Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
Comments
-
GK, where is your mom in Indiana? I am in Illinois. I can't believe that doctors give chemo after 80. Is she able to drive? I agree, it is very nice to have your parent nearby. My best advice, is to have everything ready i.e. living will, power of attorney for health care, power of attorney for property, money designated for expenses when she passes. My mother had nothing ready and I had to get everything done for her estate in the last 3/4 weeks.
I am mentally and physically exhausted, and I think it is going to take a while to get my mojo back. I get a massage, I think, on Tuesday. Can't be soon enough for me.
0 -
My mom is in a small town called DeMotte. It is not too far from Valparaiso if you know where that is. I live near Iowa City, IA in Coralville. How far are you from I 80? That is my current route to her house. Good advice. She has her living will done. My older sister is her healthcare POA and I am her financial POA. She has a living trust, funeral planned, and plot and headstone purchased. I still feel like we are missing something. The chemo was discussed heavily. The goal with the chemo was it was going to be given preoperatively and hopefully lead to a smaller surgery for her. Her options were having a big abdominal procedure to remove her colon cancer or try to shrink the tumor and they may be able to take it out like a colonoscopy. Her chemo was xeloda pills. And she had concurrent radiation therapy. Crashed and burned. Ended up needing a year to recover from everything before she could have her surgery and ended up having the bigger surgery anyway. 😥
0 -
forgot to say yes she still drives. Not long distances anymore but to her bank, to the store, to church, and to her hair appointments Etc.
0 -
GK, that is good that she drives. My mom stopped driving about six or seven years ago at about 82. I am in the middle of Illinois about 200 miles south of Chicago. Good for you that everything is taken care of financially and directives. My mom had nothing prepared and my sisters were in denial for 3 months. It was extremely difficult.
Question, we are having a 6pm Celebration of Life and my church does not have room for refreshments afterward. I called Baker's Square and asked if I could buy several pies and serve pie and coffee. The agreed. I have not told anyone yet. What do you think? We would not be arriving there until about 7:15pm. I am not doing food, just pie and coffee. We have struggled for 3 months without any visits from my mother's large extended family. My sisters and I are exhausted and stressed out and will do welll to get through the Celebration of Life. Ideas?
0 -
Pie and coffee sounds just grand, and for those who don't like it.....tough toogies.
Miraculously, I survived the last event today and even made it home in one piece. I am fried, but made myself a delish and simple dinner of scallops. More to come. I was glad that I went to the Walk, as the organizers were most appreciative of the work I had done to make their job easier. (And it never would have happened without my behind the scenes work.) 2 hour drive each way, and I forgot my wallet. I will mail the $20 to the lady who helped me out so I could get coffee, lunch, and beer in the beer garden.
Headed for bed. Can't wait for next weekend and nothing to do for a couple of days.
Last event this year. YIPPIE!!! Next stop is my HS Reunion. - Claire
0 -
I think the pie and coffee sounds just fine. Good luck with your busy week claire.
0 -
Agree, pie and coffee is perfect. Having some refreshments is lovely, the focus should be on visiting with each other, not the "party" or "food" that is served.
My in-laws moved in with us Aug 2004, one passed in 2011 and the other in 2012. Those were difficult years and being the custodial caretakers of both while my husband is the youngest of 5 and the others were mainly MIA...I wanted these celebrations of life to be about our time to reconnect as family and made them as easy on us as possible. TT
0 -
Michelle -lifting you up! Pie and coffee sounds like a perfect ending to a evening celebration of life ceremony. When my sister passed away I did all the planning, flowers and memory board for her. I understand how you run on adrenaline to get things done and then just crash after it's all over. We had a big meal after my sister's passing but it was provided by the church. It was nice but pie and coffee sounds so much more intimate with the ability to talk and stroll about with others easier. When our daughter passed away we had the immediate family at our house afterwards with a local deli catering . We had lots of family from out of town and it was just easier for us to do it that way. I rented small tables, chairs and linens from the local Rent-al shop. It was July and the weather cooperated. Take some time for yourself today!
0 -
Another vote for pie and coffee + maybe something decaf, since 7:15pm?
0 -
Definitely decaf coffee.....no regular at that time of night. Maybe pitchers of lemonade as well.
Here are the florals that I designed to go with my mom and dad's framed picture for the church. I plan to use them on my mantel afterwards and put them up there to "try" them out.
0 -
Just stunning flowers, Michelle!
My "day off" morphed into 10 hours of work, but processing the monies brought in from the 2 events is behind me and the credit card machines are out the door! I ran the washing machine so am caught up on laundry.
I had planned on coloring my hair this evening, but alas the supermarket doesn't have my shade of hair color. So will push back until tomorrow. I have coined a new bad pun for this situation - "dis-tressed."
Felt great to do a run and clear my brain. Irises are in bloom. Cool and sunny. Just the most delicious late afternoon.
I can't wait for Friday as planning on having 4 days off. Really need this to regroup and catch up on my cycling training. Otherwise, things won't be pretty six weeks from now when I do the Big Ride.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Can't wait to spend more time outdoors as it's beyond glorious out. - Claire
0 -
Very classy Michelle! OK, now I am in closet cleaning mode. I am working like a banshee to try to make room for my olderst daughter to move in next month. I don't even consider myself a keeper, but I did 2 goodwill runs and feel like I have barely made a dent in it. I feel like I am being sucked into a vortex from which I may never return.
0 -
I am so sorry, Michelle. (((Hugs)))
0 -
Thank you girls, for holding me up at this difficult time. I am just about ready for Friday's Celebration of Life. Have a program to print, and some table cloths to take for the dessert portion of the evening. Hugs to everyone.
0 -
I was finally able to pick up the easel from my sil. Here is the finished picture on the easel with the florals that I designed. I used a weighted bottom on the matting, and the frame is one that I had from the Goodwill. I used Silver Gilder's Paste on it, which made it very elegant. Creating pieces by hand has kept me sane throughout this process and I am thankful that I have some abilities. Hugs to all my girls.
0 -
Absolutely lovely, Michelle! You are a woman of many talents.
0 -
That is beautiful Michelle. Hugs
0 -
Michelle how are you holding up at this point? Hoping everything goes beautifully tomorrow for the celebration of life. Hugs
0 -
Thanks girls. I am holding up okay, just have to go pay for the pies and coffee in a bit. I have everything on my list finished. Tonight, I play bocce ball with my bff in the club league. I think we are ready to say goodbye to our mother and have closure for my sisters and their families. I selected readings and a gospel which reflect the "letting go" aspect of death, which I think will tie up some loose ends.
0 -
Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Michelle! - Claire
0 -
Girls, I could feel all of you lifting me up today. Everything was beautiful and went smoothly. The pie and coffee was a hit and many of my relatives came. Baker's Square did a wonderful job for us. It was just simple and nice. The priest and I worked very hard on choosing the readings and tightening up the gospel, homily and readings to give closure to my sisters and their families. My son was a server, my husband and daughter were readers, my niece did a reading, my three great nephews bought up the gifts from the back of the church, we sang several hymns and had a singer for Ave Maria in Italian. I had butterflies in my stomach starting late last night, and could barely eat today. I am very tired now and already took my bedtime medicine. Gotta love that Tamoxifen. Relieved that everything is over and ready for the next chapter. Plan to get out to our club tomorrow and have fun. Its a dock party for all the boat owners....
0 -
Michelle I'm so glad everything went so well. Sounds like everybody had a part in the celebration of her life that's great. Your mom would be proud and happy. Have fun tonight at the party!
0 -
This so reminds me of my mother's funeral which I also orchestrated. The small church was packed, and a great memorial to my mother. I am so glad that the pie and coffee were a hit. Again, so simple but there is nothing like a spot of good pie.
The party tonight sounds delightful!
I had a wonderful day cycling yesterday. The Foothills Trail is so scenic, and I stopped for asparagus and rhubarb at a farm along the way. I had a mango smoothie at the Trailside Espresso, which has a mini park where you can enjoy their tasty concoctions. Then through the new section of trail which goes next to a glacial lake/bog and then along the top of a gorge with a stream below. Unfortunately, not as visible now that the trees are leafed out. The downhill back was great fun. Just a gentle grade and fun to cycle. I did 40 miles total.
On the way back, I stopped at an overlook of a bog and watched bullfrogs, dragonflies, and baby ducks. Exquisite.
It's been so long since I had a fun afternoon cycling and now realize how much I have missed this. All this is helping body as well as spirit, as my weight is now coming back down, even though I can't say I am suffering from lack of food. Hoping to be where I was at the end of last summer very soon. Nothing like 100 mile training weekends to speed up this process!!
On the way back, I got caught in the backup of a horrific accident. I have never seen a car on its roof other than footage from Grand Prix races. From the tire marks, it must have plowed into the guard rail at high speed and then flipped over. No glass left. I couldn't see what else, other than be grateful that no one else was taken out in the accident.
Not wanting to get caught in traffic, I snuck back via the scenic route which meant that I stopped at the Farmhouse Market for one of their wonderful steaks. So a simple dinner to top off a wonderful day. I must do more of these.
I am making dinner tonight for two neighbors - think spaghetti vongole with lots of fresh asparagus, and rhubarb crumble for dessert. I will get fresh salad from the farmers market (after doing a fun 20 miles). Tomorrow is a hike with a friend and then the 7 Hills of Kirkland on Monday. I need more weekends like this.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it! - Claire
0 -
Starting to get hot here in Iowa! I spent the day finishing up flower planting. I had a hanging basket I 
did a while ago. I added a pot today and another
hanging basket on my shepherd's hooks in the back by the bird feeder. Getting ready to go to a wedding now. My older daughter Rachel is in the wedding. Looking forward to some fun and dancing.
0 -
Great updates, Claire. Beautiful pic GK. Today was a good day. I was exhausted and we went out to our club. I did find my sister a car, which was a blessing. I could not believe the deal, other than angels were looking out for her. Feeling peaceful.
0 -
The dinner party was absolutely splendid. All the food worked and it was much appreciated by my two neighbors. I introduced one to Fentiman's Rose Lemonade which is just spectacular on a warm spring evening. I was able to do appetizers outside. I ended up doing a beet and baby red Boston lettuce (from the market) salad with walnuts and Cashel Blue cheese as the starter. My own vinaigrette as a dressing. This was followed with Angel Hair Pasta Vongole and then a rhubarb crumble for dessert. I had fresh roasted asparagus with the main course. Both the rhubarb and asparagus were from my Foothills Trails adventures.
Today, I met a friend and did two different hikes, one around a ledge area close to where I live and the second of the rail trail in the valley just a few miles away. We stopped for burgers and beers. Very bad, but the onion rings were among the best I have ever had. Superb.
My two neighbors were floored by my cooking, and also the presentation, as I got out my china, linens and silver. But the crowning touch was the fresh peonies purchased for the princely sum of $7 at the market.
After today's walk and lunch, I came home and slept. Then watered my herb garden. I MUST find a dish that uses lots of oregano. Not to mention thyme. It's getting to be a scary sight otherwise. Oh my!!! Picture of the peonies below. The scent is beyond heavenly. - Claire
0 -
Gorgeous peonies and yummy sounding food, Claire. From the looks of it, you had a fab weekend. My weekend was good, and I am ending it with bbq from the crockpot. I have to get my protein intake up. I grocery shopped at my regular market and at Sam's tonight, which makes me feel like I accomplished something. Tomorrow, I get my permanent bridge put in at my dentist, and later have a massage. I can feel myself becoming more calm as the days go on. Plan to work on my closet, get some sun blocking curtains for it as it is converted bedroom masquerading as a closet. I want my things secure from sun damage. I was able to get three bags given away yesterday of things that I no longer need or want. So, some progress is being made. Looking forward to summer.
0 -
This is why I still love Rexxie.... I have the 2003, but the same basic design, and the wagon which is lots more practical.
We have been on lots of adventures together. However, tonight's adventure was a haircut with a stop to the wine bar/tasting room first. My friend, Chris, was figuring out new flights and he was seeking my help. Now, this is something I can help with!!! I bought a couple of bottles as gifts for my trip.
Hair looks fab. Had the leftover pasta and ready for bed. Had a brutal day figuring out what to do with my fried work computer and how best to proceed with resurrecting a piece of gear that is getting on but still serviceable. This is fine, and I will make do. My home/business computer is recent technology, and it was bizarre going back to Windows 7 one last time. It's now updated to Windows 10 and ready for file transfer. Have to admit that I could have done without all my forays into webmail.
Tomorrow is office cleanout in preparation for the move. I will be listening to Michelle in my ear as I take loads to the dumpster. The operating principle is "less is more."
Off to bed as it's been quite the day. - Claire
0 -
Today, is "Claire's digging deep for the win!" Keep what you need, dump the rest. It will be a liberating and peace-filled journey. No more time sucks.
0 -
Okay you recipe girls out there. Can someone tell me the best way to cook these? I bought him during a moment of weakness because they were like super on sale. But now I have to admit I really don't know how to cook them. You've always done me good with recipes so I'll be waiting. ...
0
