Where Do We Put Mom?

It sounds like I'm trying to decide where to put a box of old clothes when I ask that question

...BUT, where DO we put mom?

The last few weeks have been hard for us as we worked to relocate my mother-in-law. She's been 

living alone and slightly independent for the last couple years, but the day before her 90th birthday 

she fell and broke her hip. Her world was turned upside down as was ours. 

She's smiling here, but it was weeks before she'd smile again.
The surgery and pain was tough on her 90 year old body!
She's still can't walk and needs assistance. She has good and bad days.

We had tried to get her to move into a really nice assisted living facility for the last couple years,

but she didn't want to lose her "independence." She really hadn't been very independent because 

she lost her license last year and could no longer drive (thank goodness!) Someone had to drive her

to get groceries and medications, get her hair and nails done, and go to doctor appointments. She'd

also not been good about eating and taking her medications on time.

She had resisted moving to the assisted living home for so long that now the entire burden of 

deciding where she'd live was on us. We were given less than two days notice to move her from 

rehab to an assisted living facility. We had to buy her a bed (she didn't want her old one) and shop for 

a couch for her new place. We also had to find movers who would be available within the next day. 

We then had to box up and bag up all of her clothing and personal items to move. 

My husband and I both said we are too old to be doing this kind of moving. My oldest daughter and

her boyfriend were lifesavers in boxing things up and my son-in-law and Monkey Boys jumped right 

in to help. Even Monkey Baby wanted to help!

Without them we would have needed to move into the facility with my mother-in-law because it was so hard on our bodies and we were worn out. We've told our kids that we promise to go willingly to 

assisted living when the times comes that we can't take care of ourselves. Hopefully, we will do just 

that! Plus, I'm going to start cleaning out my STUFF (not my fabric, though) so the kids won't be 

swearing about me and all the junk I hung on to. It's time to dejunk!

Luckily, Monkey Baby was well enough to help, but two days ago he was in the ER with a possible

case of pneumonia and low oxygen level. After x-rays and tests, we were relieved that it was bronchitis and he was sent home with antibiotics, ibuprofen, and a breathing treatment. It was scary to hear him breathe and see that sweet face look so sad!

He was such a trooper! He only cried when they put the oxygen device on his finger.

In the middle of all this, I got to take a night off to hang out with Corrie from Quilt Taffy at the 

Queen Bee Market dinner and craft night. I had no idea what I was getting into, but meeting Corrie 

was so worth it! She is as cute as her quilt store! I'm not very crafty with painting decorations, but 

Corrie made sure I had my "hello" facing the right way (not that I painted the wrong side or anything)

and that I was well supplied with cookies. I wish I'd had more time with her!

The desserts were so pretty!

I have lots of sewing to catch up on...I'm so behind!
My sewing machine is staring at me. It needs me.

You never know when life will throw you a curve ball.
Some of those balls are bigger than others and in perspective,
this has just been a small blip of a ball in our crazy life.