, I know this helps with her adjustment.
    Always love seeing pics. of Mel and Sam, that is one happy baby.
    Thanks for sharing, I am in full swing packing all of my downstairs and it looks like weeks on end of work~smile~
    Enjoy your week.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  13. Debbie,
    I have to say, your mom is so blessed that she has daughters who truly love her and are willing to care for all her needs.. I know things are stressful now but soon enough you'll all get into a groove and things will be as they should be.. as you are doing, keep trusting and leaning on God. Ask for Him for your needs and know he will provide.. God Bless you and keep you in His love,
    Robyn :)

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  14. I'm finally getting the time and sit and enjoy blogs so I'm just getting caught up.

    I'm so glad the move went well. I know it was hard for all of you. I love everything you did to create her special space for her. Even without the finishing touches of the pictures on the wall, I can tell it's really pretty.

    The toy storage is a clever move, and I think it's going to work perfectly.

    And Sam? Cute as ever!

    I know this is so hard, Debbie. I keep thinking of the passage from Proverbs 31. "Many daughters have done nobly, but you surpass them all."

    Well done, blog friend.

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!