Friday am 9-25

Did not get a chance to post anything yet this week. Had to actually wash my kitchen floor and vacuum - Imagine having to clean my own house??

Tuesday Mom had a good day. She went down for coffee, and I arrived at lunchtime. She ate a great lunch. She so enjoys home cooked food. During my swim I was joined by Lil Kennedy - who also had 8 kids. She was telling me that she had recently decided not to cook any more. She just was tired of cooking and did not want to be bothered any more. That is where Mom is at. She just doesn't want to cook for herself. And you know what, I think she deserves it! Think of how many meals she has cooked in her probably 65+ years of having to do it for others.

Down the road Meals on Wheels would be a natural option, but I am not sure she would want to be a recipient. They can deliver a hot lunch and a cold supper once a day.
For now, me bringing meals, and having those of you who visit also prepare a meal is working just fine.

Mom decided her stove burner ring things needed to be cleaned. She was working on one when I arrived. She quickly decided that she would ask Holly , her home health aide to do it. They are in pretty tough shape, so I told her that you can now buy replacements. She immediately decided that that would be the route to go.

She also called during the week to tell me that she took a close look at her coffee pot and realized that she needs to replace it.

It is great that she is able to now notice things like that. It shows that she is taking an active interest in her surrounding. We are going to be going through cabinets, closets, drawers to see what she does/doesn't need - her decision to do this. I can make suggestions, but it is all up to her to decide what she does and doesn't want to do, and what she does and doesn't want around her.

Don't be surprised if she decides that there are certain things she can live without these days. She has had me prune down several of her plants and remove the trailers that were over the picture window. She is definitely paring down her life. This is a natural process of the aging process. Larraine said they also start withdrawing from people, so that is something we should be getting ready for.

Mom has told me on several occasions that she would like to be around to see what kind of adults all her grandkids and great grandkids become. As Mom's mom died in her 50's there is no reference to how long she could live. Grandpa was in his 80's when he died. But look at our Nangeroni aunts! Mom could be around to see Ryan getting ready to graduate from high school if she lives to 98!!

She wants to die living where she is, so she has started the process of preparing for the future by finally allowing the home health agency in the door. Baby steps ----- but forward ones, indeed.

Terri, the next time you are here be prepared to take home the amethyst. It has now been moved to Ruth's room. Mom is realizing that "things" which clutter her home need to be cleaned, and now that she is paying someone to clean, she wants there to be less to have to be done.

She had me take most of the framed pictures off the bookcase in the dining area and put the pictures in the collage and get rid of the frames. So there are frames also in Ruth's room for anyone who wants some.

We can have an ongoing collage in process for any new photos she gets. When putting together the photos for the new collage we realized that there were family members we had no photos for. As we had a full collage we decided to just finish it up and get it up for her and follow up later.
I don't remember all the photos I used, but I do know there were non of Nancy and Gordene, Derek and no current shots of Mary and Ray. Mom would probably love some updated photos from those of you who haven't sent any.

Tuesday night Larraine came for dinner with us. She brought Mom a loaf of cranberry walnut whole wheat bread which she loved. We froze individual slices for her to be able to enjoy later.
We all enjoyed our time together. Mom got to thank Larraine in person for getting us to up her water intake to 8 cups a day!! She joked about it but agreed that she could see that she is feeling better.

I have noticed a marked improvement in her moods and in her ability to be less confused.

There is a question of why she did not have a carotid ultrasound to see if there is any blockage. Of course, if she found out that there is blockage she would have to decide if she would want surgery. There is lots for Mom to figure out as far as what she wants for treatments, etc. in the future.

It is all a process, one which takes time to go through. We are all taking it one step at a time, as she dictates.

So Wednesday Mom went to have her hair done. She did not go down to coffee as she had slept in a little late - but was in good spirits.

Thursday she was preparing to go down for coffee after I spoke with her. She has decided to go with a purple whistling teapot I have that I don't use. She said she can put it in a cupboard when she is not using it if the color gets on her nerves!! And she is looking forward to the new range things that I have gotten for her.

I will be heading over for lunch and supper again today. Have picked fresh soybeans which we will steam and have with our meals. She loves the beans, but does not like the consistency of the pods at all - They are very furry!!! I had a thought come to mind - but it is definitely x-rated, and not one I am willing to put in writing!!! LOL!! Anyone who has eaten unshelled edamame will get it!!

Have a great weekend - Don't know if anyone is planning on being in Milton. Did I mention before that I am thinking of getting a google calendar set up so we can plug in our visits for all to see when she needs someone in??