Hello SP

I am back after a 333 day break. Oh my goodness time flies when you are having fun!

In October 2018, I got a call from my sister in Oregon. Mom was in the hospital with a double pulmonary embolism and in critical condition. I drove from Omaha to Portland, fully expecting the worst! Thank the Lord, she made it and was sent to a rehab unit for recovery.

In the meantime we were trying to figure out what to do with Mom since it was apparent that living on her own wasn't the best solution. I told them that if she was willing she could move to Tucson with me. My ego was still burning from the nasty treatment I received from my daughter, and I think that is why I offered. I have pretty much loved my Mom from a distance, and it was my turn to step up to the plate, so to speak.

Well that must have been what Mom needed to hear- her recovery was great and at the end of November we started the process. I stayed in Oregon, got Mom's stuff packed and scheduled a moving van. Then a friend in Omaha did the same thing with my stuff. I never did return to Omaha.

I found a place that we could afford, and after having a friend in Tucson go look at it, made an offer on a renovated mobile home in an over 55 mobile home park.

Well it was still in the process of being renovated, so we didn't get to move into it until the 10th of January, so there went Mom's plans of having the Christmas tree up. We ended up staying with friends in Tucson until then.

But we are here now, and have been working on getting the house put together and addressing some of the safety issues. The term " Lipstick on a pig" comes to mind, it is a pretty home, but needed some plumbing, HVAC work, electrical etc.

I found a part time job so we had the funds to get the necessary work done. We hired Randy the Handyman and are on the last project. Rebuilding the front porch so Mom can go get the mail and not be worried about tripping on the tiny ( 6 inch ) stair treads.

The job is a blessing in many ways. Mom watches Ringo, and I get some interaction with others. I have never worked in public accounting, and I am finding it to be interesting, challenging and am actually enjoying it. Some weeks I work 20 hours and during tax season- well lets just say that was the challenging part- LOL

We are adjusting to new normal. But that is life isn't it?

I have missed my daily routine of logging and reading others blogs. I have gained about 12 lbs back ( I own that one!), and am back on program, adapted to cooking gluten free for my celiac Mother. Another challenge for sure.

Mom wants to do KETO- but then she wants the crackers, bread, and fudgesicles and waffles. I need to discipline myself that and pass on the Pudgesicles.

Miss Dorothy ( Mom) does't cook! I guess she figures that at 88, she is tired of cooking. She is terrified of gas appliances, and we have a gas range. So I am the lucky girl. Having regular schedule meals and planning meals - all I can say it that I am so glad that part of my program stayed in place throughout all this chaos.

Right now Miss D is in Oregon for a few weeks.. She was missing her friends, and the rest of the family. Now she is saying she is ready to come home and will be flying back to Tucson the 23rd of October. So I would say she is settling in nicely. I am missing the daily interaction also- I will never figure out how someone can wake up at 5:30 in the morning and be cheerful, LOL. But I must be conditioned because I am waking with the chickens myself these days, maybe not cheerfully, but at least mentally functioning.

I speak with her almost daily and she is already planning the Christmas tree. This is a big thing for her. I have spoken to a few of the neighbors around here and am going to have a Decorating Party/Cookie Exchange. I would like to do it after Thanksgiving LOL

We had a dinner partly last month. Mom decorated the tables and enjoyed the interaction, but she doesn't go out of the house, unless I am taking her somewhere. There was a progressive dinner, we had the main course, but she didn't want to go to the other homes for the salads and deserts. A little at a time. Drip,drip, drip!!

That is about it for now. Keeping on keeping on!

Till next time. Goal for this week- 1.5 lbs#