A very good late, late night to you all.  I don't know if I still have any followers, but I've really, really missed blogging.  I've missed many things.  Sewing, for one.  I have not sewn for almost 2 years and I was on quite a roll before the.  That is one of the first things of order for my life.  Sewing!  And Blogging, I have so missed you all.  and I hope you have missed me!

As I stated in my last post of April of this year, Mom was on hospice, and still is..It's a long slow journey for her.  Those of us who see her on a daily basis don't see the downturn she has taken, but it is noticiable to those who see her infrequently.  Mom is ready with her God to journey to Heaven, and I totally understand why she is anxious to move into the next world.  Here she is for the most part bedridden, except when we get her up via a hoyer lift and let her go sit in her recliner in the living room for several hours each day...other than that she is in bed..reading, watching tv, napping, napping a lot...her body is tired at age 87.  My sister was here again from early September through this past Tuesday and went home to her husband in Illinois...she was here 11 weeks..we are trying hard to split up mom's care.  My brother was married earlier this year but he is helpful when he can.  We will continue down this road for now, if things get worse for her or my dad, another plan will need to come into play I guess..but for now, it works.

My dad is also, at age 85, fragile and wobbly...he seems to be at a loss on how to take care of mom.  I told him just be there for her..he is very helpful..they get meals on wheels so he is able to fix those meals for them...he is also still able to drive to closeby places such as the grocery store, but even that takes a toll.  We're all just doing the best we can!

I need to get myself back to my hobbies...during my time away from mom in my home I need more things to do to try to keep my spirits up.

Gracie and Jack are now 3 and 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old..oh my are they my darlings!

These two are the light of our lights, we lived a long time to be given the gift of Grace and Jack!

Well, wanted to write a short blog post to see if anyone is still reading my writings!  Hugs to you all and happy Monday!

I HAVE MISSED BLOGGING...

This is my first post in almost a year...a year filled with joy, and sadness..illness and healing...

Another year has passed for us here in this desert...5 years now, we are hoping maybe 1 or 2 more years and then sell and move on...this is the longest we have been in one place for a while, lol...neither of us are fans of our town or this desert in general, so maybe a couple more, then time to move on before we get too old or sick to make a move...

This sounds silly to some, but we have considered selling the house, putting the proceeds in a one year CD, buying a small motor home and travel for a year...maybe then we will have the wind in our hair (my hair) and some travel out of our system and be able to settle for good.  My true love is Washington state, but Reno/Sparks area is a close 2nd.  Close to the grandkids, a good VA hospital system for Carl and seasons..and no state income tax..  Sounds like a win win to me...we'll see how it goes...no set plans for now!

My mom is for the most part bedridden and has been in the hospice system since mid January of this year...My brother got married in early January and moved out, so her care has been split between me and my sister Cindy, who lives so far away in Illinois..My brother is good to stop by and help when he can, and he takes care of their finances, so that is a huge help.  I did 8 weeks from January to March 10, and my sis will be here until April 25.  I'm not sure when she will be able to return as she needs knee surgery...I have tried to be positive and cheerful, but I have days when I am not.  It's hard to watch my mom in her condition, I love my dad but he is pretty much needing care too...so its really taking care of both of them..After my sister leaves I will be taking over again, but I will be doing things differently from the first time...I was spending almost every night at their home as my dad has a fear of falling...well my home life started to suffer too.  So dad will be wearing a life alert around his neck and if he falls, especially at night, he will have that to get help and contact me..I only live a few blocks away..I need to administer breathing treatments to mom 4x a day but I can run over and do that.  They get meals on wheels so those are their dinners..This will give me an opportunity to help them, but also give me time to do the things at home that need doing.  This probably makes me sound selfish and I hope it doesn't because I don't feel selfish, but I have things going on in my life that need some TLC too.  I guess I am venting a little, but trying to let everyone know what is going on in my life right now..

Carl and I are trying to get the things done that we need to do while my sister is here, appointments, etc..have wanted to take a 'couple' trip somewhere but that hasn't worked out..not really sure where to go, isn't that silly..would love to take a drive up the CA coast but we are running out of time for that, maybe in the summer when my sister is back.

We were able to spend about 10 days with the grandbabies a couple weeks ago..  Oh how we look forward to time with them, they keep us going, that's for sure..


Trying to enjoy this cooler than average spring weather the last few days, our summer will be here shortly and it lasts forever.  Like I said, I am not a desert loving person, so maybe one or two more summers and that's it!

Just wanted to say hi and hope there is someone out there that still reads my blog..